ATTRACTING APPLICANTS

The Job Network
Other Labour and Recruiting Agencies
Using Personal Networks and Contacts

The Job Network

The Job Network is a national network of around 200 private, community and government organisations that can help you get the right person for your job. They may also be able to assist with wage subsidies, training or other support. The Job Network replaced the Commonwealth Employment Service from 1 May 1998. The Network is designed to help employers find and keep the right people for their business. To access services go to www.jobsearch.gov.au

When you have a vacancy, the first step is to call the Employer Hotline on 13 17 15 (for the cost of a local call).

The operator at the Employer Hotline will give you details of the Job Network members in your area. Employers may work with more than one member of the Job Network. The Job Network Member(s) list the job vacancy on the Australian Job Search; applicants contact the Job Network Member. A fee may be charged if screening and short-listing of applicants (including reference checks) is undertaken by the Job Network. Not all Job Network Members charge fees. You should get details of any fee structure before you utilise the service.

Alternatively, you can lodge the job vacancy directly onto the Australian Job Search; the Employer Hotline operator will help you do this. Interested applicants can then contact you directly for more information. There is no fee for this service. Note that the listing of vacancies lapses after seven days unless the employer asks for an extension.
Make sure you communicate effectively with the Job Network member. Be very clear about your labour needs: the type of work to be carried out, the general qualities and characteristics you are looking for etc. This helps the Job Network Member to screen out inappropriate applicants, saving you time and hassle.

Farm Example

For one farmer, using a Job Network Provider led to some farm management problems which could have been avoided. The story is told by an RSA Education and Training Advisor.

"A person was placed into a position on a station about 2 hours out of town. His resume looked great with no health problems, basic mechanical knowledge etc. Once he started it became apparent that he was unsuitable. He was a very large person so it was difficult for him to ride a horse, and fit under vehicles etc. He was also unfit and it was apparent that he was having trouble coping with the workload. The employers liked him and found it difficult to tell him that he was not suitable for the position. It seems the Job Network Provider should have been more careful in their choice of applicant and taken into consideration more than just the resume. Better communication between the farmer and the Job Network Provider would have helped avoid this sort of problem."

Other Labour and Recruiting Agencies

Private Agencies

There are usually only one or two private agencies covering any region. Farmers usually find out about them through word of mouth. They sometimes advertise in regional newspapers or in the Yellow Pages. Keep an eye on their newspaper advertisements to get a feel for the types of people they recruit.

Once you have registered with a Rural Agency there may be a time delay before they send you someone. Be patient, as at least they are not just sending through anyone for the sake of it. Keep in regular contact with the agency. When they do send you someone then its up to you to decide whether they are suitable. Follow up references and ensure you are happy with the applicant. If you are not 100 percent sure ask the agency to continue to look for other candidates for you. Be clear and firm about your requirements.

The Pastoralists' and Graziers' Association of Western Australia operates an industry employment agency, PGA Personnel, in Western Australia, specialising in the recruitment of seasonal and permanent staff. Check www.pgapersonnel.org.au for details.

Group Training Companies

Group Training Companies employ apprentices and trainees, and then place them with 'host employers', usually from small to medium sized enterprises. This arrangement frees the host employer from the burden of paperwork and payroll, as well as providing a safety net for the host employer, who has all the advantages of carefully selected apprentices and trainees without the worries of long-term employment contracts. Staffing is flexible to help small businesses meet peak workloads and seasonal variations
the apprentice or trainee is assured of continuous work and training, culminating in a national qualification.
the core activity of Group Training Companies is managing the employment and training of apprentices and trainees, including:
- arranging and monitoring the on- and off-the-job training
- acting as consultants and trouble-shooters for both host employers and apprentices or trainees throughout the entire period of employment and training
- arranging rotations to broaden training opportunities
- arranging alternate work placements when required
- counselling and caring for the apprentices and trainees

Who can use group training?

any enterprise interested in employing one or more apprentices or trainees, even if only for a relatively short period
organisations with responsibility for implementing structured entry level training arrangements e.g. Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs), New Apprenticeships Centres and Job Network providers
secondary schools offering vocational courses or school-based apprenticeships and traineeships
training providers, both public and private
people of any age seeking apprenticeship or traineeship positions

Click Here for information on Group Training Organisations and navigate to the National Directory menu item.

Using Personal Networks and Contacts

Often word of mouth is an effective way to find new workers. This has the benefit that applicants come with the recommendation from friends or family. However, the number of people who get to hear about your vacancy is limited.

Other ways to let people know about your vacancy include…..

place an ad in the local or regional newspapers, community newspapers or newsletters
put an ad in the window of local shops, hostel notice boards, or other local organisations (Pubs, RSL, social clubs etc)
contact schools, colleges, TAFE and agricultural colleges to access school leavers and graduates

Farm Example

Darryl is a crop farmer from Western Australia. As an employer, he has ‘never had a problem’ in finding people to work on his property.
"We are fair, and pay fairly well – above award rates."
He has never had to advertise to find someone, but has always used the ‘word of mouth’ method. Recently Darryl needed extra help suddenly to do some seeding work. He approached another farmer and got someone for just 3 or 4 days work.
"He was terrific."
Knowing the person socially first seems to make the recruitment process a bit easier. All the people Darryl has employed in the past seven years he has personally known beforehand or has had them recommended to him by people he knows.