Automation testing interview process in Australia

• Apply on seek.com.au or Jora.com.au or indeed.com.au or LinkedIn or References and contacts
• Full time vs Part time
• Permanent vs Contract based – No leaves, no job security, low work life balance but high salary usually stated as daily rate ($400 to $1000 per day)
• Recruitment agency vs direct HR engagement – Direct HR contact is always preferrable as it is a faster way to secure the job. But 70% jobs come through agencies so you should be ready.
• Ask them to schedule the interview early in the morning so that you will not have to take sick leave. After interview, you can go and work in your current company so that no one will doubt that you are looking out for a job. Do not tell anyone in the office that you are actively looking for job. This may put you in trouble.
• Aussie Accent and Listening practise – For people with no western accent and listening experience, it can be very difficult to clear the interview. So practise listening to western music and movies. Also be very attentive and listen carefully. If you did not get the question, you can say “Pardon me” or “Say that again” or “Sorry can you please repeat your sentence” or “Can you please speak slowly” or “Can you please rehrase the question”
• No of rounds depends on company. Most of the times, you will need to visit the company office twice. First for HR round and second for Tech interview or other way round. But some people manage to get a job in single visit as all rounds are planned on the same day.
• Your job Referee – You should be ready with 2-3 referee. Your team leader or manager can be your referee. Make them aware about possible verification call from the HR department.
• Interview Panel may contain 2-3 people
• Questions will be based on the roles and responsibilities, Strong and weak points, Best qualities a team member or leader should have, why we should hire you, tools and framework, main challenges, achievements
• Negotiating salary – You are not obliged to tell new employer about your current salary. It is your choice.
• On first day of job, submit documents like TFN, Superannuation details, Signed Contract etc. You usually go through induction on first day. Car parking is provided but it is not free. They usually charge $100 per month for the covered parking
• Notice period – It is counted in weeks and not in months. Most of the companies have notice period of 4 weeks.
• Probation period is usually 6 months and during probation they can fire you. If you want to resign during probation, notice period is usually 2 weeks but again depends on each company.
• Personal / Sick leaves vs Annual leaves – Sick leaves will not be carry forwarded to new year. Most of the managers will not ask for the medical letter if you take a sick leave.
• Work hours – Official working hours are usually 8:30 AM to 4 PM. I have not seen anyone working on weekends or after hours.
• Annual parties and other milestone parties – Parties are typical western style with hollywood music and lots of beer. Indians usually do not like the food in parties as veg options are minimal and in non veg, there will be options like beef/pork/ham/ bacon/chicken/fish. Strange thing is that even waiters will not be able to tell you the ingredients of the food. I have lot of friends who have eaten beef/pork burgers thinking that it will be a chicken berger or veg berger. That’s a terrible experience. So you need to be very careful.