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Want a summer job? Why October could be the time to get job-ready

National Online Courses

Australians hoping to pick up a summer job are being urged to check whether they have the right qualifications now, rather than waiting until the Christmas casual recruitment rush is already underway.

With the countdown to Christmas beginning and businesses preparing for the busy summer period, National Online Courses director Samuel Bohr said October was an ideal time for jobseekers to start thinking about what they might need to be ready for their first shift.

Hospitality, tourism, events and other customer-facing industries can provide opportunities for casual and seasonal work over the warmer months, particularly as businesses prepare for Christmas functions, school holidays and increased visitor numbers.

But Mr Bohr said there could be more to getting job-ready than simply updating a resume and applying for vacancies.

“People often start looking for Christmas casual work when they see businesses advertising, but that’s also when thousands of other people are applying,” Mr Bohr said.

“If you already know the type of work you’d like to do, it makes sense to find out now whether there is any training you’ll need.

“That way, when an opportunity comes along, you’re in a much better position to say, ‘Yes, I’m ready to start.’”

What do you need for a summer job?

The training required depends on the job, the duties involved and the state or territory in which a person will be working.

For people hoping to work in pubs, clubs, restaurants and other licensed venues, Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training may be required before they can serve or supply alcohol.

Those interested in venues offering gambling services may also need Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) or Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) training, depending on the jurisdiction and their role.

Food safety training may be relevant for people looking for work involving food preparation or handling, while first aid training can be a useful workplace skill across a wide range of industries.

National Online Courses offers training across areas including RSA, RSG, food safety, first aid and construction, with course availability and delivery requirements varying according to the relevant state or territory rules.

Mr Bohr said the important thing was for jobseekers to research the requirements of the role they were targeting rather than assuming they could organise everything after receiving a job offer.

“There can be a big difference between being interested in a job and being ready to step into it,” he said.

“Having the relevant training already completed can remove one more thing that needs to be organised when you're trying to get started.”

Don't wait for December

While Christmas may still feel some way off, seasonal recruitment can begin well before December as businesses plan staffing for functions, holidays and their busiest trading periods.

Mr Bohr said preparation could be particularly valuable for school leavers, university students and people considering a second job over summer.

“If you know you want to earn some extra money over Christmas or the summer holidays, there’s no real benefit in waiting until December to start thinking about it,” he said.

“October gives you time to look at the industries that are hiring, work out what employers are asking for and get yourself organised.

“For someone who has never worked in hospitality before, for example, that might mean completing the appropriate RSA training, preparing a simple resume and starting to approach venues before the busiest part of the season.”

He said short training courses should not be confused with broader professional qualifications or work experience, but could help jobseekers meet particular regulatory or workplace requirements.

“A course doesn't guarantee you a job, and it doesn't replace experience, but in industries where particular training is required, having it completed means you've already taken an important practical step,” Mr Bohr said.

Five things to do now if you want a Christmas casual job

National Online Courses recommends prospective summer workers:

1. Choose the industries you want to target – hospitality, tourism, events, retail and other industries can have different requirements.

2. Check job advertisements early – look at what employers are asking applicants to have before applying.

3. Research mandatory training – requirements such as RSA and gambling-related training can differ between states and territories.

4. Update your resume – include relevant training, availability and any previous customer service or workplace experience.

5. Start applying before December – don't assume businesses will wait until the Christmas rush to recruit.

Mr Bohr said the goal was not to collect qualifications simply for the sake of having them, but to identify what could genuinely help someone pursue the work they wanted.

“Start with the job you want and work backwards,” he said.

“Look at what employers are asking for, check what is legally required for that role and make sure you meet those requirements.

“A little preparation now could mean that when the Christmas casual opportunities start appearing, you're ready to put your hand up.”

About us:

National Online Courses (NOC) provides nationally recognised and industry-relevant training across hospitality, first aid, food safety and workplace safety, helping Australians gain the skills and qualifications they need for work.

 

Contact details:

noc.edu.au
Contact Samuel Bohr
Director National Online Courses
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 1300 677 191