If you are having difficulties finding a job, ProGrad can help! If you would like to find out more then visit our website at www.prograd.com.au or contact us directly on (02) 8235 8300
Interview Questions
March 5th, 2010 -
Employers are always going to ask a series of questions in an interview, and you will have a lot of time to talk about yourself. The trick is finding the right balance. You need to speak honestly and truthfully about yourself in a pragmatic yet friendly manner. Always be conscious not to waffle around an answer.
Depending on the interview style, you may come across some “behavioural based questions” which are quite common. These are the types of questions which start with, “Give me an example of a time when….”
There are literally hundreds of these questions which you will be asked. Be prepared for them, and try to have a few answers rehearsed.
Interviews are indeed a two-way process and therefore you must also ask questions in an interview. Always try to prepare a few to take with you, and think about what you need to know. When you leave an interview, you need an idea of whether the role is right for you. Think about what that means to you, and position your questions around that. For example, think about asking questions about the market, the company, the teams, the people, the role, whatever you feel is important to you.
Don’t necessarily rely on the interviewer to tell you everything about a role. In accepting a position you really need to know everything about it. If you haven’t questioned effectively in an interview, you might take a role which isn’t appropriate for you.
A good interview will last between 45-60 minutes and should leave both parties feeling confident with the information discussed. If ever you are finding interviews are only lasting 20 minutes, it means there is room for improvement.
ProGrad is a specialist graduate recruitment company working with over 600 companies across Australia. For more information about our process, please contact our ProGrad Graduate Management Team on 02 8235 8300.
Set yourself apart
March 1st, 2010 -
An interview can be fairly daunting, especially when you are up against hundreds of other applicants. Know the secret to setting yourself apart from the group, and be the one that everybody wants.
Be smart in an interview. Prepare a research portfolio prior to the interview including your knowledge about the company and the role you are applying for.
Think in an interview – what is unique about you that you can bring to a company? What can you do for them that will set you apart and benefit the company further than just the role you are applying for.
However just saying that you have an open personality that can get along with everyone will not secure you the position.
Think creatively. Read BRW and other material relating to the business realm and take what is in the latest news and what you have read what companies are looking for at the moment.
For example: The latest BRW newsletter features an article about search engine optimization and how every company wants to be on the first page of Google.
Do your research! Find out what kind of things Google favours (this is easy look it up on youtube) so you have the ability to do it for a company if need be.
The next step is just to SELL! SELL, SELL, SELL yourself! Let the company know that you have the ability to get them on the first page of Google.
This is what is going to set you apart from everyone that brings their same personable skills to any interview.
GOOD LUCK!
YouTube as a marketing tool
February 23rd, 2010 -
Here is a great example of how to promote and market a product using the the web 2.0 site YouTube. And the best thing is it’s free!
And how is this relevant to graduates you might ask? Well first it’s a little bit of fun, second recent graduates are known to be techically savvy, and third it is a great way to market yourself online!
If you are looking for a job or attending interviews, how about marketing yourself as the product and putting your own speil or portfolio on youtube. This way you can even send the link to the employer before you go to the interview. It will make you stand out from the crowd and also demonstrate that you work well with technology.
If you would like to know more about ProGrad and ProGrad’s services, visit us online at www.prograd.com.au
The graduate everyone wants
February 23rd, 2010 -
So you have just finished University and are a little unsure of how to present yourself to a potential client. Well ProGrad are here to help! Here we can tell you what potential clients in business are looking for in a recent graduate student.
It’s great to be aware of what is happening in the business world as well. You may want to subscribe to BRW or even sign up for their free online newsletter, just so you can stay up to date with what is happening in the business realm.
What potential clients are looking for:
* A graduate who is passionate, energetic and ambitious
* Someone who is confident and sure of where they are heading
* Someone who will be able to bring strong skills to an organisation
* Strong verbal and written communication skills
* A graduate who can work well within a team and also individually
* A hard-working individual
* Someone who is proactive and takes initiative
* And most importantly someone who will enter in the company for the long term. Potential employers are not looking for someone who will plan to go travelling around the world after their first six months of employment.
If you would like to know more about the graduate that everyone wants then please feel free to contact ProGrad on (02) 8235 8300 or to find out about ProGrad and our services visit our website at www.prograd.com.au
Self promotion – how to do it effectively
February 17th, 2010 -
Self-Promotion is important in any interview and can effect the way you perform in the interview and also the outcome of the interview. Here are some tips on how to effectively self promote yourself.
- First impressions count!
The first 30 seconds are vital when in an interview. Here you have the opportunity to create a powerful impression. It is important to have a good, steady handshake when you meet the potential employer. As is making eye contact and smiling. First impressions always leave a lasting impression.
- Close the interview
It is important to close the interview with Questions. This way the employer will know you are interested for the role. Here is an example of some questions you can ask:
- How many other prople are you considering/interviewing for this position?
- How do you think I went in the interview? Am I likely to get a second interview?
- Follow up!
Take the initiative and find out how you went in the interview. This way you will be a stand out candidate. Again you will seem eager for the position and passionate about what they can offer you.
Always be confident and passionate about the role you have applied for. Show the employer how hungry you are for the position.
If you would like to know more about ProGrad and what we offer visit us at: www.prograd.com.au or contact us directly on (02) 8235 8300
Gone are the days of staples
February 9th, 2010 -
The job hunting begins once University comes to an end and the continual updates to the resume! Here are some tips and hints from ProGrad on how to present your resume.
Gone are the days of staples, torn paper edges and plastic sleeves. Online Resumes are the way of the future. These are beneficial to both the employer and the candidate as it shortens anticipation; there is no longer a need to wait weeks, or even days, for applications to be received, collated and examined.
An online resume means potential employers are able to search online, through databases created by different websites. For public resumes, this means a higher chance that a potential employer will come across your information. This is where keywords are so important, because potential employers will be searching for particular experience, qualifications or personal characteristics. It’s also possible to create multiple resumes, so if you’re interested in jobs in a few different industries, this is a great chance for you to increase your exposure to different employers, who would be looking for different qualities, qualifications and experience in a candidate.
Keep in mind that the credibility of your resume is imperative to your trustworthiness. A study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2003 found that 40% of resumes were falsified. Lying in your resume is actually a legal issue and is considered a ‘crime’ and can be charged under a number of acts, including the Crimes Act. Don’t get charged with fraud!
In 2004 the South Australian Government introduced landmark laws, making it a criminal offence to obtain income using false references or qualifications. The greatest offenders in resume fraud are males between 21-30 years of age. The most common resume lies are not admitting to having a criminal record (60% do not admit they do when asked), job titles and dates, employee history details, and educational qualifications.
Here are a few websites that you may like to check out to upload an online resume:
- iD Logik – www.idlogik.com (I found this site one of the easiest to use)
- Australian Job Search – www.jobsearch.gov.au (This is currently Australia’s largest employment website)
- ComeOnAussieDotCom – http://www.comeonaussie.com/categories/employment.html
- JobsPLUS – www.jobsplus.com.au
ProGrad wishes you all the best as you venture into the workforce.
ProGrad is Australia’s leading assessment, training and placement company, specialising in assisting graduates in business to business sales positions with fast growing International companies.
If you would like to take advantage or find out more about ProGrads services please visit our website, or you can contact us directly on (02) 8235 8300
Preparing for an interview
December 17th, 2009 -
Interviews are a daunting experience for all of us. Whether you’re experienced or not, the whole process can be quite nerve-wracking.
That said, there are a number of steps that can be made to ensure that the interview process is not as scary as you first thought.
There are some basic rules to follow, such as research, preparation and even how to present yourself. Don’t leave everything to the last minute – it will not end well!
For some basic ideas about what to take with you for the interview, have a look at our other blog: http://www.progradsydney.com.au/?p=705
Just remember that meeting someone for the first time is powerful. They will make their mind up about you within the first 4-14 seconds of meeting you. It really is that quick! With that in mind, you have to ensure you make a strong first impression. Please dress appropriately for the interview and ensure that you’re “suited and booted”.
If you create a bad first impression, it will take a further 21 encounters for that person to change their mind about you. Never underestimate the importance of this first impression. After that, try to ensure that you’re building rapport and creating a comfortable environment for you, and the interviewer.
Then, it’s about relaxing, and being yourself. Try to enjoy it – its not often that you get to talk about yourself for an hour!