Any tips or advice

[Tazzn]

I have my first "conversation" planned with a prospective employer tomorrow. They have asked if they can contact me for a "chat". Just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for me.

I am feeling slightly nervous...

[OubaasDik]

Are they phoning or Skyping?

If Skyping are you going to have a webcam set up?

Anyway,

1) Speak clearly and slowly

2) Don't mention politics, uselessness of government, crime as reasons to move - you want to move to broaden your mind or to give your kids a better life.

3) Be careful of slang

4) Have a few questions to ask them - check up on the company on the internet and ask a few questions - depending on what you find.

5) Have your CV close so whatever they ask can be referred to quickly and answered.

6) if you have kids, don't have them screaming and demanding while you're talking.

7) if you are on cam - dress for work

8) wake up at least an hour earlier and be awake.

Having said all that, my first Aussie job was offered after I'd ignored most of it .... they'd decided that I was their man and they had to follow ISO9000 procedures and have 3 telephone interviews with me, which boiled down to one interview - a conference call with two of their guys - as they said "Two guys on our side counts as two calls and two calls out of three is enough". So they phoned and chatted cricket ....

[Tazzn]

Thanks They are phoning and luckily only at 8am. So I will most definitely be awake and daughter will be safely dropped at school

Must remember the slang or more the "South Africanisms"

[MyTimeNow]

The one or two interviews I've have on the phone/Skype, I've found the Australians to be very friendly and don't try to "catch-you-out" like some SA interviews I've had. Be yourself, and good luck!

[DXB2OZ]

Two tips I was given for telephone calls. Make sure your nails look nice, if possible. Looking down at a part of you that looks professional boosts your ego and that reflects in your voice.

Second one - apply lipstick just before the call. It changes the way your mouth forms around words and encourages clearer enunciation.

Last tip - have all of your paperwork to hand, as well as a pen and paper so you can take notes.

I would dress for work even if it is only a phone call. I find personally that my entire mindset changes with a pair of heels. Probably silly, but whatever works for you.

Good luck - keep us posted

[Tazzn]

Thanks everyone

Sitting waiting (im)patiently for the call. He did say if he got busy at work he will post pone till tomorrow but hope it happens today.

[Tazzn]

So... as I was about to type " no call " my phone rang. what an awesome "chat". He is quite desperate to fill the position so I may miss out (come on now damn visa) but he asked me to keep in contact and has said he will keep me in mind if any other position is available.. even offered to try and "make" me a position if he can convince his boss.

He has offered to try and help me find something else if he can't help me... WOW so super friendly and willing to help to someone he hasn't met and as barely spoken to.

May not be a "job in the bag" but feeling positive knowing there is someone who can give me some insight in the industry.

[SurferMan]

Be yourself.

[Alida]

I have only this to say: I find the Aussie way of doing things very, very agreeable to normal human nature. All the very best, Tazzn, it was a good start, whether you get the job or not.

[monsta]

Don't be discouraged. I had recruiters ask me things like, "how do you think the job market is at the moment?". I knew they were trying to sus me out to find out if I had many inquiries about my CV.

At least you can say, " I went for an interview just the other day!". That will make the recruiter go back to the company and say, "you better hire this guy now.. He has had a lot of bites from other employers".

But, if you had little interest in your CV then recruiters will think that there is something wrong and shred your CV.

Remember, recruiters just want to place as many people as possible with the least effort involved.

Edited December 11, 2014 by monsta

[Tazzn]

Thanks everyone for the input and advice. I have scheduled a meeting with another company for next Thursday. This time via Skype. Still waiting for that VISA though at least now we have a case officer at least.

Is nice to know that I am at least getting responses back from my applications

[Tazzn]

Just wondering if anyone can help me with a name pronunciation. the person interviewing me tomorrow is name Briannon. I have never come across this name before and wondering if anyone has and if they can help me with pronunciation?

Thanks

[Fish]

Just wondering if anyone can help me with a name pronunciation. the person interviewing me tomorrow is name Briannon. I have never come across this name before and wondering if anyone has and if they can help me with pronunciation?

Thanks

New to me as well but as an Aussie I would pronounce it bree-anne-un (maybe bri-anne-un ?). It is probably shortened to Bree or Bri...have heard those names a lot.

[Tazzn]

Thanks Fish - I was thinking Bree/bri - anne - on but the "un at the end as you suggest actually sounds like it flows better. Hopefully she will officially introduce herself first (or we avoid first names )

[SurferMan]

Tazzn,

Its dead easy, "Excuse me, you have a most interesting name, would you tell me how to pronounce it correctly?" That's what I do, I work with all colours and nationalities, that is my standard line.

[Sunnyskies]

Briannon \bri(an)-non\ as a girl's name has the meaning "high, noble, exalted" and is a variant of Brianna.

So basically say bri,swallow the an, and then say non. As a Gaelic name it has more letters than you know what to do with.

However, I agree with Surferman's approach, as she may have put an Aussie twist to it.

[Tazzn]

I am back for more help!!!!!

So the second Job interview is progressing nicely. Did a psychometric test on Saturday for them and they have just asked for another Skype interview to meet the GM.

Now the big question... Does the point of salary and what I am "expecting" come up often? It definitely does here in RSA and therefore I would expect it but have no idea what to say.

My area of work is small and a bit of a niche market. I have only seen 2 jobs advertised and not mention of salary in either. I have checked a few websites that give indications of market salaries in Aus but my line of work is not there and to be honest I doubted it would be.

So what do I say. Honestly say I have no idea what is market related. Make a calculation of my RSA salary X 10 X "living cost factor" (what I am thinking is a factor of 2) but having said that I am in a junior manager position in RSA which I know this Aus position isn't.

MMMm any help and advice would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks

[neburr]

Hi Tazzn

Tough one. Just my 2cents.

I guess I would rather push it back to them and say something like, "I am confident that you would make me a market related offer that is commensurate with the position". Naturally, you will have some idea of what amount to expect/you would like. My feeling is that will give you some idea of where they are pitching the position. After they commit, you can they start negotiating. Just be carefully. Several forumites have already warned that Saffers tend to sell themselves cheap as they are almost 'desperate' to get the foot in the door.

Stand your ground when you are negotiating.

[RYLC]

Agree with neburr in saying that you are confident that they will pay you a market related salary.

[RYLC]

Also found this on Seek to give more of an idea of salaries:

http://www.seek.com.au/jobs/in-australia/#dateRange=999&workType=0&industry=&occupation=&graduateSearch=false&salaryFrom=0&salaryTo=999999&salaryType=annual&advertiserID=&advertiserGroup=&keywords=animal+nutrition&page=1&displaySuburb=&seoSuburb=&isAreaUnspecified=false&location=&area=&nation=3000&sortMode=KeywordRelevance&searchFrom=filters&searchType=

[RYLC]

Oh and I found the Hays Salary Guide for you:

http://www.hays.com.au/salary-guide/request-copy/index.htm

and some advice on another forum (Aussie one) to tell them "I would like to initially be paid a fair rate for the position and then be reviewed in 3 months once you can gauge my actual performance. I am confident my contributions to your companies success will be recognised and trust that you will reward me accordingly."

[Tazzn]

Thanks Crisplet!