Great tips for anyone looking for a job

1. 10 Tips for Jobseekers
It doesn’t matter if you are looking for your first job or your Tenth, it’s a tough market. Every day we
hear the News, or read the paper or our blogs. Any of the many places that bad news is readily available
in our “plugged in” switched on world. “Company X closes its doors after trading for 40 years.”
“Company Y sheds 600 jobs.” “Thousand’s of Public Service jobs to go by Christmas”. On and on it goes.
It’s easy to assume that no one is hiring and that no job is safe. Well of course the obvious thing is
that bad news sells newspapers and gets ratings. It’s also equally true, that the types of jobs available
are also changing. So what can we do?
1. Don’t Panic. Even if you are one of the people directly affected by the closures and
downsizing that is happening. You will most likely have some redundancy money to help
you through. If you don’t, sometimes companies find themselves in situations where no
money is available. Please take my advice and get yourself to Centrelink immediately, and
register. I know I can hear the collective “Oh, but I’m not a dole bludger, I don’t take
handouts.” Well that is all well and good, however if you don’t register not only will you not
get any payments. More importantly you will not get a health care card. Ok, you may not
get sick often, however a health care card will entitle you to free or much reduced training
packages being offered by the Government and our various RTO’s throughout the country.
Reduced costs in public transport, reductions in your rates, telephone costs, all sorts of
things that will make a huge difference to you whilst you are looking for new employment. If
you have been paying taxes for many years, it’s your chance to get a bit back. Often people
fail to do these things, safety nets are provided to help in times of need. Use them. This
advice may be particular to Australia however similar benefits are available to people in
need in most developed countries. Please use them.
2. Take Stock. What are your skills, what do you know how to do? What areas do you think
you need to brush up on? What books should you read? Which DVD programs do you need
to listen to, in order to set you on the right path. You don’t just need a job, but a new
career. You have to get yourself in the right state of mind to make the changes. It is
possible, maybe even probable that you have interests and hobbies. Some, of these may be
more likely to make you an income in the changing job market, than any of the things that
you did day to day in your previous employment. Make a list. Get your friends or family to
look at your list. Most of us are inclined to be modest. Many of us suffer from low “Self
Esteem”. We tend to see our own failings in magnified terms. Get someone who knows you
well, to go over your list. They will almost certainly find lots of things to put on the list you
will have over looked. Formal education will only get you so far.

2. If you are just out of school or university your degree or diploma will not get you a job on its
own. Remember everyone is your class has the same piece of paper, no you didn’t study for
so long for nothing. You just need to sit down and work out what else you have that will
make you different from the other job seekers. Which skills do you have that will make you
the right choice for a prospective employer. What are your strengths? What areas do you
need to brush-up on? Make the list, Do It Now! Our Wake Up Professional Development
Program is designed to help you with all these fundamental s.
3. Resume Writing and Cover Letters. Many things have been written on resume writing.
Every job search network will have a section on their website. If you are old school and
prefer printed paper. Print it. I do. Some of the best tips are free. Clean white paper is
always the best. Watch your email address please. I know of no prospective employer that
will interview people who have email addresses like killer@hotmail.com? Or
lovegod@gmail.com really it isn’t hard to open an email address that has your name
attached to it. Do it now! Your resume is like your calling card. Please think of the people
who receive your resume. They get lots. Content? Employers are busy people. Most skim
the document and sort them into piles. You want to be in the pile to call, not the pile to file
in the waste paper bin. Make it easy to read, list your most recent position first. Then go
down the list not the other way. Even if you have years of experience don’t make yourself
seem older. You are looking to paint a picture of a person who has read the job add,
addressed the criteria and is putting in an application and expects to be short listed.
Anything less will just not cut it. Many employers post job ads that are like a wish list of
things they would like the prospective employee to have. Sometimes these things are
mandatory. I.E the law prevents them from hiring a person without this particular
qualification or it would be impossible to do the job without this knowledge. Other times it
is just. Well it would be nice but not really a deal breaker.
When you are applying for a position it is important to know which is which. If you are looking at a job
ad that sounds like something you would be interested in, you know you have most of the required
qualifications, but they are asking for a particular certificate, you have never heard of. Google it! Most
of these things are short courses or can be done very quickly when you have the job. Or, refer back to
number 1 in the 10 tips. With a health care card, It becomes very affordable. Trainthem’s Wake Up
Professional Development Program calls these things obstacles. Some obstacles are hard to overcome.
Others are really only obstacles in our own mind. These are easily overcome and will not stop us from
achieving our goals. Whilst time precludes me of going into the whole process here one of the most
common mistake prospective job seekers make. Failing to change the cover letter to suit the position
they are applying for. Again no prospective employer will invite you to come for an interview when your
cover letter begins with:-I am applying for your position in hospitality, when they are a clothing retailer.
Slow down take your time and make sure you have read the ad and have addressed the criteria.

3. 4. Research the company before you apply for the position.
It is now common practice, when companies place job ads to ask for people to check out the
website before they apply. We put our website address http://www.trainthem.com.au on
the job ad. We send them a return email letting them know someone will be in contact in a
few days to organize a phone interview, again requesting that they check out our website
before then. Still many people do not check out the website. If you don’t have internet
access, please, take some advice if you are registered with Centrelink they will refer you to a
job network such as Wise Employment or Max Employment there are many of them across
the country. They will give you access to the internet for job search purposes. They will give
you access to phones, printing and copying if you need it. Also as most of us are in an urban
environment your local library will also have great computer access it’s free, you just need
to join the library. Think of it from the employer’s prospective. I f you don’t bother to avail
yourself of these things when you are looking for work and have no interest in what it is that
they do for a living, what they sell, what they produce or company structure. All of which is
easily found on company websites. Why would they imagine that you would manage to get
out of bed and come to work everyday. Why would they imagine that you will be a great
asset to the company and make money or perform the duties they need you to perform to
allow the other staff to make the money to keep the business afloat.
When you can’t even be bothered to do the basics, before you get the job. Please do your
research, don’t waste people’s time. If you do your research at the beginning, you will save
yourself time and save the time of the prospective employer. We are all looking for a good
fit for the available positions and really if you don’t check it first. How would you know if
you would like to join the company.
5. Contacting your Preferred Employer. There are a lot of people who will tell you not to
contact the targeted company directly. At Trainthem we will teach you the most successful
ways to contact your preferred employer effectively. Of course if your, preferred employer
is a government agency or they have a huge PR department, finding the correct person to
speak with may be tricky. However this is the exception rather than the rule. In my
experience, most companies who are actively looking for staff are happy to talk to people
who are interested in the position. It makes you stand out from the crowd. I know I will
almost always interview someone who shows enough enthusiasm and contacts me before I
have the chance to contact them. Our Wake Up Professional Development Program goes
into all aspects of Securing the right Job for you. Learn to handle this well and you will be
way ahead of the competition.
6. Circle of Influence. At Trainthem we talk about this all the time. As Sales Trainers we know
people often overlook the people they know, or meet every day. It doesn’t matter what you
sell. If people know you sell it, they will of course come to you whenever they are in the
market for your product. The trouble is most people forget to tell others what they do.
Worse still some people are embarrassed or think they are being pushy. How silly is that.

4. If you are looking for a new position, it’s exactly the same thing. If your friends or people
you meet every day don’t know you are looking for work, how are they ever going to be able
to help you, or very often help themselves, most people want to help. Ask people, get on
Facebook, LinkedIn or any other social media you are involved with. Companies spend a lot
of money looking for new staff, most employers are only too happy to speak to anyone that
their existing employees recommend. If you’re young, don’t forget your parents.
Clearly if they have just spent the last twenty odd years raising you, in most instances they
will have been doing something to make a living. They may even be very well respected in
their respective industries. I’m not suggesting working side by side with your Mum or Dad.
Speak to them, show them this E book. They will have people that they know or have
worked with or for in the past, that may be looking for a young enthusiastic person wanting
a start. Again so many people overlook the obvious, or are a bit unsure as to what is the
current thinking on these things. Again I know from my own experience if the parents are
good, the kids will be too. This goes double for the experienced professional looking for a
new career or mums returning to the work force it’s a different world out there and
Trainthem is here to help you find the way.
7. Presentation: Dress for the Job you want not the Job you have.
If you have been in the same job for years, it is easy to get comfortable with your dress
code. If you were in a role in an enclosed office or if you were provided with a uniform it
may be that now you are looking for work, you are at a loss with what to wear for an
interview. Maybe you have been a stay at home parent for a number of years. Or perhaps
this will be your first job after you have finished your studies. Just remember in most
situations if you have gotten to the interview stage you have already been short listed.
Trust me no one will interview 100 people and that is the usual number that apply for a
position on line. So if you have been invited in for an interview you are half way there. Your
resume will have been a good fit for the company, you will have answered the questions
correctly and efficiently in your phone interview and now they want to meet you in person.
No you don’t have to max out the credit card to make a good impression. However you may
need to take a good objective look at the image you are portraying. This may be another
situation when you get a friend or family member to take an objective look also. It seems to
be easier for men than women. Guys, no matter what your age or what sort of job you are
looking for. Dress pants, long sleeve shirt and a tie are a must. Polished shoes and clean
nails and clean well groomed hair are also not negotiable. Facial hair you either have it or
you don’t. A well groomed beard or moustache can look great on a man . Clean shaven is
even better. Stubble! No, not at an interview! Clearly if you are interviewing for a position in
a professional area you will need to wear a suit. Well cut, dark and not shiny would be my
suggestion. If you have tattoos or piercing’s, it would be best to have these covered or
removed where possible.

5. Ladies, for you it can be a bit more risky. It really all depends on what industry you are
interviewing for. What you would wear to an interview for a high end fashion boutique
would obviously be very different to what you would wear to interview for a law firm.
However when in doubt be conservative. Well pressed blouse or other collared shirt, nice
clean shoes that are of a neutral colour and not too high. A jacket, that is well cut will also
make you look professional, make up and jewellery is also important. Most women look
better with it than without, but please watch the bright colours on lips and eyes. If you are
interviewing for the fashion industry then of course have a look at what they actually sel l,
again this is where research comes in. If you are interviewing for any industry that is even
remotely customer service orientated getting this right is crucial. I know of companies that
have decided not to hire otherwise very qualified applicants, because it was felt that the
prospective employee would find it very difficult to meet the level of presentation required.
The applicant may have had the best references and years of relevant experience but if the
boss was concerned with the way they turned up for an interview. What could they expect
from you when you have to go to work every day.
My best tip is to go and check out the business, and get a feel of what the staff actually
wear before the interview. That way you will be able to judge what is and isn’t suitable for
the particular company. More research, but it saves you making a very bad mistake.
Again if you need assistance Employment Plus which is run by the Salvation Army, they offer
a service of providing suitable interview clothes for anyone who needs this sort of help.
I am sure that the wonderful people that work at these offices would be happy to give
advice to anyone who needed it. The one thing that is not negotiable no matter what
position you are going for. You must always smell good. Bad B.O, the smell of alcohol on
your breath, or stale cigarette smoke is never going to get you the job you want.
Deodorant, breath mints and clean pressed clothes are not negotiable.
8. Interview Do’s and Dont’s. It may be many years since your last interview, or it may be your
first interview ever. The most important thing is to be prepared. Most employers report
that they make up their minds on a prospective applicant in the first few minutes. Most will
also get you to fill out a form before they do the interview. This is often for two reasons. In
all cases they will be watching how you handle yourself and sometimes they are checking
that you in fact read and write to a certain standard. It may be part of the job and it is
amazing how many people get through school without these basic skills. If this is you,
please, don’t try and hide it, there is help. However most of the time it is. How do you act?
You must always be on time for an interview, if you are unsure of the location always check
when the interview is being organized, don’t leave it to the day. Appear confident! If you
have done your research and followed my advice there is no reason not to be confident.

6. Answer all questions in a clear voice and don’t forget to smile. Take the lead from the
interviewer where practicable.
At Trainthem we teach a technique called Mirroring, we cover it in our Wake Up
Professional Development Programs. It means to act in a similar manner to the person you
are talking too, similar gestures will help you bond with the person doing the interview. I
have noticed in some organizations, the job of conducting first interviews is often handed to
people who may not be very experienced at conducting interviews. In my opinion this is not
good. However, if you find yourself being interviewed by someone who is struggling, it is a
good idea to have some questions of your own. This can often put them at ease, and it gives
you a much better opportunity to get people to talk. There are so many important things
our Wake Up Professional Development Program can teach you. We would love to help you
launch or re- launch your Career.
9. Second Interviews. Getting a second interview should never be considered luck. If you
have done your preparation and given the impression that you are the best candidate for
the job you will be invited back in to talk turkey. The second interview is when you will
usually meet the boss, if you don’t you are either interviewing for a very senior position, the
more senior the role the more interviews you will have to attend. Or in some cases a fairly
disorganized company who may have had some bad hiring experiences before and are
trying not to make the same mistake again. Not always the best way to handle this. In some
situations this could be a red flag, is the company structure as sound as you would like.
Some people do struggle to make a decision and it is your job to make them pick you. The
second interview is often the negotiation stage. Do your research, find out what is the
expected salary range in the industry for which you are interviewing, always ask for a figure
that is at the top end of that range. If you do not believe in your own self-worth? How can
you make other people believe in you? Even if you can only manage to be confident for a
short period of time. This is the time. Trainthem’s Wake Up Program goes into this in detail
and in a tight job market you may not get many chances to get it right. Best practice is to ask
about any employee benefits or advantages. Also of course people will be impressed if you
ask about career growth opportunities of any study advantages this makes you appear
interested in a career not just a job. If you don’t like the answers then this isn’t the job for
you. Never take a job for the short term. You will find it impossible to stay committed and
it will show. You spend a lot of time at work and you have to be happy in your workplace.
Good employers know this and make sure that people feel rewarded and respected. If your
employer does this a good employee will go that extra mile and be happy to help out when
deadlines need to be met or extra work is on. If you do like the answers and you feel that
you would be really happy to take this job. Make sure the interviewer knows it. Be
enthusiastic. Always leave the interview on a really positive note. Again most people don’t
do this, handled well it can mean the difference between getting the job and being
unsuccessful. A thank you email that is expressed quickly can also make all the difference.
Some companies are quick to make a decision and sometimes when there are two decision

7. makers, they may be split your professional conduct can tip the balance in your direction.
Always go that one step further.
10. Some employers will want to have a think. Check your references and in many cases have
a chat with the people who would be your co - workers to see what they think. Don’t be
discouraged by this. If you have done a good job they will call. Most will give you a time
frame in which they will call. If you don’t hear please take my advice call them. Even if you
didn’t get the position you are well within your rights to find out why , so that you can
improve for your next interview. It will also make you feel better and you will waste a lot
less time, sitting around waiting for people to call you. This is never the best use of your
time. Making more opportunities for you is way more productive. In our Wake Up program
we talk about how no one is better than you. However someone else may be better suited
to a particular position.
I hope you have found our 10 Tips helpful. All times of change are stressful and looking for
work is one of the most stressful. We at Trainthem have been preparing people to enter
Professional Sales Roles for over 26 years. Our Wake UP Professional Development
Program is written not just for people wanting to get into Sales. It’s for anyone who is
looking to make changes in their lives. As Joe Teagh says “It’s for anyone who lives and
breathes.” Even if we never sell anything else we can change our lives by learning to sell
ourselves.
If you would like more information on our Programs please send an email to
http://janneil@trainthem.com.au with the relevant details and I will happily answer your
questions. Our programs are all available for Sale on our website
http://www.trainthem.com.au We are always looking for people who are interested in a
Career in Professional Development and Our Professional Sales Training Programs Sell and
Profit. Our Suite of Training Programs is unique and easily delivered face to face or in a DIY
format. Please contact us at http://admin@trainthem.com.au or call us on 07 38466602 for
further information.