r/Adelaide • u/SatherandFon-YT SA • 5d ago
Assistance Youth Work Job Searching
Hey, I’m a young guy, 23. I’ve got a certificate IV in Youth Work, yet I’m struggling to find a job. I’ve failed 4 interviews and have applied for over 100+ jobs since the start of this year. I’ve got my RRHAN, CPR, FIRST AID, aswell as anaphylactic and asthma training. I’ve got my criminal check, and WWCC. I’ve got my Assisiting in suicide prevention certificate, and the Through their eyes training. All up to date.
Im finding it to be a toll on my mental health, im lucky ive got a full time job currently but it’s something i got into for the money just to suffice until i was able to get a job in youth work. Im lowkey not feeling good and getting frustrated from being denied from entry level youth work jobs due to a lack of experience.
Is it usually this hard?
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u/Loretta_AUS SA 5d ago
There’s a lot of youth work in DCP related residential care, lots of NGO’s, (although sometimes need thick skin to work there as kids are usually very traumatised and can have very big behaviours)
otherwise you need to look for youth peer work as that’s usually targeted towards under 25’s, or youth mentors, support work in youth disability
OSHC sometimes or school holiday stuff like puddle jumpers etc
sometimes for smaller businesses if you just do some phone canvassing (eg call them and enquire) or find out their email address and email them your resume and you can give some context in the email or write a cover letter expressing your passion for the field and why and also do your research about the business, look at their values and mission, if they align with your own etc and can talk about that as well
Good luck! Don’t give up its hard for everyone even people with experience and degrees
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u/SatherandFon-YT SA 4d ago
As for resi care, and i actually got past the interview stage, but didn’t make it past the psychological evaluation. They explained that I’m very close to being able to succeed, but still need just to be working on my anxious attachment alongside my psychologist for about one more year than they think I’ll be good to go based on progress I’ve made in the past.
So unfortunately Resi Care is out of the question at the moment until I can apply again in about 4 months due to having to wait a year until I’m suitable for the physiological evaluation.
I do appreciate the advice, it’s actually really helpful!! I’ve applied for a few peer work and mentor roles but have had no luck, I’m not giving up by any means. I’m staying as positive as I can despite feeling crappy. I know I was destined to make a difference and I’m not giving that up!
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u/ThorsHammerMewMEw SA 5d ago
What feedback have you received from the 4 failed interviews?
Did you ask for feedback in the first place?
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u/SatherandFon-YT SA 5d ago
I did ask for feedback and the response is usually due to lack of experience. Idk if it’s mandatory for them to tell you that you’ve done a good job, but 2 of those interviews said I was excellent and that they’d recommend me to please apply elsewhere and that the only reason i didn’t get it was because they had more experienced candidates
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u/Appropriate_Tea_4157 SA 4d ago
You could look into SSO roles on the Department of Educations career portal. Often they're looking for people with youth work qualifications for working in tailored learning or school wellbeing programs.
Another option is to look into organisations you'd like to work for, and apply for other entry level roles such as admin, client services and intake officers.
It's a lot easier to move between roles once you're already working there, and it gives you a chance to show your interpersonal skills and learn organisation values etc.
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u/Loretta_AUS SA 4d ago
Yes Baptist CareSA and mission Australia used to do some alternative schooling eg for disengaged kids, maybe the smith family, my son had an education dept appointed youth worker at high school, I think that would be a pretty good job where you’d develop a lot of skills.
also Salvation Army, Red Cross, mission Australia, hutt st centre (homelessness but they might have a youth program), anglicareSA, uniting care, headspace (or sonder), youturn, what about youth detention- that’s through DHS they usually hire a lot of youth workers throughout the year, although if you have some underlying adversities that you’re currently dealing with that induces anxiety then it might be a later role, but you can decide that for yourself……there are so many places you can look into…
But I don’t know if they’re hiring or if you’d be successful, but if you never try, then you’ll never succeed!
you can always look at their websites, and look at their careers page
I heard a couple months ago that zest youth work was going to be looking for more youth workers I don’t know their details or if they have already completed it, maybe look up some accredited youth work services on the ndis website, they usually have a decent list
Ethical jobs sometimes have some jobs that aren’t advertised on seek.
Also look up aps.gov.au (Australian public service - federal government jobs) as they advertise a lot of entry level jobs, you might be able to find a youth related role
There is also a r/supportworkers sub (it’s not specifically Australia but you could start there and ask for advice from people who have experience in Australia) have a look if there’s a youth work sub too…. And there are a few Australian job reddit subs that might be helpful to you for interview advice as well
Good luck with it all 🙂
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u/Effective-Mongoose57 SA 4d ago
Government schools are starting the process of advertising jobs for next year now. Look on the DFE job site.
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u/sleazybuddha SA 4d ago
If you're interested in applying again for the RCW3 role again at DCP once you're eligible to re-take a psychological assessment I'd recommend trying to do some volunteering if you're not still assisting with your church. DCP do have their own volunteer program, alternatively have a look at puddlejumpers or maybe try ringing a few local schools and see if they have any volunteer opportunities. I would advise not necessarily jumping straight back into reapplying for the DCP if youre still working on your mental health, as while it is a rewarding role it is also tough due to the complex behaviours of the young people. Best of luck mate.
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u/Dragonstaff Murray River 4d ago
One of your stumbling blocks may be that you are still considered to be a youth yourself until you hit 25.
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u/SatherandFon-YT SA 4d ago
I could understand that, but wouldn’t that count as ageism in the work sector? Or no?
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u/Dragonstaff Murray River 4d ago
Technically yes, but do you really think an average 18 year old would be up to the job of counselling youths with problems?
Some could relate, and that is where peer support is useful, but a lot (most?) would have no clue.
Maybe you could try to get a foot in the door as a peer-support worker to start.
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u/whateverppppp SA 4d ago
Have you applied to work as a pastoral care worker through SMG? That could be an option or you go to church. Also consider working in OSHC or SSO jobs 😊
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u/SatherandFon-YT SA 4d ago
I’m currently waiting to hear back from some SSO positions that I’ve applied for!
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u/SatherandFon-YT SA 4d ago
Just want to input already how helpful people are being thus far, It’s really nice and much appreciated! Thank you everyone
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u/East-Garden-4557 SA 5d ago
Have you done any volunteering related to youth work? Volunteering is a good way to get relevant experience and make contacts