On average, it takes about three months to land a job in Australia. However, it’s not uncommon for the process to take twice as long.

The ideal situation that every new graduate hopes for is to find a job as soon as possible and begin setting a foundation for a long and stable career.

For this to happen, however, you have to begin readying yourself for the job market early enough.

What are some of the things you can do to give yourself a competitive edge?

Here are 7 tips to get you started.

1. Network

Networking is something you can start early on while at the University. The earlier you start, the more networks you get over the years, and these will come in handy when you become an active job seeker.

As you approach graduation, identify the most resourceful networks and focus on them.

Share your career aspirations and let them know that you are in the job market. With any luck, this might result in your first paid job.

2. Take TAFE Courses

Employers always want to hire people with some practical know-how.

Some of the reasons for this is that it reduces training timelines and costs. This makes it a great idea to get some technical skills in your field of study.

Technical and Further Education courses provide the hands-on skills employers look for, giving you an edge over other job seekers.

To accelerate your job search, look at different TAFE courses in Melbourne and identify one that aligns with your career aspirations.

3. Apply For Internships

Internships, paid or otherwise, are another great way to put theoretical knowledge into practice.

Treat internships as you would a job. This means dressing professionally, arriving on time, taking the initiative to learn and taking on additional tasks, and so on.

You must also remain in communication with your supervisor as well as HR.

Let them know that you would be happy to take up a more permanent position if one arose. You never know, you might just convert your internship into your first paying job.

4. Attend Conferences and Workshops

Keep your eyes and ears on companies you would love to work for. Follow them on their social media, subscribe to their newsletters, and so on.

This ensures that you get communication about things such as their corporate events, seminars and conferences.

Attending such events grows your knowledge about them, which will help you ace your interview if ever you get one.

Again, it can help you establish important links that can allow you to access information concerning vacant positions or job openings.

5. Think about Career Alternatives

If you are just starting out, approaching the job market with some flexibility can serve you well.

In this regard, list out other career alternatives that you would be happy to take up.

This helps you broaden your search and can help you get a job to get you by as you keep looking for your dream job.

Even if outside of your chosen career, some jobs can help you develop a healthy work ethic, hone your communication skills and develop other soft skills.

6. Constantly Update Your Resume

Your resume speaks volumes about you and your capabilities.

For this reason, be sure to update it to capture your small and big wins along the way. Do not shy away from listing your internships and volunteer activities to beef it up.

Crafting a resume with the recruiter in mind will give you a competitive edge over job seekers who go about it blindly.

Keep Your Spirits Up

Granted, job seeking can be a long and frustrating process, especially if it drags on for months.

To prevent burn out, manage your expectations and allow yourself several months to find employment.

This aside, ensure to spend time away from your job search endeavours and take part in activities that rejuvenate you.