Too often job seekers think ‘background research’ means
doing some internet surfing the night before an interview,
but there is much more to it than that. Doing your homework
is an essential part of effective job seeking.
Information gathering
Background research is about gathering the latest facts and
figures related to your future career. Equipping yourself with
this valuable information will improve your application and
interview performance and enable you to make better career
choices. Areas to research include:

c
P Recent history and likely direction of relevant industry/
sectors

c
P Major players in the industry and how they compare

c
P Graduate recruitment details of potential employers (such
as, how many graduates do they take on, how do they
recruit etc)

c
P High-demand or growth areas in the graduate job market

c
P Leaders in the field and people you could contact for
advice and mentoring

c
P Industry or professional events and conferences

c
P Career path options
Sources
Part of the research process is finding the right information
resources. Below are some commonly used sources:

c
P www.graduatecareers.com.au

c
P www.gradsonline.com.au

c
P University careers service

c
P Internet jobs sites and search engines

ToP 3 Ways GRaduaTEs Who FouNd
c
P Newspapers (many have pages devoted to specific
EMPloyMENT FIRsT hEaRd abouT ThEIR
industries/sectors on particular days of the week)
EMPloyMENT

c
P Reputable journals/magazines in your industry or
-- Graduate Destinations 2007, GCA
profession

c
P University departments, faculties and alumni offices
18
%
16
%

c
P Professional associations and industry bodies
InTERnET UnIvERSITy SoURCES

c
P Your personal network
Graduate Opportunities 2009
13
%
fAMILy oR fRIEnDS
Resea
be prepared
rch...
12
w w w . g r a d u a t e o p p o r t u n i t i e s . c o m
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108