how to navigate the job market when you feel overlooked or disadvantaged.

Let’s be honest - job hunting is tough, and even tougher when you feel like the odds are stacked against you.

Maybe you:

• Have applied for dozens of roles and heard nothing back.
• Are constantly told you’re “overqualified” or not experienced enough.
• Come from a culturally or linguistically diverse background and struggle to get past the first hurdle.
• Are returning to the workforce after raising children, recovering from illness or caring for a loved one.
• Are new to Australia on a skilled migrant, international student or working holiday visa and every job ad asks for ‘local experience’.
• Live with a disability or condition that isn’t immediately visible to employers.
• Are mature-aged and competing against younger applicants.
• Or simply don’t have the traditional qualifications that most job ads seem to demand.

If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone - and it doesn’t mean you’re not employable. It just means you need a more strategic approach.

As recruitment specialists, we help thousands of jobseekers every year across Australia overcome barriers just like these and go on to build successful, rewarding careers. Here’s how you can do the same.

1. reframe your story: your difference is your strength

When you’ve faced rejection, it’s easy to downplay your strengths. But confidence isn’t just a “nice to have” - it’s a powerful differentiator. It’s not arrogance, it’s clarity.

Employers hire people, not perfect CVs. Your background - whether unconventional, interrupted, or international - is not something to hide. It’s something to position.

Instead of apologising for your journey here’s some CV tips and job interview advice:

Tip: Make a list of your transferable skills - communication, leadership, resilience, customer service, digital literacy - and position them as assets.

2. upskill - even one micro-credential can change everything

If you’re repeatedly being told you’re “not quite qualified”, don’t spend thousands on another long course. Instead:

• Upskill by enrolling in short accredited courses in areas like business administration, WHS, hospitality, customer service or digital literacy. Even a Working With Children Check or Police Check can make you job-ready faster.
• Explore free or subsidised government training under programs such as JobTrainer, Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers, or Disability Employment Services.
• If you’re unsure where to start, browse Randstad’s skills and career resources via Randstad Career Advice Hub

Sometimes, it only takes one certificate or licence to unlock a new pathway.

3. apply with intention, not frustration

Avoid the scattergun approach, spraying your resume everywhere as it rarely works. Instead:

• Target industries experiencing high demand right now - like healthcare, logistics, construction, call centres, administration and education.
• Browse current roles on Randstad’s jobs board
• Tailor each resume for each application - using keywords exactly as shown in the job ad so you pass automated screening tools.
• Target roles you’re 60–70% qualified for - employers often prefer someone teachable over someone who ticks every box i.e. they often hire based on attitude, not perfection.
• Tailor your cover letter to tell your story. If there’s a reason your career path is non-linear, address it confidently rather than hiding it

Remember: many jobseekers assume employers only care about qualifications or years of experience - but time and again, surveys show that employers hire for attitude, reliability and cultural fit. If you can demonstrate motivation, willingness to learn and a strong work ethic, you’re already far ahead of the pack.

4. tap into programs designed for you

There are recruitment programs and government initiatives specifically built to support jobseekers who may be overlooked. Some worth exploring include:

• Recruitable: Randstad actively partners with employers committed to inclusive hiring
• Disability Employment Services for people living with health conditions or disabilities
• Jobs Victoria, Workforce Australia, Launch Into Work and STEM Returner Programs
• Mature Age Worker Incentive & Restart Program offering wage subsidies to employers - important to be aware of these.

Don’t assume these programs are “only for others”. They exist to level the playing field - and many employers prefer candidates who are part of them.

5. expand your job search beyond the usual channels

Up to 70% of roles are filled without being advertised which means if you’re only applying on SEEK or LinkedIn, you may be missing out entirely.

Try:

• Recruitment agencies - especially those specialising in your field or level. At Randstad, we advocate for candidates who might otherwise be overlooked by employers.
• Industry groups and community organisations - especially for migrants, Indigenous Australians, disability jobseekers or mature-aged workers.
• Volunteering or short-term contracts - often the easiest way to get your foot in the door and build recent experience.

6. build a support network - you don’t have to do this alone

When you’re overlooked, you don’t need “more job ads”. You need someone to advocate for you. 

• Lean on recruiters - we know which employers are genuinely inclusive, which roles align with your background, and how to position your strengths.
• Join job-ready programs or mentorships - many exist for women returning to work, people with disability, First Nations talent, and culturally diverse professionals.
• Ask for feedback when rejected - it won’t always be given, but when it is, it can be the sharpest tool for growth.

As recruiters, our role isn’t just to match CVs - it’s to open doors that may not be advertised and position your strengths in front of hiring managers in a way that AI and algorithms never can.

Ready to get support? Register with Randstad today.

7. you are not behind - you’re just on a different path

Every candidate you admire - every “successful” professional - had a moment where they felt like you do now. The difference between “overlooked” and “in demand” is not luck. It’s strategy, support and persistence.

Being “Different” Can Be Your Advantage. The Australian workforce is changing - employers are actively seeking people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skill sets. So if traditional pathways haven’t worked for you, it doesn’t mean you have less to offer. It often means you have more.

The key is learning how to show it and to have someone in your corner. 

Randstad is here to help you take the next step, no matter where you’re starting from - whether you’re a migrant, return-to-work parent, entry-level jobseeker or experienced professional changing careers.