The document outlines a seminar on succeeding at job applications and interviews, detailing effective resume writing and cover letter creation. Key points include tailoring resumes to specific jobs, presenting achievements, addressing key selection criteria, and preparing for interviews using the STAR method. It emphasizes the importance of research, preparation, and non-verbal communication in the interview process.

1. Career Ready Program
Seminar 4: Succeeding at Job
Applications and Interviews
Career Development Centre
La Trobe University

2. Resumes & Cover Letters

3. Resumes
• Marketing document (it needs to set you apart)
• It needs to be targeted to the specific job & organisation
• Uses skills/achievement statements (evidence) to highlight
competencies
3

4. Resumes: The Facts
Your résumé will be one of many (10, 50, 100, 1000) received
by an employer or university for a position
Time taken to read each résumé: 20-30 seconds
Questions to ask yourself:
• Does your resume match the position & organisation you
are applying to?
• What evidence in your résumé helps you stand out?
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE | La Trobe University 4

5. Resume Presentation
Guidelines:
• 2 – 3 pages for graduates
• Most important information on the first page
• Reverse chronological order
Remember, your resume is your primary marketing
document
5

6. What to include
• Personal Details
• Education & Training
• Placements
• Employment
• Skills
• Achievements
• Professional Memberships
• Extra-curricular Activities & Interests
• Referees
6

7. How to write an effective resume
What are the skills required of the position and how can
you demonstrate that you have them?
• Name the skill, your level of competency, where/how you
developed the skill
• Don‟t include skills without providing evidence
• Use short statements that start with action words
• Eg. „Excellent organisational skills developed through
planning community activities for Diabetes Week for past
two years’
7

8. Highlighting Achievements
Where possible, highlight your achievements
Examples of achievements:
• Promotions
• Being part of a team that …
• Winning an award or prize
• Good results in exams or assessments
• Customer service / quality awards
• Outside-work achievements – raising money for charity,
being elected to a committee
• Captaining a sports team
8

9. Cover Letters
Purpose of a cover letter:
1. An example of your writing skills
2. Letter of introduction
3. Selling your skills, abilities, attributes
4. Explain how you match the requirements of the job &
organisation
9

10. Cover Letter Tips
Personally address the letter
• Use a clear font, no less than 12
points
• Use left align (not full align) as it is
easier to read
• Insert a scanned copy of your
signature in cover letters that will be
sent electronically
Sign the letter, include your
contact details
(address, email, mobile, home phone)
10

11. Key Selection Criteria

12. What are Key Selection Criteria?
• KSC describe the personal qualities, skills, abilities,
knowledge and qualifications a person needs to perform
the role effectively
• Used by employers to objectively identify the right person
for the job
• Applicants‟ responses are rated against individual criteria
and best applicants are offered an interview or progression
to next round of selection process
12

13. Example KSC
13

14. How to respond to KSC
Check the method preferred by the employer:
• Document addressing individual KSC
(traditional method)
• Summary response to all KSC
(word limits may apply)
• Answer a „behavioural question‟ in an online application or
paper based application form
14

15. Getting Started
• Analyse each criterion to identify the skills and attributes
being rated – individual criterion may contain several
components (eg. „verbal & written communication skills‟)
• Think of scenarios from work, study, volunteering, sports
and other activities that could be used to illustrate your skill
• Use a different example for each criterion where possible
15

16. Use the STAR method
16

17. What if you lack experience?
If you cannot provide an example to address a criterion:
• Think about the competence the employer is interested in
(e.g., problem solving, teamwork, etc), perhaps you can
give an example from a non-work experience
• Is there another way of demonstrating that skill or how you
intend to develop it?
• Could you describe how you would react in a similar
situation?
17

18. Interviews

19. Purpose of the Job Interview
The employer’s objective: to attract and appoint the best
applicant for the organisation
• Can you do the job? (skills, qualifications, experience)
• Will you do the job? (motivation, attitudes, career goals)
• Will you fit in? (cultural match)
19

20. Interview preparation (insert picture – professional attire)
 Research the organisation and job
 Prepare and practise answers to possible questions
 Plan what you‟re going to wear
 Plan your journey so you arrive on time
 Prepare some questions to ask them
 Gather documents to take with you
20

21. Tips for the start of the interview
When you arrive, remember you are making an impression
on everyone you come in contact with
 Turn off your mobile phone
 Try to relax!
 Greet interviewer(s) and shake hands
 Listen attentively
 Engage in „small talk‟
21

22. Tips for during the interview
What you say
 Give specific examples to support your claims
 Avoid one word answers
 Seek clarification if you don‟t understand a question
 Present information in a positive light
22

23. Non-Verbal Communication
According to a survey of 1000 recruiters 75% of interviews
are lost within three minutes of the candidate entering the
room
• 25% of interviewers were put off by a weak handshake or lack of eye
contact
• 24% by poor body language
• 18% by poor posture (e.g. slumped shoulders suggests lack of
confidence) or presence
• Only 20% waited until the middle of the interview to judge a candidate
on their knowledge of the industry and aptitude for the job
23

24. Behavioural Interview Questions
• Past behaviour is a predictor of future behaviour
• Used to assess job related competencies
e.g., communication skills; teamwork; problem solving
• Demonstrates employability skills
e.g., “Describe a situation when you‟ve; worked in a team, found a
solution to a problem, demonstrated initiative, dealt effectively with
conflict” etc
• Preparation is crucial and expected
• Expect follow-up questions
24

25. Preparing for Behavioural Questions
 Review the selection criteria or key competencies required
for the role
 Research or think of questions related to each
competency
 Prepare examples. Think of examples that draw on a
range of experiences – study, work, voluntary activities,
sport and recreation, clubs and societies
 Use recent and relevant examples
 Apply the STAR method for each question
 Practice responding to questions. Become confident in
using your examples
25

26. At the End of the Interview
• Return to unanswered questions or add anything you feel
has been overlooked
• Ask questions you prepared beforehand
• Ask about the next stage in the process
• Smile, thank the interviewer(s) for their time, shake hands
• It‟s not over until you‟re out of sight!
26

27. Next steps
• LMS readings for „applications and interviews‟ module
• Update your resume; use the resume checklist in the
PebblePad workbook
27

28. Thank you
Connect with us via:
Web: latrobe.edu.au/students/careers
Facebook: facebook.com/LaTrobeCareers
Twitter: @LTUcareers
Email: careers@latrobe.edu.au