Blogs

It’s that time of year again. A time to reflect on the year gone by and start planning for 2014. Here’s a list of things that should be on your resolutions list to help kick start your career.
 

Many of you will have experienced rejection when applying for jobs with the reason of “not a permanent resident (PR)”. You will probably have heard the same complaints from your friends or classmates who are international students as well. Unfortunately this creates the wrong perception and many international students believe that not having the PR is the only reason that’s stopping them from getting jobs. There is an anticipation that a job will be waiting once permanent residency is achieved.

Summer is about to begin and most students are now preparing for long relaxing days, no longer filled with classes, study or exams. Many are planning days spent at the beach, soaking in the sun and watching the waves with a fresh scoop of ice cream in hand. However, there are some students with a different plan! Students that are on the hunt for that elusive work experience opportunity which promises to help move them forward in their career. Here are some reasons why students everywhere are trading ice cream for internships this summer.

Your internship experience will lay the foundations for your future career so make sure you get the most out of it and learn as much as you can while contributing to the organisation. 

Have you really done EVERYTHING? Just clicking on the apply button is not enough. Most people know that finding a new job in this competitive age is not the easiest of tasks but you can’t just give up simply because it is hard work. The job market is competitive. Follow this six-point checklist of actions to give you a boost in your job hunt. 

You got the interview… now, what to wear? Whether you like it or not, your appearance is the first thing people notice about you – and first impressions last. It is a question millions of people agonise over on some level while preparing for a job interview. So how should you dress?

Transferable skills are the types of skills that you have developed in one type of role (i.e. Customer service assistant at a supermarket) but you are able to apply and utilise in a completely different role or industry (i.e. IT Helpdesk Support). Transferable skills include skills such as communication, time-management, team work and problem solving skills. The first step is to identify what transferable skills you have developed so that you can use them on your resume and when attending interviews.

The Australian job market is very tough at the moment. It is time to ask yourself if are you doing everything you can to ensure your application gets considered. Learn how a couple of extra steps can help you make the most out of your application.

Etiquette, or good manners, is a crucial skill you need to have in today’s business world in order to succeed. Mastering the art of being considerate in both your personal and business relationships can be the determining factor in getting that dream job!

Video interviews are becoming increasingly popular. Here are some top tips that will help you to get Skype ready in time for your interview. 

Ask yourself the question, “How many jobs have I applied for though online job sites?” If it’s more than 20 and you haven’t been invited forward for an interview, you may want to consider alternative ways to look for jobs. There are a number of techniques you can follow to help you in your job search.

Do you have any questions for us? Never say no. An interviewer never wants to hear the answer “No”. At this point it is your opportunity to show that you want to know more about the company and that you have a genuine interest in the role. Ask questions at the end of the interview and leave your potential new employer with a great impression. Here are some questions that are great to ask a potential employer at the end of your interview.

Graduating from an IT degree/Masters is only the beginning. It is not your passport to a job.

Here are 5 things you should be doing in order to make yourself more employable.

Have you ever asked yourself this question? A large part of your success within a company will depend on your likeability. The Age newspaper posted an article on this topic in November 2011 which stated, “When selecting their ideal colleague, most people opt for likeability over competence.” Here are 5 actions to consider in any job to ensure you are likeable. 

It is your character, which is the sum total of all your positive qualities, which can have the greatest impact on your job hunting and career success. There are some common attributes which employers and hiring managers really value.  Which of these characteristics below do you possess and which do you need to develop?  
 

Mentoring can work two ways and it can be beneficial to both parties. There are benefits of having a mentor and also benefits of being a mentor. 

The job market is competitive and there are many graduates out there with the same qualifications. So how will you stand out and have a successful career?

A ‘Thank you’ note sent after an interview is a professional courtesy that can give you an edge over your competitors. Here are some top tips to help you build an effective thank-you note.