What's in your mind, mate? Hehehe.

By David and Libby Koch From: News Limited newspapers March 05, 2012 12:00AM

HIGH-paying jobs are out there for the taking. They're just not where they used to be.

Your biggest investment is your career.
And, just like your investments, you need to understand how the jobs cycle is changing to take advantage of where the big money is being earned.
Remember when parents used to encourage their kids into the bank or a respectable white-collar middle management position? Not any more.

Today it's all about being open-minded and developing skills to suit the boom industries of mining, online, telecommunications and science.
If you're after a local job and not prepared to broaden career options or skills, then you will more than likely miss out.

The latest employment and wages data provides a terrific career blueprint:
The average wage is $69,170 a year but in mining it's $113,636. At the other end of the scale, the lowest annual wage is accommodation and food at $49,785, along with retail jobs at $50,898.
Over the past year the biggest pay rises were jobs in wholesale trade, construction and mining. But wages dropped for administration, financial and real estate jobs.
Finance jobs have a relatively high average wage, but numbers are being shed and salaries are falling.
On a state-by-state basis, the ACT pays the highest wages (public service salaries are pretty good), followed by Western Australia and the Northern Territory because of their mining booms.

Don't be put off by thinking you've had no experience or skills for these boom industries. Many of the jobs are unskilled and there is a boom in associated industries which support, say, mining.

For example, while the tourism and accommodation industries are generally being hurt by the high Australian dollar, hotels and cafes are booming in mining regions as they cater for the influx of workers.
We know of a former real estate agent retrenched in the property downturn who took an unskilled job in mining for $120,000 a year. He works 12-hour shifts, two weeks on, two weeks off, and all accommodation and food costs are covered. The two-week shift starts when he leaves the airport and finishes when he flies back in.
Yes, he's away from home for two weeks at a time but he's saving a bundle from an "unskilled" job.
Mobility is the key. Being prepared to travel to find a better job is essential in today's labour market.
While there's a lot of talk about mining opportunities, telecommunications and online sales and marketing jobs are also surging.
If you can't find your ideal position at the moment, stay in your current job while continuing to look around.
The best jobs can often be in the remote areas such as the fly-in-fly-out mining jobs or other similar careers.

Don't underestimate the importance of a resume. It can win or lose a job.
A resume should outline why you're the best person for the job. Include all relevant experience, qualifications, skills and emphasise big career achievements. Change the resume for different job applications to make sure you're meeting each of the advertised criteria.
The interview is vital, so make sure you're prepared.
Think about any qualifications, skills and positive qualities that would set you apart from other people applying for the job. Bring them into your answers or bluntly tell your interviewer "I think you should hire me because ... " . Don't be shy. Whoever does the best job marketing themselves will win the job.