So, you’ve realised it’s time to move on. Regardless of why you’re looking for a new job, be it you’ve outgrown your current role at work and there is nowhere else to go, you just have itchy feet or something else entirely, the first step is to start looking for new opportunities. Now comes the hard part – where to start. Luckily, we’ve prepared this handy list for you to help get you on your way. You can thank us later. 

Resume Refresher

Before you even start looking for a new job, the first thing you need to do is read over your resume and make sure everything is looking good. While updating your resume with all the skills you’ve acquired since your last job application can be a bit annoying, you’re going to need an updated resume on hand. What do you think people are going to ask you for when you say you’re looking for a new job? You got it, your resume. This is a valuable tool to help people understand your experience and is worth the time. Time to get writing!

Chitter Chatter
A large number of tradies (and people in a wide range of other industries, actually) find their jobs through existing networks. If you’re in the market for a new job, a good idea is to quietly and confidently start reaching out to mates, ex-colleagues and other people you know in the industry to see if they know of anything going. It’s important to remember though, that if you’re not planning on resigning from your current job until after you’ve secured a new one (which is generally recommended – ‘it’s easier to get one when you have one’ is true in the job world) to keep things quiet and to only have a chat with people you can trust. If word gets back to your boss, it could mean problems for you.

Turn on the computer

If this seems obvious to you, its because it is. There are heaps of good job websites online now, like Seek, CareerOne and JobActive. All of these sites are great because of the way you can filter your searches with things like the industry you want to work in, whether you’re looking for full-time or part-time work and how much you’re wanting to earn. There are thousands of jobs posted online every day, so that’s a big plus too. The only downside to these bigger job search websites is firstly, they often don’t include a lot of construction roles as these are often privately advertising (even more reason to use your networks as much as you can.) Secondly, the number of applicants can be high, making it hard to stand out. We’re not saying don’t use these sites, as they can be great resources, but maybe consider using more specialized places online to look for work in the trades, like …

Get on the computer, again

You may not have known before now, but LinkedIn is a great way to connect with people in every aspect of your industry. All sorts of people use LinkedIn, from Project Managers to higher ups to traides, and they use it to keep in touch and see what everyone is working on. This is why it’s a great way to reach out, say g’day and check the status on the job market. If you are interested in more trade specific job sites, TradiesWorks, TradiePoint and Trades Jobs are all viable options, but they can present the same volume-related challenges as the generic job seeking sites, so…

Pick up the phone

Apply online if you want to, but always get on the phone to follow up your application. Even better, make a list of all the companies you’d like to work for and give them a call. Taking the initiative and getting in touch looks great to prospective employers and also gives you the chance to find out about jobs that may not have been advertised. There’s no need to be shy – call after you’ve submitted an application, and if they say they’re going to call you back and don’t, try calling them again. There is no harm in trying, while being careful to not go over the top.

Get a new perspective

Finally, remember that you’re never out of options. Even if you feel like you’ve been trying for a while and you’ve gotten nowhere, there are things you can do to keep on moving forward. A good old-fashioned course can open up job opportunities you never knew existed. Take a look at what we have on offer here, or give our team of specialists a call on 1300 4 CWBTS.

You never know – you could find the next stepping stone to your dream job.