Looking for a New Job

AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 15:15
Last edited 08/07/2021 - 18:31

I was just wondering how many people on this site have been actively looking for a new job in the pandemic? I have a permanent teaching job that I am honestly grateful for. I've decided I need a change and I've been trying to find a new job for three or four months in the government and the private sector in or outside of education. I'll admit that I'm getting a bit despondent as I've never experienced this. I've applied for 17 jobs, had 4 rejections and I haven't had responses for the other positions.

What tactics are some using? I attended 1 interview that went very well but the role was only for 3 months. I followed up with a thank you email as well. How long after submitting an application should I wait before calling to get some feedback to improve future applications? I always thought teachers had transferrable skills. It seems the administration experience I gained and other qualifications I have don't amount to anything. I've also heard that some positions are attracting 60+ applications and a government job I applied for attracted 1000 applications! I've had my CV reviewed and improved by a copywriter and I triple check my cover letters and selection criteria and still nothing.

Can it really be that the pandemic is the reason I won't find another job? I've registered with recruitment agencies as well. I'm also interested in admin positions in the mining industry and those roles require 2-5 years of experience! Maybe someone in recruitment or HR might have some ideas to share that I haven't thought of yet. Thank you.

Education & Work

Comments

  • orangetrain on 08/07/2021 - 15:18

    What kind of jobs as education and admin are different jobs?

    • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 15:21

      We do a lot of admin in education as well. I'm looking for a different job within education or in an office doing administration. I'm looking at new courses to obtain skills in health and safety for example. I'm concerned that I'm not employable in other sectors because I work as a teacher.

  • raptormesh on 08/07/2021 - 15:28
    +2

    Do you teach any specialized fields? Otherwise I'm not sure how the skills are transferable unless you go the teaching and learning roles for large companies undergoing digital transformation.

    • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 15:53

      I teach all the subjects determined by the Australian Curriculum. I’m primary school trained.

      • SF3 on 08/07/2021 - 16:37

        I’m primary school trained.

        Perhaps go into the tutoring business.

      • raptormesh on 08/07/2021 - 17:21
        +1

        Ah I see. The things is, you have to be able to convince companies to choose you for that admin work over someone who has 3, 4, 5 years in a similar role. Maybe start with admin work within education? Universities etc?

        • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 18:33
          +1

          Thank you. I'm in the process of writing another application for a university admin position. I'm close to giving up and I really don't want to!

  • original15 on 08/07/2021 - 15:44
    +1

    Outside of school education, roles in facilitation/training/learning you might get a look in. Any interest?
    I’d say given the roles you’re applying for are attracting a lot of interest you’re in for a difficult ride if there’s not a particular qualification or degree you need that will differentiate and also cut candidate pool/aps

  • netjock on 08/07/2021 - 15:54
    +3

    You really need to separate your post into paragraphs.

    For teachers who want to get out of teaching would go into private sector training jobs because if you can teach kids you can teach adults.

    Government jobs: everyone wants one because you can't get fired and steady. It is like people moving to regional areas, it is a trend. Alternatively you can be dog eat dog in private sector and maybe make a good 20% - 30%.

    Regarding number of applicants. It doesn't matter if it is 1 other applicant or 1 million other applicants, you need to get into the short list and on top of the pile after rounds of interviews. Recruiters will tell you there was many qualified applicants (probably a lot more unqualified applicants) as an excuse as to why you didn't make the shortlist. Don't let that stop you. Hitting apply is half the battle.

  • Quantumcat on 08/07/2021 - 16:19
    +1

    If you are successful please update this thread even if it is a year later. I have a friend in a similar situation and would be interested in what courses you did or what job you got outside of teaching.

    • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 16:52
      +1

      I will update this thread. Since I posted this I received another rejection =(.

  • Donaldhump on 08/07/2021 - 16:24

    "in the government and the private sector in or outside of education"

    doesn't that mean "any job"

    • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 16:53

      Not any job. I have skills and I'm trying to utilise them in jobs I know I can do. Another interest is entry-level jobs in mining for example. So far they are scarce as well.

  • Inquisitor on 08/07/2021 - 17:12
    +1

    Well, I went from other industries to teaching (High School) quite easily. Felt my experiences in other fields assisted in helping me land an internship and permanent position.

    I've been trying to get out of that school, getting no satisfaction in what I am doing there. The problem for me is finding positions that fit my code. It is a shocking system where you get the code via university units or through teaching that subject and approved by the principal.

    • raptormesh on 08/07/2021 - 17:19
      +2

      It's always easier to go from the industry to teaching from my experience. The reverse is unfortunately a bit more tricky.

      • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 18:34

        You're right. Some people think teachers play games and babysit kids all day for a start!

        • Sum-Ting Wong on 08/07/2021 - 22:40
          +1

          Wait, so you're saying that the primary education system is not a form of child care that enables both parents to participate in paid employment so that they can afford a $1m mortgage for their McMansion?

  • holdenmg on 08/07/2021 - 17:43
    +1

    Hi,

    What percentage of the jobs you applied for were advertised?

    Once you find you are competing with lots of applicants (some suitable and others not) it is time to look for opportunities that are not yet advertised.

    Also, look beyond just Seek and CareerOne and checkout Jora.

    Obviously set up watch lists.

  • morse on 08/07/2021 - 17:43
    +1

    Your profile says you're in the NT, is that where you want to stay? Whereabouts in the NT, Darwin? Katherine? Alice? Would you consider somewhere else in Australia?

    Govie, NGO and mining jobs are all a little location specific, so best to let us know what you're thinking in order to get the best advice.

    • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 18:26

      Hello, I live in Katherine and know there are a few mines in the Territory. I would consider moving somewhere else in Australia for sure.

  • ajm on 08/07/2021 - 18:13
    +2

    My advice is try to registered with an agency that can get you some temp work first. Tailor your CV for temp work, put a section at the top of your CV with about 12 to 15 key words and phrases that cover these admin type skills (ie MS Word, MS Excel, Adaptable, Professional, Customer service management etc). Temp work, even for a few days, will get you a role on your CV and, if things go ok, a decent reference.

    If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, make one and fill it with the kind of employers you want to work for - keep an eye out for the kinds of phrases they use when they talk about their people, try and find ways to use similar descriptions about yourself in your profile. It's a wank but it's marketing and marketing is a wank.

    You should highlight the skills and experience you have that relate to specifically admin and also make sure you call out any of the 'soft' skills you have that will help you walk into an office and be productive with a minimum of fuss.

    You want these at the front of you CV, don't expect any recruiter to look through your CV trying to find the right key words or inferring a skill from a role - their going to have to sift through dozens or maybe hundred of these so you need to do as much of that work for them as you can.

    If you haven't already, list the achievements that you contributed to - ideally something you lead, against each of your roles. Try and pick out some things that you, personally, did that produced a positive result for your employer - especially if it was your own initiative.

    Qualifications help but they're probably not the be-all and end-all for an admin role - certifications in things like customer service or IT admin would help a lot.

    The thing you really want to focus on now is your CV, make it stand out with a good clear formatting - and make sure the key information is at the front and matches the job you're applying for.

    • AussieDolphin on 08/07/2021 - 18:29

      Thank you for your very helpful reply. Temporary work is an issue because I need a consistent income. I'm also required to give 6 weeks notice for my current position. My CV is very education orientated as that's what I'm doing now.

  • Certified Angus on 10/07/2021 - 18:41
    +2

    Is a numbers game, and I would expect to submit way more than 17 applications to change industries.

    I just changed employers for basically the same role I've been doing in the same industry. I submitted 17 applications, heard back from 13, got 2 interviews, and won one role. The other 4 applications I didn't even get a rejection.

    Just apply for 1 job every day, even if you don't think you'll get it. Tighten up a standard application and most days will only take you 10 minutes, put more time into jobs you really want but use that effort to improve your standard application and resume.

    • AussieDolphin on 10/07/2021 - 19:27

      Thank you and good luck in your new job. Are you a Teacher? I follow a particular Facebook Group and it seems a lot of teachers are experiencing rejections when applying for jobs outside of education.

      • Certified Angus on 10/07/2021 - 19:43
        +1

        Not a teacher, but don't limit yourself to admin because you think it will be hard to change industries.

        If you're a teacher in NT you should be able to write a good application for stacks of non-profit roles that require you to understand contemporary issues, navigate bureaucracy, and work with allied professionals to achieve results.

        • AussieDolphin on 10/07/2021 - 19:51

          Two of the roles I applied for previously were at non-profit organisations. I received a rejection for one of them and didn't hear back from the other.

          • Certified Angus on 10/07/2021 - 23:24
            +1

            @AussieDolphin: You can't expect to get to interview for 1 in 2 jobs that you apply for - just apply for everything, employers are not keeping track of applicants who are too eager. I think 1 in 10 for interview would be a decent run rate.

            Also, don't worry about rejections - I literally have not been formally rejected from a big 4 bank I interviewed with 3 months ago.

            No recruiters are going to give you useful feedback anyway. Get friends to look at your application, preferably friends who work in management and hire people regularly..

    • kerfuffle on 12/07/2021 - 20:37

      Easy to spot spam though!

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