Immigrating to Australia as an Information Security Professional – part 4 – Finding a Job
Adriano Dias Leite | Jun 27, 2010 | Comments 11
Good day everyone!
June is the end of fiscal year here in Australia, thus I haven’t had time for anything else but WORK! I’m currently developing a comprehensive set of ISMS documentation also covering PCI-DSS requirements. Believe me, it’s really demanding putting it all together, plus meeting deadlines and making the customer happy! But I like challenges, and being a consultant after such a long time makes some of my buried skills resurface and gives me a good exposure to the Australian market.
Anyhow, it’s time for me to share my strategy for finding a job in Australia, or anywhere else you might plan to migrate. But before we move forward, make sure you’re prepared for the moving, planned everything in advance and saved enough cash to pay for your expenditures during your “planned unemployment”.
As I’ve mentioned before, having a good plan and spending the right resources into the journey granted me 3 different offers in less than a week after arriving. Upon my arrival, I already had 3 interviews booked (being 2 of with with the Big 4s). Although I’ve never been to Australia before, I already had a network of people aiding me to find a job.
But before you start adding people to your social networking sites and shooting resumes at random, let me tell the underlying secret to make it work: Watch a movie (or read the book) called “the Godfather”. Beyond being a classic, Don Corleone taught me a lesson that certainly helped me to build a strong relationship with recruiters and people I never met. No, it has nothing to do with “I’ll make him an offer he’ll never refuse 
.
Don Corleone became the powerful figure he was by “exchanging favors”, falling into grace with people he once helped. Human beings tend to be grateful and work their way for a good retribution to whatever you facilitate for them. Let me explain with a real life example: I constantly receive e-mail from 2 different types of people: the ones asking for a reasonable favor; and those asking me to solve all problems of their lives. Please read the following e-mails below and answer the following question to yourself: who would you most likely help?
From: xxx@xxx.com
To: adrianodiasleite (at) myinfosecjob.com
Hi Adriano,
I’ve just visited your website and found the content very useful. Please find my resume attached and feel free to make any modification you deem necessary. I also appreciate if you send it to all your contacts in Australia for helping me to find a job.
I do not hold an Australia visa yet; hence I’d expect to be sponsored.
Please keep me informed and have a good day,
XXXX XXX
And this one:
From: yyy@yyy.com
To: adrianodiasleite (at) myinfosecjob.com
Hello Adriano,
I’ve been following your posts for a long time, and have to say you’re doing a great job (..).
I’ve lived in Australia for the past couple of years, but would like to try something new in Europe. I’ve got a XXXXXX passport, so I would have no problems regarding the paperwork. Would you mind putting me in touch with some of your contacts? I have several contacts here and would be happy to put you in touch with them too.
Regards,
YYYYYYY YYYYYYYYYY.
Did you get the point? If I have only 15 minutes of my day to help someone that asks me for it, I think it’s natural that I’d go for the one asking something reasonable, quick and achievable, plus the potential of getting something back. And so does the recruiter.
So my advice is: try to approach the recruiters following the tips I’ll give below with a reasonable request, and if possible offering something back too.
Ok, now you know what to say when asking for a favor, the next question is: How do I find people willing to help me?
Filed Under: Articles • From me to you • Job Market • My career
Hi Adriano,
I appropriate the efforts you put in place to make people understand about the Information Security Job market in AUS.
I am very much impressed with all your articles & personally want to thank you for the same.
I really want to immigrate to AUS but fears due to the future unemployment.
Kindly guide me when I really need to start & where exactly.
Thanks & Regards,
Sandeep Saini
Hi Adriano,
I have just started thinking about relocating to Australia. Actually, I went through the Australian immigration site as well anmd was left absolutely confused at the end of it.
However, once i went through your article, a lot of that confusion just melted away.
The work that you have put in to help people like us is definitely commendable. Much appreciated.
Like i said earlier, i am also thinking of relocating to Australia soon; but i do not have a CISSP. However i do have a CISA, CISM, 27001 Lead Auditor cert, BS25999 Lead Auditor cert, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Cert, ISO 20000 Lead Auditor cert, etc. Do you think i have a good enough chance to make it in Aus?
Cheers
Hello Adriano,
Soon, I will be in the same situation as Allan (an IT Security Analyst studying in Australia and able to work only part time).
Have you heard of anybody in that situation who has managed to get a part time job in the IT area?
Regards,
Eder
Hi Adriano,
I really enjoy reading your posts, Im also a brazilian willing to immigrate to australia.
Now Im studing for a Masters in IT at University of Sydney. I have a student visa that allows me work part time (and full time on holidays). So was planning to find a part time job during my studies and at the end of the course try to convert it in a full time job (and that could sponsor my visa).
I worked as a security analyst for 1 year in brazil before coming to sydney but I have more experience with linux. Using your experience, do you think it is feasible work part time with linux in sydney? I dont see many part time job positions, should I apply for full time positions and explain that I am a student? Do I need ACS recognizement for that?
Thanks in advance!
Abracos,
Allan.
Hi Adriano, thank you very much to share this invaluable information and so on the time you spent to published it.
For me it´s very usefull information because I am planning to move on to Australia and find a job as a security consultant. I am working on to prepare all.
Again thank you very much.
Eduardo C
Mexico City.
Hi Adriano,
I am a regular follower of your posts. After reading this one, though not very much useful for me right now, I could not resist more to appreciate the good work you are doing, and I thank you for this. Godspeed.
Mohsin
hi
I had a query abt the character check if we have been in more than one country like usa, switzerland how do we do that
Hi Pooja,
In such case you’ll usually need the criminal records for each country you’ve lived.
Hope it helps,
Adriano
Dear Adriano,
I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful article that i really liked, It was Great and full of useful information and you really know how to write an interesting article
thank you again.
Best regards
Hi Adriano,
Thank you for this very informative article.
I find myself in a similar situation since I have acquired an Australian Resident Visa and I am an information security professional relocating to Australia Sydney in particular.
I have basically covered all the steps you mentioned and currently I am searching for a job as an information security consultant or lead in Sydney.
Can you provide me with any pointers or help on where/how should I start searching and what works since obviously you were able to find a job quickly.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Fadi Shalhoub.
Hello Fadi,
I Would recommend you to use the following website: http://www.seek.com.au.
It’s also useful for you if you try and contact the recruiters directly through linkedin. Building a network prior to your arrival is definitely worth it.
Adriano