This story is from SEEK and it’s a good shorthand guide to clearing job hurdles. Be suspicious if there is no mention of salary in the job ad.
Job hunting can be a tough gig. It’s a process with many steps: searching for opportunities, developing a great resumé, preparing for interviews, and then waiting for feedback. There’s no wonder it can start to feel like a mental marathon. If you’re coming across hurdles in your job hunt, you’re not alone. But the good news is there are some ways that you can ensure that you are more competitive when applying for jobs.
Hurdle 1: Not knowing where to start
Job hunting without a clear focus can feel overwhelming. People often look for an escape from their current job rather than working out what they truly want.
Do some self-assessment. Understanding what you find meaningful in work is critical. She mentions four vital elements: the role itself, the organisation, personal skills and values, and societal influence (what your friends and family think). Talk to a friend, mentor or career coach to identify suitable roles that will be aligned to your strengths, interests and values.
Seek opportunities that will allow you to use your transferable skills to make you more attractive to potential employers.
Also make use of job search filters and alerts on SEEK including keywords, location, salary range, and whether the job is contract, permanent or part-time, she adds.
Hurdle 2: No mention of salary in job ad
Applying for a job without knowing the salary of benefits can be tough. It’s a lot of effort to go through without knowing for sure it’s the right role for you. On the other hand, it could put you off applying for a role that could be perfect for you.
Do some research. Have a look online to find similar roles with advertised salaries and use the salary filters when searching for jobs to narrow down the jobs that should fall into your desired range.
Otherwise, contact the hirer or recruiter to ask for a guide as to the expected salary range. Most recruiters should be happy to answer this question for you, if you can get hold of them.
Note that it’s a major negative for a recruiter not to include some idea of salary.
Hurdle 3: Discrimination
While there’s been progress, discrimination is a real factor in the job market. Many workers face racial, sexual orientation or sex discrimination on a regular basis, and this can extend to job seekers as well.
Market yourself the right way. Leave out details from your resumé that could potentially be used to discriminate against you. This includes your address, photos and where you went to school.
Your resumé should be a snapshot of your career history that sells the best bits. Remove earlier roles that are no longer relevant to the roles that you are applying for.
You also want to appear current by demonstrating that you are up-to-date with the latest technology, especially if you’re worried about age discrimination. Having an online profile is also recommended.
Don’t forget you have recourse to the Anti-Discrimination Act.
Hurdle 4: Standing out from the crowd
When you submit a resumé, the employer or recruiter might use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to review it. This is technology that scans for keywords in resumés. It’s becoming increasingly sophisticated, so making your resumé and applications are ATS-friendly is important in the current job market.
Create an application that shines – but not too shiny. If your resumé has lots of graphics, colour and photos, the software may not be able to read it. Use a simple resumé template.
Make sure your resumé is keyword-optimised and tailored to the job. Keyword optimisation is simpler than it sounds. Look for the keywords in your job ad and use them in context when you write sentences.
Hurdle 5: Dealing with interviews
Whichever way you look at it, interviews are nerve-wracking. There’s a lot on the line and often not a lot of room for slip ups. It’s easy to feel that this is your one opportunity and so you’ve got to nail it.
Be ready and prepare ahead of time.
In the interview, make good eye contact, smile, offer a good handshake, be polite and friendly, ask good questions, and send a thank-you email afterwards.
See my blog on dealing with interviews.
Hurdle 6: Being rejected or ghosted
Being rejected or hearing nothing at all from recruiters or hiring managers is stressful and disheartening.
Establish early contact with potential employers. That helps but remember, if they don’t get back to you, they’re not the type of people you want to work with.
Source: Independent research conducted by Nature on behalf of SEEK, interviewing 12,000 Australians annually. Published June 2025.