HOW

TO FIND
A JOB
IN AUSTRALIA
A TO Z / GUIDE FOR STUDENTS
ALPHABET GUIDE TO WHAT’S INSIDE A NOTE TO STUDENTS
Accelerate your English.............................................................................................................................................. 3 Working with students day-to-day, we appreciate
Build your confidence.................................................................................................................................................. 4 that finding your first job while studying, or upon
Careers office..........................................................................................................................................................................5 graduating, can be a daunting process.
Do’s and don’ts for the Australian job market............................................................................. 6–7 It can seem even more challenging for international
Employability skills......................................................................................................................................................... 8 students who face multiple barriers to establishing
careers, including unfamiliar job search processes
Freelancing.............................................................................................................................................................................. 9 and a whole new workplace culture in Australia.
Get entrepreneurial...................................................................................................................................................... 10
So, to make it a little easier, we’ve created this A to
Hidden job market........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Z guide for students.
Internships..............................................................................................................................................................................11
It contains a whole alphabet of insider knowledge.
Job-search sites................................................................................................................................................................ 12 From the basics of which job websites you should be
Know your rights.............................................................................................................................................................. 13 browsing, to tips that will help you write an effective
LinkedIn....................................................................................................................................................................................14 cover letter and perfect your interview skills, we’ve
got you covered.
Make a job search plan............................................................................................................................................ 15
Networking.................................................................................................................................................................. 16–17 For international students, you’ll also come across
advice on how to write and format your CV to
Overcoming common obstacles......................................................................................................................18
impress Australian employers and master some
Perfect your interview skills......................................................................................................................19–20 common Aussie slang used in the workplace.
Questions to ask your potential employer............................................................................................ 21
We hope you find it a useful and practical resource
References...................................................................................................................................................................22–23 to guide you as you begin your search.
SMEs........................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Good luck and happy job hunting!
Tax File Number................................................................................................................................................................ 25
Update your CV.................................................................................................................................................................26
Volunteering........................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Will James
National Careers Manager
Write an effective cover letter...........................................................................................................................28
Kaplan Business School
X-factor......................................................................................................................................................................................29
YouTube for job seekers..........................................................................................................................................29
Zeal and resilience.......................................................................................................................................................30

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ACCELERATE YOUR ENGLISH
(AND LEARN A LITTLE AUSSIE SLANG!) K
Having a strong level of both verbal and written A FEW COMMON SAYINGS:
English as an international student is a sure-fire way
L
– ‘Arvo’ = afternoon
to impress prospective employers.
– ‘COB’ = close of business
M
You can accelerate your learning by:
– Reading English newspapers
– ‘I’m keen to’ = I would like to N
– Volunteering in your community
– ‘In lieu’ = instead (of) O
– ‘No-brainer’ = something obvious or
– Finding an English learning app
requiring little or no thought P
– Making use of academic support resources
at your educational institution
– ‘OOO’ = out of office Q
– ‘Think outside the box’ = bringing new
– Enrolling in elective subjects such as Skills for
perspective to a problem or situation
R
Effective Communication that focus on advanced
levels of English vocabulary and grammar – ‘Touch base’ = make contact with someone S
It’s also helpful to be aware of some of the most
common slang that is used in the Australian
– ‘What do you reckon?’ = what do you think? T
workplace, ahead of your interview (and later in your – ‘Win-win situation’ = when both parties
day-to-day role). come out of a situation favourably U
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BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE
Applying for any job, whether it’s a part-time or
Promote your unique strengths K
As an international student you
graduate role, can be daunting. It’s important you
don’t let this affect your confidence.
may have valuable skillsets L
that can help you stand out
Do your research
Here are a few tips to help you feel better prepared
Going into an interview with
from the crowd, such as being M
for landing your next job in Australia: fluent in a second language or
an informed understanding of having overseas experience. N
Read job descriptions carefully the company (their Make sure you are capitalising
It’s important that you are challenges, strengths, needs) on these assets in your CV, O
responding to the selection will give you confidence to cover letter and during the
criteria in a way that matches discuss how you fit into the interview process. P
 ttend career workshops
A picture and what you can offer
your skills to the job
Workshops can be a great
description. Taking this as a candidate. Q
opportunity to learn from
tailored approach will increase
experienced professionals
your chances of getting a first R
about how to effectively
interview, and naturally boost
navigate the employment
your confidence! S
market. For example, KBS
hosts over 70 career T
workshops a year across our
campuses in Australia on a U
range of career-related topics.
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CAREERS OFFICE
The first go-to resource for any student should be K
your school or institute’s career hub or service.
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For example, at Kaplan Business School, Careers
Central provides valuable career services including: M
 upporting you in finding work placements
S N
to build local experience in Australia
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 onnecting you with employers to complete an Academic
C
Internship that will count towards your degree P
I nviting you to exclusive careers workshops, fairs Q
and industry events where you can network with
employers and develop your employability skills R
 reparing you for the workforce with one-on-one
P S
career coaching
T
Promoting various graduate role with businesses
spanning start-ups, local SMEs, not-for-profits U
and ASX-listed companies
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DO’S AND DON’TS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN JOB MARKET I
Here’s a list of what you should and shouldn’t focus on when
entering the Australian workforce. J
K
DO L

Pay attention to visa, work permits, and conditions of  Tap into your connections and set up a network
M
employment Tapping into your existing networks (students you
It’s critical you understand your legal or contractual studied with, lecturers, friends you met on a trip
N
obligations before entering the workforce. For example, abroad) is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse.
O
some workplaces have a legal obligation to employ There are also many organisations that focus on finding
permanent residents or citizens, while others might offer opportunities for both local and international job P
initiatives and sponsor overseas talent. seekers such as: Job Jumpstart, Adecco and Just landed.
If you’re on a visa, there’s also the consideration of what
Research the market
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type of employment you are legally allowed to engage
in, how many hours, and what your tax bracket might be.
While some skills are in hot demand in Australia, others R
may be less so. It’s always best to research the job
It’s important to access the right information on work
visas, tax and contract employment requirements.
market to discover opportunities and get your timing S
right. A good way to monitor the Aussie job market
Gain a little perspective on work culture is to get in touch with talent acquisition agencies or T
While a robust knowledge of Australian history, to refer to the Australian Government job portal.
pastimes, and slang will work in your favour when it U
comes to getting selected for a job, Australia has a robust
work culture that shapes the environment of each office, V
agency, venue and business you might work in.
For example, while self-promotion and self- W
projection may be valued in certain work cultures,
this is considered ‘tall poppy syndrome’ in Australia, X
where there is a strong emphasis on teamwork.
Additionally, Aussies work hard, but they also Y
place value on wellbeing and work-life balance.
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DON’T L


Lie on your resume Assume you’ll get the top job
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While it’s important to be confident in your This applies to those entering the Australian job market
capabilities, it’s also best to maintain humility for the first time, along with those who are applying for
N
when placing down what skills you’re an ‘expert positions from abroad.
O
in’ and what technologies you are ‘fluent in’. Your Having the assumption that top-level jobs will be at your
future employee will appreciate your honesty. disposal might hinder your decision-making process, P
Rely solely on spontaneity and you could miss out on opportunities for career
Moving to a new city or country and leaping into the growth. It may be necessary and valuable to consider Q
job market takes time, patience and knowledge. work experience or volunteering, until you build enough
The best option is to start setting up a network experience and contacts to get your foot in the door. R
before you even arrive and have some prospects
handy so you can hit the ground running.
S
Go in broke T
It’s a good idea to have some reserve money
upon your arrival. You never know – it may take U
a little longer than anticipated to find work or
you might need to pay a bond and rent upfront V
when you arrive – so it’s best to be prepared.
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EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Are you concerned about not having experience? K
Don’t forget to add any relevant extracurricular L
activities that may put you ahead of the
competition. Extracurricular activities are highly M
valued in Australia and provide you with an
opportunity to market your unique skills. N
For example, if you speak another language, you O
should certainly add that on your CV as languages
are considered an asset in workplaces. Additionally, P
you should highlight activities that have provided
you with leadership skills, programs you have Q
worked at or volunteered with, along with additional
courses and training you might have undertaken. R
These experiences and achievements are great
to reflect on in job applications or interviews. S
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FREELANCING
Have you considered whether a freelance career Are you good at juggling finances?
–  K
might be the perfect fit for you? Freelancers or With freelancing, it is important to be able
contractors enjoy the freedom of setting their hours to split larger payments to support you L
and workload. However, to be successful, there over the quieter weeks. You also need to
are a few elements that you should consider: consider how much tax you’d have to pay,
M
and how much super you want to set aside.
– H
 ow many contacts do you have? N
How big is your network? Before you jump Oh, and don’t forget to apply for an
into the deep end, ensure you have done your Australian Business Number (ABN) – O
homework and established a sizeable network a must for freelancers and contractors.
to sustain ongoing work. Freelancing is very P
much who you know, not just what you know.
Q
– A
 re you able to time manage?
Freelancing is all about meeting deadlines, R
on your own, without the help of a team
(or boss) to keep you on track. Freelancing S
requires discipline, carving out time to network,
and maintaining work commitments. T
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GET ENTREPRENEURIAL G
Put your additional skillset to the test or reap the
benefits of a curated network by starting up a small H
business on free e-commerce sites such as Etsy, or
freelance networks such as Fiverr or Freelancer.
I
Honing a small business can help train your business J
and entrepreneurial muscle in terms of production,
branding, marketing and sales. K
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HIDDEN JOB MARKET S
According to recruiters, at least 60% of jobs are A few ways you can tap into the hidden market include:
found through the hidden job market.
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– Networking at functions and via social media channels
That is, jobs that are found through networking,
rather than advertising. – 
Contacting employers of interest e.g. sending an
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introductory email
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– Volunteering or completing work experience
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– 
Subscribing to news alerts and following companies

60% on LinkedIn
You can also expand your network through Careers
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Central, where you can access exclusive networks and Y
industry relationships you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
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INTERNSHIPS Our statistics show that 1 in 3 students placed
in an Academic Internship were offered
There are two main types of internships: work K
ongoing employment.*
placements and academic internships. The main
difference is that an academic internship requires a L
greater time commitment and an assessment 1 2 3
component so that the experience can count towards M
your academic credit.
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Undertaking an internship (paid or unpaid) can have
several benefits for your career: ‘My experience improved my soft skills and O
capabilities in the workplace, such as time
– You can learn technical and ‘soft’ skills that only
come with experience
management, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. P
I made a lot of professional connections and
– You’ll gain insights into the Australian business
received excellent recommendations that helped Q
environment and your specific industry
me to find work at a large Australian electronics
– You can make connections that lead to paid work company as a quality and compliance specialist.’ R
– You can test out the course material you’ve been ZHANNA KURENKOVA S
learning in the workplace (KBS student, completed an
– You can gain confidence and resilience by putting
internship with Trisco Foods) T
yourself in a new and challenging situation U
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*Based on students placed in academic internships
between Nov 2018 and Jun 2019 X
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JOB-SEARCH SITES
Online job portals should be integrated into K
your job-seeking strategy. They are a great way
to get automated updates on your key searches L
and keep you posted on any new jobs.
M
Most Australians create accounts on Seek. However,
there are also job sites such as Jora, Indeed, along N
with signing up to receive email updates on specific
companies you would be interested in working for. O
LinkedIn is another big source of job ads - you
can check the Jobs You May Be Interested In and P
Jobs In Your Network sections on the Jobs page.
At Kaplan Business School, our Careers Central Q
team also advertise full-time graduate roles in a
private alumni community page on LinkedIn. R
There is also the option of exploring Gumtree
S
and other free-for-use sites, but always
approach with care and do your research. T
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
International students can work up to 40 hours a Are you entitled to ‘penalty rates?’ K
fortnight while studying in Australia. * As a casual employee, you are often entitled to ‘penalty
rates.’ These are pay increases that are applied when you L
Casual vs. part-time employment
work overtime, on public holidays, Sundays or during late
These are two different types of work according to
night or early morning shifts. Check your award online, M
Australian law. Part-time employees work regular hours
and make sure you discuss this with your employer.
each week and receive the same benefits such as N
annual leave and sick leave (relative to hours worked) Are you feeling bullied, harassed or discriminated
as full-time employees. Casual employment does not against at work? O
guarantee hours of work, sick or annual leave, but rates Workplace discrimination and sexual harassment are
of pay are usually higher to make up for this. against the law in Australia. If you feel bullied, unsafe, P
afraid or discriminated against at work, the first thing you
Do you know what your award wage is?
The Fair Work Ombudsman outlines that an employee
need to do is to tell someone about it. Your educational
institution has student support services available to help
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and employer can enter into a wage agreement
you in this situation. If you ever feel in any immediate
covered by either a modern award, national minimum
danger, don’t hesitate to call the police on 000.
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wage, or registered agreement. To find out how much
you are entitled to earn you can use the Australian As an international student in Australia, you are S
Government’s online Pay Calculator. entitled to join a union or to make a complaint with the
Ombudsman or the Human Rights Commission. T
For more information about your work rights you can
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visit the Fair Work Ombudsman
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*For more information please visit Homeaffairs.gov.au.
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KBS INSIDER TIPS I
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LINKEDIN
This is an opportunity to highlight your career story – K
TOP 7 FROM KBS NATIONAL where you have been, where you are now, and where you
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are headed.
TIPS CAREERS MANAGER:  our professional experience section should be succinct
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5 and focused – leave the detail for your CV. Highlight
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 se the cover photo feature to create a
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1 tailored image that reflects your personal brand and
your achievements and outcomes in each role, not your
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day-to-day responsibilities. And don’t underestimate the
industry experience. If there’s one place to exercise your power of adding media here – this can include portfolio
creativity on LinkedIn, it’s the cover photo! snapshots, projects you’ve worked on, or links to external
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 ake sure your profile picture is a true representation
M websites or resources.
2 of you right now. Use a high-resolution image, pick a
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 oluntary experience paints a strong picture of your
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background that isn’t distracting, don’t use too many 6
filters, and ensure your audience can see your face.
ability to proactively develop your professional skills Q
and abilities in a co-curricular context. Hiring managers

3
 our headline must include the keywords you want to
Y want to see internship experience listed, as well as any R
be found for via the search function e.g. ‘Certified Public community-driven volunteering which complements your
Accountant (CPA) | Property Accountant | Real Estate & passions and career desires. S
Construction Accounting’. Ensure it stands out from the  eing able to speak more than one language can be
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crowd, speaks to your ideal client and reflects the benefits 7 valuable to an employer, particularly in Australia, where T
you can bring to a business. many organisations already do business in international
T he summary section should never be written in third markets. List this under the ‘languages’ feature and detail U
4 person – this is unnecessary, as you should be trying to your level of proficiency.
connect with your audience by speaking directly to them. V
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MAKE A JOB SEARCH PLAN
Just like a project, undertaking study, or updating A few key tips to keep your job search organised: K
your skills, searching for a job requires goals,
milestones and planning. – Make sure to set-up a dedicated workspace L
– S
 chedule regular time blocks to research
Planning will help keep you on track, avoid the ‘I can’t
vacancies, update your resume, write cover M
get a job’ panic, and allow for a few rewards along
letters and complete applications
the way. N
– U
 se tools like spreadsheets to keep track of
your applications O
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 se calendar apps to set reminders for follow-
up emails or calls P
– S
 et up a folder filing system on your computer Q
and to keep track of what you have provided to
each employer R
S
If you’re interested in more long-term planning,
SEEK offers a useful and free career planning T
template.
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KBS INSIDER TIPS I
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NETWORKING
Preparation is key K
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TOP 5 FROM KBS There’s nothing like feeling prepared to give you the
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TIPS STUDENT GISELLE confidence boost to step out of your comfort zone. Here
are a few pre-event pointers:
M
Brazilian KBS student, Giselle, was offered a job opportunity as – Consider attending your first event with a student
a software developer and data analyst through a contact made who has more experience at networking events – it N
at an industry event. Here’s her advice: can help to see a confident networker in action
– 
Speak to a careers advisor at your school, or a
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Make sure you’re attending networking events and
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accessing opportunities that meet your career goals
business mentor (a professional who offers his or her
P
knowledge, wisdom and advice to someone less
A quality business school’s careers service will have
access to exclusive work experience and volunteering
experienced) ahead of the event to gain any Q
valuable tips
opportunities, which is a rich avenue to meet other
professionals in your industry. – 
Research the event you’re attending so you know R
what to expect and the type of professionals and
There are many different types of networking events/
businesses you’ll be interacting with S
forums that you can explore including industry events,
graduate events, Meetups and Facebook groups. – 
Try to arrive early – this will give you the chance to T
approach people and introduce yourself before
they’ve had time to form groups U
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Don’t be afraid to speak up! EXAMPLE TARGETS:
3 Keep reminding yourself: people are open to listening to
Make 5 new contacts and connect L
you! Remember to smile and be yourself. You don’t want
with them on LinkedIn
to come across completely focused on selling yourself; M
engaging in a conversation is a much more genuine way
Collect 10 business cards
of making a connection. N
Challenge yourself with a target
4 Having a target for a networking event can be a great way
Organise a coffee catch-up in the
next week with a new contact
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to build your confidence and form new relationships.
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Follow up on LinkedIn
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Business networking shouldn’t finish when the event Q
does. Your end game is to follow up with (and nurture)
the new contacts you worked hard to make. Connecting R
with them on LinkedIn can be a great first step to kick-off
future interactions. S
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OVERCOMING COMMON OBSTACLES
Job seeking can be a learning curb and, on Taking each setback as a learning experience K
occasion, those entering the job market or seeking is also a valuable approach. Didn’t get the job?
work abroad may be faced with a few obstacles: Don’t stress. It wasn’t meant to be yours, but L
you can learn something from the exchange –
1. Getting your foot in the door
maybe tweak your resume or ask the recruiter if M
After reading (for the millionth time) that a
there is any feedback you could learn from.
job you desire requires a certain amount of N
‘local experience’, it’s easy to lose heart and 3. Knowing when the timing is right
not know how to get that proverbial foot in the Irrespective of what field you’re in, there is always O
door. Your best options are to draw on existing a ‘right’ time to approach potential employers. Get
contacts, touch base with your student or teacher your timings right by signing up to the company’s P
network, join employment boards and explore employment portal, following them on LinkedIn, and
volunteering and internship opportunities. researching their performance and growth (a good Q
indicator as to whether they might be hiring soon!).
2. Overcoming feelings of self-doubt R
Even the most senior professional will experience
self-doubt when making a career leap. It’s important S
you don’t compare yourself to your friends or former
students — your process and journey are your own. T
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KBS INSIDER TIPS I
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PERFECT YOUR INTERVIEW SKILLS 2 Make a good first impression!
– 
If you are unsure about the dress code, you can
K
give the organisation a call to make sure you
TOP 4 FROM KBS dress appropriately. L
TIPS CAREERS ADVISOR – 
Plan your trip to the interview in advance, taking
into consideration peak hour traffic, etc. M
Research and prepare – when you fail to plan,
1
you plan to fail
– 
Make sure you treat everyone you meet in the N
office well. Introduce yourself to the receptionist
– Make sure you research the background of the in a friendly manner. Remember to smile and O
company and find out what the culture is like. If be confident!
you know people working for the company, you
Ask questions
P
can get in contact with them. 3 – Asking thoughtful questions shows that you
– Have a look at the position description prior Q
are genuinely interested in the company and it
to the interview so you know what skills and
competencies they are looking for and think
also proves that you have done enough R
research to seek clarifications on parts that
of different examples you can use to
demonstrate them.
you are unsure about. S
– Be prepared with answers to common questions T
for example, the first interview question, ‘Tell me
about yourself’. U
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Use the STAR approach K
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– 
This approach can help you structure your L
answers especially for situational questions
Did you know that 33% of bosses say they
(specific questions about how you might handle
know within 90 seconds whether they will
M
a real-life scenario on a job or how you’ve
handled it previously). For example, ‘Tell me hire someone?* N
about a time you’ve shown leadership on a
project?’ It’s good practice to think about some O
strong examples from your prior work experience
as part of your preparation. 90
SECONDS
P
Q
STAR stands for: R
Situation: An event, project,
or challenge faced S

Task: Your responsibilities and task

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for the situation U
Action: Steps taken to rectify situation V
Result: Results of actions taken W
*Source: Classes and Careers
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KBS INSIDER TIPS I
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QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING A FIRST INTERVIEW
3 What are your expectations over the next 6 months? K
TOP 7 FROM KBS This can help to find out more about your
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employer’s expectations and vision for this role.
Q’S CAREERS ADVISOR Can you describe the culture of the company? M
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Asking the right questions can be critical to It’s important to ensure the company’s values
advancing in the recruitment process. It’s very and working style, align with your own. N
important that an interview is an even exchange;
Where do you think the company is headed in the
ask questions when relevant and useful, and 5
next 5 years?
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make sure you listen actively to the answers.
Planning for the future is a great sign and
P
Can you tell me about the day-to-day shows the employer that you see yourself
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responsibilities of this job? growing within the organisation. Q
This question can give you greater insight
What is the typical career path for someone in this role?
into the micro-level responsibilities 6 R
This question gives a sneak peek about
that make up the role.
career advancement opportunities.
What do you think are the most important S
2 What are the next steps in the interview process?
qualities for someone to excel in this role? 7
This response will give you an understanding
This question shows that you are eager to T
move forward with your application. It also
of the company’s culture and values.
helps you gain important information about U
the timeline for hiring so that you can follow
up in the most appropriate manner. V
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KBS INSIDER TIPS I
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REFERENCES
K
TOP 5 FROM KBS L
TIPS CAREERS ADVISOR
M
At some point during your job search, a potential employer
will request references. Typically, it will be when the NAME N
company is seriously interested in you as a potential hire.
POSITION O
Plan ahead and get your references in order before you
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need them
COMPANY P
It will save time scrambling to put together a list at the
last minute. CONTACT Q
 ou should provide at least 1–2 professional references
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This person is usually a former manager or supervisor
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who can provide details about your performance,
general character and work ethic.
S

3  hen listing your references, make sure to include

W T
their name, position, company, and contact details
Alternatively, ‘available upon request’ is commonly U
used if you don’t want to list your references in
your resume. V
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Ensure that your references:

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1. Have given you permission to act as a reference K
2. Have provided you with up-to-date contact details
3. Know when they can expect a call from the potential
L
employer (i.e. notify them after you have
interviewed)
M
I f you have very limited work experience, you may be N
5 able to provide a personal/ character reference
This is a reference provided by an individual who knows O
you and can vouch for your character and abilities. This
could be a neighbour, business acquaintance, family P
friend, volunteer coordinator, teacher or client.
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SMES
K
Did you know that small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) make up approximately L
97% of all businesses in Australia?
M
As a student, it can be a missed opportunity to
think that the traditional graduate or intern scheme N
at a large corporate is the only route to success.
97% O
Working at an SME can be a valuable platform for
professional development and career progression – P
they tend to offer less hierarchy and more hands-on
experience, innovation, flexibility and collaboration. Q
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* (www.asbfeo.gov.au)
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TAX FILE NUMBER (TFN)
If you’re stepping into the job market, a Tax STEPS: K
File Number is a must in Australia (unless you
want to be taxed up to 47% of every dollar you 1 Log onto the Australian Tax L
Office (ATO) website.
earn!). Here is a simple run sheet of what you
need, and what steps to take to obtain a TFN: Access the relevant application portal
M
2
for residents, foreign passport holders,
You will need:
or people living outside of Australia.
N
Passport
 ave your details, information
H O
Australian postal address
3 and credentials ready.
P
Australian phone number F ill out the form to your
4
Valid email address
best ability. Q
Once your form has been filled out and accepted
Details about your workplace
by the ATO, you should receive your Tax File
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Personal details Number within 28 days. S
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UPDATE YOUR CV
Formatting your CV so that it’s tailored to the Australian K
market should be a priority in your job search plan.
L
Do’s and don’ts for Australian CVs
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DO DON’T N
O
Tailor your CV to the specific Make your CV longer than two pages P
job you are applying for
Include irrelevant personal details such as your
Include an executive summary age or marital status Q
List your employment history in reverse List experience that is over 10 years old R
chronological order (i.e. most recent job listed first)
Use an unprofessional email address (generally your
Use clear and concise language when describing email should contain a combination of your first and S
your responsibilities and achievements last name, and a number or two if necessary)
T
Check spelling using Australian English Use too many different font sizes. Italics,
underlining, shading and graphics are also U
best avoided
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VOLUNTEERING
Most recent statistics state that 6.1 million 95% of employers agreed that K
Australians volunteer per year. Volunteering is a very volunteering can be a credible way of
popular way to gain professional experience, hone gaining real-work experience to add to L
skills, make new contacts, and work in different your resume.*
businesses and work environments. M
It’s worth becoming familiar with portals that can N
get you in touch with reputable businesses and
organisations. Kaplan Business School’s Careers O
Central can help students access various volunteering
opportunities across our campuses.
P
95% Q
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*SEEK Volunteer research, www.seek.com.au, 2019
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KBS INSIDER TIPS I

WRITE AN EFFECTIVE COVER LETTER

J
 e personal
B K
4
TOP 5 FROM KBS Be sure you customise all your cover letters, writing
L
a fresh, tailored cover letter for each job application.
TIPS CAREERS ADVISOR Always address your cover letter to a
specific person. M
A cover letter is a half to one single-page A4 letter that you Format to show intent
include with your job application. This is your sales pitch
5
1. Salutation – start by addressing your cover letter to a
N
that will market your credentials so it’s very important to specific person.
make each word count. O
2. O
 pening statement – express what you feel makes
 eep It Simple, Stupid (K.I.S.S.)
K
this organisation and role special, and how it aligns P
1 The cover letter should express straight-to-the-point
with your interests, skills and core values.
information about your key skills and the unique 3. B
 ody – next two paragraphs should detail your Q
value you can add, with some personal touches. most relevant previous roles (skills and experience
acquired) and how you can transfer this knowledge to R
Make it punchy
2 the new organisation.
A cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your S
CV. Be sure to include bullet points listing measurable 4. C
 losing statement – ensure it’s personalised,
accomplishments (with supporting statistics). solution-focused and positive. Highlight why you T
Grammar matters would like to work for this organisation and how you
3 It needs to be well-formatted, accurate, focused will be a genuine asset to the business. Finish off by U
and easy-to-read, with no spelling or grammatical thanking the employer for their consideration.
mistakes. V
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X-FACTOR
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All of us have that certain something about our
personalities that make us a unique professional. In G
job-seeker terms, this is your X-factor. Allow your
X-factor to shine by pointing out complementary H
aspects of your personality that gel well with your
potential role or future company. I
For example, are you a shy person? Great, that could J
mean you are sensitive to the needs of your team. Do
you love critical thinking? That can be an asset in terms K
of strategic and innovative thinking.
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YOUTUBE FOR JOB SEEKERS T
Be sure to use all the free online resources available to U
you – it will make you a smart and informed job seeker.
YouTube has an abundance of profiles, organisations V
and professionals who use the platform to offer career
advice such as the much acclaimed TEDx Talks and Work W
It Daily.
X
Particularly useful to your search may be Australian
YouTube channels such as Insider Guides, Internash, Y
Overseas Students Australia and SEEKJobs.
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ZEAL AND RESILIENCE
K
According to analysis by global jobs site Indeed,
Australians wait an average of 82 days between ‘OPPORTUNITIES
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starting a job search and securing a new position.
The search can be disheartening but it’s important
DON’T HAPPEN, M
to never lose sight of what it is you want to achieve
and take every small win (and loss) as they come.
YOU CREATE THEM.’ N
Try to treat each setback as an opportunity to gain
CHRIS GROSSER, O
honest feedback that you can use at your next
interview. It can also help you identify new skills you ENTREPRENEUR P
could learn and build your professional resilience.
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GOOD LUCK FROM
KAPLAN BUSINESS
SCHOOL
For more career tips check out our blog:
www.kbs.edu.au/blog

Or find out more about Careers Central:

https://www.kbs.edu.au/student-life/careers-central