IT jobs in Perth and chances of securing employment before moving in May 2014

[mdesai11]

Hello all,

i've just subscribed to pomsinperth this morning. My wife found the site so all compliments go to her :-)

 

We were granted our 175 skilled independant visa in August 2013 and are moving over in May 2014. I currently work as a Systems Support engineer and have held various positions around Systems Administration/Infrastructure support.

 

Please can somebody advise whether its worth trying to apply for jobs whilst in the UK to try and secure something before we move? Has anyone had any experience doing this? I've subscribed to seek.com.au but haven't applied for any positions yet. Will recruiters entertain someone still across the pond?

 

Any advice will be much appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

 

Mehul

[ali]

It's certainly worth trying and as you have your visa already that's a plus. However, employers may want someone to start pretty quickly and not be prepared to wait 6 months - availability may be the thing that can swing it.

[mdesai11]

It's certainly worth trying and as you have your visa already that's a plus. However, employers may want someone to start pretty quickly and not be prepared to wait 6 months - availability may be the thing that can swing it.

 

Hi Ali,

thanks for replying. I think you're right. I may wait until February until I start applying but definitely worth giving it a shot - nothing to lose i guess.

 

Cheers

[ali]

Nothing at all to lose - you certainly won't be in a worst position. Whilst it's a few years ago now, when my hubby applied for a job they wanted someone right away - said they'd keep his name on file and actually got in touch with him a few months later and asked when we were coming out (it was about 6 weeks), they set up a telephone interview and he went to meet them when we arrived.

[mdesai11]

Nothing at all to lose - you certainly won't be in a worst position. Whilst it's a few years ago now, when my hubby applied for a job they wanted someone right away - said they'd keep his name on file and actually got in touch with him a few months later and asked when we were coming out (it was about 6 weeks), they set up a telephone interview and he went to meet them when we arrived.

 

That sounds really encouraging. I am definitely going to start looking as it will be such a huge weight off our shoulders if I can secure employment before hand. Even if i don't, I may have found some good contacts to approach when we get there. With 3 young kids in tow, I want to make sure we're as secure as possible.

 

Really appreciate your help and advice on this and have taken it all on board.

 

Cheers again

[Bibbs]

There appear to be jobs out there (I'm an IT Dev) but generally they want people actually here.

 

I also found the IT recruitment consultants to be worse than rubbish (I had one contact me after 26 months, asking if I was still looking, as they had found a role).

[StraighttothePoint]

Hello all,

I currently work as a Systems Support engineer and have held various positions around Systems Administration/Infrastructure support. Please can somebody advise whether its worth trying to apply for jobs whilst in the UK to try and secure something before we move? Any advice will be much appreciated. Many thanks, Mehul

 

Trying to get something, even if just to go through the process and gather contacts prior to arrival, is worth trying as you have nothing to lose. We are in the technology change arena over here, project management, business prosses, change management, that sort of stuff and although there are jobs they are reducing due to major project cut backs, government policy changes, downturn in some sectors and so on. We now have no problem getting staff and have a huge choice from the people already here, with WA experience and who are looking for work.

 

One thing that maybe worth while is to consider if you have a niche skill or any competitive edge by the way of qualifications or experience, i.e. something that employers may need that is not easy to get. If you are a standard SS engineer with average experience this town is awash with them and so you will be up against a fairly large number who are also looking for similar roles. Do you have anything or anything relevant that would give you an edge? If not is there anything you can train in or get experience in before heading over here? Just a thought. The problem also is that due to the numbers already here the rates, and /or salaries, are in many cases getting pushed down.

 

However that all being said somebody has to fill the jobs that become available and so you should apply online and see what happens. Best to get an understanding of the reality of it all. To help you with expected expenditure I can send you an excel budget sheet that when completed will let you see some / all of the related costs of living here. When you have that you can work out what you will need to live on and match that against job rates / salaries. If that is any use just PM me an e-mail address.

[mark.s.tindall]

Like the original poster here I am also in the IT industry having mainly worked as a systems or test analyst recently. I arrived here a week ago and have been steadily working my way through the various recruitment agencies in Perth (Hays, Michael Page, Robert Half etc.). As yet I have had no luck but it is early days yet and after speaking to an Australian friend who has had roles as a manager here, have tweaked my CV to

what is hopefully a more Australian friendly format. If anyone could give me any more advice as to places to look or things to do to increase my chances of a position I would be really grateful.

[Bibbs]

Stop going to agencies, get on Seek and look at jobs NOT advertised by Hays etc.

 

Hays called me after 22 (or 26) months (I think it was about that) asking if I was still looking, as they had the perfect job for me.

[portlaunay]

I'd advise ditching the agencies too, in the main they're hopeless, all chasing the same contracts, putting out speculative ads for roles that don't exist, it's very demoralising.

If you really want to work then I'd be directly targeting the companies I wanted to work for. Bear in mind that a huge number of jobs in Perth never reach advert so Seek has limited value too.

You could also polish off your LinkedIn profile and make that attractive as I know a lot of ICT contract work sometimes picks up specialists from the site.

[StraighttothePoint]

Yep more employers in Perth are starting to use LinkedIn as a method of searching out new employees. We have been using it for a couple of years now and have got involved with some good quality people in the ICT sector. Agency fees too high, Seek costs still a lot in comparison to the service but LinkedIn very cost effective and economically sound for a range of employers including us as margins get tighter. Set your status to seeking employment.

[Nikkis2000]

Like many if the others have said, the chances of actually getting something whilst still in the UK is slim unless you do something very niche or can get sponsorship . However, I did and made some very good contacts that I'm now starting to follow up on now we're here. True that in the main they are agents so I will reserve full judgment until they come up with something!

I have also been contacted via linked about a possible role so another vote for that too!

Good luck!

[Guest BeauFitness]

Before I came out I spoke to and emailed the key agencies so that I could get infront of them from day one. It's true that the Australian format for CV and cover letter is slightly different to the way we do it briefer I think. I found the agencies a little useless but then I got told that you have to chase and bug them - literally ring them/ email them everyday it's not seen as being a nuisance out here but just the done thing - same with applying for jobs. There is also a big culture of who you know out here not what you know so don't be discouraged if you don't hear back from jobs - someone importants nephew/son/goddaughter probably got the role.

 

My partner works at IBM - I don't know what he does really but would be worth checking them out over here, check their job board and if there are roles that look good I can try and see if he can find out who is best to contact directly.

 

 

Good old luck with the search!

[mark.s.tindall]

Thanks for the advice - I had already been looking at Seek while I was still in the UK, but as with most jobs unless you are here and can start straight away I knew there would be little chance of me gaining a position. As for the agencies I had already signed on with both Hays and Michael Page previously before, and as most of the posters have indicated they are do not seem to be going out of there way to do much. I did have a quick look on the IBM site but unfortunately there was not a lot there where my skills are concerned. It's early days yet as I have only been here just over a week so hopefully things will start to happen as time goes on (not too much time I hope as my wife and daughter arrive in 3 weeks!)