32 www.graduateopportunities.com >> career advice


interview tips


Prepare thoroughly Preparation is critical to how well you perform. Employers are continually amazed at the number of applicants who reveal they do not know the basic facts about the industry, profession, organisation or job.


Know the job Be clear about the details of the position, especially the selection criteria. Request a position description if one hasn’t been provided, and if possible speak to someone doing similar work.


Know the organisation Learn specifics about the company, for example key products, services and activities; recent events to impact the organisation; size; strategic direction. Employers look for applicants who demonstrate genuine interest in the organisation. Good sources include annual reports, websites, business directories, trade journals and professional associations.


Be clear about what you offer Have a range of practical examples ready which demonstrate your skills, abilities, personal qualities and experience. For example, you may have been promoted to store manager in your part-time retail job. This demonstrates leadership, interpersonal skills and your ability to accept responsibility.


Anticipate questions There is no way you can predict exactly what interview questions you’ll be asked, but preparing answers to likely questions can help clarify points in your own mind. Memorising answers is not the way to go, but anticipating possible questions can help refine and clarify the way you articulate skills, experience and qualities. Think of a range of examples to support your answers. You don’t want to simply tell the panel you have skill X; you want to prove it with concrete examples.


The above article contains edited extracts of RMIT University’s ‘Interviews FACT sheet’ by Michelle Maes, previously available on the CD&E website (www.rmit.edu.au).


For more information on interviews, including sample questions and techniques, visit the ‘career advice’ section of the GO website and talk to your university careers advisor.


> 175,000


graduates completed a course of study at an Australian higher education institution in 2009. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations 2009.


application timeline


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