Category: News

Careers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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Are you an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-university graduate looking for a dynamic and rewarding career in a high profile organisation?

When you work with the Department of Home Affairs, you are part of a diverse and dynamic workforce dedicated to keeping Australia prosperous, secure and united. The Department of Home Affairs offers graduates a range of interesting opportunities and unique experiences.

The the Department of Home Affairs’ Graduate Development Program offers a variety of hands-on experiences with formal development opportunities over the duration of the 12 month program. Graduates experience various workplace rotations within the Department to build a diverse range of skills and knowledge.

This program also offers access to a great support network of managers and Senior Executive Services Officers (SES) and participation in internal and external activities such as:

  • Secretary’s book club
  • Graduate projects
  • Refugee week grad bake-off
  • ASPC Graduate events
  • Graduation ceremony

Find out more here: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers/working-with-us/careers-for-indigenous-australians

Are You Prepared for an Executive-level Interview?

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Preparation is the key when a job interview requires intensive attention to detail. The interview process for an executive-level position is much more thorough than entry-level or mid-level in which both levels focus more on your ability to complete a task or responsibility.

On the other hand, an executive interview directs attention to your leadership skills and how you might be a good fit for a company’s culture. Do you have the ability to contribute to a company or organisation as a whole?

Therefore, it is essential to prepare for an executive-level interview before undergoing evaluation and scrutiny. 

5 Tips to Prepare You for an Executive-level Interview

1. Research the company

Learn about the company as well as its people – the current executives. Look at the company’s website, any updates on their social media platforms, and any statistics and revenue numbers. The more you know about the company, the more competent you prove to be to the people interviewing you.

2. Prepare for the interview questions

Being prepared for questions that you may encounter during your executive interview will help you boost your confidence. The following are common questions that will be asked during your executive interview.

  • How would you describe your management style?
  • Why are you interested in our company? 
  • What do you think makes you a good fit for this position? 
  • What is the first thing you would do if hired?
  • What’s your communication style? 
  • What is your strategy for increasing company revenue?
  • How would you react to your employees for wins and losses?
  • How would you sell an idea?
  • What would you do to help improve workplace culture?
  • What are the best strategies you use to motivate a team?

3. Share your experience(s)

You can talk about the number of projects or the number of people you managed previously. Have a few interesting stories that emphasise your critical skills. But practice well and build the confidence you need to relay these experiences. Use the STAR interview response technique to share anecdotes without getting too wordy.

4. Don’t hesitate to ask questions

Come prepared with a few specific questions to ask at the end of the interview that showcases your interest in the position and helps you decide if it is the right fit for you.

5. Dress the part

Bear in mind that executives are of much higher standards than entry-level or lower-level employees. Whether it is a virtual interview or a face-to-face one, you should be well-dressed and well-groomed. Dressing up as a professional can convey your understanding of the standards and expectations of the company.

Things to avoid doing in an executive-level interview:

  • Dressing inappropriately and neglecting hygiene
  • Getting to the interview late or too early
  • Eating or drinking during the interview
  • Checking your phone
  • Knowing nothing about the job or company
  • Lying on your resume
  • Rambling and talking too much
  • Losing focus during the interview
  • Speaking negatively about past jobs
  • Lacking enthusiasm or acting rudely
  • Forgetting your resume
  • Discussing personal topics
  • Displaying negative body language
  • Posting on social media

To sum it all up, preparation beforehand and appropriate demeanour during the interview are significant to achieving the most positive interviewing experience possible. You and the interviewer must engage in a meaningful conversation, exchanging information and ideas. Only by such a dialogue can you and the interviewer can determine if you, the organisation, and the job are well-matched.

Again, preparation is the key.

WHAT TO WEAR TO A JOB INTERVIEW

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Dressing professionally at your interview can actually convince your prospective employer that you’re serious and a great fit for the position. But the challenge is not knowing the kind of attire that will persuade or dissuade an interviewer that you can dress the part when given the job.
Therefore, you want to present yourself as a consummate professional with impeccable grooming – defined by attention to detail. You need to consider every single aspect of your appearance.

Here’s your guide to deciding what to wear to a job interview:

Tip #1 – Research the company

Be familiar with the company’s dress code by obtaining the relevant information from its social media accounts or its website. You can even show initiative and call the HR Department to ask about the dress code. This action demonstrates your eagerness to succeed in the interview.

Tip #2 – Dress According to the Industry (examples)

  • The Corporate Industry (finance, healthcare, sales sectors) – often requires men to wear a suit and either a pantsuit or a tailored business dress for women. 
  • Media or Creative Industries – Your personality is possibly your biggest asset for the job. So, you can show it through a patterned outfit or unique accessories.
  • Retail Industry – management will always look favourably on a potential employee who wears the store’s products, or dresses on-trend, to the job interview. 
  • Hospitality, Trade, Childcare Industry – However, business casual attire is usually the best, or safest, option. Business casual is less formal than traditional business wear but gives a professional and businesslike impression. It is more dressy than jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers, yet less formal than a suit and tie.

Tip #3 – Accessorise

Tie your outfit together with accessories that help you look confident and professional. Thus, spend time considering what works with your chosen interview outfit. 

Ideally, your accessories should be subtle and should complement your whole look. When wearing accessories to an interview, follow the classic rule: Less is more.

What NOT to Wear to a Job Interview

The way you dress up makes the best first impression possible. There are some you should avoid for your next interview. Regardless of the industry, the following items are deemed unprofessional:

  • Open-toed shoes, sneakers, and runners
  • Dated Fashion
  • Wacky or Novelty Ties
  • Thin-strapped singlet, muscle shirts for men, and casual slogan t-shirts
  • Jewellery that is too bright or too noisy
  • Shorts
  • Visible undergarments
  • Crop tops, blouses, and dresses with plunging necklines
  • Overpowering perfume and cologne
  • Chipped or bright nail polish
  • Wrinkled clothing

In conclusion, what you choose to wear will vary depending on the type of job and company. Dress to make the best impression. But be aware that the outfit you choose depends on whether you’re interviewing at a company with a formal dress code, a casual startup, or an informal summer job or internship.

The goal is to not let your outfit detract from the focus on the interview which is you, your work experience, and how you would be the best fit for the job you want.


NEW YEAR, NEW JOB!

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If you are amongst the many Australians who resolved to get a new government job in 2019, count yourself part of a very large section of the population. Setting a career goal is great, but keeping a New Year’s resolution is a challenge. As with any goal, the first step to success is entering your New Year’s job search with a plan. Compare devising your job-search blueprint to the most popular resolution, weight loss.

A common misconception about job hunting is successful methods are universal. However, like a weight-loss regimen, what works for one person is not guaranteed to work for another. Take the carpeting method of job hunting. Perhaps you are in a rut at your current position and just want something, anything new. You are willing to take on a different challenge whatever it may be and apply to dozens of positions to that end.

Your chances of getting an interview increase with the more resumes you send out, much like a crash diet or boot-camp workout routine will help you shed pounds. However, much like the strict diet and exercise plan, carpeting prospective employers can lead to fatigue quickly.

If you resolve to find any new job in the public service, be prepared to regularly craft different cover letters and tailor your resume to the specific position for which you are applying. Lazily sending the same resume and a template cover letter when applying for numerous jobs diminishes your odds at an interview, so commit to doing the work necessary to update your documents many times. In order to avoid burnout, begin with a list of jobs you would do and jobs you absolutely won’t consider. Why bother applying and interviewing if you have no interest, when you’ll be stuck right back in the rut? I would also suggest speaking to the contact person and finding out what they are specifically looking for and whether it’s a newly created role.

Next, determine the basement pay grade in the public service at which you will leave your current position. Lastly, are you willing to move? And if so, once you have these categories defined, your pool of prospective employers of government agencies becomes more manageable, but still wide enough to see results. Searching for a specific job is much more of a slow burn. Say your New Year’s job resolution is landing that dream gig you envisioned yourself having as a teenage. Much like slimming down to your college weight, getting your dream job won’t happen overnight.

Entering into this kind of job search requires a detailed blueprint, which starts with a thorough description of the position’s responsibilities. Perhaps you need a skill you have not yet cultivated in the workforce, in which case you can consider community college or certified online courses.

Also spend as much time crafting the perfect resume and cover letter. Since you are seeking just one job, there’s no reason your portfolio shouldn’t be 100% tailored to this dream gig. Highlight every strength that might be of use in this role, and consider unique means of promoting yourself. Perhaps include short video testimonials from colleagues and supervisors, which your prospective employer can easily access, like a DropBox file or private YouTube account.

Once you set the right foundation, your New Year’s job search becomes more manageable. Best of luck finding that public service career in 2019.

JOIN THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE

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There are several ways to join the Navy, Army or Air Force and some jobs can have more than one entry method.You’ll find many excellent career options in the Navy, Army and Air Force that don’t require experience or qualifications. For these positions, you’ll receive all the training you need, be paid while you train and you could earn industry-recognised qualifications. While you are not required to have completed Year 12 to join, it’s best to check each job page for specific entry and education requirements.

 

QUICK ELIGIBILITY CHECK

  • Our needs vary by role, but if you can tick all the following boxes you’ve met the basic requirements for the Navy, Army or Air Force.
  • You need to be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF, although permanent residents may be considered for some positions.
  • These are application ages but you need to be at least 17 when you enter the ADF. Min. and max. ages vary by role.
  • To achieve the minimum security clearance you must have lived in Australia or have a check-able background for the past ten years.
  • I have passed Year 10 English and Maths. This is the minimum entry-level requirement.
  • For certain roles, you may need to a hold current licence to perform your duties, such as a trade, plant, machinery or manual driver’s licence.
  • You’ll need to pass a physical fitness test before you join, but we’ll give you some tips to help you prepare.

Find out more at www.defencejobs.gov.au 

CAREERS AT THE ATO

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At the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), you’ll do work you can’t do anywhere else. Work that is meaningful, diverse, challenging and makes a real difference to the lives of Australians, contributes to their economic and social well-being. Deliver a client experience that defies expectations. Design solutions that turn problems upside down. Build cutting-edge systems that engage, and make it easier to do the right thing than it is to do the wrong. Shape the way legislation is interpreted and applied, and influence new policy. Test yourself against the best minds in your field, not just here but on a global stage.

 

At the ATO, our people have vision. They’re building a leading tax and superannuation administration known for contemporary service, expertise and integrity. They are committed, innovative, and their achievements are celebrated. They are diverse, too – as diverse as the work we do – and they’re empowered, collaborating across boundaries, engaging with our clients and partners to deliver real outcomes. In addition to the chance to do work you can’t do anywhere else, the ATO offers the following:

 

  • competitive salaries and 15.4% superannuation
  • flexible work arrangements to provide the best work/life balance for you
  • generous leave with the ability to purchase more
  • an opportunity-rich environment where you can take charge of your career and go somewhere unexpected

Search current ATO jobs at www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/Careers/