Preparing to job search by GOTAFE

• You know what kind of roles you will enjoy based on your interests, values and skillsets.
• You have identified what types of industries you might be able to work in locally or further afield and have assessed if you have skill gaps by researching.

Now you are ready to find and secure a position

Mobile Phone Message

Is your voicemail message appropriate for job searching? Does it start with the music or a recorded message you thought was funny and creative at the time? You need to make sure you’re keeping it professional. Always make sure your voicemail identifies who you are and asks your caller to leave a message indicating you will call them back. Keep it simple.

Email Addresses

You might have a funny email address that you thought was brilliant when you set it up but is inappropriate for job hunting. If you’re in doubt, create a new one and play it safe. If you don’t have an email account set one up on Gmail. Avoid revealing your age in the email address you choose.

Social Media

Friend or Foe? As a job seeker, you can’t afford to ignore your digital image as it’s an extension of your professional self. Prospective employers, recruiters and companies will search for you online. If you have a LinkedIn profile, it’s very likely to be the first result they find, so make sure that you give it as much love as your other social media accounts. And if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile at all, you might like to get one.

Facebook should also be checked out. If I look at your page what kind of person do I see? Does this image of yourself match the position you are going for? What do some of your posts say about you? Check all your social media accounts. You might like to check here www.pipl.com or do a google search on yourself.

Record Keeping

The reality is that you’ll probably be applying for a few different roles at a few different companies. Over time, it can be difficult to keep track of where you applied, and which job is which. What job have I applied for? Who was the contact person? Have I followed up?

It’s really important to stay on top of everything, because not knowing who’s calling you, or which job they’re referring to, will make you seem disorganised and unprofessional and nothing kills a potential job offer faster than seeming disorganised and unprofessional.

You can stay on top of your job search by doing the following:

1. Keep a digital record of each job application: Include your cover letter if possible, since you will have tailored it to the particular job. Add tags or colour codes so you can see what stage in the recruitment process you are at.
2. Keep a list handy: This list should include the name of the company you’ve applied with, the role you’re going for, and the names of any relevant contact people such as the person who listed the job or interviewed you.  Keep this list in your wallet or on your phone so that if you get a call and you’re drawing a blank, you can refer to it.

Application & Resume

Your application and resume should demonstrate to prospective employers that you’ve got certain skills that you’ll be able to put to good use in the role you’re applying for. For young jobseekers, you’re unlikely to have previously had a similar position, so you’ve got to find another way to showcase your skills. Being able to point to volunteering, school or sporting involvement can be invaluable.

Skills, Training Experience & Volunteering

You learn skills from training but some things are easier learnt on the job. For example, Chris studied journalism at university, but he said the experience he gained and skills he learnt editing the university paper and volunteering at a community radio station were perhaps even more valuable than what he learned in lectures. “There was never a class on how to edit a piece of audio or use studio panels,” says Chris. “I learnt that from people I volunteered alongside at the paper and radio station and I, in turn, passed those skills onto others when they started out.”

A combination of formal skill development and experience is a great mix.

Experience or Lack of

Sometimes one of the biggest challenges can be gaining the experience that employers always ask for. One way many overcome this obstacle is through volunteering in the industry they hope to eventually be employed in. Another way is to undertake work placement when you are doing a course of study so you can practically apply the theoretical learning you are gaining. Check out volunteering Victoria, SEEK Volunteer or your local council for opportunities. If you receive Centrelink benefits you might also benefit from the National Work Experience Program. https://www.dese.gov.au/national-work-experience-programme

Professional Networks

Associate with like-minded people. The old saying – “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” – can be true in many instances. The contacts you build through volunteering might be able to put your name forward for a particular role, they might agree to be a reference for you or they might have some insider knowledge on a role that isn’t advertised. You never know, it might be the thing that gets you over the line in the application process.

Join networks where professional like-minded people hang out. Examples might be a young professionals group, a rotary club or a leadership group run through your local council. Get involved and put yourself out there - an opportunity may arise.

Your existing network can also be a resource for job searching. Make a list of all your contacts, past employers, suppliers, friends, relatives, neighbours and ask them about jobs they may know about, information, advice or referrals. Attending events in your industry can lead to new contacts. The best time to build your network is before you need it. Commit to making 2-3 networking contacts per week.