Top US Job Searching Tips from 30+ Australians Who Landed Jobs in the US.
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These Australians have shared with us their top tips on how to…
find jobs in America for Australians
find E-3 visa-friendly jobs
stay motivated during your job search
pitch the E-3 visa
and so much more!
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Fellow Aussie Adam landed a Pilot job in Dallas!
Adam from Sydney was applying non-stop for jobs in Dallas and wasn’t hearing back…
Until he got the ONE call.
The one call that has changed his life.
He was invited to interview.
Took the flight test.
And landed the job.
Now he’s living and working as a pilot in Dallas. On the E-3 visa!
“Just trust the process and know all it takes is 1” says Adam.
P.S. Adam used our E-3 Visa Salary Search tool during his US job search.
George from Sydney landed a Strategic Partnerships Director role in Chicago!
George was living in Sydney with his long term American girlfriend. Like many couples they kept discussing changing things up. The idea of taking his career to the US was exciting.
“Like anything, the first step is the hardest. Once you commit to something make sure you follow through. Also people want to help... so reach out.” - George
That’s exactly what he did. We're honored to have helped George along the way!
Fellow Aussie Michelle landed a new Finance job in Boston!
She’s always wanted to work in the US. Originally from Brisbane, Michelle has lived in New York for 10 years on E-3 visas!
“Explore every avenue. Know how to present yourself in 30 minutes. Speak to the job spec. Ask questions about actual tasks in the job spec” says Michelle.
Michelle was comforted knowing Aussie Recruit was a source she could tap into.
Farah from Melbourne landed a Product Marketing Manager role in the US!
We asked Farah for her advice for fellow Aussie job-seekers.
Farah shares 3 great US job-searching tips:
1. Prioritize quality over quantity.
“I chose to apply for fewer roles with tailored outreach instead of mass-applying with a generic application.”
2. Break up the job search monotony.
“I worked at different cafes across the city to keep mixing things up”
3. Reward yourself for milestones.
“I created a reward system for myself after completing certain tasks. It made the job search feel less daunting.”
“Aussie Recruit is an invaluable resource for navigating the complexities of landing a role in the US as an Aussie. Amy’s comprehensive breakdown of the E3 visa, among other topics, has been instrumental in landing roles in the US. Cannot say enough good things about Amy!” - Farah
Lily, Australian In Boston
“I created a vision board and set it as my screensaver”
Lily from Adelaide landed her new job in Boston!
#1 Job Searching Tip from Lily
Referrals are the best way to get a job in the US. So speak to anyone and everyone. Your network is more powerful than you think!
“Amy at Aussie Recruit provides invaluable advice about how Australians can land their dream jobs in the US. From tips on how to market yourself to American companies, how to find other Australians, and how to tackle the E3 visa process. I would have been so lost without her!” - Lily
Mikaela, Australian In San Francisco
Supercharge Your Search Student 💫
“To stand out as an Aussie, you have to go above & beyond usual online applications.”
Mikaela focused on what she could control every day and used that to keep her morale high whilst interviewing.
2 tips from Mikaela:
Focus on the tips from Aussie Recruit, they do work. Remember to network, network, network.
To stand out as an Aussie, you have to go above and beyond usual online applications. Make sure you are using Linkedin and reaching out to your Aussie/US community for support!
“Amy was a source of positive inspiration. Her Supercharge Your Search course helped me to better understand how to leverage LinkedIn and reach out to more Aussies who are in the US” - Mikaela
Inez, Australian In New York
“Don’t be afraid to let your character and unique manner of thinking shine through.”
Inez from Melbourne landed a job in the US! Inez stayed motivated during her job search by:
Having dedicated time to apply for jobs and expand her US network. She did her best to stick to those hours and enjoyed exploring New York on breaks.
Scheduling day or weekend trips over the weekends when job-hunting communications were always paused.
Speaking to other Aussie designers about their experiences. Working hard to get in touch with real people during the hiring process.
Some advice from Inez!
Perhaps this isn't for all industries... but don’t be afraid to let your character and unique manner of thinking shine through your applications and interviews. I found this particularly important looking for more junior roles where there might be a huge number of applicants with equal amounts of experience.
Katrin, Australian In New York
From Newcastle to New York. Katrin, you made it happen!
Katrin landed her 1st job in the US, as a General Manager in the Design space.
She joined as the company’s 1st Aussie E-3 visa hire!
“When I felt like I wasn’t making progress, I went into visualization mode and hyped myself up. This was not only empowering but also made me more confident going into interviews.”
Katrin also...
Saw each interview and job application as an opportunity to level up.
Completed free courses, self-study and anything that would improve her chances of employment.
Important tips from Katrin:
Get used to hearing NO and being ghosted. Don’t take it personally and just keep going.
Don’t assume anything until you have something in writing in front of you. Sometimes it’s almost a yes and then something happens and it falls flat.
Try to organize an in-person interview to build a closer connection with the employer.
Don’t be silly like me and do everything on your own. Some people know way more than you do. Reach out and ask questions. Use any help available because this process can get stressful.
“I received lots of information from the Aussie Recruit page and a massive shout-out to Jonathan who helped me with my visa application! I can’t thank him and his team enough!” - Katrin
Ashley, Australian In New York
“I knew I was worthy of getting what I wanted & didn't stop until I got there”
Ashley from Sydney landed a Senior Graphic Designer role in NYC!
“I always knew I wanted to move to NY. I had gone over to land a job in March 2020 and of course after unfortunate timing had to come home after 10 days.
This didn't stop me from knowing I would move. I didn't let the countless rejections stop me.
I saw other people’s success stories as motivation. I just knew I was worthy of getting what I wanted and didn't stop until I got there.”
Ashley's 4 tips to landing your jobs in the US:
Use and create a community and network of people to help you. The Aussies in NY pages/groups, Aussie Recruit resources, and virtual events gave me a wealth of knowledge during my job search. I knew the ins and outs of the visa process thanks to these communities.
Most importantly, Persist and know that it will happen. It can be a grim process to apply for jobs, but know that you only need one!
Change your Linkedin location, Americanize your resume/cv, and connect with people in your industry already working in the city and organizations you want to work at. I have a Google Sheet of every creative in NY, it had their name, organization, city, and social handles. Connect with them. Reach out to them and create a network. Thanks to this – I got my dream job. They weren't even hiring, but thanks to a friend I met via networking, this company reached out to me.
If you have the means, go on a holiday to the city you're wanting to move to. I went to NY for 6 weeks and it made a huge difference. Every day I was networking and meet up with other creatives. Once I was in NY I got a US number and had a US address (my friends).
“Thanks to Aussie Recruit I was fortunate enough to have a wealth of knowledge and resources during my daunting job search. Knowledge gives you confidence, and with this, I was able to land my dream job in New York within a few months. I continue to use Aussie Recruit's resources as the monthly E3 virtual events have supported my E3 visa journey!” - Ashley
Elle, Australian in New York
Elle from Sydney landed an amazing Marketing role in NY!
“I started with a "spray and pray" approach but found it wasn't working.”
3 top tips from Elle:
Be specific about the job title you are searching for
Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for
Be prepared to talk passionately about the company, not just your skill set or experience. "In my experience, interviews were less about my 'skills and qualifications' but why I specifically wanted to work with X company."
"If I job searched every day I would lose motivation". Elle dedicated certain days to her job search and applications. She also reached out to friends in the US to ask for advice & to hear their stories.
“Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you. Before finding Aussie Recruit's social media and website my approach was definitely “spray and pray” and without your tips and insights, this process would’ve taken me A LOT longer.” - Elle
Grace, Australian in LA
Sydneysider Grace has landed a job in LA.
Her E-3 visa was approved and she’s made the big move!
Grace applied for her role through the company's website and the interview process lasted a few weeks.
5 job-searching tips from Grace
It can be a daunting and long process but stay informed and connected with the wealth of information available
Educate your prospective employer on the E-3 visa to show your commitment to joining the business even before they have offered you the job
Join a few Aussie expat groups on Facebook for tips on the E-3 visa process
Follow Aussie Recruit! Seriously, it made me feel like I had a support group by attending the online events and seeing Amy Meyer's daily stories on Instagram (@aussierecruitsf)
But most importantly, believe in yourself and celebrate every step!
“The wealth of information available on Aussie Recruit's website and virtual events provided me with the knowledge to confidently speak about the E3 process to my prospective employer.” - Grace
Mark, Australian in Ohio
Fellow Aussie Mark has landed a job in Ohio!
As a Senior Consultant at one of the big 4.
3 job-searching tips from Mark
1. Leveraging your network is key
2. Focus on getting referrals for your target roles/company
3. Base yourself out of the US [if possible] as early as possible, this will help the recruiters take your application seriously
“I would highly recommend Aussie Recruit. It is a fantastic resource for navigating a role in the US. Amy was a pleasure to work with.” - Mark
Rhiannon, Australian in LA
“I started wide and applied to a lot of jobs. As I started learning about what worked for me and what didn't, I got more specific and targeted with my job search”
Rhiannon was successful in applying via a job board and the hiring process took about 1-2 months.
“Determine the key skills and types of experiences that are common in jobs that you're interested in” says Rhiannon. “This will really help you to cater your resume accordingly and stand out in interviews.”
“Amy has been such a great resource during my time in the US - she has been really supportive and generous with her advice.” - Rhiannon
Liam, Australian in Seattle
“When you need a visa, it’s always a sea of no’s but you only need 1 or 2 yes’s"
Liam has landed an Accounting job in Seattle!
Although his job search took 6+ months, the interview process was just a few weeks! You never know what's around the corner 👀
Here are 4 ways Liam stayed motivated during his job search
I made a plan and put other wheels in motion to force myself to find a job. I set up my personal life based on the assumption that I would be in the US.
While job hunting I linked up with several rugby teams and stay social. I should have tapped into that community more in terms of job opportunities.
Attended Aussie Recruit's monthly E-3 events to stay as informed as possible on the E-3 visa so that I had my ducks in a row once I landed a job.
I knew that my requirements for a visa would mean lots of job rejections. I made sure to keep on seeing that I have value and I only need to get my foot in the door to show my worth. It’s always a sea of no’s, but you are looking for 1 or 2 yes’s.
Liam's top advice
Do not do this on a whim, it's a huge commitment and I definitely underestimated how tough it is.
Reformat your resume and cover letter to be more consistent with US formats.
Get a US phone number.
Easy apply with LinkedIn and Indeed really helped with bulk applications. As an accountant, I was lucky in that sense as using the easy apply is accurate due to the nature of titles within finance and accountant.
Do not underestimate how difficult the move can be and make sure you are really planning from 12 to 18 months out so you have enough resources to make it to your first day at work. I would have been toast without the support from my partner, her mates, and my uncle, all of whom are based in North America.
John, Aussie in San Francisco
"I didn’t need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get a job in the US. I simply fine-tuned my strategy and a bit of perseverance made the difference.”
Fellow Aussie John landed a Management Consulting job in San Francisco!
He recently moved from Ireland to the US on an E-3 visa.
John's job searching experience & tips:
Landing a job in San Francisco is tough but it is worth the effort. I was looking for a long time and I had to fine-tune my game plan.
I told Amy Meyer my strategy and we tweaked a couple of things. Within 3 weeks of having a call with her, I landed an interview with the company I'm currently working with now.
Takeaways from my meeting with Amy that helped:
Understand relevant titles in the US for your job. My job title in Ireland is not used much in America so I adapted it for the west coast market.
Fine-tune your resume for the US market. I had Amy look at my resume. She didn't change anything radically but fine-tuned it and it helped.
Practice pitching the E-3 visa. Whilst I was already talking to people about the E-3 in America, I had better conversations with them after going over a couple of roleplays with Amy.
Lastly, remember...
Look at other individuals' success stories.
Know that the process does take time!
“Aussie Recruit is a great outlet for Aussies trying to enter America to work. A real sense of community that all try and help one another.” - John
Charissa, Aussie in Seattle
Seattle is rapidly becoming a top destination for Aussies in the US!
Fellow Aussie Charissa landed a new job in Seattle ✨
Charissa stayed motivated during her job search by remembering that rejections aren't necessarily about her, but often from other external factors.
Advice from Charissa.
Job searching can be really demotivating, it's important to have a good support network and not take rejections personally (even though it's hard sometimes).
“Amy always provides great tips and tricks for everything in the job searching process. It's great to know that there is a whole group of people who go through the same process of applying to jobs in America as an Australian. It's great that she advocates for the E3 visa which should be more well known as an advantage for hiring Aussies.” - Charissa
Looking for jobs in the US at companies that love hiring Australians? (E-3 visa friendly) Share your profile with us!
Alistair, Australian in New York
Fellow Aussie Alistair landed a new role in New York!
We're thrilled to have connected Al with this opportunity.
Al is originally from Perth and had been living and working in NY for a while.
When it came to moving into a new role, Al chatted to others who had gone through or were going through the same process.
These conversations were a great source of advice on navigating the process as an Aussie in NY and were also an opportunity to empathize with others in similar situations!
Al's top tip
Say yes to every conversation, as you never know where it will lead. When you're evaluating a role, solve for people, as they are the most important determinant of your experience and growth.
Noemia, Australian in Seattle
Noemia landed her job in Seattle, interviewing from Sydney.
Here are Noemia's 4 tips on how to land a job in the US from Australia!
1. Make a list of the companies/fields you'd like to work for and start setting up job alerts on LinkedIn so you can be notified whenever a position becomes available, apply, and, most importantly, follow up!
2. Be aware of your timing. Knowing when you will be able to apply for your E-3 visa will allow you to tell your interviewer how long you need for relocation. Always say that this time is from the moment they give you the approved LCA (E-3 visa application) from the Department of Labor (DOL).
3. Expand your search and look for other places where you can apply for an E-3 visa. I went to Frankfurt, Germany, because they had appointments available within 4 weeks, whereas Australia wasn't scheduling appointments in the upcoming months. This may vary from time to time, so you have to constantly check your options.
4. Last but not least, Aussie Recruit is your best tool!
Noemia found her job via LinkedIn and the hiring process took about 1-2 months. Overall, her job search took about 3-6 months.
Janine, Australian in Alaska
Janine moved with her family from Sydney to Alaska!
After revamping her resume and LinkedIn with Aussie Recruit, and applying for roles online, Janine started to get traction.
Janine received 2 amazing offers and has started her new job in Design!
Janine's tips and advice:
I was motivated by the fact that even if my attempts were not always successful, each interview and touch point with prospective employers was still allowing me to learn about the US job market, what employers are looking for and how they operate.
I am in a very small market in a remote state so every introduction has helped develop a network for me even if they didn't always lead to jobs.
Join industry chapters in your local area. For example, I'm a Creative/Art Director. I joined my local AIGA chapter and have found that to be a great platform to network with other local designers. Industry chapters always seem to be looking for volunteers - give some of your time to help out at an event, or take a seat on the board. It will ingrain you into the community and help widen your network organically.
“Thank you to Amy for her tireless efforts in bringing current and relevant information to our expat community!!” - Janine
Gaurav, Australian in Seattle
Gaurav, fellow Aussie in Seattle, landed his job in the US while interviewing from Melbourne.
Gaurav applied to 5-10 jobs via Linkedin everyday and was fortunate to land a great position (via applying through LinkedIn).
Perseverance is key!
Gaurav recommends identifying 2 or 3 states in the US where you would like to work and live and keep applying for jobs on a daily basis.
“Thank you Amy & Aussie Recruit for reviewing my CV and connecting me with E3 friendly companies. Amy's advise and help in creating a U.S. version of my CV gave a big boost to my job search.” - Gaurav
Karen, Australian in LA
Karen landed a new Field Marketing Manager role in LA!
Originally from Bendigo, Victoria
Karen's job-searching tip
"Sometimes you have to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Keep persevering, take a break and repeat! You are not in this alone."
Here's how Karen stayed motivated
"I woke up every day with a positive mantra that today was going to be the day. I spent time eliminating any negative self talk or doubt. This can be really hard when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and you have deadlines looming, but I’d rather be happy and focus on the task at hand than live in fear of the unknown."
Blake, Australian in San Francisco
Meet Blake, Product Designer in San Francisco and originally from Sydney!
"For my first gig in San Francisco, I had drinks with some startup founders in Beijing and the next morning was on a plane to San Francisco"
Blake found his most recent opportunity by direct messaging a recruiter on Twitter.
While looking for opportunities, Blake worked on his portfolio and practiced interviewing 🗣️
Looking for jobs in the US at E-3 friendly companies that love hiring Australians? Share your profile with us.
Book a 1-1 career coaching/resume review session with Aussie Recruit and boost your job search in the US, at E-3 friendly companies.
Joshua, Australian in San Francisco
Josh interviewed from Sydney. He moved to SF on an E-3 visa, in time to enjoy skating with beautiful sunsets.
Here's some of Josh's advice for you!
"Set a minimum number of applications to do per week and stick to it. I was applying for months before finding a company that was a perfect fit, so just keep at it, you'll find something."
Abhi, Australian in Seattle
Meet Abhi, who started a new Sr. Product Manager in Seattle!
Abhi is originally from India, but spent most of his career in Sydney & Melbourne.
Here is Abhi's job searching tips as a fellow expat in the US!
"I kept an eye on the goal, ensured that I spent time on job search/interview prep while also working full-time, and reached out to my support system - mentors, coaches, expert interviewers, etc. Speaking of the support system - Amy (Aussie Recruit Founder) is awesome, so be sure to reach out to her!"
Abhi suggests breaking down your job search into 5 steps. Execute these sequentially but learn about each of these as you start the process.
job list refinement
resume refresh
network & referral
interview prep
visa process
One breath at a time!
“Aussies are everywhere and even the loosest connection can be a pathway” - Jacob.
1:1 coaching student