GCCA | Graduate Careers Council of Australia

Graduate Careers Australia

ergo - Number 86 March 2002

How Do Students Look For Work?

Leading online recruitment Consultants Catch 22 recently teamed up with the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS) and the Graduate Careers Council of Australia (GCCA) to conduct an online survey of student job-seeker behaviour. The aim of this project was to conduct a survey of student job-seeking habits for students from all universities across the country, and the survey appeared on gradlink in November 2001 over three weeks. The consortium offered a range of prizes to a number of lucky survey participants, and thanks are extended to Student Flights for donating the major prize – a two week adventure holiday to New Zealand.

The survey was a substantial success, generating responses well above the predicted rate and providing insight into the activities undertaken by students. The questionnaire covered a number of subjects, including general internet and email use, job-seeking both online and in the real world, preferred job application medium, the role of universities and the role of careers services in the process.

Developing the Report
Following the three week period during which the survey was online, and after the administrative issues had been finalised, Catch 22 got to work analysing the data. The result is a comprehensive report which is relevant to employers, recruitment agencies and universities in general, particularly careers services.

Meanwhile, the competition winners were notified and prizes including CD and film vouchers distributed. The major prize, the trip to New Zealand, was presented to Juliette Albanis, a Victoria University graduate, at a special ceremony at the university’s Footscray Park campus in February 2002.

The event was attended by various representatives from Victoria University including Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jim Falk; NAGCAS, Catch 22 and the GCCA. Catch 22 director Elizabeth O’Leary was on hand to present the grand prize to Juliette Albanis.

The results of the initial survey are available now, in a report titled “Understanding the Student Job Seeker Survey”. The report is available from www.talentzone.com.au , who can be contacted as follows:

Talent Zone Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
PO Box 235, RICHMOND VIC 3121
telephone: +61 3 9830 1525
facsimile: +61 3 9429 8845
email: [email protected]