2. www.careers.qut.edu.au QUT Careers and Employment Make Work Experience Work for You! May 2011

4. Services for Students Careers Fairs  Careers Fair – March 28  Engineering Careers Fair Career Mentor Scheme Career Counselling Specialising in:  Undergraduate  Postgraduate  International Graduate Outcomes Job Seeking Resources Resume Feedback  Response in 5 working days  Email careers@qut.edu.aucareers@qut.edu.au QUT CareerHub  Casual Jobs  Graduate/postgraduate jobs  Jobs whilst studying  Vacation Jobs  Events and Workshops On-Campus Employer Presentations Resource Guides and Publications Work Experience Insurance Workshops and Workbooks Access to Going Global Career Development Programs on Blackboard

5. Finding us via the QUT homepage: Search for “careers”

6. Finding us via QUT Virtual:

7. www.careers.qut.edu.au

8. Useful weblinks Career development guides Upcoming events Career development strategies Employment preparation information sheets Welcome Register for your FREE online profile on the QUT CareerHub link at www.careers.qut.edu.au New jobs are added daily by employers who want to employ QUT students… that means YOU! FAQs Daily job listings Preparing to apply for graduate jobs? Need some casual work while studying? Want to find work experience?

9. Going Global Accessing Going Global

10. @ QUT Careers QUT Careers and Employment

11. Resume Writing Addressing Selection Criteria Interview Skills Get Ready for the Careers Fair Accessing the Workforce Careering Through Uni – Career Development Strategies Evening Workshops International Student Program – workshop series Workshops For dates and locations see:

12. Volunteer Career Assistant @ QUT Careers & Employment We are looking for enthusiastic students who can share 3-4 hrs/week and who want to gain experience in: Working in an office environment Customer service Marketing & event coordination Administration & HR As well as gaining valuable experience, you will receive a personal reference from the Manager Careers & Employment and special access to resources and Careers Counsellors APPLY NOW! Go to the QUT CareerHub link at www.careers.qut.edu.auwww.careers.qut.edu.au

13. Contact Careers and Employment LOCATION Gardens Point Campus: Level 2, X Block Reception: Room X222 Kelvin Grove Campus: Level 4, C Block (Above the Refectory) Caboolture Campus: Student Centre - J Block EMAIL careers@qut.edu.au WEBSITE www.careers.qut.edu.au PHONE Gardens Point: 07 3138 2649 Kelvin Grove: 07 3138 3488 Caboolture 07 5316 7400

14. Overview Identifying opportunities Applications – cover letters and resumes Interview tips Managing and thriving on placement Career Development Modules Questions

15. Decision Making Making decisions Collect all the info Weigh up alternatives Check out the consequences Prioritise highest value Make the decision Review it after some time

16. Implementation Taking action Information vs application Prepare a resume Understand what you offer Make contact

17. How do people access jobs? They can respond to advertisements on the Careers and Employment website, etc. They can try to find jobs through friends They can hope that someone finds them They can apply through a recruitment agency.

18. Advertised Jobs Go to the Careers and Employment website and get application details Go to CareerOne, etc and follow directions Look in newspapers, Faculty information and apply Easy!

19. However: A recent survey found that candidates found their positions by a number of means and had the following success rates: Recruitment agency 2% Newspaper5% On line (such as seek.com) 15% The remaining 78%? Through contacts, networking and approaching companies directly. Most jobs aren’t advertised. This is the hidden job market.

20. Why are positions "Hidden"? Time taken in the advertising process – QUT about 12 weeks! Expense of advertising May have part time or short term job only (think IBM and 20 hours a week) -it would not be worth the time to advertise May have not thought of what you are offering – languages and customer service + skills from degree + flexibility?? May have employee resign tomorrow and need someone immediately.

21. Decide what you have to sell! Previous work skills such as reception duties, customer service, team work Expertise from a previous degree Passion Voluntary work

22. Process for Accessing the Market Research the company you want to work for. (Web site) Graduate Outcomes?? What does it do? Match yourself to its profile. Offer what it wants through passionate letter/email and resume.

23. Let’s discover the Cover...! It is a vital link between your resume and the organisation and provides a personal perspective on why you would be a good candidate for the position. Highlights key skills and matches them to the employer’s requirements. Indicates what attracts you to the role and the organisation. Encourages the employer to read your resume. Equally as important as your resume.

24. Customise the Cover! Create a new cover letter for each position Align your cover letter with the organisation Contents of the Cover.. Opening paragraph - Introduction Paragraph 2 Why are you applying? Paragraph 3 Why you? Paragraph 4 Highlight your skills Closing paragraph See you soon!

25. Resumes! Your skills, knowledge, education and experiences – in only 3 pages! Evolving document and therefore needs to be updated Research the organisation via website and media releases – will you fit in? Tailor your resume for the employer, highlighting your skills and abilities

26. So...how do you make your resume stand out from the others? Research the employer/company – what skills and attributes are they looking for? What does their website look like? Resume: Presentation... Package... Colour... Document format... Balance information and creativity. Target your resume!

27. Who do you send it to? HR Manager? Head of area you wish to work for? Friend/acquaintance? How do you find such addresses? Website Phone book? Ask them?

28. Work Placement Interviews

29. Work placement interview tips Be prepared Know where to go and arrive early Dress appropriately Take relevant paperwork Manage your nerves Be polite, respectful and smile!

30. What do I do DURING the Interview? Make a Good First Impression First impressions are hard to change Take between 30 seconds & 2 minutes to form Need to appear to be confident & enthusiastic Be in control in the first 2 minutes Practice possible entry routines

31. Strategies to be in Control Arrive early Make & keep eye contact when speaking Shake hands firmly Lay your paperwork out on the table in front of you Keen/relaxed posture Don’t fidget (distraction) Slow deep breaths Listen – Think - Speak

32. Non-verbal Messages

33. What Questions will I be Asked? General Behavioural

34. General Questions (traditional or technical) What did you do on the weekend? What aspects of university have you found interesting? Tell me about your weaknesses? What is your least favourite subject? What practical experience do you have? Why do you want to work for us?

35. Behavioural Questions Describe the biggest challenge you faced at uni and how you overcame it? Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker or customer Give me an example of a challenging group you have had to gain co-operation from Tell me a time when you failed and the lesson you learned from this experience

36. The Key to a Perfect Answer Situation (context) Task(s) Actions required Result Learning Use recent examples from study, work, social, sport…. Stick to 1-3mins response. Then ask if they want more information.

37. Example: 'Can you tell me about a time when you had to organise a major event?' Situation 'Yes - earlier this year I had to organise the 2010 QUT Careers Fair. Task 'To do this, I was required to market and advertise the Fair to both students and employers. I also had to organise venue hire, catering and booth construction, and exhibition equipment. Action 'To market the Fair to students, we had a postcard designed and mailed out to our target audience. We also used banners, flyers and posters to advertise. In the week leading up to the Fair, we used a video wall for the first time..... Results 'We had 65 employers at the fair, which was the largest number of employers to attend to date. And there were over 2500 students, which was also a record number.'

38. What will they ask me about? Problem solving (conflict management, challenges) Leadership (initiative, responsibility) Team work (relationships, roles) Communication (oral, written, interpersonal) Time management (deadlines, multi-tasking)

39. http://lms- stream2.qut.edu.au/media/CARDEV_Interviews/_2921994_1/labs Stream_Market_your_skills_and__ach_384K_Blackboard.wmv “Tell me about yourself” “What has been one of your greatest achievements?” Source: QUT Careers & Employment Career Development Modules Example General (Personal) Questions

40. Practise, practise, practise... Record yourself Practise in front of the mirror With friends!

41. Choose one question from the list that you most dislike – interview a neighbour with your chosen question – give feedback! What did you do on the weekend? What aspects of university have you found interesting? What is your least favourite subject? What practical experience do you have? Why do you want to work for us? Describe the biggest challenge you faced at uni and how you overcame it? Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker or customer Give me an example of a challenging group you have had to gain co-operation from

42. Feedback What did the person being interviewed do well? What could they improve? Think about: –Content –Body language (eye contact, posture etc.)

43. For further interview skills assistance QUT Careers & Employment has an information sheet on interview skills You can get a hard copy at the Career Resource Centres on each campus or download one from the website at the following link: http://www.careers.qut.edu.au/student/resource/InterviewSkills.pdf

44. Interview Coaching WHAT? A ½ hr mock interview with a Career Counsellor WHEN? Whenever you book! WHERE? Careers & Employment (Level 4 C Block) Ph: 3138 3488

45. Thriving in the workplace

46. 5 key stages Anticipation Disillusionment Confrontation Competence Culmination Developmental Stage Model Swietzer & King (2004)

47. Anticipation: Your concerns about the workplace This can be relieved by preparation –Know what is to be expected from you – workplace and uni –Understand what you can expect from the workplace – learning agreement/induction –Familiarise yourself with the company –Create (and maintain!) a good first impression...

48. 1st impressions – creating and maintaining First impressions are formed immediately and are then very difficult to change. It takes between 30 seconds and 2 minutes to form a first impression, so how you perform at interview and begin your first day at your workplace is very important.

49. 1st impressions – creating and maintaining Dress to impress - fit with the environment. Be positive and upbeat and...

50. Maintaining that positive 1st impression Be careful with mobile phone use… Make sure you understand the rules surrounding e-mail etiquette. Also internet/social networking sites etc Show respect and flexibility and offer to help others. Don’t assume something is acceptable practice. Establish the rules first.

51. Disillusionment: The workplace isn’t what you expected? –Know how uni and the workplace differ, e.g., amount of direction, feedback, control over your time This can be relieved by support networks –Identify who can support you in your transition, e.g., Academics, family, mentors, roommates, friends and –Identify the kind of support each can offer, e.g., provide advice, praise current efforts, affirm your experience

52. Confrontation: When we’re challenged by interpersonal relationships This can be relieved by learning about supervisory styles and dealing with feedback –Identify which supervisory styles you relate to best and how you might manage each kind Autocratic Paternalistic Democratic Laissez-faire http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_5_ 1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2FcourseMain%3Fcourse_ id%3D_45841_1

53. Receiving feedback Constructive: –Accept, evaluate, choose what to do with it Negative: –Denial, anger, withdrawal, acceptance

54. Competence: Developing your capacity to manage the workload Learn to manage your time and workload –Set goals –Plan your time –Make a daily ‘to do list’ –Prioritise –Manage emails

55. Culmination: Reflection and assimilation Reflect on your experience Assimilate the work placement experience into your broader career planning (hint – use eportfolio!) –Keep a training and activities log –File all relevant documents in one place –Keep a list of useful contacts

56. Thriving in the workplace – Career Development Module Link to overview of the modules: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?t ab=community&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fex ecute%2FcourseMain%3Fcourse_id%3D_37761_1

57. Final Tips Use the opportunity wisely Network and build up contacts Be positive Keep communicating – colleagues, supervisor Follow up with a thank you

58. Further help Use each other as support Talk to Faculty staff QUT and Careers & Employment website

59. Good Luck!

60. QUESTIONS? LOCATION Gardens Point Campus: Level 2, X Block Reception: Room X222 Kelvin Grove Campus: Level 4, C Block (Above the Refectory) Caboolture Campus: Student Centre - J Block EMAIL careers@qut.edu.au WEBSITE www.careers.qut.edu.au PHONE Gardens Point: 07 3138 2649 Kelvin Grove: 07 3138 3488 Caboolture 07 5316 7400