JOB SEARCH SKILLS FOR THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE FOOD & NATURAL AGRICULTURE, RESOURCES It’ C It’s Careers iin A Agriculture i lt M Month th Professional Development for all 3rd Year Students Workshop 2: Writing Job Applications that get short-listed Wednesday, 25th August 2010, 12-1pm Teachers College Room 448 Presented by Michael Begg and the Careers Centre

Learning Objectives – Workshop 2 At the conclusion of today today’s s session, students will be able to:

› Understand the purpose of the résumé › Tailor a résumé to meet the industry / employer needs › Prepare a tailored cover letter that links with the résumé › Understand the basics of addressing selection criteria responses

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Planning Goal Setting & Researching Planning, › What are your career goals? - Research your options - ST, LT and back up plans / goals

› Self-assessment - Skills audit - Personal and work values - Career interests

› Research potential employers - Think broadly - Research their requirements - Know the industry

› Prepare yourself for graduate recruitment season 3

What Is The Purpose of Your Résumé? A ‘Career Career Objective Objective’ is a simple way of summarising the purpose & gives the reader a better understanding of the content › Casual or p part-time work? › Internship? › Vacation work? › Graduate work? › Further study? › Scholarship application?

Résumé or Curriculum Vitae?

› Academic / PhD style? › Local or overseas work? › Other?

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Strengthen Your Résumé

› Aim to do well academically › Get actively involved in campus-based clubs and societies › Make use of your Professional Association/s networks › Seek out relevant vacation, internship and part-time work › Consider C id volunteer l t work k (for (f a not-for-profit) tf fit) › Attend Careers Fairs › Gain permission from your referees › Build a portfolio: academic transcripts and examples of your work › Think about postgraduate study › Think about exploring work opportunities in rural and remote localities

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Strengthen g Your Résumé Cont. Access the following resources to gain a better understanding of what employers want & need specific to your industry

› Graduate Careers Australia http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/content/view/full/25 › Graduate Attributes (specific to each faculty) http://www.itl.usyd.edu.au/graduateAttributes/interpretations.cfm › My y Future - http://www.myfuture.edu.au/ p y › Job Outlook - http://joboutlook.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx g List › Skills Shortage http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/LMI/SkillShortages/Pages/State TerritorySkillShort.aspx

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Possible Sub-Headings on Your Résumé › Name & Contact Details / Personal Details › Career Objective / Career Statement / Profile › Education / Qualifications / Awards › Skills Summary / Key Skills › Relevant Work History (includes clinical experience, internships) › Other Work History › Publications / Conferences / Research Grants › Professional Development / Courses Attended / Relevant Training › Professional Memberships › Languages › Residency Status / work visa (if applicable) › Extra-curricular Activities › Interests › Referees R f 7

Order of Content on Résumé

› Page 1 is prime real estate – location, location, location! - Avoid hiding your ‘best best sellers’ sellers on the last page - Aim to catch the reader’s attention within 30 seconds

› Be strategic in the order of your content – the order may change depending on the role / company › Critique your résumé from the perspective of the employer

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Career Objective

› Career goals (short and long term) / field of interest › Current study and relevant work (include number months / years) › 2-3 key skills you are offering › Availability

Tips

Be specific and factual Use short sentences Inspire the reader to look at the rest of the résumé

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Career Objective : Example One

I seek a challenging position in a progressive global company which uses state-of-the-art technologies and will allow me to use my skills and develop leadership experience with a view to expanding my career horizons while contributing to the goals of the organisation.

How can you improve this career objective?

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Career Objective : Example Two Third year distinction average Bachelor of Science in Agriculture student, student majoring in agricultural economics, seeking a summer vacation position with the Australian Agriculture Institute. Core skills include ABC and XYZ, with the ability to prepare research projects and present data. Keen to secure reputable industry experience to aid in course selection for final year, available from mid December 2010 until late February 2011. Tips › Aim to stand out from the crowd › Skills in your career objective must match the vacancy / company profile › Use key words from job advertisement › Indicate relevant work and projects › Focus on what you could do for the organisation, not on what the organisation can do for you › The cover letter must reinforce the career objective

Career Objective : Some Other Ideas An active student member of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AAERS) with distinction average results………

A bilingual bili l proficient, fi i t globally l b ll aware third thi d year Bachelor B h l off Science S i i Agriculture in A i lt student with education experiences from three continents……….

What makes you stand out from the rest?

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Qualifications / Education Bachelor of Science in Agriculture BScAgr University of Sydney g results Distinction average Expected completion December 20XX Key subjects

(list 4-6)

……………………………………

……………………………………

……………………………………

……………………………………

Major projects

(list 2-4 by title, or in more detail on a separate page)

…………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Tip

Don’t assume the degree will speak for itself Indicate major, key subjects, results, major projects 13

Skills Summary › Identify your key skills relevant to the vacancy / company › Avoid presenting a shopping list of skills - Communication Skills - Teamwork Skills - Planning and Organising Skills - Leadership Skills S - Computer Skills

Aim to qualify and / or quantify your skills - eg Excellent written communications skills demonstrated by completing ten error free university assignments in Semester One of this year, resulting in Distinction average results - eg Written Communication Skills Researched, edited and prepared ten university assignments of two thousand words each Researched in Semester One of this year, resulting in Distinction average results 14

Skills Summary Cont Cont. › Advise …

› Monitor …

› Analyse …

› Organise …

› Coordinate …

› Prepare …

› Create …

› Research …

› Design g …

› Supervise …

› Edit …

› Survey …

› Implement p …

› Train …

› Manage …

› Write …

Tips

Use action words to begin each descriptor Select the most recent and relevant examples Be prepared to support each claim with evidence 15

Relevant Work History Lab Technician XXX BioTech Labs, West Ryde Australian-owned Australian owned commercial testing laboratory specialising in diagnostics and vaccine production. Employing 80 staff nationally.

November 20XX to current (part-time and vacations, averaging 15 hours per week) Responsibilities › Tested xxx › Monitored xxx › Maintained xxx Achievements › Prepared audit of chemical storage and disposal against international benchmarks ((5 of 6 recommendations implemented) p )

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Other Work History

Sales Assistant Myer, George St, Sydney August 20XX to October 20XX Duties › Customer Service and sales in menswear and kitchenware departments › Stock monitoring, presentation, annual stock take › Maintained product knowledge › Shift supervisor on weekends, trained 10 new staff › Money handling, operated EFTPOS and credit card facilities

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Relevant Training

› List any relevant short courses or TAFE qualifications - Supervision or Leadership training - Teamwork course - First Aid course - Training in specific techniques or equipment eg OH&S - Certificates in software - Other relevant certifications eg g RSA,, Drivers Licence,, heavyy machineryy

› Include the training organisation, location and year of completion › Ensure you have certificates of attainment as evidence Tip

Keep this list current

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Professional Memberships › List your memberships - Agricultural and Resource Economics Society - www.aares.info - NSW Farmers Association - www.nswfarmers.org.au - Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology – www.aiast.com.au

› Include level of membership (student, associate, professional) › List most recent year of membership › Can include details of your participation

Tips p

Get involved byy attending g events,, training, g, conferences Keep knowledge current by reading journals & research This does not include clubs and societies or interest groups

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Highlight Your Achievements Skite about your achievements

› This is no time or place to be modest! › What are the achievements you are most proud of? › What obstacles did you overcome to accomplish these things? › What strategies did you put into place to make them happen? › Add these to your résumé

Tips

Place under a separate heading OR Under ‘Education’ or with the jjob it relates to

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Job Achievements › Promoted to position with more responsibility, trained new staff › Increased sales, profits, efficiency › Improved I d quality, lit systems, t methods th d › Decreased complaints, waste, turnaround time › Reliable employment record record, minimal sick leave › Received consistently positive feedback from staff, customers › Projects completed on time, met standards, within budget › Elected to a committee, represented a group p role ((at work, university, y sport, p club)) › Given a leadership

Tip

Describe and quantify each claim, where relevant

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Interests

› Include any extra-curricular activities eg involvement i l t iin clubs l b and d societies i ti on campus such h as Science Society Bi l Biology S Society i t Animal Welfare Society › Include your interests and hobbies eg sport, social, community, volunteer involvement Tips

Detail can vary depending on your level of activity

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Referees Prof John Davidson

Ms Jane Burrows

Lecturer in XYZ

Manager

U i University it off S Sydney d

XXX BioTech Bi T h L Labs, b W Westt R Ryde d

Ph 02 9351 XXXX

Ph 02 9123 4567

j davidson@sydney edu au [email protected]

M 0414 333 333 [email protected]

Tips

2-3 referees M t be Must b able bl tto commentt on your workk & technical t h i l skills kill Always ask their permission first, and keep them informed ‘Referees on request’ also permissible in certain circumstances 23

General Tips › Generallyy 2-3 p pages g in length g › Clearly state your education including academic results, major projects and anticipated completion › Put your education and work details in reverse chronological order (start with your most recent) › Highlight your skills and achievements for each position › Detail your involvement in extra-curricular activities › Include I l d personall interests i t t › Clarify your residency / visa status if appropriate › Honesty is the best policy

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Common Mistakes › Spelling and grammatical errors › Unclear abbreviations or acronyms › Font too small (or too large) › Obvious ‘cut and paste’ › Too wordy, too brief, poor wording › Not tailored for f the vacancy or organisation › Not clear, leaves reader with questions › Fancy gimmicks (borders, highlighting, underlining, many fonts and colours) › ‘Fun’ email address, no voicemail or inappropriate voicemail › Incorrect contact details › Lack of detail about your studies › Overstated claims, claims bluffing 25

Application Forms › Standard forms for smaller companies – type details if possible › Mostly online for graduate recruitment programs › May include mix of résumé and question format › May need to attach your résumé as well › Mayy need to address selection criteria as an additional section › Check that all necessary components have been completed Tips

Download and complete in word format first your necessaryy details handyy Have all y Check if you can complete in stages and save Don’t leave it to the closing g day y Keep a copy of each application and résumé sent 26

Cover Letters

› First impressions count › Tailor the letter for each vacancy › Make connections between your cover letter and résumé › Keep the tone positive › Avoid vague claims eg hard working, fast learner › Ensure you address it to the correct person and organisation

Tips

Cover letter must be no longer than ONE page Ask someone to check your cover letter and résumé

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Cover Letters Cont Cont. 6/22 Johnston St Annandale NSW 2038 Home 02 9568 3121 Mobile 0400 222 222 [email protected]

21 August 2010

Mr James Meacham Recruitment Manger Australian Agriculture Institute PO Box 1111 Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Mr Meacham I am a third year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, University of Sydney student, majoring in agricultural economics, seeking a summer vacation position with the Australian Agriculture Institute (AAI (AAI’s) s). I attended an Agriculture Careers Event on campus recently and was inspired by AAI’s Managing Director, Mr Carl Regent, and was encouraged to submit my résumé for consideration. I would be delighted to offer my diverse skills in a suitable role that would reinforce my theoretical knowledge and enhance my practical experience. During my studies, I have developed skills in XXXXXXXXXX. I am also proficient in XXXXXXX which I noted via my research of AAI is paramount to the organisation’s structure. I have completed several projects which demonstrate these skills, such as XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. I have achieved a distinction average in my academic studies and continue to strive for excellence in all my units. In addition to this, I am an active student member of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AAERS) and (AAERS), d read d Agriculture A i lt T Today d on a regular l basis b i tto remain i up tto d date t with ith iindustry d t news. I am particularly interested in working with the Australian Agriculture Institute as I am impressed by the excellent work being undertaken by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. I would appreciate the opportunity to participate in such key projects and be part of such innovation. I find the idea of working on a project which has the potential to contribute significantly to a better quality of life for so many people very appealing. In fact, I can highlight a recent major project that I completed for UNIT XYZ that entailed …………………………………… Thank you for taking the time to review my application for a suitable role with the Australian Agriculture Institute. I have attached my résumé which further outlines my academic and extracurricular experience, and I would very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss my application in greater detail at an interview. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours sincerely

(Ms) Sam Bresser

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Cover Letters Cont Cont. Paragraph 1 – Introduction Paragraph 2 – Why Me? Paragraph 3 – Why Them? Paragraph 4 – The Hoped-For Result of Your Letter

Tips

Use formal letter-writing conventions Refer to Careers Centre handout

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Selection Criteria

› › › › › › › › ›

Summarises the key requirements of the position Used by the panel to short-list for interview stage May include essential and desirable criteria public sector and larger g corporate p organisations g Common for p Prepare a Statement Addressing the Selection Criteria (separate document to your résumé and cover letter) Use specific e examples amples to demonstrate your o r skills & kno knowledge ledge Your responses can draw from university, clinical experience, paid and unpaid p work, relevant community y activities, maybe y school If it was a team effort, indicate your role and contribution Expect the interview questions to be based on the criteria

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Selection Criteria Cont Cont.

Examples › Demonstrated ability to respond accurately to complex enquiries (b th verbal (both b l and d written) itt ) and d prepare written itt responses with ith reference to relevant policy and procedures. Ability to write information suitable for the website. › Aptitude to perform a leadership role and motivate a team. Ti Tips

You MUST address Y dd each h criteria it i Ensure you respond to each part of the criteria eg verbal and written communication skills Select your strongest and most recent examples Write ¼ to ½ page per criterion Structure y your response p

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Selection Criteria Structure

Situation Give a context

Task Wh t was the What th goal? l?

Activity Clear strategy

Result So what? Outcome?

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Selection Criteria Example Demonstrated capacity for leadership and decision making S

While in my final year I worked on a team-based project involving XXX where we were required to produce XXX and XXX to industry standards.

T

There were 5 other students in this team and we each took on a different leadership role. I was the team coordinator coordinator– ensuring tasks were allocated according to strengths, progress was made and deadlines were met.

A

I liaised with the academics and industry contacts regularly and read widely on the topic to provide the broad perspective required of this type of project.

R

My ability to analyse available data and guide the group in joint decisionmaking was an important element in the success of the project. I have developed de e oped sskillss in managing a ag g meetings eet gs a and d d discussions. scuss o s We e received ece ed a High Distinction and presented at a faculty meeting to visiting academics and industry representatives. 33

Follow Up › Résumé Rescue workshops - 4 times per week, bring along your résumé for constructive feedback

› Résumé Express - An online tutorial to help you get started with your résumé

Sample p résumés and cover letters available at the Careers Resource Centre

sydney.edu.au/careers

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JOB SEARCH SKILLS FOR THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE FOOD & NATURAL AGRICULTURE, RESOURCES It’ C It’s Careers iin A Agriculture i lt M Month th Professional Development for all 3rd Year Students Workshop 3: Interviews – what works and what doesn’t Wednesday, 1st September 2010, 12-1pm Teachers College Room 448