Job Seeking Tips

Welcome Job Seeker

The team at Canstaff strive to keep you up-to-date on the current job market, industry news and more! Our aim is to help you to find work and are happy to assist job seekers, who have the right attitude, in your relocation either within/to Australia, or to New Zealand for some of the world’s largest construction, engineering and trades projects.

In an effort to assist your career progression and job satisfaction, if you are relocating Down Under from across the globe, we have come up with a great relocation package which includes assistance, advice and support with your work Visa and flights plus so much more. See more info on our relocation program here to make your move Down Under seamless and stress free!

Our experienced consultants are available to guide, assist and discuss in detail current and potential vacancies in the market which match your experience, qualifications and aspirations. We can also help you with your CV, as well as offer constructive advice for interviews.

We assure you that all communication with Canstaff will be in the strictest of confidence. Canstaff look forward to working with you to help you to advance your career within your chosen industry.

Build Your Profile With Us

The Canstaff Candidate Website is your own profile online, where you can log in at any time to access, add, edit or update your details on our database. And we recommend that you update regularly.

Once you have applied for one of our positions you will receive an email with your login details and we recommend that you login and “build your profile”.

Your profile can be divided into the following sections:

  • My Skills - Update specific qualities keywords
  • My Photo - Upload a photo of yourself (this is not mandatory)
  • My Details - Update your personal details (contact numbers, address, email) and your employment type required (permanent, temporary/casual, part time).
  • My Files - Upload more documents & files (copy of scanned certificates, licenses, references etc). Please note: once uploaded, you cannot delete any of these files, only add to them.
  • Emergency - Update your ICE (in case emergency) details
  • Next Available - Update your next available date and your status (active, archive, or archive - do not contact)
  • Time Sheet - Submit an electronic time sheet
  • Job Search - Search & apply for jobs online. Your application will go straight through to the consultant.
  • My History - View your job application history and see how pending applications are progressing.
  • Career Tips - Useful employment related advice & tips
  • Contact Us - Send an email to us
  • Change Password - Change your password
  • Log Out - Log out of the Candidate Website

Any information that is amended by you is automatically saved back to your record in our database, so your details are always kept up-to-date and you can come back to edit the information whenever and as often as you like.

CV Writing Guide & Template

When you are looking for a job, it is very important that you understand how to offer yourself in the best way to an employer.

This is achieved by writing a 'CV' (curriculum vitae - Latin for 'life story'), called in some countries a 'résumé'.

Different countries may have different requirements and styles for CV résumés. So you must follow the correct practice for your culture and country. However, we will try to give you important principles and advice.

Why do I need a CV/Résumé?

A CV résumé is quite simply an 'advert', a chance to sell yourself to a potential employer. You should always send a CV to an employer when they ask for one in a job advert, or when you are enquiring if any jobs are available.

The purpose of your CV is to make you attractive, interesting and useful to the employer and company and to receive a job interview. An employer may have several hundred enquiries about a single job, and from here they will shortlist only a few people who appear suitable for an interview. Therefore, your CV must be as good as you can make it.

Template

Click Here for a CV Template

Cover Letter Writing Guide & Template

While it is not as long, a cover letter requires the same attention as preparing a curriculum vitae or résumé.

The role of your cover letter is to ensure your résumé gets read. Job applications are scanned in seconds by a human eye or a piece of software. In both cases the reader is looking to see if your skills and experience match the criteria detailed in a job ad. Your first step in writing a cover letter should be to go through the job ad and underline the key words used by the employer/recruiter. As long as you can back up your claims, try to use these words in your cover letter.

A cover letter should not mirror your CV. It should state why you are applying for the job and identify why you believe you are good match for the job role in just three or four paragraphs. It’s also vital that your cover letter is tailored to each job you apply for. If at all possible, personalise the letter using the relevant manager or recruitment consultant’s name. Place the name of recipient, their title, company name and address in the left hand corner.

Employers/recruiters hate to receive a formula letter – particularly when the applicant has forgotten to change the name from the last employer they applied to so triple check these details. Use simple language and the same font and style as your résumé. The experts recommend using a font that is easy to read such as 11 point Arial as well as A4 white paper for hard copies of your cover letter. Include a date, your name and contact details so your cover letter and résumé can be reunited if they get separated in the potential employer's office.

The opening paragraph should state the job you are going for and the fact you are confident you are suited to the role. For example, “I was interested to see your advertisement seeking a new customer service consultant as I believe my skills and experience are a good fit for the role.” Paragraph two should tell the reader why he or she should be interested in you. It might read something like, “Please find a copy of my résumé attached but of particular relevance is my x years experience in x and my qualifications in A,B,C.”

A third paragraph could be used to highlight a career achievement or two of particular relevance to the job. The last paragraph should bring the letter to a polite close. For example, “I hope to have an opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss how I could contribute to your team. Yours sincerely.” Stress what you can do for the potential employer, not why their company would be good for your career.

It's vital that you check the letter for mistakes. Ask a friend or family member to proof read the letter before you email or post it.

Template

Click here for Template

Interview Guide

We have gathered together some pointers that may be helpful when preparing for a job interview:

Preparing for the Interview:

  • Write down the name of the person who you are meeting.
  • Ensure that you are clear on the role you are being interviewed for.
  • Spend some time before the interview studying the company website so that you can speak confidently about the company and what they do.
  • Know clearly the address of the interview and allow plenty of time to get there.
  • Have a contact number for the company/interviewer in case of unforeseen circumstances.
  • Dress appropriately.

During the Interview:

  • Allow the interviewer to start the questioning, pause before giving a clear, structured answer.
  • Talk about any relevant skills and experience that you have.
  • Explain why you would like to work for the company and why this particular role is of interest to you.
  • Be positive in your approach to answering questions.
  • Wait until invited to ask questions and then ask relevant prepared questions.
  • Say “Thank you” – it will show respect and courtesy.

If in doubt, contact us!

Contract Placement

Looking to break into a company you admire or a certain industry? Want to improve your chances of being hired for a permanent position, while also getting to know the company before you commit? Need to develop your skills through on- and off-job training?

At Canstaff we have a specialised team that deal with contract roles. The majority of the assignments undertaken by Canstaff are contract and long term.

This is a very busy area for us and contracts vary from large civil projects, commercial, industrial and engineering with many of the major contractors around the country.

If you enjoy a flexible schedule and a varied work environment, Canstaff’s contract staffing option will work for you. Temporary assignments allow you to perfect the skills you have - and learn new ones - while maintaining the flexibility you're looking for.

When you're a Canstaff employee on contract assignments, you have an on-going opportunity to expand your talents, as we will promote your skills to employers who will value your attributes.

The end result? We'll place you on assignments where you can be satisfied and successful.

For more detailed information on the above, and to find out more about the options we have on offer while working with Canstaff on a contract basis, contact any of our offices.

Permanent Placement

What makes relationships last and thrive? Compatibility. That's why we go to great lengths to match you to opportunities that are in sync with your skills, interests, work style and career goals. Our experienced recruiters are equipped with proven processes and connected to respected companies of all sizes.

At Canstaff we are great listeners. To find you the right fit, we go far beyond résumé assistance or career counselling. We make it our job to understand your unique background and career goals in order to ensure a precise match that benefits you, as well as our clients.

Our specially-developed assessments and tools gauge your skills, strengths and interests to reveal permanent opportunities where you're most likely to be satisfied and successful. Then we tap into our extensive network of employers to open the right doors for you by talking with them and promoting your qualifications. We also give you a jumpstart when you're placed into a position. We'll work with you and your employer to prepare you as well as possible as you transition into your new workplace and position.

For more information on permanent vacancies in the industry browse our online jobs or contact us to discuss your next career move.

Diversity & Equal Opportunities Policy

We are committed to developing the diverse skills and experiences of all. We respect our employees and clients throughout the world without regard to their differences or similarities. Our actions and behaviours must demonstrate and confirm our respect for each other and each other's contributions.

Canstaff is committed to the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action in employment. We aim to provide a work environment for staff that fosters fairness, equality, and respect for social and cultural diversity, and that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and vilification as determined by current and future legislation.

To reinforce our commitment to these policies, practices and procedures all of our activities are to be carried out in accordance with this policy. Each employee is personally responsible and accountable for ensuring that her/his actions and behaviours reflect this policy.

Equal Opportunities

Canstaff considers all forms of discrimination to be unacceptable in the workplace. Canstaff is committed to providing equal opportunities throughout employment, including in the remuneration, recruitment, training and promotion of staff.

Canstaff is committed to ensuring that no employee receives less favourable treatment or is unlawfully discriminated against on grounds of disability, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, religious convictions, age, nationality or ethnic origin.

Canstaff is an equal opportunities employer. All appointments and promotions are made on the basis of performance and ability. We are committed to the continued development of the personal and business skills of our employees and you will be treated in a fair and unbiased way and given every encouragement to realise your potential.

Canstaff is committed to its candidates being assessed in accordance with their merits and qualifications and ability to perform the relevant duties required by a particular vacancy. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or towards any candidates or client or prospective client.