[CHAT] Work it
Whether:
- you are going for your first ever after school job at 14 & 9 months, or
- you've left school and looking for an apprenticeship/traineeship or
- you are trying to work to support your study at uni or tafe or
- you've finished your study and you want your first full time job or
- you haven't worked for a long time but it's time to get a job...
- you are working hard for the money...
Looking for a job and/or working can be a pretty nerve wrecking experience, especially trying to keep everything running smoothly!
You might be wondering how you can find the right kind of job that suits you; how to make it through the dreaded interview; how to make sure you are not taken advantage of; how to manage your pay & make it last the fortnight; and before any of that - resumes these days have become an art form!
Or what about this age old conundrum:
Here's a story from a forum member, Chonty
"The first job I ever had was working in a fast food joint after school and on weekends. I remember wanting to quit in the first week because it was all too new and I didn’t like the manager. I also remember how exciting it was to get my first pay, and I’m pretty sure I spent it immediately on new clothes and forgot all about wanting to leave. That’s pretty much how I spent every pay for two years straight, without a thought about saving for future things.
It wasn’t until schoolies came around that I realised I didn’t have enough saved to do all the things that had been planned! Luckily in the end my family were all able to chip in in and it all worked out, but they let me sweat it for a while. Being in a position where I realised I hadn’t managed my money as well as I should have wasn’t the best.""
bloody hell that's an awesome effort @Mermaidgirl6
That's so great to hear that you ended up happy with the job! I know that the last time I tried applying for jobs, I heard back from barely any and only gained 1 interview. That turned out being the job I got so it worked out, but it's def tough out there! Just gotta keep applying
@Hyashana Great to have you on board! It really can be disheartening receiving so many rejections, but just remember that each rejection can be a valuable lesson, give the company a call or email and ask them what you can improve on! Standing out amongst the crowd is an art form and takes quite a bit of work (and sometimes a lot of luck!), so don't give up!
that's a really good way to look at it @Bee
I feel the same way actually. I know I applied for tonnes of jobs last year and some of them I really thought would be good at the time, but looking back i'm glad that I didn't get any of them because the job I ended up getting was perfect for me. Sometimes things can work out that way. Just gotta be really persistent and try not to let it get to you with getting knocked back, it happens to allll of us.
@Troy Exactly MY gripe with LinkedIn! I don't think anyone really uses it unless you are super specialized with post grad quals.
But then, it satisfies that niche, so if you're in that tier you really do need to have a good LinkedIn profile to complete your professional image.
welcome @Hyashana
I think there's some great tips posted within this thread to make a good resume, earlier in the chat.You might also want to try googling "resume writing tips". There's sooo much info out there that can really help!
Newspaper!
Websites like seek
Their online apply section
Occasionally I will see a business make a post on Facebook - I haven't tried this idea but my friends have. It gives them an idea oh Yep they are hiring, less chance of rejection up front if I go in.
My little brother who just turned 15 is doing a alternative program at school. Sort of like VCAL but for year 9's, did anyone here do VCAL? (Or know what it is). So basically instead of sitting in the classroom reading textbooks him and his class go and learn real life stuff like writing resumes and in a couple of years, learning about what's involved in moving out of home. So he is learning all this real life stuff like getting a job, miles before most of his peers in his year level are learning it. So he can walk into a job and say I've done a subject at school about the workforce, also got placement experience at 15. How cool is that? Such a great entry into working world if you can learn the basics In year 9!!
@j95 Seriously, why didn't my school do thatt stuff!? I have no idea what VCAL is but the stuff you've described sounds bloody great. Placement experience too!! When I left school I didn't know crap about after school life, and def nothing about the workforce.
It's been a while since I've looked for a job, I'm on disability pension. But when I was looking years ago I had the support of a job agency. They helped me get into a course and let me know if there was jobs around
@redhead That's something I def forgot about, agencies can def be helpful! I got one of my earlier jobs through an agency and they offered me opportunities later on. Fortunately I already had gained employment but it was good to know that the option was there.
@delicatedreamer the good old walking in and dropping of resumes is always a great option, especially for getting casual stuff. I got my first job that way and I don't even know if they advertised online. It also gives you a chance to show initiative and confidence.
*Name: sandy (no last name included)
DOB: 15th of June (no year included)
Experience: high school 2005
It was a bit sad to see that this person and others had no idea how to prepare a resume, but so badly wanted a job.
@j95 I know what you mean. We don't all get taught how to do things like write resumes so sometimes it's kinda on us to find everything we need. Def isn't easy!
@copse that is so bloody true. I can't imagine where i'd be if I could google tips for writing a resume. Actually, i can't imagine where i'd be if I couldn't google things full stop.
@copse It's scary how much we rely on google maps! I have been using a brick phone for a while now and had to readapt to the notion that I could just get lost again...
2. What are some of your tips for making the best resume when applying for jobs?
Keep it simple and tailor it to the job (if you can)
There's no point in putting that you did dog walking when you were 12 when you're applying for a full time office job at 20
@j95 I agree. It's good to bulk up your resume with activities but I reckon it should def be stuff that is actually relevant to the role you're applying for
Tailor the resume to the job and list the skills you have for the particular areas of that job.
Saying that I've not had a proper job and been unemployed since I left school.
2. What are some of your tips for making the best resume when applying for jobs?
Woah! The posts just keep on coming! No time to blink! 
Best resume tips have already been mentioned! So I could NOT resist adding some 'tongue-in-cheek' SUPER RESUME TIPS I picked up from some funny movies over the years. Enjoy haha!
1. Use pink paper to print it on
2. Use various fonts to mix it up a little
3. Try to cram it all on one side of an A4 page
4. Go into great detail of every job
5. Definitely 'flesh' things up a little if it makes you sound more qualified
Totally kidding, okay?!?!? 
