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Whether it is temporary (contract) or permanent employment you are seeking Technican offer a range of opportunities for your career development.  Our candidates are the driving force of our business.  We have a large client base of organisations to get your career steaming ahead.

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DIRECT CONTRACT RISKS - SHOULD I?
Many Independent Contractors formally working on a 'Direct Hire Basis' have tales and stories of being 'Burnt' by their host employers. Most notably of 'Not Being Paid' as the host employer has gone broke or they have an accident and have not been covered by Workers Compensation, or the most difficult of all to come to grips with is being 'back-charged' for perhaps minor error's which in many case exceed Contract value.

Think very carefully about your arrangement with the host employer. Do you really want to take the risk? By using Technican Pty Ltd to underwrite your 'DIRECT CONTRACT' we guarantee the following:

• Guaranteed payment for all hours worked (Even if the end user goes bust we wear the loss)
• Guaranteed quarterly payment of Superannuation to your nominated fund
• Guaranteed coverage of Workers Compensation
• Electronic transfer of funds to your nominated account on a fortnightly basis
• Accurate and precise Payment Records provided at the end of the Fiscal year
• On-line time sheet / invoicing facility.

Your method of creating and providing information on your resume is most probably the most important document that you will be required to create in your lifetime. This is what the employer sees first, therefore ensure that you provide all relevant information, including; associations, community service, sporting clubs etc. A good constructed resume is not created overnight – they take time and a considerable amount of input, reassessment and review.

When you apply for a job, your prospective employer will want to see your resume. Your resume is a marketing tool that outlines your skills and experience relevant to the job.  It can also be called your Curriculum Vitae (CV). 

Your resume should be dynamic which means you should update it regularly, whenever you finish a job or complete a training course. It should also be tailored for each job you apply for. It might be a good idea to create a master resume and then use it to create tailored versions for each job application.

What to include in your resume
Your resume should include your contact details, education, employment history, and the contact details for your referees. You can also include a statement of your career objective, relevant computer skills, relevant professional affiliations and other relevant skills (for example, languages). Some people like to include information about their hobbies and interests so that the employer can get to know more about their personality and interests outside of work.

Key information that should be included:

Contact details:

• name
• address
• phone or mobile number (if you use a telephone typewriter (TTY) phone or use a telephone relay service, you might consider making a note about this in your resume, as some employers may not have communicated through these systems before)
• contact email

Career objective

Employment history:

• include all relevant work history, including volunteering and work experience
• provide details on the name of your employer, the job title, the period of employment and your key achievement

Education and training qualifications:

• all relevant education and training qualifications should be listed in this section
• provide details on the name of the institution where you studied, course title and date completed

Demonstrated skills:

• look at the details and selection criteria of the job
• consider what skills are required for the position and then list your relevant skills
• if relevant, include information about your proficiency in the range of relevant software programs you use. You usually record your proficiency as either 'basic', 'intermediate' or 'advanced'.  Be honest as the employer will expect you to perform at the level you have indicated in your resume

Special achievements:

• use this section to highlight your special achievements
• special achievements can be a work goal, community work, volunteering or a sporting achievement

Referees:

• contact details for someone who has supervised your work (teacher, coach, supervisor) or who has a good knowledge of your ability to do the job.

You don’t need to include personal details such as your date of birth, marital status and gender.

The most important thing when writing your resume is to make sure that it is relevant to the job you are applying for.

Choosing your referees
Your referees can include a:

• previous employer
• teacher
• trainer
• co-ordinator of voluntary work

If you do have a strong work history, try to include at least two previous employers or managers.

When choosing your referees you should also make sure your referees know you well and can be contacted easily. Contact your referees to let them know you've put their names down and to get their consent to be named as a referee. You may also want to talk to your referee about the type of job you are applying for, the skills required and how you match the requirements of the job.

Formatting your resume
You want to make it as easy as possible for a potential employer to read through your resume so keep the format simple.

Do not use bold or italics formatting in the main text of your resume—only use this formatting for headings and sub headings. If your resume is longer than one page include page numbers, your name and contact number in the footer on all pages.

Updating your resume
Your resume is a living document so remember to update it regularly and keep copies of each update. You will find your resume a handy reference if you need to refer back.

A tailored resume is a great tool to enhance your employment opportunities and if you are not getting interviews with your current resume, then change it.

Getting help to create a resume
If you are just starting out and would like help to create your resume you can:

• use the services of a local expert—the Yellow Pages will list Recruitment Specialists in your local area
• look at sample resumes (see below)

If you are receiving assistance and support from an Australian Government employment service provider, they can help you develop your resume. For information on Australian Government employment service provider, visit:

• Getting help from an Australian Government employment service provider  

Presenting your resume
You should proof read your resume thoroughly. A good way to double check everything in your resume is to read it aloud or ask a friend or family member to read it.

When you are happy with your resume, you should print it on clean white paper. Some people like to present their resume in a folder.

It is also very important to follow any instructions the employer gives about presenting your resume.

When you go to an interview, it is a good idea to take two copies of your resume so you can leave one copy with the employer.  If you are attending a panel interview, take one copy for each panel member.

Extract provided by www.jobaccess.gov.au

Preparing for and attending interviews is a very important part of getting a job. Being prepared means you will feel more confident about going into an interview.

Attending job interviews can be a daunting task. The following information provides tips and advice on preparing for and attending interviews:

Preparing for your interview
Role playing is a great way to practice how you will respond to common interview questions. Practice how you will answer any questions by role playing with a friend or a family member
During an interview you are likely to be asked common questions about why you should be chosen for the job. Prepare an answer to possible questions by thinking about how you see the job, what the job needs and how your skills, abilities and qualities will meet those needs.

Don't forget that you can ask questions during an interview, so take time to find out about the job you are being interviewed for and the organisation. Show that you are really interested in the job!

How to explain gaps in your employment history
If you have gaps in your employment history, here are some ways you can respond to questions about this:

• Note any study, volunteer work or other activities you completed during this period
• Emphasise your keenness to work
• Describe your future career goals and how the job fits into this path.
• You may have been travelling

Plan your travel to the interview
It’s a good idea to plan your trip to the interview well in advance. Do a practice run so you know where you are going and how long it will take you. Make sure you allow time for traffic and transport delays.

Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early, so that you have some time to collect yourself and compose your thoughts. Arriving early also shows the employer that you are keen.
Most employers are usually very busy people and generally find applicants who are late a substantial annoyance. If you are running late, phone the employer and tell them that you are running late. Please give a substantial reason.

You may be late because;

• Public Transport delay
• Car broke down
• Family emergency
• Personal sickness
• Accident

All employers will accept a suitable legitimate reason and may reallocate a suitable time

Attending the interview
Interviews provide employers with an opportunity to find out about you and what you know. They may involve one interviewer or several people, known as a panel interview.

Being a bit nervous at an interview is normal so do your best to appear calm, friendly and confident and consider the following tips:

• An interview starts from the first moment of contact so be aware of ‘small talk’
• When arriving at an interview, introduce yourself
• Shake hands with the interviewer or each panel member when you enter the room
• If you are asked a questions that you are not sure about, ask the interviewer to explain or clarify the question as this shows that you are not afraid to ask questions to get things right
• Do not try to control the interview and or continually speak over or interrupt the interviewer.
• If you are not sure of how to answer a question, take a moment to think about it—pausing is perfectly OK and shows you don’t panic under pressure
• Be sure in your responses and avoid using 'I might' or 'I guess'
• When the interview is over, thank the interviewers for their time and shake hands again.
• Carefully and accurately outline your qualifications and experience
• Refrain from introducing personal or family matter in the interview. The interviewer is not interested in your personal family problems.

Even if you think the interview has been a disaster, be polite as it may not have been as bad as you think! If you miss out on one job, the employer could still be thinking of you for another more suitable position in the future.

After the interview
After the interview you should think about how you went at the interview, make some notes about what happened and think about how you can improve. For example, perhaps you were asked a really tough question and want to have an answer ready if you are asked that question again.

Ask your interviewer for feedback, if you don't get the job. Ask what you could improve on, as well as if they thought your work skills and experience were lacking in any area. This will help you with future interviews.

Extract provided by www.jobaccess.gov.au