Starting your first job

Getting into the workforce can be a daunting prospect. Some questions you might ponder include:

• How do I know I’m going to enjoy the job?
• What sort of training or preparation might I need to land your dream role?
• Come to think of it, what exactly is my dream role?

There’s an old saying, “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

So, think about what you really enjoy doing and focus your job search on those areas. Go online and look up people who do similar jobs to see what kind of qualifications they have and if you have the required skillset.

If not, seek out entry level roles that will give you some real-life experience and look for training or study opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills you need.

How to get a job

Starting your first job

Whether you’re starting your dream job, or are just starting somewhere, here’s how to get yourself set up money-wise.

Read our 'How-to' guide

Getting your first job is an important step in every young person's life. It allows you to begin to gain some financial independence from your parents, which then allows you to start thinking about making more decisions for yourself. 

If you don't know where to start, think local and look to those around you. You could ask mum and dad where they held their first job, and if they know anyone in your local community that would be interested in hiring you. You could even visit your local shops and go door-to-door, checking the hiring status and process with the retailers where you'd be interested in working.

Resume for a first job

A red-hot resume is a critical element of your job search that can set you apart from the pack. Use a customised cover letter for each application to highlight relevant skills and experience and give yourself a better chance of getting the job.

You’ll find lots of resume templates online. You might also consider reviewing your social media presence and removing any photos that potential employers might look on less than kindly. Rest assured, they will look, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

These days, the vast majority of job ads are online. There are various websites that specialise in employment ads, so complete a profile and set up alerts for the kinds of jobs you think you’d like.

What Questions Are Asked at a Job Interview?

Prepare for your interview by trying to anticipate the sorts of questions you may be asked. They’ll relate to your skills and previous job experience, some of which may be relevant to the role even if that’s not immediately obvious.

Sparkie

How Do I Open a Bank Account?

Video: How would you rate your financial literacy?

How would you rate your financial literacy?

Research completed by The University of Newcastle as part of our Financial Literacy partnership has validated the need for a greater focus on financial literacy and financial wellbeing, particularly among students of high-school age.

Explore the report

Your pay will most likely be direct deposited into a bank account, so you’ll definitely need one of those. You’re probably asking what do I need to open a bank account? We can help with that.

f you’re already banking with us and registered for online banking, we won’t require any additional information from you as we have already verified your identity.

If you’re a new customer or don’t already bank online with us, you’ll need to have your current Medicare, Australian driver’s licence or passport details so we can verify your identity.

You should have a budget so that you don’t overdo things when you start earning a regular pay cheque.

You’ll need a Tax File Number, which allows your employer to pay the correct amount of tax on your behalf. Find out how to apply through the ATO website.

It’s an exciting time when you start your first job – new people, new places, new routines, new challenges. All that excitement makes getting on top of your money early even more important, so your hard-earned dollars don’t just slip through your fingers.