Both job seekers and recruiters are ruthlessly using AI tools to succeed. But neither party is actually succeeding. AI resumes create two issues:

Both foster mistrust.

AI-generated resumes give you the illusion of progress. It’s true – you can churn one out using ChatGPT or Claude AI.

But AI was trained on millions of resumes.

So AI is replicating what was terrible. It’s giving you the average of mediocre. 

Moreover, if every candidate is using the same commoditised AI tools, how can you expect to differentiate your application?

Don’t Succumb To The Temptation To Lie.

You may be tempted to embellish your resume using AI.

Don’t.

AI-inflated applications reveal their true colours during short-listing and interviews.

Or, worse, once you get the job.

Underperformance will show up fast, creating a cascade of unfortunate events – you losing your job, hurting your reputation and being back to square one.

How Recruiters Are Using ChatGPT To Cut Corners.

Unfilled roles equal lost productivity. That’s why automating candidate application and screening processes has been a long-held recruiter goal.

AI is making their dreams come true (but creating new nightmares for job seekers).

Research from consulting firm BCG finds that of the companies experimenting with AI, 70% are using it for talent acquisition — and it’s noticeably increasing their admin productivity.

This helps reduce costs while keeping hiring timeframes short.

A 2025 survey of over 1,200 HR professionals in Australia and New Zealand showed that:

AI automation is seen as driving those kind of efficiencies — as evidenced by over 30% of Aussie HR pros describing the tech as “transformative” and 57% saying they were increasing their budget for AI tools. 

Recruiters want to ditch more of the ‘busy work’ by using AI for writing job ads and candidate emails, long-listing massive amounts of applications, scheduling interviews, and even conducting first-round interviews — as big brands like Woolworths and Bunnings have embraced.

That’s supposed to give them time to focus on high-value human work. Like assessing short-listed candidates.

But getting on that shortlist is tough.

Here are some grim facts facing job seekers right now:

Fewer openings, more competition, and automated screening means you’ll need both luck and timing when applying via traditional routes.

Applicant Tracking Systems and other AI-powered recruiting platforms can assess applications almost immediately after you’ve hit ‘submit’.

On top of unknowable criteria and algorithms potentially ruling you out — you can be perfectly qualified for a role, but arrive too late.

Understandable then, that if you’re job hunting, AI can seems like the best way to speed up your application process.

You can use AI to create and tailor resumes, find and quickly apply to multiple jobs, do mock interviews, and even generate interview responses if you get that far.

But using AI to save your time and energy in this way represents a false economy.

Getting in first doesn’t matter if your resume sucks. A professional-sounding, error free resume churned out by a bot is not the same as a resume that:

AI Is Dragging Down The Quality Of Job Applications. 

Despite a faster hiring process, employers are still desperate for quality, especially in mid-tier professional and executive-level roles.

There’s a huge trust and credibility chasm emerging because AI is capable of making every resume sound competent and professional, in the same cliched or over-the-top fashion.

That’s creating four key risks for job seekers using AI to grow their careers:

Firstly, AI resumes that all sound alike (because AI models learn by copying) make it hard for recruiters to differentiate between similar candidates. That leads to second-guessing whether you’ve got the abilities you claim.

Your chances of being shortlisted are starting to plummet if there’s a whiff of AI-style embellishment, which many recruiters can spot easily. Not because you chose to use a tool for writing help, but because they can’t believe what your resume says. 

Over 80% of Aussie employers said they’d noticed inaccurate information in AI-generated resumes, and a notable increase in under-qualified applicants (54%), according to a 2025 survey of over 500 firms.

Australian recruitment expert Michelle Rubinstein, a former Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association (RCSA) Recruiter of the Year, recently said she favours communicating with candidates by phone for this very reason.

She recalls the case of having to reject a candidate who, on paper, appeared to be an “absolute slam dunk,” because when she called them they:

Rubinstein said that after some digging, the truth came out that an AI-tool had auto-applied on the candidate’s behalf and rewritten their CV for the job.

Let’s say an AI-inflated resume does land you a job. 

You’ll be taking a huge gamble if your performance doesn’t hold up.

One recent hiring manager survey found than more than a third of employers had terminated multiple employees due to their actual skills falling short of their AI-generated resume promises.

Over 70% of hiring managers said they now consider referrals more reliable than resumes.

How Do You Avoid AI Traps In Your Job Hunt?

Is honing your skills with AI tools — to game AI screening tools — ever worth your time?

You might decide so if you’re vying for low-skilled or entry-level roles that requires cold applying at scale to a broad selection of advertised jobs via recruitment systems.

As HR consultant Jessica D. Winder highlights, AI can help tighten your stories, but it can’t replace your lived experience.

If you really want to take back some control, a more proactive job search is possible. But it’s not easy. You need to do all the things, and do them consistently and well.

The core pillars include:

You don’t have to reach ‘influencer’ levels of visibility. You just have to get known within the circles of people with influence over hiring in your desired companies or sectors.

You want to initiate conversations with the hiring managers whose day-to-day problems you’ll actually be solving.

Unlike in-house recruiters whose job it is to sort through the AI slop applications, hiring managers are the leaders who make the case for a new hire, and make the final hiring decisions.

HR teams act as the gatekeeper, partly in an attempt to keep recruitment consistent and fair.

But let’s be honest — you need an unfair advantage.

Career coach Lucy Gilmour calls it “boss hunting”. She suggests you:

Bypassing an ATS or AI resume screening tool isn’t a panacea for getting noticed. You may still be ignored. But catch a hiring manager on the right day, with the right pitch — and your foot is firmly in the door.

AI Resumes Have Eroded Trust. Take A Different Path.

AI misgivings are pervading every step of the recruitment process.

Sydney-based recruiter Chloe Cashman said she knows hiring managers running virtual interviews now have doubts about whether they’re assessing real capability or “well prompted answers” derived from AI.

With the way AI resumes and AI-assisted answers have muddied the waters, we’ll likely see some HR teams revert to more traditional methods to engage with candidates for important roles, even if it adds time and costs — in the interests of improving hiring quality.

Become the kind of candidate who shows up in the right places to get noticed. Don’t be afraid of looking desperate or pushy.

Do be afraid of missing an opportunity — and let that fear motivate you to invest your efforts into selling yourself with authenticity and dignity.

Jody

If you’re looking for a new job in Australia, exploring job sites will be high on your to-do list. How do you determine which job websites to focus on?

To reduce the feeling of overwhelm, you may want to focus on two to three best job boards, because:

Check out our comprehensive list below to find the website that is best suited to your career aspirations.

(Related: How To Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges).

5 Largest Job Sites In Australia: Where You’ll Find The Most Jobs.

Australia’s most well-known job sites accept job posts (paid or free) or aggregate job postings from all Australian locations and just about all industries.

Here’s a rundown of the five biggest job sites in Australia:

1. Seek.

Seek is widely accepted as the leading job site in Australia. The main downside to that is there’s a lot of competition for each role. But on the plus side, Seek:

2. Indeed.

Indeed is a global job board with an Australian version of the site that’s well-regarded by employers and jobseekers. Key factors to consider about Indeed:

3. CareerOne.

CareerOne claims to be “the only job seeker centric platform” and pushes its job matching feature, which requires that you sign up and create a profile.

Here’s what you need to know about CareerOne:

4. LinkedIn.

The social media platform for career-minded folk is a common place to search for jobs.

Because it’s an online community, you’ll need a LinkedIn account and profile to review job opportunities added to LinkedIn by employers.

Other important facts about the LinkedIn job site:

5. Jora.

Jora gets a mention here because it gets considerable traffic from Australian jobseekers.

It is a job aggregator site and a partner site to Seek, so jobs posted to Seek by a employer may be specifically promoted via Jora. Other things to consider:

Here are seven additional broad market job sites popular with Australian jobseekers that may be worth exploring:

Are Job Sites Your Best Bet For Finding A Great Job?

Employers and recruiters may use the ‘Google for Jobs’ feature to make it easier for you to bring up specific roles in search engine results.

For full-time contracts, professional and senior roles, visiting specific company ‘Careers’ pages or the websites of recruitment firms can also be helpful.

(Related: Best Recruitment Agencies In Australia).

By comparison, entry-level positions and casual jobs shared on sites like Gumtree or Facebook groups are sometimes less reliable.

However, people can and do pick up paid work this way.

Tapping into the ‘hidden’ job market by building your networks (in real life or via LinkedIn) or asking friends, family and colleagues for referrals can also be highly effective.

(Related: How To Tap Into Australia’s Hidden Job Market).

11 Australian Government Job Sites To Explore.

A key government-managed job site in Australia is:

Workforce Australia is provided by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

In addition to the ability to search for jobs listed by employers, if you’re currently receiving income support through Centrelink you may be referred to use the site to be connected with local employment services providers or training options.

National Government roles:

To find jobs in State Government:

Local Government job sites:

16 Niche Industry Job Sites In Australia.

Narrowing down your job search to more targeted job sites could pay off as some of these sites will list jobs not found elsewhere. Here are the best niche job sites in Australia:

To work in the not-for-profit sector:

For environmental science and agricultural industry jobs:

To find jobs in the creative industries such as marketing, PR, writing, design, performance:

For teachers and educators:

To find training, coaching and professional jobs at sports clubs and leisure centres:

To search for roles in banking, finance, compliance and fintech companies:

To explore opportunities for recent university graduates:

For backpackers looking to pick up roles without a lot of experience:

For healthcare jobs like doctors, nurses, allied health and professionals:

To find employers looking to fill identified roles or encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates:

(Related: How To Get A Job In The Australian Mines?)

Where Else Can You Find Jobs?

It may be worth reviewing roles directly listed on the websites of Australia’s largest recruitment firms such as Hays, Robert Half, Randstad, Adecco, Chandler Macleod, and Michael Page.

A number of special interest groups, associations and other peak/industry bodies will offer job listings as a service to their audiences and members. For instance:

(Related: What Is The Minimum Wage In Australia?)

Make Your Applications Via Job Sites Count.

Regularly reviewing job sites or setting up profiles and email alerts via a number of platforms gives you a great chance to spot jobs that match your skills and experience.

But even if you had the time and energy to check every job site, it doesn’t guarantee a successful application.

To attract hiring managers and recruiters it’s critical to:

If you find yourself frustrated by the lack of responses to your applications on job sites, consider getting professional help to craft a unique personal brand that makes your resume and online presence stand out.

Jody

Are cover letters a relic of the past? A tick-and-flick exercise to prove you can follow job application instructions? Some recruiters have replaced them with video introductions, and Hilton hotels recently asked candidates to record TikToks to apply for roles.

Experienced executive recruiter Nikki Byrne from Macquarie Bank said that the rise of AI had made cover letters “increasingly standardised,” making them less relevant.

But The Cover Letter Isn’t Dead.

Successful entrepreneur and host of the How to Win podcast, Peep Laja, argues that a “personalised, thoughtful cover letter” helps you stand out, and you should always send one.

However, he warned that AI use would be obvious and mean “you’re instantly out”.

Despite competing points of views — the fact is, a cover letter gives you an extra potential opportunity to sway recruiters and hiring managers.

But it can only work if your cover letter is compelling and strengthens the positive impression made by your resume.

There’s no template you can blindly apply, but you can use this guide and the examples we share below to create an impressive cover letter. Read on to learn how.

5 Free Cover Letter Templates.

I decided to give you something more useful than a generic cover letter template.

You can download plenty of those online. But predictably, most of them are rubbish. They don’t provide you with a foundation for writing your own cover letter.

Below are 5 cover letters based on my career. I’d use them if I had to look for a job tomorrow.

Cover Letter Template 1: Standard Response To A Job Ad.

Dear [Name],

I’m writing to express my interest in the Marketing Director role at [Company Name].

With a track record of transforming brands, scaling demand engines, and building profitable business units from scratch, I bring a strategic lens to marketing rooted in commercial outcomes, not just channel performance.

• Most recently, I led a top-to-bottom transformation of an established career services firm — repositioning it into a premium executive advisory brand and launching an expansion into the U.S. market.

• The result: a 300% increase in customer lifetime value, a 30% reduction in lead acquisition costs, and the successful rollout of new high-margin services that redefined the firm’s value proposition.

• In parallel, I built and scaled a standalone blog publication that reached $600K in annual profit — at times outperforming the core business — by outranking top-tier publishers like Forbes and Finder through an SEO-centric content marketing strategy.

What sets me apart isn’t functional expertise — it’s the ability to see around corners and build the commercial infrastructure for scale.

I’ve re-engineered sales pipelines, created new pricing models, and developed lead acquisition strategies that balance short-term performance with long-term brand equity.

I move quickly, challenge assumptions, and make deliberate bets that turn marketing into a core growth lever — not a cost centre.

I’m drawn to opportunities where the stakes are high, the path isn’t fully mapped, and bold thinking is rewarded.

If [Company Name] is looking for a marketing leader who can drive growth while preserving margin, thinks like a business owner, and is comfortable making decisions that reshape the P&L — I’d welcome a conversation.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to explore how I can help take [Company Name] to its next stage of growth.

Best,

[Name]

Cover Letter Template 2: Cold Outreach To A Recruiter On LinkedIn.

[Name],

I came across your profile and saw you’re a recruitment specialist in [Sector]. I’d love to connect.

I’m a commercially driven Marketing Director based in Sydney, open to new opportunities. I recently repositioned a career services brand, tripling CLTV, cutting lead gen costs by 30%, and launching a content business that hit $600K in annual profit – at times outperforming the core business.

If you’re hiring for roles where strategic thinking and commercial delivery go hand in hand, I’d be keen to have a chat.

Best,
[Your Name]

Cover Letter Template 3: Cold Outreach To A Hiring Manager.

Dear [Name],

I’m reaching out to explore potential senior marketing opportunities at [Firm Name].

As a commercially focused Marketing Director with a track record of repositioning brands, entering new markets, and building profitable business units, I believe there’s strong alignment between your business ambitions and the way I drive growth.

• In my most recent role, I led the transformation of an established executive services firm — repositioning the brand, launching an expansion into the U.S., and developing new high-margin offerings.

• That work resulted in a 300% lift in customer lifetime value, a 30% reduction in lead acquisition costs, and a new sales architecture that aligned more closely with the executive career lifecycle.

• Alongside that, I built and scaled a standalone content publication that generated $600K in annual profit, outranking Forbes and Finder on core search terms.

What sets me apart is a commercial mindset sharpened by strategic execution.

I build growth engines from scratch, rethink pricing and packaging to unlock margin, and act decisively on opportunities others hesitate to pursue. I’m most engaged in environments where there’s ambition to evolve — and where marketing is expected to be more than promotional. It should shape the business.

If your team is ever looking for a strategic operator who understands how to grow brand equity and bottom-line value — I’d love to explore whether I could contribute to your next chapter.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

Biggest Cover Letter Misconceptions To Avoid.

The first no-no when it comes to cover letters is thinking that you just need to regurgitate details a recruiter can already find in your resume.

The cover letter’s purpose is to complement your resume, demonstrate your genuine interest, and give the employer a glimpse of your personality.

(Related: How To Write A Strong ‘About Me’ Resume Section).

But the biggest misconception around cover letters is that you don’t need one, because recruiters don’t read them anyway.

To be clear, there’s no argument that your resume is the more important document.

But surveys of people in charge of hiring show cover letters do help determine who they’ll interview or hire, to a non-negligible degree.

You can’t know for sure if the recruiter or hiring manager will barely skim your cover letter or read it line-for-line (the recruitment process is mysterious and important).

The only reason for no cover letter, or a generic cover letter, is that you don’t believe the job is worth the effort.

But your lack of effort could be the reason you don’t make the cut — it’s a chicken and egg situation.

In 2025, there are two key reasons cover letters may be even more important:

If you know it’s a highly competitive role or that your experience doesn’t align as closely with the job requirements, a great cover letter is a must.

Should AI Write It? Think Twice.

Unfortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) tools have become a new way to write a bad cover letter. When I say bad, I mean boring and pointless.

ChatGPT and other AI-powered writing tools work by feeding the underlying model large amounts of data so it can learn to recognise patterns and reliably ‘predict’ the next word in a sentence needed for it to make sense.

And if multiple candidates use the same AI tool and input the same job ad specs, the chances of your cover letter standing out are zero to none.

HR expert and workplace thought leader Liz Ryan said the strongest job applications come from deep insights into what you want from a job and why — as you are the expert on you.

Numerous hiring managers have taken to LinkedIn recently to vent their frustration about AI-generated drivel that they find an immediate turn-off.

What’s worse? A number of candidates have forgotten to remove their AI prompt text, making it even more obvious they’re just dialling it in.

Of course, your skill in wrangling AI tools makes a difference here.

Taking the AI’s output and using it verbatim is lazy and defeats the purpose of a cover letter.

However, you can save time by creating a rough draft with AI and then making it more targeted and personalised from there. You might also use AI to:

(Related: 10 Perfect Australian Resume Examples).

How To Kick Off Your Cover Letter.

The top thing hiring managers are looking for when conducting interviews is a candidate’s “enthusiasm for the opportunity”, according to a recent LinkedIn survey.

Your cover letter is where you can begin to convey your eagerness.

You can use words like ‘excited’, ‘eager’, ‘love’, ‘happy’ — but it’s critical to naturally weave them into your sentences, and be as authentic as possible.

For example:

As you describe your motivations for joining a team, make it more impactful by providing evidence that your interests are aligned with their interests.

That requires some research into the employer, and being able to tie it back to your credentials and experiences.

For example, you might include a paragraph like this:

What Is Your Value Proposition?

How will you differentiate yourself from the pack? If everyone has similar qualifications and years of experience, you need to go deeper.

Reflect on how your education, experience and achievements from previous roles intersect with your:

For example:

You can see with the example above that while the 40% achievement might be listed on your resume, space would prevent you from providing this kind of context and insight into your individual ethos.

(Related: Should You Remove Referees From Your Resume)?

Cover Letter Writing Cheat Sheet.

Your cover letter will position you as a winning candidate if you stick to these rules:

Important details to include and double-check before you hit send:

You should keep this stuff out of your cover letter:

How To Tailor Your Cover Letter.

I know tailoring your cover letter can be time-consuming. But failing to do so disrespects recruiters and gives them little reason to take an interest in you — they can spot a ‘spray and pray’ approach.

Just as it’s important to explain what makes you special, you need to clarify why you want the specific role at the specific company you’re applying to.

How To Wrap Up Your Cover Letter.

Along with the usual niceties, like thanking the recipient for their consideration, there should be a brief ‘call to action’ towards the end of your letter. 

For example:

Choose any professional-sounding sign-off that matches the formality you’ve used in your letter: ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Warm regards’ both work.

Jody

You’ve landed a job offer but changed your mind. Well, there’s a way of letting the employer down gently and with grace. You never know when you’ll cross paths again.

Having a job offer is a good problem to have. You’re in demand! But maybe you’ve received a much better offer elsewhere (and I’ll talk about that in a moment).

Or you may have seen offputting news about the organisation’s conduct. Like for example, Qantas selling seats on flights that never existed.

Allegedly.

If you implement the advice within this guide, you’ll part on good terms. Should another great opportunity arise with the same employer, they’ll remember you for your professionalism.

(Related: How To Tap Into Australia’s Hidden Job Market).

1. Thoroughly Evaluate Your Decision.

Are you sure this is the right call? If the answer to that question is a resounding yes, you can proceed with confidence.

If you still have doubts, reach out to the hiring manager and request some more time.

How To Ask For More Time (Example).

Hi [hiring manager’s name],

Thank you so much for the kind offer for the position of [position name]. I’m carefully reviewing it, and I need a little more time to consider it. If it’s okay with you, please can I respond by the end of the day on [day and date]? I greatly appreciate your patience.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

[Your name]

(Related: What Is The Correct Formal Letter Format?).

How To Weigh Up Pros And Cons.

While weighing up your options, write out a list of pros and cons in a good old-fashioned way. Still, why not go a step further and make it a quantitative process?

When you’ve written down a list of pros and cons, assign a weight to each factor based on its importance to you (on a scale of 1 to 5).

Create a separate column for each job option so you can easily compare. Some factors to consider:

Add up the totals for each of your respective options; you should have a clearer view of which direction you’re heading in.

(Related: Write A Killer Post-Interview Follow-Up Email).

2. Consider Whether To Email Or Call The Hiring Team.

Your relationship with the hiring manager will determine whether you respond via email or phone call.

If you’re already well acquainted with them, a phone call might be the best way of delivering the news.

If most of your conversations up to that point have taken place via phone call, emailing might seem like the coward’s way out.

Generally speaking, employees who work for larger organisations are much less connected to the organisation’s overall success, whereas the recruiter in a small business may be a shareholder or an owner.

Medium to large businesses tend to document every aspect of their hiring process to cover them in case of a legal challenge.

If you call them, they’ll likely request that you send an email following this up.

(Related: 40 Farewell Message For A Colleague Ideas).

3. Be Prompt In Your Response.

Keeping people waiting is unprofessional, so as soon as you’ve made your mind up, politely decline their offer in a timely manner.

The recruitment team may await your response before contacting other applicants.

Delay too long, and you could inhibit the employer’s chance to hire their second- or third-choice candidate, who may have already accepted jobs elsewhere.

(Related: 40+ Best Job Websites In Australia).

4. Start By Showing Your Appreciation.

Recruitment takes a lot of time and money, so declining a job offer will naturally be a blow to the employer, both financially and operationally.

According to the HR Industry Benchmark Survey in 2021, the average cost of recruiting a new employee in Australia is approximately $23,000. (This includes the hiring process, induction, training, and equipment.)

Saying thank you is a good start, but it’s not enough. Briefly explain why you’re grateful.

How To Show Appreciation (Example).

Thank you for the generous offer for the position of [job title]. I appreciate the [your favourite aspect of the company] and the warm reception I was given during the interview process. Please pass my sincerest thanks to [names of employees], too.

5. Provide A Good Reason Why.

Don’t keep the employer in the dark about why you’ve changed your mind. Your feedback will help them improve their hiring process and benchmark their offering against the competition.

Your reason for declining could be due to:

You only need to offer a brief explanation. It’s a courtesy to provide a sentence or two.

How To Provide A Reason Why (Example).

After much consideration, I’ve decided to pursue another role that aligns more closely with my long-term career goals and ambitions.

Word choice is key to avoiding offending the hiring manager.

Soften your language and don’t overly hype up the other job offer.

Telling The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Nothing But…

In some instances, you might not wish to divulge the truth about why you’re declining.

Perhaps you told the hiring manager in your interview that you weren’t motivated by money, but now you’re choosing an offer based on the salary package.

Telling fibs got you in this tangle, so it’s better to come clean rather than bending the truth further.

6. Proofread Your Response.

Even the best writers and their team of experienced editors are guilty of overlooking grammatical errors. (If you’ve spotted any in this article, roast me in the comments below!)

For instance, in Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone, the beginning of the story takes place on a “dull, grey Tuesday,” but the 1st November in 1981 was on a Sunday.

Don’t be afraid of asking a trusted friend or family member to cast their eye over it too. Sometimes those errors are invisible to your eyes only.

Be sure to prompt the AI tool to proofread in the correct style: British, Australian, Canadian, or American English.

7. Keep The Door Open.

In your email, state your intention that you’d like to stay in touch via LinkedIn.

That way, you’ll stay front of mind for any future opportunities, and the hiring manager will have a more informal way of connecting with you to share updates about the company.

Be sure to engage with their posts by liking, commenting, and sharing their content.

(Related: Crush Your Career Goals With This Career Plan).

Email Templates To Help You Turn Down A Job Offer.

If you overuse email templates, you’ll make your response sound wooden.

Here are some useful tips for crafting your response:

#1 – If The Salary Is Too Low – Email Example.

Hi [hiring manager’s name],

Thank you so much for the generous offer for [position name]. I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude for your offer. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning about [company name], hearing about [mention exciting project or company’s mission], and getting to know [team members’ names] during the interview process.

I regret that I’m unable to pursue this fantastic opportunity. One of the main factors that has swayed my decision is the salary. I’ve been offered another role that more readily meets my family’s financial needs, and I can’t disregard the improved quality of life that this would afford my family.

I’d love to stay connected with you on LinkedIn, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again in the future. Please keep me in mind for any future opportunities.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Best regards,

[Your name]

#2 – If The Company Interests You But Not The Role – Email Example.

Hi [hiring manager’s name],

Thank you so much for the generous offer for [position name]. I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude for offering me the position. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning about the role and how your employees are empowered to [mention most exciting responsibility of job].

But after careful consideration, it’s with regret that I’m unable to pursue this fantastic opportunity. One of the main factors that has swayed my decision is that the role doesn’t align fully with my current career goals.

I’m looking specifically for a role where I can [mention dream job characteristic]. Out of respect for all the amazing work you’re doing, I can’t in good faith commit to something that my heart is not set on.

I’d love to stay connected with you on LinkedIn, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again in the future. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Good luck in your search for the right candidate.

Best regards,

[Your name]

#3 – If The Timing Isn’t Right – Email Example.

Hi [hiring manager’s name],

Thank you so much for the generous offer for [position name]. I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude for offering me the position. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning about your company’s [mention exciting project] and getting to know [mention team members’ names] during the process.

But after further consideration, it’s with regret that I’m unable to pursue this fantastic opportunity. One of the main factors that has swayed my decision is the timing.

Due to [mention reason], I find that I’m spinning a lot of plates right now; and my biggest worry is that if I were to commit myself to this new endeavour, I wouldn’t be able to do so without dropping several plates.

I’d love to stay in touch with you on LinkedIn, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again in the future. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes for your continued success,

[Your name]

Your Future Career Could Be One Offer Away.

You might not realise this now, but the small ripples created by the decisions you make today can make huge waves.

Twenty or so years from now, when you look back on your career, you’ll realise that many of your successes and highlights came from others holding doors open for you.

By following the advice in this article, you’ll make a good impression on some pretty influential people.

You’ve nothing to lose by politely turning down a job offer and being courteous, but you’ve got much to gain.

FAQs On Rejecting A Job Offer Gracefully.

Declining a job offer requires careful consideration. Here are some insights on how to tactfully handle one.

Can I Decline A Job Offer After Accepting It?

While it’s frowned upon, it’s perfectly legal to change your mind and respectfully decline a job offer if you haven’t yet signed an employment contract.

You will only be obligated to serve a notice period after signing a contract. Even then, not all employers will require you to serve your notice period, especially when you’ve yet to commence working there.

How Do You Negotiate A Higher Salary After A Counteroffer?

A negotiation is essentially one party’s justification versus another’s.

The employer will always come armed with facts to justify your rate in today’s job market, but it’s up to you to demonstrate your true commercial value and convince them otherwise.

An employer is looking for a return on their investment. Show them how they’ll get a better ROI when hiring you versus another candidate.

Can The Employer Withdraw Job Offers?

An offer letter is often confused with an employment contract, but an offer is just a proposition to the candidate that has yet to be made legally binding.

Once the candidate accepts the job offer, they’ll be issued an employment contract, which both parties will sign.

Until a contract is signed, while it’s uncommon practice, the employer reserves the right to withdraw an offer.

They may do so due to changes in company direction or if the candidate’s background check reveals inconsistencies.

Tommy

It’s illegal for your boss to pay you less than the minimum wage rate, but it still happens through error or non-compliance. Research shows the people most likely not to be paid at the correct rate include female workers, people under 21 years old, casual employees, and workers in the community services, accommodation and food services industries.

Learn more about the minimum wage in Australia so you can earn what you’re legally entitled to.

Minimum Wage In Australia For Full-Time Adult Workers.

From 1st July 2024, employers were required to increase employees’ pay on the minimum wage by 3.75%, based on an annual review decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

That’s just over $33 more each week in gross income (before tax), compared to 2023. This year’s increase was considerably less than the 5.75% increase that took effect in July 2023.

In making its decision to increase the national minimum wage and all modern award minimum wages, the FWC acknowledged the cost of living pressures many households are experiencing due to stubbornly high inflation.

(Related: What Is The Real Cost Of Living In Australia?)

But despite the wages of low-income workers going backwards in real terms (e.g. not keeping pace with price rises), the Commission said:

What’s The Minimum Wage For Casual Employees?

In a job with no set hours or a firm offer of ongoing work, it’s critical to get paid at the right casual rate to help offset the fact you don’t receive other benefits like paid leave for sickness and holidays.

A specific casual pay rate may be defined by the award rate relevant to your occupation. Nearly half of all workers covered by minimum wage rates in modern awards are casuals.

What’s The Difference Between National Minimum Wage And Minimum Award Wages?

The National Minimum Wage is the standard rate of pay for workers who aren’t covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement.

That could include low-paid workers as well as senior managers who don’t fit into the available awards.

The Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review also impacts the minimum wages payable to employees covered by one of 121 modern awards that apply to workers in various industries and occupations, as negotiated through unions and other industrial relations processes.

If you’re paid at minimum wage rates established under an award, you should also have seen a 3.75% increase in your pay packet as of this July.

For instance, let’s say you’re a crew member at a fast food chain.

Minimum Wage For Young People And Trainees.

The FWC’s annual wage review order defines what’s known as ‘special national minimum wages’ for apprentices, trainees and workers under 21 years old.

This allows for a lower rate of pay than the National Minimum Wage.

Minimum Wage For An Apprentice.

The lowest base rate you can expect to be paid as an apprentice is:

Minimum pay rates go up in subsequent years of the apprenticeship.

Minimum Wage For A Trainee.

The minimum rate of pay you’re entitled to as a trainee is set out in the Miscellaneous Award 2020 as:

Minimum Wage For A 13-Year-Old.

The minimum wage for a 13-year-old in Australia is 36.8% of the national minimum wage, which is $8.86 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $11.09.

Minimum Wage For A 14-Year-Old.

A 14-year-old in Australia should get 36.8% of the national minimum wage, which works out to a minimum of $8.86 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $11.09.

Minimum Wage For A 15-Year-Old.

Workers aged 15 years old in Australia are entitled to a rate equal to 36.8% of the national minimum wage, which is at least $8.86 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $11.09.

Minimum Wage For A 16-Year-Old.

A 16-year-old employee in Australia can’t be paid less than 47.3% of the national minimum wage, which amounts to $11.40 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $14.25.

Minimum Wage For A 17-Year-Old.

Australian workers aged 17 must be paid at least 57.8% of the rate defined by the national minimum wage, which is $13.93 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $17.41.

Minimum Wage For An 18-Year-Old.

An 18-year-old worker is entitled to 68.3% of the national minimum wage, which means that should earn at least $16.46 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $20.58.

Minimum Wage For A 19-Year-Old.

Employees aged 19 should receive 82.5% of the national minimum wage pay rate, which equates to $19.88 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $24.85.

Minimum Wage For A 20-Year-Old.

A 20-year-old employee should be paid a minimum of 97.7% of the national minimum wage, which comes to $23.55 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $29.44.

Minimum Wages By State In Australia.

The minimum wage is determined at a national level and remains relevant in every state and for every type of employer.

Minimum Wage In Sydney And NSW.

The minimum wage in Sydney and the rest of New South Wales is defined by the National Minimum Wage which is set by  Fair Work Australia — our national workplace regulator.

As of 1 July 2024, the national minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 hourly, or $915.90 weekly.

Minimum Wage In Melbourne And VIC.

Employed people living in Melbourne are covered by the national minimum wage standard, meaning you should be earning at least $915.90 a week, or $24.10 an hour if you’re an adult working full-time.

Minimum Wage In Brisbane And QLD.

The minimum hourly and weekly wage you’re entitled to when you work in Brisbane or any other region of Queensland is determined by the national minimum wage standard of $24.10 per hour and $915.90 per week.

Minimum Wage In Adelaide And SA.

Workers based in Adelaide and the rest of South Australia are covered by the national minimum wage standard, which means you’re gross income (before tax) should be at least $915.90 a week, or $24.10 an hour if you’re an adult working full-time.

Minimum Wage In Darwin And NT.

The minimum wage in Darwin and all other workplaces in the Northern Territory is defined by Australia’s National Minimum Wage which as of 1 July 2024 is $24.10 hourly, or $915.90 weekly.

Minimum Wage In Hobart And TAS.

Employees situated in Hobart and other regions of Tasmania are covered by the national minimum wage standard that defines base pay rates for all Australians.

Currently, the minimum weekly wage for adults working full-time is $915.90, representing an hourly rate of $24.10.

Minimum Wage In Canberra And ACT.

The minimum wage in Canberra and the rest of the Australian Capital Territory is the same as it is across Australia, as defined by Australia’s National Minimum Wage — which as of 1 July 2024 is $24.10 hourly, or $915.90 weekly.

Know What You’re Worth.

Knowing more about basic compensation entitlements helps you avoid being ripped off during your job hunt.

No matter the kind of work you do, or the size of the business, you should be getting paid at least the National Minimum Wage rate if you’re not covered by an award or enterprise agreement.

If you suspect your pay rate isn’t right, gather the evidence and make a time to sit down and talk to your employer about it.

You can also explore resources and advice provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman or make a complaint with them. 

Jody

If you’re on the job hunting hamster wheel, you’ll know that preparing well for a job interview is essential for landing a new role. Jobseekers tend to give less thought to a follow-up email after the interview.

Words of thanks are always welcome, and your follow up message can actually influence the post-interview decision-making process.

(Related: 40+ Best Job Sites In Australia).

Why Does A Follow-Up Email Matter?

A follow up email after the interview helps to progress your application, especially if you were already a strong candidate.

Not everyone involved in the hiring process will be sold on you — but there will be group-based deliberations after the interview is completed.

Never forget that hiring is a two-way conversation, and employers want to be wanted as well.

You can demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm for the role and the business with an authentic thank you message.

Three important reasons to follow up:

A personable, concise and timely email after the interview also helps drive home core attributes that many hiring managers are looking for, such as:

(Related: How To Ask For A Pay Rise – And Get One).

Guide To What To Include In Your Follow-Up Email.

Here’s what a follow up email after a job interview generally includes:

In addition, if it seems relevant you might use the follow up email to:

(Related: The Great Resignation Is Finished).

What’s The Ideal Length Of An Interview Follow-Up Email?

Respect your audience’s time and don’t pad out the email with a lot of unnecessary content. A three-sentence email is often enough.

It’s fine to create a longer message provided it isn’t all fluff. If you don’t have new details or insights to offer, or a real question about the role or conditions, keep it short. 

When Is The Best Time To Send Your Post-Interview Email?

There’s no definitive rule about when to send a follow up email after the interview to best catch the hiring manager’s attention.

However, let’s say you know the company had scheduled multiple interviews over three days, and yours was early in the process.

It might be wise to send a follow-up on the fourth day to refresh people’s memories and highlight your application.

(Related: How To Write A Leave Request Email).

How Many Follow-Up Emails Should You Send Post-Interview?

The number of follow up emails you’ll need to send depends on the responsiveness of the employer.

There are generally three types of follow up emails you may choose to write:

The initial follow-up is the most vital to whether you’ll be hired, but handling the other types of follow-ups well is also useful.

At some stage, we’ve all been left hanging during the recruitment process — not sure if we’re still in contention.

Example Follow-Up Emails After An Interview.

Here’s some examples of how to write a follow up email after an interview.

Send your email to all of the people involved in the interview if you have their contacts, and address them by first name if you were introduced to them that way in person.

Example Thank You Emails To A Hiring Manager.

A standard, polite example of a follow up email looks like this:

Here’s an example follow up email focused on providing extra detail to reinforce your suitability:

Here’s an example follow up email focused on seeking clarity about work conditions:

Example Follow-Up Email To Ask For An Update.

You may need to follow up multiple times to receive a response from employers or recruiters if the recruitment process has stalled. Here’s two examples of how to do so courteously:

If you suspect the role may have been filled, you might write a follow up email like this:

Example Follow-Up Email If You Didn’t Get The Job.

If you discover you weren’t successful but you know that the company hires regularly and you’d be keen to apply for alternative roles within the organisation, craft a follow up designed to maintain a connection.

Here’s an example of what you could say:

Improve Your Application With A Great Follow-Up Email After Interview.

Once you’ve reached the interview stage, you’re so close to getting the job!

Give yourself every advantage over other candidates by taking the time to write an effective follow up email afterwards.

Continuing to follow up can help your application remain within the sights of busy recruiters.

Don’t worry about annoying people with multiple messages — follow this guide to follow up with purpose and authenticity.

Jody

Increased competition in the job market may be ahead of us in 2025, with signs that ‘The Great Resignation’ is now behind us. In contrast to workers shopping around for jobs with better conditions during the initial years of the Covid-19 pandemic, pundits now say employees want job security.

Recent data shows more people may be holding tightly to their jobs, which could be in response to higher satisfaction.

Or conversely, greater uncertainty about the state of the economy.

But given that post-pandemic labour markets are starting to slacken, how far are things turning in the opposite direction, and what does it mean for Australians’ career prospects this year?

(Related: What Is The Average Salary In Australia?)

Is The Great Resignation Over? Did It Even Happen?

The so-called Big Quit or Great Resignation was a US-led phenomenon, as evidenced by data from the US Labor Department, which found:

Unprecedented rates of quitting were driven by many factors, including workers’ desire for higher pay, more opportunities for advancement, a better culture and more flexibility.

Above: The Great Resignation was a continuation of a long-term trend that started in 2009.

In their article for the Harvard Business Review, Joseph Fuller and William Kerr argue that the impact of COVID in 2020 exacerbated an existing trend towards people ‘reshuffling’ their careers and resulted in more people changing jobs to avoid a return to the office.

Indications of an exodus were less noticeable in Australia, and didn’t emerge until 2022.

A 2021 survey of more than 1,800 Australians found that 38% were considering leaving their jobs within 12 months.

Job mobility figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that 9.5% of employed Aussies changed jobs in the 12 months to February 2022. That was the highest percentage in a decade and an increase from 7.5% in 2021.

However, it doesn’t seem as significant when you consider:

(Related: 11 Best Website Hosting Providers In Australia).

Can Employers Expect A Decline In Departures?

People have been speculating about The Great Resignation being over since 2023, but some commentators say we’re now witnessing workers becoming overly cautious.

The latest turnover figures from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) show that so far in 2024, the rate at which Americans are quitting their jobs is lower — at just over 2%.

(Related: What To Write In The “About Me” Section Of Resume).

The Wall Street Journal posited that the decline in quitting back to pre-pandemic levels signalled waning confidence and a US economy in trouble, especially in light of high-profile layoffs, smaller pay bumps and expected slower GDP growth.

Others argue it’s merely a return to ‘normal’ as we recover from Covid.

Unemployment in Australia increased to 4.1% in April 2024 (from 3.8% in March) in seasonally adjusted terms.

It’s still low compared to over 7% after Covid struck, between May to July 2020 — but forecasts are for continued labour market weakening.

Above: ABS data reveals job vacancies decreased by 6.1% between November 2023 and February this year, and dropped 17.7% over the year.

But here’s where it gets interesting.

The number of open positions is still higher than pre-Covid levels, while the number of applicants for each job is just about back to pre-Covid levels.

In other words, demand from employers remains strong, but supply is starting to stabilise.

Seek ANZ’s Managing Director, Kendra Banks, said:

What Does It Mean For The Economy And Your Career?

Writing for Bloomberg, Jonathan Levin says that whether the drop in US workers quitting is due to positive factors (wage growth) or negative factors (wavering labour market), it could ease concerns that “overly tight labour markets and too-hot wage growth” will fuel further inflation.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) also predicts that “the closing of output and unemployment gaps” will help balance Australia’s economy — with inflation expected to drop back into the target 2%-3% range by the end of 2025.

(Related: Will Australia Go Into A Recession?)

In forecasts released in May 2024, the RBA said unemployment will reach 4.2% by year-end.

It also says inflation will ease faster than an anticipated decline in wage growth, meaning real incomes should increase.

However, people are still switching jobs because the reasons for The Great Resignation remain relevant today.

People are still resisting return-to-office mandates and seeking more flexible and progressive workplace cultures and conditions, such as a four-day work week.

Gartner’s Future of Work report 2024 shows many employees now feel attending the office every day “is simply too costly”, and that employers will have to address the issue to attract and retain great people.

Talented people with in-demand skills still have leverage. If you’re an employed job hunter, finding positions good enough to lure you away from a secure position may be more challenging.

Jody

Getting a job in the mines can be lucrative because mining is big business in Australia. Resources companies like BHP, Woodside, and Rio Tinto make up a significant proportion of the Australian stock market’s value, and our precious commodities contribute strongly to Australia’s export earnings.

The mining industry delivers the highest weekly income in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Mining also pays well due to the risk, remote locations and demanding work schedules employees must accept.

How can you pursue a six-figure mining salary with minimal industry experience? Discover how to get into mining jobs in Australia.

(Related: Write A Killer Post-Interview Follow-Up Email).

Which Professions Do Mines Employ?

The workforce needed on mine sites is varied, from exploration to extraction and processing to closing down mine sites.

Mining companies want employees with technical, scientific, and trades-based skills, which can include:

What If You Lack Pre-Requisite Skills?

If you don’t have a degree qualification, professional experience or a trade, you can still get a job in the mining industry.

Additionally, inexperienced workers are often hired to ensure mining camps run smoothly. Roles in hospitality and cleaning are almost always available.

(Related: What Is The Minimum Wage In Australia?)

What Are The Requirements For Mining Jobs?

Regardless of the job, if you’re looking for a mining job that involves on-site work, you’ll need to:

This is the bare minimum.

Requirements For Entry-Level Mining Jobs.

Even entry level roles like trades assistants, truck drivers or plant operators may also require basic certifications. For example:

Some mines may offer on-the-job training in specific machinery like boggers, coal cutters, and draglines. But you’ll stand apart if you can demonstrate on your resume that you’ve got experience with heavy machinery or equipment operation.

Requirements For Skilled Mining Jobs.

Skilled professions and tradespeople are more in demand, but you’ll still need an exhaustive list of qualifications, certifications and tickets.

Let’s say you’re an experienced electrician but you’ve only worked in residential settings.

In addition to being a licensed electrician in the state you’re seeking to work in, you’ll have a better shot at landing a mining gig if you also possess:

Where To Find Mining Jobs?

Mining jobs are advertised on job boards like Seek, LinkedIn and CareerOne. But if you don’t have a sought-after qualification or years of experience in mining, you’ll need to work harder to get into the mines.

Here are three steps to help you find mining work.

1. Mine Your Mining Contacts.

Knowing someone already in the industry can be helpful. If you have a friend, relative, or former workmate who has a connection in the mining industry, ask if they’ll refer you.

Otherwise, consider joining networking events where you can potentially meet mine managers or supervisors, or people who recruit on their behalf.

2. Move Closer To Mines.

While fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) is a thing — it’s designed to make on-site work more appealing to experienced workers.

For many jobs, your proximity to mining operations does matter.

If you’re not living in WA yet, you’re a less attractive candidate for a remote Western Australian mine. Consider whether you can move states or closer to a mining town.

Living within a remote community that supports a nearby mine can make it easier to find entry-level roles through labour hire companies looking to fill positions quickly.

3. Build Relevant Mine Site Experience.

Getting any experience on a mine site and having been through a company’s induction process previously gives you a huge advantage, so securing short-term contracts and backfill positions is a great place to start.

You can look for work via:

Labour hire companies that specialise in mining workforces include:

Common FAQs About Jobs In The Mines.

Getting a mining job can take time and perseverance. Make sure you understand what you’re working towards — here are answers to common questions people have about joining the mining industry.

What’s It Like Working In The Mines?

Maybe you’ve seen a clip on social media glamourising the on-site mining lifestyle.

Many camps now boast comfortable accomodations; extensive facilities like entertainment rooms, gym and pool; and great food with diverse and tasty options.

But the fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) lifestyle is also notoriously hard.

Some downsides to working on-site at mines to consider:

What Can You Earn In An Entry Level Mining Job?

Entry-level roles typically pay more than average, but it’s unrealistic to expect big bucks for unskilled or temporary work.

Once you’ve got a foot in the door and demonstrated your ability to work hard and be dependable, you can move into higher-paying and more permanent positions.

What’s It Like For Women Working On Mine Sites?

Mines in Australia are equal opportunity employers and many specifically seek to bolster the number of women in their ranks through hiring, special programs and mentoring support.

No industry can guarantee you won’t be exposed to these risks—but mine sites may be more intimidating for women than other workplaces.

Get Ahead With A Job In Mining.

By getting into the mines, you can get ahead financially if you secure a high-paying role.

To get the best mining jobs without years of experience, be prepared to develop your skills and patiently earn a reputation in the industry through temporary or contract roles.

Jody

Here’s the great conundrum when it comes to helping teenagers write their first resume. They have little experience and often limited relevant skills, yet they must prove their suitability for work to gain a paid job.

But writing a top-notch resume that differentiates a teen looking for their first job is relatively easy.

Effective teenager resumes must be without grammatical errors and include the right sections while showcasing your teen’s best attributes, academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

By the way, do you want expert help with writing your teenager’s resume? Consider using our:

(Related: How To Indicate Your Availability On Your Resume).

How To Structure A Teenager’s First Resume.

Even seasoned resume writers make mistakes when structuring a teen resume. They’ll sometimes include redundant ones like “Objective Statement” or forget to include the Key Skills section.

I recommend you include the following sections:

Here’s what to avoid:

What To Include In Each Section Of A Teenager Resume.

Top of mind always when you write a professional resume should be: ‘Will this be relevant for the hiring manager?’

The right level of detail to include will depend on a teenager’s actual strengths, achievements, and the job they’re applying for.

Here are the important points to cover in each section of a teen resume:

1. Contact Details.

The teenager’s name should be the most prominent text at the top of the resume. The heading might also include a tagline that clarifies their experience level.

Include the minimum expected level of detail:

Only include social media links where relevant to your professional skills — such as LinkedIn, a GitHub repository that showcases personal coding projects, or perhaps an Instagram account with a sizeable following where you share your creative talents.

2. Profile.

This is your chance to make a great first impression and set the scene for how your teen will add value to a potential employer.

Here’s an example profile for a teenager without work experience who’s applying for a retail job:

3. Key Skills And Achievements.

A person with a professional history would usually expand upon their achievements within specific paid roles they’ve held in the past.

Teenagers may have some professional achievements, but they’re more likely to be drawing on:

Use this section to list the most relevant, powerful strengths and practical examples of how you’ve demonstrated them.

Here’s an example of relevant skills and achievements that our teen looking for retail work might list:

(Related: How To Write Outstanding Resume Achievements).

4. Previous Work And Volunteer Experience.

If your teen has ever been paid for tasks, held responsibilities relevant to a professional environment, or applied their skills to achieve a real-world outcome, you can list these experiences.

Format each experience the same way you would a paid role, including:

Examples of work and volunteer experiences that may be worth adding:

5. Education.

Clarify your educational history, including the bare facts:

If you’ve gained a vocational qualification alongside your high school subjects, include the name of the certification and which institution you obtained it through as well.

You could also list any academic awards and specific extra-curricular achievements here, especially ones you didn’t include under the ‘Key Skills and Achievements’ section.

8. Hobbies And Personal Interests.

Including hobbies isn’t a priority, but it can help you round out a teenager’s resume if there’s room.

Keep it to 2-3 hobbies. Where possible, highlight the value or relevance of your pastimes, for example:

8. Character References.

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t list the contact details of referees on your professional resume.

How To Play Up Your Teen’s Strengths On A Resume.

If there’s a job description, read it and map out the qualities your teen needs to demonstrate.

Or simply think about the kind of business and the work involved as your starting point.

Standout Teenager Resumes Are Tailored And Professional.

It’s a universal truth when it comes to resumes, no matter your experience level — you need to understand and address what the employer is looking for.

That’s rarely a boring list of past jobs and responsibilities you’ve held.

Instead of relying on a traditional work history—teen resumes must leverage any and all personal attributes, life experiences, academic wins, sporting activities and personal pastimes.

Remember, those qualities and achievements will change over time, so it pays to update your teen’s resume before applying anywhere new.

Additionally, be certain your teenager’s resume is free from errors. Ask someone else with superior writing skills to do a final proofread for you.

Jody

Australians are feeling crushed by the unpredictable economy, rising living costs and an unstable job market. Many salaries are no longer adequate to survive, let alone thrive.

Making matters worse, most high-paying jobs list experience, specialised knowledge or tertiary education as prerequisites for getting your foot in the door.

But a lack of experience need not stop you from earning good money.

(Related: How To Deal With A Toxic Boss).

1. Real Estate Agent.

High-paying job for ambitious, target-driven people.

The most successful real estate agents started out in entry-level positions with zero experience in the industry.

They retain the same responsibilities as their less senior counterparts but have the added responsibility and stress associated with larger deals.

Like senior agents, entry-level agents:

Entry-level agents also handle most of the research into days on the market and auction clearance rates while taking care of paperwork and coordinating inspection times.

(Related: How To Ask For A Pay Rise).

How does pay work?

Contrary to popular mainstream opinions, not all real estate agents make obscene amounts of money. The good old 80/20 rule applies – 20% of the agents make 80% of the money.

Australian real estate agents work on a commission basis. In other words, you eat what you kill.

The agency you work for will receive a fee for sales you make – between 1.6% to 4% of the total price, depending on location and competition in the area.

Most agents earn commission only, but some companies provide base pay of $50-$80K, according to Glassdoor.

Source: Glassdoor, Sydney real estate wages.

2. Virtual Assistant.

Great job if you have niche skills and need flexibility.

Nowadays, most workplaces offer the option to work entirely online, increasing the demand for virtual assistants. Freelancers Union estimates that 50% of the workforce could be virtual by 2028. 

Businesses can save as much as 78% of their operating costs by hiring virtual assistants compared to in-house workers.

That means, as a VA, you can work from home or wherever you choose. The job requirements will differ depending on the client and their needs. You will need basic hardware and connectivity:

Average earning capacity: $25-$60/hr. The more niche your skills are, the more you earn.

3. Airline Flight Attendant.

Great job if you like working in hospitality.

Thanks to the travel perks, being a flight attendant is a highly sought-after role. You don’t need experience to become one, as the airlines will train you from scratch.

It is, however, policy and procedure-heavy. Contrary to popular opinion, you are not employed to serve drinks. You are, first and foremost, a safety officer in the sky.

You will: 

The pay is about on par with Australian median salaries. It’s not outstanding (you won’t get rich doing this job), but most airlines offer cash bonuses for outstanding performance.

Sydney to London for $300? Yes, please.

Above: Glassdoor, Sydney cabin crew wages.

4. HR Assistant.

Job that can lead to substantial pay increases.

A human resources assistant is an entry-level role that can lead to substantial pay.

As an HR assistant, however, you will perform administrative tasks to support your boss and the broader company. You will:

This role is a great option to get your foot in the door with a company you love or as a starting point if you see yourself working in HR.

Starting salary in Australia: $80,000

(Related: The Great Resignation Is Over).

5. Sales Representative.

One of the highest-paying jobs in Australia.

Sales jobs pay very well because they’re business profit centres.

But sales jobs are not for everyone. Don’t even think about it unless you have a confident, extroverted, type-A personality. You will spend your days:

You will need to develop a thick skin, as the job involves dealing with a lot of rejection.

The upshot?

A challenging sales job is the best training ground for senior management roles. A huge proportion of C-suite executives have a strong sales background.

(Related: What Is The Minimum Wage In Australia?)

How does pay work?

Base plus commission structures are the norm.

6. Recruiter.

Great job for people who want to “make it.”

Noticing a trend here? Yes, recruitment is another sales job.

This is a job for people who enjoy chasing targets and have highly developed social skills.

As a recruiter, you will: 

As with all sales roles, you will be on a base + commission structure.

But before you get too excited, remember that your employer will expect you to generate 3X of your base in revenue – for you to keep your job.

Expect excellent bonuses once you exceed your 3X multiple. For example, it’s common for recruiters to receive 2-4% of all sales above that threshold.

(Related: How To Deal With Difficult People At Work).

7. Web Developer.

Job with very high earning potential (and ideal for introverts).

What can you do if you want a high-paying job, but don’t enjoy sales?

Consider a career change into web development.

You will need to spend 1-3 years learning the ropes before earning great money. An undergraduate degree or diploma in Computer Science will also help.

As a web developer, you will create graphics and websites, either in-house or as a freelancer. ‘Web-devs’ often specialise in one of three fields:

As a junior web developer, you will likely shadow a senior developer while you master coding languages like Python, JS and Ruby on Rails.

If you enter the full-stack development route, you’ll also participate in design reviews.

Above: Glassdoor, web developer salaries in Sydney.

8. Claims Adjuster.

Great job for people with low risk tolerance.

The primary role of a claims adjuster is to evaluate and determine the validity of insurance claims. 

Claim adjusters operate across housing, cars, corporate, hospitality and all other insurance industries. 

As a claims adjuster, you will: 

You will then weigh up all the details and information to decide on the validity of an insurance claim. A claims adjuster is an exciting role where all days (or cases) are different.

Starting salary in Australia: $75,000.

9. Proofreader.

Stable job with good hourly rates.

Proofreading is a fabulous option for those with a strong attention to detail and a love of words.

The primary duty of a proofreader is to read and double-check various texts to ensure that everything is grammatically correct.

You may write across: 

Proofreaders function much like editors, yet they focus purely on grammatical errors rather than structural and tone changes.

Beginning your editing journey as a proofreader provides you with much room for growth.

You can move into a role in a publishing company, act as a self-employed independent contractor or work in-house as Head of Copy for a brand. 

Pay rates in Australia: $35-70/hour.

10. Police Officer.

Great if you want a job with meaning.

Police officers, like all front-line workers, are necessary for the safe functioning of our society. 

You do not need experience because you will undergo significant training. Moreover, expect on-the-job training and probationary periods at different stations. 

Many find this to be a satisfying and challenging career with a great sense of camaraderie. 

Starting salary in Australia: $70,000.

(Related: How To Get A Job In Mining).

11. Junior Financial Analyst.

Job with excellent earning potential.

Financial analyst careers are an excellent choice for those who love numbers, finance and accounting. As a junior financial analyst, you will partner with senior analysts to:

Financial analysts complete many ​​economic and statistical reports for various clients or companies. You can choose whether to work in-house or for a financial agency.

Starting salary in Australia: $95,000.

(Related: Best Small Business Accounting Software).

12. Blogger.

Very high-risk job. You’ll either make zero money, or a lot.

Whilst blogging may have fallen off the radar over the last five years with the rise of social media, it is undoubtedly making a comeback.

Many businesses implement blogs to reach wider audiences or educate customers on the power of their services and products.

You have the option of working for yourself or a business:

The pay rates of bloggers range widely. Some earn next to nothing, while others make more than a million dollars per year. Your earning capacity will depend on:

The great news: this role is predominantly virtual, and you can work from wherever you choose!

Pay in Australia: $10,000 – $1,000,000+

How To Get A High-Paying, Entry-Level Job?

Once you have decided on your career direction, updated your resume and applied to your favourite companies, here are a few tips to help you nail your interview.

Regardless of whether or not your role is entry-level (and you have no experience), ensure that you’re well prepared, know a lot about the company, and be ready demonstrate how you’ll add value to the business

My tips:

Most importantly, remember to be yourself. Be honest, be confident and remain open to the learning experience that interviewing can provide. 

Final Words On Landing A High-Paying Job.

High-paying jobs come with high expectations, so think twice before applying for one.

Nothing in the world is free. Noone will give you money to do nothing. Not for a long time, anyway.

The best way to earn a lot of money is to focus on solving big problems. Resist the temptation to take easy jobs. Seek out jobs that challenge you, overperform, and watch the money roll in.

Irene