36 www.graduateopportunities.com >> career advice


so you missed out?


Learning from rejection Even if your application is unsuccessful, you can benefit from the process and use this to your advantage in future applications. Focusing on your strengths is important when bouncing back from rejection – something that will happen to most of us at various times in our career.


Reviewing your approach If you are receiving rapid rejections without being offered an interview, you may need to review the type of jobs you are applying for, and the quality of your written application.


Make sure you meet the required qualifications or academic average.


Ensure the position is suitable for a recent graduate.


Tailor every application to clearly show you meet and understand the job requirements.


Your résumé and application should be well-presented, professional and free of spelling and grammatical errors.


Ensure your cover letter adds to your application and the tone is appropriate.


Demonstrate an understanding of the organisation and/or industry.


Address the selection criteria, with reference to relevant experience, skills and knowledge. Highlight all skills and job-related qualities.


Match your terminology and language to the job advertisement to ensure your application is identified by keyword software that some employers use.


If you think you’re doing all the right things, it might simply be a case of persevering. Few people land their dream job after one attempt. However, if you are unsure about your application style, consult an expert for feedback. This could include a university or private careers consultant, or a recruiter.


If you are being invited to interviews, take that as confirmation that your written application is hitting the mark!


Post-interview If you do reach the interview stage but don’t advance further in the selection process, try to obtain feedback on your performance. Note that some companies have a policy of not providing feedback.


If the organisation will provide feedback, remember: Enter the conversation in a positive frame of mind: feedback is being offered to help you, not criticise you.


Don’t be defensive or try to make excuses.


Listen to what the employer has to say, take notes, and reflect on it later.


Thank the employer for their time. You never know when your paths may cross again!


The graduate job market can be a tough, competitive battleground. You need to know how to make your value stand out to an employer among other applicants, and make that message clear at each stage of the process.


1-2-3... Within three years of graduating, more than four in five bachelor degree graduates indicated that they were in employment which they felt was related to their long-term career goals. Beyond Graduation 2009, GCA; Australian citizens and permanent residents only.


Review every rejection, work out what you can do differently next time, and move on. A ‘job journal’ documenting key details of each application can be a helpful tool in this process. Remember, there is a wealth of information and resources to help you ace the job search process, including online, via your university careers service or professional association, and this book – just to name a few. Follow these steps and though you’ll still lose some battles, you should win the war!


This article contains edited extracts from a piece by Careers & Employment, University of Melbourne, that first appeared in Graduate Opportunities 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