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HOW TO GET HIRED
The ultimate career readiness checklist Academic Many graduate employers still look for strong academic performance as a minimum hurdle when screening candidates. It’s important then that you pay attention to your grades – and make sure they’re competitive enough for the field you’re interested in!
Work experience A great way to demonstrate to prospective employers that you’re fit for a role is to have a track record of strong performances in similar roles. Work experience can give you a head start in acquiring the skills needed to excel in the workplace.
Community, volunteering & extracurricular activities Most employers look at community, volunteering and extracurricular activities as an indicator of a ‘well rounded’ candidate. Getting involved in these activities can be great for building leadership and teamwork skills – and help your application stand out from the crowd.
Networks As they say, sometimes ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’. Not only does proactive networking help hone your interpersonal skills for the workplace, it may also help you get your foot in the door with employers.
Career research & preparation Choosing a career path can be daunting; make your decision easier by amassing the experience and knowledge required for an informed decision. If you’re clear on where your passions lie and have done your career research, it will be a lot easier to pinpoint the right employer for you.
www.gradaustralia.com.au
The Business Careers Handbook 2020
First Year Take stock and ask yourself the hard questions D It’s important to check in throughout your degree and assess if you’re still on the right track. Ask yourself: Is this course what I thought it was going to be? Am I enjoying what I’m learning? Does this degree lead to my career goals? D If you’re answering yes to the above, then start thinking about what you would like to major in and your electives. Talk to others about your subjects/career goals whether it’s peers in the year above, lecturers or career advisers.
Get a part-time job D Whether it’s behind a bar or in a shop, a part-time job is a great way to gain some skills and see what you enjoy doing – plus a little extra pocket money never goes astray. Research vacation work and internships D Think about the type of employer you might be interested to work for. Keep a log of those who offer vacation work or internships. Get involved! D Now is the time to get involved – whether it’s a club or society on campus, volunteering or a sporting group – find things that pique your interest.
Research mentoring programs D Find out whether your faculty, college or university has any mentoring programs on offer. Connecting with a mentor early in your degree can be a great way to learn about career options and make contacts in your industry. Leverage your existing network D Ask people you know about their jobs and career choices – it will help you think about what you might like to do.
Stay on top of careers advice and internship opportunities D Subscribe to gradaustralia.com.au for the latest internship news. D Drop by your university careers office to learn about the services they offer and attend careers workshops. Draft a CV and cover letter D Complete a first draft of a CV and cover letter. It may be a few years before it is used for graduate job applications, but completing an initial draft now will help you identify gaps and areas for improvement during your remaining time at university.
