This module provides you with evidence-based information to develop effective job application documentation (cover letters, resumes, application forms) and strategies to perform well in interviews, assessment centres and psychometric testing.
3. Resumes
• Marketing document (it needs to set you apart)
• It needs to be targeted to the specific job & organisation
• Uses skills/achievement statements (evidence) to highlight
competencies
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4. Resumes: The Facts
Your résumé will be one of many (10, 50, 100, 1000) received
by an employer or university for a position
Time taken to read each résumé: 20-30 seconds
Questions to ask yourself:
• Does your resume match the position & organisation you
are applying to?
• What evidence in your résumé helps you stand out?
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE | La Trobe University 4
5. Resume Presentation
Guidelines:
• 2 – 3 pages for graduates
• Most important information on the first page
• Reverse chronological order
Remember, your resume is your primary marketing
document
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6. What to include
• Personal Details
• Education & Training
• Placements
• Employment
• Skills
• Achievements
• Professional Memberships
• Extra-curricular Activities & Interests
• Referees
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7. How to write an effective resume
What are the skills required of the position and how can
you demonstrate that you have them?
• Name the skill, your level of competency, where/how you
developed the skill
• Don‟t include skills without providing evidence
• Use short statements that start with action words
• Eg. „Excellent organisational skills developed through
planning community activities for Diabetes Week for past
two years’
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8. Highlighting Achievements
Where possible, highlight your achievements
Examples of achievements:
• Promotions
• Being part of a team that …
• Winning an award or prize
• Good results in exams or assessments
• Customer service / quality awards
• Outside-work achievements – raising money for charity,
being elected to a committee
• Captaining a sports team
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9. Cover Letters
Purpose of a cover letter:
1. An example of your writing skills
2. Letter of introduction
3. Selling your skills, abilities, attributes
4. Explain how you match the requirements of the job &
organisation
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10. Cover Letter Tips
Personally address the letter
• Use a clear font, no less than 12
points
• Use left align (not full align) as it is
easier to read
• Insert a scanned copy of your
signature in cover letters that will be
sent electronically
Sign the letter, include your
contact details
(address, email, mobile, home phone)
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12. What are Key Selection Criteria?
• KSC describe the personal qualities, skills, abilities,
knowledge and qualifications a person needs to perform
the role effectively
• Used by employers to objectively identify the right person
for the job
• Applicants‟ responses are rated against individual criteria
and best applicants are offered an interview or progression
to next round of selection process
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14. How to respond to KSC
Check the method preferred by the employer:
• Document addressing individual KSC
(traditional method)
• Summary response to all KSC
(word limits may apply)
• Answer a „behavioural question‟ in an online application or
paper based application form
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15. Getting Started
• Analyse each criterion to identify the skills and attributes
being rated – individual criterion may contain several
components (eg. „verbal & written communication skills‟)
• Think of scenarios from work, study, volunteering, sports
and other activities that could be used to illustrate your skill
• Use a different example for each criterion where possible
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17. What if you lack experience?
If you cannot provide an example to address a criterion:
• Think about the competence the employer is interested in
(e.g., problem solving, teamwork, etc), perhaps you can
give an example from a non-work experience
• Is there another way of demonstrating that skill or how you
intend to develop it?
• Could you describe how you would react in a similar
situation?
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19. Purpose of the Job Interview
The employer’s objective: to attract and appoint the best
applicant for the organisation
• Can you do the job? (skills, qualifications, experience)
• Will you do the job? (motivation, attitudes, career goals)
• Will you fit in? (cultural match)
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20. Interview preparation (insert picture – professional attire)
Research the organisation and job
Prepare and practise answers to possible questions
Plan what you‟re going to wear
Plan your journey so you arrive on time
Prepare some questions to ask them
Gather documents to take with you
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21. Tips for the start of the interview
When you arrive, remember you are making an impression
on everyone you come in contact with
Turn off your mobile phone
Try to relax!
Greet interviewer(s) and shake hands
Listen attentively
Engage in „small talk‟
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22. Tips for during the interview
What you say
Give specific examples to support your claims
Avoid one word answers
Seek clarification if you don‟t understand a question
Present information in a positive light
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23. Non-Verbal Communication
According to a survey of 1000 recruiters 75% of interviews
are lost within three minutes of the candidate entering the
room
• 25% of interviewers were put off by a weak handshake or lack of eye
contact
• 24% by poor body language
• 18% by poor posture (e.g. slumped shoulders suggests lack of
confidence) or presence
• Only 20% waited until the middle of the interview to judge a candidate
on their knowledge of the industry and aptitude for the job
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24. Behavioural Interview Questions
• Past behaviour is a predictor of future behaviour
• Used to assess job related competencies
e.g., communication skills; teamwork; problem solving
• Demonstrates employability skills
e.g., “Describe a situation when you‟ve; worked in a team, found a
solution to a problem, demonstrated initiative, dealt effectively with
conflict” etc
• Preparation is crucial and expected
• Expect follow-up questions
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25. Preparing for Behavioural Questions
Review the selection criteria or key competencies required
for the role
Research or think of questions related to each
competency
Prepare examples. Think of examples that draw on a
range of experiences – study, work, voluntary activities,
sport and recreation, clubs and societies
Use recent and relevant examples
Apply the STAR method for each question
Practice responding to questions. Become confident in
using your examples
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26. At the End of the Interview
• Return to unanswered questions or add anything you feel
has been overlooked
• Ask questions you prepared beforehand
• Ask about the next stage in the process
• Smile, thank the interviewer(s) for their time, shake hands
• It‟s not over until you‟re out of sight!
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27. Next steps
• LMS readings for „applications and interviews‟ module
• Update your resume; use the resume checklist in the
PebblePad workbook
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28. Thank you
Connect with us via:
Web: latrobe.edu.au/students/careers
Facebook: facebook.com/LaTrobeCareers
Twitter: @LTUcareers
Email: careers@latrobe.edu.au
Notes de l'éditeur
Remember that the purpose of your resume is to get you an interviewConsider the type of job you are applying for (eg. part-time/graduate/voluntary) and modify your resume accordingly
Resumes must be evidenced based (ie. not just stating your opinion, but providing concrete examples)Don’t include personality traitsFocus on what you can contribute to the organisation & the role in particular
Maximum one A4 page in lengthWritten using the standard business letter style Usually four paragraphsPersonally address the letter to the employer Write a letter tailored for each job you apply to
1st Paragraph:State the job you’re applying for; when/where you found out about the job2nd Paragraph (may be the key to getting the job): Explain why you are interested in applying for this job with this organisation; demonstrate your knowledge of the organisation (evidence of research essential)3rd Paragraph: Explain how you meet the requirements of the job; reflect on your skills & experience; provide evidence to support your claims4th Paragraph: Write that you look forward to meeting the employer at an interview in the near future; include the best way to contact you (e.g., mobile number); mention your availability for an interview
Provide handout – sample response to KSC
Activity: practise shaking hands with the people around you (ie. web to web contact, not too tight)
There are hundreds of examples on YouTube of how to answer behavioural interview questions
Example questions to ask interviewer:If I were to start tomorrow, what would be the top priority on my to do list?What would you say are the top two personality traits someone needs to do this job well?What improvements or changes do you hope the new candidate will bring to this position?Is there anything that stands out to you that makes you think I might not be the right fit for this job?