How to find a job in the City of Churches when you don’t have a posh surname, didn’t go to a private school and your Dad isn’t an investment banker.
Here are a few tips for your resume. If you want your resume written in partnership with me, you know what to do. But there are things you can do yourself.
Ask yourself, ‘what is your unique selling point?’ Why should a business hire you? A nice smile isn’t going to cut it .
Write your unique selling points down. You get on well with people? Good at maths? Enjoy solving problems?
Include education and volunteer work. Highlight your sporting and academic achievements (if you’ve got any). Why not get a 70 word testimonial from a former teacher or employer?
This is the bit that will give you the prunes but perseverance is key. Weirdly, the more jobs you apply for, the better your applications will be.
Adelaide is a hard nut to crack, in large part due to the economy, nepotism and recruiters. Where possible go around recruiters and apply direct to the employer.
Seek has about 70 per cent of all jobs listed. Use personal networks and harass people (in a nice way).
Many jobs aren’t even advertised. You hear about them on the ‘grapevine’, which means through mates.
Don’t forget about apprenticeships and traineeships. Government Training Organisations place apprentices and trainees with a range of small and large businesses who provide on-the-job training.
You’ll get fobbed off heaps of times but every now and then someone will say, “yeah, I’ve got ten minutes, come in and hit me with your best shot.”
They might not have a vacancy straight up but if they say ‘they’ll keep you in mind’, ring them in two weeks’ time. Then ring them again.
Did I mention perseverance?