Enhancing Your Employability Skills While You Study

You are not too early to prepare for your employability in your first year of study.
Below is a list of tips and activities for you, as a student, to start developing your career path.

First Year

• Begin the self-assessment phase.
• Identify your interests, employability skills and values.
• Begin to identify various career outcomes from your degree.
• Talk to a course adviser about your choice of major.
• Develop a strategy for overcoming any gaps in your career plan.
• Visit the careers and employment centre on your campus and find out about part-time or vacation work opportunities.
• Identify and participate in campus activities e.g. Open Day.

Second Year

• Begin (or continue) involvement with student organisations, volunteer work and/or part-time employment.
• Be alert to opportunities to develop new skills and interests.
• Try to develop leadership experience and teamwork skills.
• Make an appointment to see a career counsellor about possible future career options.
• Investigate and undertake work experience (paid or unpaid) in your choice of career area(s). Apply for vacation work.
• Identify the practical requirements for entering your choice of career e.g. minimum number of weeks experience or supervision, exams etc.
• Write your resume to showcase your employability skills and other relevant qualifications. Have your resume checked by a career counsellor during the resume checking hour.

Third Year and Fourth Year

• Maintain your participation in extra-curricular activities to enhance your employability skills.
• Decide whether or not you are going to consider further study or seek employment. Considering further study?
• Visit the student information centre for information about further study options.
• Speak to your lecturer(s) for further information and ideas.
• Contact institutions for information and application forms at least one month before the closing date. Considering employment?
• Consult graduate opportunities for information about recruitment programs run by a number of organisations.
• Apply for vacation work in case you don’t have any other work.
• Attend careers and employment seminars on job seeking, resume writing and interview skills.
• Update and refine your resume and have your resume checked by a careers counsellor.
• Obtain references from academic staff who know you well.
• Attend employer information sessions, employment fairs and career expos.
• Research employers using the resources of the careers and employment centre and informational interviews.
• Actively get involved in professional networking events
• Check out the Graduate Careers Australia website, recruitment agencies and other career resources.

Discuss with our career consultants at NotedCareers to explore your career options and define your career objectives!