Tips for interacting with employers at events
It's natural to feel nervous or not know what to say to employers, but if you’re trying to make a positive impression then it pays to do some research so you can ask pertinent questions.
We often receive feedback from employers about the calibre of students they liaise with at our events. Typical comments we receive include:
- students need to 'have a neat and tidy appearance'
- 'prepare questions for their targeted organisations'
- 'improve their knowledge of the organisation'
- 'value the organisation as a whole rather than placing emphasis on 'getting a job' and
- 'avoid asking questions for which the answers can be easily obtained via websites or flyers'.
Video - What Employers Want
Learn how to impress employers at the Graduate Careers Fair through these interviews with recruiters from Deloitte, PSN and professional organisation; CPA Australia. Students who are confident, poilte, well-presented, engaged and have done their research are the ones most likely to impress.
Background research – what to find out before the event
It may be difficult to find out some of these things if the employer does not yet have a job vacancy listed - but do your best. There's bound to be some information in the graduate section of their website.
- The core business of the organisation (products and services)
- The number of positions available and the areas of the organisation in which they are located
- Details of the graduate employment program (if they have one) and the work competencies being sought in graduates
- The type of experience considered valuable and the selection criteria/requirements for the position (usually includes work competencies).
- How and when to apply, what the selection process involves and when offers will be made.
- Opportunities for international students.
Video - How to Prepare for the Careers Fair
Anna Hickey, Graduate Employment Coordinator, talks about the 4 key steps to preparing for the Careers Fair.
Below are some sample questions. It's best to only ask those for which the answers can’t be found elsewhere. Through your research you should also discover further questions to ask.
What to say about yourself (keep it brief and relevant)
- Relevant qualification/s and work experience with work competencies and personal qualities
- Why you're interested in the position, the organisation and industry
What employers may ask you
- Your reason for attending the event and what you have found of interest
- What subjects or majors you've undertaken and if you feel your degree has equipped you well for the role
- Your expectations of the job and what you think it would be like to work for the company
- How you will assess each employer you're thinking of applying to and what is important to you in a job/career
Questions about the work and the role
Some of these questions may have been answered during the employer's presentation.
- What do you like best about working for the company
- What are the main challenges and tasks associated with the role?
- Do you have any tips for me when I apply
- How would my area of study apply to the work I would be doing?
- Can you give me an idea of the projects I would work on?
- Is the role changing due to advances in technology, productivity, the industry etc.?
- Is a graduate rotated through different areas of the organisation and given special training? If so, what are the areas?
- Are there any issues that affect the transition from university to work?
- How would my performance be appraised?
- Who would I be reporting to and where would I be working?
- What are the possible career paths in your organisation and
- Are there any benefits such as professional development, study leave and opportunities to work overseas in the organisation?
Questions about the organisation and the industry
Some of these questions may have been answered during the employer's presentation.
- Could you tell me a bit about the culture of the organisation
- Is the organisation growing, diversifying, specialising or restructuring?
- Are there many females in senior positions?
- Do you have work/life balance policies?
- How well is the organisation performing financially?
- What types of clients does your organisation deal with?
Tips for international students
As an international student without PR you have to overcome some additional challenges in finding graduate employment in Australia. Careers Fairs are about learning what opportunities are available, and also creating a positive impression with potential employers.
- It is important to gain experience in confidently talking to employers and promoting your skills, qualification and experience.
- Experience in communicating with potential employers is valuable and these are good skills to develop.
- At the Graduate Career Fair engage with employers by showing your interest in the organisation, and the graduate positions they offer. Employers will be displaying a sign indicating if they are recruiting international students, so respect this, and seek out employers who might be interested in you.
- Leave issues around sponsorship or visas for later in the application process. This is not appropriate or beneficial for you to raise at the Fair. Very few employers will sponsor fresh graduates with limited or no work experience but may consider this after a period of employment with the company when you have proved your skills, abilities and that you have contributed to the organisation. This does not mean you cannot work in Australia if you have a skilled graduate or temporary work visa.
- Let them know who you are and what you can do. Many of the companies are international and will have offices overseas. You could explore opportunities to work in these offices in your home country.
- If asked you can explain that you are managing your PR application and rights to work in Australia. Experience suggests that these graduates have a higher success rate that those that require their employer to take on the responsibility of managing their working visa issues.