Finding work and going for interviews Parkville campus

1. Finding work and going for interviews Parkville campus

2. Successful job seekers • Are work ready • Have a job search plan • Can write applications • Confidently attend job interviews • Take responsibility for their own career

3. How do people find work? Mainstream Techniques • On-line job databases • Newspaper advertisements • Employer websites • Professional associations • Recruitment agencies

4. How do people find work? The Hidden Job Market • Direct Canvas • Information Interview • Network • Referral • Self employment

5. Resources for job searching • On-line databases and information • www.careergateway.monash.edu.au • www.seekcampus.com.au • www.positionsvacant.com.au • www.psa.org.au • www.guild.org.au • Newspapers • www.mycareer.com.au • www.careerone.com.au • Recruitment Companies • www.seek.com.au/profiles/recruiter/ • www.rcsa.com.au (memberships directory)

6. Networking How does it help in job searching? • Word of mouth • Referral • Being visible • Support your applications It’s not about job matching It is about sharing information

7. Your network • Think about ways to expand your network • Identify your current network • Practice your introductions • How will you ask for a business card? • Yes, it can be challenging meeting new people

8. How can you build your network? Talk to people Voluntary work Do something different Join a special interest group Find a mentor

9. Do Follow up invitations quickly Have a purpose for contacting people Always thank people for their time Build a reputation for professional behaviour Sometimes the answer is no – deal with it Don’t Overdo the number of calls Expect other people to find you a job Expect people can always meet your timeframes Some tips

10. Direct canvassing It means contacting employers to ask for work Why it is successful: • Your application is targeted • Competition is reduced • It is pro-active

11. How to direct canvas • Identify preferred employers • Membership listings of professional associations • Business directories • Introduce yourself briefly • Your name and title of course • Explain why you are calling • Getting past the gatekeepers • Follow up fast • Send a thank you e-mail • Send a resume if it is ok with them • Keep a record • Who did you talk to? • Do you know what to do next?

12. Information interviewing What is it? • Finding out about jobs by talking to people who do the jobs you want to do How do you do it? • Identify people in job roles that interest you • Check they have time to talk • Ask targeted questions • Always thank people for their assistance

13. What do you ask? • What are typical duties in this role? • How do employers in this industry recruit staff? • What skills do they look for? • What are good things about the job role? What are things that surprised you in the role? • What tips would you give someone wanting to find work like this? • Do my goals seem realistic from your experience? Avoid personal questions E.g. how much do you get paid?

14. Interview Success Prepare Practice Perform

15. You need to be able to… Clearly state your experience, knowledge, skills and attributes Provide evidence of how you developed your skills and how you applied them Demonstrate interest in the job

16. Be prepared • Review documents • Understand the process

17. The basics • Be punctual • Professional grooming and dress • Take requested documents with you • First impressions count • Communicate effectively

18. Interview questions • Ice breakers • About your experience • About your career plans • Technical knowledge • Case scenarios • Self awareness?

19. Sample questions Open • Why did you decide to study pharmacy? • Tell me about yourself

20. Sample questions Closed • What marks did you receive in final year? • How many months did you work there?

21. Sample questions Resume based • Tell me more about your placement at the hospital. • You mention involvement in a student ambassador program at university. Tell me more

22. Sample questions Competency based • Tell me about a positive experience working in a team? • Provide an example of when you were able to provide excellent customer service

23. A helpful technique for competency based questions • C.A.R – context, action, result • S.T.A.R – situation, task, action, result

24. Sample questions Case Study • Describe an instance you provided information to a patient about taking prescribed medicine during an APE

25. Sample questions Hypothetical • What would you do if a customer complained about level of service? • How would you deal with a situation where a colleague was behaving inappropriately?

26. The one’s you don’t see coming • Sometimes questions don’t seem related to the job role • Why do employers ask them? • How can I respond in a good way?

27. What do you want to know? • Your questions to the employer • Details of training and development • Expectations of new staff • Career development opportunities • How will your work be monitored? Do I always have to ask a question?

28. How employers assess candidates • Job specific knowledge and skills • General workplace skills • Values and career goals • Enthusiasm Remember interviews are a two way street

29. Where do people go wrong? • Under-prepared/over-rehearsed • Not answering the question specifically • Not giving enough information • Showing discouragement or lack of self confidence

30. Pearls of wisdom • You can always improve your skills • You need to look after yourself • Take advantage of support services

31. Services and activities at Parkville Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Careers Expo Thursday April 23rd 2009 Employment and Career Development Services • Job seeker workshops/seminars • Individual advice and assistance • Resume feedback • Interview skills practice • Information and resources • Jobs database - Career Gateway • www.careergateway.monash.edu.au

32. Contact us Email: careers@pharm.monash.edu.au Web: www.careers.monash.edu