Job seeking skills for international students

1. Job seeking skills for international students

2. Outline of this session? • Potential Job Sources • Utilising on-line job sites and recruitment agencies • Networking and Informational interviewing • Understanding Job advertisements

3. Jobs sources Traditional Job Sources (Advertised vacancies): • Newspapers • Online job sites • Recruitment agencies • Association and industry publications/gazettes • Websites of organisations Hidden Job Market (Non-advertised opportunities): • Networking & information interviewing • Unsolicited applications/direct contact with potential employers • Voluntary work

4. Using the internet Online job sites: • General sites (refer to the handout) • Specific to an industry (eg. www.hacjobs.com) • Review regularly for new jobs • Browse sections (graduate, medical/health, scientific, etc) • Also search by keywords (use a variety of key words) • Good source of labour market information & potential leads

5. Employment/Recruitment Agencies • Select those appropriate for you • look at ads and see which recruitment companies recruit in your industry • search the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association member list (www.rcsa.com.au) • Try to establish consistent contact (email, phone call) • Always follow up on your applications • When meeting them, be focussed, know what you want and what you can offer • Often recruit people on a contract/temp basis

6. Understanding Job Requirements • Selection criteria vs duties

9. The hidden job market • The hidden job market refers to jobs that are not advertised • It is estimated that 70-80% of jobs are filled this way • Ways to access this hidden market: • Networking/Canvassing • Information interviewing • Volunteering • Work Experience

10. Networking – what is it? • Talking to people who can help you in your job search • Expanding your group of contacts • Networking is not short term, so remember not to offend anyone – you may come across them in years to come

11. Networking – getting started • Make a list of all the people you know in your field of interest. • Start keeping a file with information: company names, contact etc • Research potential network sources • Join professional associations • Directories, internet, industry publications, journals, etc

12. Networking – who could be a contact? • Former managers/supervisors or colleagues • Former customers/clients • Neighbours • School friends, University friends • Academic supervisors, course coordinators, lecturers, teachers • Professional contacts • Contacts from conferences, seminars, professional associations • Social clubs (at Uni, sports groups) • Personal contacts (neighbours) • Professional acquaintances (eg dentist, lawyer) • People you volunteer with • And who else?

13. Informational interviewing – what is it? • Involves talking to people who are currently working in • a job, industry or for an organisation that interests • you. • Helps you to: • Find out more about an area of work • Understand the day-to-day activities of an occupation • Learn how to commence your career in an industry • Identify what skills and knowledge employers require • Learn the industry ‘jargon’ and find out about important issues in the field • Build a network of contacts and provides referrals

14. Informational interviewing – guidelines • Make an appointment for a specific date and time • Arrive early and leave on time • If possible conduct the interview face-to-face • Be professional (dress & conduct) • Research the industry and organisation first • Prepare a list of questions • Take your resume • Ask your contact for referrals • Ask to keep in touch and do so • Remember to send a thank you card or note. • Keep records of who you met with, details of referrals and information you learnt

15. What do you say? • Ask to speak to your contact directly. • Introduce yourself and state where you are from (eg, a marketing student from Monash University). • Explain that as part of your research about the industry you would like to talk to them about their role and their experience in the industry • Emphasise that you are not after a job, rather advice. • Ask if they have some time available (e.g., 20 minutes) • Try to get them to commit to a specific day and time.

16. How do I find people to interview? • Personal acquaintances – utilise family, friends, neighbours, lecturers, alumni, fellow students, former or past employers, co-workers • Conduct research on the internet, in business directories and the Yellow Pages • Attend meetings or seminars related to your field • Ask receptionists to tell you who they think would be a good person to talk with • Keep a look out for careers related events at University

17. Volunteer Work • What is it? Unpaid work experience with a not-for-profit organisation • Advantages: • Develop/enhance skills and experience to add to your resume • Expand your networking contacts that could help you find employment • Uncover potential job opportunities with the organisation • Give back to the community • How to do it? • Look through volunteer organisations/directories • Look at not for profits in your field of interest

18. Where to find volunteer work? • Australian Volunteer Search • http://volunteersearch.gov.au/ • GoVolunteer • http://www.govolunteer.com.au/ • Seek Volunteer • http://www.volunteer.com.au/ • Volunteering Victoria – “International Students Volunteer Work Initiative” • http://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/ • Ph: 9642 5266

19. Contact us Tel: +61 3 9905 4170 Email: info@careers.monash.edu.au Web: www.careers.monash.edu