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If you’re entering the workforce for the first time, returning to it or are unemployed and finding it difficult to secure work, Joblink Plus can offer personal support.

Resources to make your search for employment easier
In addition to helping you to make your resume get noticed by prospective employers, we provide you with the tools to increase your chances of gaining employment, such as internet and computer access, printing and photocopying facilities.

Re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities
If you’ve been out of the workforce for an extended period or would like to move into a different career direction, Joblink Plus will assist you to sharpen your skills by providing training options and work experience opportunities.

Continued advice and support
There are many elements that need to be considered to successfully apply for a job, and Joblink Plus will cover them all with you, to ensure that you have the best chance of securing work. Your employment consultant will support you through the whole process by assisting you with your application, train you to feel confident and relaxed in the job interview – they’ll even advise on the importance of personal presentation to make a positive first impression.

Financial help
If you’re unemployed it can be an immense struggle just to make ends meet. Joblink Plus is committed to giving you every opportunity to gain work by offering a helping hand by assisting financially with the cost of preparing for, and starting work. This may include assisting with course fees, uniforms, clothing for interviews or transport.

Complimentary initiatives

Joblink Plus Driver Training

Our team of fully qualified RTA driving instructors can put you safely on the road. We also are fortunate to have Community Driver Mentoring volunteers who work daily with people who face difficulties in obtaining a drivers license, and provide guidance and time to enable them to do so. These volunteers are more than just people assisting with ‘the basics’ of learning to drive. They become positive role models for our learners, building relationships that teach life skills and empowering our learners to be more confident in other areas of their lives, helping to unlock pathways to employment. Click here to go to our Driver Training website.

Methods to help you  find work

• Joblink PlusTelephone Spiel Example for Jobseekers
• Approaching Employers
• Arranging an Interview by Telephone in Response to a Newspaper Advertisement
• Cold canvassing
• Door knocking
• Ways to look for work
• Word of Mouth Advertising

Joblink PlusTelephone Spiel Example for Jobseekers

Give your name
"Good morning, my name is John Doe."
Ask for the name of the person responsible for the position you are interested in
"Could you please tell me the name of the person looking after the job vacancy for a position of accounts clerk?"
Ask to speak to that person
"Could I speak to Mrs Pratt please?"
Greet the potential employer and give them your name
"Good morning Mrs Smith. My name is John Doe!"
State the job you are interested in and how you found out about it
"I am interested in applying for the accounts clerk’s job that was advertised in the Tamworth City News newspaper."
Say what you have to offer the company
"I have three years experience working in Human Resourses and I want to broaden my experience!"
If the job has already been filled, ask for other leads
"Would you know of any other positions available at the moment?"
Ask for permission to use their name
"Do you know the contact person’s name there? If possible, could you give me a telephone number, or an address?"
"Thank you for all of your help. Would it be OK to say that you suggested I speak to them?"

Approaching Employers

Techniques to Use When Requesting an Interview
Give your name and ask for the name of the person in charge
"Hello, My name is Bill Smith. Could you tell me the name of the Personnel Manager please?"
Ask to speak to the person direct if you know their name
"Good Morning, could I speak with Mr. Jones please?"
Greet the employer and give you name
"Good Morning Mr. Jones, my name is Bill Smith."
If you were referred by somebody to call this employer
"Good Morning Mr. Jones, Miss Brown from T.C.B. suggested I speak with you regarding…"
Ask to meet with the employer
"I would like to arrange a time when I could meet with you. I am seeking advice and information about this industry"
If the employer states that there are no vacancies at present, ask once more about meeting with him to discuss future job openings
"I would still like to come and talk with you about possible future job openings. Just in case something comes up"
If the employer is not interested in having an interview
"Perhaps I could send a copy of my resume for you to have a look at and advise me on its suitability. I would value any advice you could give me"
Ask for any leads e.g. name and addresses
"Would you know of any other companies I could contact regarding employment in this field?"
If they give you a name ask for their permission to use his / her name
"Thank you, that’s very helpful Would it be all right to say that you suggested I speak to them?"
Resume and call back
"I will send you a copy of my resume and give you a call back in a couple of weeks, Thank you very much for your time."

Arranging an Interview by Telephone in Response to a Newspaper Advertisement

Give your name
"Good Morning/Afternoon, my name is _______________ ."
Ask for the name of the person who appears on the newspaper ad
"Could I speak to __________ regarding the position which was advertised in Saturday’s Courier Mail for a Warehouse Supervisor?"
Greet the Employer and give your name
"Good Morning/Afternoon my name is _____________."
Mention the job that you are applying for
"I am calling to apply for the position of _____________ that you advertised in the newspaper."
Tell your employer what your relevant skills are which would make you suited to the advertised job
"I have worked as__________." (Include in here relevant skills, work experience and personal qualities which you have)
 
Cold canvassing

The goal of self-canvassing is to talk to the employer about jobs, whether they be current or future vacancies, and to get leads on other vacancies (to uncover the hidden job market). Canvassing is one of the most effective methods of job search.
• Cold Canvassing Spiel: Six Major Elements
Ask for the employer
Greet the employer
Identify yourself
State what you have to offer to the employer
Ask about any employment opportunities or for an information interview
Leave your resume and/or calling card
Remember ... No! may mean:
I’ve had a bad day
I’ve got pressure to hire someone else
I don’t have enough information
I can’t afford to pay another staff member
I don’t want to make a decision right now
100 other possibilities…
SO... IT"S MPORTANT TO NOT TAKE KNOCK BACKS PERSONALLY

Door knocking

Survival Kit
Wear suitable clothing and shoes
Take along some bandaids
Carry food and drink
Take along timetables, maps
Take along street directory (or photocopy)
Carry notepads, pen etc
Be clean and tidy and carry everything in a suitable bag
Plan of Action and Attitude
Don’t try to cover too much area in one day
Don’t let yourself get too stressed
Approach the reception area or office first
Impress the first person you meet
Try and see the Human Resourses Manager
Always explain you are really looking for a job
If you are too tired to leave a good impression, it's best to try again another day
If someone is rude to you, restrain yourself and don’t be rude back
Above all, Look interested and ask questions

Ways to look for work

Various State-wide newspapers have extensive employment sections published regularly. These papers are available for your use at your local Joblink Plus office. Free usage is also available at your local library.
• National
The Australian has daily employment sections specialising in certain industries. These are available for free usage through your library.
• Internet - Australian Job Search (AJS)
The AJS is a listing of all jobs available throughout Australia across all Job Network Providers. Some employers also list their jobs here directly. The AJS is available through Centrelink and Sarina Russo Job Access offices. It is advisable to check the screens every day as new jobs are listed daily.
• If you have a computer with an Internet facility, the address is: jobsearch.gov.au. The Internet may provide many other avenues and contacts for employment.

Cold Canvassing

Cold canvassing or cold calling can be done via the mail or by visiting possible employers without making appointments. Cold canvassing gives you an opportunity to market yourself directly to employers. Often gaining a job is a matter of being in the right place at the right time (some employer’s still place ads and notices in their window advertising vacancies). Cold canvassing demonstrates that you are keen and eager to work. Many people gain work through this method.
Dress appropriately when cold canvassing – present yourself as if you are going for an actual interview.

Word of Mouth Advertising
Often it is not what you know but whom you know. Utilise your circle of friends and family and ensure they keep you in mind when they hear of vacancies. We know that sometimes you do not want people to know that you are unemployed – but in today’s society, people are more sympathetic with your situation. Instead of using the term, "unemployed" say "I am between jobs at the moment". It 's much more positive.