Information presented by the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas)to assist skilled migrant workers in their employment search. 
Feedback is welcome: settlement@mrctas.org.au

We speak with Aimen, a skilled migrant who is in the process of finding employment that matches her education and overseas experience. 

We speak with Clover(Xiao Huang), a skilled migrant who re-used her skills to start her own Business. 

We speak with Wei who talks about the benefit of volunteering upon her confidence and job-readiness. 

The shared experiences and goodwill of migrants and volunteers has made this project possible. If you would like to gift your experiences to this project please call MRC Tas 03 6221 0999 or email Clarissa Adriel at cadriel@mrctas.org.au

Stories from skilled migrants seeking employment

Aimen discusses the importance of attending all social/networking events and increasing connections.

With Aimen’s friendly and outgoing nature she has had success building her social networks in Tasmania. She says, “I try to network as much as I can.” Aimen spoke to us about the various social groups that are available in the Hobart area. She says these events are “a good place to start your networking from.” She reinforces the importance of attending these events and putting yourself in places “anywhere you have people around, where you can talk and network. That exposure is very important.” When job seeking, Aimen stated, “it is very important who you know because Hobart is such a small place, everybody is connected to everybody.” Having social networks can help migrant workers rebuild and progress their careers within their host country.

On this track you will find:
- Aimen's experience of first arriving to Tasmania and relying on previous social connections to begin her settlement
- The importance of knowing the right people, as Tasmania is such a small community
- Aimen's advice of putting yourself out there, being visible, and attending any/all networking events. She mentions two free groups: the Get Outside with Community program and the Welcome Dinner Project.
- Information on a future group where women can build connections and talk about what they are going through in a safe space.

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #2 Build social networks

Aimen discusses the importance of being resilient and reflecting on why you are here.

Aimen spoke about how hard the process of finding work in Tasmania can be for migrants and how important it is for her to remain “psychologically strong.” She stated: “It can actually break you down, this constant rejection, and constant people telling you there’s nothing wrong with your resume… ‘you’re on the right path and things will come through…’ It can get frustrating, everything you’re doing right, and it’s just not happening.” 

When Aimen feels down, she reflects on why she came to Tasmania and remembers the better life she is creating for her children. She states, “the motivation of giving them a good life, brings me back to composure.”  

She spoke to us about how happy it makes her to see her children grow and thrive within their new environment. Even through the challenges, she can see that her efforts are not going to waste and the life she wished for her family is coming true.

On this track you will find:
- Aimen's advice to stay strong, stick together as a family, and remember what your objective is
- Aimen's experience with rejection from employers
- The advice to remember why you came to Tasmania, and use it as motivation to keep trying
- Mental health supports available include: Lifeline, the Phoenix Centre at MRC tas, Beyond Blue

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #4 Be resilient and reflect on why you are here

Aimen discusses the importance of being proactive, asking for help, and requesting feedback on applications.

Aimen emphasizes the importance of being proactive and asking for feedback from employers to gain insight into what to work on to better your chances of finding work. She says, “every time I apply, I always call up and ask for feedback.”  

At first, Aimen was under the impression that her job applications were being declined because of her English. However, once she asked for feedback, she found out it was because she had limited local experience in the area of work that she was applying for. Asking for feedback on applications can help migrants understand why they aren’t finding work, to help tailor their efforts and overcome their barriers.

On this track you will find:
- Aimen's practice of requesting feedback on job applications and resumes
- Advice to put yourself out there, search for social events, and attend all possible events
- If English is an area of improvement for you, continuously practice English, even when watching TV

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #3 Be proactive

Aimen discusses the importance of volunteering and gaining local experience.

Aimen has had positive volunteering experiences, and the people she has worked under have been supportive, helped her make valuable connections, and helped her learn Tasmanian work culture and practices.  

Through volunteering, “people have understood who I am, so now they can trust me”, Aimen mentioned. This trust has helped her move into HR jobs that are more aligned with her previous education and experience.  

From Aimen’s experience, it is very difficult to obtain a job when you don’t have local experience. She expresses the importance of gaining experience stating, “experience counts more than education.”

On this track you will find: 
- Aimen's top tips on volunteering and gaining local experience
- How/why Aimen asks for feedback from employers
- Aimen's view on skill gaps and supply/demand in Tasmania
- How volunteering is valuable for gaining experience, making connections, building trust, and receiving professional guidance

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #1 Gain local experience

Aimen discusses the importance of being compassionate.

The last piece of advice that Aimen shared with us was the importance of being compassionate towards yourself and others. The psychological and physical stress that immigration can put on an individual is significant. Having personal experiences with this level of stress acts as a catalyst for Aimen, encouraging her to not only help other migrants but all individuals going through challenging times. She reinforced the notion that “we are all equal, everyone feels the same kind of pain.” The feelings of vulnerability that come with being a migrant can be a daily struggle. She discusses the importance of “surround[ing] yourself with positive people and shar[ing] that positive energy to lift people up.”  

She states, “people have been super nice and super supportive to me…. When I meet new people, who have come I try to be the same because I know the psychological stress and physical stress I went through this year, I don't want other people to go through that… I try my best to help.”

On this track you can find:
- Aimen's belief that being compassionate will bring you compassion in return.
- Information on a future support group and the importance of sharing your struggles or fears with others, and listening to theirs
- Mental health supports: Lifeline, Phoenix Centre at MRC tas, Beyond Blue

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #5 Compassion

My name is Clover (Xiao Huang) and I am from China. 
I`ve been living in Australia (Tasmania) for less than 2 years so I`m still fairly new. I fell in love with this beautiful island by doing all different kinds of outdoor activities. Before I moved to Tasmania I’d worked for 9 years in the education field, with a strong focus on coaching, lecturing & client liaison within the scope of international culture, language as well as mental health.
Three years ago I made the decision to backpack in order to see the world. I have travelled a few Asian countries and spent a whole year in New Zealand. I think the most amazing thing I have done was the time I hitch-hiked throughout the entire nation of New Zealand by myself, which resulted in me travelling over 10 thousand Kilometers. It was around this time I started my blog about travelling stories amongst the diverse cultures I’d spent time with on my journeys.
I have had three different jobs in Tasmania and also started my own coaching business (International relationship/Marriage & Self-Development). One job I have is as a part time Bilingual (Mandarin & English) Support Ranger in some of our beautiful national parks, I couldn`t love it more if I tried. I learnt a lot about nature education and conservation from this wonderful opportunity. Its worth mentioning that I got this job and another government job when I only had a student visa and working holiday visa. Who said people on student visas and working holiday visas couldn`t get serious jobs! In my third role I am a disability support worker contracting to a local family. I started to volunteer in order to learn and gain more experience in support work, which has also been a great educational resource for my own coaching business, as the roles share many similarities.
I can`t wait to share all my stories and tips for you.

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #1 Personal network leading to employment

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #2 Volunteer Work

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #5 Advice to new migrants

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #3 Re-use of skills to start Business

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #4 Testing market on digital platform

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #1 John Intro

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #2 Seeking work in industry

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #3 Volunteering role at MRC Tas

Skilled Migrant Seeking Employment Tip #4 Skills developed through volunteering

We are so grateful to our lovely guest for sharing her story about her employment journey in Australia. She has been in Tassie for 18 months, and after a few months started a job working with a local government union to provide basic services for Tasmania.  Once again, we would like to thank our guest for sharing her story here with us to inform and encourage other migrants!
For comments or feedback place contact Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC).

Skilled Migrant Employment Journey: Tip #5 Advice for migrants

Skilled Migrant Employment Journey: Tip #2 Mental Health

Skilled Migrant Employment Journey: Tip #1 Applying for jobs

Skilled Migrant Employment Journey: employment experiences

Skilled Migrant Employment Journey: qualifications

Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting people from migrant backgrounds to settle successfully in Tasmania since 1979.