Get that job!

There are many different places you can look for work, including:

• private and government run employment agencies;
• online jobs boards;
• newspapers; and
• social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Knowing how employers recruit, and where to look for jobs, can give you a great head start as a jobseeker. 

Take a look at our Job searching online fact sheet for some useful information

Employers use a wide range of recruitment methods to fill vacancies, so it is important that you adopt a variety of job search strategies to avoid missing any opportunities.  

Employers also advertise using employment websites/their own company websites or in newspapers and increasingly jobs are being advertised on social media or mobile applications as a way of connecting with jobseekers. We recommend you follow the companies you're interested in, to make sure you're the first to know about any employment opportunities that come up.

You can also follow groups like "Perth Jobs" on Facebook, or specialist groups such as "aged care jobs Perth".

There are many websites available to you in your job search. You can even find jobs in other locations; regional, interstate or overseas.  The process of applying can also be a lot easier. Some websites allow you to upload your resumé, copy and paste details from your resume, or you can use a resume builder that is embedded into the application system. Here's some of our recommended websites for online job searching.

• Jobs and Skills WA jobs board — Run by the Jobs and Skills Centres, this is a free online jobs board where you can search for current vacancies from local employers.
• Aboriginal services jobs board — The Jobs and Skills WA Aboriginal Services jobs board is a free online job search that has vacancies for Aboriginal jobseekers.
• Job Active — Search through jobs added daily.
• JobsWA — Employment opportunities with the WA government. 
• Jobs hub — Find employers who are hiring and jobs in demand now 
• Job Active — Connects job seekers with employers
• Australian jobs search— Australia’s free online jobs website

If there's somewhere you would love to work, or a type of work that you're particularly interested in — instead of waiting for a job to be advertised, get in there and find it first!

It does take some confidence to front up to a business and say you're looking for work, but once you've done it a couple of times it's not so scary. Treat it like a job interview — look your best, and be prepared with a copy of your CV or resumé to leave with them.

Do your homework first — find out who you should ask for, and know what kind of work the business does so that you can talk their language. Focus on the skills, knowledge and experience that you have to offer... and if you don't have a lot of any of those things, focus on your willingness to learn and positive attitude towards working. 

• Finding a job factsheet
• Personal and transferable skills checklist
• Other ways to find work factsheet

Identifying, listing and describing your skills and abilities requires a little time and patience. However, you should plan to invest the time needed because you'll be organised and prepared when it comes time to talk to a potential employer about what you can offer.

Think about all the skills and abilities that you have acquired through your lifetime, from a range of sources including your hobbies, sporting activities, school and other training, work, and interests.

Just starting out?

• Myfuture — Skills activity can help you to identify skills you may like using at work
• Myfuture – Career profile lets you explore career pathways and help you make career decisions
• Job Jumpstart  looks at new ways to explore careers and prepare for work 

Experienced worker?

• Explore your skills and possible career pathways with the Job Outlook — Skills Match activity quiz 
• Explore your work style and possible options with the Job Outlook — Career Quiz 

Employability skills, (sometimes called transferable or soft skills) cover a broad range of personal attributes and transferable skills that are very important to employers. They include communication, digital literacy, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving and presentation skills. 

Employers may also place emphasis on attributes such as reliability, motivation, hard work, good personal presentation, and good communication and organisational skills.

Use these resources to help you plan, identify, and achieve your job search goals:

• Recognising your skills and abilities
• Employability skills factsheet
• Personal and transferable skills checklist
• The Skills Match section of the Job Outlook website can show you which jobs or careers use your skills
• MyFuture website
• Job Jumpstart has some great resources and information
• jobactive website

There are several different ways you might apply for a job. These include:

• via online applications/forms;
• by email;
• in person;
• by phone; 
• by mail/letter; or
• via a website or social media.

Read the advertisement carefully and be sure to follow the instructions for application.

Always check what the closing date and time is, so you have plenty of time to complete your application and submit it. Never leave things until the last minute! Your internet might go down, your printer might not work, or you may lose track of time. Most employers won't accept late applications, no matter how good your excuse is.

The job advertisement usually states what to include with your application, such as a CV. One item you'll often see an application ask for is a cover letter. Your cover letter introduces you to the person reading your job application and provides a summary of the information in your  written application.

A good cover letter should:

• be no longer than one page;
• be directed to a particular person, addressing them as Mr, Mrs or Ms;
• introduce yourself and provide your contact details;
• state the job you are applying for;
• clearly state the skills and experience you have that match those required by the job;
• encourage the employer to read your application; and
• end with a statement inviting the employer to respond – such as that you look forward to meeting them or attending an interview.

Take a look at the How to write a winning cover letter fact sheet in the Information and resources section of our website

Selection criteria and work-related requirements describe the knowledge, skills and abilities a person needs for that job. ‘Selection criteria’ is the term most often used in adverts for government jobs, larger organisations or professional roles, whereas  ‘work-related requirements’ is the term you’ll most likely see in non-government job adverts.

Some common examples of selection criteria include ​demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively, a proven ability to work as part of a team; and well developed customer service skills.

Responding to selection criteria

When a job application asks you to ‘respond to the selection criteria’ or ‘address the work related requirements’,  it means that the employer wants you to describe how you meet the requirements of the job.

The best way to do this is with examples that show you’ve done what you say you can do – for example, how you worked as part of a team to solve a problem,  how you used your communication skills to provide excellent customer service, or how you used your customer service skills to resolve a conflict.

In many job descriptions, the selection criteria are divided into 'essential' (must have) and 'desirable' (good to have).  You must be able to demonstrate that you meet the essential requirements, and always try to respond to the desirable criteria where you can.

Take a look at our Key selection criteria help sheet

The STAR model

The STAR model is based around a four-step approach to describing your skills, knowledge and abilities in a way that demonstrates what you can do — based on actual experience.

t's a great approach to follow when writing your application, and it's easy to do –  just come up with one short paragraph for each of the following.
 

• Situation — Outline a specific circumstance where you developed the particular experience or used the required skills or qualities. Set the context of the situation, tell the story.
• Task — What was happening? What was your role? What did you have to do?
• Action — What action(s) did you take? What did you do and how did you do it?
• Result — What were the results of what you did? What did you achieve?

It may take a bit of practice to get it right, but if you can learn to use the STAR model you will find it's a great way to demonstrate your actual skills and knowledge and it really can be quite easy to do. 

Take a look the Top tips on this page to see the STAR model in action.

Often an employer will ask you to nominate a referee, or ask for a reference, as part of the application process.

Referees are people who can describe your skills and experience to a potential employer. It's good to list two referees – ideally one should be your current or most recent employer or manager, someone who can talk about your work related skills. The other can be anyone who would be able to give a positive account of you, such as a teacher, colleague or coach, but try to avoid using family members or mates.

Sometimes a referee might provide this information in a written document – this is called a reference.

Before you send in your job application, take the time to proofread it carefully to make sure it doesn't contain any spelling mistakes or other errors.

If you can, ask a friend to also proofread it — sometimes you won't see the errors in your own work because you have looked at it so many times, so getting someone new to read it over is a good idea. 

• Job application quick tips
• Positive skill words to use in a job application
• Guide to writing a great resume

Your resume and letter

• Examples of effective resumes
• A winning cover letter

Browse our full list of useful job application resources

Sometimes you will receive a phone call to ask you to attend an interview — if that happens, be sure to speak clearly and confidently and remember to thank them for calling. Listen carefully and note down any important information.

It's always a good idea to ask if you need to take anything with you, such as examples of your work.

If you didn’t do any research about the company when you were writing your application, do it before the interview.

You need to go into an interview knowing as much as possible about the company and the job/role, because not only does that show the employer you're interested but also helps you show them you’re the most suitable candidate for the job.

Check their website, and if possible stop by and checkout the business premises before your interview. 

• Check where you need to go and when, who to ask for when you get there, and what the dress code is.
• If you're driving, check your directions and where to park.
• If you're using public transport, check the timetable and leave yourself plenty of time to get there!

Review the advert, the job description, the selection criteria and your application so that you’ll be able to confidently talk about your strengths in relation to the role.

Think about any extra skills or experience you might have that could put you above other candidates, and be prepared to talk about these.

Be yourself. 

Be polite and respectful but don’t be shy. Remember the interviewer needs to get to know you to be able to decide if you are suitable.

Be confident – you wouldn't have been asked to come in for an interview if they didn't already think you sounded like a good candidate for the job, so feel good about yourself.

If there's things you want to know about the job, or the company, it's good to ask but wait until the end of the interview for questions.

• Job interview tips fact sheet
• Job JumpStart website: How to succeed at interviews
• What to wear to a job interview