What kind of shopper are you? Do you do your research and look at all the different options before making a decision? Or do you dive straight into purchases, knowing exactly what you want? Searching for job vacancies and new careers can be full of the same successes and frustrations as other types of shopping.

The amount of time and effort you spend searching should reflect your personal situation.

Do you need to pay the bills and start earning an income right now? To get a job quickly, you may need to focus on the job opportunities most available to you and consider looking into a broader range of industries and occupations. All jobs build your experience and skills and make you more competitive in the longer term so there are many benefits to working even if it's not in your ideal role. 

More tips for shopping for jobs

• If you’ve applied for lots of jobs but you haven’t made it to the interview stage yet, you may need to spend some time working on your application. Regardless of the type of job you are applying for, your resume needs to be tailored to the specific job.
• Maybe you aren’t looking in the right places for job vacancies. For example, applying for jobs online is easy and convenient but these jobs tend to attract a lot of competition. Consider contacting employers you want to work for directly about job opportunities.
• You may also be focusing your search on roles that aren't readily available in your area or are really competitive. Do some research on your local area to understand what jobs are available and what skills and attributes these jobs require.
• Using word of mouth is always a great way to find work. Try approaching local employers, friends, teachers, and community organisations to ask about possible job opportunities or advice on where to look.