JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES Employability: Professional Career Start Strategies & Job Search Olivia Doyle 23 June 2015

Text line Swinburne 2 Job search strategies for professional employment

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Your professional career starts now! It’s not easy to find professional employment in Australia in the current crowded employment market ‘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 ‘Professional experience provides a point of differentiation in highly competitive global labour markets.’ Blackmore et al, Australian international graduates & the transition to employment’ Why you should focus on your career while at university

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN 4 Job search Combination approach is best = Advertised + Non Advertised job opportunities

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN  Advertisement on the internet 26%  Consulting family and or friends 15%  Using university careers service11%  Direct approach to an employer 9%  Using work contacts or networks 6%  An approach by an employer 7%  Careers fair or information session 6%  Other university source (such as faculties or lecturers) 5%  Advertisement in a newspaper or other print media 4%  Registering with an employment agency 4%  Via resume posted on the internet 1%  Other 7% Graduate Careers Australia 2012 **** Networking is vital! 5 Diverse graduate approaches to finding employment

Swinburne Professional job search strategies 6 As a general rule, companies do not advertise unless they really have to Companies advertise because they do not know of a suitable person So up to 80% of jobs are never advertised…. ……networking is the key

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Key steps for professional job search 7 Step 1Plan & research Revisit your career vision to gain clarity about the job and industries you wish to target The economic realities of the 21st century means you need an ideal plan of action plus a second and third option to help you achieve your career goals. Understand the market – where is there demand? Prepare your job search tool kit Step 2Explore all job possibilities Step 3Implement both pre & post graduation job search strategies

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN 8 Pre graduation job search strategies

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Pre graduation job search 9  Ideally start graduate job search at the start of final year in line with Australian graduate recruitment cycle  Check out international graduate recruitment cycles (SE Asian cycle is from September)  Make connections and network – focus of this session

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Pre-graduation Internships / cadetships / vacation work 10  Many organisations have become more strategic in their approaches to graduate employment using internships / cadetships to ‘try before they buy’  This enables employers to gain much more insight into the suitability of a potential employee compared with the traditional recruitment process  Offers students opportunity to determine if the organisation matches their own values, interests and long term career aspirations  Many internships run during summer vacation period and are advertised mid year eg May onwards  Swinburne includes internship opportunities in a range of courses & as stand alone opportunities

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN TAKE CARE - Internships 11 Internships should be paid unless they are: - with a not for profit organisation - part of a recognised study program - involve educational and learning outcomes for your benefit Before participating: - do thorough research - ensure the placement will be of benefit to you - be cautious of those for which you have to pay Fair Work Australia – useful fact sheet: obligations/pages/unpaid-work-fact-sheet

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Pre-graduation insight programs 12 Some organisations offer structured insight programs to showcase opportunities Follow organisations of interest to you on social media & websites to check what may be on offer EXAMPLE PwC Technology Academy is a one to two day development program that gives practical experience and exposure to our technology teams. The program is open to students currently studying a technology- related degree. Students build their employability, technical and commercial skills and get an understanding of where a technology career at PwC could take and get the opportunity to expand networks with business leaders OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Part time / casual / contract / temp employment related to your study discipline 13 Great way to enhance your experience and build useful networks for the future Sourcing tips: -Networking with lecturers, professional associations -Register with employment agencies -Create opportunities with current hospitality etc employer  Eg bookkeeping, website, flyers, recruitment, policy manuals etc -Job databases eg SwinEmploy, Seek, Spot Jobs, Hippo etc -Volunteering with not for profit organisation in a career related role

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Graduate programs -Structured professional development programs in large organisations for new graduates -Applications usually submitted a year in advance Graduate positions -Individual positions offered by organisations of all sizes to students who are soon to graduate/have finished their studies -Advertised on job boards, company websites or social media **Often difficult for international students to compete 14 Graduate Jobs

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Be creative - network 15 Actively look for opportunities to make connections and gain experience  More networking tips at end of session

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN 16 Post graduation job search strategies

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Post graduation job search strategies 17 ‘In the past many graduates could expect to have an entry level, full time position in their field by the end of the summer after graduation, however, the current economy is still recovering and many recent grads will have a longer search’ GRADUATE RECRUITER, ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TIPS  Finding a job, is a job in itself  Adopt a systematic approach incorporating quality, tailored formal applications and networking  Keep a logical job search record sheet  Be creative about the roles you target  SMEs offer great opportunities for international students  Look for pathway positions  Remember your first job won’t be your last

Text line Swinburne Thinking outside the square Tapping into the hidden job market -Don’t target large corporations with PR restrictions! -Find your niche market and role through research Target key companies Tailor skill set & resume to skills needed -Be flexible and take opportunities or risks -Manage your / family expectations

Swinburne Identify links via: Australia China Business Council Australian Chinese Association Australian Malaysian Business Council Australia India Business Council – Vic Australia Vietnam Business Council Australian Chamber of Commerce - Eg Singapore, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Beijing Large multinational companies may also be more likely to employ you via your home country Target organisations with links to your home country

Swinburne 20 Career options Don’t restrict your career choices to Australia or your home country You are a global citizen in a global job market Gain maximum value from your work experience in the early years of your career Don’t waste time on low value added employment – first 3 – 5 years is a key period to lay the foundations of your career

Swinburne -The Age – esp. Saturdays -The Australian – national focus -The Financial Review – more specialist / senior -Specialist industry publications -Regional papers Print media

Swinburne Job search databases 22  A lot of competition when applying for widely advertised positions  Typically used Australian databases  Seek  GradConnection  Unigrad  GradAustralia  Jobseeker  Monster  Australian Jobsearch

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Swinburne 25 Also includes: -Resume / cv guidelines -Interviewing advice -Work permits & visas -Cultural advice

Swinburne -Recruit candidates for jobs on behalf of employers -Are paid by employers -Have a database of candidates – so may not always advertise -Recruit for full time, part time, contract, casual jobs -Refer to CCD website for agency listed related to your studies Eg Hays, Talent2, Mosaic -Often specialise in certain areas Eg IT, Accounting, Marketing, Logistics, Trade etc Recruitment / employment agencies

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Useful graduate employment sources 27 Employment fairs  The Big Meet  Held each March & features over 100 employers  Professional Association Fairs  Engineers Australia held March / April & features over 70 employers  CPA Accounting fair Grad Connection Job search platform connecting employers and students Employment guides & websites Graduate Opportunities Unigrad Whirlpool Online graduate discussion forum

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Discipline specific job search websites 28 Accounting/Finance  efinancial careers Social Science/Psychology  Job seeker  Ethical jobs Design/Media  Pedestrian TV  The loop

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Discipline specific job search websites 29 Engineering/Aviation  Eng Jobs Human Resource Management  Jobs in HR Science  New Scientist

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Consider opportunities in regional and rural areas – can expand your career development and employment options Additional visa availability

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Networking – the essential career skill 31

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN Why network?  “Networking accounts for about 87% of business in the marketplace, yet many people continue to neglect networking and fail to see it as a vital business and career building skill” Henderson, How to Master Networking  Great way to research industry / positions, get introductions and advice  Networking can uncover ‘foot-in-the-door’ opportunities: work experience, casual/part-time, temp employment  Demonstrates initiative, drive and a positive attitude  Power to market yourself proactively to the job you want

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN International student networking event 33 Thursday 20 August Meet employers from diverse fields and gain insights into the Australian workplace Pre-event ‘Networking Strategies’ seminar Date TBC Register:

Swinburne 34 The way a typical employer prefers to fill a job The way a typical job seeker prefers looking for a job within From within the company Using their networks Using an agency Using their networks From within the company Placing a job advertisement Responding to a job advertisement Perspectives on the recruitment process

Swinburne Job search skills for professional employment LinkedIn Facebook Why? All have functions for job search, uploading applications and getting in touch with people who can help get you on the track to a brilliant career Centre for Career Development can advise on your LinkedIn profile Social networking

Text line Swinburne Job search for professional employment Membership based organisations that represent their members in an industry / occupation Great networking opportunities Eg Australian Computer Society, Institute of Engineers, CPA Great benefits: Tax deductible Keep you up-to-date Demonstrate your interest / passion Career resources Conferences / meetings Student memberships and sub groups Magazines Friendships and social activities 36 Professional associations

Swinburne You approach employers directly! But first do your RESEARCH Advantages Target your dream employers Less competition Demonstrates initiative Contact can be made via: Telephone Social media In person Disadvantages Time consuming Low success rate Requires confidence and strong oral skills Practice before ringing 37 Unsolicited employer applications / ‘cold calling’

Swinburne Job search skills for professional employment -Approach organisations you are interested in / have knowledge of -Referrals are useful -Identify a key contact – eg via LinkedIn -You need to be professional in your contact -Expect some rejection -Always send a ‘tailored’ cover letter and resume -Follow up via telephone or 38 Cold calling tips

Swinburne -Involves speaking with people currently in a job, organisation or field that interests you -Develops your network of contacts -Helps you make informed decisions about your career and the related industry -Provides an opportunity for your to impress potential employers -Get recommendations of who to contact from lecturers or via Professional Associations, friends or family Informational interviewing

Swinburne SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN 40 Final job search tips Start early! It takes initiative, persistence, motivation and adaptation to find the job you want – more often than not, it won’t just fall in your lap! Politely ask for feedback from employers on why you didn’t make the cut If you don’t get that first job – or the second, fifth, even tenth – don’t give up! You’re not the only one who has struggled

Swinburne Questions / share your experiences?