1Australian Network on Disability

Stepping Into...

STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014

An exciting paid internship program for university students with disability

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Welcome to the Stepping Into... program.

There is a growing awareness of the capabilities, skills and talents that make a person with disability a valuable member of an organisation.

Our members are trailblazers in developing ‘disability confident’ workplaces and keen to attract to their organisation, talented students who happen to also have a disability.

As a Stepping Into... candidate, winning a place in a prestigious organisation is a great first step to your developing career.

This booklet will give you valuable information into the do’s and don’ts to assist you in promoting the best of yourself throughout the program. We have a vested interest in you making the very best first impression you can.

This is because if you are successful, you will be working in one of our member organisations, and we want this to be a mutually satisfying experience for both you and the employer.

This booklet covers some of the things you will need to know to help you navigate a successful internship as an opening for your career.

I wish you every success with your application and career journey.

Good Luck!

Jenny Watts-Sampson Stephanie LittlewoodProgram Manager Project Assistant

Australian Network on Disability

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“The Stepping Into Program…”

Step 1: Application

Step 2: Briefing with AND

Step 3: Interview with Employers

Step 4: Selection

Step 5: Internship

Step 6: Follow-up/Evaluation

Step 7: Offering a helping hand

Step 8: How to use your experience to further your career

Step 9: Where to go for help

Australian Network on Disability

STEP 1: APPLICATION

It cannot be stressed often enough - please read the application form and eligibility criteria thoroughly! Read every sentence, make notes alongside the points you don’t understand. We will try to answer all of your questions. We are keen for you to have a good grasp of the commitment you are making and are happy to help you submit the best application you can.

Ring (or email) for advice BEFORE you send your application through to us if you need to.

Make a note of all the important dates - especially the closing date.

Make sure you have allowed enough time to obtain a copy of your transcript (your uni can certify this for you).

Wherever possible please collate and send all documents in an MS Word or PDF format in the following order: 1) application;

2) cover letter 3) resume; 4) transcript; and 5) any other documentation

The application process is designed to provide an opportunity for you to show your strengths and skills. While your transcript is important it is only a part of the application process.

Research the organisation that you are nominating on your application.

The employer will not be given any information about your disability. It is up to you to disclose to the employer, should you wish to.

We ask for details about your disability for the following reasons: To ensure you are eligible for the program; To ascertain trends on who is using our program.

Remember this is a short term internship, not an ongoing employment opportunity.

STEP 2: BRIEFING

Shortly after the closing date you will be invited to a briefing session in your city or via Skype. This is a first interview!

Please note: it is essential you attend a briefing as this is one of the criteria used to determine your eligibility and suitability for the program. We do not put forward students who have not attended a briefing session.

You should receive an email from us with dates for the briefing session. If you have not received this within a week after the application closing date please contact us.

Each briefing session will include information on the internships on offer and what to expect from the internship experience. We will also provide tips on the interview and assessment process that will maximise your chances of success.

There will be plenty of time for you to ask questions.

Use the time between the briefing and the interview to get some practice at interviews with Career Services at your university. You can also be supported by the Disability Services Unit.

This is a very important step - both units at your uni are aware of this program and the need for experience in mock interviewing. The practice you put in now will make the actual interview that much easier.

Even though this internship is not an ongoing job, it will assist you to build skills and experience that may boost your future career.

It is well worth putting that extra effort into your preparation.

STEP 3: INTERVIEW WITH EMPLOYERS

Interview times will be arranged directly with you by the potential employer, so please respond to emails, phone calls or messages promptly.

Establish the following points: Location - distance & travel time; What kind of work do they specialise in? How will your disability impact on you getting to the workplace? Do the organisation’s values fit yours? Timing of any other internship or graduate programs and when do they take place? The dress code of the organisation

If you don’t catch the person’s name who calls you, ask them to repeat it and make a note of it. This person may be part of your interview panel. You never know when you might need to refer back to this initial conversation so it is helpful to know who you are talking to. Ask the caller to confirm the information via email, particularly the interview date, time and location.

If you have another appointment scheduled before or after the interview you need to be aware that the interview process could take longer than you think. Always leave yourself plenty of time to get there and be ON TIME! Don’t arrive more than 10 minutes early unless requested to do so by the employer.

Ask the person who is arranging the interview if there is anything you need to bring. You will of course need a copy of your resume, the Stepping into application form (minus disability information) your academic transcript, along with a list of your referees.

If you need any adjustments for the interview, such as a hearing loop or the materials in a different format, this is the time to ask.Interviews can be quite stressful so we recommend that you take with you some brief notes to assist. Think about specific examples of how you have demonstrated your skills and abilities.

You can ask whether you’ll be interviewed by a single person or a panel. This makes it easier to prepare for the interview.

Be polite - remember to thank the person for their help. Let them know you are looking forward to the opportunity and be business-like. Keep your more detailed questions for the interview.

The night before, make sure that you have all the clothes you are going to wear washed and ironed. “Business attire” is essential. Men: a suit, tie and shirt

Women: a shirt, jacket and skirt or trousers. Avoid loud jewellery or strong perfumes. Pay special attention to ensuring your shoes, bag and hair are clean and tidy. Take a copy of your resume, application and documents in a folder or briefcase that is waterproof and sturdy. Handing over documents that are scrunched will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Finally, have a good night’s sleep - but first make sure you set more than one alarm!

When you get to the office building make sure that you are ‘together’ - your jacket is straight, shirt tucked in, tie knotted, etc. Do a quick bathroom check if you can see one close by.

Do NOT take food, coffee, drinks or water into the interview.

Water will usually be offered at the start of the interview. If it’s not, then politely ask for a glass after you have completed the introductions.

At the front desk let the receptionist know your name and what you are there for, e.g. “Hello my name is Jo Smith and I’m here for an interview with Sam Brown”.

Listen carefully to any instructions.You might be told to take a seat and to wait for someone to collect you, or you may be asked to go to another room.

If you are unsure of the instructions, or did not hear clearly simply say “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that clearly and I’m a bit nervous, could you repeat that for me please?”. Then try listening carefully again. Ask for the instructions to be written down if you are still having difficulty understanding.

Always accept a glass of water when it is offered during an interview - you can always sip while you think of your next response.

Breathe and relax before you answer each question. If you don’t understand, ask the interviewer to ask the question again, maybe in a different way or more slowly so that you can understand it better.

Remember it is always best to admit you’re not sure rather than trying to pretend you know something you don’t!

When the interviewer asks if you have any questions it is a good idea to have a few prepared to show that you have thought about the organisation and have done some research.

If you have not already done so, you may decide to advise the interviewer of any reasonable adjustments you may need in the workplace. If you can, prepare an overview of

information about any adjustments you will require. This makes the process simpler for everyone.

Remember that these organisations are all on the journey to be ‘disability confident’ and will want to implement reasonable adjustments as soon as possible so you can be productive in your work and your experience will be a positive one!

Send an email to the interviewer afterwards thanking them for their time. Manners go a long way towards making a good impression.

STEP 4: SELECTION

If you are selected for an internship make sure you have all the relevant details you need, such as the exact office address where you will be working, your start and finish date, the name of your supervisor and their contact details, the pay rate you will be on and what your work hours will be.

If the internship is not in your home town please tell the organisation your new contact details.

You will need to provide your tax file number, bank account and superannuation details so you can be paid (very important!).

STEP 5: INTERNSHIP

InductionMost organisations will conduct an orientation or induction into the company including OH&S and emergency procedures. Induction procedures are very specific to each organisation and can take anywhere from a few hours to a whole week.

During the induction you will be introduced to key people, find out where bathrooms and kitchens are, plus other practical information to assist with your internship.

We recommend you take a notebook or PDA to record important information such as contact people and any tasks you are assigned.

Remember this internship is like starting a new job - there is a lot to learn and while your supervisor is there to help you, they also have their own work to do. Help your team by being an active listener.

Expect to be quite tired in the first week or so. You are learning a lot of new information and perhaps working a full day so try and limit social activities in the first week if you can. Make the internship your first priority.

We will contact you after your first week to see how everything is going. We would also welcome you to contact us to let us know how you are.

VERY IMPORTANT!!! Maintain a work log. This information will help build your resume, and will assist you to tell other prospective employers what you did during the internship. Make sure you don’t include any confidential information though.

E.g. you might write something like “Created an account for a client using MYOB”.

STEP 6: EVALUATION

You will receive an evaluation survey from the Australian Network on Disability once you have completed your internship.

Please complete this survey and submit online.

We use this information to 1) to find out what we can do better.2) let the employer know about your experience.3) ways to improve the Stepping Into... program for future students.

Your feedback is very important and we encourage you to use this opportunity to express your thoughts about your experience.

The whole point of this program is to measure how well it went for both the student and the employer.

STEP 7: OFFERING A HELPING HAND

We would value and appreciate your assistance after your internship.

You can assist us in one (or more) of the following ways: Becoming a mentor for next years’ students (including coming to briefings and/or

offering to be a phone contact to a student during the early stages of their internship). Sharing your experience by writing a couple of paragraphs or recording a video

interview with us about what your internship was like - highlighting your successes and any challenges.

Be part of our Alumni and keep in touch with us after your internship to let us know where you go next in your career.

Offer your services as a guest speaker at events that promote the program to fellow students.

STEP 8: HOW TO USE YOUR EXPERIENCE TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT

While Stepping Into... doesn’t provide an ongoing job, it might be that first step into your career.

We’ve had many success stories we’re some of the previous interns were offered ongoing employment after the internship, some were offered a graduate position upon graduation and some secured other opportunities as a result of the work experience they had with the organisation.

The key is to network!! Find out who you are working with. Who you might be able to ask to be a referee for future jobs.Get to know the HR department. If you enjoy working in the organisation find out the correct procedure for applying for future positions.

See if you can find a mentor within the organisation.

Industry sectors are usually quite small and there is a lot of inter-department and company collaboration. People in your organisation will know others in the industry.

Be pleasant! It is very important for your colleagues to see that you are a friendly and helpful person to have around the office.

Remember you are part of a team and are not just there for your own benefit. Offer to help others if you have some extra time. It is a great opportunity to understand their role, build further skills and demonstrate your own skills to team members.While most people will avoid discussing your disability, others may be quite curious. Think about ways to discuss this openly without going into too much detail. Aim to open their eyes to the skills and abilities you bring to the workplace. You’ll be remembered in a positive light using this approach.Take part in office ‘water cooler’ conversations over lunch or during breaks - don’t keep yourself isolated. It can be a bit overwhelming when everyone else knows each other, but just smile, say hello and listen politely.

STEP 9: WHERE TO GO FOR EXTRA HELP

Don’t forget you have excellent resources at your university.Careers Services at your university are there to provide expert advice and support to help you with your applications, your resume, cover letters, interview skills and job searching tools.

Careers work with employers who are in the market of seeking graduates to work in their organisation. So they have an understanding of what employers look for and can help you improve your application.

Most universities support their students moving into work for at least 12 months after they have finished studying, if not longer.

Some points to remember: Use the university as much as possible; Practice your interview skills; Get some help on how to write an effective resume (this takes a lot of skill); Remember resumes change over time; make sure yours reflects the contemporary

requirements of the industry.

Tips for successful applications: Be clear on why you should be considered for the job. Make sure you address the selection criteria. State how your degree, skills and experience are relevant to the job at hand. Research the organisation before you apply.

Most of all, good luck!

Keep in touch!For updates, ‘Like Us” on Facebook

Jenny Watts-SampsonProgram Manager

Stephanie LittlewoodProject Assistant

Australian Network on Disability Postal: PO Box Q203, QVB Post Office, NSW 1230

National Line: 1300 363 645 Web: www.and.org.au