5000 jobs in 50 days: leave no stone unturned when seeking a job

JOBSEEKERS are urged against using the plethora of modern methods to look for work at the expense of tradition as they risk ignoring many jobs advertised right in front of them.

Honeylight Enterprises CEO Beverley Honig (centre) with Kristy Brockwell and Emily Archer at a Netw Careers bootcamp where graduates learn what it takes to find a job. Picture: Ellen Smith

JOBSEEKERS are urged against using the plethora of modern methods to look for work at the expense of tradition as they risk ignoring many jobs advertised right in front of them.

Employment experts say young jobseekers need to look everywhere, including tried-and-tested methods of reading newspaper classifieds and getting their parents to ask around, and not just rely on new technologies they may be more familiar with, such as social media or email alerts, to learn about vacancies.

With so many avenues through which jobs are advertised in the 21st century — whether it be through a job advertisement on an employer’s website, various internet job boards, newspapers, a notice in the window of the shop, or word of mouth — jobseekers risk missing out on opportunities if they are not looking in all places.

They also need to not rely on advertisements alone, as the hidden job market can be uncovered by networking or using a recruiter, which can lead to them getting the job before it is advertised.

Career Development Association of Australia advocacy chair Rebecca Fraser said opportunities arose in different mediums every day and limiting the search to only a few avenues was risky.

“If they are not out there, if they focus on one, they may miss the other,” she said.

“The way people are advertising jobs changes every day.

“They need to look everywhere they have access to.”

She said young jobseekers needed to understand there are things they needed to do differently, and not rely on the internet, while parents also must realise times had changed, and such practices as sending in a paper resume might not work either.

Recruiter Hays senior regional director Lisa Morris said job advertisements typically were for vacancies that needed to be urgently filled and often jobs were created when somebody with the right skills came along at the right time for a company.

“A candidate that’s active need to make sure they are tapping into all avenues,” she said.

“Anybody that’s taking their career forward and have ambitions to grow and develop should make networking as part of their weekly activities.

“Having a relationship with an expert recruiter is particularly important.”

Ms Morris encouraged young, inexperienced jobseekers to identify what they wanted in a job or career and then immerse themselves in the industry by joining social media forums and groups and staying active within them, as well as building a relationship with a recruiter, not just sending them a resume.

Honeylight Enterprises chief executive Beverley Honig said the first step to a successful job search was self-profiling.

She runs Career Boot Camps to help university graduates clarify industry preferences, prepare a strong CV and present themselves professionally.

“Noone walks out the door of our bootcamp without knowing themselves with confidence, so they become job ready,” she said.

“Once you’re ready, job finding happens much faster.”

Do you have a job for a first-time jobseeker? Email [e-mail] to join the campaign.

Jobseekers can visit facebook.com/5000jobs to find vacancies in their area.

Originally published as 5000 jobs in 50 days: leave no stone unturned when seeking a job