Your Resume

The following information is adapted from "Your Future: Information Kit for School Leavers", produced by Lindsay Tanner, MP for Melbourne:

Job Introduction

Finding a job can be difficult, so it is important to prepare carefully. Once you have decided upon the type of job you want to do, there are a number of places you can look for employment:

Centrelink, which can provide you with information, training and support while job hunting and can match you up with vacancies. Call into your local office or check the website www.centrelink.gov.au.

Your school Careers Centre

Friends and family (they might know someone who has a job available) newspapers 'classifieds/employment section Community noticeboards & notices in shop windows. As a young person you may be involved in a range of different types of employment. A lot of people will have a part-time or casual job while still at school. The difference between these types of employment is that in part-time work you have rights, including regular hours and sick pay, while casual work is done without ongoing-commitments. Casual employees do not get sick pay unless they have been injured at work, and their hours can be irregular, but you should be paid a higher hourly rate for being a casual.

The third type of employment is full time and this involves similar rights to that of a part-time employee and is often permanent. In full-time work, you may also be required to repay HECS debt and pay a Medicare levy when you earn over a specific amount of money per year.

If you are having trouble with finding a job, consider talking to a careers advisor or visiting this website http://connecttoyourfuture.dest.gov.au

Applying for a job

Resume

The first thing you need before applying for a job is a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Your resume should set out any personal information that an employer would want to know.

It should be typed on plain A4 paper and can be used at interviews or sent to employers as part of a written job application. It is important because it will be the first impression an employer has of you. Always double check your spelling and other details. Ask someone to proof read your resume and job application.

It should include some or all of the following information:

Personal details

Full name and address

Education

Final school year completed and certificate attained
Course completed at TAFE, university or other institution

Work experience and volunteer experience

Briefly describe previous jobs and the details of any volunteer experience you may have had.

Interest and hobbies

List your interests and hobbies

Attachments

These documents are optional and should usually be included if the job you are applying for has especially asked for them:

School reports

You should include copies of school reports for at least the last two years.

References

These can be attached written statements or telephone numbers of people who say they would be prepared to speak favourably about you to prospective employer.
Usually having a written reference and asking the referee to be available to talk to anyone wanting to employ you is best.

Work experience

A report or certificate based on school work experience may be available from your school careers adviser.
School Certificate or Higher School Certificate.
If you have completed a tertiary certificate, include a copy of your certificate, diploma or degree and a copy of your academic record.

Certificate of Attainment

List any awards or prizes you have won, e.g. sporting awards, community achievements, or other school prizes.

Example of your work

If you are applying for a practical job, it is worthwhile to include photographs of work you have done. If applying for jobs requiring artistic ability, compile a portfolio of your work (or photographs of it). You may also consider putting these details onto a website, Microsoft PowerPoint presentation (or equivalent) or DVD.

Keep all this information together and make copies of your application for jobs so that you know what you have told the employer about yourself. Old applications can also be used as a guide for any future application you make. It is also useful to keep a record of all employers you have approached for work and the entire interview you have attended.

Application forms

With some jobs that you apply for, you will be asked to fill in an application form. Sometimes this will be done instead of writing an application letter.

Some employers will send an application form to you, while others will ask you to fill one out while you are waiting for an interview. If a form is sent to you, or you are able to take one and return it later, make a copy of the form to practise on before completing the original.

Don't be too worried about filling out one of these forms. If you have prepared a resume, it will contain most of the information you need. Just make sure that you fill in the parts from the right section.

When filing out an application form, there are some important things to remember:

Read the whole form carefully before you fill anything in and take your time

Always use a black or blue pen and print in block letters and neatly as you can; and ensure Every question, don't leave blanks. If the question does not apply to you write not applicable or 'N/A.

When you have finished the form, read it through carefully and check the answers you gave. If you made a mistake, either neatly correct it or, if possible, fill out a new form.

The Interview:

It may be hard, but try to relax during the interview as much as possible. You should also show some enthusiasm for the company and the type of work you will be expected to do. A person that really wants the job will impress the interviewer.

It will help you to do a bit of homework about the company if you can. Having knowledge of what the company does, how many employees it has etc. will also make a favourable impression on the employer.

The employer might ask questions similar to the following:

Why do you think you are suitable for this potion?
Why would you like this job?
What qualification do you have for this job?
Why have you applied for this job?
What are your strengths/weaknesses/faults?
Do you work well with others?
Does future study appeal to you?
Do you have any career plans?
Why do you think we should employ you?
What have you got to offer us?
What do you know about this organisation?
Are you a member of any clubs or organisation?

You should think beforehand about your answers to these questions. Recognise your strengths and weaknesses and reassure the interviewer of your willingness to overcome anything negative, to learn new things.

You might suggest to the interviewer that if they have any additional questions, they can contact you at a later date. Let them know that you will be available for a second interview if required or even that you would be interested in slightly different job. If it were available.

It often helps to practise your answers before your interview. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to role play an interview with you.

Dealing with the not so-so-good news

If you are not successful with your job application, don't despair. Jobs aren't always easy to find, and timing is crucial. It might be that an employer just doesn't have a vacancy at the time you approach them. But who knows. In anther month maybe they will.

You can also ring up and ask for feedback on your resume and interview to better prepare you for the next job you apply for.

Some people have some parts of their work or school history that might not impress an employer. First of all, you have to decide if the employer needs to know. If they do, be honest and present the information as positively as you can. Telling an employer is usually better than having them find out accidentally.

Below are two "bad news" situations and how you could handle them:

Left school early: "I didn't do very well during my last year at school. After discussing the situation with my teachers and parents/guardians, I decided that I would be better of leaving school and looking for a job working with my hands because I am good at practical work."

Dismissed from your last job: "I had some family problems for a while and this affected my work and as a result I was put off. It is all sorted out now and I want to get back to work as soon as I can."

It's a good idea to be honest and positive at all times.

Rights at work:

What are my obligations to my employer?
Work the best of your ability
What can you expect from your employ
Follow all reasonable and lawful instructions from your employer
Be punctual and complete tasks on time
Obey all safety rules
Ask for help or guidance if you need it
Respect other staff and be responsible
Treat the property at work as you would treat your owner?

Your employer has certain responsibilities to you and your co-workers. These laws are called industrial relations (IR) laws, or workplace laws. Some IR laws have been around for a long time, and some are recently changed or are new. The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations has information on its website about these laws.

When you begin work, you agree to provide your labour for a wage. Your working conditions can be set out in an award, enterprise agreement, individual agreement, or a contract. All of these agreements are legally binding on your employer, and on you.

State and federal industrial relations commissions are independent umpires between individual workers, employers, unions and the government. The commissions settle disputes and hear cases and deliver resolutions regarding wage claims (for awards) through their courts. Your award or agreement will include:

Your job classification
the hours you work
rates for overtime and shiftwork
your leave entitlements and public holidays
superannuation and
what to do if a dispute occurs

Your employer is legally obliged to follow the rights you have in your award/agreement, as well as other legislation. Sometimes this does not happen. It is important that you are treated properly and fairly by your employer.

Issues which may affect you include:

not being paid the minimum wage
not getting adequate notice before the cancellation of a shift
irregular hours for part-time work
not being paid for staff meetings outside work hours
not getting compensation after being injured at work

When you join your relevant union, a representative or a delegate in the union will be able to talk to you about the award or agreement which applies to you. Copies should be available for you to see, in your workplace.

Your employer will take money out of your pay for taxation and depending on the amount you earn, they may also take out money for Medicare , superannuation and HECS (if you have a HECS debt). Check to see if your employer is willing to deduct money for health fund contribution, insurance payments and union fees . Along with the union, your relevant State or Territory Wageline can provide you with more information on this.

What is a Union?

Unions are organisations that represent workers to protect their rights , conditions and wages. Many workers become members of unions. If more people from a workplace join a union, the union is more powerful, and the individual workers have better protection.

Unions play an integral role in Australia workplaces. The wages and conditions that you receive in your job have most likely been lobbied for by a union in an industrial relations commission, or directly with your employer.

In many jobs, if a union had not campaigned for better conditions at your workplace, or in your agreement, your wage would be lower and your conditions would be poorer.

Most workplaces have delegates (elected representatives of the union) who can help you or give you information about joining your specific union.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is the highest national union organisation. You can join a union online through the ACTU's website at www.actu.asn.au or by phoning 1300 486 466.