(Image: LinkedIn Sales Solution via Unsplash)
The third Graduate Recruitment Accelerator panel featured Naishadh Gadani, a Career Coach for Migrants currently running his own consultancy company - ‘Your Career Down Under’. Naishadh is also a Podcaster and a daily LinkedIn Live host. This panel was specifically tailored to assist international students in their graduate job search.
Naishadh completed a university degree in Mechanical Engineering and practised in his home country when he later realised it did not align with his interests. It was then that he decided to migrate to Australia in 2007 to explore a new niche.
With job searching being the first on his list when landing in Brisbane, Niashadh sooner than later realised that his conventional methods of applying for roles was not effective. Naishadh’s process of applying had to eventually transform from applying for jobs online to learning how to approach employers directly. Facing challenges such as a poor internet connection, understanding people over the phone and struggling to customise a resume, he took it upon himself to change his job search approach.
So, without further ado, here are Naishadh’s top panel hacks to finding work as an international student.
Hack #1 - Make a list of companies you want to work for and approach the right employer
Identify the companies that you would want to work for and find the right way to get in touch with the right employer. Do not just speak to any hiring manager in the company Naishadh says. But rather speak to the employer who will be in charge of your line of work. If you’re looking for a sales position, ask to speak to the sales manager because they would be your potential employer.
Know your skills before you approach the employer. It is essential that you are able to allow the employer to see how you can be a valuable asset to their team. You cannot approach employers unless you know how your skills can be beneficial to what they do.
Look at the companies that hire the role you want. The easiest way to do this is to update your LinkedIn profile and the algorithms will do the job. Here are some tips and important factors to take on board when reaching out:
- Find out who the decision maker is
- Pick up a phone and talk to them
- Put the word jobseeker to the side and think of yourself as a professional
- Let them be confident in your skills by being confident yourself
- You don’t need to sell yourself right away, if the person has picked up your call, they are ready to talk to you
- Come up as insightful and enquire about their work
- Ask if they’re looking for someone
- Make sure to research the company beforehand
- If you reach out to someone via LinkedIn, make sure to have updated your profile beforehand (However, phone calls are the better choice as you can explain yourself better)
- Make sure to practice before your phone call
- Find someone who is similar to you (country, University, course) and connect with them and ask them about their process and how they got into that role.
Hack #2 - Build your connections
Building your connections allows you to discover a whole network of people who can help you in your career learning development.
Tips to finding networking opportunities:
- Find a body that represents your work
- Look at your industry association
- Attend networking events
Don’t just show up, be actively engaged. If you go to meetings/networking events, it will work in your favour. Consistency is also a way to show your value to your industry networks and potential employers. It is a way to show aptitude, willingness and eagerness. Be sure to find a meet up that suits your skills, hobbies and location. However, Naishadh also encourages international students to network outside of their communities to find people from different cultures and industry background and don’t forget to naturally allow time to get to know people.
“Many international students may prefer staying around their community, this may limit your interaction with other people, go out and expand your network, it will give you a better perspective about things”.
When attending networking events, share ideas on how you can become more involved. Allow your knowledge and skillset to show when interacting with other members in your industry. For example, you could offer your time to help run some events. Ask what help people need and offer to volunteer your time help out. This way, you will meet more people who could potentially refer you to someone who is hiring at the moment.
Hack #3 - Address your working rights
Address the concern about your VISA, don’t throw it under the carpet says Naishadh. When speaking to a potential employer make sure to let them know about your situation and how long you will be staying in the country. What you have in your control is to explain to the employer your situation in a confident manner. Employers are more concerned about student’s VISA not continuing, not that you are from outside. Addressing this concern will help maintain trust upfront between you and the employer.
Hack #4 - Do not cling onto SEEK alone
Think of SEEK as a matrimonial website, says Naishadh. Employers may put a job on SEEK as a last resort where there will be an overflow of applicants for the job. Always broaden your job search and do not just apply on SEEK .
As an international student, it’s not just about study, but rather managing your life and investment says Naishadh. In the panel, Naishadh encourages international students to put time every week for graduate job search. Along with this, it may be of value to find a start-up or not for profit who will need help and to reach out to them. Small not for profits usually can use all the help they can get.
You can also request insurance cover as a Western Sydney University student.
Hack #5 - Find out what you have in common with the employer
Naishadh was devasted to discover that applying for jobs online doesn’t always work. After receiving so many rejections, he decided to approach employers directly. To do this, he had to find something that he had in common with the employer.
For example, if you call the Sales Manager – try to find out about them beforehand, such as Googling their name or viewing their LinkedIn profile. See if you can find something that you have in common, such as a love of the same sport, the same major or same hobby.
Next, provide a real reason why you want to work for the company. For example, did the company just win a new supply contract? Do they service an industry that you are passionate about? So, before you approach an employer, prepare first and come up with a reason as to why you want to work there based on the business needs of the company.
When you make the call, ask open questions such as ‘I’m keen to work with you, as I saw you have a background in chemical engineering and the company has plans to expand into in South Australia. What would be the process involved in working for your company? Or ‘How could I position myself to work with you in the future?’
Contacting employers directly and networking does take time and considerable effort. It won’t result in a job straight away – but the more you find genuine ways of connecting with people, understanding what help they need and offering your time to help them out, you will start to discover new opportunities before they are advertised. Once employers get to know you before you apply, they are more likely to overlook any visa limitations that you have and be prepared to offer you a role.