Job Hunting
Finding a job in the current economic conditions can be a daunting
prospect, but there are still plenty of industries that are
experiencing skills shortages.
www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au has
a list of skills shortages in different regions
throughout Victoria.
www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au has
a list of jobs and where to look for work. Looking for a job requires
a positive attitude and careful planning, now more so than ever
before. It can be hard work, but it is also an opportunity to build
your self-confidence and communication skills.
The first thing you should do is prepare to well; think about
what you’re really interested in and collect and organise
into a portfolio information about yourself including your skills,
experience and attributes. Also find out what employers are looking
for so you can personalise each application.
You have to know where to start looking for job vacancies. You
can use your local newspaper or the bigger papers if you don’t
mind leaving your local region. There are now a lot more jobs advertised
online through sites like www.mycareer.com.au, www.seek.com.au,
and www.careers.vic.gov.au.
When you find a job you’re interested in, the next step
is to apply. Employers receive hundreds of applications for each
job, so if you want them to take notice of yours you have to do
it properly. Getting together a resume and references is essential.
It’s also important to know how to prepare for an interview
if you should get a call.
First Impressions Last
Finding work is the first step in the job hunt, but getting the
job is just as big a challenge. If you want to make an impression
from the start you have to have a good resume. This is your first
chance to sell yourself to potential employer in just a couple
of pages.
A good resume is a summary of your skills, education and work
experience and demonstrates how your skills and abilities match
up with the requirements of a job so it’s important to make
sure you change your resume with each job application.
You should include in your resume personal information like your
name, address and contact number. And then comes the information
which is important to an employer – personal traits such
as if you enjoy being part of a team or can work independently,
your strengths which can include things like time management, organisational
skills, or communications skills; experience including anything
you may have volunteered for or extra curricular activities; and
key responsibility and achievements such as any awards or recognition
you’ve received.
You should also include all your educational and training details
starting with your most recent studies, and make sure you include
all training that's relevant to the job you're applying for.
Your employment history is also important and its best to start
with your most recent work history and work backwards chronologically,
listing the name of the employer, your job title, the dates you
worked there, and your responsibilities, tasks and achievements.
Have a short list people who can talk about how good a worker you
are as references. Make sure you get their permission before including
them on your resume. List their name, company name occupation,
and contact details.
There are a number of websites that have templates for resumes.
Try:
www.mycareer.com.au
www.jobjuice.com.au
Covering Your Bases
A well-written cover letter is likely to get you a second look
in for any job. The aim of any cover letter is to make it as personal
as possible by addressing your letter to a specific person (not
'To Whom It May Concern') and avoiding the temptation to send out
a generic, one-size-fits-all letter.
You need to demonstrate you understand the job requirements and
can do the job so include the skills and experiences you have that
match the job description. You also need to show that you are enthusiastic
and have a positive attitude towards the role and the hiring company.
If at first you don't suceed
Times are tough in the job market even for those with a wealth
of experience to offer so don’t get discouraged if you don’t
get the first, second, or even third job you apply for. Use every
application and interview as a learning experience. You can even
ask employers where you may improve if you don’t get the
job.
There are interview coaches and consultants who can also help,
and some even have sliding fee scales to make it more affordable.
Your school careers counsellor can also give you some advice, even
after you’ve left school.
Career websites likewww.careerone.com.au,
or www.mycareer.com.au also
have articles and resources to inspire and help you.
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