QUT Moreton Bay Libraries Job Search Skills Presentation 2014

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

http://www.slideshare.net/yourfuturequt

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

http://www.bridgetostudy.com.au/


Career Planning

You don’t have to know what career you

want - You do need to:

• Have a high level of self awareness

• Have 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?


What Do Employers Want?

Fit(the culture and values

of the organisation)

Will do (the personality,

passion interests, ambitions,motivation)

Can do(the knowledge

and skills)


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


It’s all about YOU

SELF AWARENESS

Employability Skills: Employability Skills Audit

Interests: What do you enjoy doing?

Try the ‘What type of work would suit you?' activity

(then use the Job Guide ‘Jobs Chart’ to check out possible occupations)

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillstest.html

http://www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/Building-your-career/Exploring-your-options/STEP-2-What-type-of-work-would-suit-you

http://www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/Building-your-career/Exploring-your-options/STEP-2-What-type-of-work-would-suit-you


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

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/Home/MyProfile/ProfileHome/InterestSummary/InterestsModeSelection?ActivityID=21

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/Home/MyProfile/ProfileHome/InterestSummary/InterestsModeSelection?ActivityID=21

http://career-services.careerone.com.au/personality-test/home.aspx



http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/careerquiz.aspx?TextOnly=0

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp



http://www.wiu.edu/advising/docs/Holland_Code.pdf

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_57.htm

http://www.lifevaluesinventory.org/


BUT! Consider other Influences

• Health• Physical attributes• Ability• Gender• Family

• Political decisions• Historical trends• Employment market (local) • Geographical location


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

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/explore%20careers/browse%20occupations/browseoccupationalphabetically.aspx

http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/CareerPlanningandResources/careerprofiles/index.htm

http://www.graduateopportunities.com/employer/careers_search

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the real world

R

QUESTIONS?


Exploring the Hidden Job Market!


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


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


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 ?

http://www.yellow.com.au/


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!


Professional Networking

• Local associations• Groups and clubs, or societies• Education staff• Students, former colleagues, classmates • Social networking!… Facebook? Linked In?

Twitter? • Professional associations


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)


Making Applications

• Resume Writing

• Cover Letter Writing

• Creating/responding to Selection Criteria

• Interview Preparation


Your Questions?

Your resume and Key Selection Criteria

questions?


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


The good, the bad and the ugly…


The good…


The bad…


The ugly …


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


Why is it important to start your resume now?

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

• Writing one now means that you won’t have only half a day to write your resume when you do apply for positions

• This will allow you to add new experiences and knowledge over time rather then having to remember it all at the last minute


Presentation of the resume:

• 10 second rule – resume information can be scanned at a glance

• Highlight your achievements, skills, and/or qualifications

• Never use one generic resume• Research the organisation and the

work...


Before you apply to any company...

Obtain as much information as you can about:

Relevant contacts The company – what do they do? The position – tasks and duties The position skill and ability requirements

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



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 ?

http://www.yellow.com.au/


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


Where to start?Brainstorm all of your experiences!

• Employment History (work experience, part time jobs or casual work roles)

• Volunteer Experiences (holiday work, community work)

• School Life (Projects at school, Student Group involvement)

• Licences / Training /Certificates• Your Achievements/Awards• Extra Curricular Activities (Sport, Associations,

Societies)• Leisure (Interests and Hobbies, member of a

team)• Referees?


Prepare examples of your skills!

Transferable Skills

USE THE S.T.A.R PRINCIPLE • The Situation/Task• The Action you took• The Result achieved

http://www.sdiea.org.au/uploads/files/ICanDoThat.pdf


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…


Writing covering letters

A covering letter is to ensure that the reader will be interested enough to read your resume


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


Covering Letters• This is your first contact - highlight the

information in your resume that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

• Undertake some background research into the job and organisation.

• Tailor each letter – do not use generic letters.

• Where possible, try to keep covering letters to one A4 page in length.


Writing Selection Criteria


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


How do you address selection criteria?

• Understand the selection criteria• Brainstorm ideas for each criterion• Expand on your brainstorming

ideas and provide the evidence• Check your work


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’.

• It is important that you clearly understand what is

meant by each selection criterion before putting pen to paper.


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.

• Generate as many useful examples as possible.


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

Help the employer by giving examplesof your skills and abilities:

USE THE S.T.A.R PRINCIPLE • The Situation/Task• The Action you took• The Result achieved


Criteria Assessment by Employers

• Short-listed based on evidence of essential and desirable capabilities required

• Must meet all of the ‘essential’ criteria in order to be seriously considered for a role

• ‘Desirable’ criteria - your chances of progressing

will be greater if you meet all the selection criteria, as you may be competing against many applicants

• Applicants are rated against the criteria in order to select the best right applicant…



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


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


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!


Templates & Guides

• Microsoft Office• Job Guide Resume Builder• Career One• Youth Central (VIC)• Education Queensland • Resume Guide – Myfuture

http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/templates/basic-resume-timeless-design-TC102835057.aspx

http://jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/resume/format

http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/resume-cover-letter/sample-resume/jobs.aspx

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/Jobs+&+Careers/Applying+for+jobs/CV+-+early+school+leaver+&+no+experience/

http://education.qld.gov.au/students/service/career/pdfs/writjob.pdf

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/tools%20and%20resources/tools%20for%20applying%20for%20jobs/preparing%20job%20applications.aspx

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/tools%20and%20resources/tools%20for%20applying%20for%20jobs/preparing%20job%20applications.aspx


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








The Job InterviewYour Questions?


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?


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


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?


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


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?


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!...


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 world

R

QUESTIONS?

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

http://www.slideshare.net/yourfuturequt


Contact Us

Your Future Careers TeamQUT CabooltureBuilding J Tel: 07 5316 7400Email: [email protected] www.bridgetostudy.com.au

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.bridgetostudy.com.au/

QUT Moreton Bay Libraries Job Search Skills Presentation 2014

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