ATAR Notes: Forum
General Discussion => General Discussion Boards => Employment and Careers => Topic started by: walkec on November 26, 2014, 01:33:57 pm
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Hi everyone,
With the class of 2014 done and dusted for the year, many of the AN are documenting their employment struggles on the Class of 2014 thread. As a 2014 graduate myself, I thought it would be a good idea to make a thread with advice for how to apply for jobs, interviews and general resume tips. So a note to mods - consider stickying this if it goes well.
Some general pointers about how to go about applying for jobs
-Apply anywhere if you don't have experience and don't waste your time applying for jobs that require experience. I applied for 32 jobs and had 5 interviews before I got my current job. I think the reason for this was that I was far too fussy as a 15 year old with no experience. When I started at my job, I was washing dishes for 5 hours straight, but in my 3 years I've been there, I've worked my way up and I'm now a barista and I'm working towards being able to open/close/run the store by myself. It's better to take something less desirable to get some experience and money under your belt and move on later than to still continue to be unemployed. Don't just look at big companies if you have no experience. Working in a small business can be a good way to get some experience and then it can make it easier for you to move on 6 months or so down the track.
-Get a couple of people to proof read your resume and read it aloud for clarity
-Dress the part. As someone who has taken many resumes over my 3 years at my job, I am not particularly inclined to tell my manager there's another resume if the person looks sloppy/is in their pyjamas/wears a low cut top/has visible tattoos etc. Harsh but I'm sure many other employers would have similar standards. Wear your hair up, minimal makeup and jewellery, no sneakers, a nice pair of pants/longish skirt and a nice top should suffice if you're female, or a collared shirt with nice trousers and polished shoes if you're male. This may seem a little over the top but first impressions do count.
-Don't lie about your availability
-Be honest
-Don't be generic in what you write on your resume. We see heaps of resumes from people in high school saying "I'm a team player", "I am reliable and trustworthy". To be honest, generic statements make me think that you haven't put thought into your application and I have just received a generic resume from a person who wants a job after year 12, over summer etc.
-Take responsibility. If you get offered an interview - turn up 10 minutes early, have a list of questions to ask (but don't ask about the pay until offered the position). Same goes if you get a trial shift or the job - start 5 minutes early. This shows you're organised and enthusiastic and don't sign off straight away until the manager or person in charge gives you the okay, especially if you're finishing a task. If it's 2 pm and that's the end of your shift but there's still 3 pizzas to make, say to the manager/whoever is in charge "did you want me to stay to finish doing these?" It shows that you're committed to the task at hand, and it helps to build rapport with your boss so they can cut you some slack when necessary (especially helpful around exam time).
- Keep trying. I actually handed in my resume to where I work twice before I even got an interview, and then I still didn't get the job. I then got another interview because there was another position and I was lucky enough to know a person working there, and then I got the job. Keep trying - it really will pay off.
How do I find jobs to apply for?
-Many companies are now using online applications in their recruitment process. Just search for the company you're looking for in Google (e.g. Woolworths careers) and then proceed through to the online recruitment site. Usually you have to make an account and upload your resume, which allows you to easily apply for other positions with the same company when they arise.
- Seek and other employment sites. Many people apply for jobs through Seek, so it can be difficult to land an interview with the sheer number of people who apply for positions advertised on there. For this reason, I recommend trying lesser known websites/resources like Gumtree and your Classifieds in the local paper for positions that less people may know about. Many small businesses also advertise in their shop windows and on boards in community centres, supermarkets etc.
- Word of mouth. I think this is underrated. The best way I think to get an interview is to have your friend give their boss a good word about you. If your friend is a reliable and good worker, their boss may be more likely to give you a go because they may think you will also be loyal and trustworthy. So tell your friends you're looking for a job. Even if they seek something advertised that might suit you, they can tell you about it.
So I hope this helps somewhat! Feel free to ask questions and I'll get back to you :)
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This is some great advice - thanks Walkec :)
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Again, thank you very much, walkec! :D
Just wanted to ask what are the do's and don't s of being in an interview like what to wear, what kind of questions we should ask and regarding body language?
Also, do you recommend applying online first then visit the store personally and hand in the resume?
Thanks! :)
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Again, thank you very much, walkec! :D
Just wanted to ask what are the do's and don't s of being in an interview like what to wear, what kind of questions we should ask and regarding body language?
Also, do you recommend applying online first then visit the store personally and hand in the resume?
Thanks! :)
As a general rule of thumb, work pants and a nice top should be okay for an interview. Ballet flats if you're female and dress shoes if you're male. Sometimes suitable attire can depend on the position you're applying for, so there are always exceptions to this. Tie long hair neatly off your face too and keep any makeup to a minimum.
Some questions you might consider asking...
- Is there a uniform requirement for the position?
- Are my hours fixed (part time) or flexible and variable? (casual)
- Is there opportunities to participate in additional training or to gain qualifications within the position? (think Cert 3 in Retail or Hospitality etc)
I don't necessarily recommend doing one over the other. By being open and not selective, you increase the amount of job openings available to you!
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Thanks, walkec! :) I meant if it would be good to do both- online and personally.
Also, when printing out resume, does it matter if it's back to back if there are two pages or should it be printed on two separate sheets of paper?
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Hey Walkec, and anybody else that would be willing to help :)
So for my resume, I barely have any work experience/volunteering
This is what I have;
-> Volunteered to organize fundraisers for my sports club
-> Volunteered in a selec-entry school program, where I've helped and tutored children in grade 5,6, and 7 (since 2013)
-> And done other random stuff for my local community
I know its not much, but do you think it's enough to apply for a part time job?
I've been offered to volunteer at a local library, and not sure if I should do it or not. Mostly because it starts in February, and is 10 weeks long ... Do you think I should do it? Wait that long? Or is what I have enough for just a little part time job...
Thanks!
- And one more thing, just for professional referees, people keep telling me to put in one of my school teachers. What is the purpose of this?
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Hey Walkec, and anybody else that would be willing to help :)
So for my resume, I barely have any work experience/volunteering
This is what I have;
-> Volunteered to organize fundraisers for my sports club
-> Volunteered in a selec-entry school program, where I've helped and tutored children in grade 5,6, and 7 (since 2013)
-> And done other random stuff for my local community
I know its not much, but do you think it's enough to apply for a part time job?
I've been offered to volunteer at a local library, and not sure if I should do it or not. Mostly because it starts in February, and is 10 weeks long ... Do you think I should do it? Wait that long? Or is what I have enough for just a little part time job...
Thanks!
- And one more thing, just for professional referees, people keep telling me to put in one of my school teachers. What is the purpose of this?
With the point about "And done other random stuff for my local community", worded like this sounds really informal and it's not really the sort of language you should be using in a resume. If you have done other things, include maybe two more of them on your resume, giving details of the specific program, time spent volunteering, key responsibilities etc. And it is enough to apply for a part time job - someone has to eventually give you a chance despite not having paid experience. I wouldn't worry about doing the volunteering at the library if I were you :)
In regards to having teachers as referees, there's nothing wrong with this, especially if you have little or no experience. I think the logic behind it is that your teachers can gauge how motivated/committed/organised you are depending on how you have worked in their class and also know a bit about your personality, so if these things are all positive, it can help your potential employer understand more about who you are as a person instead of who you appear to be on a piece of paper and/or in an interview situation.
All the best :)
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Im planning to apply for a job & in the sheet that advertised a position there were many rhetorical questions ie. 'Are you...' ' Do you have...' and 'if yes, this position may be for you!' It said do you have experience in ..., and i dont have any, but should i apply anyway???
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Im planning to apply for a job & in the sheet that advertised a position there were many rhetorical questions ie. 'Are you...' ' Do you have...' and 'if yes, this position may be for you!' It said do you have experience in ..., and i dont have any, but should i apply anyway???
If it says experience is essential, then I wouldn't. But if it says experience is desirable, then I would because it is suggesting that experience is not a requirement of the position.
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Hey Walkec, first of all good work for this fantastic thread!
I just have a question; how would you suggest to apply for a job where no position is advertised (cold calling)..
Do I just ask for the manager and ask to hand in my resume? Should I ask if they have any positions available, ask for more details about the job etc when they tell me they are not hiring? If I were to introduce myself to them, should I sound really inquisitive or would they normally find me annoying if I act really keen?
Also, where do you recommend going to if I want to learn to be a barista - I know you said somewhere you work at a coffee shop? I love coffee, and I want to learn how to make coffee. There is a Coffee Club and a Gloria Jeans at a small shopping centre where I live (near Doncaster).. should I just apply there? Do they normally take people who are not trained in hospitality?
Thanks! :)
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Hey Walkec, first of all good work for this fantastic thread!
I just have a question; how would you suggest to apply for a job where no position is advertised (cold calling)..
Do I just ask for the manager and ask to hand in my resume? Should I ask if they have any positions available, ask for more details about the job etc when they tell me they are not hiring? If I were to introduce myself to them, should I sound really inquisitive or would they normally find me annoying if I act really keen?
Also, where do you recommend going to if I want to learn to be a barista - I know you said somewhere you work at a coffee shop? I love coffee, and I want to learn how to make coffee. There is a Coffee Club and a Gloria Jeans at a small shopping centre where I live (near Doncaster).. should I just apply there? Do they normally take people who are not trained in hospitality?
Thanks! :)
I'd ask for the manager and then when the manager comes out, introduce yourself and say you'd like to hand in your resume in case there are any current or future availabilities at their store. I think it's important to seem friendly when cold calling - it makes for a change from all the shy and awkward people I see handing in resumes.
In regards to barista training, I'd recommend taking any basic hospitality position (waiter, dish washer, cleaner etc) and then trying to get trained in other areas. This is how I have since become a barista - I started out washing dishes and clearing tables and gradually got taught how to make coffee. Another thing you could consider doing is doing a coffee making short course (places like CAE and William Angliss usually hold these). They teach you the basics of how to run a commercial machine and key techniques etc, which could look better on a resume than having no hospitality experience at all. As for applying for coffee chains like The Coffee Club and Gloria Jeans, they do hire people with no hospitality experience. In my experience as an employee of a large coffee chain, people who do get hired with no experience tend to be 15-16 year olds, but maybe that's more to do with the actual store where I work, I'm not too sure.
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If it says experience is essential, then I wouldn't. But if it says experience is desirable, then I would because it is suggesting that experience is not a requirement of the position.
Thanks Walkec, it says "Do you have experience in retail?" I guess i'm going to try my luck there anyway.
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Thanks Walkec, it says "Do you have experience in retail?" I guess i'm going to try my luck there anyway.
Just curious..which outlet is this ?
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Mod Action: Stickied.
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I just got hired by a bakery. Will have my trial next week but I feel quite doubtful about this place. The guy told me to work from 7am to 5pm and the payment I reckon is around $8/hour or less. Should I take this job or try next Monday and see how it goes?
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I just got hired by a bakery. Will have my trial next week but I feel quite doubtful about this place. The guy told me to work from 7am to 5pm and the payment I reckon is around $8/hour or less. Should I take this job or try next Monday and see how it goes?
First thing, how old are you ? Because pay does depend on age as well. Also, is this like a small private business or a bigger company like baker's delight is ?
But if I were you, I would take the trial period and see how you like it and how much work is involved. The trial would also give you a little bit of experience which would be helpful if you're applying to other bakeries in future.
You should get a choice at the end of the trial about whether you want to stay or not..? I would make a decision based on how the trial turned out.
As for pay, depending on your age, 8 is about average. Depends how important the money is to you, but I would at least stay with the job until you find something else. It's easier to get hired somewhere else if you're already in a job..
Good luck ! :)
On another note, I have an interview for a fashion retail store next week. Has anyone here ever worked in fashion retail and can give me some tips on how to approach the interview and what sort of stuff they ask ?
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First thing, how old are you ? Because pay does depend on age as well. Also, is this like a small private business or a bigger company like baker's delight is ?
But if I were you, I would take the trial period and see how you like it and how much work is involved. The trial would also give you a little bit of experience which would be helpful if you're applying to other bakeries in future.
You should get a choice at the end of the trial about whether you want to stay or not..? I would make a decision based on how the trial turned out.
As for pay, depending on your age, 8 is about average. Depends how important the money is to you, but I would at least stay with the job until you find something else. It's easier to get hired somewhere else if you're already in a job..
Good luck ! :)
On another note, I have an interview for a fashion retail store next week. Has anyone here ever worked in fashion retail and can give me some tips on how to approach the interview and what sort of stuff they ask ?
Btw, I am so glad for you that you got a job interview! You deserved it after all that hard work :)
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Btw, I am so glad for you that you got a job interview! You deserved it after all that hard work :)
Aw, thankyou so much ! You're too kind :-*
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First thing, how old are you ? Because pay does depend on age as well. Also, is this like a small private business or a bigger company like baker's delight is ?
But if I were you, I would take the trial period and see how you like it and how much work is involved. The trial would also give you a little bit of experience which would be helpful if you're applying to other bakeries in future.
You should get a choice at the end of the trial about whether you want to stay or not..? I would make a decision based on how the trial turned out.
As for pay, depending on your age, 8 is about average. Depends how important the money is to you, but I would at least stay with the job until you find something else. It's easier to get hired somewhere else if you're already in a job..
Good luck ! :)
On another note, I have an interview for a fashion retail store next week. Has anyone here ever worked in fashion retail and can give me some tips on how to approach the interview and what sort of stuff they ask ?
I'm turning 18 next year. Thanks so much for the advice, it's just the idea of working 10 hours scares me a bit. But I'll give it a go and see how everything goes :)!
Good luck for your interview!!
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I'm turning 18 next year. Thanks so much for the advice, it's just the idea of working 10 hours scares me a bit. But I'll give it a go and see how everything goes :)!
Good luck for your interview!!
Assuming everything is done legally, you'll normally receive a 30 minute break (unpaid) as well as potentially a tea break depending on your contract/award.
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I know this thread is aimed at graduated HS students but does anyone have any thoughts on part time employment at Chemist Warehouse/any pharmacy during year 12?
Idk if I should start working now (end yr 11) or just wait until I graduate.
+ is there an interview process? What are some likely questions I might be asked if I apply?
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Assuming everything is done legally, you'll normally receive a 30 minute break (unpaid) as well as potentially a tea break depending on your contract/award.
I used to work for a quite big fast food chain. 7 hours shift with only 10 minutes break, maybe this is why I feel a bit uncertain about this job. But thanks for letting me know!
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I used to work for a quite big fast food chain. 7 hours shift with only 10 minutes break, maybe this is why I feel a bit uncertain about this job. But thanks for letting me know!
That must have been illegal. They were probably jibbing you overtime.
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I'm turning 18 next year. Thanks so much for the advice, it's just the idea of working 10 hours scares me a bit. But I'll give it a go and see how everything goes :)!
Good luck for your interview!!
Hello nhmn0301, $8 per hour sounds very low. For a 17 year old, I would think that it should be around the $13ish per hour for a casual, which would include a 25% casual loading. ( Sat/Sun would be more)
You can look up your award/pay rate here:
http://paycheck.fwo.gov.au/PayCheckPlus.aspx
All the very best with your trial :)
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That must have been illegal. They were probably jibbing you overtime.
Hello nhmn0301, $8 per hour sounds very low. For a 17 year old, I would think that it should be around the $13ish per hour for a casual, which would include a 25% casual loading. ( Sat/Sun would be more)
You can look up your award/pay rate here:
http://paycheck.fwo.gov.au/PayCheckPlus.aspx
All the very best with your trial :)
Thanks Ned Nerb and slinkykitty. That website will come in handy :D!
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hi guys! :)
I'm 16 years old and I currently have a job working with fast food, I get $12 an hour.
it's okay, but I'd like to look for another job, which is probably more appealing and pays more...
the thing is, because I'm 16, it's unlikely I'll find a job as I only was able to work with fast food because I started at age 15.
I don't really even know what type of places to apply!
idk but working in a shop seems kind of boring tbh
thanks! :)
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On another note, I have an interview for a fashion retail store next week. Has anyone here ever worked in fashion retail and can give me some tips on how to approach the interview and what sort of stuff they ask ?
May I ask what kind of store is the interview for? There are businesses which have a lesser formal dress code (such as cotton on, factorie etc..) as well as businesses which have a much more formal dress code (such as Myer, David Jones etc..)
I can't speak for businesses that are not as formal as others, however I do have a few friends that are working in retail stores such as Valleygirl, sportsgirl etc. From what I recall, they mentioned that the interviews were quite laid back...
However from personal experience, businesses that a more on the formal side tend to adopt group interviews rather than individual one on one interviews. I currently work at Myer and the interview process itself was quite formal, there were more than one interviewer and the questions asked were pretty standard (tell us a little about yourself, why you would like to work for this company etc).
Aside from the usual questions, we were given situations and had to arrange them from the most important to the least, as well as having to pick products from a pile and try to sell it to the interviewers.
Since it was a group interview, I would recommend trying to acquaint yourself with the other interviewees (?? is that a word??) if you're in the same boat as you never know who could be watching and paying attention to how well you interact with others.
Good luck with your interview :)
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May I ask what kind of store is the interview for? There are businesses which have a lesser formal dress code (such as cotton on, factorie etc..) as well as businesses which have a much more formal dress code (such as Myer, David Jones etc..)
I can't speak for businesses that are not as formal as others, however I do have a few friends that are working in retail stores such as Valleygirl, sportsgirl etc. From what I recall, they mentioned that the interviews were quite laid back...
However from personal experience, businesses that a more on the formal side tend to adopt group interviews rather than individual one on one interviews. I currently work at Myer and the interview process itself was quite formal, there were more than one interviewer and the questions asked were pretty standard (tell us a little about yourself, why you would like to work for this company etc).
Aside from the usual questions, we were given situations and had to arrange them from the most important to the least, as well as having to pick products from a pile and try to sell it to the interviewers.
Since it was a group interview, I would recommend trying to acquaint yourself with the other interviewees (?? is that a word??) if you're in the same boat as you never know who could be watching and paying attention to how well you interact with others.
Good luck with your interview :)
Hey, thanks for the reply and the actual helpful tips !
This is for just jeans, and it's a individual interview. It's for a casual position if that helps.
I'm just wondering how many people they normally have interviewing you..? I'm prepared for questions about why I want to work there, why I'm the best person and why I want to work in retail. I'm really worried about having to sell a product tbh.
You mentioned that these types of stores are laid back ib interviews..what do you mean ?
Is there anything else I should be ready for and odd stuff they might throw at me ?
Thanks again ! And apologies for the late reply..I actually didn't realise this was to me :P
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hi guys! :)
I'm 16 years old and I currently have a job working with fast food, I get $12 an hour.
it's okay, but I'd like to look for another job, which is probably more appealing and pays more...
thanks! :)
To put your pay into context, $12 an hour as a 16 year old is actually on the higher end of pay. When I was 16, my pay rate as a casual F&B attendant was $10.60 an hour Monday - Friday. Keep in mind that this was above the award and casuals get paid more than part time to cover not having sick leave, holiday leave etc.
I'd be quite surprised if you could find a higher paying job. If you want to leave to find something that better suits you, then go for it, but just don't necessarily expect that the pay will be much better (if at all).
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To put your pay into context, $12 an hour as a 16 year old is actually on the higher end of pay. When I was 16, my pay rate as a casual F&B attendant was $10.60 an hour Monday - Friday. Keep in mind that this was above the award and casuals get paid more than part time to cover not having sick leave, holiday leave etc.
I'd be quite surprised if you could find a higher paying job. If you want to leave to find something that better suits you, then go for it, but just don't necessarily expect that the pay will be much better (if at all).
oh okay thank you anyway :)
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Hi guys, I made a post earlier about whether to take up a job at my neighboring bakery. I just do a trial today and it takes 10 hours with pretty much 5 minutes break and I can't even sit the whole time. Despite this, the people there are quite nice to me and the experience of communicating with customers are pretty great as well. However, I don't know if I can continue working like this for a long time and non of the other places have called me. I'm a bit confused right now, I'm not entirely desperated for money atm and some kids ask me to tutor them (but this only starts next year). Should I continue to work, if I shoudn't, do I just honestly tell them that I don't feel cut out for the job?
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Were you paid for the trial?
If I had other opportunities that I could reasonably take (ie not in urgent need of cash) then I wouldn't be working 10 hour shifts without a break.
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Unpaid trials are illegal unless it's necessary for you to demonstrate that you're capable of doing the job (I doubt you're doing anything that really fits this category) so I would make sure you get paid. I don't know how old you are (it affects pay rate) but $8 an hour may or may not be too low.
I'm not telling you whether you should stop; I can only say what I would do in your situation. It depends on how much you value the time and the money.
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Unpaid trials are illegal unless it's necessary for you to demonstrate that you're capable of doing the job (I doubt you're doing anything that really fits this category) so I would make sure you get paid. I don't know how old you are (it affects pay rate) but $8 an hour may or may not be too low.
I'm not telling you whether you should stop; I can only say what I would do in your situation. It depends on how much you value the time and the money.
Alright, thanks for the advice :)!!
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Hey, thanks for the reply and the actual helpful tips !
This is for just jeans, and it's a individual interview. It's for a casual position if that helps.
I'm just wondering how many people they normally have interviewing you..? I'm prepared for questions about why I want to work there, why I'm the best person and why I want to work in retail. I'm really worried about having to sell a product tbh.
You mentioned that these types of stores are laid back ib interviews..what do you mean ?
Is there anything else I should be ready for and odd stuff they might throw at me ?
Thanks again ! And apologies for the late reply..I actually didn't realise this was to me :P
For my group interview there were two interviewers, it's good to be prepared for the usual questions but you can also expect other questions such as whether you prefer to work alone or with a team, how well do you deal with stressful situations etc.
I think having to sell a product would be quite unlikely in your interview as Myer is a department store with various departments and the point of that task is to assess whether an individual can effectively promote the given product (could be anything ranging from homewares, electrical appliances and cosmetics), and suggest add-ons to increase sales.
What I meant by laid back is that the dress code is usually smart casual which makes the setting much less formal and comfortable, communication with the interviewer may seem less tense and forced, this usually will make you feel much more at ease and hence perform better in the interview
I'm not sure about the weird questions they might throw at you, it is reasonable to assume that most of the questions asked will be pretty standard but it doesn't hurt to be well prepared! They could possibly ask questions about your previous experiences, accomplishments, what would you consider to be good customer service (because retail is all about the customers, oh yeah, make sure you really prepare yourself because sometimes you can get the nastiest customers that will make you want to slap them with a frying pan). As well as questions relating to their product line, I think that you should get very familiar with the items they sell and what the business is trying to achieve (doesn't hurt to have a dig around their website, do some research), for all we know they could assess how well you know the business and most businesses will assume that you are some what familiar with them (after all knowledge is a great indicator of how well you can promote the business)
Another tip, if the interviewer asks an absurd question and you are struggling to answer, it always helps to ask them to repeat the question again politely to buy you some time to think of an answer
ALSO, when the interviewer asks if you have any other questions, make sure you prepare some questions to ask beforehand, that is going to set you apart from a lot of others as most of the applicants will be too afraid/nervous to ask, it shows that you are keen to learn :)
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For my group interview there were two interviewers, it's good to be prepared for the usual questions but you can also expect other questions such as whether you prefer to work alone or with a team, how well do you deal with stressful situations etc.
I think having to sell a product would be quite unlikely in your interview as Myer is a department store with various departments and the point of that task is to assess whether an individual can effectively promote the given product (could be anything ranging from homewares, electrical appliances and cosmetics), and suggest add-ons to increase sales.
What I meant by laid back is that the dress code is usually smart casual which makes the setting much less formal and comfortable, communication with the interviewer may seem less tense and forced, this usually will make you feel much more at ease and hence perform better in the interview
I'm not sure about the weird questions they might throw at you, it is reasonable to assume that most of the questions asked will be pretty standard but it doesn't hurt to be well prepared! They could possibly ask questions about your previous experiences, accomplishments, what would you consider to be good customer service (because retail is all about the customers, oh yeah, make sure you really prepare yourself because sometimes you can get the nastiest customers that will make you want to slap them with a frying pan). As well as questions relating to their product line, I think that you should get very familiar with the items they sell and what the business is trying to achieve (doesn't hurt to have a dig around their website, do some research), for all we know they could assess how well you know the business and most businesses will assume that you are some what familiar with them (after all knowledge is a great indicator of how well you can promote the business)
Another tip, if the interviewer asks an absurd question and you are struggling to answer, it always helps to ask them to repeat the question again politely to buy you some time to think of an answer
ALSO, when the interviewer asks if you have any other questions, make sure you prepare some questions to ask beforehand, that is going to set you apart from a lot of others as most of the applicants will be too afraid/nervous to ask, it shows that you are keen to learn :)
Thankyou so much for the advice !
Since this is an individual interview, could I likely expect 1 interviewer ? Taking into consideration that this is a casual position as well.
I will take all of this into consideration while I'm preparing today, thanks again :)
& appreciate the extra tips too !
Also, just a general question to everyone - how many of you have landed a job on your first interview ? How likely is this to be the case ?
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Thankyou so much for the advice !
Since this is an individual interview, could I likely expect 1 interviewer ? Taking into consideration that this is a casual position as well.
I will take all of this into consideration while I'm preparing today, thanks again :)
& appreciate the extra tips too !
Also, just a general question to everyone - how many of you have landed a job on your first interview ? How likely is this to be the case ?
Yes most likely there will be only one interviewer :)
As to your general question, I didn't have an interview with my first job, the manager took a look at my resume and hired me on the spot which was completely odd but I had no problem with it haha, so Myer was actually my first interview for a job and it was actually a christmas casual position but they kept me on after the contract period
Good luck!! Would love to hear how you went :P
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Yes most likely there will be only one interviewer :)
As to your general question, I didn't get an interview with my first job, the manager took a look at my resume and hired me on the spot which was completely odd but I had no problem with it haha, so Myer was actually my first interview for an job and it was actually a christmas casual position but they kept me on after the contract period
Good luck!! Would love to hear about how you went :P
Fabulous..now I can relax :P
Haha that's so awesome ! I've heard stories like that..wish I could have been one of them !
Thankyou..I'll keep you guys posted ! Thanks for everything :)
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I'm planning to submit an online application that only requires me to upload my resume and i gave them a call to see if they want a cover letter, they said it's optional and if i want to i just email it separately. So should i include a cover letter? Most importantly, will my chances increase if i take it a step further (by giving a cover letter)??
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I'm planning to submit an online application that only requires me to upload my resume and i gave them a call to see if they want a cover letter, they said it's optional and if i want to i just email it separately. So should i include a cover letter? Most importantly, will my chances increase if i take it a step further (by giving a cover letter)??
It won't do any harm to include a cover letter, but it won't necessarily increase your chances.
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Got a job interview @ KFC and currently not sure if i should shave my mo? Been tryna grow it out for ages. (serious q). :P :P
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Got a job interview @ KFC and currently not sure if i should shave my mo? Been tryna grow it out for ages. (serious q). :P :P
Personally, I would.
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So I'm positive that I will graduate with a First Class Honours in December, however i'm worried about job opportunities, which aren't that great since most Biomed engineers in Australia have either Master or PhD degrees, and as such, experience, which all the advertised jobs in this profession i've come across require.
So if I don't secure a grad year, im kind of torn as to what I should do once I graduate:
- Continue studying and obtain a Masters and/or PhD to gain a specialisation.
or
- Keep trying to get a job in the industry, no matter how long it takes.
My internship employer says I should do the second option because that will make me appear more 'employable'. Not too sure how it would, if anyone could elaborate on that it would be great!
Any advice would be much appreciated :)
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So I'm positive that I will graduate with a First Class Honours in December, however i'm worried about job opportunities, which aren't that great since most Biomed engineers in Australia have either Master or PhD degrees, and as such, experience, which all the advertised jobs in this profession i've come across require.
So if I don't secure a grad year, im kind of torn as to what I should do once I graduate:
- Continue studying and obtain a Masters and/or PhD to gain a specialisation.
or
- Keep trying to get a job in the industry, no matter how long it takes.
My internship employer says I should do the second option because that will make me appear more 'employable'. Not too sure how it would, if anyone could elaborate on that it would be great!
Any advice would be much appreciated :)
Well I know if ATAR Notes needed someone to work in a PR role and spread the word, we'd favour heavily someone who's got experience in word spreading... which ultimately is worth much than someone with experience in essays, research, or whatever else.
Like, it's a bit of a no brainer. Who would you choose? Someone well versed in a particular topic, or someone who can prove they've done what you want them to do, or has at least watch someone else do it and knows they can replicate?
This is why experience is valuable - it saves a workplace having to train people, having to spend longer giving direction and whatever else. If you already have an internship, make as many friends as you can (LinkedIn hellloooo), and try to even get more internships and repeat the whole friend-making process.
I mean, "no matter how long it takes" - that's pretty intense, so I don't necessarily want to commit myself to giving that advice.
But here's how I see it:
Option 1) Spend extra time studying, not earning money (opportunity cost), and also getting into further amounts of debt to increase the probability of something that still may not happen.
Or,
Option 2) Accrue no further debt, wade around hopelessly for 6 months doing shit work, internships, whatever else, building a network until you land a job that will do much more for you than a Masters. (Or at least, will give you money while you do your Masters).
My advice is take option 2. But hey... I'm the same age as you and can't do Year 8 Geometry, soooo... :)
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At the rate at which Im goin im pretty sure I could get into Sydney Uni for engineering cos Im an international student and I need a lower ATAR of 85 not 90. But do international students get jobs in Australia after graduating ? Whats the market like for engineers ?
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Well I know if ATAR Notes needed someone to work in a PR role and spread the word, we'd favour heavily someone who's got experience in word spreading... which ultimately is worth much than someone with experience in essays, research, or whatever else.
Like, it's a bit of a no brainer. Who would you choose? Someone well versed in a particular topic, or someone who can prove they've done what you want them to do, or has at least watch someone else do it and knows they can replicate?
This is why experience is valuable - it saves a workplace having to train people, having to spend longer giving direction and whatever else. If you already have an internship, make as many friends as you can (LinkedIn hellloooo), and try to even get more internships and repeat the whole friend-making process.
I mean, "no matter how long it takes" - that's pretty intense, so I don't necessarily want to commit myself to giving that advice.
But here's how I see it:
Option 1) Spend extra time studying, not earning money (opportunity cost), and also getting into further amounts of debt to increase the probability of something that still may not happen.
Or,
Option 2) Accrue no further debt, wade around hopelessly for 6 months doing shit work, internships, whatever else, building a network until you land a job that will do much more for you than a Masters. (Or at least, will give you money while you do your Masters).
My advice is take option 2. But hey... I'm the same age as you and can't do Year 8 Geometry, soooo... :)
Forgot to thank you for the advice! Option 2 seemed like the obvious choice and it helped a ton!
I had a couple of short internships after I graduated and networked my butt off. Finally ended up landing a casual position as a Biomedical Engineer with a company that deals with veterinary medical devices. Great since I love animals!
Cheers for the advice~! :)
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I have no Australian experience of holding a part time job or any volunteering(although I have done some volunteering overseas)! I have never worked in a cafe nor in any coffee shop before so I have no idea what to put in my resume ! Any advise will be highly appreciable :)
P.s Should I make a cover letter along with it too?And what position to apply for?Who to hand out the resume and how long does it take to get a reply?Sorry for so many questions !
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I(currently in grade eleven) am looking out for a part time job(to familiarize myself with the Australian culture) in some nearby cafes and coffee shops.I have no Australian experience of holding a part time job or any volunteering(although I have done some volunteering overseas)! I have never worked in a cafe nor in any coffee shop before so I have no idea what to put in my resume ! Any advise will be highly appreciable :)
P.s Should I make a cover letter along with it too?And what position to apply for?Who to hand out the resume and how long does it take to get a reply?Sorry for so many questions !
That's a great idea! Getting a job will also build character and work ethic, so good decision.
Rather than write a lengthy response in writing a resume -- which I'm not too fantastic at myself -- I will just direct you here. Plenty of people don't have job experience by your age, so you'll be fine!
Apply for anything you can, really. DIshwashing is a good start, and they're pretty common jobs to find. If it's in person, typically just go in, ask politely if there's anybody you could hand your resume to, and follow their directions. Responses vary greatly; anywhere from a day to weeks to months.
You can also try online sources, such as jobsearch and seek. You'll want to be looking for a casual job. You could also ask your careers advisor if they know of any open spots nearby -- they'll typically know.
Good luck :)
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That's a great idea! Getting a job will also build character and work ethic, so good decision.
Rather than write a lengthy response in writing a resume -- which I'm not too fantastic at myself -- I will just direct you here. Plenty of people don't have job experience by your age, so you'll be fine!
Apply for anything you can, really. DIshwashing is a good start, and they're pretty common jobs to find. If it's in person, typically just go in, ask politely if there's anybody you could hand your resume to, and follow their directions. Responses vary greatly; anywhere from a day to weeks to months.
You can also try online sources, such as jobsearch and seek. You'll want to be looking for a casual job. You could also ask your careers advisor if they know of any open spots nearby -- they'll typically know.
Good luck :)
Thank you :)
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That's a great idea! Getting a job will also build character and work ethic, so good decision.
Rather than write a lengthy response in writing a resume -- which I'm not too fantastic at myself -- I will just direct you here. Plenty of people don't have job experience by your age, so you'll be fine!
Apply for anything you can, really. DIshwashing is a good start, and they're pretty common jobs to find. If it's in person, typically just go in, ask politely if there's anybody you could hand your resume to, and follow their directions. Responses vary greatly; anywhere from a day to weeks to months.
You can also try online sources, such as jobsearch and seek. You'll want to be looking for a casual job. You could also ask your careers advisor if they know of any open spots nearby -- they'll typically know.
Good luck :)
I landed with an interview ,OMG I can not believe it ;) Thankyou Celebantz
P.s Any tips for the interview will be highly appreciable as I really want to secure a career :)Thanking everyone in advance!
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I landed with an interview with KFC ,OMG I can not believe it ;) Thankyou Celebantz
P.s Any tips for the interview will be highly appreciable as I really want to secure a career with KFC :)Thanking everyone in advance!
Congratulations -- I'm very happy for you! :)
I've never actually had an interview (always employed at smaller places), so I'm afraid I can't give advice from personal experience -- although I'm sure someone will be able to give tips soon :) I'll just say this: your interviewer is still a person. Don't be scared of them. They want you to succeed!
I wish you all the luck in the world! I'll have a large zinger box :P
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Congratulations -- I'm very happy for you! :)
I've never actually had an interview (always employed at smaller places), so I'm afraid I can't give advice from personal experience -- although I'm sure someone will be able to give tips soon :) I'll just say this: your interviewer is still a person. Don't be scared of them. They want you to succeed!
I wish you all the luck in the world! I'll have a large zinger box :P
Thank you for the tips, Celebantz..A large Zinger box with extra spice ..Yep I will remember that :) :p
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Does anybody know how to become a debating adjudicator in NSW after school?
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I have a job with Salmat as a junk mail deliverer, and I definitely recommend getting a similar job if you want a part time job during school. You get plenty of exercise, and you get time out on the streets where you can listen to music or simply think. I think that it is also great for character.
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I have a job with Salmat as a junk mail deliverer, and I definitely recommend getting a similar job if you want a part time job during school. You get plenty of exercise, and you get time out on the streets where you can listen to music or simply think. I think that it is also great for character.
This is actually pretty cool and unique. Thanks for sharing!
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I have a job with Salmat as a junk mail deliverer, and I definitely recommend getting a similar job if you want a part time job during school. You get plenty of exercise, and you get time out on the streets where you can listen to music or simply think. I think that it is also great for character.
I applied for a job with Salmat this morning 😂
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I applied for a job with Salmat this morning 😂
Good for you. I personally enjoy working for them, it is really easy to get in touch with them, and it is fun work! Enjoy
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Hi,
I am wondering if school reference sheets actually matter?
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Hi,
I am wondering if school reference sheets actually matter?
It depends on the job you're applying for. Some will want them, some won't.
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Hey,
How far up can I climb up as a retail employee in say Woolworths if I am a casual? What grade can I become?
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Hey everyone!
I was at some talks at Latrobe University today and they had some really great insight into how they help their graduates to be employable, but a lot of it was very general and could be applied to most career paths. I thought I would share it here in case it helps anyone.
1. Skills that are applicable to a variety of tasks are being highly sought after as they set candidates apart. (The top ones were digital literacy, languages (being bilingual), creativity and problem solving).)
2. Having previous paid experience (even low-level) in the industry you are aiming to work in makes you highly employable. (5000 hours is seen as the ideal amount, although a little is better than none).
3. Having a positive mindset about career prospects decreases the time it will take a graduate to find a full-time job by two months on average.
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I'm contemplating whether school reference sheets really matter?