DeonS Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hi Everybody,I am a data analyst currently working for Firstrand Bank in Johannesburg, South Africa.In 2012 I got awarded a skilled independent working visa for Oz. Since then, I have written many cover letters, applied to many companies, with little to no effect. Deloitte did give me a call back, but claimed I was slightly expensive. I have followed the procrastination route since then with only the voice in the back of my head saying time is running out.I am now halfway into the term of the visa and need to get some fire under this. Can anyone please advise on job opportunities from Oz companied for data analysts with visa's that will take a chance on a RSA individual.Oh yeah, if you have any guidance on the process of packing up and landing there, I would truly appreciate it. If you have a open barn that I can land in, you would be my hero!Kind RegardsDeon Scheepers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chzaau Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 What you waiting for. Buy a ticket and get on a plane and get over to Oz. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Need a job first and some way to survive. Into the great wide open.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) Have you had your cv redone professionally? It made a huge difference to the response for my hubby. He also had a CV done and his Linked In Profile to match. He used Itouch Resume Solutions. A lot of forumites have used them with good results. Perhaps that could be something to try.Otherwise, the fact is that companies prefer it if you are already in the country...All the best! Edited June 12, 2014 by BriD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hi BriD,Great, some useful info. Are they in RSA or OZ?RegardsDeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Oz... He has become really busy though. But try him and see if he can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Unfortunately unless you are in a very specialized area of IT or your skills are in high demand then there are few companies that will take the chance on someone who is not in the country. The advice of getting your CV redone professionally is sound and a great place to start but you may just need to bite the bullet and move.As you may have read elsewhere on the forum the job market is tough and may even get tougher so companies are far more likely to source from local talent. It's a recruiters market at the moment, they are quite literally spoilt for choice and don't have to look too far or hard.I am sorry if this sounds negative but I do belive in calling it as I see it, rather have a realistic picture than live in false hope.Before all you naysayers shoot me down, yes it is possible to secure work before arriving but that tends to be the exception rather than the rule. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanTonderFamily Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I have found that it works like this. IF you know someone, they know someone, and that usually lands you a job. Yes, I do have a rare skill and that probably helped, but get your foot in the door somehow This is the time to call in all favours, if you can If Deloitte said you are too expensive, live with the pay cut. Get in, that is the most important. I did say in an earlier post.... do not expect not to take a few steps back, but the growth going forward is enormous. IF you are use to spending loads of money, buying name brands, driving a BMW, living in luxury.... you will probably have to cut down on a few things Except if you can bring 4 bar per person - then you should not even worry about it A gentleman I met here, from South Africa, being here 15 years now and making a good living, over a braai and wine(which is what we do), said to me The only thing you have to worry about in Australia, is a job. The rest just happens. And that seems to be true.... Once you have a job, everything else falls into place I suggest, make provision for about 3 months without income Get your CV redone asap, and really make work of finding a job Even if it is not what you planned or want to do - use it as a stepping stone Again.... Your attitude can make or break this 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tersiava Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hi DeanI have found that the definition of a data analyst differs from company to company and even between SA an OZ. Please PM me what exactly you do and I will see if I can help. I just went through the whole process and I am in a similar field than you. Only advise I can give is apply apply apply and apply again 100 times. I managed to land a job from SA in December so it can be done. Hope to hear from you soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hi guys,Thank you everyone, I am learning. I got in contact with Roland Coombes at itouch professional solutions, and sent him my resume. He wants to charge me AUD$440.00. I deal in Rand, weakening by the day BriD, HadenoughofJuju, Tersiava and the VanTonderFamily, you are good people with great souls, helping this simple pesant out with fantastic advice.I have another question please on housing and accommodation. Now I have been to Perth staying in a hotel. But, let's say I pack up and come through. Is it fairly easy to rent? I suppose I will have to get hold of some AUD as well initially. Also, any suggestions on bank accounts.Last question, it is possible to extend my visa if I have done enough investment in Oz. Who can I contact?CheersDeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hey Deon, what skilled independent visa was it that you have, a 175PR. If it is you have permanent residence and cannot extend the visa, before it expires you either need to apply for a residents return visa or citizenship both both od which will allow you to stay in Australia indefinitely. As far as banks go I used Commonwealth and have been very happy with their service so far. It took us about 3 weeks to secure a rental but we did offer 6 month eent up front which is not necessary but does go a long way to getting tour application approved in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Yep...Roland is expensive...but SO worth it. Our story...we arrived in Australia beginning Feb this year. Hubby had done lots of research and had worked his Resume into what we understood was expected for Australian employers. For 6 weeks he applied and applied and applied and applied....I swear he spent almost every waking moment applying for jobs, customising cover letters for each job etc. In those 6 weeks, he had 1 call back which resulted in an interview. He did not get the job...lost out to someone with Australian experience.Finally we decided to "invest" in a professional resume. Roland was recommended by one of the big employment agencies. And I say invest, because it is an investment. You have spent all this money to get the visa...and then you aren't going to try and market yourself as best as you can? We bit the bullet and paid it...he did the resume, a cover letter and Linked In. WHAT A DIFFERENCE...from the moment he started using his new resume...he received call backs several times in a week. He had at least 3 different interviews every week. Some went to second interviews. Once his resume stood out...he managed to get the opportunity to have an interview and speak face to face to someone. After that his biggest problem was finding an employer who would take someone without Australian Experience. 6 weeks after getting his new resume, he was offered a job in Sydney. A good job, and we moved states for it.Fact is...the job market is tough at the moment. And people with Aussie experience definitely have the upper hand. Your Resume MUST stand out or it will be passed over...no matter how much you bring to the table. Roland doesn't make up stuff, he has a great way of putting down your strengths industry specific and the appearance of the cv is great aswell.I am not the only one that saw great results after Roland redid the resume. Toitjie would also be able to vouch for the difference it made, I am sure others will be able to aswell.Anyways...of course ultimately it is your decision. It is not set in stone that you won't get a job without a professional resume...but it certainly helps.As for renting...it can be tricky, but everyone manages to get a rental in the end. In the first couple of weeks you could stay in a Air Bnb room, or a self catering place. Just until you find a more permanent spot. Sometimes if you don't have a job you will need to put down 6 months rent in advance to secure the rental. But this is not always...depends on the Landlord.I have no idea about whether it would be possible to extend the visa. You could probably pose that question to the Department of Immigration.You can open a bank account from South Africa and even transfer money into it. But if you want to move that transferred money around you would need to appear at the branch in person to officially "activate" your bank account.Good luck with your plans.You have a golden ticket in your hands...something many of this forum would do anything to have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hi All,@hadenoughofjuju the visa class on the visa grant notice is Skilled (Migrant) (class VE) subclass 175 (Skilled -Independent).It is a PR visa, and not sure how this stuff works @tersiava pm'ed you....Thanks guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Actually, I have to say that $440 sounds extremely expensive...how many hours can it take to re-work a CV?? I'm not saying it's not worth it, but...wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Actually, I have to say that $440 sounds extremely expensive...how many hours can it take to re-work a CV??I'm not saying it's not worth it, but...wow.Yeah...it is extremely expensive...partly why we did not do it sooner. But in our case at least...it was money well spent. But yes...a big outlay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hi Bronwyn&Co,Dont mid oaying for quality and effect. Rand sliding to 0.099 against AUD$ this is not fun anymore....R4.5k is mega bucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 @VanTonderFamily 4 bar - not going to happen....Anyone go over to start a business or farm or know of such individuals with a story to tell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Aus is what you make of it. If this is what you want and decide that you will make it work then you will. I have heard of many South Africans who have started businesses and are making a success of it. The one thing that separates Saffa's from Aussie's when it comes to work is our willingness to do almost anything to survive. It's something that is ingrained in us through the culture in South Africa and will serve us well no matter where we are in the world. If I remember correctly this guy Ronald was charging about $250 in the not so distant past for re-writing cv's. I guess he's discovered that he can now change just about anything he wants to because people are desperate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 @BriD is there any way of seeing his miracle work guys? Would like to make an informed decision. Also, his terms and conditions does not refer to any LinkedIn work.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I recall getting a group of emails following the 175 visa being granted. I only have the one left where it confirms the visa details. Please can anybody help. I recall these were instructional emails.@hadenoughofjuju can you help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I recall getting a group of emails following the 175 visa being granted. I only have the one left where it confirms the visa details. Please can anybody help. I recall these were instructional emails.@hadenoughofjuju can you help?I don't understand your question but you can check your status here:http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/vevo/vevo-overview.aspx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I don't understand your question but you can check your status here:http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/vevo/vevo-overview.aspxHi Erik,I received this bunch of emails about medical, living in australia, employment etc from my case officer.Changed laptops in between and mails vanished.By the way, do you knoe Herman, Aubrey, Frans? Vetassess....I am assuming you are a vet...D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I recall getting a group of emails following the 175 visa being granted. I only have the one left where it confirms the visa details. Please can anybody help. I recall these were instructional emails.@hadenoughofjuju can you help?Unfortunately not, the only email we got was the visa grant, there were no other docs attached. I do have a booklet though called "Life in Australia" that I have just downloaded from our agents site. If you PM me an email address I will forward it to you.Here's a screen shot of our progress according to our absolutely useless agents.We have been in Australia for more than a year now and they still don't know we have the visa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 By the way, do you knoe Herman, Aubrey, Frans? Vetassess....I am assuming you are a vet...DI have an uncle called Herman, my cousin's ex-husband and son are both called Aubrey and our neighbor was Frans... As for who did my vetassess, I didn't build up such a strong relationship with them to remember their name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeonS Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I have an uncle called Herman, my cousin's ex-husband and son are both called Aubrey and our neighbor was Frans... As for who did my vetassess, I didn't build up such a strong relationship with them to remember their name.Right....right....What about Petrus?Herman Steenkamp, Aubrey Kumm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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