I’m going to be direct with you, because I know that’s what you need right now.
You’ve spent weeks, maybe months, scrolling through job listings. You read the requirements, and that little voice shows up: “I don’t have all the years of experience they’re asking for.” “I’m missing that certification.” “My English isn’t perfect.” And you close the tab without applying. Sound familiar?
Here’s the answer most coaches won’t give you, because they’re afraid of sounding unmotivational: it depends. But most of the time, yes, it’s worth it.
Let me explain why, with facts, not empty positivity.
What nobody tells you about how job ads are written
Job descriptions are written by people. And in many cases, those people are describing the ideal employee, not the real employee they’ll actually hire.
In the Australian market, and in most English-speaking markets, hiring managers know perfectly well that the perfect candidate doesn’t exist. What they’re actually looking for is someone who meets 70–90% of what’s listed, and who shows real potential to grow into the rest.
This isn’t theory. I spent over 10 years working in recruitment and HR, and I’ve seen hundreds of professional migrants land roles where they didn’t tick every single box on the list.
So, when should you apply anyway?
- Apply when you meet 70–90% of the requirements and can clearly explain how your experience covers what seems to be missing.
- Apply when the requirements you’re “missing” can be offset by equivalent or stronger practical experience.
- Apply when the role is a natural next step in the direction you want for your career, even if you’re currently one level below it.
- Apply when the company or the role genuinely excites you. That comes through. Always.
And when doesn’t it make sense to apply?
- When you’re missing requirements that are non-negotiable for legal or professional licensing reasons (specific practice licenses, regulated registrations, etc.).
- When you’re applying just to “practice” or “see what happens,” with no real intention behind it. That does more harm than good, and just adds to your frustration.
- When your CV, LinkedIn, and cover letter aren’t optimised for that role. Applying unprepared isn’t bravery, it’s noise.
Something many migrants need to hear
If you’re on a student visa or graduate visa in Australia, your workplace rights are exactly the same as any citizen or permanent resident’s. Full stop. The only real difference is around your visa conditions, for example, a cap on weekly hours while you’re studying. But once you’re authorised to work, no employer can treat you differently because of your migration status. Same standards, same protections, same rules.
And here’s something many migrants don’t know, or are afraid to ask: full-time and part-time are just employment types. If your visa allows you to work, you can access either. You are not limited to informal or precarious jobs because you’re a migrant. That’s a myth, and it’s cost a lot of talented professionals I know far more than it should have.
The real problem isn’t whether you apply
The real problem is that many professional migrants apply to dozens of jobs with the wrong tools, and conclude that “the market is closed to them.”
It’s not the market. It’s a lack of strategy and methodology.
A CV that doesn’t speak the local market’s language. A LinkedIn profile that doesn’t represent you with the strength you deserve. A generic application that doesn’t connect your experience to what that specific company actually needs.
When you genuinely work on your Professional Brand® (not just “fixing the CV”), the equation changes. You stop asking if you can apply, and start understanding how to position yourself.
What I tell my clients
Don’t eliminate yourself before the process even gets the chance to. That’s the recruiter’s job, not yours.
Your job is to present yourself in the strongest, most strategic way possible. The rest isn’t in your hands. And if you’re waiting to feel “100% ready” before you apply, I have news for you: that moment never comes. Confidence doesn’t come before you act. It comes after.
Are you at that point where you feel like you’re doing everything “right,” but nothing’s working?
That’s exactly what I help my clients work through, together, one strategic step at a time.
Ready to stop guessing and start applying with a clear strategy? Explore Professional Brand Building® and let’s build the confidence and positioning you need to move forward.