Guide to Acing Your Job Hunt

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Feeling a bit powerless as a job seeker?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and you’re not as helpless as you might think. Sure, competition has increased, but so have your opportunities. Remote work has opened up talent pools and increased diversity in hiring. Before the pandemic, recruiters were mostly limited to local candidates. Now, companies can search for talent from anywhere. This is the perfect time to embrace these opportunities and get strategic with your job hunt. While you can’t control the job market, you can still be a standout candidate.
Guide to Acing Your Job Hunt - AWNA
Tips for landing a great job

Tip # 1:

Highlight transferable skills on your resume

To show you’re adaptable, break down the skills on your resume into three main areas: systems-oriented, people-oriented, and self-oriented.

AWNA tip: Want help getting started on or revamping your resume? Here are some great resume templates available for free –

  1. https://create.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/resumes
  2. https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/article/free-resume-template
  3. https://www.canva.com/resumes/templates/simple/

1. Systems-oriented skills

Under each role listed on your resume, describe these skills in a practical way to show how they can apply to various positions and industries, not just your specific field. For example, if you worked as a content creator at a software company, highlight "business writing" and include specific tasks like creating blog posts or writing marketing emails.

2. People-oriented skills

Demonstrate your ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues. Companies now value candidates who can work well remotely and have the potential to lead virtual teams. Include keywords on your resume like performance management, virtual training, and task delegation.

3. Self-oriented skills

Show that you can work diligently, learn quickly, and solve problems. Highlight how you’ve adapted to challenges like remote work, addressing issues such as decreased productivity or burnout.

Tip # 2:

Improve your personal brand on LinkedIn and increase your profile visibility

Your career narrative is crucial for standing out in a competitive job market. Employers want to know your career journey, what you’ve learnt, and how it has shaped you as a professional. This helps them see your value even before an interview.

To grab an employer’s attention, engage with your network on LinkedIn. Use the platform to showcase your expertise. Attract more people to your profile by liking and commenting on industry-related posts, publishing text-only posts (which typically receive more views), sharing original articles, and actively seeking new connections.

Tip # 3:

Write a personalised cover letter

Writing a new cover letter for each job application might seem time-consuming, but it’s easier than you think. Create a basic cover letter template for each type of job you’re applying for, and highlight the sections where you’ll customise the details to match each specific role. Ensure every cover letter you send out shows your genuine enthusiasm for the job.

AWNA tip: Here are some free templates for cover letters to get you started –

Tip # 4:

Connect with potential co-workers for role-specific information

An informational interview is a conversation with another professional to learn more about their career, company, or industry. Unlike a job interview, the goal isn’t to get hired; it’s to educate yourself. This type of interview serves two key purposes in your job search:

  1. Gather intel: Learn about companies that are hiring and get insights into their culture and operations.
  2. Form connections: Build relationships with employees at those companies, which can help you discover open positions before they’re advertised and potentially gain referrals to roles you’re interested in pursuing.

Building these connections can help you discover job openings before they’re publicly advertised. You might even receive referrals for positions that catch your interest.

Tip # 5:

Request job search referrals from your connections

If you made valuable connections during your informational interviews, reach out to them for a referral before applying to a role at their organisation. This is crucial because a job search referral demonstrates to potential employers that someone else has confidence in your skills. It also ensures that your application will be taken seriously, significantly boosting your chances of getting an interview.

Tip # 6:

Gear up for your online interview

Before your interview, do thorough research to stay informed about the latest news related to the company and trends in your industry. You can find these updates on the company’s website, social media channels, or by setting Google alerts for the company’s name and key players. This step is especially important if some time has passed since you first applied.

Tip # 7:

Register with recruiters

If you need extra help finding jobs, consider reaching out to recruiters who specialise in your industry. Most recruiters have a registration process that typically includes an interview, presenting your resume and/or portfolio, and filling out your details for their database. This can significantly boost your chances of finding the right job.

AWNA tip: It’s also a good idea to register on all the popular job search portals in Australia –

Mastering the “Why were you let go?” interview question
Been fired before? Don’t worry—it’s not the end of your career. Potential employers might ask about it, and while it can feel awkward, there are ways to handle this question professionally. Here’s how you can turn a tricky situation into a chance to showcase your integrity:

Stay calm and composed

When the topic comes up, take a deep breath. Your reaction is just as important as your words. Maintain a neutral tone and steady eye contact. This shows you're not flustered by the question and can discuss difficult topics maturely.

Be honest but brief

Provide a concise, truthful explanation without going into unnecessary details. For example, "I was let go due to a restructuring" or "There was a misalignment between my skills and the job requirements." Avoid blaming others or speaking negatively about your former employer.

Focus on what you've learnt

Reframe your setback as a stepping stone. Discuss the insights you gained from the experience. For instance, "That experience taught me the importance of clear communication" or "I realised I needed to improve my time management skills, which I've since worked on."

Highlight your growth since then

Explain how you've improved since the termination. Mention any new skills you've acquired, training you've completed, or positive changes in your work approach. This demonstrates your drive for self-improvement.

Redirect to your current strengths

After addressing the termination, steer the conversation towards your current qualifications and how they make you an excellent fit for the position you're interviewing for.
By preparing thoughtful answers about past terminations, you can boost your confidence and improve your interview performance. Remember, everyone makes mistakes—it's how you bounce back that matters.

Bonus section: Example answers to "Why were you fired?"

1. When your skills didn’t match

“It turned out my skills weren’t quite what the company needed. They hired me thinking my background was a good fit, but we later realised they needed someone with specific industry experience I didn’t have. After a year, we agreed it was best to part ways. This taught me to really dig deep during interviews to ensure a good match.”
Key points:

  • Acknowledges the mismatch without blame
  • Shows maturity in the mutual decision
  • Demonstrates a lesson learnt

2. When you were laid off

“The company decided to outsource my role to cut costs. My supervisor was happy with my work, but ultimately, it was a business decision. This experience taught me the importance of continually updating my skills to stay valuable in a changing job market.”
Key points:

  • Clarifies it wasn’t performance-related
  • Avoids negativity about the company’s decision
  • Highlights a positive takeaway from the experience

Remember, the goal is to be honest while focusing on what you’ve learnt and how you’ve grown.