Job Interviews and Offers in Australia: A Guide
Australia's job scene is plentiful as their supply of things that bite you. But, like the creepy crawly poisonous world, it’s tough going.You gotta be on point and prepared for interviews and be a smooth talker to handle job offers, it really can make all the difference. We’ve got some (slightly Machiavellian) strategies but all round solid advice to get you in the game and winning at it:
1. Prep for an Interview
Yeah yeah, prepare to plan, fail to prepare, whatever the expression is. Bore off. I know.FYI, it’s “fail to prepare, prepare to fail” and it’s actually not bad for fortune cookie advice.
You gotta have actually read the job description and know the friggin' company you're applying to. You’d be surprised how often people even stuff that up. Get over to company's website, have a quick read of their latest news, get an idea of the culture and stuff. If you’re into that kinda thing, do some homework on industry trends and for some real brownie points, their financial performance.
Secondly, get your chat on point. You gotta articulate your skills and experiences in a way that keeps it lively, honesty and in line with the job requirements. Think back over your working past, pull out the bits where you can brag on your achievements, and think about what skills you’ve got that would set you apart from the stack of CVs.
We all know the common interview chat, "Why do you want to work for us?", "Where do you see yourself in five years?", or "Can you (aside from getting your arse out of bed this morning at 6.45am to get ready) give us a spiel about overcoming a challenge?" Might seem like it doesn’t need saying but it does - know what you’re gonna say when they pop up. If you’ve got a good idea and then riff it, you’ll slay here while others are full of “uhmmmm” “well…” and “i dunno”.
2. Dress the Part to a Job Interview
The old saying, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have," holds here. Your choice of outfit for the interview should vibe with the place you’re going for. For example, maybe you’re about to sit down in front of M at MI6, so you wanna be sure to wear your finest tux, a dashing smile and your Ronson lighter and silver cigarette case. For Twitter you might wanna dye your hair pink and bring your own bean bag
High-rolling jobs, such as in finance or law, you wanna go for solid business attire—a suit in neutral colours, clean, ironed white shirt, and (not necessarily expensive but) clean, well fitting shoes. In contrast, for roles in startups or creative, business casual—smart trousers or a skirt, paired with a neat blouse or shirt—might be more appropriate. Ask them, when they offer you the interview.
When in doubt, overdress always. But don’t just borrow an Armani suit from your older brother. You want comfort too, acting the part means you should feel the part—confidence comes from being comfortable in what you're wearing.
3. I accept!
Aye congrats! You've got a job offer. Before you “yes yes yes” down the phone, take a moment to review the details, offer and contract. Check the salary, benefits, work schedule, and responsibilities align with your hopes.
Respond professionally, and make clear your gratitude for the offer. Here’s a good draft of an email:
Dear [Employer's Name],
Thank you for the offer for the position of [Job Title]. The role I interviewed for at [Company's Name] is one I’m really excited about and I will confirm acceptance before 4PM today, after checking over the contract etc.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Best, [Your Name]This gives you a bit of space to have a chat with the Mrs, weigh up other options etc.
4. I do NOT accept!
Declining a job offer takes a decent bit of tact. You might be rejecting it for a more suitable offer from another company, or maybe it wasn’t right for you.
Communicate your decision quickly but also with respect, avoid burning any bridges. Like accepting, declining can be done via email or a formal letter.
Remember, a good contract negotiation should be both parties feeling like they’ve won - says Chris Voss from Don’t Split the Difference. If you feel you’re being done over, or if it doesn't feel right, it's better to wait than settle for less.
Job seeking in Australia is a game of careful prep. You should be able to present yourself well Then finally handle your job offers with tact and charm. Head over to Workclass for more tips, more jobs, more blog posts, more of all that good stuff. Equip yourself with these tips and strategies, and you'll be well on track to nailing down that perfect graft.