Looking for a job in 2021? Here are our top tips *Updated*

Whether you're recently unemployed, have been out of the workforce for a while, or are considering shifting careers, the uncertainty of the post-COVID world may not seem like the best time to be looking for a job.

But the reality is, businesses are hiring.

In fact, nearly 450 new local jobs were advertised last week, and this number is increasing month on month*

There is no doubt that searching for a job in 2021 will more challenging than ever before.

Difficulties for different industries have meant changes in the roles available, and the skills required for those roles. 'Working from home' is becoming increasingly normal and an increase in unemployment means greater competition for every role.

Despite all of this, in a recent survey, 44% of employers sited a lack of applicants as a reason for recruitment difficulties.

Here are our top tips for finding a job in 2021

1. Explore a new career path

Job for the future

Whilst some sectors struggle, others are predicted to boom in 2021. If you're thinking of exploring a new career path, look toward industries that are growing despite pandemic setbacks.

A recent report from the Government's National Skills Commission identified 25 emerging occupations that are in demand in Australia. These include roles involved within;

- Data Analytics

- Health

- Engineering and Trades

- Digital Engagement

- Regulatory Analysts

The Commission also identifies the most resilient occupations and industries that perform reliably during times of volatility, like a global pandemic.

As seen below, the report highlights percentage of resilient jobs within top industries.

Compare these occupations to those in the Hospitality or Arts & Entertainment sectors, who've experienced shutdowns over the past 12 months, and you get the picture.

Where are the job opportunities?

Not all occupations that are in demand require university or trade qualifications.

Of Seek's top 20 most-needed roles in Australia, Healthcare and Transport & Logistics jobs feature heavily, as well as Sales, Retail and Administration Assistant positions.

The National Skills Commission's Jobs Hub tool is a valuable resource that shows jobs and skills that are in demand by location, including live data on:

- Job advertisements in your location by type

- Jobs that match your skills and experience

- Skills in demand for job types

- Skills for similar job types

Where to start?

If you're not sure where to start, which career direction to take, or what your skills and experience make you suited for, there are a number of tools to help narrow down your options.

The Australian Government's Job Outlook is an extremely useful resource for getting started in a career transition. The site contains six interactive tools to explore and match to your own circumstances: 

1. Skills Match - find jobs that use your existing skills

2. Career Quiz - explore careers you might enjoy

3. Explore Australia - discover career options in demand by location

4. Explore Careers - browse detailed information about hundreds of occupations

5. Future Outlook - understand the future growth of industries and occupations

6. Explore Industries - explore descriptions, estimated wages, skill levels, and predicted growth of specific jobs within industries

2. Upskill (for free!)

Whether you are looking to pivot in new career direction, move up from a current role or get started in the job hunt, upskilling is a great place to start.

Upskilling not only improves your skills and abilities for the changing job market, it also shows to recruiters your enthusiasm to learn and adapt. Completed or ongoing courses, professional development, certificates and qualifications look great on a resumé.

There are many ways to upskill, both formal and informal, and the best part is that it can cost very little, or nothing at all.

Free online courses

MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses, are free online courses offered by top universities and training platforms from around the world. There are no entry requirements for the hundreds of free and low-cost short courses available to choose from, in fields ranging from broad subject areas to task specific skills, and everything in between.

Although online courses generally do not offer certified qualifications, they are a great chance to experience a subject area before committing to more formal study.

Some leading providers include:

Alison

Future Learn

Future Learn partners with universities from around the world to deliver online courses and degrees, and offers a free 2-week trial to get a taste of what is has to offer.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of video courses taught by experts and professionals, across business, creative and technical subject areas.

Subsidised TAFE courses

• Automotive

• Building, Construction, Engineering

• Business and Accounting

• Animal Care, Agriculture and Horticulture

• Health Care, Nursing and Community Services

• Fashion, Textiles, Art & Design

• IT, Communications, Telecommunications + many more

Search for the full list of available courses at the My Skills website

Government programs are also subsidising traineeships, apprenticeships, mature age scholarships, women in business and foundation skills training.

Internal Opportunties

If you're currently working, your employer may already have opportunities for professional development and career progression in place for staff.

These may include:

• subscriptions to training resources

• internal promotion processes and career mapping

• opportunities to experience a new variety of tasks

• employer supported external study

A conversation with your human resources team or direct manager about upskilling doesn't need to be awkward. In fact, they should be expecting it of you!

Remember; it can be of as much benefit to them as it is for you.

3. Up your networking game

It can be a good way to find a job because the job you want may not be advertised, and people often prefer to do business with people they know, or who have been recommended by people they know.

With increased competition for positions, having some inside knowledge could be the difference in securing a position.

Other career benefits can include:

• ongoing career advice and support

• discover new ideas and directions you may not have considered

• sharing of ideas and skills

• build and raise your reputation

• attract recruitment opportunities and headhunters

• become part of a supportive community

Networking means developing professional relationships with people within your industry or area of interest, that you can leverage for job opportunities and other career development.

Who you know

• colleagues, managers and employers, from current and former workplaces

• clients, current and former

• teachers, classmates and student organisations

• friends, and friends of friends

• professional & industry associations

• industry leaders

• the person working in the type of job you want

Where to reach them

There are a number of opportunities for you to expand and engage with your network, especially when you are looking for a job:

• social media Connect, follow and communicate publically and privately through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube in your area of interest. Stay plugged in to opportunities, trends, and relevant articles related to your industry. Build your profile's reputation by sharing and contributing to conversation.

  • events Networking events, conferences, fundraisers, awards and corporate lunches are held often by local business industry, student and interest groups. Meet new people, share your ideas and aspirations, and learn from businesses and fellow job seekers.

   

  Hunter Networking Events

  • social events Any social event with friends, family, sports groups or collegues can be an opportunity for a conversation about your career, ideas and to make new connections.

How to do it

The first and easiest way to utilise your network when job seeking is using the resources you already have access to.

Find out how the person in the job you want got there. Did they study or do an apprenticeship? Or did they learn o the job?

There's no need to reivent the wheel; if the path to your next job has been tread before, what is your next step?

• Prepare What events/platforms should you use? What are your goals? Who should you talk to, and what should you ask them? Create your 'elevator' pitch; what are you going to tell people about yourself?

• Be proactive Don't wait for people to approach you, or talk to people you already know. Exchange business cards Offer advice or contribute something to their situation

Follow up Don't let relationships go cold, especally if they don't immediately yield results. Nobody wants to feel used as a stepping stone only. Reach out to people, or contribute to public discussion regularly.

4. Talk to an employment service

To aid the post-pandemic economic recovery the Government has added to its suite of employment and business support programs, including JobMaker and JobTrainer, aimed at creating jobs in particular industries and demographics.

Job seekers can take advantage of government programs by engaging with Jobactive or Disability Employment Services employment services provider that connect program-eligible staff with employers.

Some businesses also exclusively hire using recruitment services, who support employees on the job, and take care of the administration and eligibility work.

• Facilitating access to government programs

• Career advice and planning

• Resume development

• Links to community service organisations to address non-vocational barriers.

• Training and professional development like RSA, RCG, First Aid courses and more

• Work Experience and Internships to get your foot in the door.

• Advocating to potential employers

• Assistive Technology or Workplace Modifications

• Ongoing workplace coaching and mentoring

• Support in applying for NDIS assistance

Latest Government employment programs 

JobMaker

The JobMaker scheme is a new Wage Subsidy Incentive from the Australian Government in response to the COVID-19 downturn, promoting the employment of young job seekers.

JobMaker Hiring Credits are available to business owners for each new eligible employee hired.

Eligible job seekers will attract $200 per week for new employees aged between 16 and 29, and $100 per week for new employees aged between 30 and 35, for 12-months. This can total approximately $10,000 per year for each new eligible employee hired.

JobTrainer

PaTH Internships

Prepare, Trial, Hire (PaTH) is a Government funded training and internship program aimed at giving young people the skills and experience to be more competitive in the labour market.

 

​If you're an eligible young job seeker, you can access free training to prepare you for employment expectations and equip you with the skills to succeed.

Gain real experience through a voluntary work trial for up to 12 weeks, showing employers what you can do and building valuable skills.

 

Incentives and subsidies available to businesses will then give you a real chance of being hired at the end.

*correct as of 19/01/2021, https://www.nationalskillscommission.gov.au/news-centre/july-2020-vacancy-report-now-available