Get Experience–It
Pays
The more experience you have when you start applying for real jobs
can add considerable value to your resume. Most employers would
prefer to hire a graduate who has some idea of what the job entails.
And getting that experience can be done a few years before you
find yourself on the job market.
Many organisations have formal
or informal programs for final year students which can be oneoff
work experience stints to formal vacation work placements, longer-term
cadetships or scholarships.Often when companies start their graduate
recruitment programs they first look to their pool of interns.
Some universities offer vacation careers fairs, so talk to your
careers service or look on their website for information.
Recruitment Programs
If you’ve decided now’s the time to start working,
there is a multitude of ways to get a start in your career. One
of the best ways is through a graduate recruitment program of which
there are hundreds.
These are targeted at students who have recently
graduated from university with at least a Bachelor’s degree.
They usually involve one or two years’ full-time employment,
including training and development programs in private and public
enterprises.
Many graduate programs will incorporate rotations
in different areas of the company, buddy systems with other new
graduates and staff, and in some cases mentoring. Firms recruit
up to a year in advance and often target students in their final
year to start work at the beginning of the following year.
The Graduate Opportunities www.graduate
opportunities.com.au website
and Graduate Careers www.graduatecareers.com.au site
has a list of companies that have recruitment programs.
The Time is Right Now
You may not be graduating until the end of the year but now is
the time to start thinking about applying for a graduate position.
In fact, many companies start their recruitment drives early in
the year.
Although it depends on the type of organisation to which
you are applying, generally law firms are the first to start in
January and February, followed by consulting and other private
companies around February and March, and government departments
in March and April.
A lot of universities hold careers fairs around these times
as well, which is the perfect place to speak to representatives
from different companies about their graduate programs.
The Recruitment Cycle
There’s no doubt that graduate recruitment is a competitive
business. You are competing with hundreds of people for a handful
of jobs.
Most employers use interviews, assessment centres and
written tasks to help them work out whether you’re right
for the job.And generally you are asked back for a second and
third interview if you’re
a genuine candidate for the position.
More commonly recruiters are using online
applications so it’s important that you make the right impression from
the start.
Keeping Track of Your
Experience
Many universities now offer graduates the option of having
an e-portfolio which combines narrative digital and multimedia
work with a student’s wider experiences.
If you do have
this available to you, it’s imperative you work with
careers services staff and the university to include as much
relevant information about your academic qualifications as
well as your work experience and other general information
about yourself that could catch the eye of any recruiter.
First Impressions Last
The first contact with a potential employer is often through a
job application so it’s crucial you make an impact immediately – even
if it’s just for a vacation job, or voluntary work inquiry.
The higher the standard of application, the more likely you are
to get a call. Most applications consist of a number of parts – a
cover letter, a resume, and a statement addressing the selection
criteria.
Some organisations also require you to complete an application
form. The information you must include is your address, professional
email address and phone contact details. Remember most recruiters
or employers will contact you during business hours so you should
have a reliable phone or email address for those hours.
It’s
not necessary to provide details like your date of birth or marital status, religion
or even your gender, but you should include your qualifications, a summary of
your skills, relevant work experience and any extracurricular interests.
Don’t
hesitate to include details that give potential employers an insight into your
personality. It can often be those little things – like coaching
the local soccer team, or mentoring students – that makes you stand out
from the other applicants.
Be Prepared
More organisations are asking for graduates to make first contact
online which means you have to have all your information ready
before you start keying anything in.
Have all the documents you
think you may need on hand and give yourself plenty of time to
complete and check the application.
It’s also a good idea if
you can to download the application form and have a few practice
runs before you submit it online. And take your time – check
your typing for mistakes and grammatical errors because once you press send,
you can’t get it back!
Cover Your Bases
A good cover letter will get the attention of recruiters straight
away. Don’t just have one standard letter you send to everyone.
Letters should be individualised and should only be one-page.
Use
a formal business letter format and make sure you address the person
to whom you’re writing with the right honorific. And stick
to the basics, briefly outlining your skills and how they are appropriate
to the job.
Don’t go overboard. If you give too much information,
recruiters often won’t bother reading it. Too little information
and you probably won’t
address all the selection criteria. Proof reading is essential and it’s
often a good idea to get someone else to check it for you too.
The Big Picture
Your resume – or curriculum vitae – is where you can
more fully explain your credentials. There are a number of styles
a resume can take, and plenty of businesses specialise in compiling
resumes for every type of job. You can look these up online just
by searching for resumes or get some free help from the careers
services at your university.
Generally a resume shouldn’t
be longer than three pages and provide a summary of all your skills – either
through work, work experience, volunteering, professional development
programs, even activities you do to unwind that could be relevant
to the position.
You should also have at least two referees and
their contact details. Referees need to know as much about your
skills, abilities and personality as possible, and you should tell
them which jobs you have applied for so they can be prepared if
they get a call. Once again, you should tailor your resume for
each individual application, emphasising the skills and experience
you have that are appropriate for that job.
Check and Check Again
Don’t just run your eye over your application, cover letter
or resume. Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar are a must.
Make use of the careers service at your university because they
can help you refine your application and ensure you’re not
over selling or underselling yourself.
The Call Back
If your written application makes the right impression you’re
likely to get a call to come in for an interview – often
the first of up to three or four. This is when you really need
to have all your bases covered in terms of preparation and practice.
The
interview is your chance to show employers why you’re the
best choice, and the first chance you have of proving that you
have the skills – especially
those communication skills – that are required.
But remember it’s
also the employer’s first chance to decide if you
have what it takes, so making a good first impression is paramount.
Practice Makes Perfect
Looking professional is a given, but even before you set foot in
the interview room, it’s good to know what you’re talking
about.
Practice is the best preparation and there are a number
of websites that can help you with typical interview questions,
preparation strategies and hints on how to perform. There are even
some interactive programs like Virtual Interviewer by SEEK that
offers email practice at answering interview questions www.seek.com.au/campus.
Most
university careers services offer interview technique workshops
and advice, and some offer ‘mock interview’ workshops.
Research and Preparation
Finding out about the company to which you’re applying is
the perfect place to start in your research. Learn about the company’s
structure, achievements and staff.
Also know exactly what the position
to which you are applying entails. If you don’t know about
the job you can’t convince the interviewers that you’ll
be able to do it. !
Ask and You will Receive
The interview is not just about you answering questions. It’s
also the perfect opportunity for you to ask your own questions
about the organisation, specifics about the job, and career development
opportunities.
Asking questions reinforces your interest in the
position.
If at First You Don't Succeed
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re never going to get
a job if you don’t succeed straightaway. It’s important to remain
confident and to remember a knock-back isn’t a reflection of you personally.
Try to learn from the experience.
If you are not getting interviews
reassess your approach and consider whether you’re applying for the
right positions, whether your application may need some readjusting, or
whether you need help in interview techniques.
Your careers service can
help you determine if there is something more you could be doing.
 
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