Tips & Advice

Labourpower offers you great job tips and advice to help you land your dream job and build a successful career.

Effective Job Search Strategies

Here at our Labourpower we want to see you succeed in your career and employment goals. We can guide you with the right job search advice that helps find the employers looking for your skills and qualifications.

Follow our tips to learn how best to market yourself – whether it’s a great resume you need or advice on how to interview successfully, the team at Labourpower is here to help you gain the right skills and strategies

Jobs in Australia

Find the right position for you. Labourpower has hundreds of temporary, casual, permanent and contract job vacancies in every state around Australia. Search job

Helping you make a Great Impression

A key part of finding and securing that right job is – being prepared.  That’s where Labourpower can help!

We can help you learn the right skills and strategies to make your job search all the more easier and offer valuable tips and advice so that you secure that all important job offer.

Take a look at our interview and resume tips plus frequently asked questions (FAQs), to help you find the job you’re looking for and succeed at your next job interview.

INTERVIEW TIPS

Job Interview Tips and Advice

At Labourpower, we understand that interviews can be daunting. So to help you make a great impression with your potential employers we’ve put together some tips and advice to set you on the path to success.

Preparing for an Interview

Before you go to your interview, make sure that you have done your homework on the company first. Your Labourpower Candidate Manager will help you with your preparation but you should always review the company’s website and any other reference material you can find.

  • The exact time and location of the interview
  • Bus/train times/parking locations – ensure you have worked out how long it will take you to get there and allow some time for delays
  • The interviewer’s correct title and pronunciation of his or her full name.
  • Choose a clean pair of pants, jeans or shorts with a clean, ironed shirt and covered shoes
  • For women, your makeup and nail polish should be in an understated day time style
  • Hair should be clean and tidy and men should be clean-shaven or have a neatly trimmed beard
  • Err towards conservative styles and avoid fashion statements. You can’t be sure that the interviewer will share your fashion sense
  • Perfume and cologne should not be overpowering and jewellery should be kept to a minimum.

Interview Dos and Don’ts

Remember, the interviewer will be assessing your strengths and weaknesses but will also be probing your personal attributes such as attitude, aptitude, stability, motivation and maturity. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts to be aware of:
  • Arrive on time or a few minutes early. The appointment is for a specified time which you are expected to make. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable and you should also avoid arriving too early – go and have a coffee and collect your thoughts if you are too early
  • If you get the job you will become part of the team, so be polite and professional with everyone you encounter before and after your interview, whether it is the receptionist or the interviewer’s assistant
  • Greet the interviewer by his or her title and surname
  • Have a firm handshake and maintain good posture and eye contact. This will ensure that you appear relaxed and confident
  • Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair and look alert and interested at all times.
  • While you are concentrating on what you have to say, ensure that you also listen carefully.
  • Make sure that you convey your strong points to the interviewer in a concise, factual and sincere manner. Avoid waffle and make sure that you are answering the question that was asked
  • Try to give specific examples which will illustrate the strong points you believe you have to offer
  • Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on an opportunity. It is preferable to be able to choose from a variety of offers – rather than only one
  • Remember to smile and be yourself. It is important to you that the job and the company are right for you, so there is no point acting like somebody else in your interview.
  • Avoid simple YES or NO answers. Try to explain yourself whenever possible. Describe those good points about yourself that are relevant to the position in question
  • Never lie. Always answer the questions truthfully, frankly and as close to the point as possible.
  • Avoid making derogatory remarks about your present or former employers. This can convey a negative impression of you
  • Try not to be too informal – even if the interviewer has an informal style. Avoid talking too much about personal circumstances and under no circumstances should you swear or use inappropriate slang
  • Don’t enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses etc. at the initial interview. But you should know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.

​Common Interview Questions

  • What do you think this position involves?
  • Why did you choose a career in banking/finance/IT/accounting?
  • What technical experience do you have that is relevant to this position?
  • What appeals to you about working for our company?
  • Why should the company hire you?
  • Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
  • When was your last salary review?
  • What style of management gets the best from you? Give me an example
  • What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held? Give me an example
  • What was the best job you ever had and why?
  • Can you give me an example that demonstrates initiative in your career?
  • What are your major weaknesses and what are your strengths? What have you done to overcome your weaknesses?
  • What do you think determines a person’s progress in a good company?
  • Are you willing to relocate?
  • What does ‘teamwork’ mean to you?
  • Tell me about a time when you have encountered conflict in the workplace?

Throughout the interview, your interviewer will be assessing both positive and negative traits. These are some of the negative traits frequently identified during the course of an interview and which in most cases will lead to rejection:

  • Poor grooming
  • Inability to answer questions succinctly – poor diction or grammar
  • Not listening to the question that was asked – overselling yourself by answering what you think the interviewer wants to hear rather than sticking to the point
  • Overbearing, aggressive, conceited or ‘know-it-all’ attitude
  • No evidence of career planning – lack of purpose or goals
  • Lack of interest and enthusiasm – displaying passivity and indifference
  • Nervousness or lack of confidence – nervous fidgeting
  • Remuneration appears to be the main motivator
  • Derogatory remarks about previous employers
  • Failure to maintain eye contact with the interviewer
  • Limp handshake
  • Poor posture
  • Unprepared for the interview – lack of research on the company displaying an inability to ask intelligent questions

Ask Questions at your Interview

It is important to remember that every interview is a two-way street. Your interviewer is trying to determine whether you are the right person for their job and their team. Likewise, you need to assess whether this potential employer will provide the type of career opportunity and development that you are looking for.  You are also both trying to ascertain whether the culture of the company is suited to you.

Common Questions to Ask

Questions you ask at your interview help to convey your interest and enthusiasm for the company and the role.

  • What is the main focus of the position?
  • Why has the position become available?
  • Describe the culture of the company?
  • What kinds of people have previously been successful in the company?
  • What are the career development prospects within this role?
  • What induction/training programmes are available?
  • Will the company support extracurricular studies?
  • What plans does the company have for future development?
  • Which are the company’s most successful products or services?
  • What is the next step from here?

Closing an Interview

If you are interested in the position ask what the next stage in the interview process will be. If the interviewer offers the position to you and you want it, accept on the spot. If you need some time to think it over, be courteous and ask for that time (and specify a date by which you will provide your answer) Don’t be discouraged if you are not offered the job on the spot. The interviewer will most likely need to consult with colleagues or interview other candidates (or both) before making a decision. In most situations a second interview is required. This may be with the interviewer’s manager or with other members of the team Shake hands with the interviewer and thank them for their time.

Please call your Labourpower Candidate Manager immediately after your interview to run through how you thought your interview went and provide feedback on your impressions of the company and the position being interviewed for. Your Candidate Manager will want to speak with you before the interviewer calls.

RESUME TIPS

Your resume (or CV) is a document marketing your skills and experience with the aim of winning you an interview. To help you get a foot in the door with potential employers, we’ve put together some tips and advice to help you write a resume that gets you noticed.

Your resume should highlight your skills, qualifications and experience. Make sure you present the following details in a way that is easy to read and understand.

Personal Details

Names, Address, Phone and Email are all essential for employers or agents to contact you. Your date of birth, marital status, health status etc are all optional inclusions and you are not obliged to disclose any of these details on your resume.

Educational Qualifications

List all the qualifications you have attained since leaving school.

Professional Development

List any professional accreditations you have attained and any additional training courses you have attended.

Skill Summary

Think about the positions you are applying for and which of your skills are the most relevant. List the most appropriate skills in point form. It is also useful to include a list of any computer skills or software packages that you are familiar with.

Career History

This is most important part of your resume and the area that a prospective employer will focus on to try and ascertain how relevant your professional experience is.

  • List your positions in reverse chronological order. Include the COMPANY NAME (if it is not a well known company, it is useful to indicate the nature of the business or industry), DATES (and be specific e.g. March 2000 to September 2003) and your JOB TITLE
  • Next list down your responsibilities. Don’t assume that an employer automatically knows what the duties of your role were – jobs of a similar title can vary significantly.
  • It is also useful to include an ‘Achievements’ section for each role, where you list specific achievements in a role, career highlights or any additional skills gained. Any career progression should ALSO be emphasised. This section can be a very important selling point so take some time to think it through carefully.
  • Never have unexplained gaps in your CV. Try to explain what you were doing at the time – was it travel or taking additional training or simply pursuing personal interests?
  • Include more detail about your most recent roles – it is not necessary to list the detailed duties of a role you did 20 years ago!
  • If your resume is starting to get too long, summarise the more historical roles and simply put ‘further details are available on request.

Personal Interests

This is an optional section and you should be selective about what you include. Avoid mention of religious or political affiliations but do try to include information on any hobbies that might be relevant to the position you are applying for – or perhaps you can demonstrate some kind of leadership or organisational ability.

Referees

Again, it is optional whether you enclose the details of your referees on your resume but if you do, bear in mind that you should notify your referees that they may be contacted by a prospective employer. Your referees should be work related and preferably, should be your direct supervisor who can comment adequately on your performance, skills and abilities. Personal referees or peers are not as valued for referee purposes. If you are a recent graduate, enclose an academic referee and a referee from any part-time work you may have undertaken.​

  • The person who is reading it probably has limited time and most likely browses through hundreds of resumes – therefore your resume should be concise, clear and easy to read
  • Make use of bullet points – they are easier to read than blocks of text, while it can also force you to be more succinct
  • Do not mix your fonts and avoid excessive use of italics, bold, capitals and underlines. Be consistent with your layout
  • Avoid a cramped layout and use spacing to improve the readability of your resume
  • When you’re resume is finalised remember to run a spell check to avoid any spelling errors.

Your resume is an ever-evolving document, so take time to revise and refine it as often as necessary. This is the document that is selling you and your skills so the time that you spend in preparation will most certainly be time well spent. Remember, your resume is the gateway to your future career progression.

A word about your resume cover letter…

Don’t undo all your good work by sending a well laid out resume with a hurriedly written cover letter. Your cover letter should reference the job you’re applying for. Outlining your interest, brief relevant skills and experience and interest in obtaining an interview. Remember, your cover letter only needs to be brief and again – don’t forget to run spell check! 

FAQs

At Labourpower, we are committed to answering all your questions to help you make a great impression with potential employers, find your ideal job and enjoy your work. Here is a list of some of the more frequently asked questions by Labourpower candidates. If you do not find the answer you’re looking for, please contact your nearest Labourpower office or speak to your Labourpower Candidate Manager.

1. What do I wear?
  • It is advisable to ask your Candidate Manager about the work environment and what the expected uniform requirements are.
  • We will provide you with high visibility work wear but you will be required to wear safety boots and long / short industrial pants / shorts
  • Even if there is an informal dress code, you must never wear open toe shoes.

2. What if I miss the timesheet deadline?

  • It is your responsibility to ensure your timesheet is sent by the date/time indicated wherever possible. However, should there be a delay – please call your Candidate Manager as soon as possible as there are no guarantees that you will be paid on time if you miss the deadline.

3. What if I don’t like the assignment?

If the assignment is not to your liking please call your Candidate Manager immediately after your shift ends to discuss any issues. They will help you with any concerns that you may have however if you would like to end the assignment it is important advise your Candidate Manager so that they can notify the client and endeavour to find a more suitable position for you. Do not under any circumstances leave an assignment in the middle of a shift.

4. Can I take time off?

  • As a casual assignment is generally a short term arrangement it is expected that you won’t need to take time off, except in a case of emergency. However, if you find yourself in a long term or ongoing casual assignment your Candidate Manager will be able to discuss leave with the client you are working for and arrange for the time off
  • Where possible please advise your Candidate Manager prior to the commencement of the assignment if you have any appointments scheduled and they will advise the client accordingly.

5. What do I do if I am sick or can’t make it?

  • If for any reason you are unable to get to your assignment, or if you think you will be late, please contact Labourpower BEFORE your expected start time. It does not matter if that is at 2am in the morning; your Labourpower are on-call 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.

Whilst we hope this information will give you a better understanding of working with Labourpower Recruitment Services, it is a guideline only. Should you have any further questions that you would like to ask prior to the commencement of, or during your assignment, please feel free to give us a call anytime.

BANK ACCOUNTS

For your convenience your wages are paid directly into your bank account on a weekly basis. Casual staff must therefore have an account and provide us with the details. Please bring your bank account details with you when you register with Labourpower. Please note, should your account details change please advise your consultant accordingly. Bank details will not be accepted over the phone, please email or fax you new details to our office.

TIMESHEETS

It is important that you fill your time sheet in correctly and have it signed by your supervisor. All signed timesheets must be faxed to your relevant Labourpower office and must be received by 10am on a Monday. Labourpower cannot guarantee that you will be paid on time if you do not meet this deadline. If there is a problem getting your time sheet in, please contact your Candidate Manager as soon as possible.

YOUR PAY

Provided your timesheet is faxed to Labourpower on time and the bank account details you provide us are correct, your pay will be deposited into your bank account on the Thursday afternoon for access on Friday morning, following the week you have just worked. If you have a query with your pay, please contact your Labourpower office during business hours.

TAX FILE NUMBERS

It is extremely important that you complete a Tax Declaration form when you register with Labourpower Recruitment Services. Failure to do so may lead to problems for you when completing your next tax return. Please note we are required by law to tax you at the highest tax rate if this form is not received.

SUPERANNUATION

While working as a casual or contractor through Labourpower Recruitment Services you are entitled to superannuation – this is paid in addition to your hourly rate. All contributions are forwarded to your nominated Super Fund on a quarterly basis. If you do not nominate a Super Fund, Labourpower will remit your superannuation to TWU Super our default fund. If you choose to use the company default fund you will be contacted by them at the address which you supply Labourpower.

WORKERS COMPENSATION

As a temporary employee you are covered by workers compensation insurance. If you have an accident at work you must contact your Labourpower Candidate Manager immediately and they will advise you what the next steps will be.

Whilst in a role you are to conduct yourself in a manner which will ensure that you and those around you are safe at all times. When you commence your new role please locate the emergency exits and familiarise yourself with the emergency procedures.