I want to get a job.

[Javaira]

But I hate applying for them. Especially with the current system where you interview with a thousand employment agencies and never for the actual job you applied for.

I think, when it comes to applying for jobs, my ego is quite fragile. The thing is I have never had a proper career, no chance to really prove my abilities. I think I am a good employee, but possibly a bit to bright for alot of entry level jobs. I really don't mind doing something basic though. I am either under qualified and under experienced or considered far to likely to leave for greener pastures once I get some experience under my belt.

I hate selling myself, I am who I am. When I don't get a job I often take it quite personally. I think this is because when I go to job interviews I am being sincere.

I hated temping, it was the worst experience I have had, and I have had alot of different experiences, including being electrocuted on the job.

Why can't someone just hire me, and then I can get on with working.

Oh, BTW at the moment I am looking for receptionist work, but I will do almost anything.

[Cassa]

I know *exactly* how you feel Jav, my heart goes out to you. I've been through exactly the same thing 3 times in the past 2.5 years. It fucking sucks. I wish there was something I could do to help you, but it's a hard road out there. A wise man (kleph) once said to me that jobhunting is the most demoralising, soul-crushing punishment known to man, and he's right. An automated rejection from someone you don't even know somehow manages to make you feel like the smallest person in the world.

All the advice I can give you is keep being honest, find an aspect of any job you apply for that you can sell yourself on and focus on that, and practice for interviews beforehand with questions you think they're likely to ask - that's how I got the stats/research job I had for a year and a half (before I had to leave for medical reasons- grr). Anyway, good luck.

[Javaira]

Thanks Cassa, it helps to hear what you already feel, is felt by others. The thing is I am quite good at job interviews, but there are no second places with jobs. With the current system I feel like a number, when I know I offer alot more than what a whole lot of stats can show about me.

For instance, my knowledge of excel is around 40%, not really that proficient. Yet I have used thousands of different software applications and can quickly learn my way around them. I only know 40% of excel because it is all I have needed to use. My typing speed is only 35 wpm, rather than the industry standard of 40 wpm. Of course if I was in a job that involved alot of typing, that speed would increase. I just don't need to type that much when my main duties include raising two children and keeping the house clean.

My swtich board experience is with IP telephony (cisco) which is yet to be widely used.

My second problem is I don't have to get a job, I have a year and a half before my youngest is in school and I am obliged to put in my 15 hours a week. Hubby is happy to have me at home, but I like working. So I want to go back to work without the horrid process of finding a job. Motivation is a funny thing. It ebbs and flows.

My last job interview I got the job, but the position was pulled. That hit hard, it was for money and better career opportunities than I have ever been offered before. It made me want more for myself. Honestly I just wish I didn't have to leave my old job. Unfortunately it is a really long commute between Canberra and Brisbane.

[psi_ko]

A wise man (kleph) once said to me that jobhunting is the most demoralising, soul-crushing punishment known to man, and he's right. An automated rejection from someone you don't even know somehow manages to make you feel like the smallest person in the world.


quite. the whole "justify your existance in 30 seconds or on 5 sheets of paper" really shits me...

[jae_hyung]

does anyone know of useful sites to search for jobs?
atm all im using is my uni website and seek and career one
i get the feeling there is a site with a larger database and all but i can't seem to find it no matter how much i search the net :(

[Cassa]

have you tried mycareer.com.au?

[SOC]

seek.com.au is also quite good

[Arcane1]

Slightly off topic I know, but the commentobliged to put in my 15 hours a week after your youngest goes to school has me puzzled. I'm sure it is due to my ignorance of AU politics, how are you "obliged"?

[jae_hyung]

yup ive tried mycareer and seek and ive found them very useful, but, id like to know whether companies like unilever, coca cola and such actually do put out adverts on seek and such or whether they just take up graduate positions and such
ahhh im probably babbling incoherently atm hehe sorry fellas

[hazza]

just spent the day filling out online applications... just gimmie a damn job allready

soo annoyyyinng

[Javaira]

Slightly off topic I know, but the comment after your youngest goes to school has me puzzled. I'm sure it is due to my ignorance of AU politics, how are you "obliged"?


Yes, it is Australian politics. The government is introducing a new policy where once an at home parent's youngest child becomes old enough for school, to continue recieving your family payment you have to go to work for 15hours a week. It's not really a big deal for married couples as the family payment isn't that much money for people who at least one partner working, but it will hit single parents.

I used the word oblidged, because the government talks about joint obligation in all its social security payments. It means that a person is expected to do this long list of things before the government will give them money. It sounds good in theory but doesn't work so well in application.

[djgcorporation]

Before applying, take note that "too" can be used in sentances.

For example. "Djgcorporation is too good for zgeek"

"To" is used like this - "I went to give Djgcorporation head"

[dwarfthrower]

I used the word oblidged, because the government talks about joint obligation in all its social security payments. It means that a person is expected to do this long list of things before the government will give them money. It sounds good in theory but doesn't work so well in application.

Neither does rampant and unfettered wasting of taxpayer's money for that matter.

[Javaira]

I agree totally dwarf. The current system still sux.

[dwarfthrower]

True, it does... What we really need is a graduated system that gets rid of punitive 90% net effective (tax + welfare cut) tax rates for people entering the workforce and cut out the multitude of different payments. It shouldn't matter whether you need income support because you have three kids under five or no job skills or a broken back.

[Javaira]

I would be happy if they just removed the job network agencies from the system. These privately run organisations that try to make a profit by finding job seekers employment, but because they are privately run, the government spends alot of time making sure they are giving out accurate information, not committing fraud and not abusing the power they have to get a persons payment suspended.

You are right though, I remember a long time ago when my husband was working for peanuts and eventually started to get pay rises and promotions, we actually went backwards for awhile. I didn't care, I hated being on government subsidies.

[dwarfthrower]

I would be happy if they just removed the job network agencies from the system. These privately run organisations that try to make a profit by finding job seekers employment, but because they are privately run, the government spends alot of time making sure they are giving out accurate information, not committing fraud and not abusing the power they have to get a persons payment suspended.

That's the main issue... there is no separation between the provision of employment - which naturally falls under the auspices of private enterprise, and the provision of income support - which is a government issue. So you end up with a mishmash of government interference in private concerns which fails to benefit anybody. As far as the government should be concerned either someone has enough money to put food on the table and a roof over their head or they don't. The number of hours worked, or the amount they get paid for those hours, or the reasons why you are unable to earn more are irrelevant.

You are right though, I remember a long time ago when my husband was working for peanuts and eventually started to get pay rises and promotions, we actually went backwards for awhile. I didn't care, I hated being on government subsidies.

As do most reasonable and intelligent people I'm sure. However, there is some utilitarian need to prevent people from starving to death if they find themselves out of work for a few weeks. It just needs to be a whole lot better managed than it is now.

[BtrFly]

yup ive tried mycareer and seek and ive found them very useful, but, id like to know whether companies like unilever, coca cola and such actually do put out adverts on seek and such or whether they just take up graduate positions and such
ahhh im probably babbling incoherently atm hehe sorry fellas
on this note- they generally advertise on their website. there are quite a few ways to get in through this way. check out their site, find the job you want, and maybe give them a ring. just dont become a stalker.

[Lina]

Two points I'd like to make - I've found that temping is often the best way to get your foot in the door within a company. Get in there, show them what you've got and if they love your work there's a good chance they'll hire you for the long term.

Second point is there's a hell of a lot of short courses to get you up to speed with typing etc. I understand it's really difficult with children but perhaps a night course once or twice a week would help you get up the skill base to look good on a resume, and also to show prospective employers (and those damn employement agencies) that you have a bit of go :)

[Javaira]

Good points Lina. I have pursued both of them to different extents.

Temping isn't a great way to go when you have to pay for a child care place whether you are working or not. Also there is no sick leave for when you need to take time off to mind not particularly sick, but still contagious children who cannot attend child care. Thirdly I hated it because people were not interested in developing relationships with me, I was only the temp. I admit I didn't try it out further than one placement, which ended badly due to family issues, although they were keen to have me back. I was extremely messed up and decided to just stay at home as the school holidays were coming up. I am not keen to try it again.

Courses, I would love to do. The problem is the range of night course is quite limited. While alot of short courses are offered through tafe, they are either to basic or offered during the day. It is the snob in me speaking because I guess I could do a night course in keyboard skills, but because I can already touch type (admittedly not that fast) I really don't see the point and the last thing I want to do is pay for a course that just increases a skill that will get better with more practice. The private courses might be a good idea, although again most of those are offered during the day. Still they are usually only one day and I could probably arrange something around them.

It is an attitude problem, I think I am valuable employee, who is loyal and hard working, so I think I am entitled to get a full time job with all the perks it entails. I also think I am too bright to waste my time on a course that will spend 90% of its time on topics I already know simply to gain the other 10% and to recieve a piece of paper. Finacially I don't need a job, so the motivation is quite low. God damm it, if I am going back to study it will be a university degree in something that really turns me on. I really don't feel like showing prospective employers or employment agencies that I have a bit of go. I know wrong attitude, but thats the problem. I just want the job not the other crap.

Anyway I have an interview tomorrow. Already I am thinking about the problems with it. It is only a 6 month temp, with possible extension if the person whose job it is doesn't want it back. I would really prefer alot of the other jobs I have applied for, but they are going to have alot of competition especially the government one. Also my mother is arriving on Saturday and they want an immediate start. I was hoping to use the need to find childcare excuse to give myself 2 weeks before I start. I have promised not to sabotage myself by suggesting any of this. Hopefully I will love the people and the place and they will love me.

[wolfpac181]

One of the better things to do, and this really ups the odds of getting the job, is knowing someone on the inside of the company. it's how I got my last two jobs, and possibly my third.

I remember the last big one, had a friend that wasn't that close of a mate, but the called up and asked if I wanted a job, I said yes, and BAM. just like that I was employed. no interviews, nothing.. just that fast.

I've tried just tossing down an app. went to interviews, but it's vain really. Having some mate who'll contest to your skillz really helps make a decision.

Hell... even if you don't get the job at the place at that time. hook up and chat with an employee there.... make a friend and it'll really help next time theres an opening, you got an insider.

networking isn't just for the internet:)

[Javaira]

My last two jobs where through networking. It was easy to do in Canberra, I knew alot of people, but I don't really know anyone here.

Thankyou all, it seems I can put my crappy attitude towards the process of finding a job in the bin, because now I have one.

One interview, all done, thanks for coming.

Luckily I have a much better approach to actually having a job, than trying to find one.

YAY for work. BTW this means I will probably be spending less time here. :(

[tomsyman]

Job hunting is devestating to the ego. "Too qualified"... "Not enough experience..." I've heard it all.

I do recommend going to companys' web sites and searching there or sending letters directly to their HR departments. Company's pay a lot of money to recruitment agencies and can save a lot by hiring you directly.

[oggy]

i honestly believe that job networks are a scam.........returned from interstate and registered with a few of them.......cause i was told i had to.........what a waste of my time..........i got a job on my own with out any assistance from job networks...........come to think of it..........i never heard from them ever again........just needed me to register so they could be payed by the government........

[lostreality]

i think burger king is after a couple of burger flippers.