Year 12 Class of 2013 Discussion Thread

[charmanderp]

What do you propose? I'm only 18 and inexperienced. Don't really know what I could be hired for. Is doing Cert II Business enough or do I need more qualifications. I"m itching to get out of maccas.

You'd be surprised. I have plenty of friends who'd never worked a day in their life before turning 18 yes still managed to get retail positions or better once they were in uni, just by cold canvasing. (Prospective) Employers are easily impressed by a good resume, and will find a way to hire you if, as Stick said, you get your foot in the door.

[lzxnl]

You'd be surprised. I have plenty of friends who'd never worked a day in their life before turning 18 yes still managed to get retail positions or better once they were in uni, just by cold canvasing. (Prospective) Employers are easily impressed by a good resume, and will find a way to hire you if, as Stick said, you get your foot in the door.

Would this even apply nearing the end of January? I really want to find a job as well but I have no idea where to go.

[Stick]

You guys can't afford to be picky. Take the job wherever you get it. I worked for 18 months at a hardware store, and I knew (and still know) nothing about hardware. The cleaning, registers and merchandising really wasn't that bad after a while, but it was difficult serving some customers (especially tradesmen). That being said, I learnt now to navigate these sorts of scenarios quite quickly and effectively. The first job often does suck, but as I said, you'll be more employable with that work experience and you can get a bit more picky in the future.

Charmanderp's 'cold canvassing' is not a bad idea to consider. In addition, seek out online application forms and ask your working friends to see if there's any available positions at their workplace. Good luck.

[charmanderp]

Would this even apply nearing the end of January? I really want to find a job as well but I have no idea where to go.

Yeah - it might take them a month or so to get back to you (hiring typically picks up in Feb/March, but they'll appreciate your enthusiasm!

Stick is exactly right. It's all about the experience you get from working anywhere. A lot of the skills are universal, especially when you're just picking up your first job.

If you guys are interested, I could write something up on how to put together CVs/cover letters/application forms?

[Limista]

If you guys are interested, I could write something up on how to put together CVs/cover letters/application forms?

you can get these sample templates on google though, sooo it's probably not necessary. 

[lzxnl]

Yeah - it might take them a month or so to get back to you (hiring typically picks up in Feb/March, but they'll appreciate your enthusiasm!

Stick is exactly right. It's all about the experience you get from working anywhere. A lot of the skills are universal, especially when you're just picking up your first job.

If you guys are interested, I could write something up on how to put together CVs/cover letters/application forms?

Hmm. I looked online for some jobs, but as I've only worked for a bit as a receptionist at a medical centre, I don't know exactly which jobs I would be capable of doing, and hence which jobs would be worth my time applying for.

[Stevensmay]

Hmm. I looked online for some jobs, but as I've only worked for a bit as a receptionist at a medical centre, I don't know exactly which jobs I would be capable of doing, and hence which jobs would be worth my time applying for.

Anything retail based would generally be suitable.
Think fast food, 7/11, supermarkets and retail outlets.

[lzxnl]

I searched "retail outlets"; some of them seem to require past experience. Sigh. Supermarkets and fast food it is then

[Stick]

I know that it sucks, nliu. It was the main reason I jumped for the hardware store option lol. Just stick it out for 12 months for the experience and then you'll be able to do a lot more in the future. Good luck with your job hunting.

[lzxnl]

Sent a job application to a KFC near where I live. Yeah, I'm not going to be picky about where I work; hopefully working there doesn't put me off having KFC again



They make us do questionnaires in job applications and not handing our resume in!?!? awsopdghi l;sdkhgl;skdhfxs;dkxfh

[Stick]

hopefully working there doesn't put me off having KFC again

I have a friend who's a bit of a junk food addict that works there and even he got put off KFC. Sorry to disappoint.

[lzxnl]

Fine by me. I'm not really missing out on anything then, if you think about it.

[Stick]

Haha. I never liked KFC. Although I don't eat fast food very often. :|

[chasej]

you can get these sample templates on google though, sooo it's probably not necessary. 

Most of the online templates are pretty bad IMO. This is good advice: http://www.businessinsider.com.au/how-to-write-the-perfect-resume-2012-11#tailor-your-resume-to-the-specific-position-youre-applying-for-1 but not really so applicable for first jobs.

[silverpixeli]

I worked at KFC near school for almost 3 years, quit halfway through year 12 because of school workload even though i was only on 1 shift a week. I guess it depends on the management team but its not a bad place to work. The pay is okay once you finish your training and the people were generally friendly. I worked in the kitchen rather than front of house and it was a very demanding role with a lot of product to cook and a kitchen to keep organised and clean all by myself, the other option was working on the counter/drivethrough and packing the meals people ordered, so if you're okay with people that was generally the easier option since there were plenty of people but usually only 1 cook.
The point is its an okay first job. I wouldn't say it makes you hate the food but your uniform will forever smell like kfc so dont wear good pants with the shirt they give you if you do end up working there
EDIT: forgot to say that once you work there a while you can kinda work the shifts you want, they give new people the later shifts but after a while you can ask for better ones. The close shifts go really late and involve a lot of cleaning and are generally seen as the worst shifts. I guess my evaluation was based on being there for three years, so it's important to mention that it was pretty bad at first but got better and became okay after a year or so.

Have you considered tutoring nliu? Or working for a lecture company like connect or tssm or something?