Job hunting tips

Develop a routine

Work out a job search routine and stick to it. It will help you stay motivated and focused. If you are unemployed you may find it helpful to structure your day by:

• developing a schedule and sticking to it
• setting your alarm clock to get up
• dressing like you would for work.

Make a plan and set goals

Plan what you want to achieve. For example, if you set 9am to 12 noon Monday for responding to weekend newspaper advertisements, your goal could be to write five letters of application. Tuesday morning's goal could be registering with four labour hire companies, and so on.

Be realistic, but challenge yourself. When you set a schedule make sure it is one that can be achieved. This will help you feel a sense of control and accomplishment.

• Set aside certain days, or certain hours of the day, for your job searching. Keep in mind the core business hours of the desired industry.
• Be consistent in the amount of time you spend each week looking for a job. Regular effort is more likely to bring rewards.
• Write 'to do' lists to keep you on target - a weekly one at the start of the week and a daily one every morning.
• Prioritise, but ensure balance. On a typical day you should work on all parts of your job search (for example, generating new leads, following up leads, writing application letters and preparing for interviews).
• You might find that you are more effective at some tasks at certain times of the day. For example, write application letters when your mind is fresh and energy levels high.

Stay focused

One of the main reasons people don't achieve their career objective is that they give up too early. Job searching is hard work and there are times when you will get discouraged.

If your search is not producing the results that you would like, try a different way of doing things.

Your priority is to find that new job. Be willing to explore and pursue every job lead, but focus your time and efforts on quality leads. The quality of leads and the quality of the effort matters more than the quantity.

Remember to also be patient. Your best efforts will not always produce immediate results. Don't take it personally when employers take their time in responding to your call or application - many are very busy.

Be adaptable

Employers like people who can show a bit of initiative and adaptability. Sometimes this means you might have to compromise on something. For example, the employer might only be able to take you on part time, when you were hoping for full-time work.

Take time to consider all opportunities, even if they aren't exactly what you hoped. Taking one part-time job will leave you time to pick up another part-time opportunity, and may be another opportunity to learn more skills. You never know what will open doors for you later on.

Make sure you do your research on employers

You will stand out if an employer sees you've put some effort into finding out what they do, and you've tailored your CV and cover letter to reflect this.

As a start, visit the employer's website to find out more about them. You could also visit the actual business or talk to people who work in the job to get an idea of what sort of employees they're looking for.

Stay positive and look after yourself

You can expect to sometimes have negative emotions during a long job search and it may seem difficult to remain positive.

Keep your spirits up by:

• making sure you are still doing the things that relax you and make you happy such as exercise, spending time with friends and enjoying hobbies and interests.
• taking time to dream. To offset some of the negative thoughts and feelings that may creep in when you've been job searching for a while, spend some time thinking about the future you would like to create for yourself.
• setting up a positive support system. Talk to your family and friends and let them know what they can do to help. For example, you may need feedback on a cover letter, an opinion on interview clothes, childcare or just someone to talk to
• staying fit and healthy. If you have a good sense of well-being both physically and emotionally, you'll be able to handle the highs and lows of job hunting a lot better.
  

Tips for graduates

Moving from tertiary study into work can be tough, as though you have the skills, employers may still prefer someone with experience.

When starting out in a career, you may need to be more flexible in what you're willing to take on. 

• Look at people you know who have the same or similar degrees. What work are they doing?
  
• Talk to people doing the job you're interested in. They can tell you more about the job, and ways to get into it.
• Visit the career department at your tertiary provider. They may be able to give you tips or advice.
• Be realistic about what kind of job you will get. For example, you may not be a research scientist immediately, so look at  entry-level positions in your desired field. Pay may not initially be great, but often rises considerably after a year or two.

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