Building your skills and connections

Work experience is highly valued by graduate recruiters as it helps you develop non-technical skills such as communication and teamwork. Work experience is also a great way to try out different employers and industries to see which best fits what you’re looking for.

You can find out more about what opportunities could be available by:

• reading Looking for Work [.pdf]
• finding out more about Earn While You Learn
• checking UniHub for opportunities
• checking other jobs boards and company websites

If you still can’t find work experience to suit your interests, you may need to create your own opportunity. You can find out more about approaching employers directly by:

• reading Cold Canvassing [.pdf]
• completing the Stop Googling, Start Networking module as part of The Skilled Professional

Combining work and travel allows you to explore new experiences and gain new skills, with many employers valuing the international perspective that these experiences can help you develop.

You can find out more about working overseas by:

• reading Working Overseas [.pdf]
• checking Global Careers for international opportunities
• browsing GoinGlobal for individual country guides

As many jobs are never advertised, there could be lots of opportunities that you may never hear about. By creating a dialogue with people “in the know”, online or in person, you’ll be much more informed about which career options will suit you best, as well as how to access work opportunities that never make it to public advertisement.

You can find out more about how to start conversations, ask for information, and build connections by:

• reading Informational Interviews [.pdf]
• watching The Informational Interview
• taking the Stop Googling, Start Networking Careers Challenge
• browsing the LinkedIn resources on UniHub

Finding a mentor who is currently working in an industry similar to your career interest is a fantastic way to gain valuable knowledge and insight in preparation for your transition into graduate employment.

You can find out about the industry mentoring by:

• Industry mentoring program

Unsure how to write a professional email or organise a meeting with your new or prospective work colleagues? Keen to find out how emotionally intelligent you are?

You can find out more about how to make a great impression, manage your reputation, and build professional relationships by:

• taking the Boosting your Professionalism Careers Challenge
• taking the Drive your Career Careers Challenge
• taking the What is your Personal Brand? Careers Challenge

Keen to find out what it takes to drive a successful business? Considering starting your own business or full of innovative ideas on how to grow a business? Innovation, creativity and risk-taking are central to successful businesses.

You can find out more about entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial mindsets, and which best suits you by:

• taking the Entrepreneurship Careers Challenge
• taking the Intrapreneurship Careers Challenge