Back to the Basics: Hints on Trying to Get that Great Job

Table of Contents

MY REASON FOR WRITING THIS BOOK

CHAPTER 1 - AN OVERVIEW

CHAPTER 2 - HOW TO REMAIN MOTIVATED WHEN UNEMPLOYED

CHAPTER 3 - AREAS WHICH NEED TO BE ADDRESSED

CHAPTER 4 - WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF

CHAPTER 5 - LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT

CHAPTER 6 - PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

CHAPTER 7 - FIRST DAY ON THE JOB

MY REASON FOR WRITING THIS BOOK

I haven’t been unable to find a written guide for School Leavers, Disabled people seeking employment as well as long term unemployed people, wanting to know the absolute BASICS of how to prepare themselves when looking for work, which is critical for success.

In addition, most books printed have long unclear or difficult words that totally confuse people, and basically many Authors take for granted that everyone knows the basics of looking for work.

This book covers many different avenues when approaching job hunting. I also include examples and ideas to think about while you look around for work or consider changing positions.

Especially with areas such as obtaining work before leaving school like in supermarkets and other or small businesses.

I maybe an Australian however as you read through you will quickly see that the suggestions etc., I propose can be used anywhere in the world.

I spent over three years as long-term unemployed and now have medical problems that have completely ceased my working career objectives for life. Having to end my employment due to my disabilities, and then being placed on a Disability pension is an incredible let down for a person of my then young age (46).

In my early years after I left High School when I was fifteen years old, I worked in many different jobs just attempting to find the right feel.

It took me two years before I realized that my love of aircraft was my future and I joined the Royal Australian Air Force. I’m not bragging about my many workplace skills, but people need to know the Authors real background.

My diverse working career enabled me to pass on my knowledge to School Leavers, Disabled people and unemployed. Many of you would have been in the situation of having people from different organisations discuss with you, about either being unemployed or looking for work.

If you have ever had to deal with this scenario you will understand how disillusioned you can get with the system. My numerous employment skills gained from various areas, enable me to understand many involved personal problems relating to the unemployed not to mention with my own disabilities, and limitations.

I have confidence in that there would be many people out there who would like to ask the basic job questions, however feel that they would be seen as silly questions. My opinion is everyone needs to talk to someone sometime, the discussion does not have to last for a very long time, but just get it off your chest.

Nonetheless trying to find work is scary and it’s normal for young people to take a long time to decide. Other children can decide very quickly due to their upbringing by parents already in their businesses. My personal working career has spanned a host of different working environments in many unusual areas which are listed ahead.

Apprentice Fitter and Turner (not completed) in Brisbane.

Machinery Operator in Brisbane.

Foundry General Hand in Brisbane.

Pest Control Operators Assistant in Brisbane.

Shop Assistant in Brisbane.

Assistant Supermarket Manager in Brisbane.

Royal Australian Air Force in Newcastle, Sydney and Darwin.

Relieving Community Store Manager: Arnhemland (Northern Territory), Kimberley region Western Australia.

Relieving Store Manager: Mount Hagen and Banz in the Western Highlands of P.N.G.

Queensland State Government in Brisbane.

Aboriginal Community Store Manager in Western Australia.

While serving in the Royal Australian Air Force for sixteen years, my duties covered three specialised areas; Clerical Equipment, Radar Operator/Instructor plus being a Stores Person. This involved my being in charge of a number of highly specialised areas on a number of Air Force Bases. I left the Royal Australian Air Force in April 1987 to attempt to broaden my working experiences.

The R.A.A.F. certainly provided me with learning many different section skills (17), relating to handling equipment as well as being in charge of two aviation fuel farm complexes.

My wife and I lived and worked as both Relieving Community Store Managers, and then as Managers on a number of Aboriginal Communities throughout the Northern Territory and Kimberley regions of Western Australia.

In addition I also held an assistant manager position in a retail warehouse in Toowoomba, Queensland plus Relieving Store Manager for a number of grocery warehouses, as well as Supermarkets in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea, in the centres of Mt. Hagen and Banz.

Here is an example of how in one minute a person can be long-term unemployed, and the very next that person receives a phone call which can change your life. As previously mentioned I was long-term unemployed for some time, before the Queensland State Government Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs contacted me, asking if I could come in for a job interview.

The interview was successful and I was actually asked if I could set up by myself, two separate Departments named economic unit as well as the retail operations unit that included not only the hiring of staff for both sections, but literally setting up all the desks and equipment for both Departments.

After resigning with the state government after a few years, my wife and I managed as a husband-and-wife team, the Beagle Bay aboriginal community store in the Kimberly region. I also have a background in training people on some computer subjects at the head office of the Volunteer Centre of Queensland Organisation based in Brisbane.

My Retail, Warehouse and Supermarket Management, Training and Presentation backgrounds cover many fields in many unusual situations;

Airforce Cadet Flights in Darwin and Sydney plus two groups of Malaysian Air Force Students in Darwin.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the Kangaroo Point T.A.F.E. College in Brisbane, with computer skills.

Undertaking presentations at High Schools and Colleges, where I spoke to hundreds of Students, regarding this book, as well as employment issues, was truly a gratifying experience which I will never forget. It’s a shame my medical issues refrain me from taking that opportunity up again.

In addition, I trained retail store staff members from different outlets and Royal Australian Air Force personnel from my own Squadron sections.

Volunteer work as an administration assistant