Career Ready ProgramSeminar 4: Succeeding at Job Applications and Interviews

Career Development CentreLa Trobe University

Resumes & Cover Letters

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Resumes

• Marketing document (it needs to set you apart)

• It needs to be targeted to the specific job & organisation

• Uses skills/achievement statements (evidence) to highlight competencies

4CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE | La Trobe University

Resumes: The Facts

Your résumé will be one of many (10, 50, 100, 1000) received by an employer or university for a position

Time taken to read each résumé: 20-30 seconds

Questions to ask yourself:

• Does your resume match the position & organisation you are applying to?

• What evidence in your résumé helps you stand out?

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Resume Presentation

Guidelines:

• 2 – 3 pages for graduates

• Most important information on the first page

• Reverse chronological order

Remember, your resume is your primary marketing document

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What to include

• Personal Details• Education & Training• Placements• Employment• Skills • Achievements• Professional Memberships• Extra-curricular Activities & Interests• Referees

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How to write an effective resume

What are the skills required of the position and how can you demonstrate that you have them?

• Name the skill, your level of competency, where/how you developed the skill

• Don’t include skills without providing evidence• Use short statements that start with action words

• Eg. ‘Excellent organisational skills developed through planning community activities for Diabetes Week for past two years’

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Highlighting Achievements

Where possible, highlight your achievements

Examples of achievements:• Promotions• Being part of a team that …• Winning an award or prize• Good results in exams or assessments

• Customer service / quality awards

• Outside-work achievements – raising money for charity, being elected to a committee

• Captaining a sports team

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Cover Letters

Purpose of a cover letter:

1. An example of your writing skills

2. Letter of introduction

3. Selling your skills, abilities, attributes

4. Explain how you match the requirements of the job & organisation

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Cover Letter Tips

Personally address the letter

Sign the letter, include your contact details (address, email, mobile, home phone)

• Use a clear font, no less than 12 points

• Use left align (not full align) as it is easier to read

• Insert a scanned copy of your signature in cover letters that will be sent electronically

Key Selection Criteria

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What are Key Selection Criteria?

• KSC describe the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge and qualifications a person needs to perform the role effectively

• Used by employers to objectively identify the right person for the job

• Applicants’ responses are rated against individual criteria and best applicants are offered an interview or progression to next round of selection process

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Example KSC

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How to respond to KSC

Check the method preferred by the employer:

• Document addressing individual KSC (traditional method)

• Summary response to all KSC(word limits may apply)

• Answer a ‘behavioural question’ in an online application or paper based application form

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Getting Started

• Analyse each criterion to identify the skills and attributes being rated – individual criterion may contain several components (eg. ‘verbal & written communication skills’)

• Think of scenarios from work, study, volunteering, sports and other activities that could be used to illustrate your skill

• Use a different example for each criterion where possible

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Use the STAR method

Situation

Task

Action

Result

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What if you lack experience?

If you cannot provide an example to address a criterion:

• Think about the competence the employer is interested in (e.g., problem solving, teamwork, etc), perhaps you can give an example from a non-work experience

• Is there another way of demonstrating that skill or how you intend to develop it?

• Could you describe how you would react in a similar situation?

Interviews

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Purpose of the Job Interview

The employer’s objective: to attract and appoint the best applicant for the organisation

• Can you do the job? (skills, qualifications, experience)

• Will you do the job? (motivation, attitudes, career goals)

• Will you fit in? (cultural match)

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Interview preparation (insert picture – professional attire)

Research the organisation and job

Prepare and practise answers to possible questions

Plan what you’re going to wear

Plan your journey so you arrive on time

Prepare some questions to ask them

Gather documents to take with you

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Tips for the start of the interview

When you arrive, remember you are making an impression on everyone you come in contact with

Turn off your mobile phone

Try to relax!

Greet interviewer(s) and shake hands

Listen attentively

Engage in ‘small talk’

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Tips for during the interview

What you say

Give specific examples to support your claims

Avoid one word answers

Seek clarification if you don’t understand a question

Present information in a positive light

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Non-Verbal Communication

According to a survey of 1000 recruiters 75% of interviews are lost within three minutes of the candidate entering the room

• 25% of interviewers were put off by a weak handshake or lack of eye contact

• 24% by poor body language

• 18% by poor posture (e.g. slumped shoulders suggests lack of confidence) or presence

• Only 20% waited until the middle of the interview to judge a candidate on their knowledge of the industry and aptitude for the job

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Behavioural Interview Questions

• Past behaviour is a predictor of future behaviour

• Used to assess job related competencies

e.g., communication skills; teamwork; problem solving

• Demonstrates employability skills

e.g., “Describe a situation when you’ve; worked in a team, found a solution to a problem, demonstrated initiative, dealt effectively with conflict” etc

• Preparation is crucial and expected

• Expect follow-up questions

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Preparing for Behavioural Questions

Review the selection criteria or key competencies required for the role

Research or think of questions related to each competency

Prepare examples. Think of examples that draw on a range of experiences – study, work, voluntary activities, sport and recreation, clubs and societies

Use recent and relevant examples Apply the STAR method for each question Practice responding to questions. Become confident in

using your examples

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At the End of the Interview

• Return to unanswered questions or add anything you feel has been overlooked

• Ask questions you prepared beforehand

• Ask about the next stage in the process

• Smile, thank the interviewer(s) for their time, shake hands

• It’s not over until you’re out of sight!

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Next steps

• LMS readings for ‘applications and interviews’ module

• Update your resume; use the resume checklist in the PebblePad workbook

Thank you

Connect with us via:

Web: latrobe.edu.au/students/careers

Facebook: facebook.com/LaTrobeCareers

Twitter: @LTUcareers

Email: careers@latrobe.edu.au