Leverage your social graph!
People get jobs through other people, not computers. By having a personal connection at the company you're applying for, your chances of success multiply.
Ten years ago, it would take you a lot of effort to ask your friends who they know and to remember where all your friends work. Now, you can map your social graph on social networks and have all of that information at your fingertips. For job seekers, this means that you can get introductions to people who work at companies you're interested in.
LinkedIn is one of the most effective online tools that lets you tap into your social graph during the job search, allowing you access to hiring managers through personal connections.
After creating your profile, upload all of your email contacts so that you have a foundation to build upon. Then, search for a company or position, filter your results by location and see who in your immediate network can introduce you to a hiring manager. LinkedIn forces us all to do more research on employees and companies before interviews. All of their information is online, so it's created an expectation that you're doing your homework.
For all our readers who are aspiring artists, designers, marketers, photographers, event coordinators, PR professionals, actors, writers....ANYTHING creative really, (yes Creative Industries and Business kids - I'm talking to you!), make sure you check out these great job search websites, meant purely for the creative types:
Rio Tinto's 2011/12 Vacation Campaign
The world is what you make of it. If you're in your penultimate year of university, our Vacation Programme is an ideal way to see if Rio Tinto is the place for you.
The Vacation Programme is a chance for you to build networks and expand your CV. You'll also get a better understanding of the work we do, gain practical experience, have the opportunity to fast-track onto the Graduate Programme, and be paid while you do it!
On top of this, you'll work on technical projects, conduct research, or be part of a site operations team where you'll experience the culture and lifestyle of remote Australia. You'll also be allocated a coach/supervisor and a buddy, and learn from a diverse group of professionals who are leaders in their field.
Our vacation programme extends over 12 weeks, between December and February and offers a range of roles across a number of disciplines.
Find out more on CareerHub.
Have you checked out Careers and Employment on Facebook and Twitter this week?
Connect with us and your peers to keep updated on the latest events, news, jobs, career information and more!
Find Careers and Employment on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/qutcareers
Website
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Email
careers@qut.edu.au
Phone
07 3138 2649 Gardens Point
07 3138 3488 Kelvin Grove
07 5316 7400 Caboolture
Offices
Gardens Point Campus:
Level 2, X Block
Kelvin Grove Campus:
Level 4, C Block
Caboolture Campus:
Student Centre, J Block
NOTE: Information and links contained in this newsletter are correct at time of publishing.
Dear Student,
Welcome to the August edition of Careers News! This month we hear from QUT Creative Industries student Kellie Duggan, about the steps she's taking while she's still studying to increase her employability, as well as from QUT graduate John Colombo, who reflects on the time he's spent in the ICT Graduate Program.
The Engineering Careers Fair is coming up this week, so hopefully we'll get to meet a lot of you there! ALL Engineering students are invited to attend, so you can start networking with potential employers. There will also be a BBQ and live music outside, as well as a display of all the student clubs nearby, so it should be a great day. Occupational Health & Safety students are also encouraged to attend, as many of the exhibitors have graduate employment opportunities for you as well. Make sure you come and say "Hi" over at the Careers & Employment booth as you enter, so you can find out how we can help you secure some of the great opportunities the exhibitors are promoting.
And remember - if you have any feedback, questions, or ideas for articles you would like to see, email us at careers@qut.edu.au.
Regards,
QUT Careers and Employment Team
The QUT Engineering Careers fair is on THIS WEEK! Make sure you're there for your chance to get ahead of the pack!
Date: Friday 5 August, 2011
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Location: O Block Labs (Room O134), Gardens Point campus
This is a great opportunity for QUT Engineering students to speak directly with employers about the graduate employment and work experience opportunities that are available to YOU! Engineering students from across all disciplines and from all stages of study (first to final year) are encouraged to attend.
Students will have the opportunity to:
Remember, this is your chance to impress employers, so make sure you come along prepared! Do a bit of research on the employers you want to speak with before the fair, think about what questions you want to ask them, and try to remember to dress appropriately! Click here for more hints and tips on what to do before, during and after the Careers Fair.
To find out which organisations will be exhibiting, and which disciplines they are targeting, visit our website.
To find out about the other events QUT is hosting as part of National Engineering Week (August 1-7), see the QUT Engineering Week website.
This month we've asked second-year QUT Creative Industries student (major: Entertainment Industries/Minor: Performance Events and Festival Management) Kellie Duggan to discuss the steps she's taking while still at University to increase her employability. Read ahead to hear what she's doing and find out whether our Career Counsellor thinks she's on the right track!
Kellie Duggan
Originally I pursued this degree because of my interest in the music industry, and was attracted to the balance of creativity and business it provided. I was passionate about the music industry, and since day one I have been directly applying the theories and skills I learn at uni to projects and hobbies I was pursuing outside of university. I started coordinating my own events and managing a few local bands. I was also making numerous contacts and discovered a hidden fervour for 'networking'.
At the same time, I was working part-time at a telecommunications company - an industry that I had absolutely no interest in. I knew I had skills and was confident in my abilities and thought "why can't I get paid for this?" I ended up visiting QUT Careers & Employment to see if they could give me some advice as to how I could get a job in an industry closer to what I was interested in. The Career Counsellor I saw provided so much help and support to me, and encouraged me just to start applying for jobs and approaching companies for paid or unpaid work.
I started applying for any job I could find that sat within the Creative, Arts and Entertainment Industries and after 3 months I was offered a paid entry level position working for a company called The Hayden Way - a Sports, Leisure and Entertainment company that provides management for talent such as former cricketer Matthew Hayden and his entertainment brand. In my role I get to assist in the artistic direction of our projects, organize production and media schedules, manage social media and primarily assist in managing Matthew Hayden as a talent. My employers were attracted to my passion and dedication to getting my foot in the door of the industry, and were impressed with the 'go-getter' attitude that underpinned my unpaid experience managing talent in the local Brisbane music scene.
Despite only being a 2nd year, and not having completed my degree yet, I already have a job in the industry that I get paid for, and that I love, because I made the decision to get out there.
QUT Career Counsellor Nyree Hatzimihail's response
Kellie has the taken the exciting step of transferring her skills developed at university into the workforce. Her belief in her ability to be able to contribute to the Entertainment Industry early in her degree has allowed her to gain meaningful and paid employment. Making industry links whilst studying is one of the keys to future success and employment for when you leave the security of study at university and Kellie has been able to do this quite successfully. She was also able to identify that she had skills developed not only at university but in other paid and unpaid employment that she could transfer to the Entertainment Industry.
Kellie has also demonstrated that you may not get a job in the first week of trying but the importance of staying focussed on your goal and working with others to achieve it makes the process a lot more enjoyable and possible. Kellie is passionate and driven to succeed and was able to identify this within herself. This is of particular importance in the Creative Industry Fields as you are often dealing with an industry that has many angles and opportunities for employment but you just have to know how to tailor yourself to meet these needs, something Kellie has been able to achieve.
Overall Kellie has shown an outstanding ability and example to her fellow university students on how to believe in your dream, identify your goals and work towards a fabulous outcome! Maybe one day we will see Kellie's name up in lights!
**If YOU would like to be featured in our Bigger, Better, Brighter section of CareersNews, (or you know somebody that should be!), just email us at careers@qut.edu.au with a few paragraphs discussing what you/they have been doing to increase your employability.
Ever considered volunteering overseas?
Can you imagine youself teaching children in Kenya, doing wildlife research in Thailand, marine conservation in the Caribbean or building houses in Guatemala??
WANT TO WIN A BAR TAB???
If you've ever considered volunteering overseas or learning more about ethical travel opportunities, then Global Vision International (GVI) want to meet you!
On Tuesday 16 August, GVI representatives will be at the Chalk Hotel from 6pm, to chat with students and other individuals about the different international volunteer programs they operate, and how YOU can be involved!
This is a great chance to speak directly with GVI staff, as well as people who have already volunteered on GVI projects overseas.
What: Global Vision International Information Session
When: Tuesday 16 August, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: The Chalk Hotel (735 Stanley St, Wooloongabba)
Globally renowned for their ethical projects, GVI operate over 150 volunteer programs supporting critical conservation & humanitarian projects in over 40 countries.
They send over 3,000 volunteers every year making them one of the world's largest independent volunteer program providers. GVI's programs range from working with children, teaching and community development in developing countries and marine and terrestrial wildlife research and conservation in some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. They are regularly featured in the world's press, scientific & humanitarian publications for our volunteer's achievements. GVI believe in what they do & are totally committed to providing the best programs making the most impact.
Volunteering can also be a fantastic addition to your resume, with many projects providing valuable hands on industry experience. It can also help you demonstrate to employers a range of transferable skills, such as cross-cultural communication, teamwork and problem solving skills, as well as demonstrating your passion, integrity and commitment to a cause. But most of all, it's rewarding and FUN!
Come along to the Chalk Hotel and find out if GVI is right for you! Just by turning up and adding yourself to the GVI mailing list you will have the chance to win a $100 bar tab! So bring your friends and make a night of it! (And it's a public holiday the next day - no excuses!)
For more information, see the event listing on CareerHub, visit the GVI website, or email Lucy Holdsworth.
Bullying is a serious concern for a disturbingly large proportion of employees. Workplace bullying takes many forms and you shouldn't have to put up with any of them. Nearly a third of respondents to WorkPro's 2011 Workplace Pulse Quarterly survey said they had been bullied at work, while 42 per cent said they had witnessed a colleague being bullied or discriminated against. Twelve per cent of the 5,100 respondents said they had been bullied at work over the past two years. All employers have a legal obligation to protect their employees from bullying.
Behaviour that can be considered bullying includes:
Legitimate performance management or coaching is generally not seen as bullying.
The bullies can be anyone, including managers, co-workers, groups of employees or even clients or subordinates.
A common feature of bullying conduct is the repeated or regular targeting of an employee. The behaviour often takes place over a long period of time and can involve repeated minor actions which accumulate to create that dreaded hostile environment.
There are a number of steps you can take that may nip bullying in the bud or prevent it from escalating. If you feel comfortable with a direct response, politely ask the offender to stop the behaviour. Avoid being alone with the bully whenever possible. Check your workplace policy on bullying and speak to your manager, human resources department, health and safety officer or union representative. Many organisations have procedures to report bullying behaviour.
Sometimes, however, internal processes just aren't practical because the organisation itself has a culture of bullying behaviour or if the person accused of bullying is a senior employee. If that is the case, an external complaint may be necessary.
Workplace bullying is illegal in Australia under state OH&S legislations. If you are bullied because of a particular characteristic (such as your race or gender) then there may also be remedies available under the relevant anti-discrimination legislation.
It is important is to document every instance or every event that you think demonstrates that a person is deliberately targeting you. Dates, location and persons present will help you establish a case that you are deliberately being victimised.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. You can call the young workers advisory service 1800 232 000 and a Workplace Bullying hotline 1800 177 717.
For more information on these jobs, or to search for more jobs, go to the QUT CareerHub link on the Careers and Employment website.
| Workshop | Location | Date | Time |
| International Student Workshop Series: Starts today! **FULL** | GP - X303 | 02-Aug-2011 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM |
| Networking | KG - SYN 109 | 03-Aug-2011 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM |
| Accessing the Workforce | GP - V714 | 04-Aug-2011 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM |
| Work Experience | GP - V714 | 11-Aug-2011 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM |
| Resume Writing | KG - SYN 109 | 12-Aug-2011 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM |
| Selection Criteria | GP - V714 | 18-Aug-2011 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM |
| Accessing the Workforce | GP - V714 | 24-Aug-2011 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM |
| Resume Writing: Evening | GP - V714 | 25-Aug-2011 | 5:00 - 7:30 PM |
| Networking | GP - V714 | 31-Aug-2011 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM |
| Event | Location | Date | Time |
| Employer Presentation: Aramco College Continuation Program | GP - S301 | 03-Aug-2011 | 10:00 - 12:00 PM |
| QUT Engineering Careers Fair | GP - O Blocks Labs (Level 1) | 05-Aug-2011 | 11:00 - 2:00 PM |
| Career Development for Biomedical Engineering Students | UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Building 71/918, RBWH campus | 12-Aug-2011 | 10:00 - 2:00 PM |
| Global Vision International info session | Chalk Hotel | 16-Aug-2011 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM |
| Defence Engineering Information Session | Level 11, 410 Ann St, Brisbane City | 16-Aug-2011 | 6:30 - 7:30 PM |
| Opportunities@Singapore | Sydney and Melbourne | 25 to 29-Aug-2011 |
For the most up-to-date information, or to view more workshops or employer presentations, go to QUT CareerHub on the Careers and Employment website.
