A quick guide for international students.
The past week has seen the culmination of Orientation Week at many universities and colleges across Australia and a new batch of international students have come here to study, live and work. A warm welcome to those who have arrived recently, you’ve come to the land of fair-go, a multicultural society that values skilled migrants like very few economies do and it is mostly up to you to make the best of your experience here.
Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) or Resume
During your job or internship search most local employers will require a resume; however it is essential that you prepare one that conforms to local requirements. International CVs are occasionally more personal than a typical Australian resume; including date of birth, marital status, hobbies etcetera. Compared to one you might use elsewhere, your Australian resume may be briefer, yet include more of “selling” your skills and experience.
Tips to “Selling” Yourself on Your Resume
- Use a variety of strong action verbs to describe the experiences you have had in the past (e.g. Coordinated, Organised and Led).
- Concentrate on your strengths and avoid any statements that could be perceived as weak or negative.
- Ensure you start with the most recent experience/ qualification on the top and proceed to the least recent.
- Include awards you have won for academics, work, or campus/community involvements.
- Include any voluntary work you may have undertaken locally or internationally.
- Be specific with your language skills and your experience with different cultures.
- Get someone else to read and revise your resume if needed, spelling and grammar errors are unacceptable.
- A well-formatted resume can demonstrate how organized you are and is easy to read for the recruiter.
- Don’t underestimate the influence of your social media presence and your LinkedIn profile as well as connections.
- Only include links to your social media profiles if it is relevant to the work you are applying for.
Cover Letters
Create a new letter for each job or internship and include only information that is appropriate to what the employer is seeking in a candidate. Ensure you address all the selection criteria.
Focus on Your Language Ability and Confidence
- Highlight that you are bi-lingual or multi-lingual, a big plus for many multi-national companies.
- Practice your language skills through informal interactions, class discussions, presentations, and ensure your resume as well as cover letter are impeccable.
Highlight Your Unique Strengths and Cultural Knowledge
- Multi-Language ability and experience work and life in other cultures and nations.
- Adaptability and flexibility in adjusting to different environments and challenges.
- Demonstrate your strong work ethic and motivation.
Most Universities have amazing people working/ volunteering at the Student Associations. Don’t hesitate to approach them or a relevant student collective for help or feedback. The whole point of moving abroad is to gain real life experience along with your qualifications so don’t be afraid to reach out to people.
