Career Ready, Seminar 3: Best ways to find a job

latrobe.edu.au/students/careers CRICOS Provider 00115M

Career Ready ProgramSeminar 3: Best ways to find a job

Career Development CentreLa Trobe University

2CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE | La Trobe University

Quiz - What % graduates obtained employment from ...

1. Advertisement on internet

2. Family or friends

3. University careers service

4. Approached employer directly

5. Work contacts

6. Careers fair or info session

7. Approached by employer

8. Other university source (e.g., lecturers)

9. Advertisement in print media

10. Recruiter/employment agency

11. Posted resume on the internet

12. Other


Answers - graduates obtained employment from ...

1. Advertisement on internet 26%

2. Family or friends 15%

3. University careers service 11%

4. Approached employer directly 9%

5. Work contacts 6%

6. Careers fair or info session 6%

7. Approached by employer 6%

8. Other university source (e.g., lecturers) 5%

9. Advertisement in print media 4%

10. Recruiter/employment agency 4%

11. Posted resume on the internet 1%

12. Other 7%Source: GradStats, Graduate Careers, December 2012


Best Ways to Find a Job

Networks Canvassing

Advertised vacancies

LinkedIn for Job Search

Advertised Vacancies


Advertised job vacancies

• Employment websites www.seek.com.auwww.mycareer.com.auwww.careerone.com.au

• La Trobe’s CareerHublatrobe.edu.au/students/careers

• Company websites• Professional associations• Recruitment agencies

www.rcsa.com.au• Newspapers


Tips for job websites

• Register your profile so employers can search for you

• Subscribe to job email alerts

• Check everyday for new listings

• Apply ASAP – many employers close vacancies once they receive enough applications


Tips for Recruitment Agencies

• They work for the employer, not you

• Register with agencies advertising jobs in your field

• Build relationship with recruiter

• Accept short-term / contract roles

• Ask for feedback on resume, interviewsWhat are 3 things I could do to improve my interview performance?In what ways could I make improvements to my resume?

Canvassing


Canvassing

1. Identify companies in your target industry to contact

2. Identify potential contacts within each company Hiring managers, not HR departments!Use LinkedIn, personal networks, company websites, to find contacts

3. Decide on contact approachEmail, phone, social media, in-person

4. Prepare tailored cover letter and resume

5. Make contact and provide a copy of your resume

6. Follow-up as appropriate or agreed

Networking


Networking is …

• building two-way, mutually beneficial relationships one person at a time

• for the long term

• one of the most important professional skills you can develop

• not about collecting business cards!


How to network

• Preparation: What do you want? Names, ideas, introductions?

• Talk with a purposeCommunicate your personal brand; Share your knowledge

• Actively listenPay attention; Show that you are listening; Summarise what they’ve said

• Ask open ended questionsWhy? How? Where? Who?


Networking at an event

You are at a conference and you don’t know anyone there. What are some ways you could approach someone?

• Introduce yourself

• Firm handshake, maintain eye contact

• Use your ‘elevator pitch’

• Enjoy the conversation

• Exit strategy


Ending a conversation

• Sometimes a cause of awkwardness

• Aims:End the conversation gracefully; leave a good impression

• Exit strategies:Introduce your new contact to another personHave a prepared exit phrase


Ending a conversation – exit phrase

“It’s been great meeting you, however I promised I’d circulate the room. Do you have a business card?”

“I’m sure you want to meet other people, so I’ll let you go. Do you have a business card?”

“It’s been great speaking with you. I’ll send you a copy of my proposal tomorrow. Do you have a business card?”


Follow up

If you don’t follow up …

… what was the point going to the networking event?

Send an email after the event:

Thank you for meeting

A document or weblink you discussed

Your resume if appropriate

Send an invite to join your Linkedin network


Tips

• Always be polite and friendly

• Be proactive and approach employers

• Have an opening line

• Speak clearly

• Leave a conversation gracefully

• Always behave professionally


Develop your elevator pitch

A brief summary that introduces who you are, your interests, skills and experiences, and states what you are seeking

“Hi my name is ... I have recently graduated with a science degree, majoring in genetics. I’m really interested in how we can use web 2.0 technology to increase people’s awareness of inherited disorders.”


Develop your elevator pitch

• Take 5 minutes to draft out your elevator pitch

• What do you want to say about yourself?


Networking activity

• Make contact with 2 people in the room you don’t already know

• Use your elevator pitch

• Ask questions / short conversation

• End the conversation gracefully

You’ve got 10 minutes!



Firstly, a word about social networking

• Employers do conduct background searches

• Will anything be embarrassing if seen by an employer?

• Make sure privacy settings keep employers separated from friends



About LinkedIn

• 3M+ members in Australia (approx. 25% of workforce) + 187M worldwide

• 2M+ company pages

• Free to join You don’t need to buy a subscription unless you want the advanced features


Ideas for using LinkedIn for job search

• Create your professional profile (like a resume)Recruiters do search for people on LinkedIn

• Start building your networkUpload your current contactsSearch for people in your industryAsk your contacts to introduce you to new people

• View company pagesBest research tool for canvassing employersSee current job listingsSee list of employees on LinkedIn – connect with them!


Ideas for using LinkedIn for job search

• Search for job advertisementsVacancies from all around the world

• Career planning researchSee the career paths people with your degree have taken

• Preparation for an interviewRead the profiles of the people on the interview panel

• Join discussion groupsSharing your knowledge or asking questions can lead to making contacts


Tips

Profile

• Use an appropriate photoClear, headshot only, dressed professionally

• Create a profile that summarises your experiencesIt does not need to be an exact copy of your resume

• Ask for endorsements and recommendations

• Include a meaningful headlineScience student seeking internship in biotechnology sector

Summary & Next Steps


Summary

In searching for work:

• Set some goals for meeting new contacts

• Work out which websites you will use to search for advertised jobs

• Identify networking events to attend

• Get feedback so you know where to make improvements (cover letter, interviews, etc)

• Don’t give up


Next Steps

• LMS ‘Job Search Methods’ moduleRead through content & watch videos

• Complete activities in PebblePad workbook

• Complete a LinkedIn profile

• Set up job alerts on major job boards


Next seminar

Seminar 4: Applying for Work

[Date]

[Time]

[Venue]

Thank you

Connect with us via:

Web: latrobe.edu.au/students/careers

Facebook: facebook.com/LaTrobeCareers

Twitter: @LTUcareers

Email: [email protected]