Developing employability at University

1. Developing employability at University • What happens at Uni? Fun, friends, finances, study, different structure – all new! • Time goes quickly - so make the most of opportunities to get involved • Competitive job market - be prepared

2. Question? What kind of skills do you think employers might be looking for?

3. Key employability skills • Communication • Team Work • Problem-Solving • Initiative and Enterprise • Planning and Organising • Self-management • On-going learning • Leadership • Technology • Creativity • Cultural Understanding • Entrepreneurship

4. NZ Work Culture 20 hours student visa Friendly, approachable people Relaxed but appropriate business dress Shake hands and will ask ‘how are you’ Make appointments and keep them – on time Business hours are usually 8.30 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday Kiwis work hard and will often do more Work place often has a social side Multicultural Small businesses/start-ups/government

5. Preparing yourself for work • Careers Service • CareerHub • Study related p/t jobs • Volunteer work • Leadership programmes • Language skills

6. How Victoria students gain skills and experience • Enhancing your degree – Get Involved • Student Leader positions Vic Crew Disability Services Volunteers • Leadership programmes: Victoria International Leadership Programme The Victoria Plus Award • Volunteer Wellington

7. Get Involved

8. Wellington employers New Zealand’s Capital of Cool! Busy city – Tourists; students; government Service city – café culture; nightlife Government, business, the arts, science, entrepreneurs and small business thrive in remarkable proximity and with a generous spirit of co-operation • NZ employers expect high quality CV and Cover Letter • Applications could be online or email a CV. Remember you can approach directly

9. CareerHub

10. Tips looking for work • Don’t rely only on advertised jobs (many are never advertised) • Develop your networks • Volunteer. Volunteer Wellington can help you gain practical work skills • Find a mentor: someone you can learn from, who is direct and honest with you and who wants you to achieve your employment goals • Job sites: CareerHub; Student Job Search; Seek; Trade-me Looking for work – handout

11. Tips for applications • Think about how you will organise multiple job applications. You will need to be able to instantly find the documents for each job that you apply for. • Download and save the job description – remember that companies remove job information once applications have closed. • Read through it carefully and highlight key points. • Prepare the cover letter and CV in MS Word. See our publication Career Essentials: Preparing a CV/Resume and Cover Letters. CV templates are available on Victoria CareerHub in addition to many sample CVs and covering letters.

12. Interview tips • Be well groomed. Think about what you will wear, your body language and the first greeting. Aim to score top points for that first impression • Initiate or at least fully respond to small talk • Practice answering interview questions with a confident English speaker. • Employers usually want you to use examples from your life or work to prove that you have the skills they are seeking. Be cautious. There may be a significant cultural difference affecting how a situation you describe would be dealt with in NZ • Make sure that you are confident using workplace vocabulary and can pronounce the name of the organisation and the job title correctly • Be aware of any body language that may be natural to you but may give an employer a negative impression

13. Vic Careers here to help • Workshops – and specific for English as a second language • Expos • CV check drop in • Careers consultation • HU 120 Hunter Building and Pipitea drop-in

14. Transition from University • What can I do with my degree? CareerViews Annual Graduate destinations • Further Study • Graduate recruitment programmes • Graduate jobs