Job Appeal Table of Contents
The COVID-19 Global Pandemic seemed to come from nowhere. Just as we thought we were chugging along quite nicely, it crept up and went, whammo!
We didn’t see that coming!
Within a week, more than 700,000 Australian jobs were lost, and by June 2020, Australia was officially in its first recession in almost 30 years.
If you lost your job during the year we’d-all-like-to-forget, the good news is that our economy – and our job market – are already picking up.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia’s January 2020 unemployment rate was 5.2%. By December 2020, it was up to 6.6%.
However, by May 2021, the unemployment rate had dropped to 5.1%, and the ABS was reporting a surge in job vacancies across industries like retail, administration, mining, and utilities, to name just a few.
Even so, there are plenty of people looking for these jobs.
Here are 5 tips to help get your resume to the top of the candidate pile and ramp up your job appeal.
1. Get the Basics Right
Spelling and grammar really do matter. Ensure your resume and cover letter are grammatically correct, and your spelling is spot on. Don’t rely on spell checkers. They recognize real words but can’t know whether, weather or wether, your, yore or you’re meaning their, there or they’re. Do your homework and make sure you know which is witch!
Getting the basics right is the first step to enhancing your job appeal. A well-written resume and cover letter can make a significant difference in how potential employers perceive you. It shows attention to detail and a commitment to professionalism.
2. Play to Your Strengths
What are you good at? Hint: it’s usually something you enjoy doing. Look for roles that call for your stand-out skills. Alternatively, hop onto a job-seeker website and research the skills employers are looking for. Do you have them? If not, move to point 3.
Playing to your strengths is a crucial aspect of job appeal. When you apply for positions that align with your skills and interests, you are more likely to perform well and enjoy your work. Employers can sense your enthusiasm and confidence, which can set you apart from other candidates.
3. Skills and Training
Upskilling or refreshing old skills is easier than ever before with organizations offering online training programs to get you up and job ready. If you’re considering a career change, compare skill-sets between roles. Your current skills may well be transferable across industries.
Investing in skills and training is a powerful way to boost your job appeal. Continuous learning shows that you are proactive and committed to personal and professional growth. It also makes you more adaptable to changing job market demands.
4. Reach Out
Contact organizations you think your skills will suit. Chat to your network of friends or to people already working in your desired industry and ask their advice. Find out if there are roles available and whether you’d be a suitable candidate. Consider engaging a career mentor or life coach, particularly helpful if you’re thinking about a career change.
Reaching out and networking can significantly enhance your job appeal. Building connections within your industry can lead to job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. It also provides valuable insights and advice from those who have navigated similar career paths.
5. Research
When applying for roles, research the company and find out its industry, culture, and structure. Once you have an interview lined up, research the people you’ll be meeting with. LinkedIn is a terrific resource for this! Researching will help you to understand the organization and people, and whether you’d be comfortable working with them.
Thorough research is essential for job appeal. It demonstrates your genuine interest in the company and the role. It also prepares you to ask informed questions during interviews, showing that you are serious about the opportunity.
Economic indicators are pointing to Australia making a faster-than-expected recovery from the trials of 2020, and recruiters are already reviewing their candidate lists. Check out LinkedIn.com or Seek.com for learning and job opportunities. Additionally, investigate your local TAFE or community groups for courses.
With 2020 in the past, now’s the time to look to a brighter future. Refresh those skills, spruce up your resume, and present your best self. By following these tips, you can significantly ramp up your job appeal and increase your chances of landing the job you desire.
See our other blog post on jobs.
