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Alternatives to Graduate Recruitment Programs

Many students in their final year fail to recognise and/or explore the wide range of opportunities that lie beyond graduate recruitment programs. The fact remains that competition for entry into a graduate recruitment program is intense, whereby only a very small percentage of graduates are actually successful. This leaves a large proportion of students and graduates alike who need to think outside the square and explore opportunities that might have been originally overlooked.

Other Advertised Opportunities

There are many small and large companies who take on graduates and not necessarily through a graduate recruitment program. Such opportunities can be sourced through several avenues:

Websites

Ensure that you sign up for email alerts wherever possible to reduce the time involved in job searching.

For a list of occupation specific job search websites click here

Newspapers

Recruitment Agencies

Registering with a recruitment agent is another potential opportunity which you should tap into. There are a range of private agencies in the recruitment field. You can leave your resume with these agencies for consideration and inclusion in their database. Consult for a full, searchable database of accredited recruitment agencies.

Networking

Networking is a powerful strategy to aid in the advancement of your career. It involves making contact to obtain careers information and work opportunities that may eventually lead to a job. For more information about Networking download the Job Search Handout from our website.

Directly Contacting Employers

Many jobs are filled before they are advertised so it makes sense to use a combination of job search techniques. One technique is to contact employers directly. Many employers rely on job seekers approaching them to save them the time and money. Contacting employers directly shows that you are proactive and committed qualities highly regarded by employers.

You can either phone or write to an employer expressing an interest in working for that organisation.

Tools that can be used to source potential employers include the Yellow Pages, the Business Directory of Australia (www.nationwide.com.au), through your relevant Professional Association or the Graduate Destination Survey (link).

Overseas Opportunities

In a globalised world, many graduates are looking internationally for opportunities to gain working experience or to develop their career. To access the large range of opportunities overseas login to 'Going Global' through SwinEmploy. 'Going Global' includes world-wide job openings, internship listings, industry profiles and country-specific career information.

Temp Work

Temp work offers the opportunity to work with a variety of employers, gaining a broad range of experience but without the stigma usually associated with changing jobs regularly. Furthermore, being a temp can often allow a graduate or student to get a "foot in the door" where there may well be an offer of permanent work after a fixed trial period.

To source Temp Work visit Seek and My Career making sure that you select Temporary or contract under work type. Alternatively you could also look at joining a recruitment agency that specialises in Temp Work. Consult for a full, searchable database of accredited recruitment agencies

Final Note

Regardless of the job search strategy you employ, it is important that you are organised, that you remain positive and that you have an understanding of yourself and your future career direction. Before contacting an employer, ensure that you are familiar with the organisation and the services that they provide. You will also need to have constructed a high quality cover letter and resume. For more information on resume and cover letter writing, see our list of job search handouts or make use of our resume checking service.