IEAA INTERNATIONAL

EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE
International Students
Jo Doyle

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Sponsored by ETS TOEFL and the Victorian Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources. Also supported by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

CONTENTS
STARTING OUT 4
Identify your career goals
What are employers looking for?

TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR 8

Build knowledge
Gain experience

TIPS FOR YOUR SECOND YEAR 10

Build your career portfolio, gain experience and expand your network
Explore work integrated learning
Internships and vocation work
Get familiar with the Australian recruitment cycle
Research and develop commercial awareness
Develop a global network and access the hidden job market
Mentoring programs

TIPS FOR YOUR FINAL YEAR 14

Start applying for work
Graduate programs
Start your career in a small-to-medium size business
Use a recruitment agency and build experience with short-term contracts
Consider rural opportunities or moving interstate
Returning home
Working overseas

HELPFUL TIPS 17
Job search strategies
Online applications
Interview tips
Interview question types
Behavioural questions

AFTER YOU GRADUATE

Managing expectations
Know your rights
What can you do to ensure you are protected at work?
Getting a tax file number
Know how much youre worth
Workers compensation
Lifelong learning

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STARTING OUT
As an international student, your family has invested heavily in your future, so planning your
career is vital for you to reach your potential. Your education and career are a major life
investment and the following guide will provide helpful hints to make the most of your studies in
Australia and advance your global employability.
As the nature of work keeps changing, the only certainty is that most people will have a range of
different jobs throughout their lifetime. Careers are not linear and many of the jobs of the future
do not exist today. You will need to have the right skills to keep adapting to the changing global
job market.
The type of work you do affects all aspects of your life including: your self-esteem, family and
personal relationships and finances. So planning is important to ensure you are able to satisfy your
dreams and live a full and rewarding life.

IDENTIFY YOUR CAREER GOALS

Research shows the earlier you begin to plan and build upon your skills towards your career goals,
the more employable you become.
So take the time to make a plan. Get help to work out what you want and how you can achieve
your career goals.
Make an appointment with a careers counsellor at your institution; attend career planning
workshops and industry specific sessions.
Start early and get your plan together in first year so you can make the most of the services and
opportunities available at your institution to fine-tune your skills.
Start thinking about what you want from your future career. Ask yourself the following questions:
What am I good at? What do I dislike doing?
What interests me and what am I passionate about?
What is your dream job? Where would you like to work and why?
One way to work through these questions is to take an online interest inventory or self-evaluation
test to find out what you like to do.
There are many of these activities online designed to help young people work out what their
interests are and help you see where these interests can take you when developing a career.
Reviewing your interests
http://myfuture.edu.au/mycareerprofile/interests?activityid=21
Career planning
http://myfuture.edu.au/minicareerexplorer/index.html

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR?

Soft skills
There are two distinct types of skills employers are looking for when recruiting staff: hard or
technical skills and soft or personal skills.
Hard skills are the technical knowledge and abilities that you need to perform a particular job
or role. These skills are easy to measure, observe and quantify and are often used to single
candidates out for interview.

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Examples of hard skills include: holding a particular degree or certificate, reading, mathematics,
proficiency in a language, knowledge of specific laws or policies, typing, and using computer
software packages.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are less tangible. These skills are made up of personal qualities or
attributes that make a candidate a suitable team member to work within an organisation.
Examples of these interpersonal skills include: good communication, active listening, teamwork,
empathy, initiative, emotional intelligence, time management and organisational skills.
Hard skills are most often used in the recruitment process to identify potential employees but it is
the soft skills that determine (usually during the interview process) which person is the right fit for
the company, team and role.
According to the Graduate Outlook Survey 20131, Australian employers surveyed rated the top
ten soft skills as follows:
1. Interpersonal communication skills
2. Passion
3. Logic and technical skills
4. Academic results
5. Work experience
6. Cultural fit / shared values
7. Emotional intelligence
8. Teamwork
9. Activities / interests outside work
10. Leadership skills.

Communication is the key

Communication is an all-encompassing skill set. It includes:
The ability to correspond in emails, letters and reports in a concise and clear manner.
It is more than the ability to write in English. It is about producing written material that is
appropriate for the task and easy to read (grammar, tone and context are important)
The ability to actively listen and confidentially contribute to conversations in the workplace
both socially and work related.
Social water cooler conversations are the informal workplace conversations about yourself and
your family with your work colleagues. People love to talk about the weather, sport, food, fashion,
TV, music and workplace gossip. Participating in social conversation is important in building team
dynamics and can help advance your career.
Work related communication includes telephone and customer service skills, interaction with
superiors and team members, communicating in meetings and team related activities.
Body language or non-verbal communication is also important eye contact, posture, personal
space, shaking hands.
The importance of continually developing your English while in Australia is vital in giving you that
cutting edge when looking for and applying for work. The whole application process assesses
your ability to communicate effectively through a number of steps:
Writing: applications, tailored resumes and cover letters
Speaking: in interviews tell me about yourself / answering behavioural based questions,
analysing case studies, psychometric testing and assessment centre group tasks.

1 Graduate Outlook 2013, The Report of the Graduate Outlook Survey: Employers Perspectives on Graduate Recruitment

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

6 GREAT WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Take short courses to improve your pronunciation or writing skills.
Join and participate in clubs/societies. This expands your network and helps you build
knowledge and vocabulary about your area of study or interest.
Get to know some local slang and familiarise yourself with cultural norms. Watch the way
other students communicate with their lecturers/teachers, friends and in public. Watching TV
or listening to the radio can be a great way to build up intercultural knowledge. Fun activities
could include: watching Australian soap operas, cooking shows, listening to podcasts, going to
see live music or watching comedy.
Be proactive and try working with a diverse range of people when producing a group project.
You will meet new friends and gain a different insight into peoples views and experiences.
Australia has a rich multicultural heritage and this is a fantastic way to improve your
understanding of how things work in various social and work situations. Remember team work
is a highly desirable skill and universities use group assignments as form assessment because
they mirror workplace tasks and help students get work ready.
Keep building on your English language skills: read widely, listen to the radio, watch films and
TV and try using English daily at home and with your friends. Many universities record their
lectures and this is a great way to review things you might have missed and improve your
listening and comprehension skills.
If you are struggling with your studies or dont understand something be proactive and get
help. Ask questions, speak to your lecturers and tutors or friends about your problems. Visit the
academic support services team for advice on essay writing and look for a tutor or mentor to
help you with problem areas.

Research has shown that those international students who engage in a broad range of activities
outside their language group have a greater understanding of Australian culture and are more
able to communicate effectively thus making them more employable. They perform better in the
interview process and make the transition to workplace culture more smoothly.

Problem solving / critical skills: demonstrating these skills

Nowadays, employers expect graduates to have strong analytical and problem solving skills.
Analytical skills are the ability to gather information, analyse it, articulate the issues to others
involved and make decisions to solve these problems.
Problem solving is all about using logic and imagination to come up with solutions. If you are
working in a team it is also about listening to others and working together to reach a set goal.
Solving problems in the business world also requires resilience and perseverance.
A great way to demonstrate your problem solving skills in an interview situation is to use the IDEAL model2:
Identify the issue
Define the obstacles
Examine your options
Act on the agreed course of action
Look at how it turns out and whether any changes need to be made.

2 Branston & Stein, The IDEAL Problem Solver

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Be passionate
Employers want staff with passion, drive and enthusiasm. You can demonstrate these attributes by:
Being actively involved in extra curricular activities, a professional organisation or clubs and
societies
Showing you have the determination and optimism to achieve a result, even when things get tough
Showing you can learn from your mistakes
By demonstrating you know yourself and how you work (emotional intelligence).

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR

BUILD KNOWLEDGE
The first year of your studies is all about building knowledge. Visit career fairs and attend industry
information and career planning sessions hosted by your institution. Ask questions to recruiters,
recent graduates, interns, career counsellors and your friends and begin building up an
understanding of what skills and attributes you will need for the career you want. Find out what
skills and attributes companies are looking for and start developing these skills. Focus on building
on your technical and soft skills during your first year.

GAIN EXPERIENCE
Work experience: part-time / causal work
Many students work part-time while studying. As an international student you can work up to
40 hours per fortnight. It can enhance your employability by giving you insight into Australian
workplace culture.
Benefits include:
Gives you access to potential referees and begins your Australian employment history
Demonstrates your reliability, time management and trustworthiness
Increases your intercultural knowledge and develops your interpersonal skills (especially
speaking and listening)
Working within a team builds skills like cooperation, initiative, teamwork
Provides you with the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse range of people who
become part of your social and professional network
Skill building: customer service, conflict resolution, money handling, computer and telephone skills

Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to build up your confidence and develop a range of skills. Employers
are looking for students who engage in their local community and can demonstrate skills such as:
initiative, teamwork, cultural fit and communication skills.
There are many different ways to get involved in volunteering:
Clubs and societies
Sporting organisations
Local school and community groups
Faith base through your local church, mosque or synagogue.
You can also get involved via more formalised advertised roles within the community through the
large non-for profit sector. These roles are often advertised online and have agreed hours and
working conditions. All volunteer roles by their very nature are non-paid.
Seek Volunteer
Volunteering Australia
Go Volunteer
Australian Volunteer Search.

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Many local councils also run volunteering programs and you can access them via your local
councils website.
Benefits of volunteering:
Gain experience and acquire new skills which looks great on your resume
Increase your Australian network and develop friendships within your adopted community
An insight into Australian lifestyle and workplace culture
Develop your English language and interpersonal skills by interacting with a diverse range of
people, ages and ethnicities
Gain local referees.

Overseas experience: exploring global opportunities

As an international student you may not have considered going on exchange or undergoing a
study experience abroad in a third country. However, these types of programs are becoming
increasingly popular because they provide a variety of skills and are highly valued by employers.
Exchange or study abroad is usually recommended for second year students so it is important
you do some research and begin planning for this experience in your first year. The application
process takes time and there will be set criteria, which you will need to meet in order to qualify.
Exchange: usually one or two semesters at a partner institution. Credits are given towards your
Australian degree and cost of study included in your fees at your home institution.
Study abroad: If you wish to attend a non-partner institution you can go on a self-funded study
abroad semester or short-term program.
To find out more about global study and work placement opportunities:
Visit the Global Mobility office on campus
Research partner universities and subjects online
Attend information sessions and apply
Apply for possible study grants (if applicable)
Ask questions returnees, lecturers and course advisers.
Remember to incorporate your experiences in your resume on your return as employers look for
qualities such as: independence, flexibility, resilience, global knowledge and intercultural skills.

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

TIPS FOR YOUR SECOND YEAR

BUILD YOUR CAREER PORTFOLIO, GAIN EXPERIENCE
AND EXPAND YOUR NETWORK
Explore work integrated learning
Work integrated leaning (WIL) provides students with discipline specific work experience as part
of their course work. The work placement is fully credited towards the students degree and is
organised and supported by the faculty.
Research has shown that international students who undertake embedded work experience in
their studies are more likely to be employed after graduation as they gain valuable insights into
workplace culture and build a range of skills.
Studying a degree with a work placement embedded into the course ensures you will receive
valuable on the job training specific to your sector. To find out more about WIL visit your course
adviser or careers office and find out if you are eligible.

Internships and vocation work

Internships are highly sought after and highly competitive in Australia. In recent years internships
have become more popular and many companies are using them as a precursor to a graduate
role or entry-level position.
Internships are targeted to students in their penultimate year and are usually for fixed timeframes.
For example: three months over summer, or part-time over a semester. Internships provide paid
support and in-house training by the company during that time period.
Vocational placements / internships are also popular during the Australian winter (JuneJuly)
and summer (DecemberFebruary). These are generally short-term paid placements mainly for
penultimate year students and include supervision, structured training and staff development. In
some cases, they may lead to a graduate position for stand out candidates.
Benefits of undertaking an internship:
Expand your network and open doors to possible employment
Build confidence and technical knowledge
Helps builds skills and experience in your chosen field
It is a great way to try before you buy road test a role or a career
Make some money.
Under the Fair Work Act, work experience generally needs to be paid, except where it is voluntary
work with a not-for-profit organisation or part of your course (a vocational placement, as
defined in the Fair Work Act) that is, a work placement embedded into your course.
To learn more visit:
www.fairwork.gov.au/Pay/Unpaid-work/work-experience-and-internships

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IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Get familiar with the Australian recruitment cycle

Become familiar with the recruitment cycle in the sector you wish to work in. If you are interested
in gaining work experience in Australia it is important to know when the major companies in your
sector are recruiting and what particular skills they are looking for.
Graduate roles and internships
Applications open late February and close towards the end of April/early May for graduate
roles and winter internships (placements during JuneJuly)
Graduate roles usually start February the following year
Universities usually host career fairs, and employer sessions on campus during March and April
July / August
Vocation and internship roles for positions during summer (NovemberFebruary placements)
October / November
Global placements advertised. Check what is going on back home and apply for positions at
companies you are targeting in your region. Often these companies are very keen to recruit
overseas-educated students.

PREPARE A RESUME AND COVER LETTER

Before you start applying for internships and graduate roles it is important that you get your resume
in order. It is essential to tailor both your cover letter and resume to skills required of the position.
Try these great sites for resume examples
www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/applying-for-jobs
www.monash.edu.au/students/career-connect/apply-for-a-job/resume-samples.html

Research and develop commercial awareness

In Australia, youth unemployment (1524 year olds) is currently as high as 20 per cent in some areas.
Just having a diploma or a degree is no guarantee that you will get the job of your dreams.
This means you need to differentiate yourself from your competition in a very competitive job
market. To do this you will need to research. Profile companies you want to work for and get
proactive about the role you want.
Recruiters expect you to know about their organisation. During the application process you are
often asked about what you know about the company and how your skills will fit into the role and
the corporate culture.
Be strategic and only target companies that suit you and your skill set. Dont apply for hundreds
of jobs online. Always tailor your resume and cover letter to suit each job you apply for. Take your
time and do your research.

Develop a global network and access the hidden job market

Did you know that many jobs in Australia are not advertised? This is known as the hidden job market.
Moving to a new country and studying abroad means you are far away from your network of
family and friends. International students often struggle to tap into the hidden job market in
Australia because they have a very small network. Therefore, one of the key tips to enhancing
your employability is to increase your personal network.
To build strong personal relationships you need to have excellent communication skills and make
authentic, meaningful connections with people you interact with in your daily life.

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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Hearing the phrase Its who

you know, not what you
know can be frustrating as
a student. When youre not
sure where to start, check
whether your university offers
any mentoring programs.
Mentoring programs are
a great way to meet new
people and make genuine
connections. Or you can
join professional associations,
volunteer programs or
university social clubs to
expand your network.
Remya Ramesh, India
RMIT University

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IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Mentoring programs
Many institutions provide career development support via formal mentoring programs. This is a
great way to build networks and gain an insight into your sector.
Joining a mentoring program can help clarify your career goals
Benefit from the industry knowledge and career experience of mentors.
Mentors often have a rich network and can help students connect with possible career opportunities.

TOP NETWORKING TIPS

Join a professional association connected to your field of study and participate in networking
events, conferences and information sessions. Many professional associations have discounted
fees for students and provide online resources, job opportunities and career advice for
members. For example, CPA Australia, Engineers Australia or the Australian Computer Society.
Joining and participating in clubs and societies during your studies allows you to share ideas
and information with like-minded local students. It will give you an insight into the social world
of young people in Australia and, depending on the club or society, give you access to a
diverse network of contacts
Participate in a sporting team; you will develop valuable teamwork skills while keeping fit and
staying active.
Volunteering is becoming a very popular way for young people to gain meaningful work
experience and interpersonal skills while giving something back to their local community. Many
corporations look for candidates that some sort of volunteering or community engagement on
their resume.
Use social media to maintain and build these connections (e.g. Facebook and LinkedIn)
Keep connected with family and friends back home. Nurture these relationships and maintain
them via social media. Build your online global network.
Consider using your family connections to gain work experience back home during the
holidays via job-shadowing, informational interviewing, internships or vocation placements.

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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TIPS FOR YOUR FINAL YEAR

START APPLYING FOR WORK
In your final year it is time to start using all your research and planning and apply for work.
The nature of work is rapidly changing and the
average Australian worker will have 10 or more
jobs throughout their lifetime. It is important to
realise that as a new graduate you may work in
a variety of fields before finding the right fit for you.
When job seeking:
Do your research
Be open to opportunities. Be flexible as many
jobs start out as short term contracts or casual
positions
Manage your expectations

5 TIPS TO SUCCESS
Research the companys vision or
mission statement, core business and
strategic direction and competitors
What are their key values and do these
fit with your own personal beliefs and
values?
Does the company value diversity and
require bilingual, globally minded staff?

Graduate programs

What is the application process and do

they recruit international students? If so,
what types of pre-requisites are there?
Know your post-study work rights and
what type of visa you might need.

Graduate roles are structured professional

development programs designed specifically
for university graduates. These programs are
traditionally offered in the corporate and
government sectors in Australia to top tier
students.

Will you have to complete a new

language test (ETS TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson)
or achieve a certain grade average
to qualify for the role you want? Some
corporates set IELTS as high as 8 in
speaking, reading and writing.

Be willing to start at the bottom and work

your way up.

These full-time positions provide rotations in key

areas of the business over a set period of time
(usually two years). Graduate programs offer structured training and support, feedback and
ongoing employment opportunities.
Entry requirements into graduate programs vary and are highly competitive. It is important to
research your eligibility when thinking of applying for a graduate role in Australia.
If you are interested in a graduate program you will need to apply in the March or April of your
final year. However, students are eligible for graduate programs up to two years after they
graduate.
In order to be the best candidate you need to research the company, sector and the type of
roles available for new graduates.
According to the Australian Financial Review3, in 2015 KPMG received over 10,000 applications
for just 300 graduate positions in Australia.
In order to wade through all the applications KPMG received, the company launched a new
sophisticated application process to reduce the face-to-face interview time. It included online
games and psychometric tests, which aimed to filter out over 60 per cent of candidates. Only
three per cent of graduates who applied were successful.
Competition is fierce and large companies can afford to pick and choose the best graduates
from the pool of applicants. To give yourself the cutting edge against your competitors you need
to do your research and read widely about the sector in which you are interested.

3 King, A. and Tadros, E., KPMG starts selfie graduate interviews as big four accounting firms boost hiring,
Australian Financial Review, 19 March 2015

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IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Start your career in a small-to-medium size business

There are many opportunities for students wishing to launch their careers within small-to-medium
businesses. Entry-level positions are less competitive than graduate programs and have fewer
restrictions in terms of visa requirements and language proficiency.
Benefits of working in a small-to-medium size business:
Skills and experience are often very hands on and you get a broader understanding of the
way businesses work
You are often given early responsibilities, which increases your confidence and gives you a
higher profile within the company that you might not have in a larger organisation
Insight into Australian business culture
Large corporates are attracted to generalist skills developed in small business and you can use
this role to make the step to a larger organisation after a few years.

Use a recruitment agency and build experience with short-term contracts

After you complete your studies, you may have the opportunity of working in Australia to build
your skills. If you are struggling to get work you may consider using a recruitment agency in your
field and taking on short-term contracts.
Employers pay recruitment agencies in Australia to find appropriate staff for short-term roles and this
is a great way to build your technical skills and gain an insight into Australian workplace culture.
Some popular agencies include:
www.hays.com.au
www.dixonappointments.com.au
www.au.hudson.com
www.au.drakeintl.com
www.randstad.com.au

Consider rural opportunities or moving interstate

If you are serious about living and working in Australia then it is worth expanding your job search
to include rural roles and consider moving interstate for the right job.
Many states are actively searching for professional people to move into their local region. Rural
towns offer incentives and sponsorship for professionals to more in to their local area.
Do your research and locate a region where you might like to live. Look for jobs on rural online
newspapers and search rural locations on job search websites like Seek and CareerOne.
Key government websites:
www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au
www.migration.wa.gov.au
www.migration.sa.gov.au
www.trade.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw
www.australiasnorthernterritory.com.au
www.canberrayourfuture.com.au
www.migration.tas.gov.au
www.migration.qld.gov.au

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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Returning home
There are many opportunities open to you as an overseas-educated graduate. If you are keen to
go back home after you graduate it is important that you stay in touch with what is happening in
your local job (labour) market while undertaking your studies.
Many multinational companies have branches all over the world and are looking for candidates
with a large range of skills including English. These corporations have a global mindset and value
locally born, overseas-educated students. Investigate the entry requirements and recruitment
cycle in your own region and dont forget to apply back home for that dream role or internship.
Follow what is going on in your sector read local websites, join local professional associations
and keep informed about the economic and political activities in your region
Research potential employers and the local recruitment cycle and application process
Target multinational or Australian companies in your region who are looking for bilingual
staff with a global perspective and apply for graduate programs or vocation or internship
opportunities
Find out what skills and attributes are valued by recruiters in your region and work towards
building these into your resume
Create a region-specific resume in your own language and in English for multinationals (get it
checked by someone back home)
Join and participate with your Australian alumni network sign up to be apart of your local
institutions chapter
Use LinkedIn and social media and promote your unique personal brand remember to
promote your bilingual /bicultural advantage. Reconnect with your in country networks.

Working overseas
Are you keen to work overseas at the end of your studies? If so, it is important that during your
studies you start doing your research and preparing your skills for the region you are targeting.
You may want to visit the region first to see if you enjoy the lifestyle and culture. This is a great
excuse to go on holiday or you may want to undertake an exchange semester or study tour in this
county as part of your studies. The options are endless but you need to do your homework first.
Questions to consider:
Where do you want to go and why? How long for?
What opportunities are open to a citizen from your country? Will you require sponsorship or a
special visa to live and work in this country?
Will you require additional language skills? If so, what will you need to do in order to qualify to
work in this country? Do you need to study the language and to what level?
What are the living conditions and salaries like? Do you need health insurance?
What will be the long-term career benefits?
Will your qualifications and experience be recognised?
Do you have any family or family connections in this country that could provide information on
living and working there or support you in your job-hunt?
Going Global
This website provides country-specific careers and employment information such as resume
templates, wages, jobs, internships and recruitment cycle information. www.goinglobal.com
IAESTE
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)
provides students in the sciences with technical placements in over 80 countries. www.iaeste.org

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IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

HELPFUL TIPS
JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES
Look in the career sections on company websites and in online newspapers
Sign up for job sites specific to your sector and join large recruitment sites such as Seek,
CareerOne. Get customised job email alerts
Use your institutions careers service, which will have targeted entry-level positions available online
Set up an online professional profile on LinkedIn and follow key companies. Maintain your
professional brand and participate online
Speak to your network, cold call or write speculative applications.
Just over half of the graduates who found full-time employment in 2013 or 2014 learned of the job
first through one of three strategies: searching advertisements on the internet (25.7 per cent), talking
to family or friends (13.9 per cent) and visiting university or college careers services (12.4 per cent)4

ONLINE APPLICATIONS
When applying online you will need to write concise answers within a set word limit. It is vital that
you address the question and demonstrate your soft and hard skills with examples from your work
or study history.
To demonstrate skills you can give examples of projects youve undertaken within your studies,
volunteering, work experience or extra-curricular activities.
Employers want to know what your overall goal or drive is. So dont forget to include your
motivation or overall suitability for the role.
A helpful tip is to cut and paste the questions into a word document and work on the questions
offline. Get someone to check over your answers and ensure you have answered the questions
appropriately.

INTERVIEW TIPS
Plan your travel arrive 10 minutes prior and turn off your phone! (Always research parking,
transport and how to get to the venue)
Dress professionally
Find out what type of interview it will be and who will be conducting it. There are a range of
interview types including: panel, assessment centre, one-on-one, telephone or via Skype
Be prepared re-visit your research about the company. Review its key clients, projects and
core business. Know your product.
Have examples prepared to demonstrate where you have developed the skills they are
looking for.
Be able to explain your visa status and bring along any relevant paper work: resume, responses
to key selection criteria, referees details, passport/visa and your portfolio if needed.

4 Australian Graduate Survey 2014

IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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INTERVIEW QUESTION TYPES

General questions Tell me about yourself?
These usually put the candidate at ease and cover areas such as your experience, education,
personal attributes or interest in the position.
Prior to interview, prepare to answer these commonly asked questions:
Tell me about yourself
Why are you interested in this role?
What do you know about our organisation?
Why should we hire you?

BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS
The majority of recruiters use a mixture of general and behavioural questions to build an
understanding of the candidate.
Behavioural questions pose a scenario and the candidate has to indicate how they behaved
and why.
Behavioural questioning is based on the assumption that past behaviour is the best predictor of
future behaviour. Interviewers will ask questions which check if you meet the key criteria of the
position and can articulate how you behaved in a variety of situations.
In order to be prepared for this type of questioning you need to develop a bank of examples,
which demonstrate your skills and experiences.
Prepare and answer questions by using the STAR technique:
Situation a brief outline of the situation
Task what tasks needed to be achieved
Action the steps you took to complete the task
Results what outcomes were achieved?

Examples of possible behavioural questions

Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult customer. What actions did you take and why?
Give me an example of a time you had to manage a number of deadlines at the same time.
What actions did you take? What was the outcome?
Give me an example when you worked with a colleague who was not doing their fair share of
the work. What actions did you take and what was the result?

Technical questions
These questions test your technical knowledge in relation to the role. Review the job description
and be prepared to answer possible technical questions.
During the interview process, you will be assessed on your verbal and non-verbal communication skills:
Speak clearly: pronunciation and expression
Use eye contact
Posture (sit up straight)
Be aware of your body language try not to fidget or play with your phone or pen.

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Remember the interviewer will be aware that you will be nervous and will take that into
consideration.
Preparation and practice are the keys to a successful interview. So dont forget to ask questions
at the end of your interview and thank the interviewers for their time.
Possible questions could include:
What is the work culture like here?
How would you describe your management style?
What types of training and professional development opportunities are available to employees?
Avoid questions about holidays and wages. You can find this information out after you gain the
role or via your research.

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19

I started my job search early

and favoured one-on-one
networking through LinkedIn
over traditional settings my
Singaporean background
taught me tenacity and
contributed to the high
value I place on education
and mixing with different
nationalities, all of which are
important for integrating into
the Australian workforce.
Jason Widjaja, Singapore
Melbourne Business School

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IEAA INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYABILITY GUIDE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

AFTER YOU GRADUATE

The world of work is constantly changing and the transition from full-time student into permanent
full-time employment is increasingly rare. More and more graduates are starting their careers in
short-term contracts or temporary positions.
Be open to opportunities and dont wait for that perfect job to appear. Use short-term
opportunities as stepping-stones towards your ultimate goal.
Keep building on your skills and experience while staying motivated to get your dream job.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
The current job market is very competitive and it is important to note that it takes on average
nine months to find employment after your studies.
Remember you cant become a CEO straight out after your studies, so it is important that you
manage your own expectations and apply for entry-level positions. Narrow your job search to
roles you can actually meet the key criteria. Take your time and tailor your resume and cover
letter to each job. Dont waste your time applying for hundreds of jobs.
Building a career takes time. If you cant land that dream job keep positive, get proactive and
start filling the gaps in your skill set. Get a professional career adviser to review your resume and
cover letters, attend workshops and take short courses to improve your employability
(e.g. MYOB, excel).
Target companies that embrace and promote diversity. Global companies are more likely to
need bilingual, multicultural savvy staff. It is ok to return home to start your career, you may find
that this will lead global opportunities.
Be flexible and take opportunities if they arise. Grow your expertise and learn how to up sell the
skills you have to gain the position you want in the future. Be a global worker.
Finally, managing family pressure is vital when starting your career. Often there is an expectation
that you must perform a certain job to satisfy family plans and this can often clash with your own
dreams or interests. If you are struggling with these expectations make an appointment and see
career counsellor or an academic adviser and find helpful strategies to manage this pressure.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Australia has laws protecting workers. These govern and guide what employers should pay and
the type of working conditions employees should be given (hours, break times, Occupational
Health and Safety requirements, and leave entitlements).

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ENSURE YOU ARE PROTECTED AT WORK?

When you accept a job offer there are some things you and your employer should be clear on,
including:
your agreed pay rate
your job duties
your employment status (e.g. full-time, part-time or casual work)
what time youll be starting and finishing work
how many hours youll be working per week
whether theres an award or registered agreement covering your job.

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21

GETTING A TAX FILE NUMBER

A tax file number (TFN) is a unique nine digit number issued to you by the Australian Government
so that you can work legally and pay tax.
A TFN must be supplied to an employer so they can pay tax on your behalf. If you are working for cash
in hand you are not protected by the law and may not be receiving the correct award wages.
To apply for a TFN or find out more information:
https://www.ato.gov.au/forms/tfn---application-for-individuals

KNOW HOW MUCH YOURE WORTH

When applying for and accepting a position it is important to do your research and know how
much you are entitled to be paid. Use the Fairwork Pay Calculator to work out your pay rates,
penalties and allowances.
calculate.fairwork.gov.au/findyouraward
www.fairwork.gov.au/pay
www.payscale.com
If you are under 21 then you are entitled to junior wages. This is a sliding scale and differs for each
industry. http://www.payscale.com/research/AU/Country=Australia/Salary
In Australia employers are not allowed by law to discriminate or harass staff in relation to:
Race

Disability

Religion

Gender

Political beliefs

Carer or parental status

Sexual orientation

Physical features

Age
If you face any form of discrimination or harassment in the workplace please contact Fair Work
Australia. Visit www.fairwork.gov.au. For help and support call the Fair Work Infoline 13 13 94.
If you would prefer to speak in your own language, call 13 14 50 and nominate your preferred
language. www.fairwork.gov.au/contact-us/language-help
www.immi.gov.au/skilled/rights-obligations-workers.htm
www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/policies-and-guides/fact-sheets/rights-and-obligations/ international-students

WORKERS COMPENSATION
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au
www.workcover.tas.gov.au
www.workcover.wa.gov.au
www.worksafe.qld.gov.au
www.worksafe.nt.gov.au
www.workcover.com
www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health_safety

LIFELONG LEARNING
Most people will have more than 10 different jobs over their lifetime and no career is linear. So it is
important to keep developing your skills and expanding your knowledge so you can take on the
next opportunity or challenge in your working life.

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Contact us
IEAA Secretariat
PO Box 12917
ABeckett Street
Melbourne VIC 8006
Australia
+613 9925 4579
admin@ieaa.org.au

ieaa.org.au/employability