Senior Cost Analyst looking for Job Opportunity

[Du Toit's]

Hi everyone

I have 10 years working experience with one of the four major Banking and Financial Services groups in South Africa (see attached CV).

For the past 6 years I’ve been working as an Activity Based Costing Analyst.

I’m looking for an opportunity with sponsorship in the same industry if possible, will appreciate any advice you may have.

I will be in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth during the last 2 weeks of November should anyone wish to meet with me regarding future employment.

Thanks

CURRICULUM_VITAE_Aus_Forum.doc

[Guest May]

Hi,

I have a BCom and 20 years in Banking and Finance, I have been told its hard to get sponsorship- been told to get my skills visa and then apply for jobs.

This website is quite nice to view:

http://www.efinancialcareers.com.au/

May

[Mara]

Have you tried sending your cv to the banks in Australia, with a covering letter explaining you will need sponsorship? If not, give it a try, you have nothing to lose!

http://www.anz.com/

http://om.hsbc.com.au/

http://www.commbank.com.au/

http://www.nab.com.au/

http://www.westpac.com.au/

http://www.boq.com.au/

Good luck!

[Springbok]

This website is quite nice to view:

http://www.efinancialcareers.com.au/

Yes that's the best site for banking & finance jobs, however this industry doesn't really hand out sponsorships. Most of the banks want to see you HERE before they'll seriously consider you for a job. While I agree you've got nothing to lose by sending your CV to the banks, your odds of success by doing that, are very small in this industry. There are quite a number of jobs available at NAB, St. George, Westpac and CBA in risk management (credit risk, etc.), and if you have more than 5 years specific experience, it shouldn't be too hard to find something.

Send me a PM and I'll send you the contact details of a few recruiters that may be able to assist. Having dealt with them the last 3 months, I know who their clients are and what kind of jobs are available in Sydney.

But once again, without a permanent residence visa or other kind of work permit, you're not going to get very far, unfortunately. That's the route I went, got PR visa, came over here, applied for roughly 100 jobs, went for interviews and finally got a job after 3 months. So when you decide to do the same, bring at least 3 months' money to survive on...

[Springbok]

Just some general tips about the Australian format of CV's (in the banking industry at least), as communicated by a recruitment agent to me:

- the Aussies prefer the 1-page format, but maximum 2 pages

- have a standard template CV and then tailor it to each job that you apply for, using keywords that are used in the job spec.

- do not list you school education (except if that is the only education you have)

- do not list your hobbies and interests outside of work, it's irrelevant to your ability to do the job

- don't list references, the assumption is that you do have 2 or 3 references and your prospective employer will ask you for details of references once they are seriously considering your CV

- example attached

Remember these guys get hundreds of CVs, they are not interested in fluff and what you do in your spare time. All they want to know is whether you can do the job or not, so keep all information on your CV as relevant as possible to the job that you apply for. If you apply for e.g. 20 different jobs, then create a folder for each on your computer and save a CV specific to each job in those folders.

Also, do not be afraid to call prospective employers and/or recruitment agents in Australia and explain your situation. You'll have to do it at strange hours though, usually between 01:00 and 08:00 South African time.

[Du Toit's]

Hi everyone

Thanks for all the advice, will keep you up to date of my progress.

Thanks