Essential graduate employability skills to build your career Olivia Doyle International Student Advisor - Employability Save this template as a new PowerPoint Presentation, giving it the name you require OR copy these templates from Slide Master view into your existing presentation’s Slide Master options If you go to >View > Slide Master you will see this template can be applied in Black, White or Grey background versions (which you will apply as you build or edit your presentation) Close Slide Master view. You can now construct your presentation. In the Slides area, select ‘New Slide’ to add a new slide. To apply a slide style to the new/highlighted slide - in the Slides area, select ‘Layout’ menu, select preferred slide style from the menu (eg. ‘Title and Content’) , select ‘Reset’. If you are updating an existing presentation, existing styles may not automatically update (hence using ‘reset’,) especially if the existing slide has not been produced with a template. Text from imposed text boxes may need to be cut & pasted into new auto-generated template text boxes etc. You should only use one colour template for each presentation (eg. Only black background, or white, or grey – not a combination) The Design uses only 24pt Arial as the font, with 22pt the minimum text size (used at third level). The title page ‘wave’ graphics can be increased in width, but not height. 12 August 2015 1

Presenter: Olivia Doyle International Student Advisor Employability International Student Life Tel 9214 8248 Email odoyle@swin.edu.au 2

Agenda Overview of International Student Life employability support Setting the scene – it’s competitive out there Skills in demand Australia International The employability road map – skill development Case studies Launch IEAA International Student Guide

International Student Life: Employability support Specialist support for international students aiming to work in partnership with you to develop your employability Provide professional insights and guidance Connect you with programs, events and activities to advance your professional career internationally and in Australia Employability road map – a professional development guide for each stage of your Swinburne student life cycle More details: www.swinburne.edu.au/student/international/employability

International Student Life Employability Monthly Employability News Regular program of employability seminars Skill seminars Student appointments Connections Networking events Cross cultural events

Industry Connections Speed Networking Event Six leading industry representatives providing insights into: Australian business environment & culture Employability skills Overview of opportunities in corporate, small / medium business & not for profit sectors International employment – Asian spotlight Job search strategies Thursday 20 August 4.30 – 6.30 pm Student Lounge, The George Drinks & Savouries Professional business dress Register www.swin.edu.au/international/employability (if you register you MUST attend)

International Student Announcing International Student SKILL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS commencing Semester 2 2015

International student employability skill development seminars - FREE   Essential graduate employability skills to build your career Weds 12 August 2.30 – 3.30 pm EN101  Soft skills employers expect Tactics to build your skills while you study Enhancing your performance in work teams Tuesday 25 August 2.30 – 3.30 pm BA702  Strategies for working effectively in teams Business skills & etiquette Wednesday 9 September 3.30 – 5.30 pm BA201 Navigating the modern workplace Using emotional intelligence in the workplace Wednesday 23 September 12.30 – 2.30 pm EN313 Strong emotional intelligence is a key to business and career success Interact effectively with others Develop strong relationships Manage conflict Personal motivation Communication skills for the workplace Thursday 29 October 2.30 – 4.30 pm EN413 Meetings, phone calls, emails and other communications in a professional setting Polish your verbal communication style Contemporary business writing principles Registrations: www.swinburne.edu.au/student/international/employability /

International Student Job Club   If you are looking for a part time / casual job or professional employment, join our Job Club to get support, share ideas and network Come along to our informal fortnightly meetings to: Find out who is hiring & share job leads Get advice on job search strategies Update your job search tool kit Learn about Swinburne support services Hear from guest speakers Support each other

Semester 2 Job Club Dates 11.30 – 12.30 am Monday 10 August in BA602 1.30 – 2.30 pm Wednesday 26 August in BA608 1.30 – 2.30 pm Thursday 10 September in BA602 12.30 – 1.30 pm Thursday 24 September in BA605 11.30 - 12.30 pm Tuesday 6 October in BA605 11.30 – 12.30 pm Monday 19 October in BA602 12.30 – 1.30 pm Thursday 5 November in BA606 11.30 – 12.30 pm Tuesday 24 November in BA602 No need to register – just come along Dates are also on website

Graduate employability - setting the scene It’s a competitive market place for graduates world wide You need to use your time at Swinburne to focus on building your employability Statistical snapshot: Global employment trends for youth in 2013 showed a ‘generation at risk’ International Labour Organisation 40% of Australian jobs could be replaced by technology by 2025 Committee for Economic Development Australia, June 2015 University qualifications used to be a strong determinant of above average earnings and lower unemployment – the future is less certain The Observatory Melbourne Conference, 2015

Australian Graduate Destinations Survey 2014: Decrease in number of full time jobs available for graduates 2014 one of the most challenging employment environments for Australian graduates since records kept in 1970s Statistics from Asia also show a challenging market for graduates: China – unemployment of university graduates = 16.4% in 2012 China Household Finance Survey 2012

Employer skill shortages – the war for talent Employers are reporting a desire to hire more graduates if appropriately skilled and qualified graduates were available GCA, 2015 A recent CEO Institute survey reported the no. 1 issue concerning CEOs is ‘sourcing and retaining skilled staff’ AHRI, 2015 Key Message You need to develop the skills in demand by employers Use your time at university to build your employability

Presentation slides can be accessed at: Your professional career starts NOW Presentation slides can be accessed at: UPDATE LINK http://www.swinburne.edu.au/careers/pep

‘International students are too focused on their studies and think about careers and employment too late in the careers lifecycle.’ Rob Lawrence, Improving the employment outcomes of international students’ 2013

Swinburne Employability ‘Road Map’ Guide for your development through each stage of your student life cycle Suggests activities for you to plan your career and enhance your employability throughout your studies Use the steps to create your own map & adapt to suit your needs Don’t attempt everything – take responsibility for your own career and make your employability roadmap work for you. http://www.swinburne.edu.au/student/international/employability/roadmap.html

Swinburne International Student Employability Roadmap Step 1 Orientation & Transition to Swinburne Part time job Work on language & written coms Skill development Step 2 Transition Through Join professional association Volunteer on campus Network Enter competitions Student leadership roles on campus Step 3 Transition Out Find a professional mentor Capstone project Develop job search tool kit Job or internship related to studies Step 4 Transition Onwards Continue to access Swinburne career support services Become an active alumni Plan for the next stage of your career Swinburne International Student Employability Roadmap

What skills and attributes do employers look for in a graduate…. Explain: Now we have clearer knowledge of sought after “employability skills” let’s now focus on what specific skills employers may look for and in our next activity you will self-assess your current “employability skills gaps”. Before the activity, let’s get a better understanding of ‘Graduate Programs’.

Employer expectations activity Rank Jumbled Key Selection Criteria Teamwork skills Aptitude Leadership skills Cultural fit Adaptable Communication skills Academic results Interpersonal skills Work experience Motivational fit Cultural fit: When a graduate fits into the organisation’s culture, because their personality and values align with the culture of the organisation. Some examples from employers: “cultural fit with organisation” “fit in with company culture” “corporate fit” “fit for organisation” Aptitude: When a graduate can convey to the employer that they have the capability, the skills and the talent to be successful within the organisation. Examples: “Potential for growth” “ability to achieve” “ability and aptitude shown” “achieves results” Motivational fit: When a graduate is motivated and interested to work for the organisation, and that this motivation will carry forward in their work ethic. Examples: “Motivation” “Interest and motivation to work with us” “interest/motivation”

Employer expectations activity The survey results in the table have been jumbled Work in pairs or with a group Match the Key Selection Criteria to the correct rank by listing the corresponding numbers in the left-hand column (ranking 1 being most important to 10 being least important) Refer slide & introduce activity Instructions: Refer students to their handout Advise students they have 2 mins to complete pair or group ranking. Then, 2 mins to determine their skill level rankings (1 – 5) and place number in right hand side of each selection criteria row. Advise students that by determining their skills ranking - they can then acknowledge and develop those skills ranked low etc. Then, refer to next slide to display table and answers, and read selection criteria definitions where required – as per separate “Employer Expectations – Definitions” list provided for lecturers.

Employer expectations activity - ANSWERS RANK Ordered Key Selection Criteria 1 Communication skills 49% 2 Academic results 24% 3 Teamwork skills 22% 4 Aptitude 22% 5 Interpersonal skills 21% 6 Leadership skills 20% 7 Work experience 20% 8 Cultural fit 19% 9 Motivational fit 18% 10 Least desirable skills Poor communication Poor motivational fit Arrogant Poor teamwork Lack of passion Adaptable 14% Source: Graduate Outlook 2014, Graduate Careers Australia

Australian employability skills The Australian government research has identified 8 key employability skills which are vital to work on during your studies: Communication Teamwork Problem solving Initiative and enterprise Planning and organising Self management Learning Technology

International employer skills expectations Source: Rob Lawrence IEAA International Employability Symposium: Discussion Paper May 2015

UK graduate capabilities & importance rating   Importance Rank Satisfaction Rank Communication skills 1 16 Team work skills 2 7 Confidence 5 13 Character / personality 6 Planning & organisational skills 17 Analysis & decision making skills 10 26 Commercial awareness 33 Source: Graduate Employability: What do employers think and want? Council for Industry and Higher Education, UK

UK graduate capabilities employers are most satisfied with & importance ranking   Importance Rank Satisfaction Rank IT skills 14 1 Postgrad qualification 33 2 Good degree classification 15 3 Qualification from institution with good reputation  26 4 Intellectual ability 5 Character / personality 6 Team work skills 7 Relevant course of study 20 8 Integrity 9 Cultural fit with your company 19 10 Source: Graduate Employability: What do employers think and want? Council for Industry and Higher Education, UK

Self reflection Think about your own skills in these key areas How do your skills compare? How are you working to further develop your skills? Do your own self assessment and put together a development action plan

Swinburne international student employability road map EXAMPLE Personal Action Plan Step 1 Orientation & Transition to Swinburne Areas   Goals Potential Barriers Strategies to Overcome Barriers Personal Relationships / friendships Health & wellbeing Hobbies & interests Meet new friends Improve personal fitness Learn to cook I am shy Limited time / can’t afford gym Join Swinburne club Walk to uni & use free Hawthorn pool Attend free cooking classes at Hawthorn Community House Education Pass all first semester subjects Unsure of maths required in stats classes Worried about my English writing skills Attend faculty study support classes Attend Strategies for Success workshop Join a study support group Use assignment help service Skill Development Improve written & verbal English skills Living with Chinese friends so continue to speak Cantonese Attend LAS lunchtime conversation classes Join project groups with local students Get a job where I have to speak English Career / Employment Get a part time job Don’t know how to find a job How do I write a resume I have never worked before Write resume using free Swinburne Centre for Career Development help Register on SwinEmploy Attend part time job seeking workshops Do some volunteer work Do a food handling course for free with SSAA Attend Job Club

How can you develop skills? Hobbies & Interests Paid Work Education Education Volunteer Work Hobbies & Interests Life experience Hobbies & Interests Discuss: how you can acquire employability skills via slide visuals Emphasise the importance of transferable skills acquired in i.e. hobbies and interests, volunteer work – such as team work (which can be transferred into the professional work place) Highlight the importance of securing volunteer work; esp. if you lack work experience Volunteer Work Life Experience

Communicating your story to potential employers Employers know what skills they want (or think they want) from an employee, but they don’t know what you can do. You need to communicate (articulate/explain) your capabilities and potential To successfully convince the employer, you need to prove yourself by providing examples of when/how you have used particular skills Highlight the importance of not leaving it up to employers to correctly assume your skill levels, i.e. we need to clearly articulate (when networking and being interviewed) what skills and level of expertise we have. Next, highlight the importance of preparing and practicing STAR examples to effectively market ourselves. Highlight that many students (in particular) have blindspots in terms of skills that they have. In this instance, it’s important to draw out rich and varied experiences, ie. University assignments or work projects – and give label to skill sets developed during the time.

Meet Ella Chan Former International Master of IT student at Swinburne Now Senior Business Analyst with large Australian consulting company While at Swinburne: Moved into a house with local students Joined uni clubs - was Vice President of the Women in IT Society Barracked for a footy team Part time job at McDonalds Started own IT support business Volunteer website developer for Hawthorn Community House Joined group projects with local students Joined Australian Computer Society and attended events Developed strong IT skills – Excel, Access etc Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne Australia

Meet Anh Nguyen Former International Bachelor of Business student at Swinburne Now Part time accounts clerk / waiter While at Swinburne: Focussed hard on his studies – achieved credits & distinctions Lived with Vietnamese relatives Worked part time in family Vietnamese restaurant & helped update bookkeeping system Played soccer in Vietnamese student team Joined group projects with other international students Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne Australia

Which international student are you? What can you do to improve your employability?

Swinburne Emerging Leader Program Be recognised Be recognised and receive awards for activities you undertake alongside your studies Timothy Chen, Swinburne Emerging Leader 2014

Swinburne Emerging Leader Program Awards Campus Participation Career Development Community Engagement Global Citizenship Industry Experience Research Sustainability

Swinburne Emerging Leader Program Activities Almost any activity program project work volunteering you have been involved in while you have been a current student at Swinburne University, can be used in your application when applying for the awards!

Swinburne Emerging Leader Program Activities The sky’s your limit…

Swinburne Emerging Leader Program To be recognised as a Swinburne Emerging Leader Complete the Career Development Award Complete three of the other awards Demonstrate development in 6 of the 8 skills

Swinburne Emerging Leader Program What are the benefits? Our program will help you to identify and articulate the learning experiences that lead to: the development of your skills. providing you with a portfolio that highlights your accomplishments and skills, and helping you stand out to prospective employers

Register now Enquiries swinburne.edu.au/emerging-leader emerging-leader@swin.edu.au 39

LAUNCHING IEAA International Student Guide https://www.ieaa.org.au/research-projects/international-employability

Comments & questions What will you take away from this session Comments & questions What will you take away from this session? What can you do to grow your ‘soft skills’ connections you are at Swinburne?