This module provides you with evidence-based information to develop effective job application documentation (cover letters, resumes, application forms) and strategies to perform well in interviews, assessment centres and psychometric testing.

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
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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
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6. What to include
• Personal Details
• Education & Training
• Placements
• Employment
• Skills
• Achievements
• Professional Memberships
• Extra-curricular Activities & Interests
• Referees
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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’
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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13. Example KSC
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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
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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
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16. Use the STAR method
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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?
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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)
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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
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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‟
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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27. Next steps
• LMS readings for „applications and interviews‟ module
• Update your resume; use the resume checklist in the
PebblePad workbook
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28. Thank you
Connect with us via:
Web: latrobe.edu.au/students/careers
Facebook: facebook.com/LaTrobeCareers
Twitter: @LTUcareers
Email: careers@latrobe.edu.au