Happy New Year to John Jobhunter!!!

How to find a job in Australia – part 2

Hello friends! We met a couple of months ago. I hope you remember me. My name is John Jobhunter. Does that ring a bell? I was the skilled migrant struggling to get a job. If you don’t remember read lessons from my job hunt.

My job hunt continued after we met. I met recruiters and consultants, used career websites, newspapers and networked with friends. You name it! I kept on looking for a suitable job everywhere. I have learnt a lot during this whole process including a lot about myself.

I had more interviews with recruiters, and believe me, now I can tell immediately when an interview with a recruiter might be profitable or I am just wasting my time. I met a couple of new people in different agencies. Some of them told me they will put me forward to a job position, find me an interview with a company or find me a job. At least it was a good training! Who would say no to free training? Not me!

I decided to start a more “risky” and adventurous strategy that required deeper research. Taking more risk brings higher returns. I should know this. I am, after all, a Risk Manager.

Besides dealing with agencies, I did my best to contact the company directly. I did not target just HR people. I found out the name of the person who would be the direct manager of the person getting the job and I contacted them directly. Phew! Lots of work!

This bit is like espionage. You have to find out everything you can about the position and the direct manager so the application can go directly to the person making the hiring decision. Of course the hiring manager will also know the exact skills and experience required. These are things that HR people might not know.

Let’s begin where I left off last time – lesson 10.

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 10

Big wars are won by armies that can cover different flanks. Job hunting is a war!

I managed to obtain the details from a Manager working for a company I would love to work for. I put my new strategy in practice. I found his position details of course. But I also found where studied, his academic degrees, previous workplaces and more relevant information. And you know what? It is not that hard! Sites like LinkedIn provide you with all that information.

One thing that amazed me is that this person has similar academic qualifications as mine. I prepared a great cover letter and resume, put them inside a nice envelope, dressed up and went to the office to leave my “application” in person. I leave the envelope addressed to him at the reception. I would have left it on his desk if I could. I leave the office. Too much work for less than 2 minutes I was there? Might be, but again, it was a risk I was willing to take.

Days went by and no answer, no email, nothing. So I called him to see if he received my envelope. He did, but didn’t really care about it and told me there were no open positions at that time. I knew there was one open position, the one I wanted. I just had no luck. Could have been that my extremely personal approach is worthless? Or just, who knows?

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 11

You can’t win them all. Sometimes there’s no explanation. Carry on and never give up!

It was too soon to write off this strategy. So I tried it again with another person. I got a phone call a couple of days after. Yes, the manager was calling me. He said he really would like to have a coffee with me. So we made an appointment.

I was so happy about it. I met with him, had a coffee and a great chat. He said he would love to hire me immediately but the open positions they had were filled the week before. Great strategy I think, but bad timing. He said he would offer me a job late January but he understands I might not be willing to wait that long. He was hoping I will be still available by then.

Too bad, but I least somebody told me “I want you to work for us”. That was a boost in my motivation. I am good I think. I will find a job soon!

But nothing happened in the next couple of weeks, not a single phone call, not an email, nothing. I was starting to lose faith again. I thought about finding a job as a supermarket clerk or as a waiter. anything. But I thought about it a second time. I realize I could end up falling into my comfort zone and stop looking for a job in my area. It would have been a pity travelling to the other side of the world to end up as a clerk with two Masters degrees and many years of experience in risk management.

I took two days off from my job hunting job to think about what I really want, where I want to work, where do I see myself and my dream job.

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 12

Stay focused! Taking the first job you get offered will eliminate the symptoms but not the disease.
I got an interview through a consultant with a company in the sector I have always worked for. “Perfect for me” I thought. I had an interview with the line manager. Everything went really well. He was impressed with my experience and my qualifications. The job was a really good one. Nothing I have done before but something I could excel in. After some days I got a call from the consultant. I did not get the job and I did not get any negative feedback, I just didn’t get it. I remembered my own lesson. I can’t win them all. But after some reflection I understand there was no place for lesson 11 and a lot of room for lesson 12.

I stayed focused and started looking just for the jobs that where meant for me, always keeping a positive attitude. I have to admit I had really tough days where my attitude was not positive at all. I lost faith and thought life and luck forgot about me for a while. I hit rock bottom and was starting to get depressed when I realized that attitude won’t take me anywhere and I would not achieve what I wanted. I had to regain my positive attitude and keep on fighting!

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 13

Attitude is everything! You can achieve anything believing in yourself!

I found a really great job. Actually -really great – might not be the best description. It was my dream job! I prepared my whole application and submitted it when I was satisfied and it was perfect. I applied directly to the company trough their website. Two days later they called me to schedule a telephone interview. Oh, and by the way, it is a Risk Management job. Hooray!

I received an email confirming the interview appointment with the names of all the people involved. Now is the time for me to make my second great move (the first one was the application, of course). I prepared and sent a very formal letter addressed to the person who sent me the confirmation to also confirm the appointment, to thank for the email and to thank them for considering me.

I prepared myself for the interview, and, since it was a telephone interview I had my lap top in front of me and every single thing that might have been useful printed over the table. Imagine a desk covered with papers. Of course I organize a perfect layout to find everything really quickly. I did some research about the people who were going to be in the interview. It was a panel of five people. I knew something about them and everything I could about the company and the job.

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 14

There are many ways to be prepared for an interview. You have to analyze the specific case, know the audience and design a strategy that fit the specific case. There is no such thing as “general interview preparation”.

If you are a guy and like a girl, you will not use a “general approach”, right? You would find something about her, what she likes, what she doesn’t like and based on that plan your move. Well, a job interview is also a relationship you will have with a company and the people in your team!

The day came! The phone rang! My nerves shattered!

“Deep breath, relax, you’re going to do fine, might this be your best interview ever!” I said to myself. The interview started with all five panel members introducing themselves. Then the question shootout started! Bang! From one side, from another, about technical aspects of the job, previous experiences, risk models, about the company, behavioural questions, There was no “script” or order for the interview. Five different people from different areas all asking what is important for them. But I was well prepared for anything. I thought about things that I have never been asked before during an interview, and had the answers in my never-ending notes. I looked at the call timer on my phone, one hour and twenty three minutes, I must been doing brilliantly! Otherwise the call should have ended long time ago”. The interview finished.

Time for step three: A “thank you letter” addressed to each person that was on the other side of the line. In that letter I also mentioned important things said during the interview, like the values and the way they work. I mentioned my extra desire to be part of the team and to share the values after hearing about the company from them. I also used this powerful line:

“I know you plan to make a decision within the next few days. Therefore, I would like to summarize a few of my attributes, which I believe show that I am capable and enthusiastic about this opportunity.”

I listed some of my attributes including the ones I thought would have more impact according to what was said during the interview.

Two days later I got a phone call from the HR manager telling me they were inviting me over for personal interview. So exiting! I got an email confirming the interview and the plane ticket. Of course I sent another letter thanking them for the invitation.

It was time to prepare myself. Of course I was well prepared before but this time I wouldn’t be able to have all my notes with me. I was very exited about it and trying to remain calm. I arrived at the airport and took a cab to the office, getting more and more nervous after each mile.

I arrived 30 minutes before the scheduled time. I enter the office, was received by the HR manger who took me to a meeting room, just to find five more people sitting there waiting for me. Panic!!! The door closed. Everybody was in position and ready to start, well not quite everybody. I felt I wanted five more minutes to chill out. The HR manager placed a glass over the table in front of me, filled it with water and sat down. I was so thirsty and felt like having a sip. But I took a deep breath and avoided the water. I didn’t want to do anything stupid like spilling water all over the table as I was shaking so much. And believe me I was so sure I would!

The interview started. I could feel the sweat on my forehead.

They asked me to start by telling them what I knew about the company and the position. I gave a quick review about the company and hit them with my secret weapon.

I prepared a small document, something I named a “30-60-90 Day Action Plan” where I described very shortly, based on my understanding at that point, what would be my commitment and immediate actions upon being hired.

It was perfect! Never expected by them! The only problem was that I just had four copies of it and there were six people on the room interviewing me. I couldn’t let this big weapon remain in my briefcase. So I handled the copies and apologized by not having enough copies “I didn’t know there would be so many people in here today” I said with a friendly and kind of silly voice. They all laugh about it. The Executive Manager said that wouldn’t be a problem since they are all friends and don’t mind sharing, with a similar friendly and silly voice smiling at me.

The interview continued very well. The HR manager did not ask any questions, and every time I looked at her, she smiled and leant her head like she was saying “you are doing fine”. It was time for one of the most expected questions, I don’t remember the exact phrase but the message was “Why should we hire you?”

Time for my killer line! Don’t get me wrong, it is nothing made up. But it was something I had thought a lot about, something that would show them I know almost everything about the job, about what would be expected and what could I give that not everybody could. In other words, what makes me the best candidate for the job that can be summarized in a couple of sentences:

“My risk management experience has always been in unstable economies where there are more risk variables that in stable economies might not represent a real risk and be considered as stressed scenarios. I know how to identify and model those variables that would mitigate risk in a more efficient manner and will allow us to be prepared to any scenario relieving us of many worries about uncertainty.”

God!!! I almost stand up and clap myself! I had thought about it but explained much better than I thought I could.

After that line I saw the face of the woman who would be my direct manager, whose face was kind of full of suspicion before that. Her facial expression changed suddenly and I could almost hear her thoughts. She might was thinking something like “I do not need to hear more. You know what you are talking about and I want you on the team!” and if not, at least the suspicious look vanished.

I kept on focusing, structuring my ideas clearly, speaking slowly, articulating well and calmly, and the most important thing, being me. No showing off, no pretending, 100% me. And they loved it!

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 15

In case I didn’t make myself clear: Be yourself! If you don’t get the job go to lesson 11 and 12. People can easily know when you are acting or not being honest. Everybody likes genuine people.

I thank them for the opportunity and considering me after asking lot of questions about the people, the company, the values, about the people I had in front of me. They thank me and were about to close the interview. But I didn’t want them to close the interview. The last word should be mine! And was something like this:

“After talking to you and knowing you in person, I am sure this job is the right one for me. I really would love to be part of the team”

Wow! I have to be honest, I did not think about it before. This was not on the plan. It just came out so naturally, so spontaneously and honestly. I was more convinced after hearing myself talk. This is my dream job. And I asked for it so honest and directly.

When I left the room the HR manager, the one who asked nothing, walked with me to the lift. She saw me catching my breath an asked me “are we a tough crowd?” and I replied “no, you were a really friendly panel”. She laughed and told me I did great.

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 16

Ask for the job! If a baby is hungry and does not cry, mum won’t come and feed him.

As soon as I arrived home I wrote an email for all of them, thanking for the opportunity and with a great closing paragraph:

“If given the opportunity to fill the risk management position at XYZ I am ready to start immediately and work hard to prove you have made the right decision. I thank you for your time and really look forward to joining the team!”

The next day I got an email from them asking me for some information to start the paperwork. I didn’t take the job for granted. They didn’t say I had it. I kept on looking for a job, going to more interviews. I even got that formal offer from a company in Sydney. They were hurrying up to meet me since I told them about me being in the final stage of a hiring process. I didn’t give up on my job hunt. A week later I got a formal offer from the other company, for the risk management position, for my dream job. It took me about less than 2.5 seconds to accept it.

My entire struggle, all those hard moments but also all my hard work and dedication made me land in my dream job. I did a quick scan in my lap top just for curiosity, 364 different files between resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, letters and other stuff related to job application processes, and the most important lesson of all:

How to get a job in Australia – Lesson 17

Patience, hard work, dedication, faith, a positive attitude and never giving up will help you achieve whatever you want!

Sincerely,

Mr. John The Employee
(formerly known as John Jobhunter)

Tagged as: Hidden job market, Interview Tips, LinkedIn Tactics