Getting professional assistance during your job search

While some people can successfully conduct a job search, most people require some sort of assistance for a really effective job search.  However before you seek assistance, it is important to know something about various services and the extent to which they can help you with career planning and your job search.

Job Services Australia Providers

Job Services Australia: People, Skills, Jobs which started on 1 July 2009 folds seven separate employment services programs into a ‘one-stop-shop’. Led by the Federal Government, those service providers (such as Mission Australia, MAX Employment, Sarina Russo) that were successful in the tender, provide a range of services for various job seeker categories (such as generalist, Indigenous Australians, ex-offenders, youth at risk, through to job seekers with a disability).

The scheme provides assistance to the unemployed, including intensive training and job-search training, with participants receiving help with resumes, presentation and interview preparation, along with supported job search activity.

If you are looking for an entry-level position, then this service might be sufficient, but if you walk through one of these offices, you will find that most people are unemployed and it is not the place to connect with positive people for job networking purposes.

I’ve also had some insight into some of the advice dished out (including advice on job search strategies and resume writing) and some of the advice simply exacerbates unemployment, (e.g. misguided advice on resume writing and taking people away from more productive channels and methods to find a job).

Private employment agencies (recruiters)

Employment agencies can be useful in providing job leads which are not uncovered elsewhere.  They can also assist if you work in a specialist area.  However keep in mind, they don’t work for you and their advice can sometimes be misguided.

Temporary employment agencies

Temporary employment agencies provide a good place for applicants that are looking for temporary work or work that could lead to full time work. 

University Career Placement Services

Many TAFE colleagues and universities provide in-house career planning services for students.  While most of these services provide a good resources centre, such as career planning library, workshops on resume writing and the coordination of on-campus interviews for graduates, only a few provide one-on-one counselling and ongoing advice.

You should also keep in mind that many of these centres are understaffed and some of the staff only possess rudimentary knowledge and expertise in key areas relating to job search, such as the development of resumes and alternative job search strategies. 

Resume and selection criteria writers

A resume can play a critical role in the job search process, but a resume is not the key to getting a job.  You can have the best resume in the world, but if you fail to get it in front of key decision makers, or stuff up the job interview, you still won’t get the job.

Having said that, most people write really lousy resumes, so if you are struggling to make it to first base (i.e. land an interview), then it might be a good idea to hire a professional resume writer.  For a premium qualified writer you are looking at an investment of $300 upwards and you need to make sure you hire a writer that is appropriately qualified.  For more on hiring a professional resume writer, check out our article ‘Professional resume writers – should you use one?’

Career Coaches

There are a growing number of career coaches in Australia, with many providing guidance, from Myers-Brigg Type Indictor Testing, through to one-on-one assistance in locating your dream job.  Not all career coaches are created equal and you need to proceed with caution and know exactly what sort of service you are getting.   

Executive head-hunters

As with private employment agencies, executive head-hunters work for employers in finding executives to fill critical positions in the upper management and executive areas.  Since they work for employers, not you, then you will receive limited advice and some of the advice will be extremely biased. 

Job fairs

Job fairs can be an excellent service for job leads and information, so take advantage of job fairs when searching for a job.  

Relevant articles and resources

• Overcoming age discrimination during your job search
• Job search success - why you need to understand WIFM
• Are you sabotaging your job-search or career, without even realising it?
• Gaining confidence as a return to work mum or dad
• The five worst ways to look for a job
• Not getting to interview? Here's why
• Brag your way to career success
• What employers are looking for
• Is it rejection, or an opportunity to learn?
• Preparing for employer scrutiny of your job application
• What you need to know about working with recruiters
• How to build a professional network to support your job search
• Why you need a can-do attitude when job hunting
• Internet and job search strategies. Are you being left behind?