Why location is important
We are often asked for tips on how to get a foot in the door, when you have limited to no experience. One of the key factors people don’t often consider is the importance of location.
Just as in real estate, location is critical to your job search success. If an employer has a choice of two candidates with similar experience, skills and organisational fit, they are nearly always going to hire the person who is most accessible to them, ie living in the same location as the job or the point of hire.
If you have limited to no experience and you are applying to hundreds of jobs in interstate locations, you are placing yourself at a distinct disadvantage. This is not to say that you can’t or won’t be successful eventually, but employers give consideration to how difficult it will be to interview you, how quickly you can start, whether there would be additional cost in flying you from a different location etc. When major construction contractors need someone to start as soon as possible, the coordination of interstate candidates can be less appealing, particularly for blue collar roles. (Of course, if you have a skill set that is in demand and hard to source, an employer will go to great lengths to pursue you.)
Therefore, it’s important for you to consider a target location. Ideally, you should aim to reside in that location – even if for a trial period living in temporary accommodation. Those who are successful in obtaining an entry level opportunity often relocate themselves from interstate to a region such as Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland, Gladstone, Mount Isa or Perth on a short term basis so that they can be available to meet with recruitment agencies and employers and be available for immediate start on shutdowns and construction jobs.
If you can, be smart about the location and choose one that is not typically preferred. Too many people we encounter want FIFO from a capital city only. If you have no experience, this puts you at a distinct disadvantage because you are then competing against a) others already on FIFO with experience or b) others looking to return from years in a remote location to start FIFO. People don’t want to hear it, but we’ll say it again – your best chance for a start is locations like Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman, Mount Isa etc.
Some elect to make the investment in relocating the family. This can, of course, be a significant cost. Even when you have made the move, it can still take some time to integrate with the local community and become know to ‘locals’. However, this is often one of the most effective ways of getting a foot in the door – through referrals and being know within and by the local community.