Things to know when looking for job in Australia | What to include in your CV and cover letter

Hello guys! Kamusta?

Medyo nagkaproblema itong website kaya wala kami masyado posts lately. Inaayos pa rin namin slowly. Thank you Tres sa tulong! Dumadami na ata kasi ang traffic ng site! hehe! Yahoo! :))

Anyway, It’s been a while! I felt a little bit upset with the results of my work applications. Until now, I’m still jobless. And my past interviews were unsuccessful. Huhu! 🙁

Still, I wanted to share my working application experience as a Registered Nurse. As previously mentioned, I am not the best person to give advice with regards to work application, but I’m just sharing personal experiences that I think might be beneficial for people like me who are looking for jobs here in Australia, especially to my fellow nurses.

Read more to find out my personal working application process as a Registered Nurse, things to prepare for a work application, websites to check out, and timeline for work application in Australia.

How do we start with the work application? What are the things that we need?

Curriculum Vitae

• Create one that is short and concise.
• Keep it simple but highlight the important information.
• Make it readable and professionally presentable.
• Use simple fonts.
• Artistic design is not necessary.
• Focus on content.

What to include in your CV:

• Name and title position
• Contact details such as mobile number, address, and email address
• Career history with a short job description
• Educational background
• Relevant Professional Skills
• Previous trainings attended
• Referee names and contact number. *Remember to keep your referees informed.
• Pertinent Awards.

What not to include in your CV:

• Age
• Race
• Gender
• Height and weight
• Birthday/birthplace
• Civil status
• Number of kids
• Hobbies
• Photo

Cover letter

– a brief, smart, professional summary of how we introduce ourselves to the hiring manager; a first impression for us to be invited to an interview

• Include work experience that is relative to the position
• Indicate if you want to work full time, part time or casual – depending on the job post criteria
• If you are holding valid working visa or permanent residency, it’s good to mention it.
• Add personal qualities that you think would be your edge on the application

Prepare other necessary documents that will eventually ask from you.

• Passport
• Visa
• AHPRA registration
• Other proof of identity (Medicare, Insurance Card, Valid Driving License)
• Paid Working with children check
• Updated vaccination records (usually public hospitals ask for this)
• Police check/Criminal History Check
• Certificate of employment from previous employers

What websites to look for job applications?

seek.com .au

jobs australia

au.indeed.com

iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/

www.health.nsw.gov.au/careers/

linked in

• Make a profile to each of the job platforms, or
• You can link you linked in profile to those job platforms.
• You can also search for a specific hospital, check their website, and apply directly on their career portal.
• Read the job posts carefully. Other job posts indicate the direct contact of the hiring manager (usually at the bottom part) where you can send your application directly including CV, cover letter, and other necessary documents. I do this most of the time, and it works for me!

Time frame for the application?

Based on my experience, there’s NO DEFINITE TIME FRAME. It depends on the hospital. Some takes 2-3 weeks to reply on the application. Some do not even reply. Some may schedule you for a first, 2nd, or even 3rd interview.

Personal Tips (based on my experience)

• Do not be easily sugar-coated when people say, “There’s a lot of work here in Australia”. Bear in mind that there are also massive applicants waiting. Think of ways you can stand out.
• Try to prioritize working applications that you are familiar to, but
• If you do not have an experience on a particular area, there’s no harm in trying. Be assertive that you are willing to learn new skills and face new challenges.
• If you are not holding working visa or permanent residency, it doesn’t mean that you are not prioritized. Like for me, I am already permanent resident here, and I have friends as well that are already holding valid visa, even citizens, but still having difficulty finding a job. There are companies who are willing to sponsor, just keep trying.
• If you were interviewed and still no reply after 2 weeks, wait for another week. If still no reply, you can send them an email and inquire on your application politely. I had one application which took almost 3 weeks to reply. Some of my friends’ application actually took 2-3 months to reply.
• If you feel that you did well on an interview, good job! But don’t expect as it doesn’t guarantee that they will hire you, unless there is already a signed working contract.
• Don’t wait and rely on a single application. Continue to look for another job application.
• If you are really keen to have that first job, accept the first offer. Remember that you are aiming for that local experience.
• If you’re planning to look for another job. Don’t resign right away unless there is already another company that would surely hire you.
• Pray. Believe that God will eventually give the right work place for us in His own timeline. God is preparing something better, or should I say, the best for us.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

That’s it! Thank you for taking time to read this post. Feel free to comment for any questions and other topics you might want us to share and we will try our best to reply as soon as we can. 😉

Kwento ko next time yung first job experience ko dito sa Australia, abangan nyo yan! 😉

Meanwhile, watch this video to know about my personal work application experience in Australia. Don’t forget to like and subscribe – Click here! Good luck to all of us! 😉