Create a job search strategy
Work out a strategy for your job search. Moving step by step through a logical plan will help you feel in control, and increase your chances of finding a job.
Using a strategy means that you:
You can follow the two links above to find out about those topics. This page deals with all the different places where you can find jobs.
There are lots of different places to look for a job. Many jobs are advertised in the open job market, but the majority are found in the ‘hidden’ job market.
Advertised jobs—the open job market
You can find jobs advertised in the following places.
Centrelink
When you register with Centrelink, they give you information about searching for jobs. They also tell you about Centrelink services or programs you might be eligible for.
In Centrelink offices, you can use the touch screens to view jobs on Australian JobSearch.
Visit the Centrelink home page to find out about their other services.
Career or job fairs
Some employment agencies, universities and industries hold job expos or fairs. At these events, industries promote themselves as career options, and employers give out information about their companies and their current vacancies.
You can often apply for a position right there at the expo or fair, so take a few copies of your resume with you, dress neatly and have a skills statement prepared in case there’s an opportunity for an on-the-spot interview.
Newspapers
Newspapers—daily or weekly; local, state or national—carry a lot of job ads. But only about 20–30 per cent of jobs are advertised in the paper. And because some job hunters only look in the paper, competition for these jobs is very strong. Don’t use newspapers as your only source.
In Australia’s major newspapers jobs are advertised every day, but Wednesday’s and Saturday’s paper will carry the most ads.
Check your local papers, too. The job you want may be just around the corner from you.
When you find a job that looks good, this article might help you decide how to go for it.
Tip!
- Look in the careers or employment section of the classified ads, but also look in the main news section, or in the business section.
- Read the whole careers and employment section of the paper. Ads are grouped by profession and industry, but the job you want may be in a different section from the one you expect.
- Read the job descriptions and requirements to make sure you don’t miss a suitable job. Job titles can be confusing. They can mean different things in different workplaces; a job may sound like your current one, but have quite different requirements.
- Take your newspaper search one step further. Which employers are advertising the sorts of positions you’re interested in? Find out who their competitors are, or other employers who operate in similar industries. Approach those, too, about possible current or future vacancies.
- Don’t just read the ads. More general articles in the career and employment section, or in the business section, will tell you about trends, businesses or projects that are starting up or expanding. You can apply before jobs are even advertised.
Radio
Some radio stations regularly broadcast local job vacancies. Listen in for these ‘job spots’.
Internet
The Internet is a popular tool for job searches. Lots of employers lodge job vacancies with employment agencies, who advertise them online.
Internet job searching is flexible; you can search by industry, job type or geographic location, or use combinations of search terms to narrow the search. You can also lodge a resume online, or subscribe to have e-mails sent to you about job vacancies in your area of interest.
Popular Australian sites that recruit for all industries include:
Some sites specialise in, say, information technology or hospitality jobs.
Many workplaces advertise vacancies or career opportunities on their home page, and with some you can lodge your details online.
Australian JobSearch
Australian JobSearch (AJS) gives you access to the National Vacancy Database. This database advertises all Job Network members’ vacancies. You can search it Australia-wide, or within a region or city.
View the AJS using kiosks at Centrelink, Job Network members’ offices and some community locations, or on the Internet using Australian JobSearch.
The AJS usually displays more than 80,000 job vacancies. Check it regularly, as vacancies are added all the time. They are also removed as soon as they’re filled, so respond quickly if you find one that looks good.
Public service
The Australian and state or territory governments regularly advertise for staff in newspapers, including some entry-level (graduate) positions.
Every Thursday they advertise permanent vacancies in the Australian Public Service Gazette, which you can find at most public libraries or online. Positions are generally open for anyone to apply.
Individual departments usually recruit graduates during March and August.
To find government jobs using Australian JobSearch:
- Select the ‘Government’ category.
- Select a department and/or a region.
- Click the ‘Search For Jobs’ button.
To find out more about government agencies, go to the Australian government’s home page and visit each agency’s home website.
Defence Services
Find army, navy and air force job opportunities on the Job Network touch screens or website. Select the category ‘Defence’ and follow the prompts.
Job Network members
Job Network members are private and community organisations set up to find jobs and provide employment and training related services for unemployed people. They are funded by the Australian Government.
You can get more information about Job Network services and members from the Job Network website. You can search Job Network vacancies using Australian JobSearch.
Employment agencies
There are some jobs that you can only find out about through employment agencies. Agencies regularly contact employers to ask about job openings, and employers lodge vacancies directly with agencies. Many employers have exclusive arrangements with agencies.
Employment agencies come in different sizes, from individually-run offices to large international corporations. Different agencies offer different services. Some agencies specialise in one occupational area, others in several related areas; some specialise in entry-level positions, others in executive searches. Make sure you know what kind of agency it is that you’re approaching.
Employment agencies advertise in the Yellow Pages, in the careers and employment sections of newspapers, and online.
To get a job through an agency, you register with that agency. Usually this means completing a registration or application form. Sometimes it involves undergoing a skills test for certain jobs like computing or administration.
Tip!
- It’s OK to register with more than one agency. This gives you a greater chance of being referred to a job.
- Once you’ve registered, don't wait for the agency to ring you. Manage your job search and keep in touch with them.
- Prepare for a meeting with the agency in the same way as you would prepare for a job interview; dress appropriately and have all your information at your fingertips.
- Always be polite and pleasant when you deal with an agency; this way, they’ll be more likely to recommend you to employers.
- Enquire about training; some agencies offer training to upgrade your skills and make you more marketable.
Tertiary institution careers services
If you’re studying or a graduate, your university or tertiary institution’s careers and employment service can tell you about job vacancies.
Go to the Graduate Careers Australia website. Select ‘Campus Contacts’ and click on the name of your university to find the centre’s contact details.
Labour hire and temporary agencies
Just like employment agencies, privately run labour hire or temp agencies match available workers to available jobs.
Unlike employment agencies, it’s the labour hire firm or temp agency that becomes your employer once you register, assigning you to various different jobs.
Temporary jobs are a great way to build up your skills and get experience while you earn money. Some employers use temp agencies to evaluate workers before they offer them permanent employment, so quite often a temporary position leads to full-time work.
Group training organisations
Group training organisations employ apprentices and trainees, and place them with host employers. When you join a group training organisation, you can be sure you’ll get continuous work or training.
Professional and industry journals
Professional and industry journals often run job advertisements, or in-depth articles about industry trends.
Look for these journals in your local, university or TAFE libraries. If they regularly advertise jobs you’re interested in, you might think about subscribing to them.
Notice boards
Keep an eye out for job vacancy notices in such places as:
- shop windows
- shop counters
- community notice boards (at supermarkets, shopping centres, libraries)
- at the front entrance to businesses
- near on-site projects
- outside factory gates.
The hidden job market
Many employers need workers, but don’t advertise jobs. Others send around information about upcoming jobs before they advertise them. To get access to this ‘hidden’ job market, you have to be a bit more self-motivated than with advertised jobs.
Start off by researching the industries you’re interested in. The Yellow Pages is one place to start, but there are other sources of contact details and information about employers. Write down a list of employers to approach for work.
It’s hard to start approaching employers for work, but it’s important that you train yourself to be comfortable about doing so. Go to employers confidently and with a clear idea of how you can meet their needs. There is always the possibility that they will create a position after meeting you and realising that they can use your skills. Job searching in this way shows that you can take the initiative and are committed to finding the right job for you.
This article about researching jobs, employers and their needs may help you. And this one about networking will help you think about ways you might hear of upcoming jobs.
