Continued buoyancy in the Australian economy and a critical shortage of skilled professionals are in demand for specialists in many sectors, especially finance. According to the Hays Quarterly Forecast for the April to June 2006 quarter, there are many employment opportunities in accountancy and banking, insurance, information technology, human resources and sales and marketing. TNT spoke to Aarathi Krishnan, a finance recruitment expert from Barber & Bunton, for some job hunting tips: Are there many employment opportunities for travellers in the finance sector in Australia at the moment? Yes there are. Many companies depend on the skill sets offered by travellers, especially during the busy financial year-end period. Travellers with good financial services experience are always in demand. Which specific sectors of the industry are currently hiring? Funds management, custodian services, fund accounting, corporate actions and basic banking administration. What types of jobs are on offer through Barber & Bunton at the moment? Mostly jobs in funds management, corporate actions, fund or investment accounting. What do these jobs pay? Usually $20-$25 per hour, but it’s dependant on the client and the candidate’s skill set. What qualifications will I need? Tertiary qualifications in finance. Do you have work available for travellers without qualifications? Yes, usually in basic office administration. Where is the work located? These types of jobs are usually located predominantly in the CBD of most major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.  What documents will I need before I can start work in Australia? A valid work visa most importantly. It’s also good to have identification documents (passport, driver’s license etc). Is there any chance of a temp position turning into a sponsored position? It’s happened before, but not often. It’s dependant on the candidate’s skill set and the client’s needs. What advice would you offer travellers when they first make contact with an agency? Have the right documentation ready, be well presented with an idea of what sort of work you’d like to do. Is a CV important and what tips can you offer? A CV is absolutely integral. Ensure your CV is laid out in a clear and concise manner and contains the following details: * Job titles * Dates of work * Duties and responsibilities * Computer skills * Up-to-date contact details. Aarathi Krishnan is a consultant at Barber & Bunton. For Information http://www.barberbunton.com.au.