what are employers looking for..

[sollie]

...when they say they would prefer someone with local Australian experience? I know the answer sounds obvious - that they would like someone who's worked in Australia, but what is the psychology behind this?

Is it for cultural purposes? For instance, if you're from the UK or from the States, I dont' think "local experience" would really matter - or would it? How can it?

Thoughts?

[amaslam]

Two reasons behind this:

1. If you've already worked for some other Australian company then they can be fairly surely you'll fit into a new Australian company. They don't want to be the first one to find out you're unsuitable.

2. Cultural. They don't have to explain the work culture or standards of work expected. These always vary subtly in every country.

I would expect much the same if I went to the UK.

[Weebie]

Australian experience will always command higher pay. Take a little hit when you first come in but once that has passed then you can command higher pay.

[sollie]

Originally Posted by amaslam

Two reasons behind this:

1. If you've already worked for some other Australian company then they can be fairly surely you'll fit into a new Australian company. They don't want to be the first one to find out you're unsuitable.

But if you have previous work experience somewhere else, then that reasoning sort of defies the purpose. For instance, if I am a network admin in the UK, then that means that I can actually do the job - doesn't matter where I am geographically. Doesn't this trump anything else?

2. Cultural. They don't have to explain the work culture or standards of work expected. These always vary subtly in every country.

I would expect much the same if I went to the UK.

I guess this is what I'm asking. What kind of work culture could there possibly be other than what we've already experienced in any western nation?

See, these questions are good to "throw back" at the interviewer. Then we can begin to disect their reasoning and tackle whatever their concerns are directly.

[kaz101]

As Amaslam mentioned this happens in every country. I have an Aussie friend who is a specialist lawyer who's worked in Sydney for years. She married a Brit and went to live there. Even though she was qualified she kept being told that she didn't have any local experience of working in London. She could only get jobs far below her ability and in the end they gave up and moved back to Sydney where she got loads of job offers immediately.

Every country has it's own culture regardless.

The other issue is that you are new and they don't know how long you are going to stay. My husband had that issue when he came here and one interviewer told him that.

Be careful at 'throwing back' questions to the interviewer since you may simply antagonise them....

Regards,
Karen

[Pesky Wesky]

[quote]

Originally Posted by sollie

I guess this is what I'm asking. What kind of work culture could there possibly be other than what we've already experienced in any western nation?

QUOTE]

Look at this; it might give you some clues
Doing Business in Australia - Australian Business Culture - Australian Culture - World Business Culture

[lavidaloca]

Hi everybody , I have read the above discussion regarding the local experience , does that mean it is impossible to find a job with a good pay over there while I am out of the country and did not have the visa yet or is it ok like for example in Dubai (as you know everybody can find a job over there via the internet ) ?

More over,does the market there recognize the American professional certifications, like the certified internal Auditors (CIA) for example? or employers over there do not even care about such certifications ?

I would appreciate you assistance in answering my questions

Regards

Your mileage will vary based on a lot of different factors:

1. For countries like Pakistan, recruiters don't seem to even look at your resume until you are onshore with a valid work visa which is usually the permanent residence visa. After that, your mileage varies still more. It seems some recruiters are extremely open minded, forward thinking, and unbiased. They will recognize talent and treat you nicely. Others will still show suspicion and would prefer you take up some contract work to 'build up' some 'Australian Work Experience'.

2. For countries like Britain, there are 'up-scale', 'snobby' recruitment companies that place people worldwide (including Australia). The POUND on offer can be as grandiose as 170K per annum. And yes, you got that right. That is POUND STERLING. Of course they place executive types or techies with a vast experience, sometimes in niche areas. And it seems believable that they would prefer Britons over anybody else.

3. All of this also depends on the industry. Accounting and law are always specialized for each country and hence foreign experience and qualifications obviously don't count for much.

That's my take. I hope others would like to contribute as well.

[tigris330]

Originally Posted by lavidaloca

Hi everybody , I have read the above discussion regarding the local experience , does that mean it is impossible to find a job with a good pay over there while I am out of the country and did not have the visa yet or is it ok like for example in Dubai (as you know everybody can find a job over there via the internet ) ?


Regards

Very difficult unless your skills are REALLY in demand and you're looking for sponsorship.

[lenasheh]

I moved here around 3 months ago as an IT professional. For me the whole 'Aussie experience' just mind boggled me. This is what I get from it so far:
- There is a huge speculation that certain nationalities will suffer from culture shock when they do come here. Additionally the generalization that we do not have as good a command of the language as a native.
- In each country the rules and regulations differ:- HR regulations, Safety regulations, Legislations
- The culture of the Aussie work environment - sense of humour, what's appropriate, etc

When they are looking for Aussie experience they are ideally in my view looking for a combination of the above. So it doesn't really matter that I can do the same job here as I did back home - do I have the work environment skills?
Being from a country while would have a similar work environment would help - US, UK for example. I have been to many interviews and been turned down with a reason as simple as 'They are looking for someone who has local experience'. An easy way of getting local experience is volunteering - you can start that as soon as you come - stick that on your resume and that will carry you a long way.
Hope this helps.