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HOW TO WRITE A RESUME

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Jobs & Careers
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Planning your career
How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
How to write a resume
How to Write a Cover
Letter
Sample Resumes and
Cover Letters

Your resume (sometimes called your "CV")is your most


important tool when applying for a job. It doesn't matter
how qualified you are, or how much experience you
have - if your resume is poorly presented or badly
written, you're going to have trouble getting the job you
want - or even an interview.
Taking the time
to work on
your resume is
really
important. The
information on
this page
offers some
tips and
advice on how
to makeyour resume the best it can be.

Resume: Yr10/Earlier +
No Work Experience
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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

Topics on this page include:


Resume: Yr10/Earlier +
Work Experience
Resume: VCE + No Work
Experience
Resume: VCE + Work
Experience
Resume: Tertiary + No
Work Experience
Resume: Tertiary + Work
Experience
Cover Letter: No Work
Experience

> The purpose of a resume


> How long your resume should be
> The order of information on your resume
> Changing your resume for each application
> What your resume should include
> What your resume should NOT include
> Reviewing your resume
> Resume templates

The purpose of a resume


Your resume is a marketing tool. It needs to
demonstrate:
That you are employable

Cover Letter: Work


Experience
Cover Letter: Cold Calling

How you meet the job and the organisation's


requirements
That you have the right qualifications and education
That you have the right experience and skills

Cover Letter: Letter Only


+ No Work Experience

That you have the right level of professionalism for


the job

Stand Out from the Pack

back to top of page


Recruitment Online
Stand Out Without Work
Experience
Who can be my referee?
The direct approach:
phone and face-to-face
Applying for Jobs Online
Assessment centres
What employers want:
quiz

How long should my resume be?


There is no set length for a resume. A resume varies in
length depending on your experience and education. If
you haven't worked much before, one or two pages is
best, but three pages is okay if you've got a lot of study
and work behind you.
Make sure you don't pad out your resume. If your
resume is only one page, as long as it's well-presented
it might get better results than a two-page resume full of
unnecessary information.

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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

What employers want:


video

More information about the length of your resume can be


found on each of the resume templates on our Sample
resumes and cover letters page.

Using an employment
agency

back to top of page

Cover Letter: Email + No


Work Experience
Cover Letter: Email +
Work Experience
Cover Letter: Letter Only
+ Work Experience
Sample CVs
Sample Cover Letters
Job interviews

How should I order my resume?


Generally it's always good to present the information on
your resume in this order:
1. Contact details
2. Opening statement
3. List of key skills
4. List of technical/software skills
5. Personal attributes/career overview
6. Educational qualifications
7. Employment history/volunteering/work placements

Starting out and


finishing up
Employment rights
Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience
Starting your own
business
Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport

8. References/referees

Not everything in this list must appear on your resume


every time, and the order can change from application
to application. For more information about each of these
sections, check out "What Your Resume Should
Include", below.
The most important thing is to get the most useful
information across first. For example, if your education
history is not specifically related to the job, put it toward
the end of your resume, behind the information that is
related to the job.
Check out the resume templates on our Sample
resumes and cover letters page for examples of
howyou might want to order the information on your
resume.

Managing Money

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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

Know Your Rights


Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

Do I need to change my resume for each


application?
You need to tailor your resume to every job application
so that it responds to the specific requirements of the
job you're applying for.
You might not need to change much, but you do need to
make sure your opening statement, your key skills and
your personal attributes all respond to the needs of the
role, based on the job ad (if there was one) and the
research you've done into the job.
You should also tailor your resume to show how your
work experience specifically meets the needs of the job
you're applying for.

How to tailor your resume


Ways that you can tailor your resume include:
Using your opening statement to link your
experience and education to the organisation and
the requirements of the job
Listing your most relevant key skills first
Including examples of achievements that meet the
advertised requirements of the job
Including specifically relevant key words and
phrases throughout your resume (see "Keywords"
in "What Your Resume Should Include", below)
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What your resume should include


There are a number of things that every resume should
have on it. Check out the resume templates on our
Sample resumes and cover letters page to get an idea
of what each of these sections should look like.
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Contact details
Make sure you include your name, email address and a
contact phone number on your resume. You don't have
to include your home address, although there might be
some situations when doing so would be a good idea.
Don't include your contact details in the header of your
resume. Recruitment software sometimes has difficulty
reading information in headers or footers, so it's a good
idea to avoid headers altogether.
You can put your contact details in the footer of your
resume, but if you do, you must make sure they're also
in the main body of the document.

Opening statement
An opening statement is a summary of who you are,
where you've studied and/or worked, and what you bring
to the job. It should be about six lines long and written in
first person without the personal reference (i.e., don't
say "I did this" - say Did this" instead).
Your opening statement should start with one sentence
about who you are and what you bring to the job, then
describe the skills and attributes you have that suit you
to the job.
For some examples ofopening statements, check out
our Sample resumes and cover letters page.

Key skills & strengths


Your resume should include a list of between 10 and 15
skills that link your experience to the job you're applying
for.
If the job you're applying for was advertised, either the
ad or the position description may provide a list of skills
and experiences that are essential for doing the job. It
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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

may also provide a list of "desirable" skills and


experience. Your list of key skills & strengths needs to
respond to all of the items on the "essential" list and as
many items as possible on the "desirable" list.
When putting together this list, think of things you've
done or learned to do as part of:
Jobs you've had
Your studies
Any work placements you've done
Any volunteering you've done
For examples of the kinds of skills you might list, check
out our Sample resumes and cover letters page.

Technical/software skills
This is a short list of the names of software or technology
you know how to use. Examples might include:
Word processing or spreadsheet software
Programming languages
Tools (e.g., cash registers, EFTPOS)

Personal attributes
If you haven't got much work experience, a list of
personal attributes can be another way to demonstrate
that you're the right person for the job.
Things you could include in this section might include
ways you can demonstrate that you are reliable, honest,
trustworthy or quick to learn new things. Check out our
Employability skills page to see a few of the things that
employers are commonly looking for.
You can include between three to five personal
attributes, but make sure you don't include them instead
of your key skills.
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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

Educational history
Your Educational History only needs to show your
highest level of education. You don't need to include
your results, unless showing them proves how well
you're suited to the job.
If you can, you should also include a few bullet points
listing your academic achievements (e.g., school or
class captaincies, awards you've won, or groups you've
been part of).

Employment history
When providing your employment history, start with the
your most recent job and go backwards from there. Give
the position title and the dates you worked there.
If you haven't had a job before, you can use other things
to demonstrate your experience, including:
Work experience you've done through school
Work placements or internships that you've done
through university or TAFE
Volunteer work you've done
For each job provide a list of the things that you
achieved while in that job, and the significant
contributions you made to the organisation. Make sure
that these achievements and contributions match the
key skills and strengths listed earlier on your resume.
For examples of how you can do this, check out our
Sample resumes and cover letterspage.

References/referees
Your resume should list two people who can positively
recommend you as an employee. Ideally your
references will be people that you have worked with

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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

before. Provide their name, their position title, and a way


that they can be contacted.
For more about references, check out our Who can be
my referee? page.

Testimonials
A testimonial is another good way to prove that your skill
and experience is what the employer is looking for.
Getting a testimonial can be as easy as asking a
colleague, teacher or previous employer to write a
couple of sentences about you. Ideally the people you
get testimonials from should also be included in your
references.
You can include any testimonials you get as part of your
educational history or your
employment/volunteering/work placement history.
Usually it's enough to include one or two testimonials in
your resume. Any more than two is probably too many.
For examples of testimonials, check out our Sample
resumes and cover letters page.

Keywords
A lot of recruitment agencies use software that scans
applications for key words and phrases. Applications
that don't use the right keywords tend to be
automatically rejected.
Key words and phrases that this software looks for can
include the names of:
Skills
Jobs
Activities

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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

Qualifications
Software
Tools
To make sure your resume has the right key words and
phrases, check out the job ad and make a list of the
words and phrases it uses. If you don't have a written
job ad to refer to, you can use a job search engine to
find other ads for similar jobs and see what kind of
keywords those ads use.
Once you have a list to work from, start adding those
words and phrases to your resume. Good places to add
keywords include:
Your opening statement
Your list of key skills
Your educational history
Your employment history
For examples of how to usekeywords on your resume,
check out our Sample resumes and cover letters page.
back to top of page

What NOT to put on your resume


Here are a few things not to include on your resume.
Note that there may be circumstances when including
some of the following information shows that you're a
good fit for the job. If that's the case, including that
information would be a good idea.

Private information
You don't have to provide any personal or private
information on your resume. There's no benefit to be
gained from providing information that could be used to
generalise about you as a potential employee.

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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

Your resume doesn't have to include:


Your birthdate
Your gender
Your address
Any ailments or disabilities
Your health status
A possible exception to this might be when providing this
information would give your application an advantage
(e.g., if the employer is looking for someone young, or a
female applicant). In these situations, consider including
such information if you think it would strengthen your
application.

Typos or factual errors


Submitting a resume or cover letter with spelling
mistakes will guarantee you don't get an interview. You
should spellcheck your resume before you send it, but
you should also get someone else to read it as well and
check for mistakes you might have missed.
Double-check everything that you include in your
resume. If you mention the company's name, make sure
you get it right. If you mention the name of places you've
worked before, make sure you get that right. Mistakes
on resumes are worse than typos.
You should also consider getting your resume looked at
by someone professional. Check out "Reviewing your
resume", below.

Images and graphics


Don't include images or photos on your resume. Not only
are images disliked by recruiters and HR professionals,
they can also create problems with recruitment
software.

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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

Content in headers
Many resumes only feature the applicant's name and
contact details in the header of the document. Some
recruitment software is unable to read information in
headers and footers. If you do include information in the
header and footer of your resume, make sure you
include it in the body of the document too.

Fancy formatting
Stick to easy-to-read fonts and formats. This makes it
easier for recruiters to review your resume. It also
means any recruitment software that reviews your
resume can easily read the information. Good fonts to
use include:
Verdana
Arial
Century gothic
Calibri
Don't use large headers to break up the sections of your
resume. Use a 10- or 11-point font for your main content
and a 12- or 14-point maximum for headers.

Information in tables
Some resume templates present information in tables to
help with layout, but some recruitment software is
unable to read tables. Your resume should only be
formatted using line breaks and simple formatting (like
setting multiple columns across the page).

PDF versions of your resume


Some recruitment software can't read pdfs. Unless a job
ad specifically says to provide your resume as a .pdf,
you should always only submit your resume in word
format (.doc or .docx).

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How To Write A Resume | Resume Writing - Youth Central

back to top of page

Reviewing your resume


Having someone else review your resume is extremely
important. Make sure you use someone who will
actually tell you if they think something isnt right.
People you could ask include:
Co-workers
Former employers
Teachers
Career guidance counsellors
Your parents or guardians
The Career Development Association of Australia has a
list of professional organisations (new window) that can
review your resume for a fee. They have also developed
a resume review checklist that can help you to make
sure that you check over everything on your resume and
get it right the first time.
Download the CDAA Resume Review Checklist (.pdf,
555 KB)
back to top of page

Resume templates
For examples of ways to apply all of the above advice
when you put together your resume, check out our
Sample resumes and cover letters page, where you can
download some resume templates to use to create your
own resume.
back to top of page

Printable version

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Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

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Home > Jobs & Careers > Applying for Jobs > Who can be my referee?

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WHO CAN BE MY REFEREE?

Health & Relationships


Jobs & Careers
Career Profiles
Industry Profiles
Work options
Planning your career
How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
How to write a resume
How to Write a Cover
Letter
Sample Resumes and
Cover Letters
Resume: Yr10/Earlier +
No Work Experience

A referee
is
anyone
who can
vouch
for what
you are
like as a
person
and
what
you are like to work with. When choosing someone to
be your referee, think about people who can say good
things about you to potential employers.

Who to ask
Dont use family members or friends as referees. Unless
you have worked with them, their opinion wont count for

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much.
Resume: Yr10/Earlier +
Work Experience
Resume: VCE + No Work
Experience
Resume: VCE + Work
Experience
Resume: Tertiary + No
Work Experience
Resume: Tertiary + Work
Experience
Cover Letter: No Work
Experience
Cover Letter: Work
Experience
Cover Letter: Cold Calling
Cover Letter: Letter Only
+ No Work Experience
Stand Out from the Pack

Ask someone you have worked with at school, in the


community or in the workplace. A referee doesnt just
have to be your old boss. It could be a co-worker, or a
customer or client you dealt with regularly.
You can still have referees if you havent had a job
before. Your high-school teacher or principal, or the
member of a charity you volunteer with, could be your
referee. Anyone who knows what youre like to work
with and who is willing to speak in your favour would
make a good referee.

How do I go about getting a referee?


To get a referee, all you have to do is ask for their
permission and their contact details.
When someone agrees to be your referee, it means that
they'll let you pass on their contact details to any
potential future employers. They should be ready and
willing to answer a phone call or email to provide
information that complements your job application or
resume.

Recruitment Online

What do I need to tell them?


Stand Out Without Work
Experience
Who can be my referee?
The direct approach:
phone and face-to-face
Applying for Jobs Online
Assessment centres
What employers want:
quiz

Make sure you ask each of your referees fortheir correct


name, job title and current contact details. Let them
know that you are applying for jobs and that they may
be contacted and asked to answer some questions
about you.
You could also let them know a little bit about the kind of
jobs you are applying for (e.g., a job description and the
name of the company thatmay contact them).
Employers usually contact referees after they've

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What employers want:


video
Using an employment
agency
Cover Letter: Email + No
Work Experience
Cover Letter: Email +
Work Experience

interviewed you, so it's a good idea to contact your


referees after your interview to let them know to expect
a call. This will also let you make sure your referees
won't be overseas or unavailable when your potential
new employer tries to call them.
Employers will not be impressed if referees sound
surprised when they are called. This makes it look like
you arent any good at communication or organisation.

How many do I need?


Cover Letter: Letter Only
+ Work Experience
Sample CVs
Sample Cover Letters

If you answered a job advertisement, the


advertisementmayspecifyhow many referee contacts
you need. If it's not specified by the ad, or if you got the
interview through cold-calling or word of mouth, the
usual number is two or three.

Job interviews
Starting out and
finishing up

If you have more than three referees, pick the ones


which best match the job you're going for and who will
be easiest for the employer to contact.

Employment rights

Referees vs. written references


Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience
Starting your own
business
Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport
Managing Money

Most employers prefer to talk to a referee in person, so


providing your referees' contact details is usually
enough.
Contact details for referees should be the last thing on
your resume. Some people prefer to write 'referees can
be provided upon request', instead of providing their
referees' contact details on their resume. They willthen
wait until they are asked to provide contact details for
their referees.
If a job advertisement asks you to provide referees and
their contact details in your application, then include
them - but make sure you obtain your referees'
permission before you submit your application.

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Know Your Rights


Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

There are situations, however, where written references


may be useful. A written reference is like a letter from
your referee to any future employer and includes a
description of:
The kind of work you did
How well you did it
What you were like to work with
If you have written references, you should consider
including one or two with your cover letter and resume,
but only if they relate specifically to the skills or
experience required for the job youre applying for.
Otherwise its best to leave all your references and
certificates out of your application - the less your
potential new employer has to read, the better.

What if I get the job?


Regardless of whether or not you got the job, you should
always thank your referees after you know the result of
your job application.
Even if you were unsuccessful, your referees may have
some valuable information about the questions they
were asked during the referee check. This kind of inside
information could really help you with your next job
application or interview.
For more information on writing job applications, check
out our Writing a cover letter and Writing a resume
pages.

Printable version

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FReeZA
Schoolies
Department of Health and Human Services

Youth Central, jobs & careers from every


angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/applying-for-jobs/who-can-be-my-referee[3/31/2016 5:16:38 AM]

Job Interview Tips & Techniques - Youth Central

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JOBS & CAREERS


Home > Jobs & Careers > Job interviews > Getting ready for an interview

Studying & Training


Health & Relationships

GETTING READY FOR AN


INTERVIEW

Jobs & Careers

Work options

You've been asked to attend an interview congratulations! Now what? Preparing for your interview
will help you perform well, reduce your nerves and
increase your chances of getting the job.

Planning your career

Research

How to find a job

Learn as much as you can about the company and its


reputation - it will be easy to research big companies but
may be harder if it's a small business.

Career Profiles
Industry Profiles

Applying for Jobs


Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide
Interview Presentation Video

Start with their website, read their annual reports, read


about them in the press and if possible, speak to others
who either work there or know the company quite well.
Know:
The size of the company
The products and/or services it offers

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Job Interview Tips & Techniques - Youth Central

The target market


Common Interview
Questions - Video

The workplace culture

Prepare for interview questions


Interview Preparation Video
Creating a folio for a job
interview

Identify your key strengths and think of examples of how


you can demonstrate that you have the right skills to
successfully do the job. The interviewer may also ask
you about your weaknesses.

Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions

Think of ways you can answer these questions in a


positive way - answer with a weakness that doesn't
relate to the roleyou've applied foror state how you're
currently working to improve a weakness.
If an interviewer ever addresses a gap in your skills or
knowledge, express your willingness to learn.

What should I wear?


What you wear depends entirely on the type of job and
company. If you're unsure, it's best to dress
conservatively in a dark suit, and always ensure you're
well groomed. Avoid:

Inappropriate interview
questions

Dirty, stained or torn clothing

Phone interviews: 6 Tips

Overpowering perfume or aftershave


Noisy jewellery

Starting out and


finishing up

Loud ties or shirts

Employment rights

Bringing large and bulky or numerous bags

Problems in the
workplace

Sheer fabrics and low cut blouses


Anything else that's going to distract
Good luck!

Apprenticeships &
traineeships

Links

Volunteering & work


experience

Seek - Salary, Advice & Tips


Check out the Job Interviews section of this page for

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Job Interview Tips & Techniques - Youth Central

Starting your own


business
Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport
Managing Money

interview tips and ideas.


Career One - Job Interview Tips & Advice
Tips and info to help you get ready for that killer
interview.
For more about job interviews, check out our Job
interviews toolkit, with videos, downloadable tip sheets
and intereactive online quizzes.

Know Your Rights


Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

Printable version

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Privacy

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Disclaimer

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Instagram

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Flickr

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Schoolies
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5 signs youre in a dead end


job

Career advice 31 March 2016


Career advice , Career
progression , SEEK
Weve all had that experience
when it feels like were just going
through the motions, but with
work being such a big part of our
lives, its important not to get
stuck in a rut that becomes
impossible to get out of. Work
shouldnt be a chore. Here are
five signs you might be stuck in a
dead end job and some tips on
getting out.
1.
Doing it for a pay check.
Financial security is obviously
important, but if the only thing
you like about your job is the
pay cheque, then its probably
time to move on. Work can be
an enjoyable and fulfilling
experience. Make a list of
things youd like to get out of
work and then go out and look
for a job that matches that
criterion.
http://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/5-signs-youre-in-a-dead-end-job[3/31/2016 5:22:56 AM]

Most read
articles
Can a hiring
manager really
ask that?
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the bad
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out in an
interview? Stop
...
What recruiters
look for in a
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Career advice:5 signs youre in a dead end job - Career Advice Hub | SEEK

There is an employer out


there who will appreciate you
and what you can contribute
to the business, say Kristine
Tuazon, Principal Consultant
at Good People HR. Take
action and start applying for
new jobs the first step is
always the hardest, but also
the most important.

2.
Unreasonable expectations.
If youre getting emails from
the boss at 3am calling a
meeting at 7am, it might be
time to start looking for a new
job. Maintaining a work-life
balance is crucial for your
physical and mental well
being. Its simply
unacceptable that any
manager expects his or her
staff to be on his or her
beckoned call 24 hours a day.
3.

Everyone leaves after a few


months of starting. High
turnover of staff is usually a
tell-tale sign that theres
something fundamentally
wrong within the business. Its
often a reflection that staff
arent happy for whatever
reason, and suggests there
might be a problem with the
culture thats driving people
away.If you notice this
happening it might be a good
idea to discuss it with a work
colleague you have a good
relationship with. Ask them
why they think everyone is
leaving.

4.
Not feeling fulfilled or
rewarded. Youll find that if
your work gives you a sense
http://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/5-signs-youre-in-a-dead-end-job[3/31/2016 5:22:56 AM]

What SEEK is tweeting


SEEK
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30 Mar

@samantha4bs We totally agree


with you there! Must resist!!

SEEK
@seekjobs

30 Mar

There are things that you,


employers and career websites
such as SEEK can do to make the
job hunt easier. https://t.co/HPD1
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Career advice:5 signs youre in a dead end job - Career Advice Hub | SEEK

of fulfilment youll perform


much better. Moreover, it can
have beneficial effects on your
life outside work; it will bring
you much more joy and
happiness.

5.
No challenge or
opportunities for growth. If
you look at the people in
positions above you at your
workplace and think, I dont
particularly respect them and
the job they do, it might be a
sign that you need to look
elsewhere for advancement.
Similarly, if everyone around
you has been stuck in the
same role for years, it might
be a sign that there are just
not enough opportunities
where youre at for career
progression.
Moreover, a change in career,
while daunting, can be an
enriching and worthwhile
experience.

As Tuazon reminds us,


Remember that happiness is not
the employers responsibility, its
ours, and we choose it every day
in every moment. So use this
dead end job as a lesson to
interview whos hiring you next to
ensure you dont fall in this rut
again.
Share

Related articles
What de
great

Standin
up at

Career a
29 March

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advice

http://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/5-signs-youre-in-a-dead-end-job[3/31/2016 5:22:56 AM]

Career advice:5 signs youre in a dead end job - Career Advice Hub | SEEK

23 March
2016

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Preparing a Portfolio for your Job Interview - Youth Central

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Studying & Training


Health & Relationships

CREATING A FOLIO FOR A


JOB INTERVIEW

Jobs & Careers


Career Profiles

So you've got the interview and they've asked you to


bring in your folio. What now?

Industry Profiles
Work options
Planning your career
How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide
Interview Presentation Video

There are plenty of reasons you might be asked to bring


in a folio to an interview. Whether you're an artist, a
designer or a writer, whatever your field there are a few
things you should think about when putting your folio
together.

Show your best work - not ALL your work


You need to prove that you have what it takes to do the
job, so choose work that demonstrates your range of
abilities. If you're an artist, you could show one freehand
sketch and one design that you did on computer.
You don't need to show everything you've ever done. If
you include too many pieces in your folio your
interviewers will not only get bored flicking through it,

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/creating-a-folio-for-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 5:54:28 AM]

Preparing a Portfolio for your Job Interview - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video
Interview Preparation Video
Creating a folio for a job
interview
Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions
Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips
Starting out and
finishing up

they might not have time to see your best work.


Be selective. Make it easy for them to see how good you
are.

Show them what they want to see


If you've got a written job description or - better still - a
list of the type of work the interviewers want you to bring
in then stick to what they've asked for! There's no point
bringing in your abstract photography if you're applying
for a job as a sign-painter.
If you have 3D work that demonstrates your skills, like a
painting on canvas or a piece of clothing that you've
designed, check if they want you to bring the real thing
to the interview. Sometimes a photo of your work will do.

Show them the beginning, the middle and


the end
If you have a few pieces of work for the one project
include them in sequence. This can help you to
demonstrate that you can have an idea, flesh it out and
make it happen. For example, if you're submitting a folio
of your sculpture work, include your first rough drawing,
a sketch to scale with colours and materials listed, and a
photo of the finished sculpture.

Employment rights

Know what you show

Problems in the
workplace

Don't put something in your folio if you can't explain what


it is or the creative process involved in putting it
together.

Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

You should be able to talk about anything you include


and know where it sits inside your folio. Andrew LamPo-Tang of the Australian Graphic Design Association
(AGDA) suggests that you make sure you have a "small

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/creating-a-folio-for-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 5:54:28 AM]

Preparing a Portfolio for your Job Interview - Youth Central

Starting your own


business
Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport

story about each piece to make your passion and effort


come alive" for the interviewers.

Practise showing your folio


Get to know your folio. Practise showing it to a friend or
family member.

Managing Money
Know Your Rights
Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

If you can, ask the advice of a teacher or someone you


know who works in the industry.
Read through your folio by yourself. The better you know
what's inside it, the more help it will be in your interview.

The advantages of a good folio


A folio can be an invaluable tool for arguing your case. It
can prove to people why you should be the one who
gets the job. Taking the time to make sure that your folio
is right for the job, and that you know how to use it to
demonstrate your abilities, can be the added advantage
that makes you stand out from anyone else applying for
that job.

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Preparing a Portfolio for your Job Interview - Youth Central

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Department of Health and Human Services

Youth Central, jobs & careers from every


angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/creating-a-folio-for-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 5:54:28 AM]

Tips on Attending Interviews - Youth Central

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Home > Jobs & Careers > Job interviews > Attending interviews

Studying & Training

ATTENDING INTERVIEWS

Health & Relationships


Jobs & Careers
Career Profiles

Thorough preparation should leave you feeling calm and


ready for your job interview. Here are some tips to see
you through the interview.

Industry Profiles
Work options
Planning your career
How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide
Interview Presentation Video

Don't be late - reduce your stress levels and get


there early
Make eye contact - look at the person who is talking
to you and when answering questions, be sure to
make eye contact with all people in the room
Listen - don't interrupt and if you don't understand
the question, ask the interviewer to repeat it
Be friendly and smile - but don't be too casual and
relaxed - you still want to be seen as professional
and courteous
Give short answers - get straight to the point and
don't waffle, but don't give basic 'yes' or 'no'
answers either
Frame negative things in a positive way - never say
bad things about former or current employers

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/attending-interviews[3/31/2016 5:57:13 AM]

Tips on Attending Interviews - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video
Interview Preparation Video
Creating a folio for a job
interview
Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview

What do employers look for?


Employers look for the following traits in people they
interview:
Honesty and integrity - don't lie about your
experience or achievements
Good communication - be clear in your responses
A good fit - they want to work with someone who
can do the job and fit in with their culture

What questions will they ask?


You'll receive a range of questions, each designed to
determine your suitability to the job and the company.
It's a good idea to think about how you would answer
these questions before you get into the interview.

Tricky Interview
Questions

Why do you want to work here?

Brainteaser Job Interview


Questions

What are your long term goals?

Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips
Starting out and
finishing up
Employment rights
Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

Why are you leaving your current job?


Why do you think you're suited to this role?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Can you tell me about a difficult situation you've
faced?
What do you like to do in your free time?

What questions should I ask?


You will most likely have the opportunity to ask the
interviewer questions. Even if they've covered
everything you want to know about the role, it's still
worth asking questions as it shows you have carefully
considered the job. Ask any of the following (but not if
they've already been answered):
How would you describe the workplace culture?

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/attending-interviews[3/31/2016 5:57:13 AM]

Tips on Attending Interviews - Youth Central

Starting your own


business
Housing &
Accommodation

What long-term career opportunities are available?


What are the key challenges of this role?
What's the company's view on training?

Second interviews
Travel & Transport
Managing Money
Know Your Rights
Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

If you get asked back for a second interview, you're on


the home straight! You've obviously made a favourable
impression during your first interview.
People are asked to return for a second (or even third
interview) because the employer feels that they need
more information or need other staff to meet you before
making a final decision.
Questions may be similar to the first interview, especially
if you're being interviewed by new panel of people, but
they're more likely to ask specific questions that relate to
the duties of the job.

Links
Careers with the Victorian Government - tips for applying
Good tips for preparing and performing in interviews for
Government jobs.
Seek - Job Search Strategies
Check out the Job Interviews section of this page for
interview tips and ideas.
Career One - Interview Tips
Tips and info to help you get ready for that killer
interview.
Monster - Interview Presentation and Body Language
Worried about how to look and act? This site gives you
some practical tips for your presentation and body
language during the interview.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/attending-interviews[3/31/2016 5:57:13 AM]

Tips on Attending Interviews - Youth Central

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Youth Central, jobs & careers from every


angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/attending-interviews[3/31/2016 5:57:13 AM]

Taking a Drug Test for a Job Interview - Youth Central

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DRUG TESTING AT JOB


INTERVIEWS

Jobs & Careers

Work options

Next time you apply for a job dont be surprised if youre


asked to take a drug test as part of the interview
process. Drug testing is becoming more common,
especially if youre going for a job in a big company.

Planning your career

What is a drug test?

How to find a job

The type of test youre asked to do will depend on the


policy of the company youre applying to work for and
also the practices of the collector and the collecting
agency (the people doing the testing for the company).

Career Profiles
Industry Profiles

Applying for Jobs


Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide
Interview Presentation Video

There are different ways to test your body for traces of


drugs. Most likely youll be asked to provide a urine
sample or maybe a sample of your saliva, hair or blood.
Your sample will be tested to check that it's yours and
not someone elses. So dont think you can just sneak in
a clean sample from a friend to your next job interview!

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/drug-testing-at-job-interviews[3/31/2016 5:59:39 AM]

Taking a Drug Test for a Job Interview - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video
Interview Preparation Video
Creating a folio for a job
interview
Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions
Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips
Starting out and
finishing up
Employment rights
Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

What type of drugs will you be tested for?


Common illegal drugs, like marijuana, cocaine or
opiates, will show up in your sample but most
prescription medicines wont. If youre taking a drug
prescribed by your doctor the collector and the
collecting agency should take this into account.

Why do employers drug test?


Employees who abuse drugs and alcohol are likely to be
less productive and need more time off work than
employees who dont do drugs. If you take drugs theres
a much bigger chance youll be part of an accident or
suffer an injury on the job.
Employers dont want to hire you if youre going to cause
them trouble and cost them money! And they wont want
to hire you if youll put their employees or other people
who come into contact with their organisation at risk. So
if you dont pass the drug test, they wont hire you.

What are your rights?


If youre asked to take a drug test you have a choice you dont have to do it. In most cases you can expect
that:
The workplace policy on drug and alcohol use will
be explained to you
The testing process will be explained to you
The consequences of refusing to be tested or of
testing positive will be explained to you
Youll be given some privacy to provide your sample
If you think your rights have been violated you can
contact your union or get in touch with WorkSafe
Victoria(new window).

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/drug-testing-at-job-interviews[3/31/2016 5:59:39 AM]

Taking a Drug Test for a Job Interview - Youth Central

Starting your own


business
Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport
Managing Money
Know Your Rights
Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

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Youth Central, jobs & careers from every

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Taking a Drug Test for a Job Interview - Youth Central

angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/drug-testing-at-job-interviews[3/31/2016 5:59:39 AM]

Interview Tips | Job Interview Preparation - Youth Central

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Home > Jobs & Careers > Job interviews > Job Interview Tips: TODAY

Studying & Training

JOB INTERVIEW TIPS: TODAY

Health & Relationships


Jobs & Careers
Career Profiles
Industry Profiles
Work options
Planning your career
How to find a job

You've got the job interview you've been waiting for and
you don't want to mess it up. Just think about the word
TODAY. Each letter can remind you of something you
might be asked about.
T = Teamwork
O = Obstacles
D = Duties
A = Achievements
Y = Your strengths and weaknesses

Applying for Jobs


Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide
Interview Presentation Video

Teamwork
Employers want to know that you can work as part of a
team. Almost any job you can think of will require you to
work with people. Even if you've never had a job before
you will be expected to give examples of teamwork.
There are plenty of non-work examples of being part of a
team, including:

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/job-interview-tips-today[3/31/2016 6:01:15 AM]

Interview Tips | Job Interview Preparation - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video
Interview Preparation Video
Creating a folio for a job
interview
Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions
Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips
Starting out and
finishing up

Being part of a sports team


Doing a dance class
Organising family events
All you need to demonstrate is that you can
communicate, make decisions and work with other
people to achieve your goals. Being a part of any of the
above kinds of groups requires those sorts of skills.

Obstacles
In work, like in many other areas of life, there are
problems to solve. Your employer needs to be confident
that you know how to handle yourself in a sticky
situation.
Examples of overcoming obstacles include:
If you have had trouble learning a new skill but kept
at it until you improved
If you had a setback in your personal life but still
managed to succeed in your work life
If there were unexpected changes when you were
planning an event
If you've had any experiences like the above ones, tell
your interviewer about it. Explain what the obstacle was,
how you dealt with it, and how things turned out in the
end.

Employment rights
Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

Duties
When you're asked about duties, you're being asked
about what sort of things you've done in your past jobs.
You need to be specific. If someone was filming a day in
the life of you in your old job what would they have seen
you doing?

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/job-interview-tips-today[3/31/2016 6:01:15 AM]

Interview Tips | Job Interview Preparation - Youth Central

Starting your own


business
Housing &
Accommodation

Did you go to a lot of meetings?


Did you respond to customer complaints?
Did you train new employees?
If you haven't had a job before you could talk about:

Travel & Transport


Managing Money
Know Your Rights
Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance

Something you did at school


Volunteering you did at an event
Your work as part of a community group.
You'll probably only get asked this question if you have
had a job before.

Achievements
News

A job interview is your chance to sell yourself. What


makes you stand out from the other applicants? If you
won an award at school or were named Employee of the
Month at your old job, let the interviewer know about it.
You can talk about other achievements outside work too,
like if you helped organise a successful fundraising
event for your local sports team.
If you set out to do something and you did it - that's an
achievement. For example, if you started out babysitting for one of your friends and they recommended
you to their friends and now you have regular babysitting jobs - that's an achievement.
Make sure that you recognise your achievements and
feel comfortable talking about them. You never know
which achievement could score you a job.

Your strengths and weaknesses


Okay, so 'strengths' and 'weaknesses' don't start with a
'y', but you have to try to remember examples of both
anyway.
http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/job-interview-tips-today[3/31/2016 6:01:15 AM]

Interview Tips | Job Interview Preparation - Youth Central

What are your strengths?


Think about what people compliment you on, for
example:
Your friends might say you're a good listener
Your family knows you're reliable
You're comfortable talking in front of groups of
people
These are positives in life and in the workforce. Let the
interviewer know what your strengths are and then give
an example for each.
For example, "I love to have everything neat and
organised. At my old job my workmates would always
come to my desk to borrow stationery because I knew
where everything was."

What are your weaknesses?


The worst answer to this is to say you don't have any. If
you say you have none the interviewer will either think
you are lying or not interested in becoming a better
person or employee.
The best way to answer a question about your
weaknesses is to be honest about what you're not good
at, but then explain how you are working to improve it.
For example:
I'm not too fast at touch-typing, but I recently
borrowed a computer program that helps me to
practise and I'm getting better
I don't know how to use spreadsheet programs, but
I'm good with Word and I'm keen to learn
I haven't worked with engines much, but I'm good
with tools and I did okay in metalwork at school

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/job-interview-tips-today[3/31/2016 6:01:15 AM]

Interview Tips | Job Interview Preparation - Youth Central

Remember - TODAY!
Keeping these five areas in mind when you go for that
job interview is a great way to remember the kind of
things you'll probably get asked. It's a great way to
improve your chances of getting a new job - TODAY!

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Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/job-interview-tips-today[3/31/2016 6:01:15 AM]

Interview Tips | Job Interview Preparation - Youth Central

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

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Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

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ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN A
JOB INTERVIEW

Jobs & Careers


Career Profiles
Industry Profiles
Work options
Planning your career
How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide

The sorts of questions youll typically get asked in a job


interview will be testing your behaviour in different
situations as well as your skills and experience.

What you'll be asked


A lot of what interviewers need to know about your
qualifications and suitability for a role is covered in your
rsum and in the first few questions they will ask. But
the seemingly harder job interview questions are thrown
at you to see what type of person you are and whether
youll fit into the job and the company. These are
questions that begin with things like "what would you do
if" and "how would you handle the following
situation".
Questions like:

Interview Presentation Video

Are you a person who works well in a high pressure

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/answering-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:04:50 AM]

Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video

environment?
Are you a team player?
Can you prioritise tasks?

Interview Preparation Video


Creating a folio for a job
interview
Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions
Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips

Do you learn quickly?

How to answer
In your answer you should give an example of a time
when you have demonstrated the skill in question. E.g.
Question: Are you a team player? Answer: I enjoy
working with other people. When I was part of my
school concert band we had public performances once
a month and it was important that we could make
decisions as a group and work together to help each
other learn new pieces.
You should also keep in mind that every answer is a
chance to show the interviewer how well you can
communicate. Try to order your sentences so its easy
for the interviewer to follow what youre saying. Show
that youve given thought to your answers.
Ask for clarification if you dont understand a question.
Its better to ask and give the right answer than to start
talking about something thats not relevant and wont
help you get the job.

Starting out and


finishing up

Tips for good communication

Employment rights

Make eye contact

Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

Make eye contact with the interviewer throughout the


interview and especially when youre answering
questions. This lets them know youre listening and
shows respect for what theyre saying.
If you dont make eye contact when youre talking, at
best the interviewer will think youre nervous and at
worst that youre a bit shifty and are just making up your

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/answering-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:04:50 AM]

Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

Starting your own


business

answers on the spot.

Pausing not 'umm'-ing and 'err'-ing


Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport
Managing Money
Know Your Rights
Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance

Pausing for thought when answering a question is not


the same as 'umm'-ing and 'err'-ing. A short pause to
give you some time to think about what to say next is
perfectly acceptable in a job interview and it makes a
much better impression than hedging between every
sentence.
Pausing sends a message to the interviewer that youre
giving the question your full consideration and taking the
interview seriously.

News

Printable version

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Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/answering-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:04:50 AM]

Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

Search

JOBS & CAREERS


Home > Jobs & Careers > Job interviews > Answering questions in a job interview

Studying & Training


Health & Relationships

ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN A
JOB INTERVIEW

Jobs & Careers


Career Profiles
Industry Profiles
Work options
Planning your career
How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide

The sorts of questions youll typically get asked in a job


interview will be testing your behaviour in different
situations as well as your skills and experience.

What you'll be asked


A lot of what interviewers need to know about your
qualifications and suitability for a role is covered in your
rsum and in the first few questions they will ask. But
the seemingly harder job interview questions are thrown
at you to see what type of person you are and whether
youll fit into the job and the company. These are
questions that begin with things like "what would you do
if" and "how would you handle the following
situation".
Questions like:

Interview Presentation Video

Are you a person who works well in a high pressure

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/answering-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:09:25 AM]

Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video

environment?
Are you a team player?
Can you prioritise tasks?

Interview Preparation Video


Creating a folio for a job
interview
Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions
Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips

Do you learn quickly?

How to answer
In your answer you should give an example of a time
when you have demonstrated the skill in question. E.g.
Question: Are you a team player? Answer: I enjoy
working with other people. When I was part of my
school concert band we had public performances once
a month and it was important that we could make
decisions as a group and work together to help each
other learn new pieces.
You should also keep in mind that every answer is a
chance to show the interviewer how well you can
communicate. Try to order your sentences so its easy
for the interviewer to follow what youre saying. Show
that youve given thought to your answers.
Ask for clarification if you dont understand a question.
Its better to ask and give the right answer than to start
talking about something thats not relevant and wont
help you get the job.

Starting out and


finishing up

Tips for good communication

Employment rights

Make eye contact

Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

Make eye contact with the interviewer throughout the


interview and especially when youre answering
questions. This lets them know youre listening and
shows respect for what theyre saying.
If you dont make eye contact when youre talking, at
best the interviewer will think youre nervous and at
worst that youre a bit shifty and are just making up your

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/answering-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:09:25 AM]

Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

Starting your own


business

answers on the spot.

Pausing not 'umm'-ing and 'err'-ing


Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport
Managing Money
Know Your Rights
Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance

Pausing for thought when answering a question is not


the same as 'umm'-ing and 'err'-ing. A short pause to
give you some time to think about what to say next is
perfectly acceptable in a job interview and it makes a
much better impression than hedging between every
sentence.
Pausing sends a message to the interviewer that youre
giving the question your full consideration and taking the
interview seriously.

News

Printable version

SOCIAL STUFF

WORDY STUFF

Facebook

Privacy

Twitter

Disclaimer

YouTube

Copyright

Instagram

Accessibility

Flickr

MORE STUFF
FReeZA
Schoolies
Department of Health and Human Services

Youth Central, jobs & careers from every


http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/answering-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:09:25 AM]

Common Interview Questions & Answers - Youth Central

angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/answering-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:09:25 AM]

Difficult Interview Questions - Youth Central

Search

JOBS & CAREERS


Home > Jobs & Careers > Job interviews > Tricky Interview Questions

Studying & Training


Health & Relationships

TRICKY QUESTIONS IN A JOB


INTERVIEW

Jobs & Careers


Career Profiles
Industry Profiles
Work options

Interviewers might sometimes ask tricky questions.


These questions are designed to get you to reveal
something about yourself. They also want to check out
how well you communicate and whether you can think
on your feet.

Planning your career


How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
Job interviews

In an interview you should always answer every question


as honestly and positively as you can. Dont spend too
much time giving your answers to tricky questions,
though you dont want them to be the focus of the
interview.

Getting ready for an


interview

Here are some examples of tricky questions you may be


asked.

Job interviews - how-to


guide

"Why did you leave your last job?"

Interview Presentation Video

Here are some possible reasons you could give for


leaving your last job:

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/tricky-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:11:15 AM]

Difficult Interview Questions - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video

It didnt fit with your interests at that time

Interview Preparation Video

There were no opportunities to advance your career

Creating a folio for a job


interview

You had to travel too far each day


Youve increased your qualifications and are looking
for work in a more specialised field

"Why have you had so many jobs?"

Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions

You dont want the interviewer to think you cant commit


to a job. Here are some possible answers to this tricky
question:
You wanted to try different jobs to broaden your
skills - this has given you a wealth of experience to
bring to the job
You were unsure about where you wanted to work,
but now youre clear about what you want are
ready to make a commitment to one workplace
Your answer to this question could also include some of
the reasons for leaving your job outlined above.

Inappropriate interview
questions

"Why were you out of work for so long?"

Phone interviews: 6 Tips

You dont want the interviewer to think that no one wants


to employ you. It's better to say you chose to take time
off between jobs. This might be because:

Starting out and


finishing up
Employment rights

You needed a break for physical or emotional


reasons
You wanted to explore study opportunities

Problems in the
workplace

You were travelling to gain experience

Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

You had a personal situation that needed your


attention

Don't Freak Out


Tricky questions are just another way that employers try

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/tricky-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:11:15 AM]

Difficult Interview Questions - Youth Central

Starting your own


business
Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport

to pick the best suited person for the job. But just
because the questions are tricky doesn't mean they're
impossible.
Remember - if you've prepared yourself to answer a few
curly questions, then you've already given yourself a
good a head start!

Managing Money
Know Your Rights
Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

Printable version

SOCIAL STUFF

WORDY STUFF

Facebook

Privacy

Twitter

Disclaimer

YouTube

Copyright

Instagram

Accessibility

Flickr

MORE STUFF
FReeZA
Schoolies
Department of Health and Human Services

Youth Central, jobs & careers from every


http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/tricky-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:11:15 AM]

Difficult Interview Questions - Youth Central

angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/tricky-questions-in-a-job-interview[3/31/2016 6:11:15 AM]

Brainteaser job interview questions - Youth Central

Search

JOBS & CAREERS


Home > Jobs & Careers > Job interviews > Brainteaser Job Interview Questions

Studying & Training


Health & Relationships

BRAINTEASER JOB
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Jobs & Careers


Career Profiles
Industry Profiles
Work options
Planning your career
How to find a job
Applying for Jobs
Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide

If you get hit with some brainteaser questions at your


next job interview, will you know how to answer them?
Brainteaser questions sometimes come up and theyre
not at all like the interview questions youd expect.
Interviewers ask these questions to test your thinking
and check your problem-solving skills. They want to find
out if you can think logically and think under pressure
and they want to see how well youll go compared with
the other applicants. Its all about how creative and
resourceful you can be.
There are four types of brainteasers:
Questions that have correct answers
Questions that dont have one correct answer
Questions that you have to break down

Interview Presentation Video

Questions that test your performance

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/brainteaser-job-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:16:06 AM]

Brainteaser job interview questions - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video
Interview Preparation Video

How to handle them


Here are some tips to help you answer brainteaser
questions:
The obvious answer is often the wrong answer

Creating a folio for a job


interview
Attending interviews

Youve been given everything you need to answer


the question
Ask questions if you need to clarify anything

Drug testing at job


interviews

Speak your thoughts out loud so the interviewers


can hear the process you use to get your answer

Job Interview Tips:


TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions
Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips
Starting out and
finishing up
Employment rights
Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

Sample questions
So how do you think youd do? Here are some questions
and their answers so you can practice.

1. Questions That Have a Correct Answer


Question: Youre in a room with three light switches,
each of which controls one of three light bulbs in the
next room. Your task is to determine which switch
controls which bulb. All lights are initially off, and you
can't see into one room from the other. You may inspect
the room only once. How can you determine which
switch is connected to which light bulb?
Answer: Call the switches 1, 2 and 3. Leave Switch 1
off. Turn Switch 2 on for five minutes and then turn it off.
Turn Switch 3 on and leave it on. Enter the room. The
bulb that is on is controlled by Switch 3 (the one you left
on). Feel the light bulbs that are off for heat. The bulb
that is off and warm is controlled by Switch 2 (the one
you turned on, then off). The bulb that is off and cold is
controlled by Switch 1 (the one that you didn't turn on).

2. Questions That Dont Have one Correct Answer


Question: How would you weigh a Boeing 747 without
using scales?

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/brainteaser-job-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:16:06 AM]

Brainteaser job interview questions - Youth Central

Starting your own


business

Managing Money

Answer: There are many solutions, but one possible


response is: you put the jet on a large boat and paint a
mark on the hull where the water line is. Now remove
the jet and the boat rises. Then, load the ship with items
of known weight until it sinks to the line you painted. The
total weight of the items will equal the weight of the jet.

Know Your Rights

3. Questions That You Have to Break Down

Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport

Web & Social Safety


Government Info &
Assistance
News

Question: Here's a mobile phone. Deconstruct it for me.


Answer: This question might not be about mobile
phones at all. They might ask you to explain something
else entirely. All you have to do here is explain what the
thing they're asking about does. So describe what it is
as simply as you can, e.g., "this is a device you use to
communicate with people in your business and personal
life".
Then, just go through and talk about what it does, e.g.,
"this can be used to store contact details, make phone
calls, send emails, take photos or videos, etc." You
could also relate it to the job or the workplace and talk
about how the mobile phone would be used.

4. Questions That Test Your Performance


Question: Please take this pen and sell it to me. Tell me
about its design, features, benefits and values.
Answer: Again, it might not be a pen, but whatever the
object is, you have to think about what you can say that
will convince the interviewer to buy it. You can be
creative and make up some different uses for the pen,
e.g., you could use it as a hair pin, you could use it to
pick a lock, you could use it to scratch your back, etc.
The way you deliver this answer is important too - you
need to get excited about the pen as a product you
really believe in.
http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/brainteaser-job-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:16:06 AM]

Brainteaser job interview questions - Youth Central

Don't Freak Out


The above are just some examples of the kind of
brainteaser questions that you might encounter in an
interview. The point is that there ARE ways to answer
them - you just have to recognise the kind of question
they are, and think things through before you respond.
Brainteaser questions are just another way that
employers try to pick the best suited person for the job.
But just because the questions are hard doesn't mean
they're impossible.
Remember - if you've prepared yourself to answer a few
curly questions, then you've already given yourself a
good a head start!

Printable version

SOCIAL STUFF

WORDY STUFF

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Schoolies
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Youth Central, jobs & careers from every


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Brainteaser job interview questions - Youth Central

angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/brainteaser-job-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:16:06 AM]

Handling Inappropriate Interview Questions - Youth Central

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Home > Jobs & Careers > Job interviews > Inappropriate interview questions

Studying & Training


Health & Relationships

INAPPROPRIATE INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS

Jobs & Careers

Work options

There are some questions in a job interview that you


don't have to answer. For example, you don't have to
answer questions that you feel are too personal or could
be used to discriminate against you.

Planning your career

Examples of inappropriate questions

How to find a job

Some questions are inappropriate even if they don't


immediately set alarm bells ringing in your head.

Career Profiles
Industry Profiles

Applying for Jobs


Job interviews
Getting ready for an
interview
Job interviews - how-to
guide
Interview Presentation Video

The person interviewing you shouldn't ask you about


anything that isn't specifically related to the job you're
applying for, or your ability to do that job.
They shouldn't ask you what political or sporting clubs
you support or what non-work-related groups you are a
member of. They shouldn't ask you if you have any
children.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/inappropriate-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:19:17 AM]

Handling Inappropriate Interview Questions - Youth Central

Common Interview
Questions - Video
Interview Preparation Video
Creating a folio for a job
interview
Attending interviews
Drug testing at job
interviews
Job Interview Tips:
TODAY
Answering questions in a
job interview
Tricky Interview
Questions
Brainteaser Job Interview
Questions
Inappropriate interview
questions
Phone interviews: 6 Tips
Starting out and
finishing up
Employment rights
Problems in the
workplace
Apprenticeships &
traineeships
Volunteering & work
experience

And of course, any question about your age, marital


status, religion or sexual preference is a question you
don't have to answer.
These sorts of questions might seem friendly, but the
interviewers could use your answers against you. For
example, the reason you didn't get the job might not be
because you didn't have the right skills or experience,
but because you and the interviewer voted for different
political parties at the last election.
The golden rule is, if you can't see how something
directly relates to the job or the workplace environment,
you don't have to talk about it in an interview.

Talking about previous employers


You are under no obligation to answer questions about
your previous employers if the answers would reveal
confidential information. In fact, it's not only
unprofessional, it's unethical for you to talk about any
confidential business details or personal details relating
to people you have worked with.

Equal opportunity
Being asked an inappropriate question in an interview
can sometimes be an issue of equal opportunity or
discrimination.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
(new window) has some guidelines about things that
you don't have to talk about in a job interview.
If you have a disability, it's up to you to decide what you
say about it at a job interview. You have rights and
responsibilities in this situation and the interviewers
should respect this. You can find out more about this at
Choosing your Path - Disclosure it's a Personal Decision

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/inappropriate-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:19:17 AM]

Handling Inappropriate Interview Questions - Youth Central

Starting your own


business
Housing &
Accommodation
Travel & Transport
Managing Money

(new window).

How to get around an inappropriate


question
It's hard to know what to say when you're asked about
something you'd rather not talk about. Try and be polite
and steer the conversation back to more appropriate
topics.

Know Your Rights


Web & Social Safety
Government Info &
Assistance
News

Here's a couple of examples of how to answer


inappropriate questions:
"I don't think we need to talk about this. I'd prefer to
talk about things that are relevant to the job and
your organisation."
"I don't see why that question is relevant to the job,
or my ability to do that job. Could you explain why
you think it's important? I'll try to answer in a way
that's relevant to the job"

Things to remember
Job interviews are hard enough without having to deal
with questions that make you uncomfortable or that trick
you into revealing private things about yourself.
Just remember that even though you're just doing a job
interview, you have rights all the same.
Knowing those rights and knowing how to stand up for
them - or knowing who can help you to protect those
rights - is an important part of the job application
process.

Printable version

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/inappropriate-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:19:17 AM]

Handling Inappropriate Interview Questions - Youth Central

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Facebook

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YouTube

Copyright

Instagram

Accessibility

Flickr

MORE STUFF
FReeZA
Schoolies
Department of Health and Human Services

Youth Central, jobs & careers from every


angle.

Last updated on: 31/03/2016


State Government of Victoria 2016
Authorised by: Youth Central, DHS

Change of Government

The Victorian State election was held on Saturday 29 November 2014. As a result, there was a change of government. This
website is currently being updated to reflect the changes to the Victorian Government and its Ministry.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/job-interviews/inappropriate-interview-questions[3/31/2016 6:19:17 AM]

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