There are lots of places where you can look for a job. For example:

• Centrelink An agency of the Australian Government’s Department of Human Services.
• Newspapers Learn which days are best for the kind of jobs you’re looking for.
• Internet Using the Internet is a great way to look for work outside normal working hours.
• Australian Job Search The largest job site in Australia, government run.
• Employment agencies Many agencies can conduct interviews before or after normal working hours.
• Labour hire/Temporary agencies 
• Job Services Australia [opens in new window] is a national network of private and community organisations dedicated to finding jobs for unemployed people.
• Defence Services
• Group training organisations
• Notice boards
• Tertiary institution careers service
• Career job fairs
• Professional and industry journals

And that’s not all. Job opportunities aren’t always advertised. People in your industry or among your friends may be able to give you leads. Use your networks to discover new and emerging job opportunities.

Use as many methods of job seeking as you can. Take small steps. Do one thing a day, whether it’s updating your resume, registering for work online, making a phone call or responding to an advertisement. Taking small steps makes your job search manageable.

Use all the support you can get 

It’s important to have support when you’re making big changes in your life. Changing jobs is one of the bigger life changes to take on.

• Call family and friends when you need help or encouragement.
• Find a mentor to advise you on realistic goals and for guidance on how to get your new job.
• Surround yourself with people who are enthusiastic, positive, practical and committed to your own growth and development.
• Only confide in people who support your desire to change and who understand your values.

Looking for a new job while you are still employed 

If you’re looking for a new job while you’re still in the old one, be discreet about your job search. Don’t spend your work time looking for jobs.

Keep up your work performance, even if you’re feeling unmotivated. If you want to use your current employer as a referee for your next job application, make sure you work well right up to the last minute.

If you want to keep your job search confidential, you can ask your new employer not to contact your current one, on job applications and resumes.

Don't tell your co-workers that you’re looking for a new job. Your employer may find out before you want them to. And if you don’t get that new job, things could be uncomfortable for you in the workplace.

It’s only polite to:

• call potential employers only during your breaks, not during work hours
• list only your home number or mobile on your applications, unless you have a private office at work where you can receive calls
• ensure that your answering machine or voicemail is working
• schedule interviews around your work commitments

Be courteous about your current employer even outside the workplace. During a job interview, don't speak badly about them, even if you’re finding them difficult to work with. It will reflect negatively on you.

Related Information

• Create a job search strategy