| Fact Sheet - Job Searching |
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Things to Consider Before Looking for Work Any successful job search requires reflection, research and planning. This information has been developed to assist you as a job seeker look for work. Steps to consider before beginning your job search include identifying the following: Understanding these will enable you to target your job search and provide a compelling reason for an employer to hire you. Your Personal Preferences and Skills Reflect on your education, previous roles, work experience or experience within the community to understand: Your Job Options To identify suitable job options you may wish to consider the following: The following websites provide some valuable advice on selecting appropriate roles: The Type of Support You May Need Once you understand whether you have the essential skills for the identified job, you will need to understand what sort of support you may need in that job. The type of support will always vary according to your needs and the requirements of the job. Understanding the support you require and explaining these in matter of fact terms to your potential employer makes it easier for an employer to hire you. Assistance may be available to employers through the Workplace Modification Scheme. For more information see www.JobAccess.gov.au Researching Potential Employers Finding the right position for you is a two way process. You make a decision about potential employers just as much as those employers make a decision about you. Here is a checklist of things to consider when deciding if you would like to work for an organisation: - Support for diversity While not all organisations make it obvious, a number of workplaces actively support diverse workforces. There are some obvious signs if an organisation has given some thought to accommodating the needs of applicants with disability. For example: - Values Do they support the community? What are their stated values? Are they similar to yours? - Career paths Are the career paths on offer aligned with your direction? - Work life balance Do they promote work life balance initiatives such as flexible hours, work from home, rostered days off? - Size and growth of the organisation Is this a large and stable company? Are they able to offer job security? There are plenty of sources of information about employers including: - Disclosure Plan Before you begin your job search you should make a decision about whether you want to disclose your disability to an employer. There are effective ways to do this. Job Search Skills Understanding your skill set, values, preferences and why you want to work for an organisation will enable you to put together a compelling reason for an employer to hire you. To stand out from the crowd of other job seekers, always do your research. Consider the requirements of the role and tailor your resume and cover letter or application around this. Be sincere about wanting the role and your desire to work for that particular organisation. Interview preparation is important. Write some questions around the skills for the role and practice answering the questions. See www.myfuture.edu.au for some valuable tips on job search techniques, effective applications and interview tips. |
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