So you’ve decided on a direction, got the skills and knowledge you need and now you need to jump the final hurdle and land your dream job.
Before getting started you need to make sure you have the basics to sell yourself to potential employers, such as a résumé that clearly lists your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience. Don’t have a résumé yet? Produce a professional one using the JobJuice Résumé Builder .
Once you have done that, there are many ways to go about finding jobs on your own. But remember, if you are not getting anywhere or are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, there’s always help available.
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Where should I look? Who can help me?
What if it's just not working for me?
Where should I look? Who can help me?
Everyone has their preferred way of finding jobs. The most common method is to look through job ads online and in newspapers.
However, many jobs are filled before they are publicly advertised. A good strategy is to look for job vacancies online on a daily basis, at the same time as registering with a few different recruitment agencies for some of those jobs that never make it to the web or into papers.
It's best to use a combination of different job search methods, such as a few of the following, some of which you may not have thought of before.
Look for job vacancies online
Visit the Useful Links page on this site for a wide list of job vacancy websites.
Look for job vacancies in newspapers and other publications
Some professional organisations and industry associations publish job vacancies in their magazines.
Contact your local Job Network member
Job Network is an Australia-wide network of government-funded organisations dedicated to helping you become job-ready and to get and keep a job. If you register as 'looking for work' with Centrelink they will refer you to a Job Network member, but you can also register with one if you haven’t been to Centrelink. For more information about Job Network, visit JobNetwork or call 13 62 68.
Contact a Job Placement Organisation
Job Placement Organisations (JPOs) are another Australian Government funded recruitment service. They provide free professional services by matching your skills against jobs you may be suited to, and placing you into employment. To find your local JPO, visit the JPO page on Australian JobSearch. For more information on JPOs, email jobplacement@dewr.gov.au or call 1300 551 832.
Register with a private recruitment agency
Many employers like to register their vacant positions with a private recruitment agency, who then find them the best selection of potential recruits. You generally don’t pay them anything to register, as they get paid by the company who employs you. Recruitment agents are a great way to come across jobs that don’t ever make it to the paper or online. They specialise in a range of areas so you’ll need to find one targeting the industry or sector you’re interested in.
Approach a Group Training Company
If you’re looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship this is probably one of the best places to start. Group Training Companies employ and train Australian Apprentices and trainees before hiring them out to employers in the field.
Talk with your Careers Counsellor if you’re at School, University or TAFE
They generally have great local contacts and are often approached directly by employers seeking the perfect person.
Directly approach employers
Find someone you want to work for and write to them or give them a call. First make sure you read the Practical tips section of this website to pick up some advice on how to effectively communicate with potential employers.
Ask your family and friends
They might know someone who can help you. For example, they may know someone working in the same industry you are interested in who could give you a start.
Check notice boards and shopfronts, especially at university or TAFE
Remember to be professional
When going to see any recruitment agency, Job Network member or JPO, treat it like a job interview and ensure you have a résumé and any examples of your work on hand. They are, after all, assessing you on behalf of their clients.
What if it’s just not working for me?
If you haven’t tried it already, Job Network is well worth checking out. Any unemployed job seeker who is 15 to 20 years old and not in full-time training or education is eligible for the full range of Job Network services, regardless of whether they receive income support or not. There is also a whole range of services available through Job Network for all job seekers, regardless of age. If you’d like more information call 13 62 68.
Another reason why you might be finding it difficult is because you haven’t had any ‘work experience’. To help you get there, check out the Get experience section.
You can also learn from your experiences with previous employers or interviewers. Call up any organisations where you have recently applied for a job and not been successful, and ask for some feedback on your application and/or interview.
Also check out the Practical tips section to see if there’s anything you can improve about how you communicate with potential employers, apply for jobs and approach interviews.
