Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
On-line applications and
responding to selection criteria
Learning Objectives
Understand how online applications work
See how recruiters use online applications
Be aware of finding and researching different industry publications to
use in the job search process
Recognise what employers are looking for to assist in presenting as a
well rounded candidate
www.careers.monash.edu
On-line applications enable an employer to:
Check fundamental selection criteria are met
Select candidates for further assessment
Provide labour market indicators
Compare applicants like to like
Screen applicants out
www.careers.monash.edu
How employers rate selection criteria
From: www.mysmesite.com/download/free/id/78/
How employers rate selection criteria
From: www.mysmesite.com/download/free/id/78/
It is your opportunity to …
Market yourself
Persuade an employer to interview you
Create a good first impression
Demonstrate skills in communication, organisation and
planning
Emphasise how you meet the employer’s requirements for
the job
www.careers.monash.edu
On-line application processes
Personal Details
Job Preference
Education
Employment Experience
Additional Skills
Behavioural/Competency Questions
Additional Comments
www.careers.monash.edu
Some Hints for On-Line
Follow the employer’s instructions
Provide a current and correct e-mail address
Download a copy and do a draft
Pay attention to correct grammar and spelling – proof read
Allocate enough time to complete
“Apply Now” is your signature
www.careers.monash.edu
More Hints for On-Line
Check if it can be completed in stages
Be honest in the information you supply
Bullet points are OK
How will they search and select – keyword?
Always research the employer before you complete the
application form
Tailor an application to each employer
Use professional business language
www.careers.monash.edu
Behavioural Questions
Based on the premise that previous action is a good
indicator of how you will approach things in the future
Organisations will have defined the behaviors most suitable
for their organisation and built questions around them
Used extensively by employers in private and public sectors
www.careers.monash.edu
How to Prepare - predict questions by:
Researching the skills required by the employer
Research the organisation
Review the position description
www.careers.monash.edu
How to Prepare
Your response should:
Describe a specific scenario
Be relevant to the question
Have relevance to the employer
Be recent
Show your input (especially in group projects)
End positively by describing success or demonstrate
learning and how you’ll do things differently next time
www.careers.monash.edu
Structuring the Answer
Situation: the background or specific problem
Task: what was required to address the problem/
the challenge you faced and the strategies you
considered
Action: what you actually did and how you did it.
The steps you took. Include the difficulties and
problems you faced
Result: what was the outcome. Consider both
quantitative and qualitative results
www.careers.monash.edu
An example using the STAR method Describe a problem you have faced in the last 6 months. How
did you handle it?
I was appointed the Head Advertising Officer for my Uni
newspaper, Lot’s Wife
Situation
Revenue was falling off due to large numbers of long-term
advertisers not renewing contracts
Task
(challenge
faced/
problem)
• I designed a new promotional packet to go with the rate sheet and compared the benefits of Lot’s Wife circulation with other ad media in the area.
• I also set-up a special training session for the account officers with a School of Business Administration professor who discussed competitive selling strategies.
Actions
• 15 contracts with former advertisers were re-established for daily ads and five for special supplements
• New advertisers increased by 20 percent over the same period last year
Results you
achieved
www.careers.monash.edu
Goals/Career Objective/Knowledge of Company
Please describe what appeals to you about our
firm and why you would like to work here.
Why are you interested in joining our graduate
program?
What are your long term aspirations?
Please describe what interests you about a career
in Investment Banking.
www.careers.monash.edu
Skills and Attributes
Please detail what strengths and skills you can bring to the
firm.
What can you offer our organisation?
Why do you think you are suited to a graduate job with our
company?
What prompted you to study your chosen course of study
and professional discipline and how do you see your
knowledge being applied in our firm?
www.careers.monash.edu
Activities & Experience Extra Curricular Activities and Significant Achievements
What is your proudest achievement and what skills have you gained from
it?
Other activities; e.g. travel
Tell us about a project or activity you have been involved in that has
been particularly interesting. Describe your personal contribution and the
impact the activity made to you.
Can you provide examples of personal qualities or previous experience
that would make you a success in your chosen profession with us?
Please list leisure activities and non-academic interests you are involved
in and the extent of your involvement.
www.careers.monash.edu
Demonstrated Abilities
Provide examples of :
Opportunities you have had to take
initiative/leadership activities
Team activities
Commercial acumen
www.careers.monash.edu
Personal Qualities
What four words best describe you?
www.careers.monash.edu
What do employers want?
Communication Skills
Teamwork / Interpersonal skills
Problem solving & creativity
Leadership & Influencing Skills
Critical self-awareness
Work experience
Business / Commercial acumen
Commitment to becoming a …
www.careers.monash.edu
Defining these skills:
www.careers.monash.edu
Communication Skills The ability to express yourself clearly & logically both orally and in
writing
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals
Areas to draw on:
Oral:
– public speaking, debating, tutorial discussions, presentations,
asking questions, responding at public lectures or conferences,
explaining solutions to convince audiences, facilitating
discussions
– customer service
Written: research papers, written reports, essays, assignments
www.careers.monash.edu
Teamwork / Interpersonal
The ability or potential to contribute effectively to a work team to
achieve team goals
Ability to share information and work co-operatively with other team
members
Willingness to assist and support team members where necessary
An understanding of team dynamics and factors that can affect team
performance
Areas to draw on:
Group work, supervision, goal setting, communication, listening,
problem solving, participation, negotiation, motivation, continual
improvement, understanding and valuing of difference, using strengths
of members, balancing weakness
www.careers.monash.edu
Problem Solving and creativity
The ability to analyse and synthesise information presented in a variety of forms
(e.g. verbal and quantitative) to assist in problem solving
Ability to identify key issues, trends and interrelationships of issues
Ability to place information in a broader context and identify likely implications
Ability to generate new ideas and creative approaches to issues and practices
Areas to draw on:
Problem solving: the ability to research and analyse convincingly, identification
of key issues, counter arguments, setting out ideas, ability to identify and collect
information, use of internet, journals, books etc
Creativity: diversity of approach, open mindedness, the capacity to introduce
new ideas and approaches into existing working practices, demonstration of
original and lateral thinking, ability to adapt to change, going the extra step,
making a difference, thinking on your feet
www.careers.monash.edu
Leadership and Influencing Skills
The ability to provide direction and feedback to others
Ability to motivate, influence and engage others in the
achievement of goals
Areas to draw on:
Supervision and coaching of others, achievement of results,
communicating with influence, illustrate personal drive and
integrity, use of excitement and commitment to influence
others
www.careers.monash.edu
Critical self-awareness
Ability to manage and evaluate your own performance
Awareness of personal capacity to contribute and a commitment to
continuous professional development
Areas to draw on:
Being productive, honoring commitments, maintaining confidentiality,
flexibility, ability to manage your own time, willingness to accept
responsibility for work allocated to you, ability to work with minimal
supervision, ability to adapt to change, career aspirations, commitment
to further development and importantly, the ability to recognise your
impact on others
www.careers.monash.edu
Experience
Work experience – degree related, occupation related &
general
Business – commercial acumen
Commitment to becoming a …
– Motivation
– Energy
– Drive
www.careers.monash.edu
Other Skills
Additional skills
Languages
Computer
Other courses
www.careers.monash.edu
Identify your skills
Look at each area and consider what it involves
Work
Extra-curricular activities
Formal Study
Personal Life (traveling, hobbies)
What skills did you develop from each?
www.careers.monash.edu
Identify your skills – examples
Part-time work at McDonalds: learned customer service
and team-work, developed leadership skills by supervising
new staff (transferable skills)
Working at Harvey Norman: learned to communicate
effectively through liaising with staff and customers.
(transferable skill)
Being part of the Young Achievers Australia program
developed my business skills (job specific)
Studying Marketing at University developed my
understanding of consumer behaviour (job specific)
www.careers.monash.edu
Identify your skills - apply
Once you have identified your skills and experiences think about
how they can be applied to the industry and positions you are
interested in.
Example 1: Customer service and team-work developed at
McDonalds can be applied to the role of an assistant accountant:
dealing with external clients (customer service) and working
collaboratively with colleagues (team-work).
Example 2: My understanding of consumer behaviour developed
through formal study can be applied to any marketing role as it is
used to develop marketing strategies.
www.careers.monash.edu
28th February 2011 Presentation title 32
Examples
www.careers.monash.edu
Read instructions carefully
www.careers.monash.edu
Claims against the Selection Criteria
www.careers.monash.edu
Example continued….
www.careers.monash.edu
28th February 2011 Presentation title 37
What NOT to do….
Common mistakes - highlighting lack of experience
“I have no direct experience in marketing, but I’m sure if given
the opportunity, I will be able to learn…”
Learn to identify related experiences or transferable skills:
“Sourcing speakers for a careers event on campus in 2011
was a valuable experience that added to my marketing skills
because….”
www.careers.monash.edu
Common mistakes - unsubstantiated claims
“I have highly developed communication skills.”
Whenever possible add examples to support your claim:
“I have highly developed written and oral communication
skills developed from editing club’s newsletter and public
speaking during university Open Day and Orientation.”
www.careers.monash.edu
Common mistakes - listing too many
“I’m hardworking, motivated, eager to learn, reliable,
proactive, with a professional attitude and eye for detail, and
with highly developed analytical and research skills.”
List only skills and attributes that are relevant to the job
www.careers.monash.edu
Our services:
www.careers.monash.edu
www.careers.monash.edu
Get feedback on your job application
We can check your resume, cover letter, selection criteria, online and
scholarship applications and provide you with feedback to help you
improve your job applications.
Drop-in service, 10am Mon-Fri
Be on time, limited spots available and students are seen in order of
arrival.
Bring:
– Your student ID card
– A printed copy of your resume or cover letter - we spend up to 10
minutes checking one document per visit
– A printed copy the job advertisement and/or position description (if
applicable and available)
www.careers.monash.edu
Email service
Email us from your student email address and include the following:
First and family names
Student ID number
Details of the job you are applying for (eg. position, organisation, key
selection criteria)
Attach your resume and/or cover letter as a Word document and send to
We will email you a completed checklist with feedback. We aim to send
this within 3 working days, but it may be longer during periods of high
demand.
www.careers.monash.edu
Our Caulfield Location
Building S, Level 3
Tel: +61 03 9903 2114
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.careers.monash.edu
Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MonashECD)
www.careers.monash.edu
Our Clayton Location
Ground Floor
Campus Centre, (Building 10W)
Tel: +61 03 9905 4170
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.careers.monash.edu
Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MonashECD)
www.careers.monash.edu
Your Questions?
www.careers.monash.edu
