Graduate Careers AustraliaBackground Research: Be Prepared!
Researching Potential Employers - Steps One to FourNot sure where to begin researching potential employers? This article is a guide to two key questions often asked by university students at some stage during their studies.
How do I identify which organisations employ graduates with my degree? and
How do I research a specific organisation or position? To answer the first question, this article provides you with hints to help you research each of the following 10 steps:
Once I have identified some potential employers, how do I research specific information about the organisation or suitable positions within the organisation? The article lists ideas about:
Which Organisations Employ Graduates with my Degree? Many of you will ask this question at some stage during your university studies. Sometimes the answer is easy (eg. the top accounting or law firms are well known and are frequently mentioned in the press). Other times the answer is not so simple, especially when identifying second or third-tier firms, smaller local businesses or companies based overseas. It is impossible for the Careers Service at your university to maintain a comprehensive and current list for every occupational group, so here are 10 steps to guide you in how to research this information for your particular field of study and according to your occupational and career goals. For many of you, this research will be straightforward. You may have a fairly clear vocational area in mind and seek a work role that is directly related to your degree. For others, you may need to think laterally when you undertake your research about potential organisations. Perhaps you will explore options that extend beyond the traditional view of your qualification. Other career planning factors may direct you along alternate pathways according to your range of interests, values, skills and experience. Perhaps you are studying in one of the broader fields, such as Arts, Humanities, Communications or Social Science and your career options are open to a range of occupational possibilities within any number of industries. All you need is a starting point – and here are 10 of them! Before you dive in, review what you already know. Think about organisations that have been mentioned in lectures or in the news. Begin making a list of those organisations and government departments (federal, state and local) which employ people with the knowledge and skills you have gained at university. Do some networking – talk to your lecturers, family, friends and colleagues to begin building your list of potential employers. Think about the location and the size of the organisations – multinational, large, medium, small as well as the broad industry areas (eg. manufacturing, education, resources, telecommunications, finance, transport, health, services, etc.) and determine which appeals to you. Step One: Read Graduate Opportunities Graduate Opportunities is usually available from March each year and is highly recommended for final year students interested in planning for graduate recruitment programs. The book lists many of the large companies and government organisations that regularly recruit graduates. It has organisation and industry profiles as well as a listing of organisations by discipline/degree and occupation. Some organisations which offer vacation work and work experience are also listed. Worth checking out but remember that only organisations which subscribe to the publication through Graduate Careers Australia are identified and therefore it is not an exhaustive list. Ask for a hard copy at the Careers Service, collect one at the university Careers Fair or go to the website: www.graduateopportunities.com
Step Two: Review Occupational Information Your university Careers Service may have hardcopy information on relevant occupational areas in the Resource Room. Also check your Careers Service website for links to the occupational information available on the internet. Try the following sites:
Step Three: Use Graduate Destination Information
Each year, a survey of graduates is conducted across Australia gathering information such as current employment and salary information. The Careers Service will have historical information for your university, and it may also be available on their website. This information is useful for identifying the employers of graduates of your degree and the types of jobs those graduates perform. Keep in mind that the degree is not the only pathway into a particular job or industry – successful recruitment also depends on interests, career-related values, abilities, experience and the state of the broader job market at the time. You can check graduate destination information, including industry sectors and salaries on a national and state basis at the GradsOnline website:
Step Four: Consult Databases The Careers Service may have a database of information about employers, according to occupational groups. This information is generally gathered from job vacancy notices, invitations to attend the university Careers Fairs and information distributed by companies and other organisations. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||