Finding and keeping a job in tough times
It’s not a great time to be looking for work. While unemployment stays officially low at 5.7% and job ads are increasing for the first time in a while, the job scene still remains a difficult one.
The unemployment rate of 5.7% is questionable, as the Australian Bureau of Statistics defines employment as anyone who has more than an hour of work a week. I don’t know if the ABS has ever met a person who can survive off one hour’s work a week, but I sure never have.
So if you’re looking to change jobs, start work or increase your hours, here are some tips:
Know what you’re looking for
If work is just something you do to finance your weekend frivolity, then applying for every kind of job isn’t a problem. If you’re totally unsuited to customer service, don’t apply for waitressing jobs. Job hunting is very time consuming so know what you’re looking for in a job and apply for positions that seem to match up with your criteria.
That’s not to suggest that being fussy is an important job hunting attribute, merely that it’s important to not waste your time applying for jobs you’ll never accept.
Know where to look
Save the sections of the Saturday papers with jobs in them. Bookmark Seek, MyCareer and Career One on your computer. Jobs are advertised regularly. Set up a job alert to get send to your email every time a job relevant to your interests in advertised. That way you can have your resume and cover letter through to the employer before most people have even noticed it’s advertised.
Think outside the box
I tend to think of Seek as the silver bullet, but there are other sources of job ads that can be helpful. Gumtree has a lot of dross clogging up its job pages, but does occasionally advertise some good work. Check out your local rag, like the various Couriers. The jobs will be local and accessible to your home. They’re also likely to be workplaces you’re familiar with, so you’ll have no nasty shocks when you turn up for your first day.
Update your resume
There are lots of guides online on how to write your resume and will invariably tell you different things. The most important information to have on your resume is relevant work experience and skills, qualifications and references that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If that information is up to date and presented well, then you’re on the right track.
Follow up
Don’t imagine that even the most amazing resume will guarantee you get the position. Employers aren’t going to remember a name on an email, but they probably will remember the person that calls to express interest or ask some questions about the position. It’s hard to ascertain a person’s crazy factor through an email, but if you call up and sound relatively normal, that could be a big boon in your favour.
Read the fine print
If you’re thinking of joining up with a recruitment agency or temp agency, read the contract they make you sign. It can end up damaging to your work prospects if you’re caught in an unbreakable contract. Read it thoroughly and ask questions.
Job hunting is never fun. Red wine and chocolate may be your most important friends at this time, but remember that you are worth it and that you will get a job. Don’t let the man get you down.
What are your best job hunting tips?
Related Posts
