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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

presents: 2013 Careers Guide

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

Welcome to the Deakin Commerce Students Society 2013 Careers Guide

Congratulations on choosing to have an interest in your career in 2013 and to see where you degree can take you! It is our aim that this booklet provides you with all the necessary information that you will need to find out what type of career suits both you and your degree, what opportunities are out there to kick start your degree or even to get some experience in the field which you are studying. If you have any questions we implore you to contact the careers team at the DCSS as they are always willing to help out. The Deakin Commerce Students Society (DCSS) is a student-run organisation based at the Geelong Waterfront campus. It is our aim to assists our members and students of The Faculty of Business and Law throughout the duration of their degree by aiding to bridge the gap between your university degree and a career and enhance your university experience throughout your time here. The society supports its members through numerous career events and aims to find its members internships, vacation work and ultimately a graduate job; a graduate job is a position in an organisation that you can obtain through applying for in your last year of university and commence on completion of your degree. It is the belief of the society that it is never too early to start working on obtaining the job that you desire at the end of your degree. Vacation work is aimed at students in the penultimate year of their degree. Vacation work entails you working for an organisation over the summer during your penultimate and final year, whilst not only getting your foot in the door by undertaking vacation work, you may also be paid for the work that your undertake. Vacation work can lead to a graduate position, however, it is integral that you perform at your best and set out to impress whilst working for the organisation in order to be considered a candidate for a graduate job. Internships are very similar to vacation positions however an internship can last anywhere from two weeks to over 6 months. Student internships provide opportunities for students to gain experience in their field of study. They can help determine if they have an interest in a particular career, create a network of contacts, or gain credit points towards their degree. Internships can lead to securing a graduate position. Ultimately, all of the following will help you gain experience in your field of study as well as help start building your network with contacts all of which will be more helpful than you imagine! All the best with your studies and quests on gaining either an internship, vacation position or graduate position in 2013. Kind Regards,

The Deakin Commerce Students Society

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

Resume
Your resume has a simple job - to get you to the next stage of recruitment. It needs to separate you from other applicants as you could be competing against thousands. Below are some of the core steps which are vital to take in order to give yourself the best chance possible: Make your resume address the criteria discussed in the advertisement this is done by highlighting the strengths and skills that match the employers requirements. Place your contact details at the top of the page of your resume and cover letter. Tailor your resume for every position you apply for. Dont just send the same resume and cover letter out to each organisation. Make it short, clear and concise. Your resume will be one of many so dont make it a chore to read. Keep your formatting simple and consistent, i.e.: fonts and text sizes. Break up the information with clear headings that structure your information. Include experience or initiatives that differentiate you from other candidates. List your most recent education and work experience first. Have someone else double check the spelling, grammar, logic and flow of the cover letter and resume. Keep hard and soft copies for future reference. Follow the instructions for submitting your application make sure its on time and in the way requested (check what format the document may be accepted in or else it wont be looked at!) Never e-mail resumes unless asked to Recruitments teams will not look at them unless something has been arranged! Make sure your referees contact details are current and all e-mail addresses and phone numbers are correct as potential employers will not chase you up for your referees correct details.

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

Cover Letter
Your cover letter is your first chance to introduce yourself to the organisation so it is vital that you make a good impression. You need to be able to state why the firm should take you over other people applying for the same position. You should show a vested interest in the business you are applying for as no business will employ a person who they believe is not willing to give their all for the business. Beware of spelling and grammatical errors as these are likely to lead to instant rejection. Format The following should be carefully considered when giving your resume and cover letter structure: Is it inviting and easy to read? Is the font style and size consistent throughout the entire cover letter and resume? Does it create visual impact using bullet points, indents and italics? Is your document free from grammatical, spelling, punctuation and typographical errors?

These are all questions which you need to consider and follow when writing your resume and cover letter. What makes a good covering letter? Before you start writing your cover letter, review and ensure that you understand the position that you are applying for. Your prior preparation and research should be positively reflected in your written application. A good cover letter should: Capture the organisations attention. Answer the question Why should we interview you? Summarise your qualifying skills, strengths and achievements, focusing on those most relevant to the work. Be restricted to one page AND ONE PAGE ONLY! Be proof-read. Ask your friends or family to provide you with constructive criticism actively to sell yourself. Be assertive about your achievements; but mindful not to appear arrogant.

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

Online Applications
One of the most important things to remember when applying for positions is to make your application relevant to the work for which you are applying. When you are applying, think about what you have to offer how you can benefit the company and what you want the recruiter to know about you. What to expect An online application form is often similar to completing a resume or CV. You will often need to provide the following information: Cover Letter Personal and Contact details Work Experience Education History/ Qualifications/University Degree Transcript Interests Extra-Curricular Activities Volunteer Work

In addition to the above information, online applications will often ask behavioural questions to find about more about your life, your time at school and/or university, your extra-curricular activities and any work experience youve gained. This information is then matched against the organisations required skills and behaviours. Key points for making a good application: Obey instructions. Do not give the employer reason to reject you. Make your form easy to understand and flow in a concise manner. Keep a record of all the important events dates, achievements, qualifications, work experience, etc. It will save you a lot of time you have all that information to hand. Use the application as a guide to the qualities the employer is seeking and the amount of detail they require. Use headings and bullet points to break up the text. Don't feel you have to use complete sentences. Don't be modest. If describing a skill or an achievement, highlight the difficulties involved and your efforts in reaching your target. Remember to give specific, concrete examples of things you have done. Make sure you check spelling and grammar. Allow yourself enough time to complete the forms. Often on the application close dates, their computer systems will be busy processing others applications, resulting in their systems being slow. Pay attention to word limits. Include all relevant information. Evidence of your extra-curricular activities and your academic record are equally important to your application.

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

The Interview
Having completed your resume, online application form, and/or performed admirably in the assessment centre, you need to cross the final hurdle at the interview. Follow these general steps to make sure you are successful in the final interview and are the number one choice. Know your strengths The interviewer looks to find out if you are the person for the job. Make sure you can discuss your skills and personal qualities that can set you aside from other applicants. It will be of great importance to provide examples and discuss times when you have used these skills. It will pay to discuss past achievements. These may be drawn on from a variety of events such as academics, past employment, and even sporting achievements. For example, you may discuss how you performed in a difficult situation at work and how the challenge was resolved. Predicting questions Questions can be the most intimidating part of an interview. Not understanding questions properly, or not having a strong answer can bring many people undone in an interview. It is very hard to predict the actual questions that will be asked in an interview; however preparation can still be done to make the process easier. It would be recommended that an applicant comfortably be able to answer questions about their: Experiences Skills Abilities Knowledge Previous Employment

Question time may be daunting for some, but if you are well prepared and confident it is one area where you can display your skills and confidence in your ability. Interview practice Practice makes perfect. It is one thing to think about what you are going to say in an interview, it is another thing to say it. Make sure you have verbalised what you intend to say in the interview and have confidence in what you are saying. Practise strong eye contact and good delivery. The best way to gain this experience is to get friends to interview you, or even practice in front of a mirror. Just remember to be polite and confident throughout the interview, show them that you are the person for the job. Check the venue and travel time Make sure that you know the exact location of the interview and how long it will take you to get there. Running late to an interview will all but destroy your chances of getting the job. Allow plenty of time to get there in case you are delayed. Arriving early also gives you the opportunity to relax and get yourself in the mindset for the interview. 6

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

Undertaking research It is very important to take the time to research information concerning the organisation. Two areas that are of severe importance are: Occupational knowledge: Know exactly what the position is you are applying for. It is only when you have complete understanding of what is required that you are able to link your academic knowledge with the job. Organisational knowledge: It will be expected that you can show some understanding of what the company does as well as its size and scope. Discussing the company in detail will show that you have done your research and are eager to become an employee of the company. Appearance and Attire Make sure that your attire is suitable for the position that you are applying for. Keep the dress code on the smart side, and definitely do not under dress. The best guide is to wear clothing that a person in the role you are applying for would wear. Some tips include: Avoid overpowering fragrances and deodorants. These can detract from the interviewers first impressions Make sure that your shoes are clean and in good condition Do not wear inappropriate jewellery such as nose rings. It will also pay to cover up all visible tattoos. These are not normally worn in the work place and wont create a good impression with the interviewer. For girls, if you are wearing a skirt to the interview, make sure the length of the skirt is not too short. The perfect length is around knee length.

We have composed together some common questions which are asked in interviews. To make sure you are well equipped for any interview we recommend having a structured and sound answer to each of these questions. Frequently Asked Interview Questions 1. Why did you study commerce? Why did you choose your major(s)? 2. How has your university experience prepared you for your career? 3. What extra-curricular activities do you undertake? What have you gained from them if so? 4. What experience do you bring from your part time/casual job? 5. What balance do you maintain between work and your personal life? 6. What experiences do you have that will prepare you for this position? 7. What are you looking for in a job? 8. Tell me a little more about yourself - What are your strengths/weaknesses? 9. Describe a time when you were faced with significant stress. How did you cope? 10. Describe a time when you worked in a team and member of the team did not pull their weight - How did you solve this? 11. How have you resolved a situation where you strongly disagreed with a team member? 12. What kinds of people do you prefer to work with? 13. How do you deal with poor instructions? 14. How do you cope with last minute changes? 15. Where do you see yourself in five/ten years? 16. Do you have plans for further study? 17. Do you have any questions for us? 7

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

Deakin Graduate Jackson Snep on his time at Deakin

For those of you who are reaching the business end of your degree or those who just want a heads up on the competition its important to know that gaining a vacation/graduate position can be a fun and rewarding experience. Last year I completed a Bachelor of Management with a major in marketing. During my time at Deakin I undertook two internships in the areas of tourism and communication marketing. In February this year I will be commencing work at Telstra, rotating through a number of different departments. To gain my position at Telstra, the process I undertook in gaining the position was quite long and at many times arduous. Essentially the recruitment process involved an initial application, followed by a one on one telephone interview, numerical, verbal and logical reasoning testing, a group interview and a final interview with two managers. Although at the outset this may seem overwhelming most firms do their best to make it a pleasant and stress free experience. The best advice I can give you about this process is to think ahead about possible interview questions (the internet can be handy for this). Secondly, have a few extracurricular activities up your sleeve to talk about and lastly a big smile and an enthusiastic attitude can go a long way in impressing potential employers. Now as far as words of wisdom go, I really want to stress the point that you should try and get out there and get as much experience at as many different industries and firms as you can. The most important aspect to gaining a graduate position is to find a job that suits you and your goals and interests. After undertaking internships in remarkably dissimilar fields, I chose marketing as it combined my interests in advertising and communication, and gave me the opportunity to work in a constantly changing environment. So far my graduate experience has been a tremendous amount of fun and a great learning experience. I wish you all the best of luck for the remainder of your study at Deakin and whatever path you choose to travel down. All the best and enjoy 2013. Kind Regards,

Jackson Snep Telstra Digital Marketing

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[DEAKIN COMMERCE STUDENTS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE 2013]

Deakin Graduate Will Rosewarne on his time at Deakin

Right now you may be reading this guide as a first year, second year, penultimate, or final year student. You may have an idea as to what you want to do, or you may have no idea. Hopefully this guide will give you some ideas as to what you can pursue for your career. Whilst studying my commerce degree - majoring in commercial law and international trade, I have always known I wanted to be a commercial lawyer, thus a broad business undergraduate education suited me well. Now that I have completed my undergraduate degree at Deakin University in 2011, I will be going into my second year of a postgraduate law degree, a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) at the University of New South Wales in 2013. My intention for the short-to-medium term is to complete my practical legal training at a top-tier law firm before being admitted as a solicitor in a few years time and practicing in commercial and corporate law. You may be as definite as I am to your projected career path or completely unsure, so in the meantime, here is my advice to you: Take advantage of the broad range of subjects available to you in your first year of study this will help you to discover what you find enticing as a possible major choice. Attend as many careers events as you can to gain an appreciation for the enormous amount of opportunities that are out there for graduates. I found the ICAAs Big Meet in Melbourne to be the best value in terms of the exhibitors that were present at the event. The Deakin Commerce Students Society regularly organises and advertises these events so stay aware of what they publish. These events are useful in obtaining contacts in your prospective field(s). Apply yourself. Don't be satisfied with passing - make sure you show your full potential. Low grades and failing won't impress prospective employers. Think about honours and/or post-graduate studies if you want to acquire more knowledge. Similarly, if you want to put what you are learning to work, apply for internships and vacation programs. You may improve your prospects of landing further internships during your degree and improve your chances of securing a graduate role.

If you take into account the above and the invaluable advice that your peers, lecturers and visiting firm representatives provide, you should have no problem in succeeding in whatever you want to do. Good luck in your studies and aim high. Best Wishes,

Will Rosewarne Postgraduate Student: Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW)

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Acknowledgements
The DCSS would like to thank the following people for their tireless help towards creating the 2013 DCSS Careers Guide: Evan McGinty Hayden Schreurs Timothy Jackson Christopher Russo Jackson Snep Will Rosewarne Joshua Gilligan

The DCSS would also like to thank their sponsors for 2013 as without them, the society would not be able to run, provide publications such as this one and host career events throughout the year

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