3: Going pro

Checklist

Discuss with parents
Open a bank account
Get a tax file number

Before you start looking for jobs you should talk to your parent or guardian about your plans. They’ll need to be ok with you working, and chances are they’ll have to help you get organised anyway.

Every worker must have a Tax File Number

This number helps keep track of the tax you pay (which you’ll get back unless you earn more than $18,200 in a year).

Learn how

You’ll also need to get paid somehow, so get a bank account. Many banks have no-fee accounts for students which you can open at your local branch.

To get a Tax File Number, you’ll need some Proof of Identity documents. If you are 16 or older, you need to provide three documents, one of which must be a primary document. If you are under 16 you need to provide two documents, one of which must be a primary document.

Primary documents are:

Australian full birth certificate
Australian citizenship certificate, or extract from register of citizenship by descent
Australian passport
Foreign passport

Secondary documents are:

Medicare card
Secondary student identification card with photo
Australian driver’s licence or Australian learner permit
State or territory government-issued proof-of-age or

Professional presentation

Set up a professional email
Set up a professional voicemail message
Check your social media[/list]

Make sure your email address looks professional – a simple variation on your name is best e.g. [email protected] NOT [email protected].

The same goes for the voicemail message on your phone – record a simple message with your full name spoken clearly.

Check what your Facebook and other social media pages look like from an employer’s point of view. Check your privacy settings and consider deleting things you wouldn’t want a future boss to see. What do your social media pages say about you?