The end is near! The end of semester that is...

The Guru wishes you good luck with all of your exams and final assessments – he’ll meet you on the beach for some sun baking…

Congratulations to all of you for reaching the end of semester! Exams will soon be behind you and many of you will be thinking about work. Please remember that the Careers Service is open even after your classes finish for the Christmas break. The only time we close is between December 18 and January 6.

Come and visit us before December 18 or after January 6 to get your resume checked, do practice job interviews and learn all about the job application process. Bookings to see a Careers Advisor can be made via Careerhub or email studentemployment@newcastle.edu.au.

Also, something to think about while you’re relaxing with a cold beverage is that every person you meet is a potential network, so chat with your friends and acquaintances and who knows, they might know someone who works in your field of study. Email them, find out what they do and where they work. These connections are always helpful for work experience and you know what they say,

It’s not what you know it’s who you know! (Or maybe a bit of both!)

Grad Programs

The Guru thinks graduates are ultra-cool. And graduate programs? Out of this world!

Graduate programs are offered by companies and corporations specifically for university graduates. They are designed to assist you to develop your professional skills and abilities. Graduates usually work on a diverse range of projects or in different departments within the one organisation. Graduate programs can last anywhere from 12 months to several years, with the idea that you are provided with ‘on-the-job’ training and experiences throughout your time with an organisation. These positions are paid, and are the equivalent of an apprenticeship.

Graduate programs are offered by many Government departments and large companies, many of which are listed in a free guide book that comes out annually around March called Graduate Opportunities (pick one up at the Careers Service).

Application dates for these programs close up to 12 months before a position would potentially start, so if you are about begin your last year of university in January 2010 and want to apply for a graduate program in 2011, dates can close anywhere between January 2010 and April 2010 – so you need to get in and get prepared early!

How do I begin searching for a graduate program?

1. Pick up a copy of Graduate Opportunities or visit the website
2. Scour the website of corporations you are interested in
3. Phone organisations you are interested in and inquire about their graduate programs
4. Pull together a draft resume, then make an appointment on CareerHub to get it checked over by a careers advisor. If you are short on time we have one hour each day where you can ‘drop-in’ to get your resume checked, no appointment needed. Check CareerHub for these designated times.

What happens if I get offered an interview?
There are typical questions that interviewers ask, and we can help you prepare for these questions and offer appointments where you can practice with us.
-We can help with practice interviews
-We also hold many workshops, mostly during semester 1
-We have very helpful short DVDs on Assessment Centres, which are also good if you are attending a group interview

Please share your stories and comments, but be aware that the comments section is designed to either just comment or to engage in peer discussion. For any questions directed to the Careers Service staff, e-mail studentemployment@newcastle.edu.au (this is the Careers Service) or book an appointment with a Careers Advisor at CareerHub.

Hitting dead ends when job searching? Read along, it's sure to help!

Not getting where you want to go when job searching? Time to try something different - here are some suggestions!

The most successful job seekers utilise a variety of job search strategies. Here is a list of successful strategies:

1. Networking
2. Cold Canvassing
3. Recruitment Agencies
4. Advertised positions
5. Volunteering and Unpaid work experience
6. University Careers Service

Networking
Networking works:
* 70% of job vacancies are not advertised
* Networking provides personal growth and professional development opportunities

Networking is all about developing relationships. Take a structured approach to your networking:

1. Write down lists of contacts. These can be formal (professional associations, employer or interest networks) and informal (family, friends, academic staff, contacts from expos or work experience)
2. Be proactive. Get your friends and family to talk to everyone they know, and get out and meet people
3. Get a business card
4. Have a current resume
5. Log in to CareerHub and view the Infosheet on Networking

Cold Canvassing
Cold canvassing simply means contacting an organisation or potential employer who you are keen to find employment with, sending them your resume and letting them know that you are interested should any suitable position be available. You are not answering a job ad, so you will need to work harder to get the employer’s attention. Have you made previous contact via a network activity? If so then be sure to mention it

Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies can also be known as personnel consultants, employment agencies or placement agencies. These organisations are third party recruiters who are employed by other organisations to conduct the recruitment process. While most agencies will advertise positions on the web and in newspapers, they are also aware of many more positions that have not been advertised as yet. You can register with local, national and overseas recruiters online.

Advertised Positions
Advertised positions can also provide good leads for cold canvassing opportunities. You will find ads:
• Online – Check the Links section on CareerHub
• Company Websites – most organisations have vacancy pages
• Professional associations – many have job vacancy listings on their websites
• Professional journals and newspapers

Look for evidence of what the role involves and highlight the key criteria. Read the Job Applications Info Sheet on CareerHub for further details on this.

Volunteering and Unpaid Work Experience
Be aware that there are some areas of employment (e.g. arts and entertainment industries) where undertaking some voluntary experience is a typical method used to break into the field. If you seek unpaid work experience with other types of organisations, you will need to supply your own work experience insurance cover. In most (but not all) cases the university can cover this cost for current student, click here for more information.

University Careers Service
The Careers Service advertises a range of jobs advertised on CareerHub that include part-time work, program related traineeships and vacation work, as well as graduate opportunities. CareerHub is free to join for current and past students, and you can also make an appointment on CareerHub to come and talk to a Careers Advisor.

SIGN UP TO CAREERHUB TODAY!

Need tips on finding work in Newcastle? Scroll down to the blog titled “Tips for International Students” and there’s a list of employment options and how to start. Of course, you don’t just have to be an international student!

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Please share your stories and comments, but be aware that the comments section is designed to either just comment or to engage in peer discussion. For any questions directed to the Careers Service staff, e-mail studentemployment@newcastle.edu.au (this is the Careers Service) or book an appointment with a Careers Advisor at CareerHub.