Career Q & A's
Answers supplied by Peter Tatham (Executive Director, Career Industry Council of Australia)

Welcome to the Get the life you love Campaign (including National Career Development Week) question and answer section to help you get the life you love.  Getting the life you love involves thinking and reflecting on all kinds of questions around your interests and dreams and hopes and fears. It involves taking small practical steps.  It means that you take charge of your future.

This section of the Get the life you love Campaign (GTLYL) site provides answers to questions we have been asked as we have travelled around the country.

Is there a simple approach to setting goals?

Achieving anything in life requires some idea of where you want it to get to. Some people write a letter to themselves while others set out detailed plans. Whatever you do, write it down. A simple approach is to use the SMART goals acronym. That is, make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and within a Time frame.

In a financial crisis where are the new opportunities likely to be?

Throughout history there have always been highs and lows in the global economy. In every case, new opportunities emerge and are created. What will be the next technology? What new services will be needed to support people? There is always work to be done. We all have to be on the lookout for opportunities that match our interests and to make sure we have the skills and experience to position ourselves to take up these opportunities when they arise or create them ourselves. New jobs are constantly being invented.

What is your pitch?

If you met someone at a social function who may have an opportunity for you, what would you tell them about yourself? What would be your story? What pitch would you want to present to them? It's worth spending some time to develop one or two paragraphs that describe your skills, interests, and knowledge in a way that can demonstrate how you can add value to a task, project or workplace.

How long should a resume be?

The goal of a resume is to get you an interview. It should highlight your skills, achievements and successes using a range of headings including personal details, education, work experience and skills and achievements. The question of length is really a matter of whether the information is relevant to the role. Resumes are becoming shorter (1 to 2 pages) and certainly should not longer than four pages.

Do you have some tips for using social networking sites?

Sites like Facebook and Myspace are now very widely used to meet with friends and to show them what a great time you had at that party or festival.  Now they are also being used by business as a marketing tool and by HR companies to get a bit more information on you. Use the tools available to restrict access to parts of the site which are for communication to your friends or if something is very controversial consider whether you want to put it up on a social networking site at all

Is my network working? Isn't networking exploitation of friends and colleagues?

Up to 80% of all jobs are not advertised. The networks we develop can lead us directly to new opportunities. Make a list of all those e-mail contacts, friends and relatives and others who you have not talked to or contacted for a while. What would you want to share with them? Networking is two-way, occurs regularly with courtesy and respect. At best, it is energising and great fun.

How can I get more experience to demonstrate my skills?

Try voluntary work. Every state and territory have community organisations that provide lists of available voluntary work opportunities. There are also some virtual volunteering sites. Voluntary work can not only build your skills set it is also a way of contributing to the community and building your networks.

Who can I use as a referee?

Choose someone (no relatives) who can say good things about you and give examples of your positive qualities and experience. Usually it is a good idea to give a referee a copy of your resume or application. Make sure the person knows that you are using them as a referee.  

Is there a different approach for online applications?

Those pesky boxes in online applications with 200 word limits do not provide an excuse to write in a text messaging style. The application process is just as formal as hard copy applications and can be more complex because of a need to be succinct. Work off-line and cut-and-paste into the boxes provided so that you have a copy of your application.

Other than web sites how can I get more information about a prospective employer?

You can use an information interview process.  It involves contacting an individual in an organisation and interviewing them and finding out what they like about their job?... what they find frustrating?... what they have achieved in their role?.. what are the skills required? What are the future trends?  In fact you can ask any questions which help you to decide about your own career future. Track down a contact starting point, do some research and prepare a pitch. Be courtious and check with them that it is a convenient time to talk.

How do I work out what I should be paid?

Wages are an important factor when considering a job but they are not everything. Professional development, friendly colleagues and a good working culture are also important.  To check your salary if you are graduate go to gradsonline at http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/  and more generally visit job outlook at http://joboutlook.gov.au. This site provides a good indication of salary levels for hundreds of occupations.

What are employers looking for in a candidate?

If you were hiring someone what would you look for? Would you want someone who was a good communicator, team player and problem solver? Would you want them to have some initiative, be able to plan their work, use technology and learn on the job. If so, then your expectations match well with the employability skills developed by industry as a guide for all.

All content and links checked February 2012. Next review scheduled July 2012.