Graduate employment series Job search strategies 1 Graduate Employment Series The Graduate Employment Series comprises four booklets designed to help you with your graduate job search: Job Search Strategies, Resume / CV, Job Interviews and Applications / Selection Criteria. As well as reading these booklets, we also recommend you attend Graduate Employment Series seminars and utilise our on-line resources to maximise your chances in today s competitive job market. Job search strategies This booklet outlines the most effective methods for finding work experience, vacation work and graduate employment. It also guides you through the preparation and research required to market yourself effectively to employers and outlines strategies to target employers, listing a variety of helpful resources for your job search. Tips for your graduate job search It s a competitive world out there with many graduates seeking employment. Keep these tips in mind: Employers won t come to you. Take a proactive approach. Know your strengths and how to market them to employers. Employers value skills gained from university, casual and volunteer work, and life in general. Researching organisations will help you make effective applications and find a job that suits you. Most jobs are never advertised. You need to explore a range of job search strategies. Learn to improve your job search skills and increase your chances of finding a satisfying graduate job. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR GRADUATE JOB SEARCH!
2 Graduate employment series Job search strategies Contents Marketing the most effective approach.... 3 Steps in the job search process... 3 Identify your selling points........ 4 Connect with your target market..... 6 Resources on the Careers and Employment website... 7 Job vacancy sources..... 8 Learn effective marketing techniques..... 9 Take your product to the market.. 14 Job Search Readiness Checklist. 15 Resources........ 15 Published by the Careers and Employment Service, Student Services, Griffith University. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior permission of the publisher. Copyright March 2012
Graduate employment series Job search strategies 3 Marketing - the most effective approach Being successful in today s graduate job search involves knowing how best to market your skills, education and experience to employers. Applying for a job is rather like marketing a product, and in this case, the product is YOU. So how do you market a product? Identify the selling points Connect with the target market Learn effective marketing techniques Take the product to the market Clear awareness of your major selling points is the first stage in the development of your personal marketing strategy. Steps in the job search process 1. Identify your selling points Know your employability skills and work-related values. Consider which types of organisations and work environments suit you. Develop clear statements about what you can offer an employer. 2. Connect with your target market. Investigate the needs/requirements of employers, and how you can contribute. Research which industries and employers require your skills, knowledge and experience. 3. Learn effective marketing techniques Find out which personal marketing strategies have the best track record. 4. Take your product to the market Put your marketing plan into action! To be competitive in today s job market, you need to promote your strengths and experience both in writing (applications), and in person (interviews). Employers use an applicant s marketing literature (resume, application letter, responses to selection criteria, etc.) to refine their search for the best candidates. Shortlisted applicants are then interviewed, the authenticity of their claims evaluated, and their suitability for the job assessed. Treating your job search as a business will help you be more organised and ensure you stand out from the competition.
4 Graduate employment series Job search strategies 1. Identify your selling points Almost a quarter of your life will be spent at work, so it s crucial to identify your marketable skills and be clear about the work roles and organisational settings that suit you best. Take the time to clarify your employability skills, as these are your selling points when approaching employers. While considering your skills, think both in general terms (e.g. strong organisational skills, good communication skills) and in discipline-specific terms (e.g. proficient in using MYOB, competent in the preparation of environmental assessments). As part of your job search preparation, it s useful to record how and where you gained these skills, and then develop strong, clear statements about each skill. The following list represents a sample of skills valued by employers. You may find it useful to identify your key employment-related skills in the box below. Communication, Teamwork, Conflict resolution, Negotiation, Strategic thinking, Analytical, Research, Networking, Attention to detail, Problem solving, Critical thinking, Time management, Leadership, Interpersonal, Working to deadlines, Organisation, Training, Lateral thinking, Languages (other than English), Management, Clerical, Customer service, Delegation, Strategic thinking, Strategic planning, Public relations, Motivating, Liaison, Attention to detail, Coordination, Information gathering, Handling pressure, Innovation, Adaptability, Needs assessment, Record management, Cataloguing. Marketable skills - general (from your degree, employment, community involvement ) Degree: eg Research, analytical,... Employment: eg Interpersonal and customer service (3 yrs at Hungry Jack s)... Leisure activities: eg Leadership (soccer captain, club leader), teamwork,... Marketable skills - discipline-specific eg Preparing tax returns (part-time work), Developing a marketing plan
Graduate employment series Job search strategies 5 As well as being aware of your selling points, it s also important to think about the type of position and organisational setting that would work best for you. How would you answer the following questions? What s important to you in a job? (e.g. security, professional development, money, friendly workplace, challenge.) What kind of work-related activities do you enjoy (or not enjoy)? (e.g. dealing with clients, giving presentations, researching, writing reports.) What company culture would enable you to work at an optimum level? (e.g. fast-paced/high pressured, best practice focus, small friendly company with team-focused employees.) Where do you want to work? (e.g. Brisbane, Southeast Queensland, regional areas of the state, interstate, overseas) The following tick box may be useful in helping you clarify your work preferences and values. WORK PREFERENCES Working with others Having variety in my work Working with ideas Being closely supervised Having little or no supervision Supervising others Training others Researching Running groups/meetings Organising events Promoting services/products Interacting with customers/clients Negotiating Planning or implementing strategies Working alone Working at a fast pace Performing routine work Working with data Working with numbers Being well-rewarded financially Working for public or community benefit Having well-defined duties and responsibilities Working for the non-profit sector Working for an international company Working for a small to medium enterprise LIFE / WORK VALUES Close relationships Personal growth Spiritual growth Personal possessions Physical fitness Financial gain Helping other people Contributing to society Ethical practices Achievement Prestige Challenge Public attention Adventure Competition Flexible work schedule Persuading Moral values Creativity Recognition Travel Security Influencing others Healthy lifestyle Autonomy Now that you ve established your major selling points and your work/organisational preferences, the next step is to identify and connect with your target market; that is, employers who hire people with your skillset and experience.
6 Graduate employment series Job search strategies 2. Connect with your target market Research is often the most overlooked step in the job search process. Even a small amount of research puts you ahead of many other candidates! Why research employers and organisations? To identify the employers you want to target To know what employers are looking for so you can match your skills and abilities with employers requirements To impress employers with your interest in, and knowledge of, the organisation/field in your applications and interviews. Research is vital to an effective job search. It gives you a big picture understanding about employment in your field and also provides a detailed outline of a specific organisation. Your first information source is usually the internet, but visiting an organisation can provide useful insights into its culture and ethos. Conducting research to identify links between your selling points (your skills, experience, interests and qualifications) and an employer s needs increases your chances of success in the graduate job market. Research will also reduce the number of approaches you need to make, saving you time in the end. How can you research local, national and international employers and organisations? Visit employer websites relevant to your degree. View industry directories in the Career Options guides, available on the website below. intranet.griffith.edu.au/careers >> Find career direction >> Career options with my degree Join a professional association. Professional associations can provide information about professional accreditation, industry lists, conferences, meetings and other networking opportunities. Membership is often open to students and less expensive than full membership. Joining a professional association is an excellent strategy as it gives you access to major players in your profession. You can find links to professional associations in the Career Options guide for your degree. intranet.griffith.edu.au/careers >> Find career direction >> Career options with my degree Attend Employers On-Campus sessions and Careers Fairs. Organisations conducting major recruitment campaigns often attend Griffith s Careers Fairs and offer on-campus information sessions where you can talk to recruiters. Advertisements for these events appear on CareerBoard. intranet.griffith.edu.au/careers >> Find job vacancies and work experience >> CareerBoard Network your way to employment. Think about your existing networks, family, friends and others you know. It s quite possible you already have useful professional contacts either directly or indirectly. For further hints on networking, see page 11. Conduct free searches of company information databases View databases such as the Business Who s Who of Australia or the Global Market Information Database by browsing for Company Information in a Subject search in the Information Services Library catalogue.
Graduate employment series Job search strategies 7 Contact potential employers directly Seek brochures, annual reports, etc. Speaking directly with employers will give you valuable information and contacts to assist you in your job search. Use online directories, such as Yellow pages. They can be a useful source of industry contacts. What kind of information should you gather? It can be easy to become overloaded with information, so focus on identifying information that presents opportunities to match your potential with the employer s needs. At a minimum, develop a good general knowledge of the organisation including: Products and/or services Policies and goals Position in the market Location(s) Ownership Organisational culture Organisational structure Typical career paths Promotion policy Resources on the Careers and Employment website The careers website - intranet.griffith.edu.au/careers - caters specifically for the career needs of Griffith students and graduates, and includes a range of useful resources, some of which are listed below. CareerBoard Thousands of jobs are advertised each year on CareerBoard, many of which may not be advertised elsewhere. These vacancies include part-time jobs, final-year recruitment campaigns, work experience and graduate vacancies (updated daily). Career options with my degree The Career Options guides are available on the Careers and Employment website. The guides provide information on relevant occupations, industries and employers, sample graduate job advertisements related to your degree, and links to: Employer directories (public & private sectors) Vacancy websites (Australian and international) Professional associations Graduate Opportunities Graduate Opportunities is the major directory of graduate recruitment in Australia including both private and public sectors. Graduate Opportunities is published in March, and contains a summary of each recruiting organisation and the disciplines from which they are recruiting. Copies are usually available at annual careers fairs or online at www.graduateopportunities.com Gradsonline The Grads Jobs and Dollars website, hosted by Graduate Careers Australia, features starting salaries and national graduate destination information by field of study at www.gradsonline.com.au
8 Graduate employment series Job search strategies Job vacancy sources You can link to a large number of job vacancy websites on the Careers and Employment website at: intranet.griffith.edu.au/careers >> Find job vacancies and work experience. These include: CareerBoard (see p 7) To register on CareerBoard, use your learning@griffith login. Other vacancy websites relevant to my discipline Links to relevant recruitment websites for your degree can be found in Career options with my degree. International opportunities Links to graduate recruitment specialists, culturally-specific resume and interview advice, industry and employment trends in the world's major economies, internships, exchanges, working holidays, ESL jobs and more... Voluntary work opportunities Voluntary work is a great way to gain some work experience and make the world a better place. Be aware that Griffith University advertises jobs online (http://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-jobs), as do other universities. Major job vacancy websites - Australia Graduate Opportunities (see previous page) The major directory of graduate programs in Australia. Seek Campus (http://seek.com.au/campus) - Specialising in graduate recruitment and endorsed by Graduate Careers Australia. MyCareer (http://mycareer.com.au/) Vacancies from The Australian Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age (Melbourne). CareerOne (http://www.careerone.com.au/) Vacancies from The Courier Mail and The Australian. Australian Public Service Recruitment Major graduate job vacancy websites - International Opportunities Asia China Europe India Indonesia Malaysia Singapore United Kingdom United States United States Grad Asia Grad China Eurograduate live Freshershome JobStreet Campus Indonesia Graduan GradSingapore Prospects Web UK Quintessential Careers United Nations Headquarters Graduate Internships Going global (international job-search engine) The Going Global website links to major recruitment websites, employer directories, business and networking groups, culturally-specific resume and interview advice, and industry and employment trends for 24 of the world s major economies. Your focus may become less What jobs can my degree lead to? and more What roles/organisations can I market myself to?
Graduate employment series Job search strategies 9 3. Learn effective marketing techniques The hidden job market Do you realise that more than 70 per cent of vacancies are never advertised? Some of these will be filled within an organisation, but there are still are large number of jobs you won t find out about from on-line job sites or recruitment agencies. So how can you tap into this? You can only find out about these jobs by getting in touch with employers, so being in the right place at the right time can be crucial. Applying for advertised positions is an effective strategy, but reducing competition from other applicants is even better. You can do this by learning of vacancies which would normally be filled internally, securing a short-term project which turns into a full-time job, and/or by becoming a known candidate on the basis of your work experience, project work, networking or workplace interviewing. Once you ve identified the employers you wish to target, the next step is to make contact using one of these proven strategies: Workplace interviewing Employment networking Speculative applications Workplace interviewing Workplace interviewing is a way of finding information about your future career by asking questions of someone working in that field. This strategy has the best track record for tapping into the hidden job market. Workplace interviewing is not about asking for a job, but about gathering information regarding your profession, finding the kind of job you want, identifying where you d like to work, and building the necessary contacts to gain employment. It can also assist you to: confirm your choice of career clarify your employment and career objectives obtain information about working in a particular industry or organisation find out a job s day-to-day activities shortlist organisations you d like to work in build confidence in your ability to speak with employers develop contacts for work experience. Begin with a field in which you are interested, or one in which past graduates have been employed (see Career Options on the Careers and Employment website). To help you decide what to investigate, consider a job title, a field, or an industry area - all make useful starting points. In seeking people to interview, you can start with or be referred by: one of your lecturers (some have good professional contacts) people you know in the field (e.g. friends, family friends, people known to your friends, workmates, and parents /partner s colleagues) people you meet socially (e.g. at the gym, in a sports team, in a club)
10 Graduate employment series Job search strategies contacts of people you know (e.g. you ve heard about them from someone) professional recruiters in your industry an appropriate professional association. You can also develop your own contacts by seeking an interview with someone you don t know. This becomes easier as you gain confidence, but be prepared for some knock-backs. Workplace interviewing is easier than you think. These suggestions will get you started. Target several organisations in which you are interested and/or need to know more about. Identify the appropriate contact in the organisation. (You could start off by contacting the Human Resource Department. Obtain the correct spelling of your contact s name and job title). Write to the person (by name) requesting a 15-minute meeting, and stating that you will phone in the next few days to set up an appointment. If you have been referred by someone, mention their name (see example below). Phone to arrange a meeting. Prepare by researching the organisation and developing questions to ask. Meet with the person you contacted and be mindful of your agreed timeframe. Request a referral to another contact (being referred increases your chances of expanding your list of contacts). Follow up with a thank you email or letter within 24 hours. Sample letter requesting a workplace interview [Your address] [Your telephone] [Date] [Name of addressee] [Position] [Address] Dear Ms Smith, Mr Jones was kind enough to share your name and email with me. I m very interested in opportunities in health care administration and I ve read about your extensive experience in this area. I wonder if you d be able to spare fifteen minutes to share advice, ideas, leads or referrals with a graduate wanting to enter the health-care administration field. I ll follow up with a telephone call to your office next Tuesday morning. You can count on me to follow through precisely. I look forward to speaking with you. Thank you for considering my request. Yours sincerely, [Your signature] [Your name printed]
Graduate employment series Job search strategies 11 Before phoning your contact, it s useful to think about how you are going to introduce yourself, e.g. "Good morning Mr Smith. My name is Mary Green, and I'm a final-year student studying a Bachelor of Business at Griffith University. I believe that in order for me to really understand the industry I hope to join, it s essential to speak with a professional who can provide me with a realistic picture; so I d really appreciate the opportunity to speak with you for about 15 minutes. Would it be possible for me to meet with you sometime during the next few weeks? Researching the industry and the particular organisation you re targetting is crucial as you want to come across as informed and competent. Before the interview, develop a list of questions to ask, such as: How did you get started in this industry? How would you describe the job roles/functions of your position? What are the satisfactions and dissatisfactions connected with your occupation? How does your company differ from its competitors? What sorts of changes are occurring in this profession? Do you have any advice for final-year students who are hoping to get ahead in the field? Can you suggest anyone else who might be useful to talk with? Present a professional image at the interview by being punctual, organised and dressed in business attire. Take a copy of your resume to leave with the person you re meeting with, and ask if you could recontact them should you have any further queries. Following the interview, ask if your contact could put you in touch with someone else in the industry. Remember, workplace interviewing isn t about asking for a job up front, but about getting your face seen and gaining more information about your career field and employing organisations. Note: Job openings often follow the four stages listed below. There are opportunities in the first three stages for you to ensure employers see the match between what you offer and what they need, hence avoiding the need for stage 4. Workplace interviewing resources No job opening No formal openings, but insiders know a job is coming up A job opening exists but it hasn t been advertised The job is advertised Article on workplace interviewing at intranet.griffith.edu.au/careers >> Assistance-with-job-search >> Resources >> Workplace interviewing Employment networking How many people do you know? How many do they know? Networking is about making and using contacts to help you achieve your objectives. Most people have a network of about 50 people. Just think how much easier it would be if you had 50 extra pairs of eyes and ears helping you find a job. That s what employment networking is all about. Employment networking is the simple process of identifying anyone you come in contact with, letting them know you are seeking contacts in your field, and asking them if they know of any opportunities or can suggest someone who might. It s also about helping others in the same way. An excellent source of industry contacts may be your professional association. Professional associations in your field can be a wealth of resources for networking and job listings. Use the following diagram to start identifying your existing contacts and begin making new contacts.
12 Graduate employment series Job search strategies Community Associations Mentors Local business people Community contacts Professional contacts Lecturers Past work colleagues Social contacts Relatives and friends Leisure contacts Other students LinkedIn Neighbours Old school friends Sporting contacts Social Media connections LinkedIn is the professional equivalent of Facebook. It allows you to connect to professionals from numerous disciplines from all over the world, research companies and strengthen and extend your network of trusted contacts. Jobs are posted on LinkedIn, and many recruiters use it as a source for identifying potential candidates. To use LinkedIn optimally, it is important to complete your profile, using keywords from your resume. Also consider posting a photograph. To enable students and recent graduates to get the most out of using LinkedIn, there's a helpful Grad Guide on the website to get you started at http://grads.linkedin.com/. For more information about making LinkedIn's features work for you, attend one of our Professional Networking seminars. Maintaining your network is as important as building it! Keep your networks alive and active with effective follow-up. Maintain a log of people you have contacted and record the date(s) you followed them up. Write follow-up and thank you letters (see below for a sample follow-up letter) and be creative about staying in touch with your contacts. Speculative applications Sample networking follow-up letter [Your address] [Your telephone] [Date] Mr John Daly Human Resource Manager BMC Australia GPO Box 412 BRISBANE Q 4000 Dear Mr Daly, You may remember we met at the GRADMAC conference eight weeks ago and you indicated that, while nothing was certain, BMC was considering taking on a graduate in the coming months. I subsequently sent you a copy of my resume. I am writing again to confirm my interest in a graduate position with BMC should one become available. I recently undertook a week s work experience with Hastings North West Pty Ltd, and the insights gained during my time there made me even keener to work in the electronics industry. Please do not take the trouble to respond to this letter. I simply wanted to indicate my continuing interest in a position should one become available. Yours sincerely, [Your signature] [Your name printed]
Graduate employment series Job search strategies 13 Speculative applications are direct approaches to potential employers who are not advertising for graduates. Here are some steps to follow. 1. Identify and research organisations to target. (Visit the Careers and Employment Service if you re wanting help here). 2. Decide on the number of organisations to target, and over what duration. (You will be more successful if there is a close match between what you offer and what they need). 3. Identify who to write to (by name). You may need to make some phone calls to find out. 4. Write a tailored letter (based on your research into the employer s specific needs - see example below). 5. Send your letter and resume. 6. Ring the person, seeking a brief meeting. 7. Follow-up again (if appropriate). Here are some ways you could introduce yourself in the letter. Sample speculative application [Your address] [Your telephone] [Date] Mr Bill Citizen Graduate Recruitment Coordinator Millennium Transport Australia [Address] Dear Mr Citizen, Standard opening and your present circumstances. I am writing about the possibility of a graduate position with Millennium Transport Australia. I am completing a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing and Management at Griffith University, and will be available for full-time employment in November. I am keen to commence a long-term career in business. Indicate your interest in this organisation and support your interest. I would be particularly interested in obtaining a position with Millennium Transport Australia. I am impressed by your market success, your stated commitment to staff development and your strong client focus. This accords with my own philosophy regarding the importance of customer service. Match what the company requires (based on your research) with what you have to offer. I have read a range of graduate recruiting literature distributed by Millennium Transport Australia and noted that you are interested in articulate graduates with a strong sense of purpose, excellent interpersonal skills and a desire to succeed. I have been a confident public speaker since high school, having represented my school with considerable success in interschool debating at senior secondary level. Further, I have held a part-time customer service position over the last three years, and the attached reference demonstrates my interpersonal skills in dealing with a range of customers and management. To assist me in preparing for a career in business, I have actively sought work experience in the field, and this year I gained paid employment for one day a week in the Logan City Council s marketing department. My role involved assisting in the Olympic Torch Relay project, with responsibilities for drafting a marketing plan and addressing community groups. During my studies, I consistently obtained a credit average while also working 12 hours per week, and I believe this demonstrates the effectiveness of my time management skills. Closing remarks. I am confident that the skills I have gained through tertiary study, together with my employment experience and strong career focus would enable me to make a worthwhile contribution to the future of your organisation. I will phone your assistant during the next fortnight to explore the possibility of a brief meeting with you to discuss opportunities that may exist. Thank you for considering my application. Yours sincerely, [Your signature] [Your name printed]
14 Graduate employment series Job search strategies I am writing about the possibility of a graduate position I am seeking an entry level position that would use my graduate skills I am seeking a position that would complement the knowledge and skills gained through my tertiary studies Work experience boosts employability Work experience (paid or unpaid) is an opportunity to gain experience, develop contacts and demonstrate your commitment, and can even lead to a job. If a paid position becomes available, many employers tend to favour candidates whose work they know. Sending speculative applications to organisations where you ve done work experience is an effective strategy. Graduate employers are impressed by work experience. Ideally, work experience should be in your chosen field, but any job enables you to develop key skills valued by employers, such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. 4. Take your product to the market The final step is to put your marketing plan into action. Write your goal(s) in specific terms (what you want to achieve and when), then list all the steps you will take to achieve your goal(s). Set a date for each step and consider rewarding yourself when you have accomplished your goal. 10 Feb 12 Feb 18 Feb 22 26 Feb Identify 4 employers to target Write letters requesting interviews You may wish to develop a realistic timeline your progress. Phone employers to arrange interviews and develop questions Conduct interviews to keep yourself on target, and record It s worthwhile keeping an employment file for job advertisements, contacts details, organisational information, letters to employers, copies of your applications, your resume and other relevant documents. Keep a record of your employer contacts, under the following headings: Employer details (including the contact person s name) Your research Initial contact date Employer visit date Follow-up date Outcome Finally Visit places you d like to work. Face-to-face contact can boost your chances by 50 per cent. Don t neglect small companies (Small to Medium Employers or SME s). Two out of three jobs are in companies with fewer than 100 employees. Use every contact you have. It may take more than 50 pairs of eyes and ears to find a job. Be prepared for a long hunt, and get support you don t have to do it on your own. (Adapted from What colour is your parachute? Bolles, R, 2008)
Graduate employment series Job search strategies 15 Job Search Readiness Checklist This checklist of actions involved in effective job searching is designed to help you clarify your job search readiness. As you go through the checklist tick those actions you are already able to complete. This will identify your job search strengths and point out where you need to pay most attention. The job search seminars will assist with many of the actions listed but you may also wish to use the Careers and Employment Service after the seminars to address your particular needs. Yes? Identifying Job and Career Goals Actions & Resources I know what types of jobs realistically suit graduates in my field. I can list a number of suitable jobs that interest me and why. I can list the skills, education and experience required for these jobs. I know what skills, experience and personal attributes I have to offer to employers. I have identified the types of organisations I would like to work for (eg. business, government, health, education, non-profit, etc). I have developed a plan to meet my career needs in the short to medium term. Yes? Job Search Strategies & Resources Actions & Resources I am familiar with the range of career services and resources at Griffith and how to access them. I know which are the most effective ways to look for work. I know three websites that advertise vacancies suited to my skills and interests. I can use directories and web listings to locate potential employers who haven t advertised vacancies. I know how to approach employers for employment if they haven t advertised a position. I have used networking and/or workplace interviewing to develop job leads. I know how long on average it takes to find a suitable job. Resources Online job search seminar (intranet.griffith.edu.au/careers >> Assistance with your job search >> Job search seminars) Tap the Hiddent Job Market (book) Land That Job in Australia ( for international students) (book) 6 Essential Steps to Getting that New job (DVD) Job Search is a Business (DVD) (Books and DVDs available from Student Services offices, Nathan Logan and Gold Coast).