Employment

E-Book
A comprehensive job seeking guide for migrants
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This Employment E-Book is a product of the 2018-2019 AMEP Innovative
Project, a government-funded initiative with a commitment to help and support
migrants in Australia to settle down and gain employment in their new home.

We appreciate Mandy Nour, our TAFE AMEP Contract Lead, for her trust and
confidence in us to run the project and also for her immediate support when
needed. We are grateful for a number of colleagues at TAFE NSW Sydney East
Metro for their encouragement and support to start the work, persevere with it,
and finally complete it.

A big Thank You to

Mary Pyle, AMEP/SEE Regional Coordinator Sydney East Metro, for her ongoing
and dedicated support.

Jane Lock, Head Teacher ESOL Randwick and Campsie, for negotiating with
TAFE Randwick Film and TV Section and her ongoing support to the project.

Alison Bernasconi, Head Teacher ESOL St. George, for her support in finding
relief teaching staff and ongoing support when needed.

A big Thank You to

Helen Baker, ESOL teacher Randwick, for her calm and professional acting in
the retail job interviews.

Maryna Mishkarudnaya, ESOL teacher St. George, for resource development in

interview scriptwriting and practice activities.

2|Page
Suneeti Virgona, ESOL teacher Campsie, for resource development in childcare
interview writing, voice-over in Chapter overview videos, and for trialing the e-
book with her class and providing feedback.

Vivien Clark, ESOL teacher Petersham, for resource development in resume

writing

Christine Konstadatos, ESOL Teacher Campsie, for trialing the e-book with her
class and providing feedback.

A big Thank You to

Dress for Success Sydney for consultation and advice on interview and
workplace attire.

TAFE Randwick Film and TV Section for interview videos production and editing.

Elena, Nanique and Jeremy for their participation in the interview filming.

A big Thank you to

TAFE NSW Campsie CSWE 3 students and SLPET Business Administration

students for trialing the E-Book and giving detailed and thorough feedback.

Special Acknowledgement to

You're the boss: [kit] interview skills for job seekers (Produced by the Open
Training and Education Network for Southern Sydney Institute, c1993) for
interview ideas and resource development.

Qing CUI
Project Coordinator
21 June 2019
3|Page
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
This Employment E-book is designed for anyone who has a desire to work in
Australia. Where you start the book and how you would like to use it completely
depend on where you are on your job-seeking and how much you know about
the Australian workplace.

Watch How To Use video before you start.

The overview of the book gives

you some ideas of what each
chapter covers.

You can start from Chapter 1

and read through to Chapter 6
if you are new to Australia and
would like to fully understand the
Australian job market.

You can start from any chapter,

and you can skip any sections in
the chapter that you feel you
have enough knowledge of.

You can come back and re-

revisit any chapter if you need
to refresh your knowledge.

4|Page
Symbols
Please pay attention to the following symbols in the book. It would benefit the
most if you watch the videos and do the interactive activities while you’re
reading.

Interactive activities

Videos

Click the icons

Keywords if you search in Google

Examples

Self-thinking by watching a video

Website link

Reference in the book

Important words and information

5|Page
Chapter

1
Welcome to Australia

6|Page
Introduction
Challenges you will face when you begin your new life in Australia are different
to those in your home country. The more you are prepared, the higher the
chances you will be successful.

This chapter will focus on 2 crucial areas to get you ready to start a new job in
Australia.

1. Improve your English

2. Settle down in Australia

Improve Your English

Your ability to find a job is affected by how well you can speak, read and write
English. The better your English language skills, the more opportunities you will
have. Practicing your English from the moment you arrive is very important.

Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

AMEP provides up to 510 hours free English language study to eligible

migrants and refugees. You can study in the classroom, via Distance Learning,
Volunteer Tutoring Program (VTP), or any combination of the three.

When you nearly finish your AMEP study, you may be eligible to study in Pathway
To Employment (PEP) program, which provides you an additional 200 hours of
English and Vocational course to assist with the transition to work or further
study in Australia.

Go to your nearest AMEP class locations, and find out if you are eligible.
7|Page
 TAFE Foundation courses

TAFE stands for Technical And Further Education. It offers a range of English for
Further Study (EFS) courses and Foundation English course to help you improve
language and learning skills. Every region in Australia has its own TAFE institutes.

Click each state to find out the English courses available near you.

ACT NSW QLD SA

TAS VIC WA NT

If you are not able to attend class, ask about online study options.

Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)

The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program provides

language, literacy and numeracy training to eligible job seekers, to help them
to participate more effectively in training or the labour force.

You can contact your local Centrelink office and see if you can join the
program.
8|Page
 English classes in your community

Contact with your local council about English Classes available in your
community. Or you can always search for Council English Conversation Class

online. Council English Conversation Class

Reading Writing Hotline

Reading Writing Hotline is Australia’s national telephone referral service for adult
literacy and numeracy. The hotline does not run any class, but they provide you
contact details of the classes run by TAFE, community centres or similar
organisations. You then make contact yourself. If you cannot go to a class, the
Hotline teacher can discuss other options with you, perhaps a distance course
or other ways to get you started.

Watch a video about Reading and Writing Hotline

Reading Writing Hotline

9|Page
Settle Down in Australia
Beginning a New Life in Australia booklet

The Australian Government has published a comprehensive booklet called

Beginning a new life in Australia to
help and support new arrivals to settle
down and start their new life in Australia.
It provides helpful settlement information
and links to other websites and resources
for newly arrived migrants, humanitarian
entrants, and their sponsors and service
providers.

The booklet is available in a variety of

languages, and you can download the
booklet in your language into your
computer here.

Settlement service providers

Each state and territory have a Settlement Service Provider. They offer a wide
range of services and support to new arrivals to help them settle down and start
a new life in Australia. You can always find help and support from them. Try the
activity below and find a provider near where you live.

Settlement Service Provider near you

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 Multicultural community organisations

There are many community organisations and services in your community. They
can be referred to as Migrant Resource Centres (MRC), Multicultural Services,
Community Services, Diversity Services, Settlement Services, etc. They provide
support and assistance to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and they also
have access to and/or information about programs or support

Have a go in Google, and the keyword for your search is Multicultural. If

you want to be more specific, add the suburb or state/territory you live in to your
search.

Try Multicultural NSW, Multicultural VIC, Multicultural TAS, etc.

Your local library

Your local libraries always have great resources. Community service providers
also offer their support and help in your local library. If you find it difficult to find
their office, you can always go to your local library for more information.

Your Local Library

Community hubs

Community hubs are welcoming places for migrant and refugee families,
particularly mothers with young children. They also bridge the gap between
migrants and the wider community, connect women with schools, with each other,

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and with organisations that can provide health, education, and settlement
support.

Watch the video about Community Hubs

Community hubs are available in four states in Australia, Victoria, New South
Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

Click the states below to find out if there’s a community hub near you.

NSW QLD VIC SA

Multicultural media
Multicultural Media plays a vital role in keeping non-English speakers, especially
migrants and refugees who have a limited level of English up to date with what’s
happening in the community. It includes online media, radio and TV programs,
and print media such as newspapers, magazines, and journal publications.

SBS is a popular multicultural media outlet in Australia. They offer programs and
websites in 33 languages.

If you would like something local, you can search for Multicultural Media or

Ethnic Media available in your area.

For example, Multicultural NSW lists all the media in different

languages in Multicultural Media

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Chapter

2
Get Job-Ready

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Introduction
From this chapter onwards, we will be focusing on job search in Australia.

Job seeking in Australia usually involves five stages:

1. Explore the Australian workplace, decide what job you would like to do,
and get ready for it.
2. Start your job search
3. Find a job advertisement for a job that would suit you
4. Tailor your resume and cover letter for the job and apply
5. Prepare and go for an interview if your resume and cover letter are well
written and match what future employer is looking for.

We will look at stage 1 in this chapter and the other 4 stages in Chapter 3, 4,
and 5.

Job-ready Essentials in Australia

Before going into essentials for job seeking, keep in mind that improving your
language skills is a must-do at the top of your list. Be persistent!

Three essentials you need to find a job

Employers expect you to possess certain qualities that attract them to hire you
for the job. The more you have, the higher chances you will get the job. What
are these three essentials then? Find out from the activity below

Three essentials you need to find a job

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 Qualifications

In Australia, certain occupations (can be professional or trades) require you to

be registered, licensed or to be a member of a professional or industry body
before you can work. To meet these requirements, you need to have a
qualification.

Qualifications (Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees) are achieved after

successfully completing a program of learning at an education institution, such
as TAFE, a University or a training college.

If you achieved your qualifications outside Australia, they’re called Overseas

Qualifications. If you would like to bring and use them in Australia, you may need
to have them assessed and recognised. Read Chapter 7 if you need more and
detailed information on overseas qualification recognition.

Have you heard of the Free Translating Service?

Free Translating Service allows holders of certain types of

visas to get key personal documents translated for free.
The free service is limited to 10 documents and valid within
2 years of your arrival in Australia.

Find more about this service here

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 Skills and attributes

Skills and attributes are inseparable, and they are both important in your life
and also an integral part of your job seeking. You need to identify your skills
and attributes, and then highlight them in your resume, cover letter and
interviews to succeed in getting a job.

Let’s look at skills and attributes from both sides, you (the job seeker) and the
employer. What do you have to offer, and what do employers want?

a. What skills and attributes do you have to offer?

Skills are things you did not know how to do before but are able to do now
because you have learnt through training or experiences. They are also things
you can continue to become more accomplished at doing over time.

For example, using Microsoft Word. You didn’t know how to

use it before, but you decided to learn. When you progress, your
skill in Microsoft Word moves from novice/entry-level, to
advanced beginner, to competence, to proficiency to expertise.

Attributes are much more personal. They are the things that reflect the way you
go about doing the things you are skilled in.

For example, when you are learning Microsoft Word, you are
hardworking and motivated, you’re open to ideas and creative in
designing your work, you are well-organised with your resources
and willing to share with your classmates. All of these qualities
about how you learn are your attributes.
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Try this activity about Skills and Attributes

Skills and Attributes

While attributes are important, it’s your skills that can ultimately make you a
success in a role. Employers are first looking for people who can do the job (the
skills), if they have many in hand, they will then look at who fits into the company
better (the attributes). You can bring in your attributes once you know a bit
more about what the individual is looking for, to help tailor your application as
the ideal candidate.

Once you’ve identified your own skills and attributes, it’s easy to fit them
together so they complement you as an ideal candidate.

Try this activity to practice more on skills and attributes

Identify skills

If you are not sure about what your skills are. Watch the video about Identifying

Your Skills

Once you have done the activity and watched the video, try this activity to
identify your own skills and attributes.

My skills and attributes

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 b. What do employers want? -- Employability Skills

As well as skills specific to the job you’re going for, employers are also looking
for general job skills. These are called ‘employability skills’. These skills are not
always listed in the position description, but employers highly value them from
their employees. More than often, these skills make you stand out. And even
though the word “skills” is used, they are in fact a combination of skills and
attributes.

It’s good to think about these skills and include them in your resume and cover
letter, and also when you are preparing for a job interview.

Which skills do Employability Skills refer to in Australia?

Watch the video to find out

Employability skills
• communication
• teamwork If you would like to look into each
• problem solving employability skill in details, try the link
• initiative and enterprise below.
• planning and organising
• self-management Employability Skills explained
• learning
• technology.

Experiences

Your experiences in your study, at work or in life are important when you search
or apply for jobs because they provide you with great examples to show your

18 | P a g e
future employers your skills and how you fit into the position and the
organisation. Giving good examples are always more persuasive and powerful
than just stating your skills or experiences.

For example, your experience came from your qualification

I have cooking experience.

I have successfully completed Certificate IV in Chef.

For example, your experience came from work

I have cooking experience.

I worked at a Chinese restaurant for three years.

Always remember that your examples don’t need to be from your work
experience. If you don’t have work experience, you can always use experiences
from study or everyday life.

For example,

I have cooking experience.

For the past ten years, I have prepared and cooked nutritious
meals for my family every day.
Here’s an activity to show how you could find examples to support your skills.

Pair up your skills and examples

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Explore Before You Make A Decision
It is difficult to decide what you want to do before you start searching.
However, if you break the process into steps, it might be easier and clearer.

Step 1. Know your situation — your interests and priorities, and also English!

Step 2. Know your market — explore all opportunities and potentials

Step 3. Make an informed decision — taking the above into account.

We will look at Step 1 and Step 2 below to help you reach Step 3.

Step 1 - Know your Situation

Once you know your skills, you will start thinking if you would like to use those
skills and how often in your work, if you are able to use the skills, and if your
language level matches with what’s required to use your skills. That relates to
your interests, priorities, and language proficiency.

Interests are things you enjoy doing. They can help make your life and work much
more enjoyable. You cannot always do what you like the best, but knowing your
interests will certainly help when you choose your career path.

Remember the video you watched before about finding out your skills? Your
interests are important sources of your skills.

Priorities are where you think about reality, and they change in the different
stage of your life. There is so much to consider, and knowing your limits and
priorities will certainly help you narrow down and target your job search.

20 | P a g e
Think about your current situation and see if you can think of any solutions to
your limits.

For example,

Have young children?

any job in my community?
which job has flexible hours?
anyone can look after them (family
member? friends? )
any help from community services?
any other help I can ask?

Now think about yourself, list down your priorities and limits, and more
importantly, what are you going to do with your limits?

My priorities and limits

Language Proficiency is a key factor in your job search in an English-speaking

country, and it could become one of your limits. To find out if your English is
good enough for the job you would like to do, you can use

Literacy and Numeracy Quizzes, or Practice Aptitude Quizzes

These are industry-based literacy & numeracy quizzes illustrating the levels
required when undertaking Australian Apprenticeships qualifications. You might
find the questions a bit difficult, but they can give you an idea of the language
level expected if you would like to work in that field.

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 Step 2 - Know your market

To make an informed decision, you need to research the market. Here are some
good starting points.

Government Websites

Myfuture Job Outlook

Australia’s National Online Career Information Information about the outlook, pay, main tasks,
Service for career planning and pathway and physical and other demands of careers
searching and is packed full of career resources that interest you.
and occupational profiles.

Jumpstart SkillsRoad
a government website to support and help young a government website to support and help
people to start their career. young people to start their career, or people
who would like to change their career.

Career service by state

Victoria Youth Central Western Australia

South Australia Northern Territory

Queensland Tasmania

Seek
Seek Career Guide
free career information guide from Seek. It’s
convenient to apply for the job you would like
to do.

Now it’s time for Step 3 – decision making. Have you made your decision?

22 | P a g e
The rest of Chapter 2 will look at how to get you ready for the job or industry
you are interested in. Remember the 3 essentials in the Australian job market?
Here are where / how you can get started to get them and the help available.

Get Qualified
To get a job you want, it’d much easier when you’re fully or even partially
qualified. Qualifications can be achieved through

overseas qualifications recognition (go to Chapter 7 for details), or

getting your qualifications from Australia.

Let’s look at courses, traineeships & apprenticeships, and government funding.

Courses to get qualifications

In Australia, you can get your qualifications in Vocational Education and

Training (VET) or Higher Education, e.g. university.

VET Higher Education

 Certificate I to Advanced Diploma  Graduate Certificate to PhD
 gain qualifications for employment  academic focus
 get the skills needed in the workplace.

Myskills is Australia’s national website with details of You can search for higher
courses and training providers. All of the providers education courses on CRICOS.
on MySkills are Registered Training Organisations
If you live in NSW or ACT, you can
(RTOs), which ensures the quality of your
check courses and apply online
qualifications. It also provides a checklist to help
through Universities Admissions
you to choose a good quality RTO. RTO checklist
Centre (UAC)

23 | P a g e
24 | P a g e
 Apprenticeships and traineeships

Australian apprenticeships provide a great pathway to qualifications (generally

from Certificate I to Certificate IV) without having to lose your income. As long
as you are of working age, consider an apprenticeship to start a new career or
change your career.

What is it? How it works?

Australian Apprenticeships can also  Get training, study and earn
be referred to as apprenticeships or an income in a variety of
traineeships. occupations or trades.
It offers opportunities for anyone of  Can be full-time or part-time
working age to train, study and earn
an income in a wide range of
occupations and trades.

Am I eligible? What happens after?

 Available to anyone of working age  You get nationally recognised
 An Australian citizen or permanent qualifications in Australia
resident  You can go to study a higher-
level qualification

Need help or more information?

Government Website for Information and resources Government Website for

Australian Apprenticeships about apprenticeships Apprenticeship Support

25 | P a g e
 Government funding

Government funding is available for both courses and apprenticeships in all

states and territories. Funding for courses are available from Certificates to
Advanced Diploma levels, and the courses can be online, or classroom-based.

Eligibility The amount of funding depends on

 Courses (may be fully covered,
To be eligible you must be
subsidised or enrolment fee
 an Australian citizen or only)
permanent resident, and
 Qualification level
 over 15 years old
 Training providers

Each state and territory have different requirements for government-funded

courses. It’s the best to contact TAFE or other RTOs to find out if you can

receive government-funded training, or you can go to MySkills and

search for subsidised training in your state/territory.

Need Help Get Job Ready?

Find a mentor

Mentors provide intensive and long-term support, such as accompanying

migrants and refugees to job interviews, helping with application letters,
providing career advice, assisting with qualification recognition and organising
work experience placements.

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Examples of the mentoring program include:

 In Work Australia from Red Cross Australia

 Skilled Professional Migrants Program (SPMP) from AMES Australia
 Kaleidoscope Mentor program, Western Australia.
 City East College Mentor Program, New South Wales

If you are interested in finding a mentor, go and ask the Community Service

Provider near you for a mentor program

Your local community

You can always go to the Community Service Provider near you and ask for
help and support to get you job-ready.

Start Your Own Business

By starting a business, you can create your own work.

Be prepared – there is a lot to consider. Are you suited to self-employment, do

you understand the laws and taxes, and do you have the finance to do it?
Australian Government Business provides comprehensive information you need.

Starting a business guide

Information to help your business succeed across governments in Australia
Information and support for starting a business without permanent
residency

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Chapter

3
Start Job Search

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Introduction
This chapter will focus on job search.

Get a Professional Email Account

An appropriate email address is crucial in your job search. It's the primary means
of contact between you and your future employers. If you haven’t created one,
do it NOW

Name properly

Keep it professional Keep it simple Keep it appropriate

Avoid email addresses The best email addresses If you are having a hard time
with your nickname, pet’s are simple and easy to finding a suitable combination of
name, hobby or any understand. Your name or your name, don’t give up because
other personal info as close as you can get a professional email address can
besides your name. to it always works well. really help you land the job.
Be sure it reflects the Avoid using numbers and Expand your options to include
professional you, not symbols because these your middle name, initial or a
your personal or family can be confusing since word related to the job filed you
life. they look similar. are pursuing
Be sure it reflects the professional
you, not your personal or family
life.

Add a signature

Once you've got your email account, set up an email signature including your
contact information and add it to all the messages you send. Your signature
should include First and Last Name, Email Address, and Contact details.

Now you have set up an appropriate and professional email! Let’s get started
with your job search!

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Online Job Search
Many employers will advertise on jobseeker websites. New job advertisements
are published daily. You can set up a personal account (which is generally
free) so that suitable jobs can be emailed directly to you.

There are many online jobseeker websites in Australia. Below are some of the

most popular, and check search tips to see how to narrow down and get
more targeted results.

General job search engine

Seek Indeed Jora Adzuna

ApplyDirect Careerone Careerjet

Jobs / positions directly from the
employers, no agencies

Oneshift JobActive Gumtree Jobs

one-off shifts, casual work or short term work, contract work, job section from Gumtree
part time employment. and government jobs

Don’t forget the job websites mentioned in Chapter 2 to explore possible

careers. They also have job postings.

30 | P a g e
 Industry specific jobs

These job posting websites have jobs in a certain industry. If you are interested
in a particular industry, you can have very targeted search results on these
websites.

Environmental jobs Pro Bono Job Seeker

environment jobs Social and community jobs community, not-for-profit and
local government jobs

Childcare jobs Carecareers MedHire

Jobs in Childcare related Jobs, Careers Advice & Courses Jobs in medical and healthcare
industry for the Care Sector

ASIAL Salon Staff Ethical Jobs

Security jobs and training Jobs in the hair & beauty community, environmental, not-
industry for-profit & social work jobs

Sports People Health Buzz Arts Hub

Jobs in Sport, Fitness and health industry job search Jobs in Arts and Design
Aquatic

31 | P a g e
 Jobs by states

Each state or territory has job websites for jobs.

Click the states below to find jobs in your state / territory.

ACT NSW QLD SA

TAS VIC WA NT

Company Websites
Some large companies don’t advertise their jobs in newspapers or on Seek. This
is because they always have jobs available. If you go to their website, look for
the section named Jobs, Careers, or Work with us, etc. You can apply directly.

Print Media
Print media include newspaper, newsletters, and other publications. They often
have a section for job ads posting and it’s a great place to search for a job in
your local community. Find the local newspaper in the area where you’ll be living
in. These newspapers generally cover one or two suburbs, towns or communities
(job listings vary from paper to paper). You can search for your local
newspaper on Online Newspapers Websites

32 | P a g e
 Features of job ads in print media

Each newspaper is different. Some newspapers put the job adverts in

alphabetical order, and some put the jobs into categories.

The most distinguishing feature of print media is the space limit. So, the
abbreviation is essential. You need to understand them when job searching in
print media.

Job Ads Features on Print Media

Local Community
All the community services centres mentioned in Chapter 1 offer job searching
support. Go and connect!

Watch the video about Connecting with your community

Networking

Networking means connecting with people. Many people found their job
because someone introduced the job to them.

Networking demonstrates your initiative and enthusiasm, as well as research and

communication skills. These skills are highly valued in Australia. Successful
networkers show an interest in the people they meet, ask relevant questions and,
most importantly, listen and follow up on advice they have received.

Watch the video about getting a job through people around you

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 Cold-Calling and the hidden job market

Cold calling means asking for a job even though there was no job advertised,
and it’s a great way to unlock the hidden job market.

Watch the video about Australian hidden job market

Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to develop your English skills, and volunteer
experience may help you get a job. You can connect yourself in the local work
environment, learn more about Australian culture in the workplace, understand
the needs of the local job market and gain a local referee.

There are online portals for volunteer positions. Go online and search for
Volunteer jobs. Some of the common volunteering websites Australian-wide
include:

Centre for volunteering Volunteer match Seek Volunteering

Volunteering Australia Go Volunteer

You can also approach community centres to offer your skill as a volunteer. Red
Cross is another good place to volunteer, check their InWork volunteer services.

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Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies advertise specific positions in newspapers and on
jobseeker websites on behalf of employers.

All good recruitment agencies belong to the Recruitment, Consulting and

Staffing Association Australia & New Zealand (RCSA), so go to the website,
check and find a reliable agency from RCSA Directory.

Most recruitment agencies advertise on the websites listed above. You can go
to their websites, call or email them. Some recruiters specialise in industries you
want to work, such as finance, insurance, media or healthcare. It may help you
to target your job search. Some of the common recruitment agencies include:

Social Media
Social media now plays an important role in the job search. Not only employees
search for job opportunities, employers also use social media to search for
potential employees without advertising a job opening. So it’s very important
that you have an appropriate social media profile to help you with job search.

Most common social media platform include

In particular, LinkedIn is a professional network platform. You need to set up

your personal profile to use these social media.

35 | P a g e
 Appropriateness on social media

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 43% of hiring managers now use social

media to screen potential candidates. Some of the things they look for include
the candidate’s professional image, qualifications, and unfortunately, even
reasons not to hire them.

Watch the video about Social media in the job search

What inappropriate behaviour can you see?

Need help setting up your LinkedIn profile?

You can go online and search LinkedIn Profile and you can find videos to

show you how to set up an account step by step. Or go on and

search for LinkedIn training near you.

Need More Help in Job Search?

Australian government has created a series of videos with tips to

improve your job search skills. If you need more help, watch the playlist

Community centres mentioned in Chapter 1 have career support services and

they may have workshops that suit your need. Go to the service near you and
check regularly. Don’t forget to ask for help!

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Chapter

4
Analyse and Apply!

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Introduction
In Chapter 4, we will be focusing on analysing and applying for the job you
have in mind and breaking down into 4 sections

1. Analysing a job advertisement

2. Writing a resume, and

3. Writing a cover letter

4. Tailor resume and cover letter for the job you’re applying for.

Analysing A Job Advert

Why do we analyse?

Job analysis is a process to collect information about the duties, responsibilities,

necessary skills, outcomes, and work environment of a job that you’re interested
in. It provides an overview of the fundamental requirements of a position.

Carefully reviewing the job advert will allow you to save time, by only applying
to relevant jobs, write persuasive cover letters, and feel prepared for the job
interviews.

Watch the video about why and how to analyse a job advertisement

What are the benefits of analysing a job advert?

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 How do we analyse?

Let’s start from looking at the structure of a job advert and then move on to the
steps to perform a job advert analysis

a. Structure of a job advert

The structure for job adverts tends to be fairly consistent. They are typically
broken out into several parts. Although the names of these sections can vary,
you will expect to see information about the company, details on the desired
qualifications of applicants, and some description of the responsibilities
involved in the role.

Let’s take a look at a job advert as an example.

Common Sections in a job advertisement

b. Job advert analysis

Try the activity below to find out the 7 steps to analyse a job advert

Steps to analysis a job advert

Keep in mind that the most important items are probably listed toward the top. If
you fit four out of five of the bullet points listed under qualifications, that means
you probably are a good fit for the job.

Also, it will be impossible for any one to be a perfect match. So read carefully
what's essential for applicants ("must be comfortable using Excel") and what's a
nice-to-have, or a softer skill ("detail-oriented and organized").

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Writing A Resume
Resume

Before we start, watch the video first to get an overview of resume writing in
Australia.

Watch the video about Overview of Resumes

Resume overview

Format and design

Watch the video about format and content of resumes.

Format and content

Now let’s look at each stage in your resume writing.

Personal information

DO NOT include:
 Photographs
 Any information regarding age, date of birth, race, gender, religion, political
affiliation, and the names and ages of your spouse and children
 Physical Characteristics (height, weight, etc.)
 Find out more on what should NOT be included in your resume here

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Full name: Address:
In larger font. Your address is optional because
the employer will contact you by
Use size 16 or 18. phone or online.
Use lower or UPPER case and/or However, it is a good idea to
bold. insert your address if you live near
Example: Gloria MUNOZ the Company you wish to work for.
If you use your original name but This shows that you live locally
also have an ‘English’ name, then and can access work easily.
you can put that name in brackets.
Example: Jingjing (Grace) CHEN

Telephone (work, home Email address:

and mobile): Your email address is the primary
method of contact with online
Ensure that your phone numbers
applications. Make sure it is
are current and correct.
 current and correct
If you only provide your home
number or your mobile but not  checked regularly.
both, then you need a messaging  appropriate for an employer.
service and you need to check
your messages regularly.

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 Career objectives VS. Career profile

First, watch the video about Career profiles

Career profiles

A Career Objective is a brief statement of the role and industry in which you aim
to work. Employers use a career objective to see whether your expectations of
the job match what they are looking for. This part of the resume gives your
resume focus and shows the employer what is special about you.

The statement should include:

 What type of position/organisation/field you are interested in?

 What you can bring to the job?
 What is/are your goal/s?

A Career Profile/ Career Overview/Career Summary is a summary of your career

and how it relates to the requirements of the job you are applying for. Its
purpose is to grab the employer’s attention as soon as they start reading the
resume. It should include parts of your professional, academic and industry
training. You could also include personal attributes. Your career goal could
serve as the last sentence.

Try this activity to find out more about Career Objective and Career Profile

Career Objective or Career Profile

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 Employment and education

Watch the video about Education and Employment on your resume

Employment and Education

Here are some tips

DOs DON’Ts
 Show your problem-solving  DO NOT copy from the job
skills. description document
 Quantify results.  Avoid buzzwords.
For example: Buzzwords are meaningless
increased company sales significantly words, they are too broad,
and used too much. such as
increased company sales by 20%. “thinking outside the box,”
 Use bullet points. “creative,” or “problem
solver.”
 Use action verbs.
 DO NOT list the tasks you
such as “achieved,” “advised,”
“negotiated” and others.
do in your job. Show the
results and achievements!
 Include keywords.
 Reread the job you are
applying for and carefully pick
the most important keywords.

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 Skills and attributes

Watch the video about additional skills on your resume

Additional skills

Skills and personal attributes are inserted in the same section of your resume
under ‘Skills and Attributes ‘.

Remember the skills and attributes we looked at in Chapter 2? Make sure you
target your skills and attributes directly to the job requirements.

If you list your skills as single words under dot point without any explanation,
include as many as possible. You can also have a ‘Key achievements’ or
‘Achievements’ section after your Employment History to describe your skills more
fully.

Interests

Employers are interested in your human side, including your personality, values,
likes and dislikes and hobbies. Keep in mind to only include the hobbies that are
relevant to the company or the position.

For example, if you are applying to work at a sports store, you

could list your interest in particular outdoor activities.

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 Referees

Write: Available on request. Here are some DOs and DONTs

DOs DON’Ts
 Contact any referees before  Do not ask family members
giving their names to a future or friends to be referees.
employer and ask their permission  Do not use referees from
first. This is polite and ensures the overseas. However, if you
referee knows whom the employer are seeking a professional
is discussing and has had time to position and have no
prepare comments about you. referees in Australia, you
 Make sure you have several could include a written
referees you can call upon. reference from overseas, in
 If you do not have any work English or formally translated
history in Australia, ask your into English, and ask the
teacher or your doctor or religious potential employer whether
leader or lawyer to be a referee you can refer to that.
for you.
 Always thank your referees.

Edit your resume

Watch the video about editing your resume

Editing your resume

Not confident in your spelling and grammar? Check with Grammarly

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 Sample resumes

Now let’s look at three samples of resumes for different types of job seekers.

a. Sample 1 - continue with the same career

Alessandro Amodeo has had several employment positions and strong

work experience in Administrative roles, and he is looking for a higher position. In
his resume, he is able to demonstrate his skill base and the different roles and
responsibilities he had in the same field.

Alessandro Amodeo Sample

b. Sample 2 - Starting a new career

Yasmina Dengate wishes to commence a new career in Early Childcare.

She has just completed her Certificate 3 in Early Childhood and has previously
been working in the Hospitality sector and now moving to the Childcare sector.

Yasmina Dengate Sample

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 c. Sample 3 - Changing career

Adam Lee wants to change his career from food retail to hotel

housekeeping. Many of the duties and responsibilities that Adam had in his sales
assistant jobs will also be necessary for the hospitality work he wants to do, for
example, following WHS policies and procedures; customer service; prioritised
tasks and worked to deadlines.

Adam Lee Sample

Building your own resume

If you haven’t got a resume, or your resume is out-out-date, you can start
creating a new one with support.

Build my own resume template

Once you complete your resume, it’d be much better if you can format and edit
your resume in Microsoft Word to make it neat and clean before you send it off
to your future employers.

Don’t have Microsoft Word? Try Google Docs. It's free and you can save your
work on your Google account.

47 | P a g e
Writing A Cover Letter
Why do I need a cover letter?

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the employer. When

applying for a job, you will usually send a cover letter and a resume together,
and the cover letter is like the introduction to your resume.

Your cover letter gives you a chance to show some personality and
demonstrate that you have done your research about the company and the
position, understand what they’re looking for, and you are the best candidate
to fit in the position and the company.

You need to make the employer interested in you so that they will want to
continue with your application, read your resume and even invite you to an
interview.

The basic structure of a cover letter

A cover letter has a basic structure. You can follow the structure as a start.

However, keep in mind that you can change the structure to suit your own
needs, and you need to modify your cover letter for each job you apply for!

If you are sending it by email, you do not need the addresses, date or
signature.

Try this activity to have a look at the basic structure of a cover letter.

Cover letter structure

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 The language used in a cover letter

Always keep in mind: We use formal language in a cover letter.

Here are the features of formal language

Indirect No Contractions
Polite No Abbreviations
Correct punctuation No numerals for numbers 0-9
Now try this activity about formal or informal language

Formal or informal?

Sample cover letters

a. A good sample of cover letter

A good cover letter

b. No experience?

A cover letter for someone with little experiences

Build your own cover letter template

Now build your own cover letter template with this Cover letter template

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Tailor for the Job!
Once you have analysed the job advert, and prepared your resume and cover
letter, come back to the job advert again, and double-check

1. Have you included the keywords in the job advert? and

2. Have you tailored your resume and cover letter for the job?

Keep in mind: Tailor your resume and cover letter for each job you apply for!

Keywords in the job advertisement

Keywords describe the skills and/or traits that the employer is looking for.

To find the keywords,

1. Read through the job advertisement line by line.

2. Highlight the tasks that are required in this job, the interactions you’d have
with people and the type of environment you’d be working in.

Tips: You could try to categorise keywords and mark them differently, for

example, circle “skills”, underline “personal attributes”, and highlight

“qualifications”. highlight the relevant employability skills. Refer to Chapter
2 if you need a review.

Once you have identified the keywords you need to address in your cover
letter, start gathering examples/experiences you can use to support your
skills/attributes. Refer to Experiences if you need to review.

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 Tailoring your job application
Three steps to help you to tailor your application

1. Profile the employer and job

Research the employer, industry and job.
Identify the skills, personal attributes, qualifications and licenses that are essential for the job.
Think about any additional skills, attributes or qualifications that the employer might
consider ‘industry knowledge’.

2. Gather your evidence

Find the ‘key words’ in the job description. Include these in your job application.
Think about your past achievements and work history to find examples to include in
your application.
Describe past work tasks and responsibilities using the same ‘key words’ from the job ad.
Leave out any anything that isn’t relevant to this job.

3. Highlight your achievements

Start your résumé with a couple of sentences describing your skills and abilities
relevant to the job.
Include relevant achievements.
If possible, back up any claims you make about your achievements with evidence or
facts. For example, number of sales made, handled or positive customer feedback.

Try this activity to identify relevant skills and gather examples to support your
skills.

Tailor your employability skills

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Need Help with Resume & Cover Letter?
Remember ? Find your location and Resume writing

Remember community services? They offer great workshops. Make a visit or

contact!

Remember government websites to help you explore the market and also job
search websites? They have templates and advice and tips for resume and cover
letter writing!

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Chapter

5
Interviews

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Introduction
This chapter will focus on job interviews. To set interviews into context, two
industries where staff are in big demand in Australia have been chosen:

1. Retail, and
2. Childcare.

We will start with quick and basic facts about interviews and then move into
interviews for a retail assistant position, where you will find interview videos for 3
candidates, and be guided through a real interview process with practice
activities and interview tips.

In the childcare interview, however, you will be mostly working on your own,
starting from reading and analysing a job advertisement, preparing for your
interview, applying the general interview skills and techniques. Hints and support
will be provided once you complete the practice activities.

Quick Facts about Job Interviews

Types of interviews

Try the activity below to find out types of interviews and how they are grouped
into different types.

Types of Interviews

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 Types of interview questions
Interview questions can be categorised into 3 types.

Open Questions
General questions such as "tell me about yourself" or
"why are you interested in this job"
Often used as icebreakers to allow you to relate
what you have done in your own words
Give the interviewers a brief outline with the most
recent and relevant information.

Situational Questions
Situational questions could be the most challenging
of all. In these questions, the interviewers seek to
gain a better understanding of how you approach
problems by presenting you with a scenario and
asking how you would respond if you were put in such
a position.
Remember, there is not necessarily a right or wrong
answer to the question. Most of your points will be
gained through reasoning. It is therefore important
that you explain fully the "why" as well as the "what"
you would do.

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 Behavioural Questions - STAR model
Behavioural questions ask you to describe previous experiences where you
have displayed specific behaviours.
For example: "Can you give me an example of a time when you had to conduct
a difficult negotiation, what did you do, and how did it turn out?"
Employers are looking to predict future performance based on how you have
responded in the past. If approached correctly, behavioural questions are not
hard to answer.

Remember here is STAR. It stands for:

Situation - What was the situation or task that you were presented with?
Task - What was required of you?
Action - What did you do to solve the problem? List the obstacles and
difficulties and how you solved them.
Result - What was the result and what did you learn from the experience?
It is very important that you have thought about your previous
positions/education and how these could be used to display to an employer
that you have the skills that they are looking for.

A Job Interview – Retail industry

In this section, you will watch interviews of the three short-listed applicants for a
Sales Assistant position in a fashion retail store and decide on who you think
would be successful in getting the job.

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 The sales assistant job

Read the position description carefully and answer the questions:

The Sales Assistant Position

The short-listed applicants

After screening and careful selection, the HR manager, Kerry Wilson and her
team short-listed three applicants and invited them for an interview.

Kerry Wilson
HR Manager

Elena Nani Pablo

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The Interviews
The interviews – who would you choose?

Watch the videos of the 3 applicants

Elena

Nani

Pablo

After you watch the interviews, who would you choose?

Give a second thought?

Now you’ve got one preferred applicant in mind. Let’s look at the performance
again using the checklist that Kerry, the interviewer, had used to decide on who
she’d select, and see if you would change your mind afterwards.

Interview Checklist

In the next 2 sections, we will look at the interviews in more details, and we will
look at

1. How the 3 applicants responded to the questions and also

2. How they present themselves in the interviews.

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Breaking Down to Questions
Now, let’s look at how the three applicants responded to the interview
questions.

Tell me about yourself

Elena Nani Pablo

My name is Elina, I came My name is Nanique Terri, I Ok. I’m Pablo Garcia. I
from China. I worked in my come from Indonesia. I came come from Brazil. I’ve been
cousin’s retail shop a year here 3 years ago. Before in Australia for 2 years. In
and after that I met my that I studied Accounting at Brazil I had my own
husband. Shortly after the uni in my home country, and I business where I was selling
wedding we moved to worked in a small firm for 5 clothing and in Australia
Australia. So, I left my job, years and changed to a I’ve been at TAFE. I’ve
my family and started a new customer service for 4.5 been studying English. I’ve
life in this country. So, after years. I had to quit my job, been going to make my
we moved to Australia, I because I migrated to English better. I
started AMEP classes to Australia. I met my husband volunteered at the
improve my English and I’m here, we got married and I’ve Salvation Army where I was
also working in a beauty been helping him to manage working at the canteen
product shop as a our family business and and selling and packing
salesperson at the moment. looking after our son. food to the community.

Do they talk about their childhood, family life or focus on education and
previous work experience? What information do you think is appropriate to talk
about at a job interview? Suggested answers

Think about your local and overseas qualifications and work experience, and

Write about yourself

59 | P a g e
 Why have you decided to look for another job?

Elena Nani Pablo

I think this is a good Well, you know, my son has started After that job I enrolled in
chance and time to school, so I feel like I can do TAFE full-time to work on my
challenge myself. something for my own career, and I English and yeah, I’ve done
would like to be independent, English now, so I’m looking
have financial independence. for proper work.

Who do you think gave the best answer? How would you respond? Suggested
answers

What is an appropriate reason? What would your answer be?

Good reason?

What are your strengths and / or weaknesses?

Elena Nani Pablo

I have a good attention to details, I’m very hard-working, I’m I work well with
and I am a very hard-working always well-organised and I others. I like to be
person, always try to do my best. I have good interpersonal helpful and in my
am also a very quick learner and skills. I know how to engage last job we worked
can quickly learn new skills. It with customer, I can help them well as a team.
helped me a lot in my previous to choose the right clothes
jobs, when I had to learn lots of because I have a good taste
new things. You know, it's quite and can see what looks
different here from my home good on the customer.
country.

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I like to do things properly all the I think shopping is my Maybe my English.
time and I might take a bit of extra weakness. I love fashion, I But I have been
time. But I think to do things love good quality clothes, improving it a lot
properly and carefully is better shoes. My husband is not very since I got to
than to do things in a rush. happy with that. Australia.

Who do you think gave the best answer? Suggested answers

What is an appropriate answer? What would your answer be?

Strengths and Weaknesses

What did you dislike in your previous job?

Elena Nani Pablo

I can't say disliked, there were Probably, paperwork. No, not really. I
some things. For example, we were Because I worked as an enjoyed helping
not paid on time and the work accountant I had to do like other people and I
environment was unfriendly, but I’m a lot of invoices, payments also learned lots of
a very positive person, so I can try to the suppliers, it’s pretty new recipes.
to do my work best. boring, you know.

Who do you think gave the best answer? Suggested answers

What is an appropriate answer then? What would your answer be?

Negatives and problems

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 What do you enjoy about working in retail sales?
Employers want to know your motivation and your positive qualities and skills.

Elena Nani Pablo

I am a sociable person; I like I think, helping customers I really enjoy working with
being around people and I to find the right products people and making them
enjoy helping customers. I enjoy when they needed. I feel feel better. And it's good to
that every day is different and happy if I help them. see how my help and my
there's always something I can good attitude makes
learn in this job. people smile.

What is an appropriate answer to this question then?

What would your answer be? Suggested answers

How would you handle a stressful situation?

A typical interview question. Employers ask this question to get a sense of how
you handle on-the-job stress.

Elena Nani Pablo

I think I am good at working under I am ok with that. I always do my best to make

pressure. In my previous job we were You know I’m a the customers happy. I try
very busy all the time, but I always put mom, I can to give them as much
the customer first. I think make the multitask. I also do attention as they need. In
customer happy is very important for yoga to release my own business and in my
the business. I am a very positive my stress volunteer job we were busy
person and well-organised and it every day, so I am used to
helps me a lot in stressful situations. it, I’m used to it.

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Who do you think gave the best answer? Suggested answers

What is an appropriate answer? What would your answer be?

Stress situation

Availability questions

Elena Nani Pablo

I’d prefer to work I'd like to work in the I am very, very flexible.
Monday to Friday mornings, when my son My course has
mornings, but any work goes to school, already finished so I
Type of
would be great. Monday to Friday. I have lots of free time.
schedule
can't work on the There won’t be any
weekend or Thursday problems with the
night. shifts.

yeah, I don't have kids I am happy to work Yes, it should be ok.

Additional at the moment, so overtime if you give
shifts earning more money is a me plenty of notice
good thing.

Who do you think gave the best answer? Suggested answers

What is an appropriate answer then? What would your answer be?

Availability

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 Do you have any questions?

As the conversation is ending, they ask, “Do you have any questions?” This
question is typically asked at the end of interviews and it is a critically important
part of the conversation. Try not to say no. Interviewers expect you to ask
questions—it signals that you’re invested and serious about the job.

Elena Nani Pablo

I know you have a number When would I have my How much would I be
of stores in Sydney. If I am a holiday break? getting paid?
successful applicant, at
what location will I have to
work?

Who do you think gave the best answer? Suggested answers

What is an appropriate answer to this question then?

What would your answer be?

Do you have any questions?

Common Interview Questions

If you would like to practice more on interview questions, try this activity on
common interview questions with tips.

Common Interview Questions

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Breaking Down to Presentation
The presentation includes all the non-verbal performance before and during
the interview. It is just as crucial as how you verbally respond to the interview
questions. Generally speaking, the presentation includes appearances and
body language.

Appearances

Appearances are how you present yourself in the interview. It is about what you
wear, but it’s also more than that. You need to dress up appropriately for the
job, and also in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident.

First, let’s look at the common dress codes in Australia.

Dress codes in Australia

Here are the steps you dress up for the interview

1. Start by researching the company’s dress code.

2. Choose clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.
3. Avoid revealing clothing.
4. Choose clothing accommodating to the climate and season.
5. Check for stains, snags, pet hairs and holes.
6. Ensure clothing is pressed and wrinkle free

How to dress up for your interview

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 Body language

Whether you realise it or not, your future employer starts looking at how you fit in
the company even before the interview starts.

Your body language counts from the moment you walk in.

Waiting for the interview

The Handshake

Most likely, the handshake will be your

only moment of physical contact with
the interviewer.
Handshakes play a significant role in
first impressions, so make it count.
Your shake should be neither bone-
crushing, nor limp fish.
Aim for a firm handshake, and as you
shake, make eye contact and smile.

Once your interview starts, here are some the things you need to keep in mind.

Body language during the interview

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Other Bits and Pieces in Interviews
From the moment you receive interview notice
 Research the company and interviewers and Re-read the job description.
 Practice your answers to common interview questions.
 Use the STAR method in preparing your answers.
 Practice answering questions with your friend
 Practice good manners and body language.
 Prepare the questions you want to ask the interviewer

The night before the interview

 Plan what you will wear. Dress appropriately.
 Make sure your clothes are clean and tidy.
 Prepare what you need to bring, and organise them in your handbag or folder
 Make extra copies of your documents, just in case.
 Plan your trip, leave plenty of time in case of traffic and other emergencies
 Go to bed early

On the day of interview

 Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to your interview.
 Treat everyone you meet with respect, including receptionist
 Sit appropriately and Be Confident!
 If you are nervous, go to the restroom and take a deep breath.
 Mute or turn off your mobile phone. Put it and your headphones in your bag

Remember a firm handshake! During your interview

 Listen carefully to the questions, and make sure you fully understand them.
 If not sure, ask for clarification.
 Always stay positive, even with your weaknesses (offer a way to improve
them)
 Always remember STAR!
 Do not lie & Do not speak negatively about your previous employers.
 Make sure that you have an idea about future goals related to the position.
 You’ve been practicing your body language. Remember to use them!!

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Mock Interview - A Job in Childcare
If you are passionate about children’s education and development, a career in
childcare may be for you. Here are some facts about Childcare.

Quick facts about childcare industry

What do childcare workers do?

Childcare workers provide care and supervision for children aged 0 to 6 years.
Working as a childcare educator can be a very rewarding occupation. Within a
typical day you will be playing with the children and organising small and large
group activities; such as reading stories, teaching craft projects and facilitating
simple cooking activities. But most importantly you will be supervising the children and
making sure they are safe. This will include managing children’s behaviour and
guiding their social development.

How can you work as a childcare worker?

To become a childcare educator, you must have:
Certificate III in Children’s Services OR Diploma in Early Childhood Education
As soon as you are enrolled in one of these courses, you can start applying for
childcare positions. The regulations state that as long as you are “actively working
towards” your certificate, you can be counted as ratio in a childcare centre. So you
can be working and earning money while you study.
The Certificate III in Children’s Services can be studied in a classroom with a teacher,
or online (which means at home by yourself). You can choose to study full-time or
part-time depending on your needs.
There are 17 units to complete in Certificate III. One of those units is a First Aid
Certificate. By the end of your course you will also have a current First Aid
Certificate.

Remember the specific job searching websites? There is one for Childcare!

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 Preparing for the interview

How to prepare for a childcare interview

 Practise your answers to all the common childcare interview questions. Role-play
your answers with a family member or friend before the interview.
 Make a copy of your resume and qualifications so that you can provide them if
requested by the interviewer.
 Have a copy of your Working With Children’s Check (the Paid Working With
Children’s check, not the Volunteer version). You can change your Volunteer
WWCC to a Paid WWCC here.
 Depending on your circumstances, you may also be asked to show visa status, so
come prepared with these documents as well.
 Dress for success. In a childcare interview, you don’t need to wear a suit like you
would for an office job. However, you do need to look professional. No jeans or
sneakers. Wear something smart but casual.
 Arrive early but wait outside (in a cafe or park) and walk into the centre on time.

Attending the interview

Imagine you have applied for this Childcare Educator position 2 weeks ago,
and now the childcare centre has called you for an interview. What would you
do?

Re-read the job ad and prepare!

Try this activity to help you prepare Childcare Educator Position

Now try this mock interview questions The childcare interview questions

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Need More Interview Practice and Help?
This chapter selected the 2 common industries with a large number of jobs
available. However, they are by no means your only options! Everyone came
with a different background and you’re strongly encouraged to work in what
you like the most!

So, sections below provide additional help to support you in a wide range of
industries. And remember the techniques and strategies for interviews are mostly
universal and transferrable to any industry.

Interview practices in other industries

Australian government has created a series of interview practices

videos with tips and common interview questions given by experts in the industry
to help people to find jobs.

Click on the link below to access interview advice on a range of industries

Interview Practices

Remember those government websites to help you make up your decisions about
your career? They offer industry insights in a wide range of industries, including
interviews with people working in the industry.

Don’t know what to wear?

There are many not-for-profit or community organisations that help people who
need help with clothes for work. They have volunteering staff that help with

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selecting outfits for interviews and work. To access the services, you can visit or
contact your local community service centres, and ask for dress for work.

Some of these include

Dress for Success - Women only

Suited to Success

Dress for work - Men only

Wear for Success

Online interview tips

You will find millions of interview skills and tips online if you do a Google search

about job interview tips

The Balanced Career is a good website for interviews

Workshops and support on job interviews

Don’t forget the community centres and ! They offer interview workshops
too!

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Chapter

6
Get Going!

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Introduction
Now we’re coming to the last main chapter of the book, if you start from Chapter
1 and read all the chapters. Here’s the place you refresh your thoughts and get
organised.

What We Have Covered in the Book

Use the graph to refresh your memory

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Reference to the Book Sections
Use this reference table if you would like to refresh your knowledge or revisit a
section.

Settle down in Australia Resume and cover letter

Ask for help Improve English Your job search Interviews skills and tips
Community services Dressing up for jobs

Interviews Interviews Retail Childcare Other industries

Present
Resume Cover letter
yourself

Search for
Search for jobs
jobs

Goal setting Explore your possibilities before you make a decision.

Pathways Pathways to work Volunteering Apprenticeship

Get your Qualifications

Qualifications Recognise your overseas qualifications
in Australia

Skills Find out your skills Your employability skills

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My Planning Tools
Job search planner

My job search planner

A planner + checklist you create for yourself. Once you have completed or
achieved what you have on the planner, tick it off so that you know you’re one
step closer to your goal!

Notebook

My notebook

A note pad for you to note down what you feel important. No one will look at
your notes but you, so keep it the way that is most comfortable or useful for you.
You can make it tidy and clean, or doodle around.

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Chapter

7
More on Qualifications

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Overseas Qualification Recognition
Overseas Qualification Recognitions, sometimes referred to as Recognition of
Prior Learning (RPL), offers an opportunity to bring your qualifications, skills and
experiences you have had in your home country to Australia. Generally
speaking, there are two types of RPL,

RPL for special occupations, and

RPL for general employment.

RPL for Special Occupations

Find out what professional body you should join to get advice or if you require
a license or trade qualification for Australian conditions and consider the
information about the following:

 Professional Accreditation and Registration and Professional Associations

 Licensed Trades, and Trade Skills and Qualifications

Professional associations

Professional associations exist across industries and can be contacted to find

out if your qualification will be accepted and what other requirements you
need.

If your skills, experience and qualifications are assessed as comparable to an

Australian qualification, your professional association will also give you
information on accreditation and registration for membership.

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A fee usually applies for assessments and membership. Having professional
membership helps with networking functions, job listings and building a profile on
your resume.

The process to have your overseas qualifications recognised can be expensive

and can take several months. Often, you will have to complete further training
and study to have your qualifications recognised.

Accreditation and registration

Two examples of professions that require accreditation and registration for

overseas qualified applicants are health professions and teaching.

Doctors, Dentists, Chiropractors, people working in Medical Radiation, Nursing

and Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Osteopathy, Pharmacy,
Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Psychology are all required to be registered and
accredited which is overseen by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency (AHPRA). To be accredited to teach in an NSW school, an overseas
trained teacher must hold recognised qualifications. In health and teaching, it
will be expected that you have English language proficiency.

Licensed trades

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) offers a number of skills assessment programs

based on your occupation, country of origin, where you studied and the type of
visa you are seeking.

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 Trade skills and qualifications

If you have trade skills and experience but have never completed an
apprenticeship or obtained formal qualifications in Australia, you can go to a
training provider and undertake some gap training and apply to the
Commissioner for Vocational Training for a Certificate of Proficiency. You can
do this whether you have gained your trade skills through formal training or on-
the-job experience either in Australia or overseas where eligible.

List of assessing bodies for professionals

Use this list to find out

assessing bodies for trades and professionals

RPL for General Employment

Overseas Qualifications Unit (OQU)

The Overseas Qualifications Unit can help you get your overseas tertiary
qualifications and skills recognised. This can help you apply for further study or
gain general employment in Australia.

Requirements and costs are different between states and territories. If you need
to get your qualification assessed, you need to contact the OQU in your state
or territory. If you would like to find out more about, you can go to Who assesses
my overseas qualifications.
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Chapter

8
Retail Interview Analysis

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Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

All answers are appropriate. They all talked You can start with giving a bit of information
about their background and what they about your background and how long you
have been doing since they came to have lived in Australia.
Australia.
It is important to tell about your previous
work experience and relevant education.

Talking about your family, friends and

childhood is not necessary as it is not
relevant to the job you apply for.

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 Why have you decided to look for another job?

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

Elena and Pablo gave an appropriate Employers asks this question to know more
answer about your personality.

Elena shows with her answer that she is an Candidates who are responsible, loyal,
ambitious person and is keen to learn new ambitious, quick learners and good
skills through a challenge. communicators have a good chance to
keep their job.
Pablo’s answer showed that he has no other
commitments in his life and is ready to work Make sure you include these qualities in
now your answers.

However, Nani says that she now has free When talking about previous work
time and is keen to have her own career experience and education, Remember to
and independence, however financial use Past Simple Tense to talk about events.
interest is her main reason to start a new
job. It would have been more appropriate
to talk about her career ambitions instead
of financial.

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 What are your strengths and / or weaknesses?

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

Each candidate gave an appropriate When speaking about weaknesses, you can
answer, but Elena’s response was more speak about them in a positive way, like
positive. Elena, or give a clear strategy on how you
are improving your weaknesses, like Pablo.
She was aware of her weakness but
Jokes like Nani can help you ‘break the ice’,
presented it as a positive quality.
but sometimes may be misunderstood.
Pablo also mentioned his weakness but
explained how he plans to overcome his
problem.

Nani attempted to joke to create a more

relaxing atmosphere, but it didn’t suit the
formal settings of the interview.

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 What did you dislike in your previous job?

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

Pablo’s answer was the most positive. He Like in the question about weaknesses, you
also mentioned what he learned in that job. can show your personal qualities and
attitude to work, colleagues and customers.
Elena’s response was also good as she
showed patience and positive attitude It is ok to talk about some problems in your
when dealing with problems at work. previous job, but you should explain how
you handled that difficult situation.
Nani talked about the dislikes honestly, but
didn’t give any strategy to deal with the
dislikes

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 What do you enjoy about working in retail sales?

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

All candidates responded appropriately to The best way to make sure your answer
this question. leaves a positive impression is to do plenty
of research and prepare your talking points
ahead of time. Here’re the steps
The best answers will refer to the company’s
Research the company website
culture, mission and vision, and also refer to
how these things align with your personal Search for the company in social media
skills and career goals.
Study the job advertisement

List your favourite things about the job

Link your skills and experiences

Prepare and practice your answer

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 How would you handle a stressful situation?

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

Pablo and Elena give examples from their It's a good idea to give examples of how
previous jobs and explain how they worked you have handled stress to your interviewer.
under pressure. That way, they get a clear picture of how
well you can work in stressful situations.
They comment on their personal qualities
that help them to deal with difficult
situations.

Nani suggested a good coping strategy to

remain calm and refers to her experience as
a mother. It is a good answer for a person
returning to work after a long break looking
after a little child or an elderly parent.

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 Availability questions

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

Elena and Pablo gave the most Employers usually value flexible and
appropriate answer. They showed flexibility motivated employees. It is ok to mention
and full commitment to their work. your family and other commitments, but your
personal life and studying should not affect
your work.

Suggest a plan on how you would organise

your studying or looking after children to be
available to work.

Do you have any questions?

The most appropriate answer? How would you respond?

Elena’s question is appropriate. Topics to avoid: Salary, benefits, vacation

time or company perks.
She asked about her future work and
showed her readiness and commitment to Questions about these topics should be
start her job. saved for when you are formally offered the
job. If you ask about these things to early,
you could send the message that you’re
more interested in how the company can
benefit you, not how you can contribute to
the company.

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Good luck~!

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