For students browsing graduates jobs and looking to launch their careers, there are 10 key things that they should be looking for. This presentation goes into detail of the top 10 things that all graduates should be looking for when searching for a graduate job or graduate program. For more information visit: http://www.gradrecruit.com.au/top-10-things-you-should-look-for-in-every-graduate-program/

1. Top 10 Things
That Graduates Should Look For in Every Job
www.gradrecruit.com.au

2. 1. Leadership Development
• This is the primary purpose of why graduate
programs exist. Graduate programs should
provide you the right opportunities for you to
develop the skills and experiences necessary to
take on future leadership positions in the
organisation.
• Look for a structured approach to leadership
development. That is, specific leadership
workshops, coaching programs, mentoring
opportunities and group learning.

3. 2. Induction & Onboarding
• All good graduate programs will have a structured
induction and onboarding process. Most
individuals will decide whether they want to stay
with the organisation long-term within the first
few weeks.
• Employers know this and employers should be
investing in this. As a graduate, you want to make
sure that you get the support and information
you need early on to be able to set yourself up for
success.

4. 3. Functional Development
• You went to university for a reason right? You learned a
discipline and a new set of skills and I’m sure you want
to put what you have learned into practice.
• Graduate programs that give you rotations are valuable
in that they give you a broader exposure to the
business and the area that you’re looking to build a
career in.
• Rotations allow you to quickly learn about how the
business and your function operates, extend your
network through meeting a wide variety of
stakeholders and it helps you identify where you may
want to focus your career longer-term.

5. 4. Project Work
• Graduate programs that offer project work are valuable
in that they provide you with a core skillset that you
can use throughout your entire career.
• It’s even better if you can lead or manage a project.
Project work will enable you to develop skills such as
leadership, teamwork, planning, and strategic thinking
and will also help you to develop your network and
improve your communication skills.
• Projects often have high-visibility and can also provide
a great opportunity for you to showcase your skills to
more senior management.

6. 5. Business Awareness
• The great thing about graduate programs is the
exposure you can get early in your career. The
best graduate programs don’t just keep you in the
silo of your own function or department, but you
get to experience more broadly what the
business is about.
• Business awareness can be gained through cross-
functional rotations, business events, coaching
and mentoring and project work amongst others.

7. 6. Support Network
• I’ve mentioned a couple times already about the
importance of having a coach and a mentor. This
can be a great help in launching your career.
• Coaches and mentors can guide you through the
organisation, provide practical tips and advice,
share their learning and help get you connected
to more people in the organisation.
• But that’s not the only support. Think about what
support do you get from HR? Your line manager?
What groups, teams or communities does the
graduate program or employer provide?

8. 7. Culture & Reputation
• Culture and reputation are two big components you should
be considering when choosing which graduate programs
would be right for you.
• Culture is fundamental to your overall wellbeing. It
represents the values and beliefs of the organisation and
this creates the environment in which you work in. If you
already know of someone working the company you wish
to apply for, ask them what the culture is like.
• Also consider the reputation of the company and how is
this aligned to your future career goals. Will this graduate
program provide you with the right experience to get you
to where you want to go longer-term?

9. 8. Length of Program
• Graduate programs tend to be anywhere in the vicinity
of 1 to 3 years.
• Consider your career goals and what you want to get
from a graduate program. 1 year may be too short for
you… perhaps you would prefer to have more time on
the program to focus on your personal development?
And perhaps 3 years is too long, you might want to get
stuck into your first ‘full-time’ role and not be classed
as a graduate.
• Choose a graduate program that is aligned to your
career goals and whatever you do, make sure you can
stick around for the full duration.

10. 9. Success Stories From Previous Grads
• This one could be the most important of the lot.
• As a graduate, you want to know that the
graduate program you are applying for has
created successful leaders in the organisation.
• What are the experiences not only of current
graduates, but what about graduates from 3
years ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago? Have they
progressed through the organisation? Where are
they now?

11. 10. The Industry
• The industry can play a bigger role in your career than you may
think.
• Each industry is vastly different in how they operate and have
different priorities, processes and strategies. Ideally, the industry
you join will be related to your interests and passions.
• Consider accounting as a profession. Accountants do similar things
in all businesses, but depending on the type of industry and the size
of the organisation it can vary dramatically. As an example, an
accountant working in the technology industry will have a vastly
different career experience to an accountant in the manufacturing
industry.
• When searching for the right graduate program for you, consider
the industry as it is the industry that facilitates the type of work, the
challenges, the culture and the opportunities you will be presented
with throughout your career.

12. Graduate Careers Portal
Australia
www.gradrecruit.com.au