Entering the workforce
If you’ve had a gut-full of studying and can’t think
of anything worse than spending another year in class, then plunging
straight into the job market is probably for you.
Be warned that this may not be an easy road, but with the right
planning and persistence, you should be receiving your first pay
cheque in no time.
Talk to your careers counsellor about the jobs that would suit
you – bearing in mind your skills and preferences. They may
come up with options you hadn’t considered.
Family and friends
may also have some ideas. Their network of acquaintances could
also be a good source of information. Everyone you speak to could
have a potential lead in the job market – and given that
up to 75 per cent jobs are never advertised, it’s worth making
it known that you’re actively looking for work.
Finding a job
There are many ways to find the job that you want. Here are a few
ideas:
- Check out the job ads in your local newspaper – particularly
on Saturday.
- Search job websites such as www.seek.com.au and www.mycareer.com.au.
- Watch out for job ads in shops windows – particularly
in the hospitality and retail sector.
- Try cold calling – ring up potential employers and ask
if they have any vacancies.
- Look up the company you want to work for on the internet. Often
they’ll list vacancies on their own website.
- Drop into Centrelink. They can help you find a job if you are
unemployed or have a disability.
Applying for a job
Once you’ve found a job to apply for, get your résumé in
order. It should be no longer that two A4 pages and list your:
- Education background, marks and qualifications.
- Work experience – list after-school and voluntary work.
- Skills – list the skills you have that relate to
the job, such as communication, computer, technical or trade
skills.
- Contact details – otherwise, how can they tell you you’ve
got the job?
- Hobbies
To find out what your résumé should look like, check out the samples at www.mycareer.com.au or www.seek.com.au. Remember to always get someone to read over your final draft to check for spelling mistakes and any other errors.
Sending your application
You should always write a letter of application when you apply
for a job. This should detail which job you’re applying for
and why you’re suited to the position. Send this off with
your résumé (the terms résumé and
CV are interchangeable) – or if you’re applying online,
attach both documents to your application.
Even if a company hasn’t advertised a position, it may be
worth sending them your CV with a brief covering letter explaining
what sort of job you are looking for. They may keep your details
on file and contact you if a position becomes available.
Interviews
Your first job interview can be incredibly daunting but employers
understand that you’re likely to be nervous. Here are some
tips for keeping cool under pressure:
- Arrive early for your interview, take a deep breath and relax.
- Dress smartly. Employers appreciate good personal presentation.
- Take in a copy of your CV and refer to it if necessary.
- Take your time to answer questions – but don’t
ramble.
- Demonstrate your skills by giving examples of how you’ve
used them in real life.
- Ask them some questions about the company.
- Smile and offer a firm handshake on your way out.
Other useful tips
Once you’ve secured your new job, there are a few things
you’ll need to get in order. Here are some tips:
- Set up a bank account for your pay to go into.
- Get a tax file number from the Australian Taxation Office.
- Once you have a job it’s compulsory to join a superannuation
scheme and it’s compulsory for your employer to contribute
to it.
- Find out what the dress code is at your workplace. Some companies
supply uniforms. Others have strict guidelines.
- Find out start and finish times, so you don’t turn up
late on your first day.
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