Some questions about coming to australia
 

Hi Friends,

I am an Internet marketing consultant and search engines optimizer and based at New Delhi, India t the moment. Basically I am MBA in marketing and then have 5 years of experience mainly in Internet marketing only. I specialize in optimizing site for search engines and also doing paid advertising on PPC engines like ..Google, MSN and yahoo etc. I have got a Job offer from a SEO company in Sydney.
There are certain queries that I have in mind and would appreciate if you friends can help me.

1. How is the market for the Internet marketing in Australia.
2. If there is any problem with my employer, once I work there, would it be very difficult to get a new job there keeping my profile into mind. I am very good at my work and have created more than 1 Million unique Visitors to my client?s website through search engines in last one year.
3. What is the right remuneration for this kind of post.
4. What are things I should clarify with my employer in advance.
5. Being an Indian and not a native Australian, are there certain things that I need to keep in mind.
6. How are the people there? Though I have found my current employer very genuine till now.
7. How is the IT penetration there and is IT a growing field there.


Also, I will apply for sponsored visa, would it be good to apply though some agent or directly in embassy ?

An early reply would be appreciated as I have to join by 1st August and I have not made my mind.

Regards

Hi, nitindec!

These questions are rather unique for this forum, and, in fact, I'm wondering whether they're not a bit too specialised for this to be the appropriate place to aske them. Are there no forums where IT positions are discussed?

The only one of your questions that I would essay an answer to would be number 5. There is a significant Indian population in Sydney -- has been for many years -- and they appear to have assimilated well and are well-regarded by everyone. I was going to say "the majority", but Sydney is now such a mixed-race city that I am not sure what "the majority" is... it seems we are a collection of minorities. I think you'll be very comfortable here.

I hope you can get some answers to your other questions; however, while you are waiting, keep looking for another type of forum!

I agree with Alan - your questions are rather too specific for this forum.

I can comment on the IT industry generally (as it sort of employs me). There is considerable unemployment in the industry - in all areas, I'm afraid.

If you accept the job offer and come here - that's a sponsored position, and is not likely to be translatable to a position with another company, unless you can persuade them to take over your sponsorship.

I'm not sure what the market is like for persons with your particular expertise.

As an Indian, no trouble.... While looking for an Indian restaurant the other day, I came across a website for young Indian professionals who seemed to be in similar situations. Sorry, I can't remember the website, and don't have time to search, but I was looking for Abhi's restaurant, and came across it. It may be a good place to ask your questions.

Australians in the workplace tend to deal with people according to how they come across as individuals rather than according to their background. Most don't like "bludgers" (freeloaders) or "crawlers" (people who too obviously ingratiate themselves with the boss). They also like to think that they have good "bullshit detectors", although this skill is in short supply in corporate marketing departments.

To speak plainly about cultural misunderstandings, the only problem I've experienced with newly-arrived staff from India relates to the fact that Australia is by most standards an egalitarian society, with limited respect for rank. It's therefore a mistake to be overly deferential to one's superiors, or dismissive of one's subordinates.

The other potential for misunderstanding relates to the status of female employees, who in law and increasingly in fact must be treated as equal in all respects with male staff. I mention this because I did have a newly-arrived Indian staff member who while he tried hard, had some difficulty accepting the authority of his female boss - a bad career move.

In saying this I'm aware of the dangers of generalising from limited experience. Good luck with your application - I'm sure you'll enjoy your time in Australia.

Do you play cricket?

Hi All,

Thanks all for your reply.

JohnJ - Yes, I play cricket :). BTW, is there some incentive for Cricket players ;) ?

Further thanks all for giving and giving me proper motivation on most of the front. Can I have some Idea about the living costs etc ? I am married with a 1 month Daughter.
Thanks all again....What are the recommendations for the initial setup, as I would not like to spend too much money, before I earn. I will be there for 1 year approx. Thanks all again ...

That's a tough one. Can you tell us what sort of salary package you've been offered, and then we might be able to tell you whether you'll be able to live on it! Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia because of high real estate prices. Rent will be your biggest single outlay.

Of course there is an incentive for cricket players and fans.Along with the date of our national day,cricket is one post colonial passion that aust. and india share.

There is bound to be some cricket players and fans at that fancy,sophisticated internet marketing place you are going to work at.
The Indian team will be out here this summer...go to the test match at the SCG...cricket could be your bridge to understanding/relating to the australian way of life.
If you play competitively join a club,meet aussies,find out what they think about sport and life.

Set Up Costs
Rent for furnished apartment inner city $500 /week.
Weekly public transport pass $60/week.
Food $150 /week
Cricket club Fee $150
Few schooners at pub after cricket $12/week.

John
The Indians have been - that was last summer. I think the Windies are here this summer, or perhaps Pakistan.

The Tests are worth going to, regardless of who's playing - look at the fight Sri Lanka put up last week!

Thanks for the correction Margo...
Pakistan!!!
perhaps Mr nit will not come at all now.

Hi

Most Inidan people I have met live in the Liverpool area (outer Sydney suburb). I would not say it is an Indian area as such but becoming one. It is cheaper than downtown Sydney and would depend really on whether having people from similar background around to take away some homesickness is important to you. I think they have some supply stores for those familiar items you cannot find anywhere else. If your wife isn't woking with a young child it maybe more it may make it easier for her.

Mins you must I meet are actually Fijian Indian nut also met others from India that live in that area.

There is a website caleld

Indiandownunder.com.au that will give you loads of info I am sure and also provde you with important contact information.

Nitindec, if you are renting long-term in Sydney, check the Meadowbank area. It also has a very substantial Indian population, and it is very well-located near a college (Meadowbank College of TAFE) and with a ferry service to the Sydney CBD.

I hope you got some help from this forum!

Hi All,
Thank you Very much to you all for offering me the great help.
Further, to provide more informaiton, I am offered AUD 4000 a month. Will it be a problem to run a family in that amount ?

I think $4000 a month, assuming that is before tax, will be a struggle to run a family in Sydney. Rent will set you back around around $350 a week ($1500 + a month) and that's off your net salary for a 2 bedroom apartment (in the suggested area of Meadowbank) - much more for 3 bedrooms. Then you have your food bills, and other associated household costs. Will you be buying a car or using public transport - either way these costs have to be included (especially if you plan to borrow to buy a car). Sydney is a pretty expensive city to live in.

I am not sure if you will have immigration status with your visa. If you do you will probably qualify for child allowance which will help.

Also if you do not have immigration status you will pay far more tax than residents pay. ( I MEAN far MORE)

If you get both family allowance and pay regular tax you will be able to live in Sydney ok for $48,000 per year. But you will need some savings for start up expenses. If you rent you will need one month in rent plus one month in bond. So that will be $3000 not counting the cost of furnishings.

But to be honest, though $48,000 is ok salary here, more than many... it is not so great for someone with a MBA. If you are going to settle here it maybe fine for a foot in the door then you could go out and earn much more, depending of course on the demand for your skills.

There is a link on the indiandownunder website for Indian IT professionals in Australia. It may be worth dropping them an email.

Internet marketing is not a big industry here from what I can gather but if you can transfer some of those skills into similair areas to expand your range you should have lttle problem

Good luck!

yes indiandownunder was the website I came across.

It would be possible to live on $4000/month, but not well. I would expect the IT industry to pay more for your level of expertise. Some with fewer qualifications and experience earn more.

I think you'd be well advised to check out the website - this is basically a travel board.