Looking for work can be exciting, but it can also be daunting and overwhelming. There are so many ways you can look for work, but preparation before going out and seeking employment may be the key to your success.
Now that you know the kind of roles and occupations that interest you, you’ve got your career action plan set out, your resume is ready, and you understand how to write cover letters and respond to selection criteria, it’s time to start applying!
The most effective way to organise for job seeking is to treat it as a job. Set aside time each day to focus on applying for positions, following up on applications and preparing for interviews.
You can also spend time researching companies that interest you and getting to know the industry within which you want to work; all of this knowledge will benefit you when you get to the interview stage.
It may help you to prepare a spreadsheet to keep track of the positions you’ve applied for, the company / recruitment agency where you found the position, the closing date and any other comments.
There are many different methods for looking for work. There is no ‘best’ option. It’s good to try a combination of all of them.
Start online
Online job search websites are still the single biggest source of employment opportunities and the most obvious place to start your job search.
Some of the more widely used sites include:
You could also try looking at the ‘careers’ section on a specific company website that you would be interested in working for.
Contact recruitment agencies
If you have specific skills or experiences, link with a professional recruitment agency.
There are several recruitment agencies but some of the larger ones include:
Contact a Disability Employment Service (DES)
DES providers have the ability to support you to locate employment and provide onsite and ongoing support once in the role. In other instances, they can advocate on your behalf and assist with applications to Job Access or workplace modifications.
Utilise social media and professional networking sites
Try places like:
- Industry specific apps and sites. For example; the Found Careers app lets you swipe to apply for a job advertisement.
Remember that although social media is a great networking tool, anything you put online can also be seen by potential employers and it’s important to keep this in mind.
There are some excellent resources available on how to use social media to find employment, like this article on LinkedIn.
Utilise your networks
It’s important to tell people you’re seeking employment and what roles you’re looking for. Attending business events and being active in your community can help you meet people and learn about vacancies, don’t discount the value of volunteering – for you and your community. Volunteering is a great way to gain work related skills and employment, increase your network and get employment related references.
Get out and about
Being alert to what people are saying or what is being advertised can assist your job search. A new large employer is coming to town and it was on the local news, can you contact them and seek out future vacancies?