Graduate Employment Programs
What is a graduate employment program?
A Graduate Employment Program is graduate employment that includes substantial training, development and support. Some programs include rotations through various departments within the organisation. Graduate programs vary in length from 1 to 3 years.
In the main, graduate programs are offered by large organisations and government departments. However, an increasing number of smaller organisations are now offering programs.
Many organisations offer a number of programs – some for specific or technical roles, and others which are broader based. Alternatively, an organisation may offer just one program which is designed to enable grads to explore roles within the organisation.
Employers recruit anywhere from a few to 50 or more graduates, depending on the size of the organisation and its needs. There is strong competition for positions.
Who can apply?
Students in the final year of their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Recent graduates are also able to apply – most employers require completion of your degree within two years.
Employers indicate in their advertising which disciplines they are seeking for which programs. Some require specific courses or majors, others accept a range of courses or majors, while some accept ‘all disciplines’.
When do employers recruit for their graduate programs?
Many recruit quite early in the year for commencement in January or February of the following year. Many of the large graduate recruiters attend our Graduate Careers Fair in March to promote their graduate programs.
Some employers recruit later in the year; some have more than one intake during the year; others may have ‘rolling’ recruitment which means that they recruit continuously. Check Careers Online regularly for current graduate employment vacancies throughout the year.
There is also a trend for some employers to hire graduates who have successfully completed internships with the organisation.
How can I find out which employers offer graduate programs?
- Careers Online: most employers will advertise on university job boards
- Graduate program publications (both print and web-based). Hard copies can be picked up at Careers & Employment (Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer Building) or go directly to the websites:
- The University of Melbourne's Graduate Careers Fair in March.
- The Big Meet in March - particularly for government programs
- General job sites e.g. SEEK, MyCareer, CareerOne
- Employer websites
- The Graduate Virtual Careers Fair
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Important: Not all employers list their programs in the graduate program publications, and not all employers attend the Careers Fair. So make sure you use the full range of sources above.
What is the selection process for graduate program positions?
The process can be lengthy and requires a lot of work. It pays to be selective in deciding what to apply for and to do high quality applications. In particular, apply with purpose – employers want to see that you have thought carefully about why you’re applying to their organisation and why you are applying for particular programs.
It is also worth starting your preparation for interviews and assessment centres early so that when you get the call you will be ready.
- Written application – this is the first step and employers will ask for some combination of online form, resumé and cover letter. After the application, the process will be slightly different for each employer.
- Psychometric assessments - online tests which typically assess numeric, verbal and/or abstract reasoning.
- Assessment Centres – half-day or one-day sessions that involve activities such as groupwork, interviews, testing and presentations.
- Interviews – individual interviews may be included in an Assessment Centre or scheduled separately.
- Job Offer(s)
What help is available?
- Graduate Careers Fair: over 100 employers attend, so it is a great opportunity to meet many employers in one place at one time. To get the most out of the Careers Fair, research programs being offered. Check out the video clips on Interacting with employers for advice on how to prepare.
- Employer Sessions: presentations by individual employers on campus. For session details, check Careers Online (Events – Connect with Employers).
- Skills 4 Work seminars and workshops: conducted by Careers & Employment and guest employers, covering key elements of the application and selection process, including written applications, assessment centres, psychometric testing and interviews. For full program, go to Skills 4 Work. To book go to Careers Online (Events – Seminars and Workshops).
- C&E website: guidelines for preparing applications.
- Resumé Reviews: an appointment can be made to have any application document reviewed. One document per session eg cover letter, resumé or application form. To get the most out of a Resumé Review, attend the relevant Skills4Work seminar and/or workshop first. Appointments can be booked via Careers Online (View Available Appointments), or in person at reception on the Ground floor of the Baldwin Spencer Building.