Interview tips
No work experience in the industry you are seeking to enter?
Whilst it is often difficult to find advertised work experience opportunities in the industry you wish to work in, you may find that there are more available if you are willing to pursue more "proactive" ways of obtaining such experience. These methods require substantial effort on your behalf, but when it comes time to secure professional work upon graduation, it will be well worthwhile. These search techniques are detailed in the hidden job market.
'Work experiences' can in fact be involvement in clubs and societies on or off campus, social interests that have contributed to skill development, voluntary assistance or project activities. If you have obtained paid work in a field unrelated to your industry, don’t undervalue it. Whilst it is still important to be able to articulate how the skills you developed are transferable into your preferred industry, simply having been employed and understanding the commitment and work ethic involved is a bonus. You may also be able to ask your employer to act as a referee when applying for other positions.
More information about getting work experience.
top of pageOverqualified?
If you apply for positions where you might be considered academically overqualified, the following strategies could assist with your interview dialogue:
- Emphasise the value of your transferable skills relevant to the position such as analytical ability, ability to manage a large project in a timely manner or ability to work autonomously and highlight how you therefore match the job requirements.
- Explain that you need to gain practical experience and are willing to start at an appropriate level because this is the field of work in which you wish to develop a career.
- Emphasise aspects of the work that particularly appeal to you. Suggest that you could bring innovation and an alternative perspective to the work, if it appears that there is scope to do so.
- Point out that your thesis included both simple and complex tasks so you understand the importance of different types of activities.
- Indicate that you won’t leave after a short period of time if an academic or research job becomes available because you have reassessed your career direction.
- Target fields of work or organisations where further education is viewed positively.
Extensive work history or changing career direction?
These strategies might be relevant when making the transition from one field of work to another:
- Emphasise your achievements, concentrating on how your skills relate to the work you have applied for, and highlighting the ways in which you could benefit the organisation.
- Highlight the fact that you have undertaken further study as part of your plan to change career direction and maintain your employability.
- Provide information about how you have developed maturity in decision making, have an understanding of how you work best, can show flexibility by having adapted to different work situations, and have other attributes that would contribute to the position.
- Indicate that you won’t mind working with supervisors who are younger than yourself, as you have had a younger academic supervisor and have enjoyed learning from their direction, ideas and enthusiasm.
- Apply to organisations where you know there is openness about employing more mature and experienced workers.
- Think about consultancy or contract work if you have the required knowledge or experience.
- State your preparedness to initiate your new career phase by taking a step sideways, or backwards as required in terms of status or responsibility.
Reference checking
Most employers will undertake reference checks on candidates they are considering employing. Ensure that you have previously asked for the consent of the people who you nominate as referees. Discuss with them the types of jobs you are applying for and provide them with a copy of your resumé. When you find out you have an interview, forward details of the job to your referees and brief them on what the employer is looking for and may therefore question them about. Employers will often contact referees immediately after an interview. A decision between two candidates can often be made on the strength, or weakness, of a reference check, so choose referees carefully and make sure all contact details are current.