Chops1963

Hi Go online and check out Meetup groups in your area. They are a friendly bunch and will make you feel very welcome

Sadly, from my own personal experience and talking to others (migrants and Australians) it is a widespread issue. Currently, putting in for PR (on a 457) and on my third employer, have received bullying at all 3 firms. I have just made an official complaint about my manager as I have been off work with stress for the last two and a half weeks. Ultimately, being treated like this can affect a person`s confidence,well being and self worth. Hopefully, It will be regarded as a serious issue and those who bully, and management who choose to do nothing..will be held accountable. Being bullied at work...is soul destroying,

Hi If the company has not sponsored anyone before, they need to apply to be a sponsoring company. Second company i transferred my 457 weren`t, took about 2 weeks to complete and a week for the nomination, total cost to then was c.$400. If they have sponsored before, they just have to do the nomination bit which will take about a week. You might have to reapply for your visa, if so will take about 2 weeks if you have all the paperwork. I was anxious about doing it, but it went pretty smoothly, although i did have a great migrant agent helping me. Hope this helps

Hi getting a 457 sponsored role is very hard work, so you have to be determined and develop a thick skin, Contacting recruiters should be part of your approach, but you should also identify companies that could use your skills and apply to them as well.Additionally, see what transferable skills you have, and think about what other industries you could apply to ? As networking is important, i use Linkedin and it can be good to promote yourself and get in contact with people who can help you. Recruiters are busy, and some are just plain unprofessional. So don`t take it personally, get a plan of attack and go forward. Best wishes

Hi I`m looking for work......not offering a job

Hi Laura I`m in the same boat and managed to get another company to take me on...am starting the work with my migrant agent tomorrow. Stay calm, which is harder than it sounds, and focus on applying to companies who might be a potential employer. Best wishes Andrew

Hi I`m currently on a457 visa, but will lose my job next month (i`ve been here since Nov 2010) ihave been offered a job in Hobart, but it is a big drop in salary (about $ 15k) to $60000 plus super. I`m a single guy inmy late forties, and need to be able to survive for at least 2 years until ican get PR. Can anyone tell me if this is a good enough salary to stay on, ihave to let the guy know on Monday (26/05) he`s being pushy, and i have someconcerns about taking the job. Does anyone knowwhat the job situation is like in Tasmania? I work as a Production Manager(Food/FMCG background). An option i thought of was to try and transfer toanother Tasmanian company, if it doesn`t work out so that i can still get myPR. There is another jobin VIC, which, i`m waiting to hear back on, and they would want to interview meimmediately, and i`m keeping my fingers crossed that they do, as this is $30 kmore than this role, better company and boss as well. Currently, i`mstressed out to the max, and can`t think clearly, so any advice would begreatly appreciated Thanks Andrew

[h=3]Dynamic, Resourceful Manager seeks a Production Management role with an Australian company[/h]Highly motivated Manager currently working in Canberra on a 457 Working Visa seeks a permanent Employer Sponsored role in Shift/Production/Operations Management. Extensive experience in Planning, Quality, Leadership/Coaching/People Management, OH & S.Training/Experience in Lean Manufacturing techniques. Experience in Continuous Improvement-Including founding "In-house" Improvement team . MBA educated with an hands on workstyle, proven with companies ranging from Global Multinational to small family run enterprises. I`m seeking to transfer my 457 Working Visa to another sponsoring employer (this is a straightforward, quick procedure and inexpensive procedure). Will relocate anywhere in Australia for the right position. Feel free to contact me for an exploratory chat, or if you require clarification/expansion on any points. Thanks

Hi David My own experience of looking for work, in the UK and in Australia is that you put a lot of effort in but get treated in what might be seen as a rude manner i.e. getting no response or feedback in relation to job applications. Because of my age, i had to apply for a sponsored position, so a lot of legwork on my behalf (researched 5000 potential employers, applied to c 1700, and came over with 7 potential interviews). The most disheartening aspect for me was getting no response from companies, although in fairness, agencies did invite me to contact them when i came over. i think that less than 10 % of employers replied. But, if you come to Oz, are resilient, focused and network then you can be successful I mentioned the word network,as i had great success by making contacts through Linkedin, and met a Melbourne businessman for a Coffee and informal chat (TIP: If you go for a chat with a potential employer/contact, treat it as a business meeting/Interview....they will). As a consequence, he gave me a list of 12 names in his network, including a CEO of a large food company, a couple of MD`s and some useful contacts. Another contact, i made through Linkedin, put me in touch with a Consultant who interviewed me for a job, and although i didn`t get it, he said that he knew the HR Director of Arnotts, which led to an interview offer, but unfortunately, due to time constraints i couldn`t go). So make sure you network, make contacts, go into the Linkedin forums and say you`re looking for a position, you`ll be surprised what might come your way. Anyway, accept that recruiters aren`t always going to be the most professional in their dealings with you, and start connecting. Good luck Andrew (aka Chops)

Hi I think that i`ve browsed their website, and found that some of the jobs were quite old. To be honest, i think your best bet might be to make direct enquiries, i ge in the medical field i think that it might be easier than some sectors like my own (Manufacturing) as agencies see getting sponsorship as a hurdle. Also, if you`re not on Linkedin, it`s worthwhile joining and getting a profile up, as there are groups relating to Australia, getting sponsorship, networking so you can post a question, ask for advice and put up a post saying your looking for a sponsored position. There are also some migrant agents and companies that help place people in sponsored positions that are on linkedin, i`ll try and see if i can recall some of them Hope this might be of some help Kind Regards Andrew

Hi Julia Are you on Linkedin ? There are several sites relating to Australia and Training and development where you could ask for advice and/or leave a post saying that you`re looking for work. Andrew

Hi i`m here on a 457, just over a year, and the dream has become a nightmare. My friendly , helpful boss is now a micromanager who is kranky most days which ramps up the stess, and you make more mistakes. A colleague who was also a 457 migrant lost his job just before Xmas (same day as the Xmas Barbecue !). His last day was after the 28 day period was mid Jan, but to date he hasn`t been contacted by Immigration. He has a job lined up and is waiting for references. Have read posts in here where people have said that hey haven`t been contacted, i got the impression that if you are serriously looking for another sponsor they will be sympathetic. In your position, i would look to get another employer before leaving, which is easier said than done, esp if it means travelling out of state etc for interviews. My stress levels are too high, talk through with someone, even on here, it can help.

I recently applied for a job and arranged a Skype Video interview with the MD (who was in Dubai). I added his user name as a contact, but at the appointed time (having being contacted by his PA by e mail to confirm that he was about to contact me) i waited, but it he didn`t appear, i waited and e mailed his PA who thanked me for interest and wished me well in my job search ! Contacted skype, who checked and confirmed that the Skype user name wasn`t recognised, i cut and pasted the content of the conversation and e mailed to both the PA andthe interviewer, he admitted that it was an alias, and gave me his real skype name which i added. Another interview was arranged, and i was on skype chatting to a friend, an hour before the interview was due. When the interview time arrived, he wasn`t there and he didn`t contact me. His PA again e mailed me to say that he was contacting me. The interview never took place. My advice to any one would be to check that your skype phone/video works in advance by contacting someone with Skype, also make sure that the skype name they give is recognised.

Thanks for giving me the details, to be honest i`m looking to try and sit down with someone, rather than a phone call as i have a few concerns i wish to get advice on, and prefer face t face if possible Cheers

Hi There Just enquiring if anybody can recommend a MARA registered migrant agent in Canberra/ACT that they have used and have been satisfied with. I have some issues with my 457 that i would like some professional help with Thanks Andrew

Thanks Cal i will x

Hi Thanks Cal, been applying for jobs and registering with agencies as well. Spoke to my college (another migrant) who they let go at Xmas, and one of the directors rang him,and said that his his last day in Australia should be next Friday, if he was in Australia after that date, they wouldn`t pay his airfare home (which they can`t do) also the director sounded stressed, so will be interesting to see what transpires on Monday. Moven, they have to give me 2 weeks notice, or pay in lieu of notice. I`m applying for jobs, but haven`t told anyone. I`ll ask the directors what the situation is workwise, and if they say it`s grim, then i`ll say that under the circumstances, i need to consider approaching companies to transfer my Visa to, and take time off (unpaid) for interviews.I don`t tink that they could refuse this request. the big problem i have is tha ti`m in the ACT which is mainly Public Sector & defence, and my background is manufacturing, so `ill have to travel out of state for interviews Dan, thanks again for the pm, it was very kind of you. Getting fired up, so will update you, have a good weekend Andrew

Hi Hopeeveryone had a good Xmas and New Year, it was good to get away to familyfor a few weeks. I`vebeen applying for jobs ( about 20 so far, and registering with Agencies) andalso getting recommendations from former colleagues for my Linkedin profile. Spoketo immigration today and confirmed that if i lost my job, my employer has toinform them within 10 days. Then the 28 day clock starts ticking. At the end ofthe 28 days, they contact me to find out what i`m doing. I have 5 days in whichto respond. They will either cancel or extend my visa. Ihave some interests from my job applications, and have a Skype interview with aCEO, for a position, next Monday night(with a follow up interview in Melbourne, the week after, although don`t knowhow i`ll manage that ?). Iasked the lady at Immigration, how long it would take for a prospectiveemployer (who isn`t already a sponsoring company) to transfer my visa to, shesaid that here were 2 stages, each taking upto 4 weeks, which could be doneconcurrently online-which is helpful. Thinki have 3 possible outcomes: I lose my job, and can`t find a company to take on my Sponsorship, and have to return to the UK (Worst case scenario, as i`ll be homeless with little chance of getting back into the job market in current conditions). I`m able to transfer my Visa to another company in a different state, and start over, or Stay where i am and be unhappy. I want to apply for PR as soon as possible, but with work situation and relationship with my boss, too big a risk, as if they finish me off, i will lose a lot of money, and i won`t be able to transfer it to a company in another state. Wheni go back to work next week, i`ll ask the owners what the situation is. If theysay it`s grim, then i`ll say that i think that i should start looking foranother company to transfer my sponsorship to, and be able to take time off forinterviews. Hopefully,they`ll agree, which will be good. But they can be small minded, and might takethe view that if i`m thinking of leaving then they`ll let me go now (whichmight suggest that they were thinking about it already, just doing it sooner). I`mgoing to the local immigration office in person tomorrow, just to double checkthings. Andthen apply for some more jobs and prepare for me interview Thanks Andrew

Hi There Thank you for you kind messages, it has lifted my spirits. Returned to work, and things have been quiet as we`re winding everything down. My boss has been ok with me, asking how i am. When we talked about possible job losses, he just shrugged his shoulders, and said the if he was a betting man,then he would expect more jobs to go.Been applying for jobs, and had 3 interested parties so far, and i`m getting more motivated. Been to see my friend who was the other migrant who lost his job, and given him some support and resources to check out. Going to stay with my Sister and her family in Melbourne, and taking my suit with me in case i get called for interview (Fingers crossed ). I like Canberra, but my background is Manufacturing and is mainly public sector, so i can travel to another state, and transfer my visa, and then hopefully put in for PR asap. Anyway, one more day to go till Xmas hols, so will make a deliberate effort to have a decent break Thanks again Andrew

Hi, i`m not a frequent poster in PIO`s but i`m in a desperate situation at work, and would really like some advice (just had the last week off with stress). I`m currently in Canberra on a 457(ENS) came out here in November 2010. From being offered the job to coming over took about 5 weeks. I work for a small, family owned manufacturing company. And at first everything was going well, but that has changed over the last few months. My boss has gone from being helpful and supportive to now picking up on any small detail and losing it (he`s a very intelligent, “Micro manager”-but is now prone to blowing his top on a daily basis). The company is small, 11 in total and there is another SA migrant who worked there and came about 5 mths after me. He`s being getting harsh treatment from the company for a while (he spoke to one of the owners and said that he wasn`t getting told if he was doing a good enough job, the co director said that they were very happy with his work. Then, two days later in a meeting with him, and her son-his boss. She stated that they were unhappy with his work, and offered to transfer his Visa to another company. About 3 weeks ago, a staff meeting was called out of the Blue. My boss called me into the office and asked me to present an award to one of the staff for good timekeeping. I asked him if there was anything to worry about in the meeting? He just laughed and smiled and said that there wasn`t. At the meeting, the owners announced that business was very bad, there were no orders from the US and there was a big debt that we were owed, also our UK distributor seemed likely to go out of business in the New year. Then concluded by saying that they would be looking at reducing staff numbers, something they would look at in January.So much about having nothing to worry about ! On a lighter note, they announced there would be a Xmas Barbecue with a western theme. Someone, had printed Wanted posters with staff members photos on and we were each give a Cowboy hat to wear. Then it was announced that we were expected to bring in a present for the “Thieving Santa” game. We were told not to spend more than $ 30 (last year it was $20)as they thought that everyone could “afford” that. Afterwards in the kitchen, one of the co owners (husband and wife) was telling everyone about a meal that they had the night before-she said you wouldn`t believe how expensive it was-just the sort of thing everyone wanted to know after the bombshell. Anyway, a bad atmosphere hung over the place. I was stressed by this, and by my boss picking on things on a daily basis. I cancelled 7 Xmas events as i wasn`t in a festive mood. Things got so bad that i booked an appointment with the Drs on Monday lunchtime. Told my boss so he knew. Just before i left, i was in the Storeroom, counting out some parts. My boss came in and watched me, i told him what i was doing, he didn`t say anything, just stared at me without saying a word...must have been for about a minute. Before he turned and walked away. The Dr was very understanding (Coincidentally, she`s on a 457, and the niece of the other migrant i work with) I got a sick note for the rest of the week and tablets for Anxiety. Emailed my boss and he told me that he was sorry that i was ill and to get better soon. On Friday, the day of the Xmas barbecue. I got a phonecall in the afternoon, from the other migrant that i worked with. He had been called into the office by the owners, and his boss(their son) and told him that they couldn`t afford to keep him on, and that their son could do his job. And that today was his last day, and that he had to get a bridging visa organised (i think they had contacted Immigration). When he went back to his desk, he`d been locked out of his computer. I`m due in work tomorrow, and don`t know what to expect. The two owners won`t be in as they are going away on a cruise. We officially close on weds, so counting down the days. Worried about losing my job before Xmas, i`ve been applying for jobs, even applied to join a union,and sending my CV to companies and agencies.And trying to get another company to transfer my visa to. Wondered when the 28 days to get out of Australia begins (read on forums here that people have had 5mths and longer) and also how to go about getting a Bridging visa organised if i need one. All this has me worried sick, i gave up everything to get here, and have nowhere to stay in the UK if i have to go back.And getting a job will be a nightmare Sorry for this long drawn out post, but feeling in total despair so any help would be appreciated Thanks Andrew

Hi Try the top consultant website. There is a forum there where you can ask the question and get a reply from someone knowledgeable. Hope this is of some help Andrew

Hi Lucy Sorry i`ve not gotten back asap..having serious dramas at work recently Here are the Linkedin groups i`m in and have used: Australian Business and professional network Australian Industrial Relations Australian Institute of management Australian Skilled Migrants network Friends of Australia Networking Australia (might be restricted to people in oz only check it out) UK professionals in Australia Working in Australia Here are some links that you might find useful : http://www.takingupresidence.com/country/country.php?t=Country&c=11&tb=Culture&a=11 http://www.nabthatjob.com/ http://firstjobaustralia.blogspot.com/ http://www.hireamigrant.com/html/migrants.html http://www.otpm.com.au/ If i can be of further help please feel free to get in touch Regards Andrew (aka Chops)

Hi there i landed in Canberra on my own in November 2010. Straight into the job, and spending time on my own outside of work. Discovered a group called Meetup, who have different groups and arrange activities from Meet and greet (where you can turn up and meet new people) to evenings out etc. I can`t recomend them enough.....i`ve made a lot of friends through it, and you will too The following link should help you get started : http://www.meetup.com/cities/au/adelaide/ Take Care Andrew:hug:

Hi Thought i`d offer some advice based on my own experience (i landed in Canberra Nov 2010) With the timescale you have for coming over, you need to do plenty of research i.e. What industries? what roles? What other industries/roles you could consider or move into? Research professional associations. Start making network connections through Linkedin. Start to set up a database of companies and potential companies to contact, together with relevent person and their email contact details. Set yourself a timeframe in which to come over i.e 4-6 weeks, you will need an end point to have everything prepared for, otherwise things will drag (believe me). About 1 month out, starting posting in the relavent Linkedin groups (i can give you the names of groups i am in that i have used). Make sure that you`re contact details are easily seen, and make sure that you have a Skype or other means of having international phonecalls. I would then start to send out e mail speculative applications to potential employers, i think 6-8 weeks before you arrive, so that you can make an itinerary of who you`ll be meeting etc. And potential employers, may also put you in touch with other leads. I would post a message of 3-4 paragraphs, stating briefly what your intentions are, your availability and where you will be staying (or travelling between). I found this worked to great effect for me, i was promoted via an established british contact, resulting in networking with an australian business who i met for Coffee in Melbourne.....emailed me a list with 13 personal contacts on (inc 4 CEO`s). Also networked with a professor through linked in that led to a phone interview(which didn`t get me the job, but my interview passed on my details to one of Australias largest companies and i was offered an interview. As i said preparation is key:5000+ Australian companies researched, 2500 entered onto Database, 7 offers of interview .1st company i saw offered me the job. Because of my age, i had to do it the hard way, and get sponsorship through a company myself. It is hard, and don`t underestimate how time consuming it is (i was out of work at the time and struggled, being in work will be tougher). If i can be of further help, let me know, i might still have some websites of interest etc :jiggy: Good luck Andrew