Career Resources Kit[1]

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1. Sample Application Letter & Checklist

2. Resumé Writing

3. Sample Resumé & Checklist

4. Addressing Selection Criteria

5. Words that Work

6. Employability Skills and Attributes

7. Information Interviewing

8. Interview Skills

Brought to you by: Careers & Employment Student Services

University of Southern Queensland

Get your resumé, selection criteria, and interview skills checked by a member of the Careers and

Employment Team:

Drop-in sessions 10am-11am and 2pm-3pm daily – G Bl ock - Student Services.

Face to face, telephone, or email contact.

Toowoomba Campus

G Block

Phone: 07 4631 2210

Email: [email protected]

‘The Work Shop’

R Block Mall (next to Heritage Bank)

Toowoomba Campus

Hours: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday

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1. Sample Application Letter

[My Name] [My Address]

[My Phone] [My Email]

Date [Name of the person the letter is being sent to (include title - Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms etc)] [Position title] [Company name] [Company address] Dear Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms [name] Position: Graduate Accountant (include Position Ref erence if an advertised position) Please consider this my expression of interest for the position of [position] that you are currently advertising [where did you see it advertised]. I am keen to pursue a career in [industry/area or interest] and would value the opportunity to develop practical skills to complement the knowledge that I have developed through my studies. I am attracted to your company and the position due to the [why do you want to work for the company? e.g. employee support, reputation, work opportunities in a variety of areas]. I am currently completing my final year of a [degree] from [university] and am due to finish [approximate month and year]. Other training and qualifications that I possess include [list some other relevant degrees or training]. I possess many skills and knowledge that would benefit your organisation and the position such [list some generic and practical skills such as excellent communication and teamwork skills, a passion for the industry and experience in various areas]. As explained in my resumé, I have some experience in the [name the industry or job area] area through my work as [briefly list some previous jobs and experience]. I found this experience very valuable, and it has not only provided me with practical skills in the [industry/discipline] area, but also fuelled my passion for the industry and given me a desire to learn more. I am motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated to developing my knowledge and working to the best of my ability for my employer. As can be seen through my various jobs and community activities, I have excellent communication, teamwork and organisation skills and am eager to learn. Please find attached a copy of my resumé for your perusal. I thank you for your time in considering my application and am available for an interview at your convenience. Kind Regards [Name]

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Kathryn Andrews 100 Bridge St

Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: 07 3307 1234, 0407 123 456

Email: [email protected] June 23, 2007 Ms Mary Fisher Human Resource Manager Brown & Bourke Accountants 25 Mary St Brisbane QLD 4000 Dear Ms Fisher Position: Graduate Accountant Please consider this my expression of interest for the position of Graduate Accountant that you are currently advertising on your website. I am keen to pursue a career in private practice accounting and would value the opportunity to develop practical skills to complement the knowledge that I have developed through my studies. I am attracted to your company and the graduate program due to the immense opportunities to work in different areas of the company and the support and development offered to graduates. I am currently completing my final year of a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Southern Queensland and am due to finish at the end of 2007. I also have a Certificate III in Database Management and a Certificate IV in Small Business Management. I possess many skills and knowledge that would benefit your organisation and the position, such as excellent communication and teamwork skills, a passion for corporate accounting, and experience in financial management and bookkeeping. As explained in my resumé, I have some experience in the accounting and finance area through my work as the Administration Officer at Smith’s Electrical and my work experience at a local accounting firm. I found this experience very valuable and it has not only provided me with practical skills in the accounting area, but also fuelled my passion for the industry and given me a desire to learn more. I am motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated to developing my knowledge and working to the best of my ability for my employer. As can be seen through my various jobs and community activities, I have excellent communication, teamwork and organisation skills, and am eager to learn. Please find attached a copy of my resumé for your perusal. I thank you for your time in considering my application and am available for an interview at your convenience. Kind Regards Kathryn Andrews

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Application Letter Checklist

□□ Have you noted how to spell the employer’s name and address correctly?

□□ Have you included the job title of the intended recipient?

□□ Have you clearly stated the type of employment you are seeking?

□□ Have you recorded some evidence of your research into the prospective employer?

□□ Have you emphasised your discipline specific skills?

□□ Have you emphasised your key generic attributes and skills?

□□ Have you avoided writing about non-work interests unless what you have learnt from them is relevant to the job you are seeking?

□□ Have you indicated that your resumé is enclosed?

□□ Have you mentioned when you are available for an interview and how you can be contacted?

□□ Does the tone of your letter indicate self-confidence and respect without bragging or being too humble?

□□ Have you avoided mentioning what you expect to be paid?

□□ Have you avoided apologising for what you don’t have or being negative about yourself?

□□ Have you avoided using pompous phrases or slang terms?

□□ Is your letter grammatically correct and free of spelling errors?

□□ Have you shown your final draft to two people and sought their opinion?

□□ Have you arranged for your letter to be typed?

□□ Does your letter fit on the one page?

□□ Have you signed your application letter with your name printed below?

□□ Have you avoided fancy or coloured stationery?

□□ If you are sending your resumé is the envelope big enough so that you don’t have to fold it?

□□ Is the envelope correctly addressed with your name and address on the back?

□□ Have you placed enough postage on the envelope?

□□ Have you kept a copy for your Job Search Record?

□□ Have you noted the date of mailing in your Job Search Record? Source: Stevens, P. (1991). The Australian resumé guide: Making your job application work. Sydney: Centre for Worklife Counselling

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2. Resumé Writing

Use your resumé to get the employer’s attention!

• A resumé is your marketing campaign. Use it to make an impression and stand out above your competitors.

• Think of yourself as the product and use the resumé to highlight your selling points.

• The purpose of résumé is to get an interview. Make the employer want to learn more about you .

• There is no definite way to present a resumé, however, there are some standard requirements (education, job history, referees etc).

• Your résumé should ideally provide the reader with a quick summary of your skills and experience and be convincing.

• Tailor your resumé to the needs of this position. (Read the job requirements.) • Create slightly different resumés for different jobs, emphasising different skill

sets.

Screening

• Resumés are the first step in the screening process. Those with poor resumés will be rejected straight away. Make an impression!

• Research has suggested that employers spend on average about 20 seconds on a resumé. They SCAN resumés!

• (For example, they may cull those resumés that are poorly laid out, have coffee stains on them, or include information that is negative - big gaps in work history, poor school results …)

• Leave out any information that is not favourable or positive towards you. • Don’t expect the employer to search through your resumé to find what they are

looking for. Be clear about what you have done.

Formatting

• Appearance and formatting are very important - font size, clear headings, dot points, white space, formatting, alignment, and paper selection.

• Consider the application process and how to present your resumé (e.g. stapled or in a folder).

• Make your resumé easy for the employer to read quickly. • It is not true that your resumé must be one page. It should be long enough to

establish what you have to offer, without being too wordy (2-6 pages).

Personal Details

• There is no need for a cover page. Put all your contact details in a header on the front page.

• Make sure that you are contactable and be aware of offensive or unprofessional emails or voicemails. These can annoy employers and do not portray professionalism.

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• Do not include photos on your resumés. • Do not include personal details such your date of birth, religion, marital status,

gender, etc. This avoids potential discrimination. • You can add a personal profile, but only if it is strong and states why the

employer needs you in their organisation.

See Sample Resumé for examples.

Education

• Include all relevant education, both completed and continuing. • Include the name of the institution where you studied, the name of course,

majors, and date of completion. • You may want to include 1 or 2 key subjects that relate to the position (optional). • Acknowledge a good GPA, however, it is not essential to include it in your

resumé. • Mention if you graduated with Honours. • Additional Training & Qualifications - Include details of short courses or training

and/or qualifications that are relevant to position (e.g., First Aid certificate, Certificate in ….)


Skills

• Demonstrate that you possess employability skills (e.g. communication, problem-solving, initiative, enterprising, planning, organising, self-management, learning, technology).

• Make them specific and quantifiable if possible. Provide supporting evidence. • “Innovative – I was able to increase company profits by 25% in 2 months as a

result of my new ideas.” • “Leadership – I was appointed as captain of the local rugby team because of my

well developed leadership skills.” • A useful section if you cannot demonstrate competency through related

experience (Transferable Skills).

See Sample Resumé for other examples.

Employment Experience

• List your employment experience either in chronological order or according to relevancy – Related Experience and Additional Experience.

• Include the name of your employer, the job title, and the start and finish dates of employment. State the year, and month if possible, that you started and finished.

• List key duties and responsibilities. Include achievements or highlights – don’t be shy, let them know.

• Being modest is not going to catch an employer’s eye. That doesn’t mean that you have to big-note yourself, but rather you should tactfully make them aware of your achievements.

• List all of your duties and achievements in bullet points.

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Other Experience and Skills

Special Achievements or Sporting Achievements • Include any key achievements (e.g., if you received a scholarship or award

based on your academic performance) Volunteer Work or Community Involvement

• You may choose to include this work in a career overview if you need to show instances of yourself in action using relevant skills.

• This section allows you to show further relevant skills that you have developed through your volunteer work.

• When you are engaged in voluntary work you are still able to develop skills, gain experience, and rightly claim that you have done the job.

Professional Membership • List any relevant professional associations that you belong to.


Referees

• Should be someone who has supervised your work (e.g. Prac supervisors, or managers) or who has a good knowledge of your ability to do the job.

• Don’t use a relative. • Make sure you ring and ask them to be a referee for you and to be a GOOD

referee. That is, ensure that they will give you a positive report to employers. • You need at least two referees. • Provide your referees with your resumé and inform them of the jobs that you are

applying for.

Resumé – Summary

• A resumé is a marketing tool to promote your skills and abilities in order to get you an interview.

• Keep it clear, concise, and easy to read. • Don’t include anything that reflects you in a negative light and don’t big-note

yourself without supporting evidence. • Emphasise relevant skills and employment history. • Maintain professional presentation and communication. • Ask your referees for permission to list them on your resumé. • You have, on average, 20 seconds in which to make an impression on the

employer to consider you further. • Ensure that you have no spelling or formatting errors. This could lose you the

job! • Highlight your key skills and abilities that would make you the best person for the

job.

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3. Sample Resumé

John Smith Resumé 1 Long Street Phone: 0404 632 165 Email: [email protected] Toowoomba Qld 4350

Career Objective I am a motivated and enthusiastic person aiming to secure a position in the Civil Engineering field that will enhance my knowledge and skills. The company that I am seeking is invested in the ongoing development of employees and is involved in challenging engineering projects. Education and Training Tertiary 2000 – 2004 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) University of Southern Queensland

GPA 5.87 (maximum = 7) 1995 – 1999 Senior Certificate

Toowoomba State High School Additional Training & Qualifications 2006 Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, TAFE 2003 Senior First Aid Certificate, Queensland Ambulance 2001 Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate, TAFE

Technical Skills

Computer Skills AutoCAD, AutoCAD Vault, QDMS, Project Wise, MS Word, Excel, Explorer, PowerPoint, Publisher, & Outlook, Adobe Acrobat (Writer & Reader), Lotus notes.

Project Coordination Managing staff, budgeting, delegation, relevant laws and acts, Workplace

Health and Safety Officer.

John Smith 0404 632 165 [email protected]

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Work Skills & Attributes

Leadership Demonstrated through my current role as captain of the Toowoomba South Rugby League team and my participation as Assistant Coach to the under 10’s rugby league team.

Problem Solving Demonstrated through my participation in ABC Engineering design

Competition whereby I was given a scenario and required to design a structure that would meet the criteria. I also assisted in the planning of the Toowoomba bypass.

Communication Demonstrated through my interaction with various stakeholders in the Toowoomba bypass project, including team members, government officials, and the general public. I was also required to prepare a written report on the project process.

Teamwork Demonstrated through my various team-based projects including my

current work on the Toowoomba bypass project and the RIO Mining shutdown process. I have also participated in a number of project teams through university and sporting clubs.

Related Work History May 2006 – Current Department of Main Roads, Toowoomba Qld Engineering Assistant Duties:

• Assisted Engineers with the development of the planned Toowoomba bypass • Developed engineering drawings • Liaised with Engineers and other relevant stakeholders in the project • Worked in a team of 6 to provide a progress report to the government

November 2005 – March 2006 RIO Mining, Blackstump Qld Engineering Vacation Program Duties:

• Organised site drawings and documentation • Worked in a team of 4 on major site projects and shut down • Coordinated the delivery of materials required for a major engineering project • Assisted with implementation of maintenance documentation • Updated site layouts documents • Assisted with system and procedure development


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Other Work History October 2003 – March 2005 Harvey Norman, Toowoomba Qld Customer Service Assistant

Duties: • Guided customers through the process of selecting and purchasing products • Managed customer complaints and return of products • Carried out cash register operations and daily reconciliations • Participated in team meetings and in developing strategies to increase sales • Pro-actively exceeded monthly sales targets

March 2001 – May 2002 The Coffee Place, Toowoomba, Qld Hospitality Assistant

Duties: • Served customers and processed orders • Prepared food and beverages • Handled money and cash register operations • General cleaning and kitchen duties

Professional Associations

Student member of Engineers Australia

Member of USQ Alumni

Referees

Fiona Dawson Bill Brown Consulting Engineer Senior Engineer Power, Process and Petrochemical Department of Main Roads BEOH Engineering Toowoomba Qld Cloncurry Qld (07) 4698 7654 (07) 5333 4444 Email: Bill @mainroads.com.au Email: [email protected]

Tony Mackenzie Engineer Rio Mining Dampier WA (07) 4999 9999 Email: [email protected]


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Resumé Checklist

□□ To whom are you selling yourself? Is your resumé targeted? Does it match the requirements for the job?

□□ Is it written in clear and concise English?

□□ Is the Career Profile at the beginning (including career objectives)?

□□ What are you describing? Is the resumé pointing out your key sales points (skills, experience, training, potential)? Why should the employer need you?

□□ Are your skills emphasised and prioritised? Is your experience quantified where possible, e.g. sales targets reached, budgets managed, number of staff supervised?

□□ Are buzzwords used sparingly to show knowledge and explained in parenthesis if the meaning is not obvious?

□□ Is the information correct and truthful (employers will check)?

□□ Have you avoided discussing sensitive subjects such as race, religion, marital status, age, politics, or personal views? Check local standards, particularly for overseas applications, e.g. marital status will be relevant in some countries.

□□ Is your name, address, phone, fax and email at the top?

□□ Have you omitted salary information or demands?

□□ Is it neat and clean? Well-proportioned margins? Use of white space to divide sections? Visual elements used sparingly?

□□ Quality paper and printing? No perfumes? No smudges? White paper?

□□ Is it grammatically correct with all spelling checked?

□□ Have you avoided overusing of personal pronouns – “I” and “she”?

□□ Are your key strengths points highlighted in text using bold, indents, bullets, italics and / or white space?

□□ Do the tenses agree - past tense for old jobs, present tense for current job?

□□ Length: 5 pages for senior management; 2 to 3 pages for recent graduates.

□□ Is the format suited to method of submission (internet, faxed, sent or emailed)?

□□ Have you have kept a copy for your Job Search Record, including the date sent?

Source: DeLuca, M. J. (1999). Get a job in 30 days or less. Blacklick, OH, USA: McGraw-Hill Professional Book Group.

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4. Addressing Selection Criteria

• Selection Criteria are used widely in recruitment for government positions • They are the basis for shortlisting and comparison of job candidates • They focus on employability skills and attributes • Preparing selection criteria, addressing them effectively, and writing the final

product is a time-consuming exercise

STAR Model Situation – In what situation have you demonstrated the criterion? Task – What task were you required to complete in the situation? Set the scene. Action – What action did you take to achieve your task? How does it relate to

the criterion? Results – What were the results of your actions? Were they successful? If not,

what would you do differently to change outcomes?

Writing Selection Criteria

• Approach it like an assignment • Answer each criterion on a new page • Put a header on your document with your name, the job name and number • Write out the criterion in full at the top of the page • Maintain a positive communication • Ensure your document is neat and concise • USE EXAMPLES!!!!!!

• Do

– Pick out the key words and answer all parts of the criterion – Be concise and use the STAR method – Provide concrete examples of how you have met the criterion in

previous experience – Check for spelling and grammar

• Don’t – Give outdated information – Present messy or unprofessional documents – Waffle or provide unsubstantiated claims – Use negative words to reduce your credibility, or big-note yourself

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Addressing Selection Criteria – Example

• Well developed communication and interpersonal skil ls. Throughout my university studies, employment experiences and community activities, I have developed excellent communication and interpersonal skills. As part of my university studies, I was required to interact with diverse groups of students and staff, both in person and online. I was also required to develop a wide variety of verbal and written skills through assessment and study group activities, such as written essays, reports, group work, oral presentations, emails and online discussion. To be successful in an academic context, it is essential to address some key elements of verbal and written communication, such as:

• Consider the audience • Analyse the question or task • Use appropriate language for the situation • Ensure spelling, grammar and pronunciation are correct • Ensure presentation and tone are suitable • Have a logically flowing structure that relates to the topic

As a result of implementing these elements effectively in my communication at university, I received good marks on my assessment and gained positive feedback from the class and from lecturers on my oral presentation. One of my essays was used as a good example for future students. As a Deli Attendant at Coles, I am constantly utilising my communication and interpersonal skills with customers, colleagues, and supervisors. Recently, I served a customer who had a complaint about some poor quality meat that was sold to them through the deli. I utilised active listening, reflection, clarification, and questioning skills to deal with the situation. After listening to the customer’s complaint, and clarifying the exact situation and desired result, I spoke to my supervisor and suggested that we refund the customer’s money and provide him with a replacement product. My supervisor approved this action and I was able to satisfy the customer’s needs. I also advised the other deli staff of the situation and supervised the replacement of the product. My actions resulted in the customer feeling happy and continuing to shop at our store, and a commendation from my supervisor for the way I handled the situation. My involvement in the Golden Key Society also requires good interpersonal and communication skills. Golden Key is an international honour society that invites the top 15% of academic achievers in the university to be a member. It is a student-run chapter, and is involved in various activities such as fundraising and charity work, tutoring, and study groups. I am the secretary of the committee and perform tasks, such as taking the minutes of meetings, managing email and mail correspondence, and communicating with committee members via phone, email, and in person. This position has allowed me to interact with a variety of different people in both formal situations, such as committee meetings and official functions, and informal situations, such as fundraising activities. Recently, we organised a trivia night as a fundraising activity. I assisted with the organisation and promotion of the event to society members and the wider university population. During the night, I interacted with the guests in a fun and social environment, as well as being involved in the formal proceedings. The result of this communication and interaction was that we raised $600 for the charity and I received positive feedback from the guests who attended the event. I believe that the communication and interpersonal skills I have developed in all areas of my life will be an asset to your organisation and this position.

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5. Words that Work

(Source: Queensland Department of Main Roads. (2002). Words that work. Brisbane: Author.)

This handy reference will help you apply for the jo b you want.

You should always use positive action words to describe yourself on your resumé, in your application letters, in answers to selection criteria, and when talking about yourself at an interview. The use of strong action words is important in the Job seeking process, as it enables you to present a convincing case for your employment. The use of the following words will give potential employers a more accurate description of your knowledge, skills and abilities, thereby enhancing your chances of finding and getting the job you want. Terms to Know and Understand Term Meaning Ability Your capacity and talent for performing set tasks. Basic understanding

You are required to know basic concepts and your response needs to show you have this understanding.

Demonstrate You must give specific examples from your own experience that demonstrate your skill, ability or effectiveness.

Equity Equity is a broad concept that encompasses principles designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and non-discrimination. In practice it denotes impartiality, the upholding of procedural fairness and consideration of the individual circumstances of each case.

High level You must give specific examples from your own experience that exhibit advanced practice or knowledge or skill, ability or effectiveness.

Knowledge This refers to 2 aspects: 1. Cognitive skills involved in processes such as judgment thinking and

understanding, and 2. Information, which is based on factual and theoretical material that is

accessed, manipulated and used cognitively. Potential Although the person may not have the skills or knowledge at the present

time, they have the ability to develop these skills or knowledge through experience and or training (both on the job and formally)

Qualifications As well as tertiary qualifications, it also includes any short courses a person may have attended, e.g.: In house training, adult education courses, private training consultants, etc.

Skill Skills may be intellectual, manual, motor, perceptual, social. The nature of the tasks usually requires the combination of these and usually involves the application of cognitive and psychomotor functions together with appropriate knowledge.

Winning Words! In your application, you must showcase your skills and yourself to the selection panel to be short-listed for an interview. One way of doing this is by using words that sell in your application! These active verbs help you to clearly describe what your skills, experience and knowledge have enabled you to do. Accomplished Achieved Acquired Adapted Administered Analysed Answered Anticipated Applied Appraised Approved Arranged Assessed Assisted Audited Authorised Budgeted Calculated Calibrated Carried out Checked Circulated Collaborated Communicated Compiled Computed Conducted Considered Controlled Contributed Converted Coordinated Counselled Created Decided Defined

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Delegated Demonstrated Designed Determined Developed Devised Disseminated Documented Eliminated Encouraged Ensured Established Estimated Evaluated Examined Expedited Facilitated Filed Forecast Formulated Gathered Generated Headed Identified Implemented Improved Increased Initiated Inspected Instigated Instructed Introduced Investigated Launched Liaised Maintained Managed Mediated Modified Monitored Motivated Negotiated Operated Organised Oversaw Participated Performed Planned Processed Produced Promoted Provided Published Recommended Reconciled Recorded Recruited Redesigned Reorganised Regulated Represented Researched Resolved Responded Reviewed Revised Scheduled Served Simplified Set up Solved Started Strategically Succeeded Supervised Trained Transformed Translated Tripled Uncovered Undertook Unified Used Validated Valued Verified

Words to Avoid The use of some diminutives or negative words could spoil the positive description of your skills, experiences and qualifications and cost you the job. The problem with using any of these words in an employment situation is that many can imply a lack of skill or experience and a degree of negativity or uncertainty. Avoid them! Quantitative words like ‘some’, ‘small’, or ‘a little’ are open to various interpretations. Who would you employ - someone who has some experience or someone who IS experienced. Phrases such as ‘I think’ or ‘I hope’ leave employers wondering if you have the confidence or the skills to complete a task. Who would you employ - someone who thinks that they can do a job or someone who has the necessary skills and relevant experience to complete the duties effectively and efficiently. The use of one word answers should be avoided at all costs, as you waste an opportunity to offer something positive to the employer. You might find that the situation you are in necessitates the use of some of these words. Be aware of them and the damage they can cause if they are misused.

A little Small Perhaps Don’t know But However Some You know I hope Just Bad Fairly Never No I think Not sure More Less Too young Too old A bit Maybe Finally I feel Only Probably Even though Obviously All I have All I am

Found at: http://www.usq.edu.au/resources/wordsthatwork.pdf

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6. Employability Skills and Attributes (Source: Department of Education, Science and Training. (2002). Employability skills for the future. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Author.)

Employers are looking for these skills and attributes in the graduates they recruit. These are in addition to the technical and theoretical knowledge you have acquired in your degree. You need to know which of these you are good at, and how to let the employer know about it!

Skill

Elements

Communication

� Listening and understanding � Speaking clearly and directly � Writing to the needs of the audience � Negotiating responsively � Reading independently � Empathising � Using numeracy effectively � Understanding the needs of internal and external customers � Persuading effectively � Establishing and using networks � Being assertive � Sharing information � Speaking and writing in languages other than English

Teamwork

� Working with people of different ages, gender, race, religion or political persuasion

� Working as an individual and as a member of a team � Knowing how to define a role as part of a team � Applying teamwork skills to a range of situations, e.g. futures planning, crisis problem solving

� Identifying the strengths of team members � Coaching, mentoring and giving feedback �

Problem Solving

� Developing creative, innovative solutions � Developing practical solutions � Showing independence and initiative in identifying and solving problems

� Solving problems in teams � Applying a range of strategies to problem solving � Using mathematics including budgeting and financial management to solve problems

� Applying problem-solving strategies across a range of areas � Testing assumptions taking the context of data and circumstances into account

� Resolving customer concerns in relation to complex project issues

Initiative and Enterprise

� Adapting to new situations � Developing a strategic, creative, long-term vision � Being creative � Identifying opportunities not obvious to others � Translating ideas into action � Generating a range of options � Initiating innovative solutions

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Found at: http://www.employmentdirections.net.au/docs/employabilityframework.doc

Skill Elements

Self-management

� Having a personal vision and goals � Evaluating and monitoring own performance � Having knowledge and confidence in own ideas and vision � Articulating own ideas and vision � Taking responsibility

Planning and Organising

� Managing time and priorities – setting timelines, coordinating tasks for self and with others

� Being resourceful � Taking initiative and making decisions � Adapting resource allocations to cope with contingencies � Establishing clear project goals and deliverables � Allocating people and other resources to tasks � Planning the use of resources including time management � Participating in continuous improvement and planning processes � Developing a vision and a proactive plan to accompany it � Predicting – weighing up risk, evaluating alternatives and applying evaluation criteria

� Collecting, analysing and organising information � Understanding basic business systems and their relationships

Ongoing Learning

� Managing own learning � Contributing to the learning community at the workplace � Using a range of mediums to learn – mentoring, peer support, networking, information technology (IT), courses

� Applying learning to ‘technical’ issues (e.g. learning about products) and ‘people’ issues (e.g. interpersonal and cultural aspects of work)

� Having enthusiasm for ongoing learning � Being willing to learn in any setting – on and off the job � Being open to new ideas and techniques � Being prepared to invest time and effort in learning new skills � Acknowledging the need to learn in order to accommodate change

Technology

� Having a range of basic IT skills � Applying IT as a management tool � Using IT to organise data � Being willing to learn new IT skills � Having the occupational health and safety knowledge to apply technology

� Having the appropriate physical capacity

Personal Attributes

� Loyalty � Commitment � Honesty and integrity � Enthusiasm � Reliability � Personal presentation � Commonsense � Positive self-esteem � Sense of humour � Balanced attitude to work and home life � Ability to deal with pressure � Motivation � Adaptability

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7. Information Interviewing

(Source: Stoodley, M. (1997). Information interviewing: How to tap your hidden job market. Chicago, IL: J.G. Ferguson Publishing)

If you can’t find suitable jobs to apply for, you can create your own opportunities and gain valuable information and experience by undertaking ‘information interviewing’.

• Investigate potential employers • Select a number of organisations that interest you. • Target a particular occupational field within the organisation. • Phone to find the name of a relevant person in the area (or use the organisations

literature) • Investigate specifics of organisations (do your homework!). • Develop a canvassing letter that you can use to target selected organisations. • Write to a selected person requesting an ‘information interview’ to find out more

about the organisation/occupational field or ask to ‘shadow’ a worker in a particular field (state the day/time you will phone back).

• Phone to arrange a meeting date and time and prepare questions to ask. • Meet for the information interview. • Ask for other contacts. • Follow up the new contacts.

Questions for the Information Interview

• In the position you now hold, what do you do on a typical day? • What are the most interesting/frustrating aspects of your job? • What qualification/skills and personal attributes does the organisation look for in

its staff? • What qualifications do the other staff have? • What were the jobs that led you to this one? How did other staff get to the

positions they now occupy in this organisation? • How long does it usually take to move form one step to the next in this career

path? • Given your present position and experience, what position do you see yourself in

five years from now? • What is the top job you can have in this career? • Are there other areas of this field to which people in it may be transferred? • What are the prerequisites for jobs in this field? • Are there any specific courses I might take that would be particularly beneficial? • What types of training do companies give people entering this field? • What is the salary range for various levels in this field? • What aspects of a career in this field do you consider particularly good/bad? • What special advice would you give a person entering this field? • Is there demand for people in this field? • What are the growth prospects for this field in the future? • What other fields/jobs would you suggest I investigate before I make a final

decision? • How do you see the jobs in this field changing over the next two years? • How can I prepare myself for these changes? • What is the best way to obtain a position that will start me on a career in this

field?

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8. Interview Skills

• You made a good impression with your resumé, now do the same in the interview. • This is your chance to seal the deal and promote your skills and abilities to the employer -

why they NEED you! • The key is to be prepared and act confidently (even if you don’t feel confident).

Purpose of an Interview

For the Employer • To assess the quality of applicants in person and to provide more information about the

organisation. For the Applicant

• To promote and market yourself and your skills. Make a good impression and get a feel for the organisation.

Interview Preparation

• Read through the position description or job advertisement and identify the key skills that they are looking for in applicants.

• Prepare answers to questions based on these skills. Make sure that you can explain how you DEMONSTRATED the required skills. Provide examples!

• Research the company. What are its goals, corporate structure, product/service (internet and publications)?

• Prepare any documentation or samples of work that you may need. Collate it in a folder. • Read over your resumé and application documents. You may be asked questions based on

what you wrote about your employment history, skills, qualifications, etc. • Practice questions that highlight your strengths and weaknesses. • Decide suitable, comfortable clothing to wear that is appropriate for the type of job. (Don’t be

over- or under-dressed.) • Be aware of body odour and overpowering perfume/aftershave. • Know the exact location of the interview, including parking. • Arrive about 15 minutes early. Plan your journey including traffic delays. • Who will be involved in the interview and what type of interview is it (one-on-one, panel,

group).

During the Interview

• Maintain eye contact. • Smile. • Shake hands firmly (but not too tightly). • Speak and think positively. Promote your strong points and key skills. Keep

thinking positively (you have done well to reach the interview stage). • Be aware of your body language and read that of the interviewers. Actions speak

louder than words. • Avoid fidgeting and be aware of repetitive hand gestures. • Sit comfortably but professionally. • Don’t boast or make negative comments/criticisms about previous employers.

(The interviewers may know them.) • Breathe deeply to control nerves and take a moment to think about how to

answer the question. • Ask the interviewer to reword the question if you do not understand. • Use the STAR method to answer questions. Provide examples.

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• Speak clearly, professionally, and at a level that can be heard easily. Don’t speak

too fast or mumble. • Don’t provide one word answers, and avoid saying ‘um’ and ‘ah’ etc. • At the conclusion, ask any other relevant questions of the interviewers (e.g. The

next stage of the process, further information about the company). • Thank the interviewers. • Restate your interest in the job. • Avoid discussing remuneration at the first interview.

After the Interview

• Reflect on your answers and make notes on what you were asked and how you could improve.

• If you were unsuccessful ask for feedback about how to improve • Write a letter thanking them for their time and restating your interest in the job.

Common Interview Questions

(Source: Schmerling, Leah.(Author). Job Applications: The Winning Edge, 2nd edition. South Yarra: Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, 1998.)

Biographical Questions Can you tell me about yourself? What are your interests? What do you do in your spare time?

Personality What do you have to offer? Please tell me about yourself. How do others describe you? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What is important to you in a job? What type of people do you get along with best? What type of people annoy you? Do you prefer working by yourself or in a team?

Education and Training What school/university did you attend? Why did you choose it? When did you leave? Why did you choose to study (your degree)? What subjects did you like the most? Least? Why? What competencies have you acquired in your training? How did you combine work/home duties with studying? What are your plans for continued studies?

Work Experience How long have you been seeking work? Why? What previous jobs have you had? Why do you want to leave your present employer? What did you do in your last job? Give me an example of the type of work you have performed and the outcome. What did you like best/least about your job? Tell me about your boss/company. What makes you think you are the best person for this job? What were your greatest successes/failures?

The Company and the Job Why are you interested in working for this company? What features of the job interest you most/least? What do you know about this company? How does this job compare with others you have applied for?

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Career Progress What are your major accomplishments in your life to date? What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? Do you have long range ambitions?

Leadership Qualities As a group leader, what activities have you been involved in? What sort of leader were you described as by your peers? What techniques do you use to develop the porential of subordinates? Describe the subordinates who have become successful as a result of your efforts. Innovation and Decision-Making Skills What new ideas have you contributed in the past year? Describe a work decision you have made. Were your suggestions adopted? How were they accepted? What is the most difficult decision you have had to make? What obstacle have you had to overcome to get where you are today? How did you overcome it? What makes the difference between success and failure?

Professional and Personal Development Are you a member of a professional organisation? Which associations? Do you attend meetings and functions? Salary What salary do you expect? What do you expect to earn five years from now? Are you prepared to sign a workplace agreement? Interests outside of work What do you do in your spare time? How much time do you spend with your family?

Questions You May Like to Ask the Employer

Why is this position vacant? Could you please tell me about the company norms? Does the position offer job security and opportunity for promotion? Do you promote from within the organisation? What opportunities for training do you provide? What commencement date suits you? How will I be notified if I am offered the job?

For More Information

Contact Careers & Employment University of Southern Queensland Student Services (G Block) Phone: 07 4631 2210 Email: [email protected] Get your resumé, selection criteria, and interview skills checked by a member of the Careers and

Employment team: Drop-in sessions 10am-11am or 2pm-3pm daily.

‘The Work Shop’ R Block mall (next to Heritage Bank)

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CCaarreeeerr IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn WWeebbssiitteess

www.usq.edu.au/studentservices/careers/careerlib

http://careerhub.usq.edu.au

www.usq.edu.au/studentservices/careers

www.myfuture.edu.au

www.graduatecareers.com.au

www.gradlink.edu.au

www.jobguide.dest.gov.au

www.thesource.gov.au

www.jobjuice.gov.au

www.seek.com.au

www.jobsearch.gov.au/joboutlook

www.jobwise.gov. au

www.unigrad.com.au

USQ Student Services Career Library The Online Career Library provides online resources about planning careers and how to get there, information about graduate jobs and vacation experience, and job search sites:

Career planning resources

Provide a number of useful websites that can assist in planning what career interests you and how to achieve it. Student Services also has Career Counsellors who can speak to you about planning your career.

Graduate employers

Numerous employer websites are listed that provide information on their graduate programs and other work experience and career opportunities.

Career Resources Kit[1]

Documents

Transcript of Career Resources Kit[1]