**++++Tips to score a job in your field of expertise for New commers++++**
**+Keeping it Real – Self-Assessment & Skill Match**
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One thing you should be aware of is that an Australian recruiter will always perform a proper skill match on your skills and experiences against the job requirements. If you pass the skill match test you are likely to be shortlisted for an interview. In a large company short listing is done by a HR person and then get passed on to the hiring manager for interviews.
Therefore, it’s best to do a self-assessment to match your skills against the job requirements. Vocabulary used by the Aus employers to grade a resource’s technical skills include beginner/familiar, intermediate/occasional user, competent/proficient user, advanced/expert user, coach/trainer. It’s best to list your skills and grade yourself and have a skills matrix developed for yourself. You can always look for opportunities to upskill yourself in certain skilled areas if needed. Also, you can use above words on your resume to communicate your skill level to the recruiter.
i.e… Advanced user in MYOB, Familiarity with SAP (rather than just mentioning MYOB, SAP under skills)
And don’t shy away from applying for a position one step down from your ideal position until you develop the skills you need. More often than not exposure and having the foot in the door will lead you into your desired position.
**+Master the skill of ‘Targeted search’!**
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This is by far the best advise I can offer. ‘Searching’ is a skill by itself. If you want to beat the crowd, avoid job ques you need to improve your search skills to get better at targeted searches. For example, everyone goes to Seek.com.au to look for a job. With its popularity and volume of applicant’s chances of scoring a job via seek is low. That’s not to say to avoid seek. By all means do apply there. But use Google and other information sources with targeted key words to look for other opportunities. For example, if you got Electrical experience in Energy, Design your search in a way Electrical jobs renewable energy, Electrical positions power generation or transmission or maintenance.
**+First Impressions matters! Have a Good Resume**
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Employers look for 3 things – Skills, Experience and relevant industry certificates or accreditations, usually in that order. It’s best to have those 3 highlighted within the first 2 pages of your resume if not on the first page.
**+Speaking their language**
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In an interview scenario you are assessed based on your verbal communication. More to the point you are assessed based on facts you convey, the manner in which you convey them and your body language. Having a Clear, Concise, Courteous communication style will go a long way in walking out with a successful outcome. It’s about answering a question with relevant facts, Being truthful. And also maintaining verbal courtesy i.e.. Not speaking on top of other person, maintaining eye contact, Not swaying away from the topic of conversation. Also showing common courtesy i.e.. Using words ‘Can I please’, I’m sorry Can you please’ ‘Thank you’ where applicable. Also if you are in a scenario to provide feedback on something you should always start by highlighting positives first and frame negatives as areas of improvement after mentioning the positives. Refrain using words like ‘hate’, ‘I don’t like’, ‘That’s wrong’, And always maintain political correctness on the points conveyed.
**+Up skill yourself – Professional Accreditations**
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If you are looking at up-skilling yourself, Go for an industry accepted qualification. Not a generic qualification. For example, if you are a cyber security specialist in IT Go for an Internationally/Australian accepted qualification.
Remember you can always upskill yourself through exposure, i.e. Work experience, Taking up a position one step down from your ideal position, voluntary work
**Other particulars worth mentioning.**
I could be a little biased here. But I believe there is a miss conception or a slightly wrong understanding that when you talk about extracurricular activities you should highlight your sports or artistic interests. I believe this is slightly overrated unless you have significant achievements which add value to your candidacy. Beyond Sports and Arts, I would encourage you to highlight any of the following which may or may not be relevant to the position you are applying.
Drivers Licenses
Foreign languages
Social service
Social campaigns i.e… Climate change, Equality, Green Energy, etc.
Awards or Recognitions
Publications
Inventions/Creations
Entrepreneurships
**+Show your personality but keep your emotions in check!**
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This is an aspect not discussed often under Interview tips. However, it’s worthwhile having some awareness behind your own emotional preparation. Showing over-excitement, displeasure or anxiety can work against you. But you should not shy away from showing interest on points of discussions that’s of interest to you during the interview. Key message here is maintaining a professional outlook on your verbal communication and your body language. Stay engaged and put out a confident and candid outlook on your responses. This is where practising some of the common interview questions will help.
**+Don’t give up!**
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If you are serious about your job hunt, you should short list 10 opportunities a day and send your cover letter and resume out. Even for companies not currently hiring you can still draft a cover letter as an ‘Expression of Interest’. Best bet is covering all recruitment agents relevant to your domain. Then applying for vacant positions on job adverts like Seek. However as mentioned above if you improve your targeted searches you might come across opportunities which are not well known and less popular.
All the best!! and May the force be with you 🙂
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