Let's chat: Finding work
Job seeking can be a pretty involved and stressful process, particularly in today’s competitive job market. This is even if you have overcome the obstacle of figuring out what it is you actually want to do! Whether you’re looking for your first job, or a job that better aligns with your values, studies, or experience, remember you are not alone.
In this discussion, we’ll be chatting about some concerns you might have about finding work. We’ll take a look at both what the community said about job seeking as well as our own top tips.
You might be worried about:
- lacking required experience, qualifications, or resources
- navigating job seeking and application processes
- coping with repeated rejections or not hearing back from potential employers
- finding a workplace that will be supportive and a good match
- facing external or internal pressure to get a job.
Advice from the online community
The search
- Frame job seeking as a learning process. Every cover letter you write, every interview you do, is a chance to practice and master your job seeking skills. This means that even when you are rejected, or have a nerve-wracking experience, you are one step closer to getting a job.
- Reflect on what is motivating you to find a job, as well as what your values, interests, and needs are at work. Money can be a pretty big motivator, but if possible it can be helpful to consider what kind of job you actually want. Rather than applying for hundreds of jobs you feel “meh” about, try to focus your attention and efforts on those that matter for you.
- Look around for experience and references. Volunteering can be a great source, and if you’re looking for a reference outside of work, you could even ask a university tutor, or a mentor in the community.
- Reach out for support. Whether you need someone cheering you on, a person to vent to, or some practical advice around job seeking, it can make all the difference if someone has your back.
Looking after yourself
- Remind yourself that you’re not alone. It can be helpful to connect with others who understand how frustrating the job seeking process can be.
- Don’t feel pressured to be on a certain timeline, everyone is different. It can be tough not to compare ourselves to others and you might be feeling like you’ve fallen behind. The truth is we are all different– plus, you never know what someone might be struggling with.
- Balance your time and look after yourself. Rejection can be really tough, so it’s really important you take time to look after yourself. Devote time for self-care and spending time with loved ones.
- Acknowledge your strengths and achievements. If you’ve been applying for job after job, that shows a lot of resilience and determination on your part. Acknowledge that what you’ve done so far is a HUGE achievement to begin with!
Our guide to finding work
What kind of work will I like?
When you’re starting out, a job doesn’t have to be exactly like what you’re studying if you don’t want it to be. Most jobs have ‘transferable skills’, which are skills you can apply across different workplaces and areas of your life. Some common first jobs are baby/petsitting, coaching, retail, food or hospitality, office assistance, or residential work like landscaping or cleaning.
What do employers look for?
While employers may look for job-specific skills like knowing how to make appointments or use a cash register, you might already have some ‘soft skills’ which are useful. These include:
1. Communication skills. Being able to understand instructions, express ideas and needs, and engage with others. It might be written, verbal or something else. Being able to receive feedback may be part of communication skills too.
2. Problem solving. Read our guide on problem solving!
3. Teamwork. A lot (but not all) jobs require teamwork. This may involve sharing responsibility, being open to giving and receiving support, or being honest and reliable.
4. Open-mindedness. This can include being eager to learn new skills, critical thinking, or being okay with learning from mistakes.
A lot of these things you may have done throughout school, and may be transferable from extracurricular activities like sport. Here are some more examples from Indeed and Seek.
Making a resume and cover letter
A resume when you have less experience may look different. For example, you may focus on skills developed in different ways rather than job titles. Even things like having a successful social media platform can show valuable skills if you phrase it effectively!
Indeed and Seek both have more suggestions.
What do I do when I can’t get a job?
In a competitive job market it can be tough to find a job. You may consider going back to basics and learning some desirable skills, like programming languages, volunteering, or doing online courses. You might also want to speak to a career counsellor at uni, school or TAFE, or connect with headspace.
If you’re eligible, you may want to consider government financial support, like Youth Allowance or JobSeeker. Make sure you do your research and consider whether this is right for you.
If you’re struggling with finding work, you might like to check out these resources:
- How to get a job
- 6 ways to deal when you're rejected for a job
- Skills for the future of work
- How to ace a job interview – in person or online
- headspace Work and Study support
- Check out the community’s tips for job seeking and tackling interviews.
💬Over to you!
Is there something we missed or another piece of advice that’s helped you? Let us know!
Starting a new job? Stay tuned for our next piece!
Comments
im 18 years old and i still dont have my license or a job. i did have a interview at woolies but they didnt email me, text me or call me.
i just want someone to accept, i literally just want a job, im literally getting so frustrated because every single person around me especially my family, cousins, grandparents, etc are saying "hey *** do you have a job yet" its getting so annoying
i cant physically go into the store and ask, i got really bad communication and ive also have social anxiety..i will literally shake maybe even cry.
Hiii @ilvashi
I hear you! Sometimes I feel people have a perception of 'ticking things off' in life. Finishing high school, finding friends, getting a partner, getting a job, travelling...on and on and on and on. If you complete one then what about the next??
It can be super unrealistic and especially frustrating because we all have our own paths, our own priorities and motivations. At the same time, you're definitely not alone and your persistence speaks largely of your character and I admire that a lot!
I'm wondering - is there someone in your life who can vouch for you? Someone who is working retail, hospitality, etc that can put in a good word for you? In my experience, a lot of parents get that foot in the door for their child and if that's accessible to you I encourage you to have that conversation with whoever to see what they can do for you.
Should they get some interest going, maybe go with your person to introduce yourself! That way you're not entirely thrown into the deep end and can start to develop that familiarity and confidence with communication.
Let me know! :)) 💕
i didnt mention this but my mum was the one who got me a interview with woolies..
it didnt work out too well...
Hi @ilvashi
Regardless of the outcome - it was a good start because you had an opportunity to experience an interview!
I would encourage her to continue to get your foot in the door. Personally, it took my first job a while to refer back to me but it was someone else submitting my name into their system that reminded them to reach back out.
There's lots of factors that are at play that don't necessarily have to do with the performance of your interview. The most common one is that some periods are less busy. Therefore, less workers are required, hours are cut, etc.
I would be reassured that your local Woolworths has your name, and some credible source attached to you, so as to incentivse them to reach out again eventually.
Hi @ilvashi, thank you for sharing. Like @Blue_Dolphin, I want to first congratulate you for getting an interview with woolies. Even if you were not able to continue to the next level, even reaching that stage is a big feat and shows that they’ve considered your application. I’m sorry to hear that the people around you have been constantly asking you about having a job and I understand how frustrating it feels. Before I got my first job, people around me kept asking me about it too and telling me that I should find one soon. It’s easy for others to keep telling us off about it but the reality is that finding a job is not easy and usually takes a lot of time and patience.
I’ve been job hunting for a few months now and I’ve applied to so many different places. I’ve received rejection emails, and I’ve also been ghosted by a lot of employers. And honestly, sometimes, it’s hard to keep my motivation up. But during those times, I like to remind myself that I’ll eventually come across the job that is meant for me and when I do, I will definitely get it. I know it can be difficult to think this way but it’s good to remind yourself that you’re doing your best and you’re bound to get the job that is right for you. In the meantime, while you’re still looking for jobs, would volunteering be something you’ll be interested in? Volunteering is a good way to spend your time and also gain experience that could help you get the job you want. There are a lot of volunteering opportunities so I think it may be worth checking them out.
Also, I’m in my early 20s and I’ve just started taking driving lessons. It’s okay to wait until you’re ready to drive so don’t feel pressured to get it yet. It’s better that you’re ready and confident to start driving than forcing yourself to do it.
I wish you all the best in your job hunting. It is definitely a difficult and frustrating process but I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end. Sending you lots of hugs and love 🤗💙
thank u for ur advice! ive actually never thought of volunteering at all..as in im not sure where to even look, do u have any idea where..?
Hi, you can try looking into your local community for some volunteering opportunities! I know you can volunteer in places like your local shelter, libraries, or schools. I think to start, it'd be good to have a think about what kind of volunteer work you might be interested in, and then start researching online if there are opportunities available for it in your area. If you're at school or uni, you can also reach out to them about it 🙂 For me, I normally just search online for volunteering opportunities related to mental health as it is my interest (and my degree) and a lot immediately shows up. There's also SEEK Volunteer, if you want to check it out. I personally haven't used SEEK for finding volunteer work but I have been using it for job hunting. Hope this helps!
Hey @ilvashi
Firstly, welcome to ReachOut. I'm sorry to hear that there has been a lot of pressure from people on you, and I would also be frustrated.
First and foremost, I wanted to say that even getting an interview at Woolies is a big achievement, finding work is a stressful task in general so reaching the point of an interview is still a cause for a pat on the back.
Unfortunately, the working environment is usually a game of numbers, you have to keep applying to various places and re-applying to places that you were once rejected for. Try and take this experience in stride and let it motivate you.
On the note of pressure from the people around you, this is your journey into the workforce and taking it as slow as you want is perfectly acceptable, regardless of what they say, you are not obligated to fall within their expectations. Though that may not stop them from asking you this question over and over again, perhaps letting them know that you are trying your best.
I'm wishing you all the best,
~ Stego
Hi @ilvashi, first I want to say congrats on getting an interview with woolies - I'm sure they must get heaps of applications and so getting to the interview stage means that you showed that you have the skills and experience to work with them. And it is really frustrating to not have heard back from them - you went to the effort to apply and interview with them, and so for them to not even send an email back is annoying.
Perhaps you could send them a follow-up email and you could ask for feedback from your interview? This can be uncomfortable but they may tell you why they didn't proceed with employing you, and you can know what skills or experience you can gain to increase your chance of employment.
Finding a job is very frustrating, especially in the current job market. You are definitely not alone, and it just seems to be a numbers game - keep applying to jobs you're interested in, and eventually something will work out. I wish you the best of luck!
Hey @ilvashi.
I completely know how you are feeling. I am 22 and dont have a job either, I have been applying all the time and hate waiting. I also understand that you might find it a bit difficult to go in store and ask, it can be quite nerve wracking. Might i suggest contacting the person you interviewed with via email! It will show you are keen on the role and might ease some nerves. As Astra mentioned, going and doing an interview is a great first step, and provides you some great experience for later in life. Take it as a learning experience, and a way of overcoming some of that social anxiety. Like, you did that!!!
When it comes to family, trust it is so frustrating. You might want to kindly remind them that you are trying your hardest, the constant checking does not make you feel good, and the job market is not like it was back in the day. The way they go about things now is overly complicated and very different to when i got my first job as a teenager. My family is also constantly checking; and I just keep telling them I am trying my best and the job market is crazy right now. They do only ask because they want you to succeed, but the amount of reminders is annoying.
Overall though, you might want to remind yourself that you are doing your best, and the fact that you got an interview is an achievement in itself. Indulge in some self care; things like going for a morning walk or engaging in a creative activity to calm your mind. If you are into mindfulness, set aside some time for yourself to acknowledge your feelings, and then let them pass. This feeling is only temporary, and the waiting game is super frustrating and can be scary in a way. However, you will get a job (hopefully at woolies) and this experience will only be a memory. It will also inform you on how to conduct interviews in the future.
Also I didn't get my license until 20 years old. There is no correct time frame to start driving. When it happens, it happens!! Dont pressure yourself into doing something because everyone else does, or because its the "right" thing to do. Plus you save money on petrol so its kind of a win 😉
Best of luck ❤️
Hey @ilvashi welcome to the online community and thanks for sharing how you've been going looking for work.
I just wanted to acknowledge, that even though you haven't heard back from them, it is still a big accomplishment that you got to the interview stage with Woolworths. A lot of people apply for jobs and not everyone makes it to the interview stage. It sucks your family have been putting so much pressure on you about this though, and it's understandable that this experience has been so anxiety inducing.
Do you think any of the resources/services in this discussion could be helpful?
I just wanted to let you know I've edited your post in alignment with our Community Guidelines and we'll be sending an email shortly to check in 🙂
