How to Get Sponsored to Work in Australia

Fabio Caragliano talks us through how he came to get sponsored in Australia and relives his journey to live and work in Australia from Italy. 

5th March 2014 – Time to leave Italy and start a new chapter in my life. Destination Australia!

Strong emotions and a bit of melancholy, it was hard to leave my old job, my music band, my family, my car and the same old people I used to hang out with. All I remember was “Be careful, watch out for the spiders and snakes!”

My huge and heavy luggage was standing at the entrance of my house. Enough clothes, maybe, to last one year far from home. That’s how long I was supposed to stay in Australia, according to my Working Holiday visa.

Flight scheduled for lunchtime, I clearly remember a group of Singapore Airline’s flight attendants walking through the departure lounge at the airport. I smile! I got on the airplane, fell asleep straight away, as I found myself 30,000 feet up!

A 24 hour flight… best find something to do, what about movies and wine to relax? Then I finally arrived in Sydney… such a great relief after all the stress I felt from watching ‘Border Protection’ on Italian television.

A few days of relaxation, then I was ready to rock ‘n’ roll looking for a job. My intention had always been to find a job in what I was good at: digital marketing. I really didn’t want to be distracted from my career goal… even if I was tempted to go to the beach every day!

Tips for getting Sponsorship in Australia

Here are 10 tips I would recommend, if you want to start your career in Australia and in order for you to have a chance of obtaining your business sponsorship visa (457):

1. Have few years of experience. It will give you a huge competitive advantage in your job search
2. Have your IELTS English exam completed (if English is not your first language) before coming to Australia, I recommend 6 points at least
3. Prepare a complete resume in English
4. Have a personalised cover letter ready for any kind of task you are able to accomplish, according to what the job expectations and duties are.
5. Include the most impressive results you achieved at work and 3 references (or the names of three referees)
6. Read English manuals about your specialisation and keep yourself updated
7. Subscribe to job board websites, contact recruitment agencies and schedule face to face meetings
8. Show your passion and interest for what you do
9. Once you find a job, show how much you like it and show some of your innovation and personality
10. After 3 or 4 months, it could be time to explore the possibility of a sponsorship visa? Show your employer your enthusiasm to work for them and to settle in Australia.

This is what I’ve done… and it worked!
Good luck with everything!

Find jobs in Australia now at www.people2people.com.au