If you’re looking for work, there’s a good chance you’ll end up on SEEK. It’s the job site most Australians turn to first when they want to find a new role — SEEK describes itself as the country’s no. 1 jobs, employment, career and recruitment site, and most employers post their vacancies there before anywhere else.
But there’s a difference between browsing SEEK and actually using it well. In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up your account, search the smart way, get new jobs emailed to you, apply properly, and give yourself the best shot at getting hired.
What Is SEEK and How Does It Work?
SEEK is an online job marketplace. Employers and recruiters post job ads, and you search through them, apply, and track your applications — all in one place.
One thing worth knowing upfront: SEEK is not a recruiter. It doesn’t find you a job or pass your application along itself. Your application goes straight to the employer, and SEEK doesn’t look at it. So if you want to follow up on an application, you deal with the employer directly, not SEEK.
Step 1: Create Your Free Account and Build Your Profile
Using SEEK is free for job seekers. Sign up with your email address, then take the time to fill out your profile properly — this is the part most people rush, and it’s a mistake.
A strong SEEK profile includes:
- A clear career objective — the job title you’re actually looking for, plus one or two key skills
- A short career summary of three to five sentences about your experience
- Your work history with accurate dates and a few bullet points per role
- Any licences, certificates, memberships or qualifications you hold
- Your uploaded resume, ready to attach to applications
Use the words employers actually search for. If you’re an electrician, say “licensed electrician” rather than just “tradesperson.” These keywords are how hiring managers find you through SEEK’s candidate search.
You can also choose to make your profile public. This lets employers and recruiters find you, even if you haven’t applied for their ad. Only employers can see your full profile, resume and contact details, so your personal information isn’t on public display.
Step 2: Search for Jobs the Smart Way
The search bar has two boxes: “What” (job title or keyword) and “Where” (location). But don’t stop there — click “More options” under the search bar to open the filters, and your search gets far more useful:
- Salary range — hides jobs that don’t meet your expectations, so you stop wasting time on them
- Location — pick a suburb, city or region, or look for remote and work-from-home roles
- Work type — full-time, part-time, casual or contract
- Industry and classification — narrow things down to your field
When you spot a role you like but aren’t ready to apply for yet, hit the star or save button on the ad. It goes into your saved list so you can come back to it later instead of searching all over again.
Step 3: Save Your Searches and Turn On Job Alerts
This is the feature that turns SEEK from a chore into something that works while you sleep. You can save up to 10 searches in your account. Each saved search can send you an email — a SEEK Job Alert — with the top results whenever new jobs match what you’re looking for.
To set one up, run your search, then click the “Save this search” button near the results. Job alerts are turned on by default and can arrive as often as daily. Each email shows you up to 20 of the most relevant matching jobs.
Revisit your saved searches every couple of weeks. Add or remove filters as your situation changes, and delete searches that no longer fit — it takes seconds and keeps your inbox relevant instead of noisy.
Step 4: Apply for Jobs the Right Way
Found the role? Click “Apply for this job.” Most applications on SEEK follow four steps:
- Choose your documents — attach your resume and cover letter
- Answer the employer’s questions — many ads include short screening questions; answer them properly, they’re often read first
- Update your SEEK profile — make sure the details the employer will see are current
- Review and submit — check everything once, then send it off
One exception: some employers send you to their own company website to complete the application. When that happens, you’re no longer on SEEK’s system, so follow the employer’s instructions there instead.
Tailor your resume for each role instead of sending the same one everywhere. Match your wording to the ad — if the ad says “customer service experience,” use those exact words rather than “client-facing background.” It takes five minutes and it matters.
Step 5: Track Your Applications
Once you’ve applied, you don’t have to guess what happened. Sign in, click your profile photo or avatar in the top right, and choose “Applied Jobs.” You’ll see every job you’ve applied for in the last three months — and where possible, whether the employer has actually viewed your application.
If the application went through an employer’s own website, you’ll only see the job ad itself in your list, not the documents you sent. And remember, SEEK doesn’t sit in the middle — for any follow-up, contact the employer directly.
Tips to Get Noticed and Get Hired
Applying is only half the battle. Here’s what actually helps you stand out:
- Complete your profile. A half-finished profile looks lazy to employers who view it. Fill in every section.
- Keep your details fresh. Log in regularly and update your “last active” status — it signals you’re serious and available.
- Apply early. New ads get the most attention. Job alerts exist for exactly this reason — use them so you’re among the first to apply.
- Use SEEK’s career tools. The site offers a free resume template, salary information by role, and a practice interview builder where you can build your own checklist of common interview questions.
- Check what a role really involves. SEEK lets you explore roles by industry and interest, showing average pay and what people say the job is actually like. Read this before you apply so you don’t waste time on the wrong fit.
- Answer screening questions properly. Many employers use them to shortlist. One-line answers are a fast way to get filtered out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending the same resume everywhere. Generic applications read as low-effort. Match each application to the ad.
- Ignoring the keywords. If your profile doesn’t use the words employers search for, you won’t show up in their candidate searches.
- Not turning on job alerts. Searching manually every day is slow. Let the alerts do the first pass for you.
- Chasing SEEK for updates. SEEK won’t follow up on your application or tell you why you didn’t hear back — that’s between you and the employer.
- Skipping the screening questions. Leaving them blank or dashing them off is one of the quickest ways to be overlooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SEEK free for job seekers?
Yes. Creating an account, searching, saving jobs, setting up alerts and applying are all free for job seekers. Employers pay to post ads.
Does SEEK find me a job?
No. SEEK publishes job ads from employers but is not a recruiter, so it can’t find you a role or give personal career advice. It connects you with employers — the rest is up to you.
Who can see my SEEK profile?
If you make your profile public, hiring managers, recruiters and industry contacts can find you in candidate searches. Only employers can access your full profile, resume and contact details.
How do I know if an employer viewed my application?
Check the “Applied Jobs” page in your account. For applications made through SEEK, it can show whether the employer has viewed your application, for jobs applied to within the last three months.
Can I apply for jobs on SEEK from my phone?
Yes. SEEK’s site works on mobile, and the saved searches, job alerts and application tracking all work the same way there. Just make sure your resume is stored somewhere you can attach it from your phone.
