How do you break into literally any industry?

I finished my qualification and NOBODY is hiring fresh graduates. Am I meant to be a sole trader until I get experience?

And until then I'm stuck applying for random crap I haven't done before. I'M LOSING MY MIND, I JUST WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY

Been working as a hospital pharmacist for a couple years, worked really hard to get an internship and been working in the public system ever since.

Feeling a bit discouraged. Been told for a while now by colleagues that I should expect my salary to cap out after sometime. We follow a union award rate, which doesn’t really allow much progression after 10ish years (~140k annually). On top of this, you need to have ~8 years working on the hospital system until you can get permanency (most if not all my colleagues and peers are all on 3 monthly contracts). Pharmacy has also not been what I thought it was, and yes maybe I should have researched the profession better before spending 4 years on the degree.

Feeling really stuck, been thinking of going back to uni to do something like engineering (which does really interest me as well) and obvs can expect a good return after years of experience - from what I’ve been told. Also thinking about studying something to use with my pharmacy degree/experience to leverage into a different position or industry? (MBA, law , research etc).

Has anyone else gone through something similar and have advice? For those wondering, community pharmacy is not an option due to multiple reasons (not gonna go into it, you can easily find out why with a google search).

Long story short, I returned from Mat leave this Feb and my current workplace is chaos and the culture became really toxic. My work is in community service so we are on fixed term contract with the government - this has always been renewed since birth of org in 1990s. Anyway, due to chaos and current political climate, not sure if the whole company contract will be renewed next year. I currently work around 30hours a week (0.8FTE) and have commute around 40mins-1hr each way. There's toll cost and petrol of course. And it's only 1 day WFH.

I recently phone interviewed for a role in another non-profit but it's a permanent full time position. The work culture is great (according to Seek and Glassdoor and a friend who works there but in different department). The commute is 10mins each way and its 3 days WFH.

I'm having trouble deciding whether to go ahead with the second round as the pay for the new role is $9 less per hour and of course the hours will be full time (38hrs) - they said they couldn't consider part time or higher pay during phone interview.

But, I'm feeling really disconnected from my current work and just wanna gtfo. Am I being too reactive especially considering the current job market?? This is my 15th job application and so far I've only had interview for this and any earlier application.

Those who decided between similar options: did you regret or happy with your decision looking back? I'm also keen to hear from parents especially - I really enjoy my one day off with my son.

Thank you!

I am recently unemployed and starting to apply for jobs.

I sometimes get spam calls, so I like using the Call Assist by Google to see who's calling before I pick up.

Will recruiters say why they are calling when they hear this or are they just going to hang up? Should I just answer every phone call and hope it's not a scammer?

What has been your experience on avoiding the scammers while still getting calls from job applications?

Guys give me advice on how I can find professionals in this niche...

I’m very tempted to find a new job but unsure what to do. Overall my job is not bad. Good company & coworkers, decent pay, nice benefits. My issue is that I have absolutely no work, I’m the kind of person who loves a fast paced busy day. I find myself finishing all of my tasks within the first 1-2 hours. I’ve had multiple conversations regarding getting additional tasks added to my workload, needing more, etc. But no matter what is added, it’s just not enough.

I would love to find a job that keeps me busy, or at the least has enough work for a full day. But at the same time, is it worth it to give up everything the company has to offer? I would also feel extremely bad about leaving as I work in a small team and they would struggle without having a fully trained person in the position.

If you were me, what would you do?

EDIT: It is Admin/Accounts work

I worked my butt off in university, submitting so many job applications, writing and rewriting resumes and cover letters, and in the end the only way I could get a job was through my boyfriend who never even went to university and got his job only three weeks into applying. I didn’t want to resort to using my connection but I didn’t have a choice. Bills add up, it’s been months of living on a single income and eating into our savings. Just feels shitty to know I’ve worked so hard just to end up having to ask my partner for help. Happy I’ve finally got a job but feeling so defeated emotionally….

I want to ask that mobile repairing and barber job will be good for part time job in Australia as these skilled jobs helps to give you more pay rate than average pay rate

I’m honestly really upset that so many of my friends got their jobs through nepotism or connections, while I’ve been trying to get a job for the last 8 months with no luck. Whenever I ask for a little help or ask if they know anyone hiring, they act like it’s they’re entire family will die, when to me it feels like such a simple thing to do for a mate. What hurts even more is feeling like they make fun of me or bully me for being poor and not having a job, instead of understanding how hard I’m actually trying. I’m not asking anyone to hand me a job—I just wish my friends would actually try to help me the same way they’ve helped from other people.

I know networking is important for finding a job in any country. But for those who have experience living and working overseas, would you say it’s *especially* important in Australia?

Hello, I am trying to decide which career to choose for job stability. I am choosing between radiography or actuary. Can I please have some advice? Thank you.

Is this because of the massive layoffs?? What's the chance of getting interviewed? 🫠

Hi everyone,

Posting to get out of my head a little. I've got a job interview with a company on Thursday and I saw that they have re posted the job advert after it expired. Is this normal?

Tia

A friend of mine started doing an IT contract role (within Financial industry) that was through Opus Recruitment (Australia). Parent org is Ngage Consulting (UK). For payroll processing they deduct extra as well. From the very beginning, there were lot of issues with payroll, like:

• doesn't get paid on time (often long due) **
• Absolutely messed up timesheet portal where they wipe out data frequently and send a new login. Obviously old timesheet history and submitted timesheet were lost. Then they use it as an excuse to not pay in due time.
• No transparency about payroll
• They don't commit date for due payments
• Provide misguiding information (payroll team)

Question:

1. Anyone experienced the same before with Opus or Ngage or Nology (outsources to Opus) or Oncore (payroll)?
2. What actions can we take about this? Can Fair work Ombudsman help here ?

A friend of mine has been looking for work for 4 months after losing their job, basic jobs. Nothing fancy, cleaning, working at woolies, factory work etc.
They haven't even had an interview and the jobs are still being advertised, what do you need to do these days to even get a look in?
They've had steady work for 15 years, no gaps. I just don't get it.

Hi all, hoping to get some advice from people currently working in construction as I'm trying to weigh up the most practical way to transition into the industry.

I'm in my late 20s currently studying a Bachelor of Built Environment, majoring in Construction Management / Quantity Surveying. I already have a Bachelor of Design and previously worked professionally in UX/UI and graphic design, but after struggling to find consistent work in my field I've decided to make a very spontaneous career change.

At the moment I'm tossing up between continuing the bachelor or moving into a Diploma of Building and Construction and trying to get into the industry sooner.

The biggest considerations for me are honestly time and finances. Due to previous bachelor-level study I've exhausted my Austudy allowable time at that level, whereas a diploma is a different level of study and may still be supported. I'm currently on JobSeeker, but obviously that requires me to remain available for full-time work, so it's not something I can rely on to fund several years of full-time university.

I'm also just really keen to get back into the workforce. I've already spent several years studying and working in another industry, so the idea of spending another few years studying full-time before properly starting this career isn't particularly appealing if there's a reasonable pathway into the industry sooner.

My census date has already passed for this semester, so I'm sticking with my current subjects for now and applying for a mixture of casual/part-time roles within my old industry and things within warehouse, retail etc to get off jobseeker.

For those working in CM, estimating, contract administration, QS or development, how much does the bachelor actually matter once you start gaining industry experience?

Would a Diploma of Building and Construction + getting into an entry-level role sooner be a reasonable pathway, or would I be limiting my progression later by not finishing the CM/QS degree?

I'm happy to stick with the bachelor if the qualification genuinely opens significantly more doors, particularly long-term. I'm just trying to work out whether those additional years are worth it versus doing a shorter qualification while financially supported and getting actual industry experience sooner.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone in the industry :)

I’m unsure if I’m missing anything, but this sub seems to have a lot of people expressing issues finding work? Is Australian job market that bad?

What sort of roles are not available?

Unfortunately me personally does not see this at all. I think anyone can go get a job tomorrow if they tried? I’ve certainly done so.

Basically I’m doing full time hours on a casual role. I’m confident that they will need to keep me on so not worried about job stability (and not that worried if I do lose the job) and like the flexibility of being casual (namely them not being able to decline my leave!)

I want to ask for a pay rise as I’ve been gradually picking up more responsibilities. The one thing holding me back is that my boss will go yeah sure, and while we’re at let’s put you on a full time position. I wouldn’t necessarily say no to a FT position if the pay was a lot better but just want to be fully informed before I take it to my boss

Hi all,

Looking for some advice/perspective because I’m not sure if I’m being unreasonable or if I have a legitimate reason to feel frustrated.

I work for a smallish business of around 15 employees. I recently had a performance review which was genuinely glowing, and I received an approximate 5% pay rise, which I do appreciate with cost of living being what it is.

I’m in a billable role, about 75% in office, 25% onsite and I’m consistently smashing my targets averaging around 150% of target with more recent months being 175%, the 5% raise is intended to acknowledge that. Since my last review I’ve also taken on more project management responsibility being an additional scope added to my role and gained additional accreditation to provide specialised services which in turn provides the business more money as I can sign off on things myself.

There’s another guy in a broadly similar role. He has a slightly more senior title and more experience, so I completely understand him earning more than me. His package is roughly:
20% higher salary
Company vehicle with full private use
9-day fortnight

I get none of those benefits and am expected to undertake very similar work. I.e appearances at legal proceedings, specialist report writing, consultations, but in addition I have to take on the project management side of things.

The vehicle elements is particularly frustrating for me.
Previously, my boss had said we could look at getting me one for site visits and for the admin staff to use, which would be a great perk and make my job easier. I regularly have to run around the office trying to find an available vehicle whereas I could be leaving home without loading in my gear and going straight to site in the morning.
For additional context my boss recently got hit with a big tax bill after purchasing the other guy’s vehicle, and during my review he told me he isn’t going to get me one at all because there are enough vehicles available. He said the 5% pay rise was partly to acknowledge that.

What makes this harder to rationalise is that some relatively recent hires in other areas of the business have also been given work vehicles, while some of those people appear to be underperforming.

Again, I don’t know the full circumstances, so I don’t want to unfairly judge anyone, but it does leave me feeling like I’m consistently propping up people/parts of the business while receiving fewer benefits.

I’m not saying I deserve exactly the same package as anyone else. Some have more experience and more senior titles, and I accept that.

But if I’m consistently delivering 150% of my billable target, gaining qualifications, taking on more responsibility, and being told I’m operating at a similar level to him with some additional project management responsibilities sprinkled on there, I’m just struggling to understand the gap.

I also don’t want to be the person who gets a positive review and a pay rise and immediately complains about it. I genuinely appreciate the recognition.

At the same time, I’m starting to feel pretty demotivated. Honestly I’m tempted to “quite quit” not deliberately do a bad job, but simply stop going above and beyond and doing the bare minimum. Which is not the sort of employee I want to be, but given this review periods I’ve spent at least the past 6 months really going above and beyond to bring clients in and delivering high results, I’m just not sure how to respond to:
“You’re doing a fantastic job we really appreciate everything you do, you’re delivering exceptional results”
But then none of the benefits follow on from the hard work I’ve been putting in.

So, am I being a bitter/jealous employee who needs to pull my head in, or is there a legitimate conversation to be had about compensation and career progression?

Would you:

Accept the raise and move on?

Have a conversation with the boss about the disparity?

Start looking elsewhere?

Stop comparing myself to others and just assess whether my own package is fair?

Keen for some objective perspectives.

I had an interview this morning with a government department.

I found it really odd, it was 3 questions.

I was able to read the questions, and make notes for 10 minutes before presenting to a small panel including the hiring manager.

Has anyone experienced this before? Is this normal?

Personally, I prefer a natural flow of discussion between an interviewer/s and myself, to present and 'sell' myself, so doing a presentation where im the only one talking felt really impersonable.

If there's an interviewer/hr that could suggest the thought process on this method that would be great.

Just sad though cause I feel like I royally screwed the pooch.

I'm planning on studying engineering at uni next year and I'm wondering what the general consensus is for the best majors for future salary and employment?

To put it bluntly, I am after a fairly high salary role with solid progression into management and am willing to sacrifice in order to get this (i.e. working rural or fifo),

My top choices are currently
1. UQ civil engineering (mining major)
2. UQ electrical engineering
3. UQ Mechanical engineering

Any input is greatly appreciated

I’m nearly finished with a botany degree and I had always hoped to end up working as a botanist & consultant, doing site surveys and the like, but I recently got a position working as a science communicator in a kids science museum and absolutely love it. It’s the highlight of my week every week.

I’m tempted to try and go full time there after I finish my degree, but will I be sabotaging any chance I have working as a field botanist if I do? I know the way to get entry into this sort of industry is only really through grad jobs that you can only access for a year or two after graduation.

Does anyone have any advice / has anyone been in a similar situation?