Boosting your employability
Do you have the skills to land the job you want? Do you feel prepared to enter the workforce with confidence? In Landing A Job, we’ll cover off the basics to get you “job-ready” plus we’ll share tips & tricks so you can hit the ground running once you’re in the workforce.
We’ll walk you through the practical things you can do before job hunting begins, such as getting a Tax File Number, shining up your resume or scratching up on your interview skills. We’ll uncover a variety a places where you can find jobs and provide further information on rights, responsibilities and support for employees.
Let’s get started!
Tax File Numbers (TFNs)
Do you already have a tax file number? Awesome - you can skip ahead to the next section!
What is a tax file number?
So, what exactly is a tax file number?
A tax file numbers is a unique number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to identify individuals who lodge income tax returns with the ATO. It helps the ATO figure out how much tax you should be paying, and correct any imbalances at the end of a financial year.
Keep in mind, if you are working – even casual or part-time – then you will probably be expected to lodge an income tax return with the ATO at the end of each financial year. Most people do this in the tax return period between July and October each year. More info about how to do your tax returns is available on the Youth Hub Becoming Independent page.
While individuals are not obligated to provide their TFN, there may be consequences if they don’t. For example, if individuals don't quote their TFN to employers then they may have tax deducted from income at a higher rate.
So getting your tax file number is a good first step if you are looking for work.
How to get a Tax File Number?
There are a number of ways you can obtain a tax file number if you don’t already have one. If you have a Centrelink account you can apply for a tax file number online or in person by visiting your nearest Centrelink branch. You can apply online for a Tax File number here. Once you apply online you will need to take your application reference number and attend an interview at your local post office. Applying for a tax number is free.
If you are an Australian citizen with an Australian passport, you can apply for a TFN online using myGovID. You will need to follow the steps to show proof of identity, but then the process for applying for a TFN is instant.
TIP: Applying for a TFN is free and should be done through the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or a participating post office. Avoid going through any sites that end in .com. They may charge you!
If you do not have a passport but are an Australian citizen or resident for tax purposes, you may need to apply at an Australia Post office. The process looks like this:
Complete the online form – the form is not supported by Internet Explorer, use another browser.
Print the application summary, which will include your application reference number.
Book your interview at a participating Australia Post outlet within 30 days of completing your online form.
Attend your interview and take your application summary and original proof of identity documents to the interview.
Sign your application at Australia Post at your interview to complete your TFN application.
Resumes and cover letters
Creating a resume
When you apply for jobs, you are most likely going to need to send in a resume. A resume is a document that tells employers who you are, what your experience and background looks like. It is also sometimes referred to as a CV, short for the Latin phrase curriculum vitae, which means “course of life”.
A good resume can be key to standing out from the list of other applicant and getting that interview. It helps you stand out and tells your prospective employer who you are.
When you create your first resume, there are some important bits of information that needs to be included:
TIP: Take a peek at the ‘Templates’ option when you create a new doc in Microsoft Word. Choose one of their resume designs, then you just need to fill in the blanks!
Contact information
Resume example. Click the image for a larger version.
Your contact information should include your full name, your post code, a phone number and an email address. Make sure you use an email address that sounds professional - goodbye kittykat2004@ - and including your name in the email address is always a good idea.
Career objectives
Your career objective should be a snapshot of who you are and why you want to work, and how you can contribute to the company or organisation. Ensure that the objective fits the job you are applying for and make it short and specific.
Work experience
List your work experiences. They might be full time, part time, casual or voluntary experience. When you include your work experience make sure you include the year you started the role and the year you finished (or use ‘to present’ to indicate that you are still working for that company). Include the name of the company you worked for and the title of the role you performed.
Order your work experience by year: so the most recent job you have held (or where you are currently working) goes first on the list. Your oldest job will sit at the bottom of the list.
No paid work experience? No worries! Don’t underestimate the value of volunteering experiences or other relevant community engagement. Are you in a sports team and have you helped out at times? Have you baby-sat for family friends? These types of experiences build soft skills - like communication, time management and leadership - which are transferrable and highly valued in the workplace.
If you are applying for your first job and don’t have any unpaid examples to drawn on, you can leave out this section.
Your education
Include the latest year level of education or training that you have finished and the name of schools or institutions that you have attended.
Your attributes, skills & qualifications
It’s useful to include attributes (you might call these qualities) like ‘being flexible’, ‘being organised’ and ‘being proactive’ (if these apply to you).
Skills might be a general skill like ‘I am a strong communicator’ or it may be more specific, for example ‘skilled at Microsoft Office’ or ‘Fluent in Vietnamese’.
Try to list a few attributes and/or skills that would give a potential employer some idea of what you might bring to the table. Be positive about yourself and think of your strengths!
TIP: You can draw examples of your skills and experience from all aspects of your life! If you participated in a netball team at school, that’s a great example of your experience working in a team.
Referees
Make sure you include at least 2 referees in your resume. Ensure that these referees are not family members or friends. Think of people who know you and might be able to say something about you. It might be:
• Working professionals i.e. managers, supervisors, business owners
• Academic i.e. teachers, lecturers, professors
• Religious figures
• Mentors
• Social Workers
Make sure you ask referees before you put them down on your resume. And if you apply for a job and hear back about an interview, it’s helpful to let them know that they may get a call.
The Work Tips blog have a great article on how to ask someone to be your referee:
More examples of resumes
Youth Central have a page with some great examples that you can draw on in putting together your own resume.
Build your (professional) social media profile
If a potential employer searched your name online to find out more about you, what would they find?
LinkedIn is a social network that focuses on professional networking and career development. It can act as your online resume in a format that lets you showcase your education and paid and unpaid work experience.
Having an up-to-date profile on LinkedIn can help you attract potential employers, network with industry professionals and discover work opportunities to help you get ahead in your career. So once you’ve shined up your resume, be sure to jump onto LinkedIn and update your profile.
TIP: Recommendations on LinkedIn build your credibility, so remember to encourage past employers, mentors or professional referees to write an endorsement.
Writing cover letters
It's always a good idea to include a one or two-page cover letter with your resume whenever you apply for a job.
TIP: Think of a cover letter as a letter introducing yourself. It has to say “this is who I am”, “I want this job” and “I would be a great fit for the role because …”
Cover letter example. Click the image for a larger version.
There are many reasons to include a cover letter in a job application:
Cover letters give employers a little introduction to you before they read your resume
They sell your skills and qualifications and shows your employer why you are the best fit for the job before they read your resume
A good cover letter helps you stand out from the other applicants
Cover letters give your resume a bit of context. (imagine being a manager and seeing a pile of applications on your desk. They are looking for applicants that stand out immediately!)
Everyone writes cover letters differently. In some industries, there are particular things you may need to include.
However for many entry-level jobs and casual roles, you may just need to introduce yourself and tell employers why you think you are a good fit for the advertised position.
Creating a cover letter: Key selection criteria
Some industries like to write job advertisements that include ‘key selection criteria’. Don’t be scared of the term! Basically, it’s a fancy way for employers to lay out a few more skills or qualities that they are looking for in applicants for a job and get you to respond to them.
If you see the term ‘key selection criteria’, it will often be followed by a list of skills/qualities, sometimes in a series dot points. Try to respond to each point in order, and provide examples that show your skills or experience where possible. Examples might be drawn from experiences you had while working previous jobs, volunteering, or even at school.
If you find your cover letter is getting long (more than two pages) when writing a cover letter that addresses key selection criteria, you might consider creating a short cover letter and putting the key selection criteria in a separate document.
Examples of cover letters
The following websites feature further examples of cover letters for you to explore and consider when putting together your own:
Youth Central - This page has some great examples that you can draw on in putting together your own resume.
‘How to write a cover letter with the ‘wow’ factor’ - Max Solutions blog
My Future - Key Selection Criteria. Provides a guide for tailoring your resume and cover letter to address key selection criteria in your job application.
Careers.vic - Provides an explanation of key selection criteria and tips for structuring your response.
Interview Techniques
Scratch up on your interview skills
Interviews can be daunting, but a little preparation goes a long way to helping you feel in control. Before you attend an interview, take some time to think about the following:
Learn something about the employer
It’s always useful to do some research about the employer before you attend an interview. This will help you understand more about the company/organisation, but also what they value look for in an employee.
Google the company or organisation. Find out what you can about their size, their location, their values, and the kinds of work you might be required to do in the role.
Big companies will usually have a website and some sort of social media presence that you can view. A smaller business may not. If you can’t find anything about a company or organisation you are applying for a job with, perhaps try looking at similar businesses to get a sense of the industry or context.
TIP: Learning something about the company before an interview is sure to give you confidence and impress the employer.
Review what you know about the job
Make sure you understand exactly what the job you are applying for is about. Have another look over the job application and pay attention to the following:
Take note of the tasks you might have to perform
What are the hours involved?
Is there an induction or training for new employees?
Do you need to wear a uniform?
Remember, if there is not enough information in the job ad, you can ring or email the business and ask for further information.
You can even ask for a job description. Employers will often put together a job description document to list the tasks they want a new employee to perform, who will manage them, that kind of thing. Sometimes this document is included in a job advertisement so that applicants can see it, but not always. If you ask politely, they may share it with you. They may even appreciate your enthusiasm!
You can also make a note of your questions and ask them at the end of the interview!
Prepare any documents you might need
It is a good idea to bring copies of relevant information about you in a folder to the interview. You might take a couple extra copies of your resume and cover letter in case the employer doesn’t have it in their hands during the interview.
If you want to show examples of your work - like a portfolio of photography, for example - bring some copies along, if you can.
If your portfolio is digital, you can email the link to the employer prior to the interview as a reminder of your work.
Practise interview responses
It’s more and more common for interviews to take place online. The format remains the same, and you can prepare by recording your answers using your webcam!
The format for interviews may vary. Sometimes one employer might be present, other times there will be a group or panel of staff from the organisation. Maybe it’s face-to-face, maybe it’s online.
All have one thing in common however: you will be asked questions!
As with the other stages of applying for jobs, you should do some background preparation. Think or research the kinds of questions that the employer might ask. Usually in an interview there are general questions about your skills and qualities (perhaps time management or working in teams), and specific questions about the role you are applying for, the tasks you will perform, and why you are the right fit for the job.
Check out our exercise below for examples of common interview questions and their responses.
TIP: Practise recording a video of yourself answering interview questions. The more you do this and look back on it, the more comfortable you will become with the process!
Dressing for an interview
First impressions count! Choose clean clothes that are interview appropriate (park the ripped jeans) and dress for the position that you are applying for. For instance, it may not be necessary to wear a suit for the role or industry but always present yourself as a worthy candidate who is taking the interview seriously.
Answering interview questions with STAR
What is the STAR technique? It stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result.
It’s a great way to answer questions during your interviews, particularly when employers ask you to provide an example of how you have done certain things or worked in particular ways. Let’s break it down:
Situation: The first step is to introduce something that you have done in the past. What happened? Who was involved? Where was it? Give a brief description of what happened.
Example: "One day at work a customer knocked a bottle of oil onto the floor, and there was no one else around to help clean it up."
Task: The second step is to talk about what you were required to do or what goals you had to achieve.
Example: "I took it on as my responsibility to clean the spill and make sure the area is safe for customers to enter."
Action: The third step is to talk about the steps you took to make sure you achieved the goal and to complete the tasks you were given.
Example: "I called a team member over and asked them to stand near the spill to warn customers of the hazard. Then I went and got a mop and bucket to mop up the spill. After I mopped the spill I left the caution sign in place to make sure that customers were aware the floor was still wet."
Result: Lastly, talk about what happened after you achieved what you set out to do. For example, if your example is about a time you went above and beyond for a customer, what was the result? What was the benefit for the customer and the organisation you worked for? What did you learn from this experience?
Example: "My actions ensured that the store was a safe environment for customers and staff. My manager noticed what I had done and thanked me for my initiative."
ACTIVITY: Test yourself with some common interview questions
Here are some common questions you may be asked in a job interview. Try answering them for yourself, and then click on the question to reveal a handy tip!
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When answering a question like this you could talk briefly about yourself, your interests and hobbies, your qualities. This is a common warm up question and is designed to put you at ease and get you chatting!
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Young people with limited or no work experience often find this a hard question to answer.
However, there are lots of ways to approach it even if you are being interviewed for a first job.
You might talk about work experience placements you undertook in school, or informal activities like baby-sitting, dog-walking or helping out family and friends, even if these experiences were unpaid. Perhaps you volunteered somewhere in the past, even if it was very informal?
Whatever experience you talk about in an interview, make sure you mention exactly what you were responsible for and what you did in that position. Then you can talk about the qualities you developed to perform that activity well. Perhaps dog-walking required good time management and reliability, because you had to stick to a schedule. Maybe your work experience helped you to become a good listener or work well in teams.
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You can use examples drawn from school, work, or even your hobbies for this question. For example, you might talk about ‘working with other students to complete a school project’, ‘working in a team in a casual job’, or ‘belonging to a sporting team’.
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This is sometimes asked in other ways … "Why should we hire you for this job?" or “What do you think makes you a good fit for this job?”
There are lots of ways you can answer a question like this. Simply put, you are being asked to sell yourself!
We suggest focusing on two or three qualities, skills, experience or interests that you think are most relevant to the role and speaking about them.
Maybe you have personal qualities that would make you a good employee at this organisation. Maybe you have experience (work or otherwise) that will be useful to the organisation? If you are passionate about the job opportunity, try to let that passion shine through!
Most of all, be positive about yourself and focus on your strengths!
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You are being asked to prove your interest in the position and demonstrate your experience (if you have any through work experience or part time work) that shows your interest and skills in the job.
You might talk about your interest in working in a particularly area (“I really love working with children and have had 3 work placements in child care”) or perhaps something about the business to show your enthusiasm for the employer or role (“Your firm is one of the biggest manufacturers of …….. and you are known for your quality products. I would like to be a part of that positive environment.”).
You might also talk about the skills you have and the skills or experience you want to develop. You might say something like: “Your company is a high quality local painting and decorating service. I have some training in this area and spent 6 weeks during the school holidays working with a large painting contractor. I enjoyed it, but I know I have a lot to learn about the industry and there are many skills I want to further develop. I feel like this position would be a great opportunity to do that!”
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This is a common question that comes at the end of the interview. It always helps to have a couple of questions prepared to ask the employers. It shows that you are enthusiastic, engaged and have thought about the job.
There are many questions you might ask. You can ask about the hours of work, start and finish times, locations of work, rates of pay, or when the employer expects to make a decision about hiring.
Perhaps you might think up a completely different question during the interview!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the interview. It shows employers you are engaged, a good communicator and thinking about different aspects of the job!
Improving interview performance: A checklist
There are no hard and fast rules about what to do at interviews, but here are some common tips:
Consider in advance how long it will take to get to the interview location and where you need to go. Maybe it’s a big office or warehouse and you need to find a particular room. Do you know where reception is if you need help?
Try to arrive 5 minutes early – it will give you a chance to settle any nerves.
Turn off your phone or put it on silent before you enter the interview.
Sit up straight and try to engage directly with the interviewer(s). Try your best not to slouch or fidget!
Try your best to look engaged and positive throughout the interview - a smile goes a long way!
If you don’t understand a question, it’s okay to ask them if they might repeat it ("I’m sorry but I’m not sure that I understood the question. Would you mind repeating it please?")
Make sure that you have some prepared questions to ask the interviewers at the end of the interview.
If you don’t get the job, you can often write back or call to request feedback and advice about your application. Try not to take any criticisms personally. They are learning opportunities!
Dealing with anxiety about interviews
Interviews can be tough on your nerves. While being nervous at interviews is common and maybe even normal, always remember to be kind to yourself. Practice does help to lessen nerves and make you feel more in control. And if you don’t get everything right at an interview, try to think of it as an experience to reflect on and learn from.
If you are struggling, be sure to get help. You can access advice and support through headspace - the national youth mental health foundation.
See our mental health support page for further information and resources.
Want more tips about interviews?
Check out these great resources below. Youth Central: Interview tips page – a great site with tips and guidance for people preparing for job interviews
JobSearch: Interview practise – These practise interview videos cover a range of industries and roles. Find the one most suitable to your job applications and practise your responses!
Where to find jobs
Not sure where to go to find a job? We've got you covered!
Start thinking outside of the box! Whilst most people stumble across employment opportunities on career sites or employer job boards, increasingly more people are discovering jobs in less traditional avenues, such as on social media and through friends and professional networks.
Friends, family and personal networks
It may be surprising, but often the best way to find a job is to ask around – someone you already know may be able to help.
You might tell friends and family, previous employers, social workers, community leaders or others in your life that you are looking for work.
They may be able to recommend a job or put you in touch with someone they know is hiring. If not, they will at least be able to keep an eye out for opportunities in the future, and can be sources of support during your search!
You might also post something on social media including LinkedIn, mentioning you are looking for work and asking if anyone knows of places hiring.
TIP: If there is a particular company/organisation you want to work for, look for a "careers" or "work with us" page on their website. They might advertise job vacancies you can apply for!
Finding jobs online
Most employers will advertise positions through job websites like Seek or on their own company website. There are lots of different websites you can use to look for jobs online. See below for a list of the sites we think are most useful.
Job search websites
JobCraft Talent Community - JobCraft Talent Community mmvllen runs this site which features local entry-level jobs and traineeship/apprenticeship opportunities in Maribyrnong & Moonee Valley and Melbourne.
SEEK - One of the biggest job sites out there. You can filter results by location, occupation and keyword.
Ethical Jobs - Ethical Jobs helps you find jobs in the charity and not-for-profit sector, as well as volunteer opportunities.
Career One - Another huge job website that allows you to search for local and relevant employment opportunities.
Recruit.net - This jobs site includes job opportunities in retail and hospitality.
Simply Hired - This jobs site includes a range of openings for entry level positions.
Defence Jobs - Your portal to job opportunities in the Australian Defence Force.
Employment Agencies and jobactive providers
There are a huge number of private and not-for-profit employment agencies around Melbourne. It can be a little daunting getting your head around what exactly they do.
If you are currently signed up to Youth Allowance as a job seeker and receive support payments, Centrelink may refer you to a jobactive service provider. Basically, Centrelink is referring you to an employment agency, and it is the employment agency’s job to help you find work and monitor your progress. You may need to meet certain requirements in order to keep receiving support payments, and the employment agency should make that clear to you.
Even if you are not referred by Centrelink, you can get in touch with employment agencies or look at their websites for the following:
Many employment agencies put a job search directory on their website, where you can look for vacant job positions in the area you live. You may need to create an account in order to access these directories.
They can also help you prepare for your job search in other ways. It is helpful to browse through their websites, where you will often find articles about ‘writing cover letters’ or ‘preparing for interviews’.
You can phone or email most employment agencies and they may provide you with more personalised assistance to support your job search.
Employment agencies
Workforce Australia - This Australian government directory is a place where you can search and apply for jobs or find more information on their pathway to employment. The providers section also has a search bar for local employment providers.
Jobs Victoria: Register to find work - The Jobs Victoria online hub matches people who are ready to work with employers who are looking for skilled and talented workers. When you register, you will receive job alerts that match your skills, experience and location.
AMES Employment - 289 Barkly Street, Footscray. Enquiries: 13 26 37
Matchworks - Suite 2, 186 Barkly Street Footscray. Enquiries: (03) 9689 6333
Max Solutions - Suite 40a Level 1 Metro West Shopping Centre, Corner Albert and Paisley Streets, Footscray. Enquiries: (03) 8398 8900
Sarina Russo Job Access - Suite 40a, Level 1, Metro West Shopping Centre, Corner Albert and Paisley Streets, Footscray. Enquiries: 13 15 59
The Salvation Army Employment Plus- Suite 2 & 3, 24 Devonshire Road Sunshine. Enquiries: 136 123
Workskil - 15a Ascot Vale Road Flemington Enquiries: (03) 8537 3100
Employment support for people with a disability
There are a range or information and advocacy services out there to help young people with a disability towards work:
Disability Employment Services page - Australian government (Department of Education, Skills and Employment) page with information for people with a disability or additional needs. Includes links to Employment Services Assessments and Supported Wage System providers.
Job Access, Driving Disability Employment - National hub for employment and workplace information for people with Disability. Expert advice line: 1800 464 800
Youth Disability Advocacy Service - A range of advocacy support for young people with a disability, and a free online leadership program to help grow your confidence, leadership and advocacy skills. Level 2, 235 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Enquiries: 0438 638 734
The following employment agencies can help young people with a disability find work:
APM Employment Services - Multiple locations around Melbourne. Enquiries: 1800 276 276
atWork Australia - Multiple locations around Melbourne. Enquiries: 1300 192 632
Campbell Page - Multiple locations around Melbourne. Enquiries: 1300 139 920
CVGT - Enquiries: 132 848
GForce Employment & Recruitment - Sunshine, Melton & regional Victorian locations. Enquiries: 1800 818 320
SYC/Job Prospects - Multiple Melbourne locations. Enquiries:(03) 9689 1715 (Footscray office)
MatchWorks - Flemington, Footscray, Sunshine & other locations. Enquiries: 1300 13 23 63
MAX Employment - Footscray, Sunshine & other Melbourne locations. Enquiries: 1800 603 503
Octec Limited - Footscray, Sunshine & other Melbourne locations. Enquiries: 1800 258 182
Uniting - Multiple Melbourne locations. Enquiries: 1300 090 989
WCIG - Multiple hubs around Melbourne & Geelong. Enquiries: 03 9689 3437
The following services offer supported employment opportunities for people living with disability:
Mambourin - Supported employment services. Multiple locations in western Melbourne. Enquiries: 03 9731 9200
Merrimu/Annecto - Vocation & education participation services. Multiple locations around Melbourne. Enquiries: 1800 266 328
TEAM - Training, Employment, Accommodation & Mentoring for people with disability. 2a Station Street Coburg. Enquiries: 1300 514 827
Youth Employment Scheme (YES) - Want to work in a Victorian government department or agency but don’t know where to start? YES provides young people aged 15 to 29 with an opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service for 12 months while completing accredited training. There is a stream for young people with a disability.
Your rights and responsibilities at work
Once you’ve started work, what else do you need to know?
When you are working, there are certain rights that you are entitled to as an employee. Employers have a responsibility to uphold these rights and ensure that you are always working in a safe environment.
Your rights are laid out in the National Employment Standards. They cover things like unpaid or paid leave entitlements, for example. But do note that the entitlements for employees who are on a part-time or full-time basis are more extensive than for workers on a casual contract.
If you feel that your employer is treating you unfairly, that you aren't being paid properly or are made to feel unsafe in the work place, there are places you can go to get help.
You can learn about your rights, or contact the Fair Work Ombudsman to help resolve workplace issues.
WorkSafe Victoria’s advisory service can help you for all matters related to workplace health and safety, answering general enquiries and offering advice to workers of their WorkSafe rights, including what to do in the case of physical or mental injuries. Their advisory service is available from 7:30am – 6:30pm Monday to Friday on 1800 136 089.
In February 2022, WorkSafe also ran a campaign with information for young workers about their rights and where to go for support.
If you prefer to access a local, youth-specific service, the Young Workers Centre is run out of the Trades Hall in Carlton. They have a range of info on their website, and offer free legal advice to young Victorians under 30. Contact the Young Workers Centre by calling 1800 714 754.
Learn more about landing a job
Year 13 is a great blog site with loads of information about different career options, tips for landing jobs, and more. They also have a directory, with entry-level job opportunities, traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities and more.
Youth Central: Jobs & Careers - This Vic government-run site has a range of tips, advice and info for young people on all things related to jobs and careers.
Job Jumpstart - Hear from young people who are on their way to their ideal career. Watch short videos on how to ace interviews, stand out from the crowd, and get around the dreaded ‘no experience’ issue!