Ebook Get That Job
Ebook Get That Job
2014/15
monashprofessional.edu.au
Contents
Important facts for international graduates in Australia
Getting a job: It can be hard work
How big is the challenge ahead?
What do employers think about hiring a graduate international student?
What do employers really look for when hiring graduates?
How can I overcome the obstacles?
3
4
4
4
5
5
6
8
11
12
16
18
Internships 20
Why do an internship?
Getting the most from your internship
Questions to ask before you begin an internship
20
21
22
23
23
23
24
24
24
monashprofessional.edu.au
Important facts
monashprofessional.edu.au
31.3%
45.1%
Seeking full-time
employment,
not working
In full-time
employment
23.6%
Seeking full-time
employment, working
part-time or casual
18.1%
Differences that hinder
Seeking full-time
employment, working
part-time or casual
10.6%
Seeking full-time
employment,
not working
71.3%
In full-time
employment
monashprofessional.edu.au
VS
Things to do
look for opportunities to develop your English
55
64%
43%
24%
19%
75%
63%
55%
language skills
70%
monashprofessional.edu.au
Advertised Jobs:
You can find these in employment
websites, newspapers, company
websites, professional organisations or
on social media. In Australia the most
popular places to look for professional
employment are:
nn
nn
seek.com.au
mycareer.com.au
jobsearch.gov.au
trainingjobs.com.au
ethicaljobs.com.au
unijobs.com.au
careersandJobs.com.au
govitjobs.com.au
acs.org.au
cpaaustralia.com.au
efinancialcareers.com.au
nn
Newspapers:
theage.com.au
theaustralian.com.au
nn
Social Media:
linkedin.com
facebook.com
Hidden Jobs:
nn
networking
nn
monashprofessional.edu.au
3.4
Advertisement in a
newspaper or other
print media
22.3 5.7
%
Approached by
an employer
Family or friends
6.1
Work contacts
or networks
Advertisement on
the internet
Other
Other university
or college source
(such as faculties
or lecturers)
12.3 2.4
%
1.7% 8.8
A resume posted
on the internet
Careers fair or
information session
University or
college careers
service
Approached
employer directly
Employment agency
monashprofessional.edu.au
Build your professional identity online and stay in touch with colleagues and classmates.
nn
nn
Get the latest news, inspiration, and insights you need to be great at what you do.
monashprofessional.edu.au
1. Profile picture
Keep the
picture simple
Current
Open to opportunities
Previous
Big Corp
Education
Monash University
3. Summary
Summary
Recently graduated accountant seeking an entry level accounting role where I can utilise my skills
and experience and put my training into practice. I am eager to join an organisation where I can
further develop my skills as my career advances.
nn
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Entry Level Programming Position
Experience
4. Experience
2. Headline
Background
3. Summary
1. Profile picture
Accounts Intern
Big Corp
nn
nn
nn
4. Experience
Add details here on all of
your jobs including the name
of the employer and when
you worked there. Also
include key achievements or
responsibilities and, if you
can, ask for endorsements
from former colleagues.
monashprofessional.edu.au
5. Skills and
Endorsements
nn MYOB
6. Education
Technical skills
nn High level of proficiency in MYOB (advanced level) and Microsoft Office Excel
nn Some experience with Xero
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Education
Monash University
6. Education
Courses
Monash University
MYOB (Advanced)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Languages
English French
7. Complete
your profile
10
monashprofessional.edu.au
Research
Make sure you learn about the company first, what it does, the types of roles
they offer. The best place to find this information is on their website or by
using Google.
Make contact
You could simply send an email but often the best way to make an impact is by
contacting the company by phone and asking about potential job opportunities.
Have a script
Know what your are going to say in order to speak to the right person and how
you can convey what you are looking for and the skills and attributes you offer.
11
monashprofessional.edu.au
What to include
Purpose of your letter
Clearly and concisely explain why you are writing.
Close strongly
State that you would like to be interviewed, refer to your attached resume and thank the employer.
12
monashprofessional.edu.au
Jill Jones
HR Manager
Large Corp
Dear Ms Jones,
Re: Graduate Accountant position ref: 1000036795
I am writing to apply for the Graduate Accountant position advertised on
Seek.com. I recently graduated from Monash University where I completed
a Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting, and am now seeking an
opportunity to utilise my knowledge and skills within a larger organisation where
I can develop my career.
6. Look professional
1 July 2014
7. Demonstrate your
knowledge
6. Look professional
Kind regards
John Smith
13
monashprofessional.edu.au
What to include:
Personal details
Professional development
List any short courses you have completed related to your career
including the course name, qualification and training provider.
Career objective
Why you are applying for the role.
Skills
Any relevant skills or expertise you have (especially if they are
mentioned in the advert).
Referees
You may choose to include the names and contact details of professional
referees, such as a past employer or academic, who can vouch for your
abilities. Otherwise just write Referees available on request.
Achievements
Any scholarships or prizes you have been awarded.
Work experience
Include job title, name of organisation, period of employment,
your responsibilities and key achievements.
Education background
What you have studied and your major subjects.
14
monashprofessional.edu.au
1. Adapt your
resume
2. Use a
standard font
Employment History
Career Objective
Education
6. Look professional
Responsibilities
7. Accuracy counts
4. Proof read
Double check everything and
if possible get someone with
resume writing experience and
good English to proof it for you.
Communication
Able to communicate in a professional business manner with strong
written and verbal communication skills acquired throughout my
education and part time employment.
Professional Affiliations
References
Available on request
Achievements
5. Get to the
point
Key Skills
3. Make it easy
to read
Technical skills
8. Ask permission
6. Look professional
7. Accuracy counts
4. Proof read
8. Ask permission
Ask referees for permission before
mentioning them to an employer.
15
monashprofessional.edu.au
Be prepared
nn Research the organisation
Use the internet, publications and your contacts to learn about the industry, the organisation, what
it sells and who its competitors are.
16
monashprofessional.edu.au
nn Be ready
Know where and when the interview is.
Know who you are meeting.
Have a contact number and call if you are late.
Have a portfolio including samples of your work (if appropriate), a copy of your cover letter and
CV and any qualifications you hold.
Dress appropriately in business attire: its always better to be overdressed than too casual.
nn
nn
Make sure you restate how interested and suitable you are for the
job, how you would like to work at the organisation.
nn
Make sure you thank your interviewer for taking the time to see you.
nn Be professional
Turn off your electronic devices.
Be polite and attentive often the receptionist will be asked by your interviewer for their opinion
of you.
Use confident body language and maintain good eye contact.
nn Answering questions
Listen carefully and make sure you understand questions. Its better to ask for clarification than
give a poor answer.
Answer in a confident manner and always answer honestly.
Always have some questions of your own to ask the interviewer. This is a chance to not just learn
more about the job but also to demonstrate your enthusiasm and suitability for the role.
For example:
To succeed in this role what are the key things I must achieve in the next six months?
How would you describe the culture of the company and the team?
How would you describe your management style?
17
monashprofessional.edu.au
CARE
18
monashprofessional.edu.au
Immediately after send the interviewer a short email thanking them again for their time
and restating your interest in the role.
If after a week you have not heard back from the employer feel free to contact them to
ask how the process was going.
If you are not successful ask them for feedback on what you could do to make
yourself a better candidate. Do not argue their decision or plead for a second chance
to prove your worth to them.
Dont forget employers are always looking for new staff, so even if you are
unsuccessful with this opportunity making a good impression could get you a role
later on.
19
monashprofessional.edu.au
Internships
Internships are increasingly being used by graduates to gain work experience and skills that cant be learnt at university.
Why do an internship?
Gain work
experience
Your academic qualifications are important but an internship
will give you the practical work experience that makes you
stand out to future employers.
Put classroom
learning into
practice
You have done the academic study but an internship gives
you an opportunity to apply your knowledge in the real world.
To get a job
Get a competitive
edge with real
world experience
You will stand out from other applicants as your resume will
list the companies you have completed an internship with.
During interview you will be more confident and give
better answers using examples of work you have done
during your internship.
Create
networking
opportunities
You can build your network of contacts in the industry
which can help you find a full time job. Plus your internship
supervisor will be able to provide you with a reference.
20
monashprofessional.edu.au
Internships
Internships are increasingly being used by graduates to gain work experience and skills that cant be learnt at university.
nn Ask questions
Above all an internship is a learning experience so feel free to ask
questions about things you dont understand. Your supervisor
knows you are a recent graduate and that you do not know
everything.
nn Show initiative
Employees that are willing to proactively fix problems or take on
new challenges are highly valued. If you are initiating something
you should still accomplish your set tasks and tell your supervisor
what you are doing.
He found a solution to the problem. A solution mind you that has
cut the length of time in half! He did in one day, something we have
been hounding our IT department to help us with for years and
years! This impressed me to no end.
Monash Professional Pathways host company employer
nn Find a mentor
A mentor is someone more senior in the organisation that can
help explain things to you and give you advice. It may even be
your supervisor.
nn Enjoy yourself
Your internship should be and enjoyable learning experience.
21
monashprofessional.edu.au
Internships
Internships are increasingly being used by graduates to gain work experience and skills that cant be learnt at university.
22
monashprofessional.edu.au
Monash Professional Pathways is owned by Monash University one of the worlds top 100
Universities, and specialises in helping international students make a successful transition
from education to employment. Monash Professional Pathways:
nn
nn
nn
has successfully
nn
41.5
placed students and graduates in internships with host companies since 2001
network, so you are guaranteed an internship.
59
75
23
monashprofessional.edu.au
Contact
Monash Professional Pathways
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 9903 8788
On successful completion of the Professional Year Program participants are eligible to apply
for additional migration points towards permanent residency in Australia*.
Learn more: www.monashprofessional.edu.au/py
*Successful completion of the Professional Year does not guarantee permanent residency.
24
monashprofessional.edu.au