JOB SEEKERS

How to get an entry level role in mining

BY: Tracey Mesken28/10/2019

​Entry-level mining roles do come by rarely and usually receive 1000’s of applications, so it can be very difficult to secure a role. Find out how to get started with WorkPac and apply for entry-level roles.​Getting StartedBefore applying for any positions, register with WorkPac, then complete the following steps:Fill out your personal details (this includes Name, DOB, contact details and your address)Provide an up to date resumeLet us know your work preferences so we can best match you with roles – this involves letting us know your current/last role and industry, your preferred industry, and your preferred Business Centre so we can assign you your recruitment coordinatorFill out the Lastly, enter in your relevant work history and provide us with at least two refereesOnce you’ve registered call your nearest business centre on 1300 967 572 so you can discuss what you’re seeking with one of our recruitment coordinators. You can also find your nearest business centre on Skills, experience, ticketsIf you’re looking for entry-level/trainee mining roles, we do not recommend completing training courses as most clients will want to train you themselves.To work on a mine site, you will need:Standard 11Be able to pass a drug and alcohol testDrivers Licence: Requirements for this can differ from site to site (manual/automatic/provisional). They must always be valid and current, always check.National Police Clearance (for some sites)Proof of Right to Work: This can be a driver’s licence, birth certificate and/or passport etc.Coal Board Medical (cost is covered by WorkPac, this is for coal mine sites only)Beneficial Tickets/LicencesThere are other tickets and licences that may give you an edge when applying for entry-level roles:Blue/White Construction CardOH&S Tickets for Civil equipment i.e. Bobcat, Excavator, Roller etc.Trades Papers/LicencesSkills List/CompetenciesWorking at HeightsConfined SpacesLow Voltage/CPRRII Dump Truck TicketWhat you need to bring to an interviewIf you do get an interview for an entry-level role, you must have:Completed the online registration processUploaded your resume with two referencesUploaded your Right to Work documentsDrivers LicenceStandard 11 (if relevant and if you have it)Current Coal Board Medical (if you have it)Black Coal Competency or Site Authority paperwork (if you have it)Where are the jobs? The following WorkPac Business Centres recruit for roles in mining. For info on upcoming mining projects across Australia, head here.Coal mining:BiloelaBlackwaterBowenEmeraldGunnedahHunter ValleyMackayMoranbahMuswellbrookIron ore mining:KarrathaNewmanPerthPort HedlandTom PriceOther mining:CairnsKalgoorlie Mt IsaDarwinRoxby Downs Q&AHow long will it take to get a job in the mines?Entry-level mining roles do come by rarely and usually receive 1000’s of applications, so it can be very difficult to secure a role. Therefore, persistence is the key to getting in, and it’s very important to build and maintain a relationship with your Recruitment Coordinator so that you stand out when roles do become available.It’s also important to note that FIFO roles are generally only offered to experienced operators. So, those able to live locally to a mine site or close enough to commit to DIDO (drive in drive out) / BIBO (bus in bus out) roles will have more opportunities.Is there anything else that will give me an advantage?Those who live in towns near mines and those willing to relocate for mining work will have a greater opportunity of getting into the industry.We also recommend networking as best you can with those within the industry. Sometimes having a valuable contact on-site can secure you your first mining opportunity.What is it like to work on a mine site?This will vary a lot depending on the role and the location. Some roles will require you to live in a regional or mining community near a site. While DIDO roles will require you to live within a reasonable driving distance of the site, often buses are provided from camp to get you to the mine site.Shift rosters will vary between sites but will generally operate on an “even-time” cycle (i.e. 4 days on/4 days off or 7 days on/7 days off), though some sites do have roster cycles that will require you to be away for extended periods of 2-3 weeks before returning home on a break. Again, this will all depend on the role and the site.What’s the difference between a green/entry-level operator and a traineeship?Both are terms used for new to industry roles, in which no prior mining experience is required, and since there isn’t assumed knowledge or experience you will be receiving training and mentorship on site. However, the biggest difference between the two is that a traineeship is a formal training program, running over a set period with a clear end goal of earning a nationally accredited qualification.Where can I get more information?If you were seeking more information, we’d recommend checking out the following webpages:WorkPac Mining JobsWorkPac's Guide to Coal Mining for Operators​

MINING JOBS DEMAND

BY: Tracey Mesken17/09/2019

​A new report released by the Australian Mining and Metals Association shows Australia’s mining industry will require 20,767 new on-site operational employees by 2024.The forecast occupational breakdown includes:• 8,660 mining plant operators;• 2,847 heavy diesel fitters;• 970 other trades, such as electrical, mechanical and maintenance trades;• 4,110 supervisors, management, administration and other white-collar roles; and• 4,180 engineers, technicians, geologists and related roles.View the full report here

5 essential cover letter tips

BY: Tracey Mesken10/07/2014

​Cover letters are still considered a vital part of a formal job application and should be approached accordingly. It is generally the first point of contact you will have with a prospective employer, and plays an important role in highlighting to them the key skills and competencies that make you a strong candidate for the job.The goal of you cover letter is to complement, not replicate your resume. A quality cover letter when structured well and succinctly written, should provide an interesting summary of your achievements and encourage an employer to continue reading your resume.Here are a few essential tips to writing a strong cover letter.1. Structure the cover letter logicallyStart by introducing yourself, the position you are applying for and in a few sentences, clearly explain why you are interested in the specific role or company for which you are applying. An employer doesn’t want to see a generic cover letter. Use the body of the cover letter to demonstrate the suitability of your background to the experience and skills that the position requires, and succinctly identify your most relevant strengths and accomplishments. Close out your cover letter with a strong finish by thanking the reader for their time and consideration, and include your contact information. Keep in mind that your email address (and your phone voicemail message) should be professional.2. Know the position you are applying forBefore you even start writing your cover letter, read through the position description for the job so you understand the requirements well. While you shouldn’t regurgitate the position description requirements word-for-word, it will be useful to pick out the essential ones and demonstrate how your particular skills and experiences will help you meet them.3. Dot the i’s and cross the t’sA surefire way to have your resume ignored completely, is by failing to pay attention to the most basic of details. Clearly read through the application instructions and make sure your cover letter addresses everything that has been asked for. When writing out multiple job applications, mistakes tend to happen, so check that you have included the correct company name, addressed the right person and referred to the correct role.4. Keep it succinctRemember that a cover letter should only be a summary of the information you put in your resume, so keep it brief and no longer than a page. Use the limited space more efficiently - and also make it easier for an employer to scan through your qualifications - by listing them under bullets. Keep your cover letter format consistent by using the same font and style used in your resume. For easy readability, the generally recommend font is Arial (font size 11).5. Language, Spelling, GrammarYour cover letter is the first opportunity you have to make a good impression and set the right tone, so take the time to consider the language you use. Using buzzwords, acronyms or jargon can make your cover letter seem like more fluff and less substance, so keep the language simple and to the point. And as with your resume, triple check that the grammar, punctuation and spelling used in your cover letter is of the highest standard.Follow these basic principles and you will have a cover letter that gets you noticed.

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Not landing a job interview? Check your resume for these call back killers

BY: Tracey Mesken08/10/2013

​A good resume is your golden ticket to exciting new job opportunities.  It is a personal advertising statement that, when done well, will deliver cut through and land you at job interview.  On the flip side, there's only one place a bad resume is going, and that's on the 'thanks but no thanks' pile.If you find yourself firing off resume after resume with limited success in landing that crucial face to face interview, it could be time to assess where things might be going wrong.Here are three resume blunders that can prove a major barrier to a potential employer viewing you as a hot candidate.​Blunder #1: Lies and empty statementsOK, sure, it is safe to assume that many people pad out their resume a little in the pursuit of looking really good "on paper" but if there are downright false statements on your resume, you can be guaranteed they will come back to bite you eventually.Social media and the internet makes it increasingly difficult to hide from your past.  Adding to this, anything that a quick web search doesn't turn up can be quickly uncovered with a simple phone call or background check.Your best bet is to be honest with employers about your employment history and qualifications.  Don't alter job titles or the tenure of employment and don't claim any experience that you don't have.  That said, there's nothing wrong with leaving irrelevant information off your resume.   If a past position doesn't add any value to your application, it's better to avoid it completely.Blunder #2: Spelling and grammatical errorsYou would think the need to proofread and spell check your resume goes without saying right?  Not so apparently.  A study published by CareerBuilder in September 2013 has revealed that typos and spelling errors are still the most common resume mistake, leading approximately 58% of employers to automatically dismiss a candidate.Take the time to read, re-read, and re-re-read your resume for grammar and spelling. Then get a friend or family member to read it as well.  Don't forget about formatting either - make sure that everything looks neat and tidy on the page, both when on a screen and when printed.Blunder #3: Lack of focus or strategyWhen sending your resume to a apply for a job, remember that you are just one of many, many applicants for the position.  If your resume  is generic and lacks any sort of alignment to the job you are applying for, it's not going to be able to compete with a resume that has been specifically tailored to the requirements of that role.Make sure your resume addresses the specific needs of the job you are applying for.   Most job advertisements come with a summary of the key role functions that you can use as a guide.  For example, if you're applying for an administration job that requires knowledge of particular software programs - highlight the fact that you know how to use those, providing examples where possible.It's also a good move to align your digital resumes - such as your LinkedIn profile - with your paper one to make sure everything is consistent and up to date.  A prospective employer these days is highly likely to go digging into your online identity so ensure that you go to the same effort to look just as good "on screen" as you do "on paper".With tougher market conditions meaning more active candidates seeking employment it is important that you take a little extra time to ensure your one shot at cut through is your best.

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3 steps to get social in your job search

BY: Tracey Mesken17/09/2013

​Social media is continuing to boom and with no signs of slowing down, perhaps it is time you considered ways to use it to your advantage when on the hunt for your ideal job.According to the latest social media statistics published by Frank Media, there are 12 million monthly Facebook users in Australia,  3.4 million people are logging into LinkedIn, and Twitter has an active Australian user base of of almost 2.2 million.  Facebook recently announced that 9 million Australians use Facebook on a daily basis alone!Employers are getting more savy with social media too, using it as a proactive candidate sourcing tool.  You could actually be benefiting from having the jobs come directly to you if you are persistent and treat your social media profiles like your personal advertising page.It’s time to get more social in your job search. Here are three simple steps to help you get started.​Step 1: Make yourself visible (that means searchable)Build your profiles and complete them to the fullest extent.  A half completed LinkedIn profile is of no use to you when potential employers are conducting a proactive candidate search. Make sure your profile is as complete as possible with relevant skills and experience and optimise your profiles for SEO by using well-placed keywords and phrases.Have your 'elevator pitch' down pat and make sure you are ready to deliver it to new online contacts. Your elevator pitch should be a short, snappy introduction that sums up who you are as a worker and what you can offer employers.BUT…being visible doesn’t mean overdoing it.  Don’t fib or embellish the truth or harass people to connect with you.  Be relevant and professional at all times.  A good profile will appear in more searches and give you good exposure to start building your network.Step 2: Think outside the LinkedIn boxLinkedIn is the most popular platform for professional networking and job hunting, but it's not your only social media tool. Get a bit creative and look at other options.Someone pursuing in-demand engineering jobs might establish a Twitter account in order to follow key employers and experts in their industry, as well as share knowledge and interesting stories. This demonstrates they are active and engaged in their field.Try WordPress or Blogspot to create your very own website and blog, from which you can share interesting, professional and insightful thought pieces on topics of interest.An individual hunting for admin jobs might use YouTube to create a video resume that they can distribute to prospective employers. This shows that you are switched on and offers a point of difference between you and other applicants.Step 3: Don't make comments or post images that might turn a potential employer awaySocial media is dangerously deceptive in that it feels temporary. However, social media posts, like just about everything else on the internet, can last for a long time. Even posts that you delete, or accounts that you close down, can come back to haunt you further down the line.The best policy is to always use common sense when maintaining your professional and personal social media accounts. If you wouldn't say something in a job interview, don't say it on LinkedIn. And if you wouldn’t say something to a co-worker, don't put it on Twitter or Facebook.Remember dream jobs don’t just land in laps…it takes time and effort. Social media can work to your advantage if thought through and used right.

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