From page to wage

8 steps to launching your new career

Have you ever wondered when you need to start looking for that great job you want after university?

NOW is the time.

The day you enrol at university is the day you start on your next career journey. So it makes sense not to leave your career to chance and to prepare.

Just as you research and learn the necessary skills to enable you to do a job through your degree, you need to research and learn how to get the job you really want.

Here are 8 simple steps to help you get that job and launch your new career:

STEP 1

Understand you

STEP 2

Decide what type of job you want

STEP 3

Consider what you want in an employer

and workplace

STEP 4

Learn how to sell yourself

STEP 5

Connections are key

STEP 6

Develop skills outside the lecture theatre

STEP 7

Work on your career every year

STEP 8

Believe in yourself

STEP 1.Understand youUnderstanding who you are and what you really want in life is essential to successfully choosing the right job.

Being able to identify your values, your interests and your strengths will help you to make more informed decisions about what you want from a job and, ultimately, to succeed in your career.

Everyone is different and it is important you stay true to yourself.

Once you have a better understanding of who you are, it will be easier to identify what direction you want your job search to go in.

Tips: It’s always good to get an outsider’s perspective, so call up or sit down with your family or a trusted friend and find out what they think your values, interests and strengths are. You might find it’s an uplifting experience.

“When you know yourself, you are empowered. When you accept yourself, you are invincible.”

Tina Lifford

Your valuesIf you highly value your family but work 60 hours a week, or you value innovation but work in a very conservative organisation, are you likely to be happy or satisfied? Let’s find the right fit for you!

Your interestsWhether it is a hobby, a passion or just stuff you like to do, it is important to consider your interests when you are planning your career. Some people like to keep their outside interests just that, outside of their work, while others might find that their love of cooking could lead them to a great job working in a food production company.

Your strengthsEverybody is good at something and we want to help you work out what makes you unique. You probably already know your weaknesses, but what about your strengths?

Tips: Make contact with one of USQ’s Career Development Practitioners at Student Services. They can assist you with personality and work preference assessments to help you better understand your strengths, values and interests and refine your career goals.

“Know who you are, and be it. Know what you want, and go get it!”

Carroll Bryant

STEP 2.Decide what type of job you wantWhen it comes to looking for a job, you need to be clear what it is you are looking for. It is also important that you be realistic; let’s face it, your first job after graduation may not be your dream job. Luckily we are here to help you through the maze and can help you get a handle on the terminology. Once you complete your degree, there are a variety of jobs available that you can apply for. Two of the most popular are graduate jobs and graduate program positions.

Graduate jobsGraduate jobs (also known as entry-level jobs) usually require a qualification and a specific set of skills and knowledge. Graduate jobs can be great to get your foot in the door within your chosen industry and provide graduates with good experience and the opportunity to develop skills and expertise. With these jobs, you are there to perform a role, gain experience and commence your professional career. Not all graduates are attracted to the formal Graduate programs, therefore a great number of university graduates commence their career in entry level positions.

Graduate programsIf you would like more structure to your new role and more formal on-the-job training and development, graduate programs are offered by a number organisations each year. These positions are highly sought after and recruitment can commence up to ten months prior, so you need to be prepared and apply early. Graduate programs are more structured than entry level positions. They have a set duration (one to two years), have formalised training and development embedded, and can feature rotations around the company and physical locations. They can often feature mentoring and some have training leading to post graduate qualifications. Graduate programs attract a certain type of candidate and are not suitable for everyone. They are highly competitive, representative of certain industries, and most often limited to capital cities and major metropolitan areas.

Tip: Graduate program applications are generally open between January and April each year. Check out the Graduate Opportunities website for specific details.

STEP 3.Consider what you want in an employer and workplaceThinking about who you want to work for is another important step when planning your career, as when it comes time to write applications and talk to prospective employers, you want to know who you’re aiming for.

A lot of people spend a significant amount of time sending resumes to every organisation they can think of. Not only is this a waste of time and money, but it is also disheartening and pointless if you won’t enjoy working for the organisation.

Ask yourself what kind of workplace you want to work in. Do you dream of working in a large corporation, a government department, or a small business?

Have you thought about what cities or towns you are willing to work in? Many of us like staying in the place we know, but don’t discount moving to a new city if there is a chance this is where that amazing job is.

What is important to you in an employer?Is it important that they have a trusted reputation, family friendly policies, corporate social responsibility, environmental credentials, multicultural diversity or a healthy workplace culture?

Whatever you decide, keep an open mind and make sure you are applying to places that fit with your values and are likely to make you happy. In saying that, be open to alternatives and always consider whether a different job could still take you a step in the right direction.

STEP 4.Learn how to sell yourselfNow don’t freak out. Learning how to sell yourself is a challenge for many people.

What might make it easier for you is to separate the person you are at home who has bad hair days, not enough money in the bank and an inability to use a hammer, with the person you are (or are going to be) at work. This is the person who has studied really hard to learn all the skills and knowledge they need to excel at their new job.

Think about what is unique and original about you, the career professional. What makes you better than the 100 other graduates who just completed the same degree as you? (Lots of things, we’re sure.)

To sell yourself, you need to network, communicate and engage with the right people in the best possible way.

Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:• Head along to local business or industry association networking events. They are great opportunities

to meet new people and build relationships well before you start looking for a job.

• Set up your profile on LinkedIn and ask people you know to connect. Make sure you keep it professional with a quality head shot (don’t use one from a party or family holiday!) and all your work and study information.

• Develop a 30-second elevator pitch. You’ve just been introduced to the boss of a company where you want to work and you don’t want to blow the opportunity. You need a brief and persuasive speech – an elevator pitch. Your pitch should answer four key questions. Who you are, what you do, what is unique about you, and what you want them to do. It’s important to tell a story and engage the person you’re talking to, while leaving out the jargon.

Tip: Talk to one of USQ’s Career Development Practitioners at Student Services. They can help you with job applications, your resume and even conduct mock interviews with you to help you put your best foot forward.

STEP 5.Connections are keyDid you know that a third of all Australian jobs are never advertised? (Source: Australian Jobs 2015, Australian Government Department of Employment)

So what can you do to increase your chances of getting the job you want? Connections are key!

In the search for the right job, networking and building relationships are essential. It will probably take you out of your comfort zone, but it will all be worth it.

Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Talk to people you already know. You will be amazed at what connections your network of family, friends and colleagues have and how easy it is for you to tap into this resource.

• Look for any connections you may have in companies you want to work for. By talking to them you might get a better understanding of the organisation and it may just give you a shoe in.

• Go along to networking functions and meet people. Check out your local Chamber of Commerce and uni associations for events.

• Join the professional association in your field as a student member and attend their events.• Head along to the annual USQ Career Fair and meet employers looking for graduates.• Spend some time every month (more often if you can) searching for possible contacts and leads

on LinkedIn. Be responsible with your requests and ask your contacts for introductions to persons of interest you don’t know, or write a brief introductory note to the person you are trying to make contact with. You don’t want to be known for spamming people.

How to network your way into a job‘Anybody else looking forward to this moment?

A big part of studying at university is networking. We don’t only want the piece of paper once we finish our degrees, do we? We also want to have developed networks within our chosen field by the end of our degree, because this might make it a tad easier to actually get a job at the end of the day. I don’t know about you, but I definitely want a job at the end of my degree!

There are a number of ways to use networking as a tool to help you gain employment, but these are the some of the ways I’ve used networking to further my career.’

– Nick, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Find out more

STEP 6.Develop skills outside the lecture theatreWill you have all the skills required to get the job you want? If not, work out now how you are going to get them.

Most employers are looking for a broad range of skills that cover what you have learned at university plus other skills like good communication, leadership, teamwork, the ability to follow directions and a solid work ethic.

There are many different opportunities to boost your skills throughout your years at uni. Here are just a few:

• Apply to undertake work experience, an internship, cadetship or vacation program in your field of study.

• Find a casual job or volunteer to improve your employability skills.

When writing your resume, don’t overlook a previous job because it’s not related to your current field of study. It’s really important to include all your jobs and work experience. That job you had at the local supermarket can show a lot to a prospective employer about your determination to work, your ability to adapt and a whole set of skills that can be transferable to your dream position.

Tip: Talk to USQ’s Student Services team about how to go about getting work experience, an internship, cadetship or entry into a vacation program.

‘Theory can only take you so far, so it’s important to go out of your way to find relevant work experience to get that dream job!’

See what current student Eliza has to say on why you should chase work experience.

– Eliza, Bachelor of Applied Media Find out more

STEP 7.Work on your career every year Your first yearYou’ve just started on your journey at uni and you’ve got a thousand things to do and not enough time, we know. However this is really important and it is why you are here in the first place - to get an awesome career!

Put aside some time to come up with an action plan. You can’t do it all at once but you don’t want to leave it all until the last year.

The middle yearsBy now you have settled into uni life and have a handle on where you are heading. These are some of the most important years for career planning. It’s vital that during your time at uni you are out there working on your networking and also on your self-confidence. We are not all born salespeople, so it’s important to learn the skills and confidence to sell yourself.

Your final yearCongratulations! You have made it to your final year and now it’s time to start searching for that great job. Start searching for and applying for graduate program positions in January of your final year. If you are looking for a graduate job, it would pay to start searching in the middle of the year.

Tip: Check out the Truth About Your Career Plan series to find out what our team at Student Services recommend you should be doing to ensure that you are maximising your career opportunities, every step of the way.

STEP 8.Believe in yourselfYou have worked hard and made it this far, so don’t stop now.

The job market might be tough right now, but there are more jobs around than you think. You need to make time to create a plan and get out there and give it your best shot.

Believe in yourself and your abilities and remember, we are here to support you every step of the way. #youcandoit

What now?Check that you are taking action towards each of these 8 steps:Step 1 – Understand you

Step 2 – Decide what type of job you want

Step 3 – Consider what you want in an employer and workplace

Step 4 – Learn how to sell yourself

Step 5 – Connections are key

Step 6 – Develop skills outside the lecture theatre

Step 7 – Work on your career every year

Step 8 – Believe in yourself

A little more inspirationYou’ve gone through the 8 steps and are looking for a little more inspiration to go forward with your plan. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few places to go.

• Make an appointment with one of USQ’s Career Development Practitioners at Student Services.

• Head to USQ’s career resource centre - the Career Hub.

• Check out the USQ Social Hub.

• Chat to your lecturers and tutors.

• Find out about the Career Mentoring Program at USQ.

• Watch our Career Quick Tips series and be prepared for the next steps on your career journey. The series covers everything from tips on writing resumes, to what is psychometric testing and how to address selection criteria.

“Believe in yourself and back yourself to come out on top. A fulfilling career is waiting for those brave enough to find it.”

Richard Branson

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 29.6.2 07.2015 IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

social.usq.edu.au