With good preparation and an idea of where to search, you can start your job hunt on the right foot and wait for the interviews to come rolling in.
We’ll delve into the best places to start your job search according to the industry you work in. But first, let’s review the top job hunting tips to get you prepared for the process.
Revisit your career goals
Before you start applying for every position available to you, take a moment to review your short and long term goals. Does the position you’re applying for align with your goals, or will it help you to achieve your next milestone?
Fine tune your resume and cover letter
If it’s been a minute since your last job search, take the time to dust off your resume and update your contact information, skills and experience. Remember to customise your resume and cover letter to appeal to every company you’re applying with. Hiring managers can see straight through a generic cover letter, so be sure to make the necessary changes to each cover letter you submit.
Research companies
You’ll have the best chance of catching the attention of an employer if you understand what they’re looking for. Do your research beyond the job posting or description, and find out more about the organisation’s ethos, culture and goals.
Prepare for your interviews
It pays to do a little preparation before each interview. Jot down some potential questions that the interviewee might ask and plan how you will answer. A hiring manager should always provide time at the end of an interview for you to ask questions, so prepare a list beforehand to avoid being put on the spot with no questions to respond with.
The industry you work in will determine how you approach your job search. Below we’ve outlined the best places to start.
Building & Construction
Online job forums
Recruitment agencies
A construction recruiter can streamline the job-seeking process by acting as a middleman between you and the employer. Recruiters will consider your goals, skills and experience when proposing jobs.
Networking
Actively network in your current role to make meaningful connections in the industry. If people in your network are aware that you’re looking for a new job, you’ll come to mind when they hear of job openings.
Business & Finance
Online job forums
Recruitment agencies
A recruiter can assist you in your job search by providing you with job vacancies that are relevant to your skills and experience.
Networking
Whether at work, in school or at an industry event; networking is the key to hearing about positions that may not appear in your generic job search.
Commercial Cookery & Hospitality
Online job forums
Traditional Job Advertisements
The hospitality industry is still a strong advocate of the traditional ‘sign in the window’ when it comes to advertising vacancies. This is a great advantage of applying for jobs in this industry, and gives you the opportunity to make a strong first impression, as opposed to having your resume lost in a sea of emails.
Community Services
Online job forums
Networking
Volunteer work and community events are great places to network if you’re looking to break into the community services sector. As this sector continues to grow in Australia, it’s beneficial to have industry connections that are aware of your interest in new job openings.
If you’re ready to begin your job hunt, start by refreshing your resume, create or update your LinkedIn profile and start searching to get an idea of the jobs on the market.
