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Job Search Toolkit

Careers and Employability Team

Telephone: +61 9360 2596 Email: careers@murdoch.edu.au Website: www.careers.murdoch.edu.au

CONTENTS

HOW TO WRITE: RESUMES ...................................................................................................................... 2

HOW TO WRITE: COVER LETTERS .......................................................................................................... 6

HOW TO ADDRESS: SELECTION CRITERIA ............................................................................................. 9

SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS .................................................................................................................... 12

HOW TO USE: LINKEDIN .......................................................................................................................... 14

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER USEFUL LINKS ............................................................ 15

Additional Resources, details on Job Search Workshops / Presentations and Student / Graduate

opportunities in industry can be found on myMurdochCareer.

www.murdoch.edu.au/myMurdochCareer

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HOW TO WRITE: RESUMES

Your resume is a marketing tool selling YOU! It should:

- be concise, truthful and tailored to the position / industry you are interested in (i.e. includes

keywords included in the job advert or language used in your chosen industry);

- set you apart from other students / graduates with similar qualifications by highlighting your

achievements and experiences (both paid and unpaid); and

- project a friendly but professional tone leaving the reader wanting to move you to the next stage

of the recruitment process.

The following is recommended to be included in your resume:

NAME and CONTACT DETAILS: No heading required, just your preferred first name and

surname (enlarged), followed by address, mobile contact number, email address. You can also

add a link to your LinkedIn profile here if you have one. Remember to keep it tight!

PROFILE STATEMENT or PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY: This is your chance to promote what

you offer, not what you are looking for (it is not a career objective). Heading is optional. It should

be two to three sentences long or use dot points highlighting:

- your degree status

- any relevant strength / skill areas

- a key experience (if you have one)

- motivation / how you could add value in your industry of interest.

SKILLS: List 3-5 specific skills required for the position / industry. Include both discipline specific

and transferrable employability skills. Provide a brief example to evidence each skill. The job

advert can help you to generate a relevant skills list or you can search LinkedIn profiles to see

what skills have been listed by others in your chosen industry.

EDUCATION AND ADDITIONAL TRAINING: List most recent first. Include all majors / minors and

don’t abbreviate. Only include High School if completed less than 5 years ago, beyond that

consider leaving off unless it is related to the position you are applying for. Include any

achievements (e.g. awards/student competition prizes / study abroad experiences, industry

projects) and if you have done well, your GPA or name 2- 3 units you were strong in (include

grades). Also include other courses and training you have completed, including the institution or

training provider.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Again list most recent first and Include both paid and unpaid

experience here e.g. internships, placements, related volunteer work. For specific positions / job

roles include a brief list of key responsibilities (max. 5 dot points) any achievements for each.

OTHER EXPERIENCE: In a similar format to your relevant skills, this section lists details of

unrelated on-the-job experiences such as ‘Cashier’ at a supermarket. This experience is important

to mention as it demonstrates transferrable employability skills such as interpersonal,

organisational and team skills, but keep it brief! If you have more than 10 years unrelated (other)

experience, consider combining, summarizing or leaving off.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS: List any professional or student associations

/ societies you are a member of (e.g. Murdoch Business Society). (See “Professional Associations

and other useful links” and the Guild). Committee / Student Representative roles are also

important to include here.

REFEREES: Make sure you ask permission from your chosen (2 – 3) referee contacts and keep

them up to date only when you get short listed for an interview. List their full name, job title,

organisation name, phone number and email. Remember, you can include an Academic who

knows you if don’t have many employment / volunteer work referees. NOTE: If there is no position

advertised and you are just getting your resume out to potential employers then state “Referees

are available upon request” in this section.

RESUME CHECKLIST:

Dos

• Use keywords found in the job advert (e.g. relevant skills and/or language of the employer), but do it naturally, so that it makes sense.

• Keep it short (1-2 pages for inexperienced students and up to 3 pages if you have a lengthy previous work history). Tip: Narrowing the margins can help reduce pages.

• Use a standard, freely available font throughout and go for 10 – 12 point in size.

• Keep format simple and consistent, making sure dot points and indents line up.

• Use short statements or bullet points (avoid lengthy sentences / paragraphs).

• Seek permission from your referees to include them and keep them up to date if you get shortlisted for an interview.

• Include clearances / checks / residency status if they are a requirement.

• Read your resume aloud to yourself and ask someone you trust to read it for feedback.

Don’ts

• Don’t include borders, tables, boxes, pictures and graphics in case Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software is used to “pre-filter” your resume (keep it simple). These features can accidently filter out your resume before it is viewed by employers.

• Make sure there are NO spelling or grammatical errors

Don’t include date of birth, marital status, religion, health, children, or student

temporary visa details.

Sample Resume: DO NOT COPY. To be used for ideas to create / up-date your own

CHARLIE LAURENT 24 Barker Avenue I MURDOCH WA 6150 I M: 0407 225 991 I E: Charlie.1234@murdoch.edu.au I LinkedIn

(hyperlinked)

A disciplined final year Business student, keen to build on my studies in finance and capital markets, where I have developed a sound understanding of financial markets, costs and tax implications for Australian investors. With a strong track record in achieving Distinctions and completing team projects ahead of time, I am an effective communicator who effectively brings groups together, allocates tasks and engages a team to deliver results. I am most interested in developing further within an investment portfolio team within the banking and international banking sector. Education: Completing 20?? Murdoch University Bachelor of Business (double major: Finance and International Business)

Notable Achievements - Achieved Distinction level average (Statement of results attached) - Performed well on the Bloomberg Aptitude Test (BAT) (results attached).

20?? South Metropolitan TAFE Certificate IV Business

Skills Communication Skills

• High level of communication skills both oral and written demonstrated through presentation of reports; university projects and liaison with industry professionals within the domestic and overseas business community through my professional association memberships.

• Four presentations delivered at local community events highlighting the strengths and pitfalls of a variety of share portfolios resulted in very positive feedback from attending members.

• Indonesian (conversational); French (fluent in speech and written).

Analytical Skills

• Managed small personal portfolio (debentures, shares, and short-term investments): 8.9% growth over three years.

• Developed sound understanding of financial markets, costs and tax implications for Australian investors through final year project. Achieved a High Distinction result.

Computer skills

• Proficient user of MS Suite - used throughout Tertiary studies for assignments and group project work.

• Familiar with project management and financial analysis software used in multi-national professional services.

• Confident with online communication/collaboration through Zoom (Add 1- 2 more skills relevant to the job vacancy advertised / employer and include an example/s).

Relevant Experience

Jan-Dec 20?? National Australia Bank Analyst, Global Funding (Internship position)

• Effective customer liaison providing information on products and marketing benefits to the point of decision making.

• Accurately provided information to the development of fortnightly management reports.

• Supported and researched financial data regarding clients borrowing habits. Provided a final written report and analysis to supervisor.

Other Experience 2010 – present IGA Supermarket – Winthrop

Shop Assistant (part-time) Professional Memberships 20?? (Student Member) Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia) – Student Member 20?? – 20 ?? Member, Murdoch Student Business Society (MBS) – Committee Member 20?? – 20?? Rockingham / Kwinana Chamber of Commerce and Murdoch University –Young

Professionals – Student Member

Referees Mr William Hannon Ms Kelly Worth Manager Manager National Bank Australia IGA Ph: 08 9371 2431 Ph: 08 6212 4321 Email. W.Hannon@NAB.com.au Email: K.Worth@IGA.com.au

HOW TO WRITE: COVER LETTERS

A cover letter is usually the first thing an employer / recruiter will read. It is the formal introduction

to your application and needs to have impact. Expressing yourself enthusiastically, highlighting

what you know about the organisation and detailing how you would add value are key in making a

good first impression.

Start by researching the organisation and industry in which it operates and thoroughly read

through the job advert (if there is one). This includes any selection criteria / key requirements

and/or the job description. You then need to find out what the employer is looking for in the ideal

candidate and customise or tailor your cover letter, showcasing your capabilities to meet the

employer’s needs. Your cover letter should:

• express your motivation and excitement at the prospect of working for the organisation and/or

industry;

• communicate that you have done your research and know the organisation – it’s core

business, new initiatives / projects and the values they consider important in employees, then

relate back to you to suggest you would fit in well with the team; and

• highlight relevant experiences and explain how you have developed key skills, attributes and

knowledge.

Make sure you know who to address your application to. If the job advert doesn’t mention who the

application should be sent to, do your best to find out – try to get a name and the position of the

person you are communicating with. This may require some investigation or a phone call.

Avoid repeating too much information that is already detailed in your resume as your cover letter is

really your introduction to you as an individual highlighting the key points you want to

communicate about yourself with a clear orientation to the requirements of the advertised position.

Use dot points if there are a number of selection criteria / key requirements to address in the cover

letter (this is sometimes the case – follow all instructions carefully). See “How to Address

Selection Criteria” for further details.

COVER LETTER CHECKLIST

• Read all job application instructions carefully and follow them! (If a contact person is

included in the job advert, phone them up and ask more about the role and what they

are specifically looking for in the ideal candidate).

• Use professional business format (left justified) and make sure date is accurate.

• No spelling or grammatical errors.

• Keep the letter to one page in length or to the length specified in the job advert (it

can be longer when the Selection Criteria / Work Related Requirements need to be

addressed within the letter).

• Use a standard font type / a size that is easy to read.

• Do your research and find a person’s name and job title to write to (if you can) and

clearly identify the position you are applying for.

• Sign the letter “Yours Sincerely” or “Warm Regards” followed by your name.

• Clearly identify the position you are applying for.

• Be creative with the opening of each paragraph so that you are not always beginning

with “I”.

• Investigate the organisation – focus on their services, values and new initiatives /

projects. Research where they are within their industry and how you match the

employer’s needs.

• Be sure to address the skills and experience outlined in the job advert but don’t

make any unsupported or false statements about yourself.

• Take the time to tailor or customise your cover letter to the position for which you

are applying for. A standard template will often be overlooked and is NOT

recommended.

• Be creative with the opening of each paragraph, avoid repetition e.g. Don’t’ start with

“I” multiple times.

GENERAL COVER LETTER FORMAT

Full name of person letter is addressed to

NOTE: You may need to do some research to get a contact name

Job title

Organisation

Postal Address

Date (in full)

Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs/Dr/Prof.

Re: Position title and quote reference number if there is one (in bold)

Paragraph 1: Why are you writing? How did you find out about the position? If an unsolicited

letter (no job advert), what kind of position you are seeking and why?

Paragraph 2: Why are you interested in the advertised position or the particular organisation?

What attracts you to the position / job role or profession? Research what the organisation does /

its values / special projects / areas of specialisation etc. and describe how the position appeals or

suits you.

E.g. Organisation X values: Willingness to have a go, Being open and authentic, Having a hunger

for growth, Embracing Differences and Building Relationships – relate these back to you.

Paragraph 3: How do you match the requirements of the position - education, skills, attributes,

experience etc.. Highlight any relevant successes that may set you apart from other candidates or

students. Try not to make any unsubstantiated claims i.e. provide concrete evidence and

examples where you can.

E.g. Organisation X is looking for -

People who demonstrate integrity, respect, and team skills.

People with energy, enthusiasm, and the courage to lead.

People who build trust in business relationships based on doing the right thing.

NOTE: You may be required to address Selection Criteria / Work Related Requirements in this

section. List each one separately and see How to Address Selection Criteria below for further

details.

Paragraph 4: Mention you would be appreciative for the opportunity to discuss your application

further. If applying for an advertised position, clarify how you can be contacted for further

information (include your contact number / email address). If you are submitting an unsolicited

letter (no position advertised), specify a time period when you will follow up (say 1-2 weeks).

Close with “Yours sincerely” or “Warm regards”

Your preferred first name and surname

HOW TO ADDRESS:

SELECTION CRITERIA Selection criteria are typically requested by employers to ensure applicants have the qualifications,

skills, attributes and knowledge required to successfully perform well in the available position. Not

all job adverts will clearly outline the selection criteria, so it may be necessary to analyse the

advert in more detail to identify exactly what the employer is looking for e.g. “Demonstrated ability

to work collaboratively” = teamwork skills.

Addressing selection criteria is the most important aspect of your application. Your ability

to successfully identify, understand and respond in full to each criterion will significantly

affect your chances of being short listed for an interview. In addition, well-structured answers

to the selection criteria will be beneficial should you be invited to attend an interview, as questions

asked are often based around the selection criteria.

The task of addressing selection criteria can often seem daunting and very time consuming.

However, it is important to respect the process and put the effort in. If you miss this step (and it is

a requirement), employers have every right to disregard your application entirely. However once

you have done it for one job application, you can use similar content for future applications.

There are several components to keep in mind when addressing the selection criteria, outlined

below.

o Some job adverts ask you to address selection criteria within your cover letter or separately

(read all the information provided and follow the instructions to make sure your

application is considered).

o Address each criterion separately, writing the criterion (word for word) at the top of each

response.

o If the advert asks for a cover letter of no more than two pages (for example), including how you

meet the selection criteria, ensure you are able to address each criterion within the space

limitations provided.

o Some job adverts may list essential criteria and desirable criteria. Whilst the essential criteria

are more important, the desirable criteria should NOT be forgotten. Candidates that answer

ALL the criteria will usually be preferred over those who focus only on the essential criteria, if

the competition is tough.

o When asked to “Demonstrate” a skill, attribute or knowledge, you need to provide evidence

using detailed examples from your studies and other experiences such as relevant placements,

volunteer work, community activities, work history, involvement with university clubs / societies

etc.. Vague or unsubstantiated answers will not convince an employer you have what they are

looking for.

o Select a range of experiences to promote your skills, attributes and knowledge - use recent

examples from a number of different settings. NOTE: They don’t all have to be positive

experiences, you may want to highlight what you learnt from something you found difficult.

o When outlining specific examples to demonstrate your skills, attributes or knowledge, use the

STAR method:

SITUATION – Provide a brief outline of the setting (e.g. at University, part-time work-place)

TASK – Outline what you did or the challenge you faced

ACTION – Describe (using Action words) how you went about completing the task

RESULT – What was the result? How was it measured / acknowledged? What did you learn

from the experience or will do differently next time?

o Use “I” instead of “we” when providing evidence, even if the example refers to working

collaboratively (you need to explain your role).

o Use the right tense throughout the document for past and present experiences. E.g. “Last

semester I was involved in…” or “In my current volunteer support role I need to ensure …”

o Assume the reader knows nothing about your experiences when describing them. If you use

acronyms in your examples, write them out in full the first time, then use the acronym

throughout the rest of your document e.g. Murdoch Student Emerging Leaders (MSEL)

program.

o Never leave a criterion blank or state that you don’t meet it (even if it is only “Desirable”). If you

feel you can’t provide an example or don’t have the experience, mention that you have done

something similar and explain that.

Sample response: DO NOT COPY. To be used for ideas to create your own.

Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member and the potential to lead work teams.

(Introduction) I thoroughly enjoy a collaborative approach to delivering effective outcomes. I am a

people focused person and have often demonstrated my skills through various groupwork activities

at university as well as work team environments.

(Situation and Task) For example throughout my undergraduate Human Resources degree several

project tasks were carried out in small groups ranging from 2 – 6. Through this experience I

observed the value of team members offering different perspectives based on their diverse

backgrounds and strengths. (Action) I ensured that while working in groups, friction did not escalate

and I developed useful strategies to address this, including active listening and developing an

awareness of cultural sensitivities. I also led my example by being accountable, implementing the

suggestions of others agreed upon by the group and effectively communicating my own ideas in a

respectful manner. (Result) I was awarded either a “High Distinction” or “Distinction” for my practical

group work assessment at university including: ?????

(Situation) In addition to my studies, I was also selected to participate in a co-curricular Student

Leadership Program earlier this year (my final year). (Task) The Murdoch Student Emerging

Leaders (MSEL) program offered by the Guild involved working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary

student team (with three other Murdoch students) over a four month period, delivering on a real-life

project with a not-for-profit community organisation. (Action and Result) We undertook a project

in consultation with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service to promote awareness and donations

amongst the Murdoch student population. Through a number of on-campus initiatives requiring a

co-ordinated approach, our team increased donor registrations and general awareness amongst the

Murdoch community, exceeding the expectations of Red Cross staff. I was able to contribute my

strong organisation skills and ability to effectively liaise with Murdoch University / Guild staff

members in a persuasive manner, resulting in a successful outcome.

SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS

Preparation prevents poor performance!

Know the position: Re-read the job advert - focus on the skills, attributes and knowledge

required to perform well in the position e.g. analytical / problem solving skills, communication

skills, teamwork. This will help you anticipate some possible questions. Don’t underestimate what

you have learnt as a student, part-time employee or volunteer.

Know the employer: Research the organisation beyond their website - understanding the values

of the organisation will give you some ideas on how to promote yourself. You want to promote

yourself a being a good “cultural fit”.

Know yourself: Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, career aspirations etc.

Confirm the interview details and ask for the names of the interviewer(s) – this will make it easier

to remember names on the day. You could also view interviewers LinkedIn profile(s) to get some

further background information (if they have one).

Practice your responses to possible questions – use a mirror, friend or family member, or a Career

Development Advisor (by appointment).

Prepare some insightful questions to ask your interviewers – this shows that you have thought

about the role and motivated to join their organisation. Some suggestions include: How will my

performance be measured? What type of employees really thrive in your organisation? What are

the key challenges faced by the successful candidate?

On the day: Plan your route and parking (if necessary) to arrive early (or if it is an online interview,

test your technology). Remember to turn your phone to silent, take off sunglasses and take some

deep breaths whilst you wait. Self-talk strategies such as “I am just as qualified for this job as other

candidates” and “I am well prepared” can also be useful. Be respectful to the receptionist or

anyone you encounter before the interview (you don’t know what influence they may have!)

Dress for success – clean, comfortable, neat and tidy with a professional / conservative

appearance will indicate that you are an organised person and keen for the position. You can also

ring ahead to ask about general dress standards. Avoid too much jewellery, perfume / aftershave

and recommend covering any tattoos.

Be aware of your body language

• Smile often

• Give a confident handshake and wait to be seated

• Look the interviewer(s) in the eye when responding to questions. If there are multiple

interviewers, include them

• Don’t slouch or fidget and keep your hands away from your face

• Try to demonstrate confidence, knowing that you’ve already been selected as a strong

candidate on paper

Consider what you say

• Speak clearly and be specific (look out for “umms” and colloquialisms / slang)

• Be prepared to talk about your learning experiences from previous successes and failures –

this indicates your commitment to self-improvement

• If you get stuck or freeze up, ask for the question to be repeated, or revisited later in the

interview – when answering, try to be direct or provide a response that reflects your ability to

learn and adapt quickly

Typical Interview questions: Interview questions can usually be identified as ‘Behavioural

Based’, ‘Career Orientated’ or ‘Self Awareness’ questions.

Behavioural Based Questions – require you to provide examples of past behaviour with the aim of

predicting future behaviours. For example:

• Tell me about a situation in which you had to deal with a difficult customer / client / student.

What did you do to handle the issue and what was the result? (employer is looking for an

example of your interpersonal skills)

• Describe a situation where you stepped up within a team in order to achieve results. What

were your actions? (employer is looking for an example of your team skills)

It can be useful to adopt the “STAR” method when answering Behavioural Questions:

SITUATION - Offer background information to provide the context

TASK - Outline what was required of you / the challenge faced or task undertaken

ACTION - Describe the steps you took to handle the situation

RESULT – Explain what you achieved and how your actions affected the outcome of the

situation. Always be positive and describe what you learnt from the experience or what

would you do differently next time.

Career Orientated Questions – these are asking you to look to the future

• Describe your definition of a successful “Visitor Experience Manager”

• Why did you choose Marketing as your business major? / What was your favourite unit at

University?

Self-Awareness Questions – these will get you to reflect upon your abilities as well as areas for

improvement

• What is your greatest strength? Describe a weakness in the way you operate and identify

how you would go about changing this?

• Why would we employ you over other Business / Commerce graduates?

FINAL TIPS: Follow up with a brief thankyou email to the interviewer (or one from the panel),

highlighting your interest, adding anything you had forgotten to mention and thanking them again

for their time. If unsuccessful, seek feedback on your performance post interview. Try to find out

areas for improvement.

HOW TO USE: LINKEDIN

LinkedIn is a useful professional networking site that can help promote your “brand” or what you

have to offer 24/7. It is a useful way to showcase your achievements and examples of your work

by up-loading images / video etc.. It is therefore important to get your Profile right BEFORE

reaching out and engaging with others on LinkedIn.

Your profile:

Tailor your HEADLINE

e.g. “Final year Accounting / Finance student and aspiring Financial Analyst”

Include a professional looking photo of you, with a plain background and a smile!

NO YES

ABOUT Section - Be concise and confident about where you are at as a student, what you have to offer and where you would like to take your degree (your career aspirations). Make the first 50 words count as this is what readers see before selecting “more’. Briefly mention any experiences related to your studies and include keywords used in your preferred industry. Promote your EDUCATION - Include FULL name of your degree. Highlight areas of competence (but do not list ALL your units). Add any short courses or industry certifications. Mention any academic awards, student competitions etc.. EXPERIENCE section – Don’t forget to include student experience / placements / related volunteer work etc.. Be strategic with “SKILLS” – list skills relevant to your industry. FOLLOW company / school pages and influences related to your career aspirations. What Next?

• Check your Privacy and Communication Settings

• Update your profile regularly, be active on LinkedIn, invite supervisors / university contacts / industry representatives you meet etc. to connect (with a personal note)

• Include your LinkedIn profile link on your Resume (allows employers to read more about you if they wish, given a profile can be longer than a tailored resume)

• Check out LinkedIn resources here: www.university.linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students

“Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They're attached to people.”

(A great reason to network)

Reid Hoffman – Co-founder of LinkedIn

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND

OTHER USEFUL LINKS

Professional Associations:

Accounting / Finance / Tax

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - charteredaccountantsanz.com

CPA Australia - www.cpaaustralia.com.au

Institute of Public Accountants - www.publicaccountants.org.au

Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia) - https://finsia.com

Financial Planning Association - www.fpa.asn.au

Tax Institute - www.taxinstitute.com.au

Association of Taxation and Management Accountants - www.atma.com.au

Human Resource Management

Australian Human Resources Institute - https://www.ahri.com.au/

Marketing

Australian Marketing Institute - www.ami.org.au

Australian Market Research Society - www.amsrs.com.au

Business / Management

Rockingham / Kwinana Chamber of Commerce and Murdoch University – Young Professionals

https://rkcc.org.au/young-professionals/

Australian Institute of Management - http://info.aimwa.com/student

Governance

Institute of Public Administration in Australia - http://www.wa.ipaa.org.au

Australian Labour / Job market Information:

Job Outlook - joboutlook.gov.au

Labour market Portal - www.employment.gov.au/lmip

Jobs Directories:

GradConnection – www.au.gradconnection.com

GradAustralia – www.gradaustralia.com.au