Reflective Report
2500 words
Weighting 60%
The Reflective Report needs to be completed and submitted by June 1 at 11pm
The report must contain the following elements:
A detailed outline of Career Research findings and conclusions based on that research
An appropriately detailed Personal Career Plan
An appropriately detailed Personal Career Development Plan
A reflection on learning and actions taken as a consequence of each of the four workshops
An individual ‘elevator pitch’
It should also include two of the following elements:
A high quality CV, anchored to the Personal Career Plan
A link to a high quality LinkedIn Profile, anchored to the Personal Career Plan
A networking strategy and network map
A post study job search strategy
Reference Materials
The following links may assist you in your study.
Graduate Employability Skills
http://www.graduatecareers.com.au
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/graduate-employability-skills.html
https://www.acacia-au.com/international-student-employability-forum-insights.php
Career Planning
http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/careerplanningandresources/
http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/jobs-and-workplace/career-information
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-24/entering-the-job-market-think-skills-not-just-careers/8050706
Job Search
https://au.gradconnection.com
https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/
http://www.graduateopportunities.com/your-career/starting-your-career/regional-rural-options/
http://www.meldmagazine.com.au/2013/01/international-student-graduates-beat-odds-find-jobs-australia/
https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/the-resume-litmus-test
http://weare.guru/creative-cvs/
Australian Graduate Job Market
http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Graduate-Outlook-Report-2015-FINAL1.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/national/tertiary-education/your-future-job-2020-trends-for-uni-graduates-20151116-gl0ec6.html
Top 100 graduate employers: Deloitte tops the list again
Developing a Targeted LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a powerful tool. Spend the time to ensure your profile is complete and reflects your key attributes as a potential candidate, aligned to your specific career goal. Your LinkedIn Profile is your digital CV and must align to the content shared in that document.
First impressions are incredibly important in a job search context, your profile should represent how you want people to see you. At a minimum, people will view your picture, name and professional headline when they are using LinkedIn to find out more about you.
Start with a professional photo - First impressions count ... your photo supports your value proposition. Research shows that the absence of a photo can create a sense of mistrust. If possible have your photo professionally taken and wear attire suitable for your target role. For senior corporate roles, this will be a business suit for more creative roles, this will be business casual.
Make your headline count - LinkedIn automatically populates your headline with your job title and current company. You can change this to -stand out-, so prepare a headline that is compelling, differentiating and relevant. You could consider listing your area of expertise or use keywords that potential employers could use to search. Keep it short and sweet - ideally less than 10 words (and don't say you are looking for a job)
Focus on your key achievements in the summary section - Quality over quantity is important here. The summary section provides an opportunity for you to articulate your value proposition, experience, skills and attributes that support your personal marketing effort. As a guide, stay under 100 words
Keep your work history up to date - Be concise and focus on recent and relevant work history (typically the past 10 years). Summarise or group any work history beyond the past 10 years. Keep the focus on the things that you have achieved in each role, so that potential employers can clearly see the value that you have created in an employment context
Join Groups relevant to your career interest area, as these are useful both for research purposes, but also to validate you as a candidate
Build your network continuously with relevant network members, with whom you have a genuine connection. Remember networking is a two-way process, so ensure whenever you can you are giving back to your network
Compelling CV's
Your CV or resume is your key personal marketing document, the written representation of your elevator pitch and personal brand. Your CV represents; who you are and how you communicate. Consider the following when developing a compelling CV/ Resume:
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Drivers of Career Success - Key Attribute
always be aligned to the key selection criteria for your ideal role, a description of the unique value proposition that you bring to the opportunity you are seeking. Managing your Career Development using this framework will set you up for success, whether you are looking for your first professional role or seeking to move into a senior or executive level role. Therefore, in your Career Development Plan you need to clearly identify:
what knowledge, competencies, experience and attributes you need to develop
what method you are going to use to develop each category
by when you will undertake the development.
As part of your Career Research Plan, you will have already identified that key selection criteria will vary from role to role and company to company. Through detailed, multi source research, you need to identify what is required for your target roles and where your capability gaps are, in relation to your ideal role requirements. By understanding what is commonly required, across a number or employers, you will be able to assess any gaps across your current knowledge, competencies, attributes and experience and proactively address these as part of your career development. This information all needs to be recorded in your Career Development Plan.
Research on common Australian graduate attributes show there is a gap between what is attained through tertiary study and the expectations held by employers on what graduates need to be genuinely career ready. Understanding and managing this gap is key to building your career success. Again, addressing this gap is effectively targeted career development.
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