Job seeker
Do you have a formal qualification to put on your resume?
Or do you have skills and experience that could be recognised?
Try our Skills Quiz to see if it may be a possibility.
Holding a qualification can improve a job seeker's attractiveness to potential employers and assist to maintain an edge in today's competitive job market.
Studies undertaken by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), reveal the completion of a certificate III or above significantly improves a jobseeker's employment prospects.
The result of NCVER's Student Outcomes Survey 2006, showed 47.6% of graduates who had not been employed before training, had gained employment after completing training. This is compared with 28.3% of people who had undertaken some training but had not completed a full qualification.
According to a survey released by the Australian Bureau of statistics in 2009, there is a greater instance of part-time employment amongst people without a post-secondary qualification. The survey indicated that of those who had obtained a bachelor degree or higher, 68% worked in a full-time capacity as did 62% of those who held an advanced diploma, diploma or certificate. In comparison, only 40% of people who did not hold a post-secondary qualification had obtained full-time employment.
Therefore, get your skills recognised towards a formal qualification to help you gain full-time employment!
Listed below are web sites you may find useful to assist you in building your resume, assisting your search for employment, identifying State and Federal Government employment assistance and a range of job search websites.
Building your resume
Below are a number of web-sites that can provide you with hints on how to structure your own resume as well as organisations that may assist you to update your current curriculum vitae.
Career information service:
www.cis.qsa.qld.edu.auProvides published articles and links on career information. It contains a wide range of links relating to career planning, occupations, learning options and how to get a job. It also details strategies to cope with stress related to starting a new job and addressing personal issues relating to employment.
Job wise:
www.jobwise.gov.auProvides information for mature-age job seekers, employees and retirees. It contains links to sites relating to resumes, career tips. It also covers a range of topics in the ‘Self Help Group Guide' including confidence building, identifying job leads, internet resources and rethinking retirement.
Assisting your search for employment
The internet sites below provide tips on how to find yourself a new job or career. They include the steps you can follow to proactively seek employment.
Employment Pathway Programs
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work program is delivered by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and offers customised employment pathways for disadvantaged job seekers. Through a partnership arrangement, Skilling Solutions Queensland Consultants are able to provide eligible customers with information on local Skilling Queenslander for Work programs.
To find out about the programs being delivered across Queensland, visit http://www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs/sqw/index.htm
Department of Education, Science and Training:
www.dest.gov.auThis site provides a booklet "How to get yourself a job" which includes information on and examples of application letters and resumes, selection criteria and interviews.
How to find a job
Job Access - Australian Government
http://www.jobaccess.gov.au/This site details a range of resources that can make finding a job much easier. This site provides a step-by-step guide on how to find a job.
Employability Skills - Skills employers may be seeking
Employability Skills are skills that apply across a variety of industries, jobs and life contexts and are sometimes referred to as key skills, core skills, life skills, essential skills and transferable skills.
Employability Skills are "skills required not only to gain employment, but also to progress within an enterprise so as to achieve one's potential and contribute successfully to enterprise strategic directions".
There are eight Employability Skills: communication, teamwork, problem solving, initiative and enterprise, planning and organising, self- management, learning, and technology.
The following link provides information about the eight employability skills, the employability skills profiler and tips to further develop your employability skills.
Tips for preparing for and attending a job interview:
If you are asked to attend an interview it means that your job application, or what you said over the telephone has impressed the employer enough to get you this far.
Now you have a chance to convince the employer in person that you are the best person for the job. Employers look for people who have suitable qualifications and work experience for the job, who are keen to do their best in the job, and who will be able to get on with other employees.
Preparing for the interview
As the interviewer will be comparing your skills and abilities with those of others, it is essential that you prepare so that you can present yourself successfully. Careful preparation for the interview will also help you to feel more confident.
Try the following:
- practice interviews with friends or family
- find out all you can about the organisation, its products and services
- take your job application folder to the interview, as well as a list of questions you may want to ask
- re-read your letter of application and the details of the job advertisement, especially if it is some time since you applied for the job
- re-read a copy of your résumé as you will probably be questioned on statements you have made.
At the interview
The interview may be conducted by a personnel or recruitment officer, a manager or any person in a senior position. Sometimes there may be a panel of two or three interviewers.
Remember that there is likely to be a large number of applicants and that you will have to present yourself successfully in order to convince the employer that you are the best person for the job.
Most interviewers realise that you will be nervous and will make allowances for it. You can create a good impression by being:
- punctual - be at least 10 minutes early. This will also give you the chance to familiarise yourself with your surroundings (which may help you relax). You may be tense, so try using a relaxation technique that works for you, such as deep breathing
- dressed suitably - wear your best work outfit. The things to remember are cleanliness, simplicity and no strong or 'loud' colours
- well prepared - take your job application folder to the interview, as well as a list of questions you may want to ask
- polite - have the right attitude whenever you speak or answer questions. Remember to smile and shake hands when you meet the person who will interview you
- thoughtful - take time to think a question through and then answer in a clear and logical way
- confident - ask the interviewer to repeat or explain a question if you do not understand it
- calm - an interviewer may be aggressive in order to test your ability to remain calm in a stressful situation.
If you feel that tension is spoiling your performance, then the best way to relieve it may be to admit the problem: 'I am afraid I am feeling rather nervous and I am not really doing justice to the questions you are asking me.' This is an honest admission that may improve the atmosphere of the interview. Equally, a false note of sincerity can kill your chances.
Questions employers might ask
- Why do you think you are suitable for this position?
- Why would you like this job?
- What qualifications do you have for this job?
- Why have you applied for this job?
- What are your strengths/weaknesses/faults?
- Do you work well with others, as part of a team?
- Are you willing to undertake more study?
- zehy do you think we should employ you?
- What have you got to offer us?
- What do you know about this organisation?
- Are you a member of any clubs or organisations?
After your interview
At the end of the interview, thank the interviewers for their time, by name if you can remember them.
If the interview results in a direct offer for the job and you are sure that the job meets your needs, accept it.
If you are unsure about accepting the job and wish to discuss it with others, ask if you could think it over and let them know the next day.
If you have not heard from an employer after a reasonable time, it is a good idea to follow up and ask if they have reached a decision. It shows you are still interested.
State and Federal Employment Assistance programs
There are a range of State and Federal Government programs and initiatives that can offer support and advice for job seekers. The list below provides details of these initiatives and links to the relevant web addresses.
The Australian Workplace
www.workplace.gov.auThis site provides access to on-line services and information, guiding you to employment information, government assistance, jobs, careers and Indigenous Employment Centres.
Department of Employment and Industrial Relations
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/This link provides details on the Queensland Government's Rapid Response Team which has been developed to assist workers affected by the current economic climate. This RRT consists of four State Government Departments - The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, The Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry (incorporating the Worker's Assistance Program), The Department of Education, Training and the Arts and the Department of Communities. Links to these Departments web sites are also provided.
The site also details additional Queensland State Government employment services including support for apprentices and trainees, free training and employment assistance and advice on redundancy and the law.
Job Search websites
Listed below are a number of Government endorsed job search web sites listing job vacancies across Australia in a range of industry areas. You may use these sites to begin your search for a job.
Queensland Government Jobs On-line
www.smartjobs.qld.gov.auProvides information on jobs in the Queensland Government including current vacancies and how to apply.
Australian Job search
www.jobsearch.gov.auThis site is home to Australia's largest, free on-line jobs board and lists vacancies across Australia in wide range of industry areas. Job searchers are able to search by State, Region and occupation.