STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Welcome to Careers News

Dear Student,

Welcome back to uni - we hope you enjoyed the Easter break.

National Career Development Week (NCDW) is coming up this month (16 - 22 May). To celebrate, QUT Careers and Employment will be hosting a Career Day on Monday 16 May, from 11am to 3pm. We will host a range of exciting workshops and presentations, and set up free fairy floss stands! See our website for more details.

Check out NCDW on youtube and facebook, for all kinds of tips on how you can take active ownership over your career and get the life you love!

Regards,
QUT Careers and Employment Team

Spotlight On

Careers Cafe

Careers Cafe is YOUR chance to grab a FREE coffee and have a quick chat with one of our experienced Career Counsellors.

You can...

• ask advice on your course and career;
• discuss jobs in your field;
• find out what resources are available to help you;
• pick up graduate and undergraduate job guides;
• find out how WE can help YOU get to where you want to be.

The Careers Cafe has been successfully running at Caboolture campus for over a year now, with a counsellor available in the library every Wednesday from 12 to 1pm.

This semester Careers Cafe will be starting up again at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses.

The first Gardens Point Careers Cafe will be taking place at Artisans Cafe on Wednesday May 4, from 2-3pm, so look out for the Careers Cafe signs and pull up a chair. Hope to see you there!

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Beefing Up Your Resume

Things you can do while you're still studying!

These days, good grades alone are not enough to land yourself a job when you graduate. Employers need to know you're more than just a brainiac - you need to be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities you need to succeed in the workplace - motivation, initiative, passion, discipline, leadership, communication skills, the ability to multi-task and a well-rounded personality.

Here are some suggestions for how you can demonstrate these skills and qualities while you're still at university, so that you can impress employers.

1. Part-time work

Many students work part-time while studying - and if you don't, you better think about getting a part-time job fast. Not only will it give you extra pocket money, it gives you your first taste of the real world of paid work and teaches you invaluable skills. Even if your part-time job isn't related to your career aspirations, those evening shifts at Coles or McDonald's are teaching you about customer service, taking responsibility, how to adhere to workplace rules and schedules, how to work in a team, and how to juggle competing priorities (work and study), as well as other skills such as how to handle cash or perform basic office administration. These are skills that are important in any workplace so be sure to highlight these to a potential employer.

2. Work experience

If you want to get experience in your area of interest, work experience positions are one of the best things you can do. You may not get paid and you can expect to do some tedious work, but you will get crucial exposure to your industry and gain valuable contacts.

In some industries, such as the competitive media and entertainment industry, starting out with work experience is pretty much par for the course. For example, most people aspiring to get into magazine publishing will try to get their foot in the door by applying for a work experience position first - and magazines are inundated with applications for 'workies'. But if you're persistent and show a willingness to tackle even the most mundane of tasks with verve and enthusiasm, many organisations are willing to take on students and show them the ropes.

3. Volunteer Work

Another alternative to getting a part-time job or work experience is to do volunteer work. There are many organisations that need volunteers - hospitals, community services, aid organisations, charities, arts organisations, conservation organisations, health centres - choose something that resonates with you and that will give you satisfaction to be a part of.

Aside from the gratification that comes from making a valuable contribution to the community, having this on your resume will show employers that you have experience working in organisations as well as a willingness to give your time to something that you deem worthwhile. This will only be to your credit and will prove you to be someone with strong values and integrity.

Hint: Volunteering Queensland can link you with organisations that accept volunteers, and help you find interesting and meaningful volunteer opportunities.

4. Sport

Participating in regular sport will say almost as much about your character as your athletic prowess. It reveals many qualities that are attractive to employers - discipline, the ability to work in a team, a desire for self-improvement, and a willingness to put in a big effort and endure short-term pain for long-term gain. All of these traits are just as valuable in the office as on the sporting field, and employers will want you batting for their team as well.

5. Hobbies and extracurricular activities

Having a hobby or regular extracurricular activity will also speak volumes about you. The fact that when you're not working or studying you love nothing better than to play your guitar, go for bushwalks, shoot photographs or make short films will demonstrate that you are a passionate, motivated and well-rounded person - and those are qualities that most employers will want in their workplace. If the extracurricular activity is a group activity that allows you to take on a leadership or organisational role, even better.

6. Extra study

If you have the motivation to study an extra course, such as a short course, on top of your regular studies, you'll blow potential employers out of the water. They'll be gobsmacked that someone so young would have the drive and initiative to do extra studies. It could be an interest course, such as animal care or creative writing, or a course to develop your IT skills. Whatever it is, the ability to take on more study out of a drive to better yourself and gain new skills is sure to open many doors.

See original article here.

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Essential Recruitment Tips

Last month we held an Accounting Career Day, where the 'Big 4' and nine mid-tier accounting firms came on campus to talk to students about graduate recruitment. Not only did they discuss specific graduate employment opportunities, but they also highlighted a range of very important job hunting tips that are applicable to all graduates. These tips have been directly endorsed by recruiters - so listen up!

• Job hunting is all about marketing yourself - it is essential to build your personal BRAND. Follow the link and take the 30minute online module "Branding Myself" for hints on how you can build your own brand and market your skills successfully. (Click on 'All Modules' then 'Branding Myself')
• Research and preparation are the key to any successful application or job interview. Know the company, its history, and it's goals and philosophy.
• Ensure that you know the job you want and that this is actually the job you are applying for. Do you want to be behind a desk, or do you need to be out and about with people? Be familiar with the requirements of the job and what transferable skills you bring the position.

What employers are looking for:

• Involvement in extracurricular activities - this can include sports, clubs and societies, community or voluntary work etc.
• General graduate capabilities in addition to your degree knowledge - these include interpersonal, communication, teamwork, leadership, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Commercial awareness (ie. your knowledge of the industry).
• Proven achievements - how proactive are you in your current work environment? Have you introduced a process which has proven more productive or efficient?
• Genuine interest - be authentic as employers know when you are pretending.
• Dress for success! Dress for the job you want, not necessarily the job you have.

For more tips and advice on preparing applications and participating in the application process, look through the range of information sheets we have available from the Careers and Employment website.

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Featured Jobs

Other

For more information on these jobs, or to search for more jobs, go to the QUT CareerHub link on the Careers and Employment website.

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Upcoming Events

 Workshops

Other

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.

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