October 14, 2025

How to Get Your Dream Job in Australia as a Foreigner: Expert Insights from Pan Perera of Elevar Career Coaching

Finding a job in Australia as an international student or skilled migrant isn’t just about luck – it’s about strategy.

In our recent Aussizz Group Podcast, Viren Jhala and Chetan Patel sat down with Pan Perera, Founder & Director of Elevar Career Coaching, to reveal actionable steps that can help you land your dream career in Australia – whether you’re on a Student Visa (Subclass 500), Temporary Graduate Visa (485), or Employer-Sponsored Visa (482/186).

At Aussizz Group, we’ve proudly helped 180,000+ applicants achieve their Australian visa dreams — and today’s insights continue that mission.

Why Getting a Job Matters for Your PR Pathway

For most international students and temporary visa holders, employment in your nominated occupation is the key to progressing toward Permanent Residency (PR).

Migration expert Viren Jhala explained that applicants with relevant work experience – whether through General Skilled Migration (GSM) or Employer Sponsorship – often get priority in visa invitations.
However, the biggest challenge most newcomers face is simple yet crucial: “We have the qualifications, but we can’t land a job.”

That’s where Pan Perera’s experience steps in. Having coached over 230 students and migrants, he shared the real-world strategies that transform résumés into results.

The Secret: Tap into Australia’s Hidden Job Market

According to Pan, 80% of job roles in Australia are filled before they’re advertised on platforms like SEEK or Indeed.

“People waste time applying online after positions are already decided,” he says. “The key is to connect with employers before jobs are posted.”

How to Access Hidden Opportunities

Network intentionally. Attend industry meet-ups, webinars, and local events.
Reach out directly. Message HR or hiring managers on LinkedIn to offer help on real problems.
Offer value first. Volunteer for small projects – and request a testimonial in return.

This proactive approach not only helps you gain local experience but also positions you as a valuable candidate long before competition begins.

Breaking the “No Local Experience” Myth

Pan explains that “local experience” isn’t about years spent in Australia – it’s about practical exposure to Australian work culture.

Here’s how to gain that exposure:

Take internships or volunteer roles, even unpaid.
Join small business projects to develop real-world problem-solving experience.
Engage in part-time work that improves communication & soft skills with native speakers.

He illustrated this with a story:

“One IT engineer with zero local experience offered to fix a small business’s data issues for free – and earned a glowing testimonial that later helped him land a full-time job.”

The Power of Internships and Volunteer Work

Internships, whether paid or unpaid, give you valuable insights into local industry standards and workplace expectations.

“Internships teach you the challenges real businesses face,” Pan explains. “In interviews, you can then say, ‘I’ve already solved similar problems,’ instead of just listing your degree.”

He strongly recommends that students start early – during their studies, not after.

Intern collaborating in Australian startup

Crafting a Résumé That Gets You Hired

Another major gap Pan notices is in résumé writing. Most applicants focus only on responsibilities rather than outcomes.

Instead of writing: “Responsible for managing project documentation.”

Try: “Implemented new documentation process that reduced project delays by 20%.”

This approach highlights impact and transferable skills – both highly valued by Australian employers.

And remember: your overseas experience counts. It’s about how you present it, not where it happened.

Using LinkedIn Like a Pro: Think SEO for Your Career

Pan compares LinkedIn to Google SEO for job seekers.

“Recruiters search LinkedIn using keywords, and the algorithm ranks profiles – just like Google ranks websites.”

To make your profile visible:

Use industry-specific keywords in your headline and experience sections.
Optimize your profile completeness – banner, photo, summary, skills, and recommendations.
Stay active by posting insights, commenting on industry news, and engaging with recruiters.

“When you do this right,” Pan adds, “recruiters come to you. My last two jobs came without me applying – they found me.”

Understanding Employer-Sponsored and Skilled Migration Pathways

During the discussion, Viren and Chetan explained the main Australian work visa categories:

Employer-Sponsored Visas (482, 186, 494)

Require a genuine position within a business.
The employer must show financial capacity to sustain the role.
Applicants need relevant studies and at least 1 year of experience.

If you lose your sponsored job, don’t panic – the government now allows six months to find a new sponsor and transfer your nomination.

General Skilled Migration (189, 190, 491)

Work experience is vital here too.

One year = +5 points toward your Expression of Interest (EOI).
Three years = +10 points, giving you a major edge in state nominations, especially Victoria.

As Chetan Patel notes, “Experience and a good salary package strengthen your ROI (Registration of Interest) for state nomination.”

How Elevar Career Coaching Helps?

Elevar offers end-to-end career coaching – from résumé building and LinkedIn optimization to interview confidence and employer outreach.

“We guide clients from zero to job-ready,” Pan explains. “Our process helps you get noticed in the hidden job market, not just apply to ads.”

You can connect with Pan through www.elevardigital.com, where he runs personalized coaching programs for international students and skilled professionals.

Aussizz Group: Your Partner in Every Step Toward PR

Whether it’s study visa guidance, job-linked migration advice, or career progression planning, Aussizz Group supports your Australian journey from start to finish.

With over 180,000+ successful visa grants, our migration and education experts ensure you not only meet eligibility but thrive in Australia’s workforce.