PREPARE FOR PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Advice for IT Students Seeking
Vacation Employment
Delivered by Monash University
Careers and Employment
Lynda Rohan
www.careers.monash.edu.au
October 13th, 2005
What Makes an IT Professional?
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Job Specifics
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General Work Skills
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Technical competencies
Qualifications and education
Relevant employment experience
Communication
Team work
Problem solving skills
Learning agility
Planning and organising
Good self management
The Right Fit
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Comfortable in the work environment
Good match with career aspirations
Genuine interest in the work role and organisation
Understand Recruitment and
Staff Selection Processes
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Employers find staff through:
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Own networks
Professional associations
Recruitment agencies
Employer websites
Job databanks
Newspapers
Direct canvas from jobseekers
Your Application
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Submit a written application
Provide a resume and cover letter
Complete on-line testing
Participate in assessment centre activities
Present at interview
Supply supporting referees
Undertake probationary period of
employment
How Can Your
Application Stand Out?
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Answer the question!
Use relevant, up to date and various
examples
Accurate spelling and grammar
Meet word limits
Use credible language and make clear
statements
Follow employer instructions
Relate to the Selection Criteria
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Provide evidence to back up claims and
keep in mind what you are being
assessed against. For example:
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Solved problems and faced challenges
head on?
Set goals that stretched you and achieved
them
Appreciate what’s involved in working
successfully with other people
A Cover Letter
Yes or No?
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Always, unless specifically requested not to
by the employer
If application on-line can put in the body of
the e-mail
Remember it is business communication
Tailor the letter for each application
The most common errors are poor spelling
and grammar and obvious/bad cut and paste
Resume
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Provides a summary of qualifications, experience and
relevant skills – no life stories please!
Select a format that bests markets you
Information should relevant and current
Be specific about dates, training organisations
Don’t list the academic subjects – provide an
attachment
Be clear about roles of responsibilities, achievements
Statement of skills need to be supported with
evidence of how you developed the skills or how they
were applied
Information to Include
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Name/contact details
Education and Training
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Employment History
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Include accredited training only
Professional development should be under separate heading
Course related
General
Summary of Professional Skills and Knowledge
Any achievements
Membership of associations
Extra-curricular activities
Other Information
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Details of Referees if requested
Career Objective
Interests (optional)
Personal information – d.o.b., marital
status, citizenship (optional)
Additional Skills – value added
information e.g. languages
Achievement Statements
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Can be personal, academic, work
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Can include formal acknowledgements
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Job promotion, good course results
E.g. awards, scholarships, community
recognition
Can be quantifiable or qualitative
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Perform above targets, improve service,
engage more people in activities
Extra-Curricular Activities
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Not to be confused with hobbies/interests
Need to clarify level of
commitment/participation
Can include activities in community, sporting
or university life
Can include “one off” campaigns
Additional responsibilities should be detailed
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E.g. committee member
A Bit About Referees
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Ensure you gain consent
Inform them of your application details
Be sure to have their support
Give current contact details on your
resume
Explain the relationship to you
Understand how employers use referee
details
Writing Up Technical Skills
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Environments and application of skills
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was
was
was
was
was
the
the
the
the
the
service component?
environment?
operating system?
language?
database?
Course related projects
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What
What
What
What
What
Final year preferable
Describe your involvement
Any significant outcomes?
Sometime a table helps
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Tabulate languages, months of experience and level of proficiency
Now for the Interview
Know what to Expect
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Understand the recruitment process
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Know status of panel members
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How many interviews?
Name/role
Where they fit in the hierarchy
Know details of the interview format
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Venue, time and date
Format/structure
Do you need to take anything with you?
Get the Basics Right
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Good preparation
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Anticipate Questions
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Review application and resume
Be informed – look at employer website
Built around selection criteria
Practice responses/have main points ready
Present as a Professional
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Appropriate dress and grooming
Professional manner to everyone
Punctuality is appreciated
……….and…….
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Communicate effectively
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Exchange information/be natural
Use good listening skills
Speak clearly, structure your response
Don’t assume anything on behalf of the panel
Ask questions to help clarify if you want the
job
Be sure of what happens next
What Will They Ask?
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Clarifying questions about level of technical
skills, qualifications and previous work
experience
Find out your career aspirations
Questions about problem solving, initiative,
decision making abilities
Behavioural questions to find out how you
handle people and situations e.g.
communication, customer service and team
work skills are really important
Examples of Questions
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Why do you want to work here?
How has your education prepared you for the workforce?
Why did you decide to study IT?
What is an example of your ability to use your initiative?
Tell me about a team project you worked on. What was your
role and the outcome of the project?
What style of management do you work for best?
Tell me about a time you provided excellent customer service.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Can you provide examples of presentations you have done to
groups of people?
Tell me about one of the biggest challenges you faced and how
you dealt with it.
Responding Well
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Answer the question!
Responses to general/icebreaker questions
can impact in a positive way
Give sufficient information for the interviewer
to assess
Structure your answer so the listener can
follow what you are saying
Behavioural questions are common – become
familiar with the STAR format
Further Tips
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Don’t try to second guess what the employer is
looking for; tell them what you think
Prepare some key points for each selection criterion
but avoid sounding too rehearsed
Use examples that are specific and choose from a
variety of settings
One specific example can be a stronger statement of
ability than lots of general comments
Don’t overstate involvement in project teams – be
honest
How Do Employers Evaluate?
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General demeanour and self confidence
Content of the response and the clarity
of expression
Potential to develop
Expression of interest in the
organisation and job role
Meet organisation’s profile
Use Your Careers Service
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Career Counselling
Resume Checking
Interview Skills Practice
Jobs On-Line
Jobseeker Workshops
Employability Programs
Career Information Library
www.careers.monash.edu.au
Other Useful Resources
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www.itskillshub.com.au
www.apesma.com.au
www.acs.com.au
www.graduatecareers.com.au
www.rcsa.com.au
Video – Your Jobs On-Line
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Available for viewing at Careers &
Employment office