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| Job |
| Job
Seeking Tips - Australia |
| Job seeking is multi-facetted and needs a few
essential tools as well as thought. |
1. |
Develop a Marketing Strategy for yourself |
2. |
Building a Resume |
3. |
Responding to an advertisement |
| 4. |
Covering letter |
5. |
The Interview |
| 6. |
Coping with nerves |
| |
| Develop a Marketing
Strategy for Yourself: |
| What kind of job are you looking for? |
| Who is likely to employ people in this industry?
|
| Research the above and
make a list of the companies that you would be interested
working for. Find out who makes the recruitment decisions
in those companies. Set about making contact with each organisation
on the list. (An email or letter, followed by a phone call
is the preferred approach). |
| Where do you locate these organisations? |
| The Internet |
| The telephone book |
| Go for a drive and write down names |
| Ask people you know |
| Form a good relationship
with a recruitment consultancy. All good recruiters have
a genuine interest in understanding a candidate's needs
as well as an appreciation of the opportunities available
for someone with their skills and experiences. Initially
it is advisable to make contact over the telephone and build
a rapport during an interview. The use of email is ideal
for ongoing contact, especially for contractors advising
of future availability. |
| Create and maintain an
up-to-date, logically constructed and well presented resume.
Write concise, clearly stated covering letters when applying
for jobs. |
| Network constantly - not
just when you are looking for a job, for example with professional
associations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants,
CPA Australia, National Institute of Accountants and the
Australian Institute of Company Directors etc. |
| Building a Resume |
| It must contain: |
| Personal details. |
| Contact details (email, home, mobile, work).
|
| Qualifications |
| Employment history - responsibilities - major
achievements. |
| It should be: |
A maximum of 6 pages in length. (Shorter if
at the beginning of your career).
Easy to read.
Start with your most recent experience. |
| Responding to an advertisement |
| Read the advertisement
carefully. Write down the essential criteria and the competencies
required e.g. "proven commercial acumen" or "previous
expereince in stores", "large payroll expereince
using MircoPay" |
| If you fit 80% of the criteria then write a
covering email / letter to accompany your resume. (Be honest
with yourself). |
| Covering letter |
| A good covering email / letter: |
| Fits on one page.
Has some "hooks" to encourage the reader to read
on, that is: show by your experience and achievements that
you meet 80% of the selection criteria.
Do not make any unsubstantiated declarations. E.g."I
am enthusiastic and a strong communicator". Whatever
statements you make must be supported by examples. |
| The Interview |
| First impressions count - "You never get
a second chance to make a first impression" - for example: |
| A positive handshake and eye contact |
| Being appropriately dressed for the interview
|
| Being punctual |
| During the interview |
| Watch your body language, don't slouch, pick
fluff from your clothes or stare at the ceiling. |
| Smile |
| Answer the questions with examples from your
past experience |
| Do not waffle |
| Be prepared to answer questions based on the
competencies and essential criteria mentioned in the advertisement
or job specification |
| Be honest |
| Be yourself |
| If nervous, say so and use relaxation techniques
e.g. deep breathing |
| When discussing current or past employers, do
not be overly negative |
| Ask relevant questions such as, clarification
of the job, responsibilities, company structure and future
plans, policy on further studies etc. |
| Do not discuss hours of work or salary at the
first interview |
| Clarify your job needs with the position offered
|
| Closing the interview |
| Leave with a lasting positive impression. Ask
what the most important factors are for the role and using
your past experience and achievements, address each one. |
| If you want the job - say so. Ask about the
next step. Remember - An interview is
a two way conversation. |
| Coping with nerves |
| Know some relaxation techniques,
such as deep breathing. Be prepared for the interview by
reviewing the advertisement or job specification. If the
organisation has a web site visit it. Be aware of your achievements,
strengths and areas for improvement. See each interview
as a learning experience. If nervous, tell the interviewer
- they will help you relax and will overlook some behaviour. |
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