CRICOS No. 00213J

Job Search Skills - Enhance your competitive edge in the job markethttp://www.slideshare.net/yourfuturequt

• Career planning• Exploring the Hidden Job Market• Writing effective resumes • Interview skills

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Welcome to Job Search Skills

Career Counsellor

Widening Participation

QUT Your Future Careers Team

www.bridgetostudy.com.au

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Career Planning

You need:

• A high level of self-awareness

• An awareness of career options and

pathways

This makes it easier to make career

decisions and choose career directions

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Self Awareness

Interests: What do you enjoy doing?

Personality: What are your personal qualities?

Values: What is meaningful to you?

Motivation: What makes you want to do your best?

Skills: What are you going to offer an employer?

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

What Do Employers Want?

Fit(the culture and values

of the organisation)

Will do(the personality,

passioninterests,

ambitions,motivation)

Can do(the knowledge

and skills)

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Core Skills for WorkNavigate the world of work

a. Manage career and work life

b. Work with roles, rights and protocols

Interact with others

a. Communicate for work

b. Connect and work with others

c. Recognise and utilise diverse perspectives

Get the work done

a. Plan and organise

b. Make decisions

c. Identify and solve problems

d. Create and innovate

e. Work in a digital world

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

It’s all about YOU

SELF AWARENESS

Employability Skills: Employability Skills Audit

Interests: What do you enjoy doing?

What type of work would suit you?

(then use the Job Guide ‘Jobs Chart’ to check

out possible occupations)

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Self Assessment Myfuture Interests Activity

Careerone Personality Test

Job Outlook Career Quiz

HumanMetrics Career Assessment

Holland's Career Interest Party Game

Test your Motivation

Clarifying your Life Values

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Career Options and Pathways

MyfutureOccupations List – details of eachoccupation

Graduate Careers AustraliaCareer Profiles – career booklets for eachindustry

Graduate Opportunities – use these linksto jobsearch - Careers Search

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for thereal world

R

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Exploring the Hidden Job Market!

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

What is the Hidden Job Market?

• Some Job Opportunities Are Never Advertised

• 55% + positions vacant filled through an informal network

• “Hidden job market" jobs only accessed through networking or warm calling

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Explore The Hidden Job Market

4 most effective ways to find a job are:

• Using business directories, focusing on your field

• Presenting yourself to organisations of interest

• Being in job networking, association, support groups

• Networking with family, friends and associates

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Using business directories -focusing on your field

www.yellow.com.au

Websites, annual reports, newsletters, brochures, catalogues, staff

and…Research….Their services? Product lines ?Competitors? Growth prospects ?Organisational structure?Overseas trends and developments ?

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Presenting yourself to organisations of interest

“Informational Interviewing”

• Ask questions• Express interest• Gain information from potential

employers about the job, requirements, expectations and possible vacancies

• Develop interview skills, knowledge about your industry

• Create networks!

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Professional Networking

• Local associations

• Groups and clubs, or societies

• Education staff

• Students, former colleagues, classmates

• Social networking!… Facebook? Linked In? Twitter?

• Professional associations

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Personal Networking –with family and friends:

• Family• Your employed (and unemployed) friends• Store owners (dry cleaner, barber,

hairdresser)• P/T work - customers, clients• Doctors, lawyers, accountants, bankers,

insurance agents• Tradespeople (plumbers, carpenters,

painters)

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Making Applications

• Resume Writing

• Cover Letter Writing

• Creating/responding to Selection Criteria

• Interview Preparation

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Your Questions?

Your resume and Key

Selection Criteria

questions?

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Your Aim

To prepare Resumes, Cover Letters and Key

Selection Criteria statements - to be used as

a self-promoting and marketing tool,

appropriate to potential employer

expectations

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

The good, the bad and the ugly…

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

The good…

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

The bad…

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

The ugly …

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

What are the employers looking for?

Academic achievement

• Grades/ Performance

• Subjects studied

• Knowledge acquired

Non academic achievement

• Work experience

• Previous work history

• Work skills acquired

Extra- curricular activities• Clues to

achievement and motivation

• Leadership qualities• Teamwork skills• Attitude

Personal qualities

• Motivation

• Values

• Communication

• Commitment

• Teamwork ability

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Why is it important to start your resume now?

• Writing a resume is about as much fun as pulling out teeth!

• Write one now without rushing

• Add new experiences and knowledge over time

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Presentation of the resume:

• 10 second rule

• Highlight achievements, skills, qualifications

• Never use one generic resume

• Research the organisation and the work...

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Before you apply to any company...

Obtain as much information as you can about:

Relevant contacts The company – what do they do?

Job Specific Info

The position – tasks and duties The position skill and ability requirements

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/occupations

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Your all-purpose Resume

• Contact Details Only (check your email!)• Career Objective (optional)• Key Skills or Strengths (for the job)• Employment History/Work Experience• Education• Licences/Certificates• Interests & Hobbies/Achievements• Referees

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Where to start?Brainstorm all of your experiences!

• Employment/work experience• Volunteer/community experiences • Education Projects/Group

involvement• Licences/Training/Certificates• Your Achievements/Awards• Leisure Activities (Teams,

Associations, Societies)• Referees?

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Prepare examples of your skills!

Transferable Skills

USE THE S.T.A.R PRINCIPLE

• The Situation/Task

• The Action you took

• The Result achieved

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Presentation of the Resume:Make the resume easy to read

• DO NOT use fancy fonts, coloured or textured paper etc and DO NOT put your resume into a folder or binder – just a clip in the left corner is sufficient OR send by email

• Be very careful with spelling and grammar – have it checked by someone else…

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Writing covering letters

A covering letter is to ensure that the reader

will be interested enough to read your resume

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Cover Letter Structure

• Use The Person’s Name

• Tell Them Why You’re Writing

• Tell Them Why You’re Interested in them

• Tell Them Why You’re Suited – your skills

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Covering Letters

• First contact – make it relevant

• Research the job and organisation

• Tailor each letter – no generic letters

• One A4 page in length (usually)

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Writing Selection Criteria

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

What is Selection Criteria about?

Selection criteria may include:• Skills• Qualifications• Aptitudes• Abilities• Experience• Personal attributes

All are necessary to perform the job you areapplying for

Short-listing is based on how well yourApplication addresses selection criteria

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Understand the selection criteria

• As an example, take the capability written communication skills. The associated selection criterion could be –

– ‘Well developed written communication skills. This includes the ability to:• structure written communications such as

reports to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience;

• express opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly and concisely; and to

• write convincingly in an engaging and expressive manner’.

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Brainstorm ideas for each criterion

For each selection criterion, brainstorm ideas from your (recent) work life • Positive examples of ‘well developed written

communication skills’:– Project Officer at ... – needed to write

report on project planning methodologies – when Research Support Officer at

Moreton Bay Regional Council – designed and compiled a monthly newsletter

– research project when at TAFE – needed to collate diverse sets of data, organise the information into topic areas, and synthesise into a paper for senior management

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Prepare examples of your experience, abilities for the skills needed in the job

Help the employer by giving examples

of your skills and abilities:

USE THE S.T.A.R PRINCIPLE

• The Situation/Task

• The Action you took

• The Result achieved

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Hints and tips 1

• Individually address each criterion under

separate headings

• Carefully read each selection criterion.

Break down each criterion into parts and

address each aspect thoroughly

• Always consult the position description so

that you know the purpose of the

selection criteria and for terms,

language, jargon etc

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Hints and tips 2

• Use as many concrete examples as possible to support your claim to meet each criterion -education, employment, social, committee participation, voluntary work, hobbies etc

• If an example applies to a number of selection criteria, include it under each relevant criterion

• Where possible substantiate your examples with indicators of how well you did them. This might include results, comments, extended contracts, happy customers etc

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Hints and tips 3

• Do not refer to your resume. Copy from your resume into your selection criteria statement

• Use good English. Ensure that your application is written clearly and concisely, that it is grammatically correct, and free of spelling errors

• Get someone to read it through before you send it to make sure it makes sense!

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Templates & Guides

• Microsoft Office

• Job Guide Resume Builder

• Career One

• Youth Central (VIC)

• Education Queensland

• Resume Guide – Myfuture

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Further information• For ‘Occupations’ information on job duties and skills – go to

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/Occupations

• For careers and labour market research information got to Job

Outlook - a site to help you decide on your future career

http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/alpha.aspx

• Job Guide – for details of jobs

http://www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/occupation/search

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

The Job InterviewYour Questions?

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Purpose of the interview

• Are you the right person for the job and

organisation?

• Do you have the skills, interests,

experiences to contribute job and

organisation?

• Will you fit into the organisation

community?

• Are you professionally competent?

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Sample interview questions• Tell us about yourself….

• Why do you want to work for our company?

• What do you know about our company/organisation?

• What key skills do you have for this job?

• How have you shown leadership in your life? Provide a specific example….

• How have you shown effective teamwork in your life?

Provide a specific example….

• What is your biggest weakness?

• How do you handle disruptive situations or people? Can

you refer to a specific example?...

• What long term career interests do you have?

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Where is the evidence?

• Academic results/ Certificates

• Examples of Work Experience

• Resume and response to Selection

Criteria

• Response to interview questions

• Personal experiences – work history,

extra curricular activities, interests

• Presentation at interview

• References

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Questions for you to ask

• What is the level and depth of training?

• What are the key priorities for the role right now?

• How will I be managed and supported?

• What qualities do your most successful workers

possess?

• How (often) do you measure an employee’s success?

• How often do you conduct performance reviews?

CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the real worldR

Your interview preparation

• Review job description

• Reflect on experiences

• Brainstorm responses to questions

• Practice responses out loud

• Organise portfolio/ folder to take to interview

• Consider your appearance

• Timing- how long will you need to get there, park car, find room? …. Let’s practice!...

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Interview Practice

In two’s or threes …

• One Interviewer

• One Interviewee/Observer

1. Take it in turns to ask the ‘Sample Interview Questions’

2. Observers please note responses and provide feedback to Interviewee

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Sins! These won’t get you the job

• Criticising previous employers(What will you say about them…?)

• Talking about personal, domestic, political, religious issues unless asked(What’s that got to do with the job…?)

• Reading from your resume (If you don’t know about yourself…)

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real worldR

Questions?

www.slideshare.net/yourfuturequt

Your Future Careers Team

QUT Caboolture

Building J

Tel: 07 5316 7666

Email: yourfuture@qut.edu.au

www.bridgetostudy.com.au