Job Search Help
The following information and tips are intended as
a guide to assist you in your job search techniques.
We express our thanks to the
Department of Education and
Training (Government of Western Australia)
for allowing us to include some of their job search resource
material.
If you would like more information or support please access our Open Access Facility
Cold Calling/Canvassing & Calling Cards
Interview Tips & Questions
Networking
Referees & References
Resumés
Selection Criteria
Skills & Abilities
Telephone Techniques
Extra Resources
Whether you are writing a letter of application in answer to a job advertisement or searching for work that has not been advertised, your aim is to get an interview! Your job application is often the first contact you will have with an employer. It is important to take care with the application, it must look good and should summarise your relevant skills and experience. It should encourage the employer to read your resumé and call you in for an interview.
Helpful hints for letter writing
- Write a draft copy first and avoid using slang and abbreviations
- Explain how you fit the requirements and why you want the position
- Address the letter to a specific person if possible
- Use a full size sheet of good quality paper
- Type the letter on a computer, unless handwriting is requested
- Use words that give a positive impression,
such as:
capable participated achieved created coordinated maintained prepared efficient consistent experienced organised supervised responsible designed successful committed managed established ability resourceful - Check that the letter is correctly set out and contains no errors - ask someone to check the spelling and punctuation
- Close the letter by writing 'Yours sincerely' if addressed to a person or 'Yours faithfully' if not
- Sign and date the letter
- Include a resumé, references, and if requested, school, TAFE or university records
- Keep a copy of your letter
- Address the envelope to the same person you addressed the letter to and use a large envelope - avoid folding the letter and other documents
- Place enough postage stamps on the envelope to ensure it reaches the business or return address before the due date
Setting out your application letter
- Paragraph 1 - State the job that you are applying for and when and where the job was advertised. When applying for a position which has not been advertised, state the type of position you are applying for.
- Paragraph 2 - State when you completed your most recent studies, present/previous work experience and relevant skills and abilities. When applying for a position which has not been advertised, state your credentials, including your most recent studies, present/previous work history or work experience and relevant skills and abilities.
- Paragraph 3 - State why you are seeking the position. If appropriate, a knowledge of the company or business may be mentioned at this time.
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Paragraph 4 - State that your resumé, references and any additional relevant information are attached, and how and when you can be contacted for an interview.
Cold Calling/Canvassing Techniques
| Method | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 |
|
In Person |
Dress as if attending an interview. Take a copy of your resumé and other documents, e.g.; references and certificates. Ask for the name of the person responsible for hiring. Collect a business card. Leave a copy of your resumé and your calling card. |
2-3 days later: Phone the hiring person. Ask if they have seen your resumé. Ask if they have any job leads. Request an interview if possible. |
Follow up leads
provided. Keep a record of responses. Maintain contact on a regular basis. |
|
By Mail |
Phone to find out the name of the person
responsible for hiring. Follow up by sending a covering letter with your resumé. Mail to prospective companies, addressed to the right person. |
2-3 days later: Phone the hiring person. Ask if they have received your letter and resumé. Ask if they have any job leads. Request an interview if possible. |
Follow up leads
provided. Keep a record of responses. Maintain contact on a regular basis. |
|
By Phone |
Decide and practice what to say before you phone. |
Mail, email, fax or deliver in person, your resumé and covering letter. |
Follow up leads provided. |
Remember
- State your name first
- Always explain immediately why you are contacting the Company
- Always keep a record of all contacts made
- Always dress appropriately when visiting the Company in person – first impressions count!
What is your memory like?
Are you good at remembering names? Most of us need to be told a name two or three times before it sinks in so there is no point in visiting people to look for jobs, if when you leave, they can't remember who you are. Always leave at least your name and phone number with people so that they can get in touch with you in the future.
What is a calling card for?
A calling card gives more information than a business card and not as much detail as your resumé. It gives people a brief overview of your capabilities.
What information does it contain?
|
John
Johns Telephone: (00) 0000 0000 Mobile: 000 000 000 POSITION WANTED: Motorbike Courier
|
As there is a limited amount of space (the size of a business card) you need to choose your words carefully and think about what the employer is looking for. Include your skills, experience, qualifications and licence information that is relevant to the type of work you are seeking.
Who is it for?
Your calling card is a very useful tool in your job search tool kit and you should give them to people who may be able to give you a job or someone who can pass your name on to an employer:
- Attach them to your application letters - it will make the letter stand out in the employers' hands or
- Leave one with the employer after an interview
- Give them to your friends, relatives and anyone else who is looking out for job leads for you
- Give them to your referees as a reminder of your skills and personal qualities
- Pin them up on Noticeboards
Preparing for the interview
The interview is a competition, so the best and most prepared person usually wins. You may only get 10-15 minutes to present yourself in the best possible way. Those few minutes could be the start of a new career - prepare well.
What type of person are they looking for?
Someone who is confident and easy to talk to - we communicate more with our body language and our tone of voice than our words.... it’s not what we say, it’s how we say it!
First impressions count
Upon Arrival
Introduction to the Interviewer
Making a good impression
Prepare your answers
Possible questions
Ending the interview
After the interview
Good luck!
Many interviewers will begin the interview by asking you questions about yourself. These are often used as ‘ice breakers’ to encourage you to start talking and to relax you. If you are prepared for these types of questions you are more likely to answer with confidence and sound more positive, which will be a good start to the interview:
You may be asked any one of the following questions that are designed to give you the opportunity to talk about your skills, experience and abilities that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Make the most of this opportunity to sell yourself!
Types of behavioural questions
Experienced interviewers will often use an interviewing style called 'behavioural interviewing' which suggests that your past behaviour predicts your future behaviour. This means that you will be asked about your past behaviour....
Types of negative questions
Some questions are designed to find out what your weaknesses are and will usually make you feel uncomfortable. Should you be totally honest and admit your failings or deny them? Remember we are all human - if you want to confess your failings, wait until you are talking to a priest, not an interviewer!
Preparing your answers to these questions will give you the opportunity to focus as little as possible on any weaknesses or failings that may take you out of the competition for the job.
- Why did you leave your last job?
- Why did you lose your last job?
- Why have you had so many jobs?
- What are your weaknesses?
- How well do you handle criticism?
- What kind of people annoy you?
- How do you deal with people who annoy you?
- Aren’t you over qualified for this job?
- What causes you stress at work?, and how do you deal with, or overcome that stress?
- What problems have you encountered in your work and how did you deal with them?
How do I do it?
Well, you’ll be glad to hear that you are networking most of the time already. If your family and friends know you are looking for work, you are ‘Networking’. Whenever you have asked anyone if they have a job or if they know of any vacancies, you’ve been ‘Networking’.
Networking is simply talking to as many people as possible
How do I get started?
Talk, talk, talk…. to people who may be able to help you, even talk to people who you think might not be able to help you - you don’t know for sure!
First things first
What if I don’t know many people?
You or your friends may not have a lot of contacts, but use what you have. You can also start making new contacts yourself. Talk to everyone you come across in a normal day, e.g.; shopkeepers, bus drivers, bank staff, neighbours, postie, barman - anyone!
My contacts can’t find me a job
Don’t give up – you have the main responsibility in this job hunt, don’t stop hunting if nobody can help you…. keep going, widen your ‘Network’ by using:
Think about the following to give you some more ideas
The Internet
- Use a good 'search engine' like Google, and search for businesses that are likely to employ someone with your skills:
- Find out about the company from their website – a great source of information which will help you to prepare before you write a letter to the company or before attending an interview.
- Check out the websites of local Chambers of Commerce or Business Associations - they often have a list of members.
- Check out the websites of your local Council - they often have links to, or lists of local businesses or business associations.
|
As long as you get
another contact or some useful information,
your efforts have been successful |
| About referees | About references |
| A referee is someone who is willing to be contacted by telephone to provide information about you. Always make sure to ask your referees if they are willing to speak on your behalf, and inform them of any positions you have applied for. The more positive they are about you, the better! | A reference is a written testimonial prepared by a previous employer, or a teacher, or family friend - someone who can vouch for your character, skills and abilities. It is normally in the form of a letter and copies of references may be attached to your resumé when you apply for positions. |
|
If you are in any doubt about the kind of reference someone will give you, do not include them on your application or resumé. It is better to have no reference than a bad reference. |
|
Preparing your Resumé
Your resumé is an important document. It is your advertising brochure and needs to be 'targeted' to particular employers. That is why you should have more than one version of your resumé. When approaching one employer, you may need to emphasise particular skills and experience that you would perhaps not emphasise to another employer. Even the way we put resumés together is changing. They used to focus more on education and employment history. Today resumés tend to be more focused on skills and abilities - regardless of where those skills and abilities were developed.
There are many different styles of resumés, and no one way to write a resumé correctly. However, there are a few principles that should be followed:
- Keep it brief and to the point
- Don't let it be too cluttered - keep the paragraphs short and space them out, make the headings clear, and leave plenty of visible space on each page
- Try not to just talk about what you've done in the past - talk about what you can do now, what you aspire to do in the future, and use positive action words. Modern resumé styles often focus more on skills and accomplishments than just past responsibilities and tasks
- Focus on the skills and abilities you offer to the potential employer
- Get another person who knows you well to check over your resumé, looking for errors in spelling and grammar, checking its readability and content
- When you are writing your resumé, try to look through the employer's eyes
- Unless you are seeking a job as a calligrapher, never hand write a resumé! Unless otherwise requested, it should always be typed and printed on clean A4 size paper, normally white
- Your resumé must be easily readable - if you are going to submit your resumé electronically by email, or if it is going to be scanned, make sure it is in a basic font, like Times New Roman
Your resumé should include details of 2 to 3 referees with their name, the name of the company they work for, their position, address and phone numbers.
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Obtain an application package including the Selection Criteria from the employer.
-
Explain in writing how well you meet the essential and desirable criteria. To be considered for an interview, you need to show that you meet at least the essential criteria.
|
Administrative Assistant
(Level 1) Applications for the above position are sought from suitably qualified persons who will function as a member of a team in the Customer Services Division within the City of Mount Elisa.
Qualifications and experience:
Desirable: Further information contact: Mr J Forrest on (08)
9921 3333 CLOSING DATE: Written applications addressing the selection criteria and a copy of your resume including 2 referees should be marked 'Confidential Advertised Vacancy' quoting the position number and addressed to: The Recruitment Officer, City of Mount Elisa, PO Box 0000, Mount Elisa WA 6999 no later than 5pm Friday 25th February. NO FAXED, LATE, OR PROFORMA APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. The City of Mount Elisa
is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by the
Public Sector Standards in relation to recruitment,
selection and appointment. |
Example of how to address the selection criteria
|
Addressing the Selection Criteria: Claire Thomas Essential: 1 Good written and verbal communication skills My written communication skills have been demonstrated by:
Writing high school assignments in various
subjects to specified requirements and time
deadlines as a student at Monkey Bay Senior
High School. I have received consistently high
grades in my written work at school.
Writing project reports on various group
projects as a student.
Drafting letters in response to client enquiries
during my part-time job as a receptionist with B
J Hoskins Solicitor.
Getting an A grade in Office Communication in
Year 12.
My verbal communication skills have been demonstrated by: 2 Demonstrated customer services skills During the past 2 years I have worked in positions where my main responsibility involved using my well developed customer service skills. While holding these positions, I demonstrated excellence in customer service by: Claire Thomas - Page 1 |
|
3 Ability to prioritise work I have demonstrated the ability to prioritise work by: 4 Ability to work in a team environment My ability to work in a team environment has been demonstrated by:Desirable: 1 Experience in using Word Processing packages such as MS Word My ability to use Word Processing packages has been demonstrated by: 2 Experience working in the local Government sector While I do not have previous experience working in the local government sector, I believe I have the necessary skills to be able to work effectively in this area. I am quick to learn new skills and systems, I am adaptable, and I am able to relate easily with a wide range of people. I would look forward to the challenges and opportunities to be found in local government. Claire Thomas - Page 2 |
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Use each selection criteria as a heading and remember to address all parts of the selection criteria
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Respond in the order listed in the selection criteria
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Use dot points wherever possible to make your responses clear and concise
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Focus on key words in each criteria - for instance, if you are addressing a criteria that requires you to demonstrate your knowledge, you could respond by writing how and where you gained the knowledge
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Start with a positive claim, then expand on your skills and give a good example with a successful result
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Give specific examples to support your claims, using your best example for the written response (never using the same example twice) and different examples at the interview
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Be results oriented wherever possible
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Link your responses to at least one duty on the Duty Statement/Job Description
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If you don't have what they are asking for in a criteria, don't leave it blank - you need to address each criteria
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Save your work to a computer or disk - you can use it later, with appropriate changes, for other job applications
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Make use of the SAO or STAR techniques, these are tools to help you demonstrate skills, abilities and experience:
|
Situation:
Where and when did you do it? |
Situation: Where
and when did you do it? |
Remember to assume every other applicant can do the job. Your job is to prove you are the best applicant - you have to prove yourself and sell yourself!
Good luck!
One of the most important things you must do before looking for work is to consider what skills and abilities you can bring to the workforce. These are your most valuable assets and should not be overlooked.
There are three kinds of skills you need at work
- Technical skills are the specialised skills and knowledge required to perform specific duties. For example, driving a forklift, arranging flowers, word processing, window cleaning, gardening, bookkeeping and nursing. Each one of these broader skills is made up of many specific skills a person must be able to do in order to complete those technical tasks.
- Transferable skills are the basic skills required to perform a variety of tasks. They can be 'transferred' from one area of work to another. For example, skills in money handling, customer service, problem solving, communication and organisation.
- Personal skills and qualities are the individual attributes you have such as attitudes, personality, work habits and style of operation. For example, the ability to work under pressure, unsupervised, being trustworthy, honest and reliable.
If you have a clear understanding of your skills, it helps you to be more confident when you approach employers. It also helps you to consider other patterns and forms of employment, and should enable you to explore realistic work options.
Identifying your Skills
Your skills can be developed any time in your life, from school, your work experience, hobbies, sporting activities, personal interests, training you have undertaken, e.g.;
|
Technical
Skills |
Transferable
Skills |
Personal
Skills/Qualities |
Think about a specific task you can do and under each heading (as above), write down the skills you use to perform that task. Continue with more tasks then take a look at the list of skills you have identified.
Telephone calls, why bother?
Telephones give you a great opportunity to SPEAK to people and quickly. People in business will often take phone calls - more than you think! The telephone can be a great tool in quickly introducing yourself and selling your skills. Use it well and often - practice makes perfect!
What can I hope for?
- A good lead
- More information
- An invitation to send a resumé
- An invitation to deliver a resumé.
How to speak to the right person
A common problem that many job hunters have experienced, (or think they will experience) is 'the brush off' by an over-protective receptionist. You want to speak to the person who has the power to hire you and ‘they’ are not letting you get through to them. What can you do?
|
Option 1 Give in and let someone who is not interested in you tell you who you can and can’t speak to. Be brushed off by someone who thinks they are doing the boss a favour by not putting you through to him/her? |
Option 2 Don’t give in! Try another approach, be resourceful, and don’t be walked over. Think of another way to get to speak, write, or meet the person responsible for hiring staff. If you believe you have something to offer, which you do, then you must be persistent and let your potential employer know what you have to offer. |
Remember, you are only a nuisance to an employer until you convince them that you have something they can use - then you are of value to them. Your mission is to convince an employer that they should be talking to you with a view to offering you employment.
Write down some ideas of the skills you can offer to an employer. To see it in ‘black & white’ makes it easier for you to offer it on the phone.
Telephone Scripts
|
WARM contact |
COLD contact |
|
| You | “Hello, this is Luke for a job, please can I ask for some help?” | “Hello, my name is Luke for a job....” |
| Contact | “Yes, what can I do for you?” | “Yes...?” |
| You | “Max Chance suggested I give you a call. I’m looking for a storeperson’s job and he thought you might be able to suggest some companies I should try, or give me the names of agencies you’ve heard are good.” | “I’m looking for storepersons work. I’ve been doing that kind of work for the last year or so, do you have any jobs, or do you know of anyone who might have?” |
| Contact | “Sure, have you tried…….”
Or “I don’t think I’m a good person to talk to.” |
|
| You | “Max Chance said you knew a lot of people and might be able to give me a couple of names....” |
Conversation possibilities
| Version 1 |
Version 2 |
Version 3 |
|
| Contact | “Well, actually, we might be looking ourselves….” | “No, no jobs here mate, we’re laying people off now ourselves.” | “No, we haven’t got anything.” |
| You | “Oh, great! Can I please call in with my resumé?” | “Oh, I'm sorry,
that's difficult. Can I ask – when you used to hire, where did you advertise or which agencies did you use?” |
“OK, thanks, but can you think of any other companies I should try or do you know of anyone in the industry who might be looking to employ people at present? |
| Contact | “Sure, come over tomorrow.”
Or “Well, no, but you can send it to me.” |
"Well....." | "Well....." |
Remember
any phone call that gives you another contact
or more information is a success!
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Seek's job website provides tips on resumé and interview preparation together with job advice, click www.seek.com.au and follow the links to 'career resources' then 'job search strategies'
