JOB HUNTING SKILLS

Where to look for a job?

Looking for your first job?
• Newspapers
• Trade Magazines
• Internet job-search websites
• Centrelink
• Recruitment firms
• Work experience/volunteering in your field
Looking for another job?
• Networking with colleagues in industry
• Joining a professional organisation
• Attend public conferences/workshops in your
field
• Volunteering in your area of interest
Resume
• Tailor your resume to fit the particular job
• The resume is only a summary
• Include basic info – name/address/tel no
• Educational qualifications
• Employment history – most recent backwards
• List only pertinent and interesting details
• Use specific information if relevant eg raised
over $100,000 pa, supervisory for 25 people
• Explain gaps eg time out for travel, further
education
• Include a summary of your work skills
• Include any other skills eg first aid training,
driver’s licence
• Include industry awards
• Include references/referees and contact details
Avoid
• Novelty tactics
• Type on white paper
• Don’t include in unusual packaging
• Attach covering letter short and to the point
Covering letter
• Aim to get the employer/recruiter to read your
resume
• Aim to get a job interview
• Should run to a few paragraphs – focus on your
skills and why you want the job
• Don’t regurgitate your resume – point out
specific skills
• Try to use the words in the job advertisement
• Employers may look at cover letters more
favourably than recruiters – but better to be safe
than sorry
• Don’t use a formula letter – you may forget to
change your template!
• Ensure your name and contact details are on
every page of your letter and resume.

Ref: http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/resume-cover-letter/cover-
letter/ask-kate-is-cover-letter-necessary/article.aspx
Writing a cover letter
• Read the advertisement carefully and underline
the keywords

• Use these words in your letter so long as you can

back them up

• Include a date, your name and contact details

• Opening paragraph
▫ State the job you are going for
▫ The fact your are confident you can suit the role
• Paragraph two
▫ Tell the reader why he/she should be interested in
you
• Third paragraph
▫ Highlight a career achievement or particular
relevance to the job
• Last paragraph
▫ Bring the letter to a polite close
Finally
• Stress what you can do for your potential
employer not why their company would be good
for you

• Check for mistakes – get a friend to proofread

the letter before you send it

• Don’t forget to sign the hard copy

Exercises
GOOD OR BAD
• Complete the question sheet and rate each
comment and briefly say “why” you have given
that rating.

REVIEWING COVERING LETTERS

• Examine the cover letters and find the errors