First Things First…Getting Job Ready!
Attitude & Commitment
It’s good to develop and demonstrate a positive attitude and sense of commitment toward everything you do in your life as this will transfer and help with your job searching strategies.
Appearance
It’s a good idea to always look your best regardless of whether you are looking for work or just out shopping because you never know when or where a job opportunity may come up.
It’s better to be prepared for an on the spot interview than to miss out on a potential job because you weren’t equipped for the unexpected.
Always wear a smile!
Child Care
Be certain to have suitable child care arrangements in place to suit your situation whether you are studying, looking for work, attending interviews and of course when you do find employment.
Time Planning
It's really important to be on time for interviews or work, and being on time takes adequate planning.
Work out ways to minimize preparation time by allocating certain tasks to specific time frames. For example, perhaps you could do some chores the night before you have an interview as this will save you having to rush in the morning.
Transportation
This comes under time planning but is also dependent upon what type of transport you have available. Planning ahead is necessary to arrive at the interview or workplace on time.
It is wise to plan out the travel route and select the type of transportation before the interview or employment date.
Don’t Ever Stop Learning
In this modern day fast paced world it is imperative that you regularly update your skills and knowledge if you want to survive the constant stream of change.
The Skill Of Listening Is Vital
Keep your ears open and learn to be a good listener.
This does takes practice- so listen attentively to friends, family, co-workers, teachers, etc and you will learn the value of knowing how to extract any helpful information that will assist you with landing the perfect job.
Do Whatever You Are Currently Doing To The Very Best Of Your Ability
No matter what you are doing be it a job that you don’t like, studies or joining the queue for unemployment benefits; do it well and with a positive outlook.
Why? We attract the situations we find ourselves in according to our energy output.
Identify Your Current Job / Career / Where You’re At
So many people assume that they understand precisely what they are supposed to be doing. Assumptions are often wrong, so by finding out exactly what your job / course requirements are, you won’t be wasting your time or talent because you will be where you are supposed to be / doing what you should be doing.
Develop An Effective Resume
Create a free online resume at webCV.com.au and then tailor this to suit different job applications.
Time To Work Out What Type Of Job You Want!
Know What You Enjoy Doing
There is no point applying for jobs until you identify your strengths and what it is you really enjoy doing.
Don’t make blind career choices as this will certainly see you wind up in a job that you simply don’t like.
Know What You Are Looking For In A Job
It all starts and ends with YOU. Some inner work is a good way to map out a career plan based your specific needs and wants.
Set goals and head for them even if it’s just one small step at a time!
With a clear picture of your dream job in mind, some planning and patience, you can be certain of not settling for just any job offer that comes along.
Choose The Right Tools That You Can Handle
You certainly may need to update your training or skills in order to land your dream job and there are plenty of different courses and tools to choose from today that will assist you.
Easy Does It!
Don’t get bogged down with a course that is too heavy for you to manage!
Still Not Certain About What You Want In A Career?
If you’re not certain about what career direction to take, take the time to write the perfect job description of your ideal job. Include every aspect and feature of how that job would look.
Don’t Let The Salary Influence You!
If you still cannot work out what you want to do the best advice is to make sure that you don’t take a job simply because the salary is good.
You Must Like The Work Too!
Chances are that if you don’t like the work, you will soon become very dissatisfied and unhappy to say the least!
Chase After Your Dream Job
No matter where you currently are in your life, don’t give up on your dreams. If you want to try a new career path, work out what you need to do to get there and take ACTION! It all starts and finishes with you!
Where Do You Find Your Perfect Job?
Look Everywhere And Anywhere
Whether searching for your perfect job or a part-time summer job for the holidays, you still need to know where to find all of the job vacancies!
Don’t restrict yourself to just one job vacancy medium as that would be plain silly!
Newspapers: This rather old fashioned method of job searching is alive and well. Apparently only one out of three of vacancies are advertised online, so don’t neglect the employment section of local and national publications.
Online Job Banks And Networks: This area is booming and you check various job banks regularly as new vacancies are added daily. You can even have job alerts that match your details emailed directly to you as they come in.
Recruitment Agencies: It makes good sense to register your CV with recruitment agencies as well as they may have vacancies that match your needs.
Cold Calling On Businesses And Retailers: Word of mouth is also a significant means to finding suitable employment and is one of the most successfully applied means of recruitment.
Company Websites: Remember to research relevant companies to see if they have any openings advertised on their own websites.
Make Use Of Advanced Job Hunting Tools
Many online job sites provide Job Seekers with lots of free tools to make job searching simple. For example job alert functions notify you of any new job ads added to the job site that matches your data which you submitted.
Another highly-recommended way to get a great resume, is to get it written by a professional, check out our top resume writing service.
Make A Workable Plan On How You Are Going To Find Jobs
Utilize a combination of techniques to find your perfect job.
Visit recruitment and job bank websites and search through as many job searching tips and any useful information that you can find for even more ideas.
Finally…Master The Skill Of Networking
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No doubt you’ve heard the saying; 'It's not what you know, but who you know'? That’s networking!
It’s a fact that over 50% of all jobs come through contact networks, which is why it’s vital that you understand how to build a network list and more importantly how to use it.
Learn How To Write An Effective Resume That Gets You Noticed
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REMEMBER…
The key is to Focus On The EMPLOYER'S NEEDS, Not Yours!
So What Is A Resume Anyway?
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It’s an authoritative but subtle advertising copy. What are you selling? YOURSELF of course!
Promote yourself with fantastic content that sells! Do make certain it is honest though!
Before you start writing a resume Ask Yourself
What does the employer really want? What particular skills would this person have? What makes one person a truly extraordinary candidate and the other, just a good one?
Never Use Pre-Prepared Job Applications
It’s vital that you prepare a fresh or unique resume for each job application.
If you are sending pre-prepared ones; STOP as that’s one reason that you are not getting past the resume stage of your job hunt and landing that perfect job.
Use A Response To The Selection Criteria As Part Of Your Cover Letter
You can create a separate document or include this as part of your cover letter. Either way, the information placed here should answer or meet the job criteria.
On the other hand, your cover letter should answer why you are applying for the job and act as an arrow to your CV as well as point to the selection criteria responses information.
Your Resume Needs To Grab And Hold The Reader’s Attention
Your potential employer or the person reading your resume needs to ascertain what you want to do and what you’d be good at within about TWENTY seconds or less.
Add a profile/qualifications summary with keywords relevant to the job you seek.
Add a keyword section relevant to the job you seek.
Provide a list of accomplishments and transferable skills.
Always include a Cover Letter
What Are The Most Important Aspects Of A Resume?
Remember the acronym FAKTSA; as each letter stands for the most important aspects of effective resumes!
Focus
Appearance
Keywords
Transferrable Skills
Accomplishments
The Importance Of A Good Cover Letter
You should always attach a cover letter to your CV when applying for any job.
It should be tailored specifically to each employer telling them why they should employ you. It also needs to complement your resume as the best letter will fail if the resume is not up to scratch, and vice versa.
Always Respond To The Advertisement
Make sure that your CV has information that fits the job vacancy advertisement. If it comes up short, add more relevant information so that it is persuasive.
Also make certain that you have adequately answered the selection criteria and other essential qualities that are required from you. A master document is a useful tool.
What Is A Master Word Document?
This is a document which has lots of potential “responses to selection criteria” that you can use to create unique resumes for each job application you wish to apply for.
How Do You Use It?
To make a custom-application all that you need to do is to copy and then paste those responses which are most relevant. Obviously you will need to add further information that is pertinent to the job you are applying for.
Another Useful Resume Tip
No matter how tempting it may be to do otherwise; if employers are asking to see apples, don’t send oranges because you have no apples! In other words- stay on track apply for a job that you are qualified for! If you have both fabulous apples and oranges or perhaps an entire orchard, then by all means show a delightful fruit salad…but don’t forget those APPLES!
Resume Creation Basics
Keep It Short
Recruiters and employers tend to prefer shorter CV's to lengthy pages of irrelevant work history.
Use headings and titles that match the job you are applying for.
Design your resume so that the important relevant information is in clearly accessible by highlighting your work experience, skills and education that are appropriate to the position for which you are applying.
Use Power Words: Understand and use POWER WORDS or verbs that match the level of the position you want. Don’t make any claims that are not 100% true but do showcase your strengths, talents, credentials and reasons for applying in a positive light with power words.
Analyze And Identify: Analyze the job description or ad to identify the keywords and focus on addressing these through creating Key Word Skill Headings.
Read Between The Lines: Identify what the employer’s hidden needs may be. The job description will explain the overall position but you are more likely to be considered if you can also anticipate the other needs each employer faces and demonstrate how you can solve those needs.
Match Resume Image To Salary: Create the right image that matches the salary of the position you are applying for. This means that if you are applying for a $50,000 per year salary job don’t create a resume that screams $2 thrift sale!
Prioritize Your Resume’s Content: There is no point leaving all for the important key factors of your resume till last as you want the employer to take a good look at your CV; not throw it onto the pile of definite NO’s! Keep in mind that strong statements with power words and quantifiers will affect every statement under it.
Illustrate Your Qualities With Examples: Illustrate where you previously used an appropriate skill or trait which is required for the current job.
For those people applying for a first job or without much work experience, it’s a good idea to include relevant examples from your family, sports or social achievements.
Finally…Check And Then Recheck Your Resume: Be sure to go over your resume and tweak it so that it addresses the specific skills and criteria the employer has requested.
You’ve Received That Call To Attend An Interview So Now What?
So you’ve managed to get your Cover Letter, CV and/or resume standing out from the crowd and you’ve landed yourself an interview. Well done! Now it’s time to win the prized trophy and actually get the job you are applying for.
The best advice is to be thoroughly prepared in advance as this is the sure way to win the interview game!
Research The Company Or Position
Coming along to the interview prepared is your best plan as if you research the company or position beforehand giving you some inside information regarding their policies, goals and expectations.
It’s simply a matter of going to the company’s website for the information.
First Impressions Definitely Count
Dress appropriately for the interview. Your objective is to appear smart, clean and tidy; so a nice conservative outfit is usually best.
Do not chew gum or smoke under any circumstances. Also leave the sun-glasses in your bag unless the interview is outdoors in direct sunlight!
Make Sure You Arrive On Time
Allow yourself plenty of time to make the journey as it is much better to spend a few minutes waiting, than to end up being late for your interview.
If for some reason you are late; stay calm, briefly explain and offer your apologies.
Always Be Positive
Show the employer that you are both positive and confident by sitting up straight, maintaining eye contact and answering questions in a positive but concise manner.
Be aware of your body language and try to keep any stray nerves under control.
Turn A Negative Work History Into A Positive
Always turn negatives into positives. Rather than giving excuses for an inferior or poor work history, acknowledge and explain briefly what you have learned and how you have grown from the experience.
Shine- It’s Your Interview
You know that you can do the job very well, so speak clearly, honestly and enthusiastically about your experiences and skills.
Although it is important to be professional in your demeanor, don't be afraid to let your unique personality shine throughout your interview.
Focus And Listen Carefully
Be sure to listen to the questions that the interviewer raises and stay on track with your answers. If you have questions do be sure to ask!
There isn’t anything worse for an interviewer than being bombarded with irrelevant questions or those questions that have already been well and truly discussed in detail!
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice your interviewing skills with a friend, family member or even in front of a mirror.
Practice run interviews calm nerves and makes the whole process much easier. If in doubt on the day; keep your answers brief, to the point and succinct.
What About After The Interview Is Over, Then What?
Follow Up On Your Job Applications
Don’t forget to show recruiters or potential employers that you are serious about the job you applied for by checking up on the application or interview.
Be Patient
Never pester a recruiter. Instead wait several days before you follow up and then use caution and respect.
Find Out Why You Were Unsuccessful
There are many reasons and its best not to take it too personally.
More often than not, there may be a ‘behind-the-scenes story’.
What If You Were Not Short Listed For The Next Round Of Interviews?
You can find the true reason that you were not invited back for a second interview, and do ask. It may simply be that your expected salary is too high, you live too far or there was a more qualified applicant. Move on!
Stay Positive In Your Job Search
It’s important to believe that you will be successful in finding the perfect job, especially if seems to be taking a little longer than you anticipated. Keep smiling and reward yourself for a great attitude!
A positive attitude, even in the face of disappointment will assist you to find what you ultimately seek, so long as you have faith and believe in yourself.
Other Options
The Power Of Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to get your foot in the door of a new career choice and also translate into fantastic job networking opportunities down the track.
Network! Network! Network!
This point cannot be stressed enough as it is one of the most powerful tools that the job seeker can use to land that perfect job. Get in at the ground level before the job is advertised or even created!
How About A Career Coach?
Why not consider hiring a career coach or mentor to guide you towards your objective? Or better still, why not pair up with a friend and be each other’s career coaches? It won’t cost you a dime!
What About Building Your Very Own Brand?
Find out what employers want most in your field of interest and personalize it! That puts you in the driving seat as you will attract potential employers to you rather than the other way around!
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LAST BUT NOT LEAST; REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU TRULY ENJOY!