PDF file of Planning your Career (0.11 MB )
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PDF file of Planning your Career (0.11 MB )
PLANNING YOUR CAREER This factsheet will help you understand how to use your first job as a stepping stone to future career opportunities. THE FACTS CHECKLIST Most people view their first job as a stepping stone to ‘better’ jobs in the future. But have you considered how you can use your current job to build up the skills or experience you need to form a pathway to your dream job? For example, you can build up your skills by taking on more responsibility in your current job, learning from colleagues or managers, participating in training (this includes on-the-job training) or talking to your manager about other opportunities in the business. What if your current job has no direct pathway to your chosen career? Previous work experience and proven employability skills are valuable for your future job searching activities. Employability skills are the general work skills that include, but aren’t restricted to, personal presentation, customer service skills, willingness to learn, team work, communication, reliability, being respectful of others and understanding the basic expectations of a workplace. You are developing these skills in your current role and they will help to give you a competitive edge with potential employers, regardless of the job or industry. I have considered my strengths and interests and know the types of roles that suit me best I have spoken to my current employer about general or specific skills I would like to develop and whether there are opportunities within the business to develop these skills I know how to access the training, tools and support I need to achieve my career goals WHO CAN HELP? YOUR MANAGER OR SUPERVISOR is the best person to ask about opportunities for career progression within your current workplace. IF YOU ARE A STUDENT ask the teachers and other staff at your school, TAFE, university or community college. THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THE GENERATION SUCCESS INITIATIVE IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED JOB SEEKER approach your employment services provider. 1 DID YOU KNOW? HELPFUL TIPS Talk to your supervisor or manager. Tell them about your career goals and ask about opportunities for advancement in the business or how you can build up your proficiency in the skills or tasks that are more in line with your interests. zz zz If your current employer can’t offer you these opportunities, don’t necessarily start looking for a new job. Consider the skills and experience you can develop in your current role and how these skills could form a pathway to your dream job. Focus on being good at your current job before trying to ‘climb the ladder’. Future employers will want to talk to previous supervisors about your work and employability skills. 2 Be proactive. Build up your skills and experience by putting yourself forward for new tasks and responsibilities as they arise, even if they are outside the scope of your job. 3 Find a mentor. If possible find someone who works in your chosen industry. Use your mentor as a sounding-board for your career questions and aspirations but also listen to their advice and learn from their previous experience. 4 5 The Fair Work Ombudsman has a free online course called ‘Starting a New Job’. It has information and practical exercises to help you understand how to be a good employee and how to make the most of your job. You can access the course by visiting www.fairwork.gov.au/ learning. Keep Learning. Use every opportunity at work to learn new skills. Also consider formal training with a training provider or university to build up the skills and knowledge you need to reach your career goals–but choose carefully. Volunteer. Try new things to build up more experience outside of a work environment. It will help you understand the types of activities and roles you enjoy. USEFUL LINKS MYFUTURE is Australia’s free online career information service. (www.myfuture.edu.au) AUSTRALIAN BLUEPRINT FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT MYSKILLS WEBSITE provides information and resources on how to plan your career. training. provides information on the contents of training courses and which Registered Training Organisations can deliver the (www.myskills.gov.au) (www.education.gov.au/australianblueprint-career-development) Disclaimer: The content of this fact sheet is intended as general information only and does not replace professional advice. It is derived from a variety of sources and has been prepared without taking into account your individual objectives, situation or needs. You should consider your personal circumstances, and if appropriate, seek independent legal, financial or other professional advice before acting. The Department has endeavoured to ensure the currency and completeness of the information in this fact sheet at the time of publication; however, this information may change over time. Provision of links to external websites are provided for convenience only and should not be construed as an endorsement or approval of the third party service or website by the Department. The Department expressly disclaims any liability caused, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in respect of any action taken on the basis of the content of this fact sheet. Visit us at www.employment.gov.au/generationsuccess