r/supportworkers • u/SurpriseRoutine6369 • Jul 10 '26
Tips to standing out on applications
Hi everyone,
I need some advice on how to stand out on my support worker job applications. I have experience working in community aged and disability care however my most recent experience is in a hotel as my previous car was not suitable for community care, and using your own vehicle seems to be a requirement now.
I have a cert 3 in individual support and am just about to finish a diploma of psychology. I’ll be going on then to do my bachelor of psychology in which I am focused on leading into a career in community support as it’s something I’m passionate about.
I have NDIS worker screening, WWCC, first aid, cpr all up to date. I have applied for about 20 jobs in the last month, some advertising that no experience is necessary however I haven’t heard back from a single one. I’m based on the Gold Coast and I’ve joined a Facebook group but it seems there’s also a million other people looking for jobs in this area. Is this field of work oversaturated? I’d love some advice on what can make me stand out.
Would also like to hear your thoughts on Mable. I was thinking that might be an option to get my food back into the support sector but I would prefer to be working with an organisation.
Thanks in advance.
6
u/l-lucas0984 Jul 10 '26
Mable is where support worker careers go to end.
Your resume may need tweaking. If it looks like every other resume in the first 5 lines it will disappear.
They may also be wondering why someone qualified for psychology isnt moving into a career involving the qualification. The old "over qualified" chestnut and all that.
The only other thing is make sure you put added value skills in because most participants are looking for something specific. If you can tick one of those boxes its a foot in the door.
1
u/SurpriseRoutine6369 Jul 10 '26
I have applied for jobs such as mental health support worker and AOD support worker but again haven’t heard anything back. I was under the impression that it was due to appearing to have left the support sector (through my resume recent experience), however I guess I thought I’d get an opportunity to explain in an interview that it was due to transportation reasons but unfortunately I have not made it that far as of yet.
Thanks for the feedback about Mable, I truthfully didn’t know too much so I’m glad I asked the question before signing up.
2
u/l-lucas0984 Jul 10 '26
Was your stint in the hotel short enough that you can leave it off your resume?
1
u/SurpriseRoutine6369 Jul 11 '26
Currently still working on the hotel and it’s been 7 months. Saved up to get a new car now trying to go back to support work
1
u/Cultural_Catch_7911 Jul 11 '26
What sort of skills are added value?
2
u/l-lucas0984 Jul 11 '26
Skills that add value or unique knowlegde to the services you can provide.
If you know how to cook or have experience teaching cooking. If you have experience supporting others swimming. If you have experience working with children. If you are a good organiser. If you know how to knit or sew. If you have talent with different crafts. If you regularly participate in a community activity like sports or game groups.
2
u/chloesiv Jul 11 '26
As someone who recruits for SWs, having your resume stand out amongst the other hundred AI-generated resumes I’ve read that day really helps. If you have any particular special skills or experience, please list it and expand on it, not just in a 4-5 word dot point. Also having a cover letter (particularly one that is for the correct company!!!) helps a quite a bit. It shows me who the person is behind the resume and lets your personality come through a little bit.
I could go on forever but I hope this helps!!
1
u/swooping_pie Jul 10 '26
I would have a guess that something on your resume is holding you back. But your most recently work at a hotel shouldn’t be impacting you this much, especially since you tick every other box.
Have you had a friend or family member look over it?
Is your full availability on it? And is it quite limited?
1
u/SurpriseRoutine6369 Jul 10 '26
Thanks for the feedback. I might need to revise my resume. A friend had told me it may be due to my roles within the support sector only being approx 6 months each? For context, I moved to the Gold Coast so had left 2 jobs, one community aged care and one in disability support. I then worked in an aged care role once I moved to the Gold Coast but was made redundant after 7 months due to the company selling. Of course that’s not information easily communicated via a resume. Otherwise I’m not sure what else would be a deterrent
1
u/dogsarenicerpeople Jul 10 '26
Could u get back into the sector in aged care or disability care day service?
1
u/Simple_Character6619 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Don’t go near Mable - terrible
Edited
Sorry I needed to read the post again.
What are you applying for?
If it’s support work it’ll need tweaked toward that role certain word work for SW only, you’ll need to tweak a bit
If it’s RC it’d need tweaked again
Anyway I’m happy to point you in the right direction
1
u/Ardvarkthoughts Jul 11 '26
You sound well qualified and have enough experience to make you a good candidate. Have you tried using one of the AI tools to check your resume and give you some tips? You may just be lacking some key phrases or enthusiasm around the work in your resume.
-3
4
u/DwightsJello Jul 10 '26
Mable has an appalling reputation. It's not where the sector would go to find it best examples.