The Employment Journey - For The New Generation

Searching for a new position can be challenging at the best of times. We are all at some point competing with the best of the best candidates in the market. So, what if you are relatively new to the workforce or have recently finished university? How will you combat strategies around being at the top of the resume pile against experienced professionals and what can you do to really stand out in the current market?

For every person, the start to searching for their next position can begin in many ways. Some decide that its time to move on, others want a change or a new challenge in a different industry, while others find themselves searching for a new position by no choice of their own. However, if you are starting your career after finishing school or university, an important first step to consider is what you want to use your study for and what is it that you really want to do.

---

Ways to get started:

• Write a target list of companies and view their social media and company pages for information, reviews, daily operations and details, video’s, articles and current employment vacancies.

• Research company Q&A pages and learn the best ways to respond to interview questions through video’s, articles and by practicing with someone in person.

• Write a Resume & Cover Letter that presents your most relevant experiences and qualifications in an easy-to-read format. Create your own Resume & Cover Letter, or invest in your career and have one professionally written for you*.

• View salary trends on PayScale AU - This site allows you see the current market salary trends for each industry. Learning the current salary market trends, can prepare you for conversations with Recruiters and Hiring Managers, who may ask about your salary expectations.

• Prepare in advance and carefully consider what your greatest achievements and aspirations are, and where you would like to be in the next five to ten years.

• Think about a variety of skills that you have achieved and tailor your experience on your Resume to match the brief on the job description. If you haven’t had a great deal of work experience, consider any roles you may have had in your community, school or any volunteer work that you’ve done.

• Before you begin applying, carefully examine your social media profiles, change your profile heading to ‘Open to new opportunities’ and check your privacy settings. Employers often look at these pages first before contacting you. Make sure your profile picture is respectable and appropriate for future employers to view.

Applying for Positions

After you have addressed as much as you can from the above, create an account on major job boards and start applying. Once you have created a profile, Recruiters and Hiring Managers may be able to see your profile and take a closer look for further review. These sites will keep your Resume on file for when you want to apply, assist you in tracking your status and keeping an eye on current opportunities that are available. You can also set up job alerts and receive emails as soon as a job opening comes up.

Good Luck – From the Team at JamesValé Recruitment

---

*For more information on our Professional Resume Writing Service or Careers Advice contact us on (07) 3076 7597 or email resumes@jamesvale.com.au