Honouring Our Leaders: The Journey of Kirli Saunders (OAM) This month, we are delighted to honour an extraordinary Gunai Woman whose influence runs from the halls of the Sydney Opera House to the communities she serves. Kirli Saunders (OAM), has dedicated her life to creating, connecting, and catalysing change through her works and artistry. Kirli Saunders is a storyteller whose work bridges cultural gaps and ignites conversations for social impact. From a young age, Kirli’s passion for the arts and her community guided her path. This passion has seen her emerge as a renowned writer, singer-songwriter, and visual artist, recognised globally for her contributions. Her creative journey led to impressive partnerships with some of the world’s most prestigious organisations. From
Talent Scarcity: Tips for Job Seekers If you’re in the job market, you’ve likely noticed that finding the right role with the right fit can be challenging. While there are plenty of jobs available, finding one that matches your specific skills and qualifications is a concern for many job seekers. Nearly half (47%) of business leaders echo this sentiment, emphasising the ongoing challenge of acquiring talent with the precise skills they need. David Owens, Managing Director of HR Partners by Randstad, shares some valuable insights. “Seventy-one percent of people are expecting to recruit, alongside a general expectation that the availability of talent is going to remain pretty tight,” he says. Despite this, Owens remains optimistic and offers some advice for
Create a new application for each Job if you want an interview When applying for jobs, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. Each job application should be uniquely crafted to align with the specific role and the company’s expectations. This strategy not only highlights your suitability for the position but also demonstrates your keen attention to detail and genuine interest in the role. Here’s how to ensure your application stands out: Customise Every Application Every job you apply for deserves its own tailored application. This means rewriting your cover letter and tweaking your resume to match the job ad closely. Employers are looking for candidates who fit their specific criteria, and using the right keywords can make a big difference.
What Job Seekers Need to Know The job market can feel like an uphill battle at the best of times, especially when you’re searching for a workplace that values diversity and inclusion (D&I). For Indigenous job seekers, D&I can impact your career satisfaction and growth and the lack of it is something we all face. Here is a resource for you to use and understand what to look for in potential employers, and how to highlight your uniqueness effectively. When different voices come together, magic happens. What Indigenous Job Seekers Should Look For in Potential Employers Diversity Statements and PoliciesLook for companies that walk the talk. Clear D&I statements and policies are signs of a genuine commitment to creating an
Tell us about you and your mob? Hi everyone, I’m Jordy Dwyer, the Community and Cultural Education Manager at First Nations Foundation. I’m a proud Wiradjuri man with family ties to Bathurst and Euchareena. I was born in Western Sydney but grew up on country in Manildra, NSW. Now, I’m living and working on the Gold Coast. I’m an aspiring Rugby League coach, and I’m passionate about making a positive impact both on and off the field. Tell us about your career? The majority of my career has been spent in the Health/Fitness Industry and then Youth mentoring space, I’ve had a pretty varied career. I had a couple of years in the Community Services sector as well. I have
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with the right approach, you can shine as a standout candidate. As an Indigenous job seeker, you bring unique perspectives and valuable experiences to the table. It’s important to present yourself in the best light and make a lasting impression. Whether you’re stepping into the corporate world, aiming to join a dynamic startup, or pursuing opportunities within Indigenous-focused organisations, these tips can help you navigate the interview process with confidence. Here are the top 10 things the best applicants do during their interviews to make a lasting impression: Share Your Experience Clearly Engage with Thoughtful Questions Know the Company’s Values Show Interest in the Interviewer Relate to the Job Description Highlight Interests Outside of
When it comes to finding the right job, startups and Gen Z are a match made in heaven. The data speaks for itself. Of LinkedIn’s top startups — celebrating the 25 companies on the rise in Australia — 30% of all new hires were under 30 years of age. This compares with 28% aged 30 or under for all new hires across Australia. In New Zealand, it’s a similar story. 34% of all new hires at top startup companies were under 30 years of age, which is seven percentage points higher than the proportion of hires aged 30 and younger across the country. So, what advice do startups have for Gen-Zers eager to join a young company on the rise?
Dion Devow, founder of Darkies Designs, is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man and father of three. With over 20 years of experience in Indigenous affairs, Dion has made significant contributions to Indigenous health, education, justice, and business. When he chose a controversial name for his business, Dion Devow wanted to reclaim a derogatory term and express pride in his Aboriginal culture and heritage. Darkies Design, which Dion started in 2010, produces contemporary Aboriginal-themed apparel and print media for mainstream, sports, and promotional use. One of Dion’s first concepts was a t-shirt with a simple logo: 100% Pure Australian. Darkies Design collaborates with Indigenous artists and designers to produce his designs and has also supplied ceremonial uniforms to
When searching for a new job, do you feel confident that you can fit into any workplace? Or do you spend time exploring a company’s social media, websites, and reports to understand its culture? For many people, especially those from diverse groups such as age, gender, cultural background, and ability, culture is more than just a ‘nice to have.’ It’s essential to determine whether you can comfortably bring your whole self to work. So, how do you find a company that genuinely cares about diversity and inclusion? Job seekers often invest a lot of time researching organisational values. It’s no longer just about seeing a job ad and deciding to apply. Organisations must consistently demonstrate their commitment to diversity and
My name is Bonnie Dukakis, and my mob is Gunditjmara from Southwest Victoria but I grew up Southeast Victoria on Gunaikurnai Country. I’m the current Executive Officer of the Koorie Youth Council, an Aboriginal youth-led policy and advocacy organisation in Victoria. Tell us about your career? I completed at traineeship in 2014 with Department of Justice and through that was exposed to a lot of different areas and opportunities. I was supported to complete my National accreditation in Mediation to be one of the only mob and only person under 35 at the time as a mediator for a service in Gippsland. From here I had the opportunity to work at a residential facility for Aboriginal men on community-based corrections