Services for Students

Common Questions

• I am coming to the end of my studies. Where do I look for jobs?
• I am an overseas student and I want to to work. Is this possible?
• What am I likely to be asked in a job interview?
• I want some work experience in accountancy. Any suggestions?
• What can I do after my course in Legal Studies?
• What careers can I get with my degree discipline? I'm not sure what I can do with my degree now I'm graduating.
• I don't know what career I want. Is there a test I can take?

I am coming to the end of my studies. Where do I look for jobs?

There are several key sources of vacancies: Gradlink is a national database of vacancies for graduates available on the Internet. Developed by the Graduate Careers Council of Australia (GCCA). You have to register initially via any computer on campus, after which you can access the vacancies from anywhere. The Web site also contains lots of information about CVs, interviews and employers. Check out the Graduate Services List for information.

Don't forget your Careers Centre now has its own service. Register on CareerConnect to receive emails on jobs and careers information.

Graduate Opportunities - Published by Trotman Australia. Graduate Employers - contacts & information, interview techniques for success, Job Search Strategies and Vacation Work. Available from the Murdoch Campus Careers Centre for free!.

Newspapers are also an important source of vacancies. Most of them are now available on the internet.

I am an overseas student and I want to work. Is this possible?

While you are studying you are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during semesters and full time in vacation periods for the duration of your course. After your course finishes your best chance of being allowed to stay on is to find an employer who is willing to apply for a work permit on your behalf. An overseas student has to apply for a Tax File Number on arrival and this can be done through The Murdoch International Orientation Program held on campus the week before each semester begins. Other issues covered by the International Student Centre are Visa Renewals and Medibank Health cover. The Murdoch International Student Centre is situated on Bush Court - Telephone: (08) 9360 2756.

Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs "Working in Australia" information.

What am I likely to be asked in a job interview?

Click here for a list of the most commonly asked interview questions.

I want some work experience in accountancy. Any suggestions?

Student members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants can obtain a book of vacation employment opportunities. Alternatively student members of the Australian Society of Chartered Practising Accountants are offered two weeks work experience in June of each year after attending an interview techniques seminar. These programmes are only open to students with Australian residency. You could also simply write to likely firms with a CV and covering letter and then follow it up with a phone call. A number of firms advertise vacation work in the booklet 'Graduate Opportunities'.

What can I do after my course in Legal Studies?

Careers are multifarious - depending on the combination of electives and second majors you take, together with the personal attributes and talents that you possess. Careers can be found in mediation, equity, community-based legal education, industrial relations, human resources, youth work, journalism, courts and prison systems, police force, community-based support and actions groups and many more. A full leaflet on the topic is available from the Careers Centre.

What careers can I get with my degree discipline? I'm not sure what I can do with my degree now I'm graduating.

DETYA's "Do you enjoy or are you good at ......? Have you considered the following occupations?"..... information is located in the "Occupational Choices" file at the Careers Centre or you can check out DEST's Career Information section. There are also a number of career choice booklets in the Careers Service library.

I don't know what career I want. Is there a test I can take?

The Careers Centre recommends a programme called JIIG-CAL - Job Ideas and Information Generator Computer Assisted Learning. The programme helps sort out the broad areas of work which will be of interest to you, gives you an understanding of education and training required to achieve goals and gives some carefully matched job suggestions. The programme is available free of charge here at the Murdoch University Careers Centre.