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ECOMS Annual Careers Handbook: The Monetary Expansion. The essential guide to vacation work and your graduate career.
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The Monetary Expansion
The Essential Guide to Vac Work and your Grad Career
ECOMS Presents their Annual Careers Handbook
Welcome Welcome to this year’s ECOMS Careers Handbook!
Each year, the free ECOMS Careers Handbook is one of the most anticipated guides for Commerce and Economics students in their final years of university. It's the essential manual to vacation work and your graduate career, along with an expanse of information on majors, application dates, and the tips to get you into the workforce.
Since 1949, ECOMS has grown immensely, with a current membership base in excess of 4500 and with graduates among the best in the nation. ECOMS has always played a small part in linking UWA Business students with the incredible firms who eventually employ them.
At the Careers Fair today, I could not encourage you more to talk to every single representative. It is a perfect opportunity not only to network and enquire about application processes, but to learn about the Rep’s real-‐life experiences – how they got their job, what turns their career path has taken, and just what it is like to work in their field.
This handbook could not go ahead with our loyal corporate sponsors and the voluntary work of the 2013 Committee. I would like to thank our Principle Sponsor of the event, PricewaterhouseCoopers, as well as all the firms who are here today. And to the committee, I would like to thank the Discipline Reps as well as the 2013 Executive, in particular our Communications VP, for the hard work that has gone into this publication.
If you ever have any questions, about the Careers Handbook, the firms at today’s Careers Fair or just ECOMS in general, please do not hesitate to contact myself or simply knock on the door of our office and the Committee would love to help you out. Finally, with Australia commonly known as the ‘Land of Opportunity’, and with the recent economic developments within our state of Western Australia, it is a very exciting time to be graduating. I wish you the best of luck on your final year/s of university and hope that you land that dream job!
Kind regards, Fraser Hall Business Vice-‐President [email protected]
Contents
Section 1 -‐ The Right Major • Accounting • Finance • Economics • Management • Marketing • Human Resources • Business Law
Section 2 – Applications & Tips • The Resume (aka The CV) • The Cover Letter • Online Applications • The Dreaded Interview • How to get through Online Testing • Other Tips
Section 3 – Firm Directory & Key Dates/Info • Careers Fair Attending Firms Directory • Key Dates/Info (Grad & Vac)
Notes
Section 1: The Right Major Accounting Overview Accounting is a diverse career path, one that spans into many different areas of the financial sector. The Accounting major opens up the first door into a world of opportunity which can lead the participant anywhere -‐ from the CFO of a large company, to a Forensic Accountant investigating fraud. Accounting is an avenue into a professional career that can take you to most countries and almost every industry in the world. As an integral part of the Commerce degree at UWA, Accounting partners perfectly with most majors and pairs especially well with Finance. It also is a recognized major in its own right and can be used as a springboard into further studies. Professional Qualifications A major in accounting is well recognized as a valid professional qualification. However, it is advised to further your studies after the completion of your degree by undertaking the CA (Chartered Accountants) or the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) qualifications. Each of these greatly boost the earning potential and professionalism of the qualification holder as well as opening doors that a standard Bachelor of Commerce with an Accounting Major might not. Both qualifications require units beyond the units needed for the Accounting Major. Both the CA & the CPA websites feature information about which units make you eligible for the qualification. Job Opportunities As mentioned before, Accounting is a very diverse career path and job opportunities are available in both Public and Private sectors. Corporate: Audit, Taxation, Insolvency, and Advisory The most common path for a graduate with an accounting major is through entry into one of “the big four”. Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PwC are the world’s four largest accounting firms and all recruit a substantial annual intake of graduates. These large tier firms offer a career in individual sectors of the accounting practice focusing on areas such as Taxation, Insolvency,
and Auditing. There are also many opportunities that arise out of the mid-‐tier firms, who also take-‐up a large graduate pool. Firms in the mid-‐tier level include BDO, Grant Thornton, Moore Stephens, Pitcher Partners, and RSM Bird Cameron. All offer graduates similar positions to those offered by the big four, but with a different atmosphere that some graduates find appealing. Government Sector Accounting: Another large area that graduates can get into is public sector accounting. There are many government and government-‐affiliated positions that require accountants, with the largest being the Australian Taxation Office. Other government departments that recruit accounting graduates include the State Governments, the Department of Finance, the Australian Treasury and the Department of the Auditor General. Local: Bookkeeping, Personal Tax Accounting Small firms naturally have a lower graduate intake, and can thus be overlooked when graduates seek employment. However they do hire graduates on a consistent basis. The attractive aspect of working within local accounting offices is that it offers greater opportunity for relationship -‐ building with clients, and there can be more of a personal aspect to be found in helping individuals with their finances. Advertisement for these positions can be found in weekly newspapers across the country. Salary In terms of salary, there is a toss up between the earning potential of a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant. payscale.com estimates the CA salary between $44,810 -‐$100,503 per annum and the CPA salary between $44,152 -‐ $94,012 per annum. These are all ballpark figures and salaries do vary largely according to specific firms as well as individual pay scale level and duties. Helpful Links www.charteredaccountants.com.au www.cpaaustralia.com.au www.pwc.com.au www.ey.com www.deloitte.com/au www.kpmg.com
Finance Overview Broadly speaking, there are four major areas of finance: Corporate Finance and Wholesale Banking; Financial Markets; Managed Funds and Superannuation; and Retail Banking and Private Wealth Management. Over 400,000 people are employed in financial services across Australia, and the demand for bright graduates has been consistent throughout the years. However, job opportunities have become scarcer in recent years with the fallout of economic crises overseas, which in turn significantly affected the Australian industry. Job Opportunities Stockbroking: Stockbrokers buy and sell shares and other securities in financial markets (for instance, stock and bonds markets). They enable the smooth operation of the markets by bringing buyers and sellers together in one place. Stockbrokers typically work long hours, and require excellent sales and communication skills. Brokers must be effective in their dealings and quick under pressure, as well as possessing good analytical and numerical skills. Salary: $68k -‐ $125k Financial Planning: Financial Planners specialise in helping people deal with financial problems on a personal level in order to effectively manage their investments, tax, superannuation and retirement plans. Their role is primarily focused on tailoring plans and strategies to suit clients’ particular needs, goals and circumstances. Financial planners require exceptional people skills, as well as sound problem-‐solving abilities. Salary: $45k -‐ $110k Superannuation / Managed Funds: Fund managers are responsible for growing the wealth of their clients through investments. They are usually in charge of portfolios which comprise a wide range of asset classes, such as property, shares and bonds. People rely on competent management of their funds, especially those who are dependent on such funds as part of their superannuation for retirement. As such, fund managers require solid analytical and problem-‐solving skills to make smart investment decisions. Salary: $70k -‐ $115k
Insurance Brokerage: Insurance brokers co-‐ordinate the insurance needs of individuals or corporations. Instead of dealing directly with many insurance companies, many firms and individuals choose to employ an insurance broker. Insurance brokers shop around for the best policies for their clients; managing both premiums and payouts. Insurance brokers require strong communication, analytical and people skills. Salary: $40 -‐ $80k
Private Wealth Management: Private Wealth Management is an investment advisory arm that incorporates financial planning, investment portfolio management and a number of aggregated financial services. High-‐net-‐worth individuals, small business owners and some families may need the services of a private wealth manager, who typically co-‐ordinates their banking, estate planning, legal resources, taxes and investments. Exceptional communication, analytical, and problem solving skills are essential to private wealth management. Salary: $70k -‐ $110k Financial Analyst: Financial analysts assess the viability, stability, and profitability of a business or project. They analyse many pieces of financial information in order to evaluate the potential investment opportunities faced by firms, and subsequently advise the firm of the appropriate or recommended decisions to be made in each case. Financial analysts require strong analytical skills, and a keen eye for detail. Salary: $50k -‐ $105k Relationship Manager: Usually found in corporate banking, the job of the relationship manager is to find and manage a clientele basis. They will be in charge of large portfolios, such as properties or equities, and will also be responsible for significantly large loans. To succeed in this career path, you must be excellent at working and communicating with people of different backgrounds, and have an excellent knowledge and application of finance and networking skills (especially in initially attracting clients). Salary: $55k -‐ $130k Helpful Links www.ey.com (Corporate Finance Link) www.pwc.com.au (Corporate Finance Link) www.kpmg.com.au (Corporate Finance Link) www.deloitte.com.au (Corporate Finance Link) www.cciwa.com www.treasury.wa.gov.au/graduates
Economics Overview An economics degree can lead to a highly rewarding career, as well as a direct understanding of some of the fundamental processes that govern many of the things that we do in everyday life. The degree itself is open in its prospects of future careers and allows students to move into a career that interests them using many different avenues. While on its own it doesn’t have one prescribed and defined job path, it can lead to some of the most rewarding careers out there. This sets it apart from most of the other Commerce majors which lead you to a clearly prescribed, but less dynamic, vocation. Economics degrees teach students not just about the field, but how to think about the world. The economy is integral to everything we do in business, and the economics major teaches many diverse concepts: from the base theories and rules behind how trade works; to how business decisions are made; and, indirectly, to how a lot of the world functions. It is the focus on the broad underwritten concepts that govern society that equips economic students to work in many fields of industry. Professional Qualifications There are no specific additional qualifications that are required to work within the field of economics. However, as with many of degrees, having a degree with honours will make you more competitive when entering the workforce. With hundreds of students graduating each year, any extra qualifications or hands-‐on experience will be an advantage when you are looking for that your graduate role. Many companies offering graduate work favour students with previous experience or vacation work at their firm. Indeed, some firms hire up to 70% of their graduates from previous vacation-‐work students. Job Opportunities Many economists will work as consultants, acting to provide advice on efficiency and best actions in a range of fields, from mining, to parliament, to architectural design. Government: The Public sector is one of the largest employers of economics graduates in a wide range of roles. Employers vary from the Reserve Bank of Australia, to the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to the Australian Bureau of Statistics; or to something on a smaller scale such as local government employment. There are a wide range of businesses and activities that you could be performing under these bodies, and while on average they have a lower pay level, government positions as the most recognised path into the economic field are very much sought after by graduates. Corporate: Firms in the corporate sector are most likely to offer vacation work and as such are often a student’s first look into the world of economic careers. Such corporations often work through a process of continual training of graduates and move them progressively into positions of higher responsibility internally over time. The corporate sector offers good opportunities for travel and secondments to graduates who continue to excel within the company. Niche: Firms often focus on economic work with specific markets in mind. Most of these firms are very small on the personnel front and do not actively recruit students for vacation work. Jobs in this area often combine work with interests in other sectors and are well-‐suited for students who have a strong background in subjects other than economics. Salary Starting salaries in economics start at around $50,000 per annum and increase as you gain experience; the private sector usually offers slightly higher rates or a more accelerated increase. Economic graduates are by no means limited to analytic roles, and the transition into fields such as management, politics, journalism or banking is common. As with every field, it is only through continual work and connection with the developments in their field that economists can continue to develop their business practices as well as form valuable professional links. Helpful Links www.treasury.wa.gov.au/graduates www.rba.gov.au www.abs.gov.au
Marketing Overview Marketing can be defined as “the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.” From this definition, it is clear to see that marketing is a very diverse major, with many different exciting and financially rewarding career paths. While a university marketing major is an incredibly useful backing to get you into the field, most jobs are sourced from the creative and innovative talents of the worker. Once you have broken into the industry, many marketing careers offer the individual a largely blank canvas for them to work with, allowing them to be resourceful and stretch their imaginative capabilities. Your qualifications can be expanded at any time, with the most notable of these being the achievement of the Certified Practised Marketer qualification. The marketing industry is relatively young, but as technology and mass media continue to expand, its importance in society will increase exponentially, giving great potential for the success of creative and intelligent minds. Professional Qualifications The CPM, or Certified Practised Marketer, is the professional, peer-‐ recognised benchmark. This is a post-‐graduate qualification, and while a study of marketing at a tertiary level is an integral part, the qualification cannot be achieved without proof of successful application of marketing knowledge and skills. To qualify for a CPM, applicants typically need a minimum of five years’ practical marketing experience and a recognised marketing qualification: or 10 years’ marketing experience/practice and an extensive portfolio of achievements. The qualification is achieved through a points system, which is described on the Australian Marketing Institute website. Many people in the marketing industry attempt to gain a CPM to increase their individual value to businesses. This often results in greater recognition and overall higher salaries. Job Opportunities Public Relations: Public Relations are used to enhance a company’s reputation. This is achieved by managing the flow of information between an organisation and the wider public. PR Officers monitor public opinion about the company and develop strategies to make sure the intended public audience sees it as ‘highly
regarded’. PR Officers prepare interviews, releases, speeches, public presentations, and events. They must have strong verbal and written communication skills coupled with the ability to think critically. Every large corporation has a PR department and the field is monitored by the Public Relations Institute of Australia. As PR Officers have many desirable attributes and work under pressure, average salaries are around $65,000 per annum. Market Researcher: Market Researchers gather and analyse information about markets and customers in order to determine the level of public demand for particular products and services. This information is gathered by conducting surveys and questionnaires of customer preferences, and then forecasting these preferences for the benefit of their business’ decision-‐ making in the future. Market Researchers can be employed by a specialised Research Company, by individual companies in the industry relating to their research, by the Media, or by government organisations. Salaries start around $50,000 per annum, climbing to the occupation average of $80,000. Senior Researchers and Managers have the opportunity to earn in excess of $150,000 per annum. Marketing Co-‐ordinator: Marketing Co-‐ordinators promote a business, its company name, its products, and its services. They understand consumer trends, and devise and execute strategic plans for their company’s future. The role involves elements of the positions of PR Officer and Market Researcher; and successful applicants have strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, and an ardent ability to analyse and interpret data. The average annual salary is again around $80,000, while entrant graduates can expect a salary of $45,000 per annum. Senior Executive Marketing Co-‐ordinators can also earn in excess of $150,000. Advertising: Advertising is a form of communication used to encourage or persuade an audience in a particular manner. Many Advertising companies don’t advertise available positions, preferring to hire through a process of direct applications and personal contacts. This is a very difficult -‐ but extremely popular -‐ area of the marketing field to break into. Contacts in the industry are essential, and any opportunity to attend networking functions or small projects should be jumped at.
Most advertising professionals are under the age of 40. It is important to learn how to handle rejection when entering the industry, as your personal creative ideas can be viewed very differently by another individual. There are multiple facets of advertising which all contribute towards the final product:
Account Service: This provides a link between the client and the advertising agency, and successful applicants think creatively to determine a strategy which would be employed for the product, then oversee the project in action. Strategic Planners: These Planners conduct research to focus on what the consumer wants and needs, and, by using this information, pitch creative ideas for possible advertisements to the Creatives. Creatives: Creatives turn the above information into the basis of advertisements, and are the ‘ideas people’ in the industry. They work alongside art directors to decide which media genre would be best to convey the advertisement and then move onto completing it. Studio Production: Studio workers often have complementary qualifications in Graphic Arts or Multimedia, and use the latest technology for both audio-‐visual and print media to perfect the work of Creatives. Media Planners: Media Planners identify the target audience for the advertisement and buy the relevant media space (eg. TV slots or Newspaper advertising space). Complementary qualifications in Business, Psychology or Communications, are highly recommended.
Helpful Links www.ami.org.au www.communicationscouncil.org.au www.adschool.org.au www.pria.com.au www.adma.com.au
Management Overview The main role of a manager is to help an organisation to achieve high performance. This is done through the management process which involves planning, organising, leading, and controlling an organisation’s human and material resources in order to accomplish the various goals set out by the organisation. All types of organisations require some kind of management; hence a major in management could potentially lead you to a vocation in any field in the workforce that you desire. A degree incorporating a management major is generally enhanced significantly by coupling it with a second major such as marketing, finance, or human resource management. By specialising in another field as well as management you will have a very competitive advantage when looking for employment after graduating. In order to further increase your chances of employment when you graduate, you could apply to undertake Honours. A Bachelor Degree with Honours demonstrates that you have high level of expertise and knowledge in your degree specific area. Professional Qualifications The most noteworthy professional qualifications relating to management are a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and an Executive MBA. Admission requirements for a MBA include either a Bachelor’s degree with a weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent from UWA, or an equivalent degree from another tertiary institution, plus at least two years’ work experience; OR completion of the Graduate Diploma in Business from UWA with an average mark of at least 65 per cent, or equivalent from another tertiary institution. For an Executive MBA the admission requirements are a Bachelor’s Degree from UWA, or equivalent degree from another tertiary institution, and at least five years’ relevant work experience; OR a minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience. An MBA or an Executive MBA would greatly assist in moving to a higher level of management within an organisation.
Job Opportunities Again, all types of organisation require some kind of management-‐ which means that a degree in management could lead you to a wide range of career paths. A couple of specific jobs that you would be qualified for follow.
Management Consultant: Management Consultants are required to study the procedures and systems of an organisation in order to discern how the organisation as a whole can operate at its best. A role as a Management Consultant could include tasks such as researching information about the individual workers in an organisation, the tasks that they’re assigned, and how long they take to complete these tasks; identifying problems within an organisation; and finding and assisting with the implementation of solutions to these problems. A Management Consultant should, therefore, have good problem solving skills, good communication skills, and be interested in people, processes, and resource management. Office Administrator: The role of an Office Administrator involves ensuring administration activities within an organisation run smoothly. This generally includes management of human resources, budgets, and business locations, to name a few. Generally an office administrator will be required to have good communication skills, be able to supervise, have an aptitude for working with computers, and be well organised. Salary Entry-‐level salaries for Management jobs can range from around $35,000 per annum in jobs such as Retail Management to $60,000 per annum in jobs such as Project Management. After gaining experience in the work force a Management degree could see you earning in excess of $170,000 per annum in fields like Operations and Project Management. Helpful Links www.aim.com.au
Human Resources Overview Human Resources involves the strategic management of employees to achieve organisational objectives and effectiveness. The expected skills of a Human Resources manager include social confidence, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to analyse situations in a structured, logical and calculated manner and compliance with professional rules and regulations. Human Resources places a focus on employee relations, training and development, corporate culture and diversity, recruitment and succession planning, performance management, negotiation and conflict resolution and occupational health and safety. Human Resource Departments exist in most corporations with a range of divisions within that department, generally including human capital and resource allocation. The position of Human Resource Manager is consistently ranked as one of the best jobs by CNN Money due to its pay, personal satisfaction, job security, future growth and benefit to society. Professional Qualifications There are no specific additional qualifications that are required to work within the field of human resources. However, achieving honours will make you more competitive when entering the workforce. With hundreds of students graduating each year, any extra qualifications or hands-‐on experience will be an advantage when you are looking for graduate work. Many companies offering graduate work favour students with previous experience of vacation work or internships at their firm. Job Opportunities It is the growing norm to have an Internal HR department, however many companies still use external consultancies due to the lower cost. As an HR Consultant you will have a number of clients for which you are responsible in assisting them to strategically implement effective HR processes, programs and practices into their daily operations. Considered by many as the matchmakers of the business world, Recruitment officers will also generally come from a background of HR, in this role you will need to attract, screen, select and secure the best qualified person for the job. An Industrial Relations Officer will oversee Relations between the management of an industrial enterprise and its employees.
Occupational Health and Safety officers often come from an HR background, although more training specific to OHS is necessary, in this role you will ensure that all systems and processes occurring in and around your workplace meet the authorised health and safety standards, companies involved with mining or oil and gas will generally have separate OHS and HR departments. Salary In Western Australia in a Human Resource Administrative role graduates can expect to earn $55 000 whilst Consultants will generally earn $70 000, however this is heavily dependent upon the industry. At the other end of the scale Human Resource Directors, or General Managers can receive in excess of $350 000. In WA whilst most graduate salaries are similar to the rest of the states, the top salaries are substantially greater. Visit au.Hudson.com for a comprehensive salary scale. Helpful Links www.ahri.com.au www.aitd.com.au www.rcsa.com.au
Business Law (and getting into Law) If you’re a choosing a Business Law major, you’re likely to fall into one of two streams. The first is that you’ve chosen it to complement another major (it works pretty well with almost all of them). The second is that you’re hoping to get into Law at a post-‐graduate level and Business Law is the best way of trying Law on for size. Doing Business Law won’t land you many Law-‐related jobs on its own, but it does give you skills that are useful across the board, as well as a taster of what studying Law is like. Stream 1: Considered a General Firm? One thing you may not have considered is working for a ‘general’ firm. By ‘general’ I really just mean any firm that can’t be described as purely catering to graduates of one major, much like an Accounting firm. Studying Business Law could give you an important leg-‐up on other candidates doing a specific major which is less relevant. It also shows that you’re capable of thinking analytically, which isn’t always required or emphasised in other majors. A general firm isn’t a generic firm: it’s just one that we can’t classify as solely the domain of another major. This includes areas such as Insurance, Consumer Goods (firms such as Mars Australia), and Government. Below is a list of industries which are business-‐oriented but don’t require a specific major (because general firms are easily overlooked!). This list isn’t exhaustive; every firm needs some level of business staff. • Consumer Goods • Retail Banking • Insurance • Government • Property • Tourism • Mining & Energy • Transport & Logistics • Technology
If you’re still looking for more ideas, try searching for companies on the ASX or the Fortune 500 and see what kind of roles they have for graduates.
Stream 2: Getting into Law If however, your mind is set on studying and working in Law, then you have a fair amount of time left to figure out your career. If you’ve already secured an assured pathway into the JD programme and you’re sure that Law is for you, then you can afford to sit back and relax a little. If you are relying on the standard pathway, keep track of the Law Faculty’s website as they will be publicising the entry process later in 2013. For more information contact the ECOMS Education Vice-‐President, Jacinta Kotula, or the Blackstone Society’s Education Vice-‐President, Rubin Trehan, by emailing [email protected] and [email protected] respectively.
The Resume (aka The CV) Don’t produce your profile statement until you have written the first draft of your resume. Essentially it should convey the essence of your resume in a few short lines. Your resume should not be a full recount of every single achievement of your life to date. Recruiters aren’t interested that you came 3rd in the 100m sprint at your year 8 sports carnival. A past jobs section is important to include but keep each job short, sharp, and simple. Your position, the organisation you worked for, a short role description, and relevant dates are sufficient. Note that you only need to put the years and not the months on your CV to illustrate the duration of your past position. Tailor your CV to the specific job you are applying for. Each company will have their own mission statement & selection criteria that will lend itself to certain aspects of your CV. Avoid including: • Photographs • Primary school education • Political Views • The salary you desire • Reasons you are leaving your current job. Always read and re-‐read your resume, as any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors reflect badly on you as an applicant. Be aware that while grades are important for passing the initial selection stage, extracurricular activities and past work experiences are just as valuable when discussing your resume in interviews. Also note that some big firms use online application systems to generate ‘uniform’ virtual resumes from all your answers, and that, in many cases, your resume will not be assessed until the final interview stage.
The Cover Letter A cover letter should include the following information: • Your name, address, phone number, and email address. • A formal greeting and the name of the person to whom you are addressing
the letter.
Section 2: Applications & Tips
• The first sentence must state the job you are applying for. This should be followed by a few sentences illustrating your competencies and experiences, and a sentence or two establishing why the job is right for you.
• Finish the letter with a polite request for a reply, your regards, and your name.
Online Applications Online applications are the norm these days. They generally make up the initial screening stage for employers, who then decide whether you are a suitable candidate to progress to the next stage -‐ online testing, phone interviews or interviews in person. The general structure of an online application begins with personal details, followed by a series of short answer behavioural and situational based questions that ask you to draw on your own experiences. You will also face the generic ‘why do you want to work for this firm’ type question. Most online applications have a ‘save’ function that will allow you to do portions of the application at different times, so don’t feel you have to sit down for three hours straight getting from start to finish. On the other hand, if you do walk away from the questionnaire you need to remember to come back to it before the closing date! Do take note that these applications can take up to three hours, and they take even longer if you are required to sit online tests. You should select the firms you wish to apply for very carefully, as you physically cannot apply for them all -‐ you simply will not have the time. (That is not a challenge!) Ensure you have the most up-‐to-‐date copy of your Academic Transcript at hand, as many of these application systems require you to upload a scanned copy along with your resume and cover letter. Academic Transcripts can be ordered through the Student Administration in Hackett Hall. Note that there is a 24-‐hour processing period (unless you are willing to pay extra -‐ not cool), so don’t leave this to the last minute. Finally it should be reiterated that accurate spelling and grammar are vital to success in the application process. A failure on this front indicates to the selectors that you have not taken enough interest in the job to spend a few short moments proof reading your submission.
How to get through the online testing Many employers with online application systems require candidates that fulfill the initial standards criteria to complete online testing. The results of these tests are used to establish your fitness on an academic and personal level. Be aware that these tests require significant amounts of time to complete. In some cases you will be required to complete up to four tests, each of which can take anything from fifteen minutes to one hour. Each test has a time limit, with the exception of the personality test: as such, our advice is to ensure you are in a quiet environment and will not be disturbed while taking the tests. The four most common tests will focus on one area each: mathematics; comprehensive reading abilities; logic skills; and personality. Don’t be too concerned about these tests: they are multiple choice and not very difficult. In some cases you’ll find yourself faced with a primary-‐school level maths question -‐ so as long as you’re not an Arts student you’ll be fine. However, the questions do, to some extent, weed out those who do not have the basic skills required to compete in their respective industries. These aptitude tests can be used by employers in many different ways. The tests do directly affect whether you make it through to the first round of interviews. The results of them may also influence which questions you are asked in the interviews and the division you are interviewed by. Most of the big firms do online IQ testing through the same provider -‐ SHL Direct. You can practice these tests at shldirect.com. If you are concerned about these tests, complete the job application for your most preferred job last, so by then you’ve done a number of the SHL tests. A word of warning: do NOT attempt to cheat on these tests. At every Interview and Assessment Day (the next stage in the process) the company will give you a similar test under supervised conditions. The Dreaded Interview First up, do your research. It’s a really good idea to have a look through the company’s website the night before your interview. Seek to familiarise yourself with the service line you are applying for and perhaps a current company initiative or two. The website usually tells you the company’s core values and it is recommended to learn at least one of these and how it is relevant to you or applies to a situation you have been in. Subtly mentioning one of the values in your interview shows the interviewer that you have taken the time to research the company you are applying for. Be early. Sweat is a symptom of stress and running, both of which are common occurrences when you arrive late or with little time to spare. You can never be too early! If you get to the interview with
more than 15 minutes to spare, take a slow stroll in the shade and relax a bit. When you are called in, start off with a good firm handshake (see tips for a good handshake, below) and remember to introduce yourself to the interviewers. The most important thing to remember is to be yourself. The interviewer wants to get to know the real you and they can tell when you are not doing this. Interview Etiquette Following the correct etiquette in an interview cannot make you the best candidate, but failure to follow etiquette can certainly make you the worst candidate. Handshaking A good handshake is essential in the Business world. Follow these simple tips when going in for the handshake with your interviewer: • Keep your hand open when moving in & don’t close it until the other person
has given you their entire hand. • You should aim for the joint of your thumb to be nestled over the joint of their
thumb. • Move your hand vertically up and down, (not back and forth). • A firm handshake is good, but not a bone-‐crushing one: you don’t want to
separate the interviewer’s fingers from their hand! • Make good eye contact throughout the handshake & smile. • Any longer than about 3 seconds is getting weird. What about handshaking for women? Follow the exact same method as described above. Do not compromise: this is 21st-‐century business, not Victorian England. Remember, a sloppy handshake will put your interviewer off you before the interview has even started.
How to Dress Each firm will usually send out an informative email before your interview, and in it you will most probably find a dress code. Unless you’re applying to be a Scuba Instructor or a Nuclear Decontamination Officer, the dress code will usually be ‘business wear’. If you’re a gentleman and you’re serious about the job then you’ve got it easy-‐ you will wear a full suit and tie with polished black shoes. Cuff-‐links are optional but the tie is not. Your suit should be black or a shade of grey; your tie should not be skinny.
Women have a far more difficult task in interpreting ‘business attire’, so we’ve had our ladies break it up into steps: Step 1: Pants or skirt? This is completely up to you, and comes down to what you feel comfortable in. If you can’t walk in a skirt, or if you feel silly in pants-‐ don’t wear it. Dress pants should be black or grey with a straight leg. Dress skirts should fall between just-‐above and just-‐below the knee. As a general guideline, you should be able to walk but you shouldn’t be flashing the interviewer either. Pencil skirts are good as long as they are flattering but other business style skirts are also suitable. Step 2: Jacket A matching business jacket is recommended, but not required. Step 3: Top A business blouse should be worn. General guidelines here are that your blouse should be flattering, not revealing. Remember to wear an appropriate bra-‐ red showing through a white blouse, or strange patterns in your otherwise smooth blouse fabric will detract from your appearance and from your interview. Sleeve length is optional, but your shoulders should be covered. Blouse colours and styles are completely up to you, just don’t wear anything garish. Step 4: Accessories and any jewellery you wear should be understated and your hair should be tidy. Step 5: Shoes A low-‐to-‐moderate heel that you can walk in is the way to go. If you have to change the way you walk to accommodate your shoes, they are too high. Go for an enclosed toe, and match the colour to your pants, blouse, or accessories. Step 6: Bags If you must take a bag it should match your attire. A big beach bag is not appropriate, nor is that sparkly over-‐the-‐top clutch that you take clubbing. Aim for a small, plainly coloured bag that will fade into the background, not take over your appearance. Basically, dress smartly.
Other Tips • Do not sit down until interviewer sits. While this isn’t essential, it is common
courtesy. • Keep eye contact for as long as possible (no matter how awkward you think it
is), and never get caught staring out the window. • Try to be conversational: interviewers are always trying to gauge your
interpersonal skills.
Section 3: Firms Directory …………….. & Key Dates/Info
Careers Fair Attending Firms Directory Firm Name: PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) Discipline Focus: All disciplines are considered Serviceable Lines Available: Assurance, Tax & Legal, Private Clients, Advisory. Grad Dates: Close on 1/4/13 Vac-‐Work Dates: Recruitment occurs on a rolling basis Careers Website: pwc.com.au/careers Email Contact: [email protected] Phone Contact: (08) 9238 3000 Firm Name: Ernst & Young Discipline Focus: Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business Serviceable Lines Available: Audit, Tax, Advisory (Risk, IT Risk & Assurance), Transaction (Valuations, Restructuring & Mergers) Grad Dates: Recruitment occurs on a rolling basis Vac-‐Work Dates: Recruitment occurs on a rolling basis Careers Website: ey.com/au/careers/students Phone Contact: (08) 9429 2384 Firm Name: KordaMentha Discipline Focus: Commerce, Business, Accounting. Serviceable Lines Available: Turnaround and Restructuring, Corporate Recovery and Insolvency, Real Estate Advisory, Forensic. Grad Dates: Close on 26/3/13 Careers Website: kordamentha.com/graduate-‐vacation-‐employment Email Contact: [email protected] Phone Contact: (08) 9220 9333 Firm Name: CPA Australia Discipline Focus: Accounting Careers Website: cpaaustralia.com.au
Firm Name: RSM Bird Cameron Discipline Focus: Business or Commerce Degree, with Accounting major. Serviceable Lines Available: Assurance, Business Advisory, Corporate Finance, Financial Services, Risk Advisory, Tax, Turnaround & Insolvency. Grad Dates: Close on 25/3/13 Vac-‐Work Dates: Close on 25/3/13 Careers Website: rsmi.com.au/careers Phone Contact: (08) 9261 9399 Firm Name: Barringtons Chartered Accountants Discipline Focus: Accounting and Commerce Serviceable Lines Available: Accounting, Business Planning, Sports Management, Taxation, Corporate Advice, Protection and Succession Planning. Grad Dates: Recruitment occurs on a rolling basis Vac-‐Work Dates: Close on 23/8/13 Careers Website: http://barringtonsca.com.au/careers Phone Contact: (08) 9426 0666 Firm Name: HLB Mann Judd Discipline Focus: Accounting, Commerce, Business. Serviceable Lines Available: Assurance, Audit, Recovery, Corporate Finance, Taxation, Wealth Management. Grad Dates: Close 1/4/13 Vac-‐Work Dates: Close 1/4/13 Careers Website: hlb.com.au/Careers Phone Contact: (08) 9227 7500 Firm Name: Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia Discipline Focus: Accounting Grad Dates: Refer to the Institute’s Employment Guide Careers Website: charteredaccountants.com.au/students Email Contact: [email protected] Phone Contact: 1300 137 322
Firm Name: McGrathNicol Discipline Focus: Accounting, Commerce, Business Serviceable Lines Available: Corporate Advisory, Forensic Services, Transaction Services, Corporate Recovery. Grad Dates: Close on 18/3/13 Vac-‐Work Dates: Close in 8/13 Careers Website: http://www.mcgrathnicol.com/careers Email Contact: [email protected] Phone Contact: (08) 9338 2600 Firm Name: BDO Discipline Focus: Accounting Serviceable Lines Available: Audit, Corporate & International Tax, Private & Entrepreneurial Clients, Corporate Finance. Grad Dates: Close on 15/3/13 Vac-‐Work Dates: Close on 15/3/13 Careers Website: bdo.com.au/grads Email Contact: [email protected] Phone Contact: (08) 6382 4643 Firm Name: Grant Thornton Discipline Focus: Accounting Serviceable Lines Available: Audit & Assurance, Corporate & International Tax, Private Business, Wealth Management. Grad Dates: Close on 18/3/13 Careers Website: grantthornton.com.au/careers Email Contact: [email protected] Phone Contact: (08) 9480 2000 Firm Name: Navitas Professionals Discipline Focus: Accounting, Finance, Economics. Focus: Education and Training provider that offers internship programs throughout Australia for international students and young professionals. Grad Dates: Every 3 months Vac-‐Work Dates: Every 3 months Careers Website: navitas-‐professional.edu.au Email Contact: professional-‐[email protected] Phone Contact: 1300 884 261
Key Dates/Info (Grad & Vac)
Company Vacation Dates Graduate Dates Ernst & Young Close as filled Close as filled Barringtons 23/8/13 Close as filled PwC Close as filled Close on 1/4/13 KPMG Close as filled Close as filled Deloitte Close on 10/4/13 Close on 19/3/13 McGrathNicol Close on 18/3/13 Close in August BDO Close on 15/3/13 Close on 15/3/13 Grant Thornton -‐ Close on 18/3/13 Department of Finance -‐ Close on 11/3/13 Accenture -‐ Close as filled Procter & Gamble Close on 1/4/13 Close on 1/4/13 ANZ -‐ Close on 28/3/13 Commonwealth Bank -‐ Close on 2/4/13 KordaMentha -‐ Close on 26/3/13 NAB -‐ Close on 1/4/13 RSM Bird Cameron Close on 25/3/13 Close on 25/3/13 HLB Mann Judd Close on 1/4/13 Close on 1/4/13 Australian Bureau of Statistics
-‐ Close on 26/4/13
Momentum Partners -‐ Close on 25/3/13 Azure Capital -‐ Close on 2/4/13
Contacts
Notes
Notes
Notes
Economics and Commerce Student Society UWA
www.ecoms.org.au
M242, 35 Stirling Hwy Business School, UWA Crawley, WA
© ECOMS UWA 2013