Life after university....

1. Life after university.... Getting a job after your undergraduate course.

2. Finding the job for you.... • Target jobs that speak to your strongest skills and that you think you’ll enjoy • a pay packet won’t usually keep you interested for long • If you like your job you generally be good at your job and you’ll advance faster • Academia, Research, Business, Finance, Mining, Defence, Government, Teaching, Medical Physics, Patent Attorney, Technical Writer, Programming, Automation Engineering, Management Consulting..... • Go and see a recruitment agent that specifically deals with the job areas that interest you.

3. Getting your foot through the interview door... • Write a very concise, catchy cover letter. • Don’t repeat what is in your resume • Keep it short, 2 paragraphs is sufficient. • Google for ideas (but don’t plagiarise) • Again!!! Target jobs that speak to your strongest skills and that you think you’ll enjoy • Interviewers won’t waste their time interviewing someone without the correct qualifications/history. • Don’t expect a ‘Cinderella/fairy godmother’ interview • Always target your resume • You should have a few different CVs prepared for the different types of jobs that interest you. • Google for ideas

4. Your Curriculum Vitae/Resume • Your CV or Resume is the first point of contact with prospective employers • Make a good impression (no spelling mistakes, or format changes mid-CV) • Look at a lot of other technical CVs - friends family, internet. • Try to avoid having lots of ‘lost time’ on your CV – you will be asked about it • Always target both the style and content of your CV to the job at hand, e.g. • for any research jobs, emphasise your independent development of scientific theories during lab sessions, a very plain style is appropriate. • for technical writing point out your ability to construct concise, accurate documentation, a more creative style format could be used. • etc • Resume • Just the highlights pertaining to the position • Relevant Education and Employment history • Curriculum Vitae • Detailed summary of your professional history • Usually divided into education and employment history sections • Typically reverse chronological order

5. What to bring with you... • A copy of the CV you sent in to them • A copy of your University transcripts (for recent graduates) • An example (or two) of your technical writing • eg. Honours thesis, lab report, essay assignment (being able to adequately communicate in written form is key) • Pen and Paper • Ask if they require anything else when they call to setup the interview • If they require you to sign an NDA try to get access to it prior to the first interview so you have time to read it. • Knowledge of who will be interviewing you • Ask when they call to arrange the interview • Your Confidence!

6. First interview.... • IF you’re sufficiently good, what you wear won’t matter, BUT are you willing to risk it? • When in doubt overdress – Business attire is usually the safe choice. • Try to relax and be yourself Potential employers know you’ll be nervous and will usually try to set you at ease. • Typical introductory questions • ‘Tell us a little about yourself’ • Don’t provide too much personal information • Limit non -relevant discussion (eg. Xbox 360/Facebook) • ‘What do you enjoy most about science/astronomy/etc ?’ • ‘I don’t know’ doesn’t work well here. • ‘Can you take us through your CV/Resume?’ • Be complete but concise, they’ll ask for more details as required. • ‘What do you know about our company?’ • Always do your homework • If you’re interested in the job, make sure you tell them at the end of the interview - Don’t fawn!

7. Interviews in general... • Question time - • Answer questions as clearly as you can • Clarify the question if you’re not sure • If required, ask about the general background of the interviewers • Enthusiasm for your subject matter is easily spotted, be involved • Feel free to take a few liberties in answering their questions to discuss • Recently reported (relevant) scientific developments • Relevant ancilliary side interests not on your CV/Resume • Ensure you have a couple of relevant questions to ask at the end of an interview – (though they may not be able to answer them fully) • Difficult questions • Don’t try to bluff the interviewer – they’ll usually have a stronger grounding in the area. Don’t be afraid to say ‘I don’t know’, (though try to avoid answering every question that way). • The interviewer will often push you outside your comfort zone to see how much detailed knowledge you have – stay calm and take your time to think before you answer. • Try to avoid getting defensive, they’re pushing you to find out how you deal with pressure.

8. Further interviews? • Usually there will be at least two interviews prior to being offered the job • The first with HR or with your immediate boss and team members • The second with higher level management (There can be up to four interviews....) • By the end of the first interview make sure you understand • the number of interviews you’ll be required to undergo to get the position • The type of environment you’ll be working in • The approximate demographic of your work environment • Who your direct superior would be • How they intend to contact you to let you know the outcome or set up another interview • When they intend to contact you to let you know the outcome or set up another interview

9. Further interviews? • By the beginning of the last interview make sure you have a good idea of • What the job entails on a daily basis • Who you would be working for and with • What salary/package/conditions you would be hoping to negotiate • What the avenues for potential career advancement may be (if any) • Travel opportunities (if any) • If they offer you the job • Know whether you want it, or ask them any questions still left unanswered • Feel free to request some time to consider their offer (if you do this, make sure they know you’re _very_ interested) • What if you’re waiting to hear about another (preferred) position? • Either ask for a couple of days to consider their offer and contact the other job to determine what their timeframe would be • Or explain the situation to them. • Be careful! Some employers don’t want to be strung along, others will wait.

10. Good Luck! Getting a job after your undergraduate course.