Getting Started

Getting Started

Background Research

People often think that background research applies when you have a job interview and need to discover more about the company. There is much more to this extremely important area than that. Find out what is involved and how it benefits you throughout your working life.

What is it?

• Researching the industry(ies) you would like to work in to discover what career paths they offer.
• Researching specific areas you may be interested in to discover what skills, experience and education prerequisites will apply.
• Finding out what companies are out there in your fields of interest, and what each one will offer you.
• Thinking about your short- and long-term goals, and how you can get there. Where to go for information.
• Graduate Opportunities and the associated website, www.graduateopportunities.com .
• Your university Careers Service (see Campus Contacts for more details).
• The Graduate Careers Australia website, www.graduatecareers.com.au .
• Your personal network (see Networking for further information).
• Professional associations and industry bodies.
• Employment agencies including Career Information Centres.
• Your preferred internet search engine, searching by keywords.
• The Recruitment Consulting Services Association website – www.rcsa.com.au – provides a full, searchable database of accredited recruitment agencies.
• An internet or phone book search will also give you full listings of employment agencies.
• Some agencies specialise in particular fields. You will need to discover if there are any that specialise in your industry of interest. Many large companies also have an agency that they use exclusively – some research will lead you to who this is.
• Research can be done by ringing industry bodies, through the internet or even by ringing or emailing agencies and employers to ask!

Details on Professional Associations and Industry Bodies

• Once again, an internet or phone book search should reveal contact details.
• Alternatively your Careers Service will have details, or check Victoria University’s careers website – http://careers.vu.edu.au/Content/Employers__Professional_Associations.chpx .
• These organisations will be able to provide contacts and relevant information about your field of interest.
• Once you are eligible, membership will continue to provide valuable networking opportunities and may provide access to job opportunities.

What time should I allocate to each research method?
Look at the Career Countdown table for some suggested time breakdowns. Obviously these are just suggestions, which you do not need to follow precisely.

Ongoing research
Research will be an important and ongoing part of your career – it is not a necessity that disappears when you get a job. Ongoing research covers areas such as:

• keeping up to date with changes in your industry
• looking at your employer’s position in the marketplace
• maintaining knowledge of current events relevant to both your employer and industry
• being aware of ongoing opportunities.

In today’s world it is common for people to change careers at least once throughout their working career. Obviously this process will also require ongoing research to enable the change, and to be aware of other opportunities.

Helpful hint
It is a good idea to search internet sites such as www.gradsonline.com.au to discover what sort of starting salary you can expect when you start working. This will also help when you are in an interview and they ask for your expected salary range – you do not want to either undersell yourself or appear greedy. It also means that you will know if the figure they propose is appropriate or not.