Writing your job application
When you apply for a job, you will usually need to send a résumé and a cover letter.
In most cases, you should deliver a unique set of documents for every job application. A résumé and cover letter tailored to a specific position and company is more likely to be successful.
Improve your Employability by consulting our Career Consultants.
These employability tips take you through creating a professional application for employment or internship. It provides information on resumes, and cover letters.
The quick tips also help you to prepare and perform your best at interview, and creating a LinkedIn profile.
You can also book a free appointment to undergo a more formal career assessment with our career consultant by email to Career Centre.
A career includes all the paid and unpaid work, learning and life roles you undertake throughout your life.
The term ‘Career’ was traditionally associated with paid employment and referred to a single occupation.
In today’s world of work the term ‘Career’ is a seen as a continuous process of learning and development.
A successful career allows you to try new and varied experiences, manages change and includes different paths than you originally planned.
Career is a major life investment and impacts on many aspects of your personal life including personal satisfaction, psychological wellbeing, financial stability and interpersonal relationships.
Career planning is important so that you can find a job which suits your personality, respects your values, is based around your interests and will not restrict your growth.
Therefore, you need to reflect on the types of work environments that you work well in and the tasks that you enjoy doing.
The employability roadmap is a guide for your development, through each stage of your student life cycle. It suggests activities for you to plan your career and enhance your employability throughout your studies.
Use the steps below to create your own map along the road to developing employability skills. Consider how this employability roadmap can be best adapted to suit your needs.
Don’t attempt everything – take responsibility for your own career and make your employability roadmap work for you.
At the start of your journey, take time to reflect on your priorities. Ensure you have a balanced plan that enables you to study, work, socialise and above all, enjoy your Swinburne experience.
In the first few months of settling into study and life in Swinburne Sarawak, start developing your employability skill set. Learn about what employers want, determine priority areas for your development and start some career exploration.
To do:
Tip: Study is important, but also focus on getting involved in activities that will make you feel part of the community. This will help you develop skills important to your long term career.
Mid-course is time to increase your employability focus. Start to clarify your professional purpose. Explore your options and start to gain professional experience. Become aware of your strengths and areas for development. Put together an employability action plan. Keep working on developing the vital soft skills in demand by employers.
To do:
Tip: Don’t wait until final year to focus on employability, it is an important part of your career journey. Active involvement now in a range of activities will enhance your career options.
Moving toward the end of your studies is time to engage with employers, continue to build your skills and gain more industry experience. Ensure you have a professional job search kit including resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile and work portfolio.
To do:
Tip: Networking is a vital job search tool – make useful contacts while you study. Invest in some simple networking (business) cards to encourage those you meet to connect with you.
Building your career and employability needs to be ongoing. Today’s careers will require constant adaptation to change and continual learning and growth. It is important to be proactive and keep reviewing your career plans.
To do:
Tip: Your first job won’t be your last – keep thinking forward about the next step in your professional career. Research options, make contacts, give back to others and keep focused on your ongoing professional development.
Knowing How to Improve your Employability
Employers equally consider experience gained from skills polished from time invested in learning what it takes to prepare yourself career ready.
We invite you to take the first step by knowing how to use STAR through this guidance video.
Use STAR or Situation, Task, Action and Result to demonstrate employability skills by giving specific examples of how and where you have used these skills, or how you plan to develop them in the future.
Skills Employers Are Looking for
Employers value real-world professional experience, and look for employees who will fit in with the culture of their organisation.
In addition to the academic qualification you will receive through completing your course, employers value graduates who can demonstrate skills which can be developed through activities you undertake alongside your studies such as:
Be in contact with our Career Consultants (careercentre@swinburne.edu.my) to advance your knowledge to be a career-ready Swinburne Graduate.