9+ Essential Job Search Strategies to Find the Perfect Job in Australia

Looking for a job in a new country can be both exciting and a little daunting, but don’t worry—we’re here to help you navigate the job search process in Australia! Here are some tips and strategies to help you land a job in various industries.

FIRST AND FOREMOST BEFORE YOU EVEN START

Make sure you’ve got your TFN and ABN (if applicable) ready to go BEFORE you start applying! Check out this post to learn more about what these are and how to get them.

Now onto the first tip:

Update Your Resume 

Here’s a quick statistic to get us going: recruiters spend less than 60 seconds looking at a resume. 

Now, does this mean it’s not important?

To the contrary – it’s still one of the only things a recruiter will look at, so the lesson here is to make yours stand out.

Keep in mind also the purpose of your resume, which is to show the recruiter or potential employer that you’re the best fit for this position, while doing so in the fastest time possible. You want to make sure that your relevant experience and skills are clear, easy to understand, and the reason why you’re the best fit is obvious. 

Easier said than done, that’s for sure, but with all of the below, you should be well on your way to crafting the perfect resume (and cover letter right after). 

Format Matters

83% of recruiters say they’re more likely to hire a candidate who has a well-formatted resume. Keep your resume concise (ideally 1-2 pages) and ensure it follows the common Australian standards. Start with your contact details, followed by a professional summary, experience, education, and skills.

Keep the format professional – use a basic font like Arial or Calibri so all the information is easy to read, standard margins, single or 1.5 line spacing for readability, and do your best to make it ATS friendly. 

“What does that mean?” you might be asking – when applying for a job online, your resume is likely to be reviewed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before it reaches a human recruiter. An ATS is a software tool that scans resumes for specific keywords and qualifications that align with the job description. Meaning, if your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might never be viewed by a human recruiter, regardless of your qualifications for the position.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind to make your resume ATS friendly:

• Don’t use tables, graphics, images, etc. when sharing your most important experience or education information
  • You can definitely still use graphics, images etc. where appropriate to showcase your experience or skills to the human that will eventually read your resume, but keep all experience, education and skills in plain text
• Ideally, save your document as a .docx file and not a PDF, or any other file format as requested by the potential employer
• Use keywords from the job ad

A business likely uses an ATS if its careers page has you fill out a series of forms, the job application has a long URL or it is a very large corporation. 

Terminology

The term “Resume” is preferred in Australia, while “CV” is often used interchangeably. When sending out emails or applying online, you can say things like “Please find my resume attached”, or “My resume is attached for your convenience”.

Length

The length of your resume will depend on how much experience and what sort of education and skills you have, but here are the general expectations:

• University students/recent graduates: 1-2 pages
• Early/mid-level professionals: 2-3 pages
• Senior/executive-level professionals: 3-5 pages

Remember also that the content of your resume is more important than the length; limit history to 10-15 years, or less if relevant. If your resume is too long, there’s a high chance it won’t be read, so make sure you clearly show your most relevant education, skills and experience on the first page, with clear points on how this relevant experience will help you in the position you’re applying for. 

The opposite is also true, however. If your resume is too short and doesn’t tell the employer enough about you and your skills, they might also not consider you. Meaning it’s important that you strike a perfect balance between the two. You can always search for sample resumes online for your particular industry and/or position to give you a better idea as to what you personally should be aiming for.

Australian Spelling

Use Australian English spelling and vocabulary, e.g., “colour” vs. “color,” “lift” vs. “elevator”, etc. It doesn’t take much effort, but shows your prospective Australian employer you pay attention to detail and that you’re dedicated to what you do. 

Showing these skills, not just saying you have them, will always go a long way with helping you land your next job. 

Essential Sections to Include:

• Contact Information: Include your full name, email, phone number with international code, and indicate if you’re open to relocating.
• Professional Summary: A 3-5 sentence summary highlighting key qualifications you have, tailored to the job description. This will likely be the first thing your recruiter reads, so make sure you don’t waste any space. Here are some examples:

• Skills Section: List relevant hard and soft skills. Top skills sought by employers include teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, however always ensure you tailor your skills section to be relevant to the job position you’re applying for. Just as a refresher:

• Work Experience: Detailed work history in reverse chronological order, using strong action verbs and quantifying achievements when possible, showing the recruiter exactly how this experience will help you in the position you’re applying for.

Need another reason to think through your experience section? Hiring managers spend 67% of their screening time examining a resume’s work experience section. Don’t let this time go to waste.

• Education: List relevant qualifications, emphasizing VET or university education. If you have any education that isn’t relevant to the position you’re applying for, omit this from your resume. Clarity over quantity. Always list your education, certifications and qualifications from the highest level to the lowest, including any academic awards, dean’s commendations, scholarships or other relevant recognitions.
• Optional Sections: Consider adding sections for volunteer work or awards to enhance your resume if applicable. 

What If I Don’t Have Relevant Experience/Education?

If there’s a whole section you can’t include in your resume, such as education or experience, fill this gap in with your skills and your potential to excel at the position, despite any lacks in education or experience. 

Here’s what you can do to still make your resume stand out:

• Highlight Your Skills: Focus on the skills you possess that are relevant to the job. Think about any transferable skills from previous roles, volunteer work, or even personal projects. Be very explicit here about exactly how this skill will help you perform this job (better than other candidates). Focus only on relevant skills here, don’t try to crowd your resume with inapplicable and irrelevant information, as this will most likely cause the recruiter to stop reading and disregard your application. 
• Show Your Potential: Employers often look for candidates who are eager to learn and grow. Emphasise your willingness to develop new skills and adapt to new environments. You can also utilise your previous experience in different positions/industries and your success in them, which will show that you really can thrive in new environments. 
• Dedication Matters: Many employers value hard work and dedication over formal qualifications. If you can demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the role, it can make a big difference. Consider your private life and what you enjoy doing, do any of your hobbies or pastimes overlap with this new role? Think travel = stewardess, or drawing = graphic design. Be mindful here that just because you enjoy sketching doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a successful graphic designer, but it definitely doesn’t hurt. 

Remember: employers are looking for people who will make their life easier and their business run better. If you can prove you will do just that with your resume, you’re winning.

• Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your resume and cover letter for each job application, including all the small variations, such as greeting the recruiter by name (Dear John, Dear Ms Doe, etc.), using the job title and company name in your resume (applying for the Junior Sales Manager position at Google), and  Highlight how your unique background can bring a fresh perspective to the team.

In short, while you might not have the traditional experience or education, your skills, potential, and dedication can set you apart from other candidates. Don’t underestimate what you bring to the table!

Importance of a Cover Letter

A compelling cover letter is essential for making a strong first impression in the Australian job market. It should highlight your unique qualifications and align with the specific requirements of the job and industry. The main purpose of your cover letter is to specify why you’re the right fit for the position and how you will benefit their company. 

4 Pillars of a Professional Cover Letter

1. Start with an Attention-Grabbing Opening

We all know first impressions last, so make the first sentence count. Consider using these approaches:

“With 5+ years driving digital transformation…”

“Your company’s recent sustainability initiative caught my attention…”

“My track record of increasing sales by 40% aligns perfectly with your goals…”

All of the above say “no fluff, let’s get to work”, showing your prospective employer that you’re the right candidate in 0.5 seconds. You are always told to make your letter stand out – this is how you do it. 

By genuinely understanding the job requirements that you’re applying for, you can align your skills and expertise with the job description. 

2. Make It Personal

Ditch the “To Whom It May Concern.” Instead:

• Research the hiring manager’s name
• Reference the company’s recent achievements
• Show you’ve done your homework about their culture

This applies especially if they’re a big company. If it’s a smaller business, you might not be able to find much online about their culture or achievements, and that’s also okay. Still do your research to know what they do, where their company was founded, etc. to show the recruiter you took the time to learn about them, so they can take the time to learn about you, too. 

3. Bridge Your Experience to Their Needs

Connect the dots between your experience and their requirements, making their life that much easier to see exactly how you’ll fit in. This is especially important if you have experience in an adjacent field, or something that’s not exactly what you’re applying for.

By connecting your experience and their requirements yourself, you take out any guess work from their job, allowing them to focus on what makes you the right fit, instead of the recruiter having to figure out if you even belong. Show how your expertise can contribute to the company’s growth, and you’ll be well on your way to a great interview. Here’s how you can do this:

• Highlight relevant achievements and what they taught you to be the perfect candidate for this position
• Use specific examples and outcomes, including any lessons you learned along the way
• Quantify your successes where possible: “increased traffic by 25%”, “decreased refunds by 5%”, etc.

You can also reference your soft skills here, including teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and any others as desired by the job ad. The best way to incorporate these is not to list them off separately, but rather show how these skills were essential to your achievements listed above, or how you developed these skills through the above experiences. This makes your skills more believable and honest – because anyone can just write they’re a “team player”. 

4. Close with Confidence

When wrapping up your cover letter, reinforce why you’re the perfect candidate by briefly touching on your key strengths discussed above. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is to land an interview opportunity.

Rather than ending with a passive “I look forward to hearing from you,” take initiative by:

• Specifying your next steps (e.g., “I will follow up on this application next Wednesday”)
• Expressing enthusiasm about discussing your qualifications further
• Indicating your availability for an interview

This proactive approach is particularly important when applying for roles that represent career advancement opportunities.

Remember: Your closing paragraph is your final chance to make an impression – make it confident, proactive, and professional.

Industry-Specific Tips

Remember to proofread everything before you hit send!

Pro Tips for 2025

• Keep it Modern: Use clean, professional formatting. Canva is a great source of suitable templates for your cover letter and resume, too. 
• Be Authentic: Your personality should shine through. Employers now value personality and initiative, so don’t get lost in the crowd.
• Stay Relevant: Focus on recent achievements and modern technologies if applicable.
• Show Digital Literacy: Mention relevant tech skills, especially if it’s not just Microsoft Office
• Demonstrate Adaptability: Essential in today’s rapidly changing workplace!
• Use AI: while you don’t want AI to write your cover letter (it’s supposed to be your introduction, after all), AI can help you identify keywords or important themes in a job ad to include in your letter, assist in explaining any roles or duties concisely, and help brainstorm.

Leverage Online Job Portals

There are plenty of online platforms to help you find job opportunities. Here are some popular ones to check out:

Seek: one of the biggest job boards in Australia. It’s great for all industries, and you can filter jobs based on location, salary, and job type.

Indeed: collects job postings from many sources and lets you apply directly through their site. You can easily upload your resume here. Headhunting is also common through Indeed, so make sure your resume and profile are up to date to make opportunities come to you.

LinkedIn: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and reflects your skills and experience. Use it to network, follow companies, and apply for jobs directly. Connect with industry professionals and recruiters directly!

Utilise Industry-Specific Job Boards

Some industries have specialized job boards that can be really helpful. Here are a few to consider:

• Healthcare: Check out HealthTimes for jobs specifically in the health sector.
• IT and Tech: Look at Gumtree for local listings, including freelance tech jobs.
• Hospitality: Websites like Hozpitality focus on hospitality and tourism jobs.

All of the above can still be found on the above “generic” websites, however using one of the above can narrow down your search and make your life easier.

Network, Network, Network

Networking can be a game-changer in your job search! Now, this particular tip might seem out of reach as an immigrant just moving to a new country, but it definitely doesn’t have to be. Making human connections is about so much more than just where you’re from, so don’t let any negativity prevent you from trying this one. 

Networking is basically just meeting new people, which you can do anywhere, anytime. If you want to zero in on (focus) on meeting a specific type of person, however, below are a few ideas to get you started on the right path:

Leverage Connections

Let friends, family, and former colleagues know you’re looking for work. Sometimes, a simple chat can lead to a great opportunity. If you don’t have any connections at all in Australia just yet, consider the below to get started.

Join Professional Groups

Participate in industry events or workshops to meet new people in your field. Consider joining professional associations relevant to your industry, which often provide networking opportunities. With this step, you don’t have to go to physical events – there are plenty of online meet ups and opportunities to connect. You can join Facebook groups, find events on Instagram or MeetUp, or simply search Google for “(your industry) events in (your city)”; IT events in Sydney, Accounting events in Melbourne, etc. 

Again, you don’t have to go to physical events if you don’t have the time or means (even though this is always advisable), you can just join the online groups and virtually meet new people.

Use LinkedIn

Again, don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn! Join relevant discussion groups where you can share insights and connect with industry professionals. When you decide to use LinkedIn to network, there are a few key things you should consider and remember:

1. Make sure your profile is up to date, with a relevant photo, “about” section, work experience, skills, etc. When you plan on networking, you want to make sure that the people that check your profile actually know what you do and who you are
2. Take the time to write personal messages. You’ve definitely received an automated message before (like the below), and it probably didn’t quite urge you to respond. So make sure that any message you write is personalised, showing you genuinely care about the other person and value their time and potential connection. 

3. Engage with the people you’ve connected with. Don’t just leave it at the introduction – go through their profile and ask specific questions about what they do. If they work at the company you want to apply for, chat to them about this too. Consider engaging with their content (if they have any) to stand out even more.
4. One thing to remember, though: don’t be pushy or bothersome. One, two messages are fine to follow up. More than that is spam and you might actually be reducing your chances of ever hearing back. Balance and moderation are key! 

Attend Job Fairs and Workshops

Job fairs can be a goldmine for finding opportunities and meeting potential employers face-to-face.

Local Job Fairs

Keep an eye out for job fairs in your area. They’re often advertised online, and you’ll get the chance to meet various employers in one spot.

A simple search for “job fair (your city)” on Google will yield a bunch of results, including job fairs advertised on Eventbrite, JobFairX and Employment Expos, just to name a few. The attached links are for the Sydney market, however you can search for any city, including Melbourne or Brisbane. 

As with any type of event, they are of course more frequent and abundant in the big cities, however this is not to say you can’t find any in other areas. Here’s a link to all the job fairs and expos in Queensland, for example, including smaller towns and rural areas.

A huge benefit of attending such a job fair is that you set yourself apart from the hundreds of online applications an employer might receive for any given job ad they post. You show initiative and creativity by taking the time out of your schedule to prepare and attend the event, and you show courage and openness by going up to their booth or stall to talk to them. This circles back to what we mentioned before – don’t just talk about your skills, show them. 

Going to such an event is not only about finding a new employer, however. If you’re considering starting your own business, such a fair is an amazing way to make new connections and meet other local business owners that can give you some pointers into how businesses in Australia operate, and you might just meet people that you can potentially work with in the future. 

Being new in a country poses its own challenges, however by attending these fairs and expos, you can drastically shorten the amount of time you spend without any connections.

Consider Temporary or Part-Time Work

If you’re struggling to find a permanent position, consider temporary or part-time jobs to get your foot in the door. From there, once you establish your knowledge and expertise, it will be that much easier to land a full time position. 

Job sites

You can easily search for temporary or part-time work on all the big job sites, including Seek, Indeed or Adzuna. Most sites will have a “work type” filter where you can select your preferred type of work, or you can simply search for “part time” or “temporary” in the search field. 

Again, even if having a full-time role is your goal, starting off part-time might make your job hunt easier, especially if you just arrived in Australia. 

You can also discuss your aspirations during your interview, as it might be the case that an employer only advertised a part-time position, but might have something full-time available too, or might have something full-time coming up soon. You won’t know until you ask! 

Plus, here’s the thing – you don’t need to stay at any job for the next 10 years. Even if part-time is now what you’re after long term, it might be a good starting point just to get your feet on the ground and give yourself some extra time to look for a better opportunity. If nothing else, your part-time job will help pay for your rent while you continue looking!

Freelancing

If you have skills that can be offered on a freelance basis (like writing, graphic design, programming, etc.), platforms like Upwork and Freelancer can help you get started. It’s a great way to make extra money without really needing to look for a job or do any interviews, and you can do it anywhere, at any time.

The only down sides, really, come from the benefits – because it’s relatively easy to get into freelancing, there is a lot of competition, so it can be challenging to stand out and get selected to complete jobs. 

Here are some best tips for freelancing success:

1. If you’ve done the work you’re hoping to freelance in the past, it’s always a good idea to create a portfolio potential clients can search through to see the quality of your work 
2. Control your cashflow. Work out your basic living costs for a year and divide by the number of hours you work. That’s the minimum you need to charge.
3. Build and grow your online presence: a big part of freelancing is marketing yourself. Ideally, you should have a website and basic social media, so people can find you.
4. Maintain a planner or work management software to stay on top of all clients, tasks, etc.
5. Don’t be shy in asking for referrals and reviews – both go a long long way in getting more clients

Negotiating your rates

Remember to consider:

1. Costs to cover any required equipment
2. Your experience and skills
3. The time the job will take
4. The urgency of the job
5. The complexity of the job
6. Any additional actions required from you to complete the project, such as any research or additional resources

Always research what other freelancers are charging for similar projects in similar niches to avoid giving irrelevant quotes and prices. If you’re just starting out, you might consider charging smaller rates to attract more clients. Beware, however, of not charging enough to cover your costs, which could result in you losing money while freelancing. You definitely don’t want that!

Keep in mind that freelancing doesn’t have to be just online, with services like Airtasker you can get paid to do all sorts of odd jobs in person, from small maintenance, helping someone move furniture, bartending or teaching yoga – if you can think it, there’s most likely someone on Airtasker that needs you right now!

Prepare for Interviews

Once you land an interview, make sure you’re prepared!

Research the Company

Know what they do, their culture, and who their competitors are. Study the job description to identify key responsibilities and required skills. This will help you tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs and show genuine interest in the organization. As mentioned above – this works particularly well for larger companies that publicise their goals and values, most small businesses don’t do this, or it’s much more challenging to find. 

Our handy LinkedIn comes into play here also: see if you can find their company on LinkedIn. If you can, chances are you will also be able to find the owner/CEO as part of this organisation. All of this research should give you a good indication of who you’re dealing with and what the company is focused on. 

This step is quite significant at this stage, because it shows you took the time to get to know them, indicating they should also take the time to get to know you. 

Think about it this way: if you were going on a first date with someone you met on Tinder, would you like the other person to know a bit about you? Would you think they cared about you if they learned where you work or where you went to school? Would you then be more inclined to learn the same about them? Most likely yes. And the same principle applies to interviews. 

Here’s a funny – true! – story from one of my past interviews: I was applying for a building management position, however the job ad didn’t list the name of the building or the exact location, just the recruiter’s name. After doing some digging, I found the building I thought was the one. I prepared a little document/presentation for the interview as I always do (listing how I fit in with all their requirements, listing any questions I have for them, etc.), and at the vert bottom, I included a screenshot of the building I’d found.

Just as I started sharing my screen to show the employer the picture, I asked, “Is this your building?” As soon as the image came up, his eyes went wide, he stared for a second and started laughing, he said “Wow, you’re good!” He wasn’t expecting me to know which building the ad was for! One thing led to another, and I actually got this job. 

Here’s the moral of the story: some research can go a long way, and it definitely won’t hurt. 

Practice Common Questions

This is a really big one, and I can’t overemphasize how important it is to be confident and prepared for your interview. It’s the first impression the employer will have of you, so make sure you show your best side. 

Prepare for common interview questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”, but make sure you also prepare for any industry specific or role specific questions. Your interviewer will usually try to get a feeling for how much experience you have in the given role, how well you can answer situation-based questions, and how you behave and respond in certain situations.

And don’t fall into the trap of memorizing any answers, because that will just end up making you sound roboting and insincere. Gather your ideas and thoughts into bullet points, so that even if you get stuck on a question, you still have a guide to follow. 

Here are a few industry specific questions – and example answers – you can consider for a few common roles. If your role is not listed below, you can check out this resource that lists many more roles and their corresponding interview questions. 

Accountant

Engineer

Nurse

Web Developer

A good way to prepare for your interview questions is to consider what sorts of skills and qualities are valued in your role, as these will more often than not guide your interviewer’s questions. Even if none of the above roles suit your experience, consider reading through the questions and answers anyway, as this will teach you a lot about the structure of answer you can use. 

To make your life easier, here’s a guide to Interview Responses:

1. Provide specific experience-based answers
   1. Specific platforms/tools (eg. Quickbooks, Microsoft, JavaScript, Meta Ads, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD, etc.)
   2. Specific situational examples from past experiences – a story 
2. Problem-solution format
   1. Identify the situation/challenge you experienced
   2. Explain the action you took
   3. Share the positive outcome of your action

Here are a few example templates you can use for your own answers:

Keep in mind that answering interview questions is about as much about your experience and skills, as they are about also saying what your employer wants to hear. To be honest, I’ve seen many blogs and guides saying not to do this, but honestly, at the end of the day, we all probably do anyway, so let’s just be honest with each other here! 

If your employer asks if you like working with a team, and you’re more of an introvert, you will probably say you enjoy team work anyway – because you know it’s just part of the job. 

Or if you get asked what you would do when a client is rude to you – you probably don’t want to sit there and listen to them complaining, but it is expected that you do, so you will probably say you will do this (if you want to get the job, of course). 

None of this is to say you should outright lie and say “yes” to everything, because that’s not a good strategy either. While this might be difficult – especially if English isn’t your first language and you’re a bit shy – you should absolutely say something if anything during the interview is completely unacceptable to you. There’s no point wasting your time and the recruiter’s time to continue if you know you’re not going to take this job anyway. You might feel this is rude, but it’s simply efficient. This is business, after all. 

Remember that your interview is a two way street, because you need them and they need you. You are spending your valuable time on the interview, so you should never feel like the recruiter is more important than you or their needs are more important than yours. 

Now, as with everything, there are also things you should NOT do when answering interview questions. These include:

1. Generic responses with no context
2. Purely theoretical answers
3. Negative focus on problems
4. Explanations that are way too complex and too long

An interview is a first impression, so make it a good one. 

Ask Questions

This is one part of the interview process I see many people skip over, while in reality this is an incredibly important step in the interview process. At the end of the interview, make sure you have a couple of questions ready to ask the interviewer – this demonstrates your interest and engagement, while also showing your interviewer that you have your own needs and standards. 

You can easily come up with your own questions based on your current role:

• What do you wish was different in your current role?
• What do you enjoy – and want to have in your new role?
• What do you not like – and don’t want in your new job?

Other than that, there are a few general questions that are always good to ask about (if they weren’t covered during the interview itself):

Here are a few tips to ask great questions:

1. Instead of asking broad, general questions, frame them in a way that helps the interviewer envision you in the role.

For example:

Generic: “What does a typical day look like?”

Personalized: “Could you walk me through what my typical day would look like in this position?”

This subtle shift in phrasing does two powerful things:

1. Creates a mental picture of you already in the role
2. Shows proactive interest in your specific contribution

2. Build off of your conversation.

Think of your questions as building blocks that stack naturally on previous discussion points. For example, if the interviewer mentioned a specific project, you could ask:

“You mentioned the team is launching a new client portal next quarter. Could you tell me more about how my role would contribute to that initiative?”

One last thing to remember if you’re planning to interview for jobs from outside of Australia – be prepared for late night or early morning interviews if you’re in another part of the world! This can be a bit challenging, but with some luck, you’ll get one of the first ones!

Conclusion

Finding a job in Australia may take some time and persistence, especially if you’re also looking for a work sponsor, but with all of the above strategies in hand, you’re well-equipped to tackle the job market! Keep a positive attitude, be open to new opportunities, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. 

Good luck—you’ve got this!