RESUMES AND INTERVIEWS
A common problem that many migrants face is unfamiliarity with the Australian recruitment process.
Australian employers use two main methods to short-list applicants for interview – a résumé/curriculum vitae (CV) and a cover letter/letter of application.
Résumés
- No more than three pages, listing education, employment history, relevant experience, skills, personal qualities and carefully selected interests and achievements.
- Avoid paragraphs and keep language concise.
- Keep it ‘clean and clear’ – not cluttered with too many fonts and symbols.
- Place degree/s first, followed by the name of the institution.
- Place all information in reverse chronological order.
- Early secondary school experience is not of great interest.
- Help employers see whether you will fit in to their organisation by highlighting relevant interests and activities, such as playing team sports to show teamwork and cooperation, and voluntary work to show values and community spirit.
- Include the names and contact details of at least two referees. Try to have at least one local name, perhaps a university lecturer or tutor who is prepared to speak on your behalf.
Cover letter
- No more than one page. Highlight what you have to offer and how you match selection criteria. Give brief examples of skills and experience to demonstrate that you ‘fit’ the job.
- Observe letter writing conventions, placing your name and contact details, the details of the person to whom you are writing, the date and any reference numbers on the top left of the page.
- Address the person by their title and their family name, not their given name. For example, ‘Dear Ms Brown’, not ‘Dear Jenny Brown’ or ‘Dear Ms Jenny’. Check that you know which is the family name.
- This is your chance to stand out and to highlight the qualities that make you the best person for the job – do not be modest and shy.
- Use verbs to express what you have actually done. For example, ‘Designed a system to produce reports efficiently while working at Bloggs and Co’.
- Avoid clichés and expressions that may be read as insincere and ‘sucking up’! Rather than using terms such as ‘your esteemed company’, simply say ‘this well respected company’ or ‘I would appreciate your time’ rather than ‘your most valuable and precious time’.
- You may not hear for up to four weeks after submitting your application. You will either be called to come for an interview or you will receive a letter explaining that you have been unsuccessful in your application.
The interview
- You may be interviewed by one person, a panel of two or more people or over the telephone, if a personal interview cannot be arranged. You may have to attend an assessment centre to complete tasks individually or in groups.
- You should dress neatly and for business. Women do not have to wear skirts, but should dress
appropriately for the organisation. Tone down loud make up and jewellery. - On meeting, men are expected to give a firm, but not too forceful, handshake. Women usually indicate whether they wish to shake hands.
- Show your personality in the interview and speak up clearly and with confidence. Be formal but show humour and try to be relaxed.
- Avoid strong food (spices, garlic etc) or cigarette smells. Too much cologne or perfume can be equally unpleasant.
- Make sure you clothes are neat and ironed and that your hair is clean and shiny, not greasy.
- Make eye contact with the interviewer to signify interest and attention. While this may be considered rude in other cultures, in Australia LACK of eye contact is often interpreted as meaning that the person is untrustworthy or inattentive.
- Nod affirmatively to show that you are listening and understand what is being said. In Australia this is done by nodding up and down. In some countries nodding affirmatively may involve a side to side movement. In Australia this means “no”.
- If you don’t understand a question or piece of information, it’s okay to ask the interviewer to clarify or repeat the information e.g. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that, can you repeat it for me?”. You can also repeat the information and then ask “Is that correct?”.
- Don’t interrupt the interviewer while they are speaking. If you want to make a point, ask a question or offer an opinion on an issue it’s generally okay to do so as long as you are polite and respectful and don’t directly contradict the interviewer.
Links
Some links to other websites that may help….
Slideshare webinars on Australian Workplace Culture http://www.slideshare.net/ursula_walker
http://www.topmargin.com
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/job-interview/
http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/interviews/a/jobinterviewtip.htm
http://www.employmentguide.com/careeradvice/Interview_Tips.html
http://www.kellyservices.com.au/web/au/services/en/pages/careers_intervi…
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resumes/Resumes.htm
http://www.careerfaqs.com.au/free_resumes_intro.shtml
http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/05/body-language-mistakes-interview-leader…
http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/05/employment-search-headhunters-recruiter…
