<blockquote rel="kickerz">@RodGanteJr sir ano pong field nyo? i mean line of work?
ay digital marketing pala. sir would you mind sharing your experience from day1 until you got the job? hehe.</blockquote>
Sir, eto po yong experience. By stages nalang po kasi po maraming days po kasi (1 stage = many days)
<b>Stage 1</b>
Applied for jobs on Linkedin and Seek (more or less 200 applications) - starting from the 2nd week of January 2013 to 28 February 2013. Nasa office ako nag-apply. May times na nag-overtime ako para lang mag-apply.
I applied for jobs in AU, CA and NZ.
<b>Stage 2</b>
Invited for interviews. Headhunters and employers alike phoned me for initial interviews and then set further interviews on Skype. Some emailed me to set interview schedules. Some rejected my application because (1) I am not in AU, (2) they will not or cannot sponsor overseas workers, and/or (3) I failed the initial interview.
Three employers in AU confirmed the schedules for Skype interview.
<i>Employer 1</i> is a digital media and advertising company - the job is situated in Brisbane
<i>Employer 2</i> is an ASX-listed company that is into travel, booking and accommodation websites - the job is situated in Brisbane
<i>Employer 3</i> is a competitor of Apple - the job is situated in Sydney
<b>Stage 3</b>
Initial interviews happened. I was talking to interviewers (of companies on different schedules) on Skype. Interviews lasted more or less for 1 hour.
Interview questions/topics:
Background on your career/profession/current company/job/experience
Discussion on the job and how my skills match to it
Questions related to the job and verification of my skills
Confirmation on next interviews
<b>Stage 4</b>
Further/Final interviews took place on Skype. I was interviewed by panelists.
Employer 1 asked me to make a strategy or plan on the case or scenario that they selected, and present (PowerPoint) to them. I did, and during the interview, I shared my screen via Skype. This lasted for 1 hour or more. I was interviewed by two directors of the company.
General Manager of Employer 1 interviewed me on Skype. Asked more on my background and questions relating to the job and my skills.
Employer 3 asked me if their manager in SG can interview me personally in which I accepted. I am currently in SG and the company has offices around the world, e.g. in Singapore, so it was okay.
<b>Stage 4</b>
Employer 1 and 2 offered me the job with information on salary and benefits, and affirmed that they will sponsor my visa. I negotiated the salary offer of both companies, and cleared out other issues. Employer 2's offer was higher than Employer 1.
Employer 1 did not change their offer after I negotiated, but I accepted the job. The day after, they sent an employment contract together with 457 visa requirements/documents that I should prepare.
Employer 2 adjusted their offer, and I accepted the job. The day after, they sent the employment agreement.
On Employer 3, I asked for their offer. It was equal to Employer 1. Hence, I cancelled the personal interview telling the contact person that I accepted a job offer from another company. (My friends can't believe that I rejected this company. This company is really big - sorry guys, I am just being practical. I go for the the company that offers a higher salary)
<b>Stage 5</b>
I signed the contract of Employer 2, and emailed Employer 1 that I cannot take the job. Employer 2 was offering a higher salary and better benefits. But practicality aside, Employer 2 is I believe the company and job that God gave and planned for me. I prayed and I felt that Employer 2 should be my choice.
But know what, I felt guilty that I accepted the offer of Employer 1 but later on rejected it. I assured them that I am taking the job and will work for them.
<b>Stage 6</b>
I prepared the requirements, gathered the documents and submitted them to HR of Employer 2.
Employer 2 lodged sponsorship and nomination application (457 visa). Both applications were approved, so 457 visa application was lodged. Chest Xray exam was required so I underwent, and the results (normal) were uploaded after 2-3 days. Health requirements was finalised on the day the chest x-ray was received.
Right now, we (by the way, my fiancee is part of my visa application as secondary applicant - de facto partner) are waiting for any updates. Every hour of every day, I am checking the status of our application.
Please include our visa application to your prayers. Thank you. May God bless us and grant what our heart desires. Amen 🙂