Careers
- Career and employment advice
- FAQs: Job-seeking for international students
- Job-search action plan
- Careers checklist
Career and employment advice
If you need help with writing your resume/curriculum vitae or advice on your future career or employment prospects, visit the team at Careers and Employment for more information.
The Careers and Employment service also runs a wide range of programs and career workshops/seminars regularly that can help students in learning more about employment and career opportunities. Returning home students should consult the career calendar regularly for details of events that may help them in their future career prospects.
FAQs: Job-seeking for international students
Can I apply for graduate recruitment programs and graduate jobs in Australia?
Employers in Australia usually require applicants to be Australian citizens or permanent residents to apply for their graduate recruitment programs. This also applies to many work experience/internships and vacation work programs offered by employers.
As an international student, you will most probably have to complete your studies and obtain permanent residency before being eligible to apply for these programs.
Information on student visas, work permits and permanent residency applications can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Can I apply for graduate recruitment programs and graduate jobs in my home country?
There are no restrictions to applying for employment or work experience in your home country, provided you meet the relevant eligibility requirements.
Visit the Careers and Employment website for useful links and extensive information on potential employers, job websites, newspapers and professional associations in your home country.
In addition, the following websites contain useful resources that may assist you in finding a job:
- Graduate Careers Australia - for graduates who are thinking of working overseas
- Hobsons - register to receive information on graduate recruitment and education opportunities in Australia and around the world
- Monster - browse extensive job listings covering a wide range of countries
- Asia-Net - register to tap into Asian and Pacific Rim job markets
- Career Frames - find work in your home country
- Going Global - career guides are the ultimate international job seekers' resources and offers world- wide job vacancies.
What is the procedure for applying for a job?
Each employer will have their own procedures that you will have to undergo when applying for a job. In general, however, they will involve some or all of the following:
- Submitting an application (by email or post) before the closing date
- Undergoing psychometric testing and/or competency assessments
- Attending an interview for short-listed candidates
- Being offered and accepting a position for successful candidates
When applying for an advertised position, you will most likely have to submit a cover letter and a resume (which you can then adapt and 're-use' for future applications).
What can I do to prepare myself for future employment?
The Careers and Employment service organises many career and employment preparation activities ranging from interview skills workshops to careers expos that may assist you in finding a job. You should participate in as many of these events and activities as you can in order to increase your employment potential.
Graduate recruitment programs vs graduate jobs - what's the difference?
Graduate programs
Many large corporations and public sector organisations conduct specific graduate recruitment programs for selected applicants. These programs last for 1-2 years and incorporate a special training program that usually includes the opportunity for candidates to rotate between different areas of the organisation.
Employers usually advertise for these positions a year in advance, which means that you would apply during the final year of your studies for positions that commence after the completion of your studies. Some employers will only consider graduates who completed their degrees within a set timeframe (e.g. graduated within the past 2 years), while others are interested in applicants who possess some work experience.
International students are generally not eligible to apply for graduate programs in Australia as permanent residency is usually a prerequisite for application. If you obtain Australian permanent residency, however, you will be eligible to apply for both graduate recruitment programs and graduate vacancies in Australia.
Graduate jobs
Graduate jobs are usually advertised when an employer is seeking a graduate who may or may not have any work experience. These jobs are usually advertised with a much shorter timeframe than graduate recruitment programs, with the successful applicant normally being expected to start work within a few weeks.
With so many companies operating globally these days, it may be possible for you to apply for positions in different countries through the company's main website. In addition, companies which advertise for graduates to fill Australia-based positions will most likely be advertising to fill overseas positions as well.
Visit the UBS - Career candidates webpage which contains some useful careers information, gives details of their worldwide operations, and includes links to their recruitment programs for a sample of the different types of career opportunities available to graduates.
Job-search action plan
Having a job-search action plan allows you to form an organised approach to job hunting that could increase your chances of employment when you finish your degree.
- Start preparing early! Give yourself ample time to find out all the information relevant to the the types of job you are interested in applying for including selection criteria, application process, interview assessments, psychometric testing procedures (if any), etc. Be prepared to face all these aspects of the job-hunting process. You can find information on these issues and more on Deakin's Careers and Employment website, or visit the websites of companies you would like to work for after you graduate.
- Research graduate recruitment programs that are being offered both here and overseas. Find out if you are eligible to apply for those programs or if there are any similar programs in your home country.
- Brush up on your job-hunting skills and knowledge by participating in the employment preparation events and activities organised by Deakin's Careers and Employment.
- Subscribe to recruitment newsletters published by online recruitment agencies (e.g. MyCareer , SEEK, Career One ) and individual employers.
- Research prospective employers - employers you would like to work for - both in Australia and overseas .
- Prepare a cover letter and resume for use in jobs you intend to apply for. (Make sure you tailor these to the job you are applying for.)
- Visit the Careers Resource Room and/or contact a Careers Counsellor at Student Life for useful career advice and tips.
- Learn how you can be Job Ready to increase the chances of achieving your career goals.
- Keep abreast of the latest developments in graduate opportunities by subscribing to the Graduate Opportunities Update Service.
- Brush up your interpersonal, communication, organisational and other skills by getting involved with a DUSA club.
Careers checklist
- I know what type of work I would like to do once I finish my degree.
- I have visited the Student Life Career Development and Employment website for useful job-hunting information and tips.
- I have prepared my own resume using the online Resume Builder and my resume has been checked by a Career Development and Employment staff member.
- I have prepared a cover letter for future use using the resources available at Deakin's Careers Resource Room.
- I have contacted relevant employers and Deakin staff members including my course lecturers to discuss the possibility of their becoming my referees.
- I have spoken with a DSL Careers Careers Counsellor about the possibilities for my future.
- I have learnt how I can be Job Ready to increase the chances of achieving my career goals.
- I have visited the Career Development and Employment website for information on different types of jobs and opportunities that will build up my skills and knowledge.
- I have researched companies and organisations in my home country and have found and explored five useful websites in relation to possible employment in my home country.
- I am aware that I can continue to access the services and information offered by Career Development and Employment for up to 12 months after I leave Deakin by applying for a username and password.
- I have registered at Hobsons to receive information on graduate recruitment and education opportunities in Australia and around the world.
A printable copy of this checklist (33 KB) is available for handy reference.
Source: Prepared by Career Development and Employment.
Revised September 2006, updated March 2007
