Job Hunting Checklist

Are you looking for a new job but are unsure where to start?

Perhaps you haven’t had to search for a job in a long time, or you are completely new to the workforce? Either way, the following job hunting checklist should help:

1. Start researching options

If you are unsure what kind of job you want, or who is hiring, your first step is to undertake some research. Using the internet, explore potential jobs you are interested in and organisations you would like to work for. Get an understanding of the accountabilities of each role and the likely salaries. In particular, find out if your current skills and abilities match these roles, or if you have a gap in your experience or expertise that could be closed by undertaking a course, or by building some capability in this area.

As part of this step, start following organisations you are keen to work for on social media. Doing this will increase your knowledge of these organisations and latest developments in the sector.

2. Develop / update job seeking tools

For this step, start developing a master CV or resume you can customise to roles you apply for. This document should be up to date and include qualifications and training that is relevant to roles you are interested in. Ensure your contact details are up to date as well. If you work in the professions, it is also valuable having a LinkedIn profile that complements your CV/resume. To find out the benefits of having a LinkedIn profile, click here.

Anybody searching for a job should also consider reviewing their digital footprint, especially any social media profiles. Most recruiters/employers search the social media of candidates to determine if they are an appropriate match for a job. To ensure your social media helps rather than hinders your job search success, check that your social media posts are positive and unlikely to offend other people.

3. Get organised

Once you start the actual job search, it is likely you will need two key things – referees and job interview clothes. As a result, it may be preferable to sort these out prior to your job search, rather than being in a mad scramble to obtain them when they are quickly needed:

a) Referees – Start thinking about people who can be referees for you. The best referees are going to be previous past managers but could also be a senior person at an organisation where you worked, who can comment on the job you performed. Ideally, you should choose someone who can talk about your recent work performance – and ‘recent’ means no more than three years ago.

If you are just commencing your career and don’t have a lot of working experience to draw from when selecting a referee, consider sporting coaches, recent teachers, senior people at organisations you have volunteered with, or people who supervised any work placements/experience you may have completed.

Remember, you will probably need three referees. Once you have identified a list of potential referees, approach them via email or a phone call, and ask if they would consider being a referee for you. Explain that you are starting your job search and intend to provide their details once you apply for a particular job. If you get an interview and it is likely the referee will be contacted, give them the heads up beforehand. If you secure a job, always let your referees know and thank them for their part in the process.

b) Job interview clothes – as part of this step, consider what you might wear to an interview. If you don’t have anything appropriate in your wardrobe, or you think your clothes may be too old, it might be worth investing in some new clothes you can then wear to the new job. For more information on what to wear to an interview, click here.

4. Commence the job search

To begin your job search:

a) Register your details on job platforms, such as SEEK and CareerOne, and any other job platforms that post jobs you are interested in e.g. local councils, I work for NSW (NSW Government jobs), so you receive regular emails on any job opportunities that meet your search criteria

b) Regularly check the job lists kept by recruiters and organisations. Some organisations ask users to check in on job lists they frequently update. Skillset keeps an updated list of job opportunities in the Central West which can be found here.

c) Contact recruiters who specialise in your industry or region. Recruiters have established relationships with employers and know the employment landscape. Once you have made contact, they will likely ask for your CV/resume.

d) Cold call organisations you would like to work for and ask them about job opportunities. To help guide each call, develop a script that asks about jobs but also provides details of your experience. Be prepared to follow up if you are told you will get a call back.

e) Talk to your network (for example; family, friends, sports teams, and parents groups) about your job seeking intentions and find out if they know of any job opportunities that are coming up in your field of interest.