This session is for HDR candidates who aren't sure where to start looking for job opportunities, who have never thought about the differences between key accountabilities and selection criteria, or who wonder how to structure a job application.

The focus of the session is on helping HDR candidates to identify strategies for finding out what jobs are out there and then determining the key characteristics being sought in the jobs that they’re finding. By critically reading job advertisements and considering what they are really asking for the session helps you to identify the skills you have and how to demonstrate these in a job application. You will also consider any skills gaps you may have and determine ways of addressing these.

This workshop will:

  • Discuss strategies and tools for finding job opportunities
  • Outline how to deconstruct job advertisements to see what skills and experience-levels are being sought
  • Encourage reflection of your own skills to find ‘matches’ with advertisements
  • Consider ways of demonstrating your skills to a potential employer through your job application

By the end of this workshop you will have:

  • Identified avenues to monitor/access to find out about job opportunities
  • Made a plan to identify and address any skills gaps you may have identified
  • Practiced responding to selection criteria

Target audience: This workshop is suitable for all HDR candidates, but will be most useful for those in the mid- to late-stages of candidature

Feedback from 2023 participants includes:

“Clear explanations given on how to find jobs, apply for them, and what to look out for.”

"The session has reshaped my learning goals based on job prospects that I didn’t know previously.”

About the presenter

Dr Rachael Pitt is the HDR Careers Advisor in the Graduate School and has extensive experience in both academic and professional roles at Australian universities and has published on higher education, and doctoral employability and careers. She currently facilitates career development and employability workshops, coordinates UQ’s HDR Career Development Mentoring Program, and provides individual consultations for UQ’s HDR Candidates on career destinations and preparation, skill identification and communication, how to approach potential placement organisations, and job application processes and documentation. UQ HDR Candidates can make an appointment with Rachael here for an individual consultation.

May be eligible for CDSE.

About Career planning

 

Book an appointment with the Graduate School's HDR Careers Advisor

Many research students intend to follow an academic career path on completion of their degree. But what does an academic career really look like? And, if you knew what to expect, would you still wish to pursue that path?

Researchers work in all facets of government, industry, NGOs and universities. Understanding the diverse range of career options available will allow you to reflect on the 'fit' between academia and your own strengths and interests. 

It is important to start considering your options and plan for your post-HDR career during your studies so you are well prepared to transition to the workplace as a PhD or MPhil qualified individual. The Graduate School supports you in this process through the Career Development Framework (CDF) as well as with a dedicated HDR Careers Advisor who specialises in advising HDR candidates. The Careers Advisor is available for appointments to discuss career options, CV development, interview techniques and other career-related topics. These appointments are designed to complement the existing suite of career-related workshops which are already offered as part of the CDF.

Useful links