As with all prospective immigrants, a combination of excitement, apprehension and uncertainty is what Sri Lankan professionals are experiencing. Australia offers wonderful opportunities for overseas born professionals, but securing suitable employment can be difficult without guidance and support. You can do lot in preparation to reduced your period of unemployment – saving you time and money.

OBP Australia conducted its inaugural international information session last week in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Attendance was excellent and interest in the transition to professional employment in Australia was reflected in the following questions from the audience. I’m sure many of these concerns will be familiar to all prospective immigrants.

1. There are so many jobs advertised on seek.com.au . So why is it so difficult to find employment?
2. How do you get local experience if nobody will give you an opportunity?
3. With what we hear in the news, is racism an issue for immigrants in Australia?
4. Will I be able to find work at the level of my current position?
5. Is it possible to get work while still overseas?
6. What do I do if employers think I’m over-qualified?
7. Why is it so hard for accountants to find work? Is there really a skills shortage?
8. Do I need to obtain membership with my professional body (Engineers Australia, Australian Computer Society, CPA Australia, etc.)
9. What is the average time it takes to find professional employment in Australia?
10. Is it important to have an Australian qualification?

Seminar attendees were able to participate in the conversation about the above issues and more.

So, what can you do to prepare for your transition to professional employment in Australia.

1. Get your visa sorted – PR is obviously the preferred status, but as a minimum full working rights are required
2. Get advice on preparing your application documents – CV, cover letter, key selection criteria and LinkedIn profile
3. Research your industry – identify the key players (companies) with whom you’ll need to make contact
4. Network – seek advice on how to make contact with your Australian peers in a professional & culturally appropriate manner. Don’t rely solely on recruiters who may not be particularly useful if you don’t have local experience
5. Seek assistance in identifying and removing your barriers
6. Once you’ve taken the plunge, get support to stay strong and prepare for the inevitable ups and downs of resettling in a new country
7. Immerse yourself in the culture when you arrive – do work outside your profession or volunteer for roles which will help you integrate into society and your local community. Get off the computer!
8. Ensure you have sufficient finances to sustain you for a little longer than you probably expect.

Drop me a line if you’d like further information about the quickest route to professional employment in Australia. Remember, it’s the beginning of a great adventure.www.obpaustralia.com.au