Employability and Careers Blog: Info and Advice for AUT Students and Graduates

Gaming attracted Liam O’Reilly-Gevert into a design degree that quickly opened up “a million and one other possibilities” and the realisation that your job title doesn’t have to reflect the name of your degree

“When I went to my Air NZ interview I found I could confidently answer every question they asked me because of the interview practice I did at the Employability Lab,” says Bachelor of International Tourism Management graduate Justin Singh. Now working as an Air NZ contact centre consultant, he encourages all students to make the most of AUT Employability and Career services.

Currently the youngest female Justice of the Peace in Auckland, Hana Malak is also senior lead engagement officer at the Honorary Consulate of Lebanon in New Zealand. These accomplishments would not have been achievable without the help of AUT Employability and Career services, she says, and Hana encourages others to make the most of the services.

Getting job interview help from AUT Employability services for a job she really wanted made all the difference for Spatial Design graduate Madi Wright who is now working as a junior designer for Outline Design.

Using LinkedIn led Rajvi Rangrej to an internship with a design firm and lots of great contacts – but it wasn’t something she was keen to do initially. But when she put up a logo she’d created for AUT Indian Student Association, everything changed.

If you don't want to be like the guy in the image, then read our tips on how to set up and perform in a virtual job interview. It's not difficult if you are prepared.

Do you want your employment opportunities doomed because of your online look? Do you want to stand out from the crowd because you have jam down your top, greasy hair, an unmade bed or a flatmate fooling around in the background?  Maybe not?

Let's face it, Kiwis are not great at telling people about themselves, or heaven forbid, actually talking themselves up about anything. Am I right? Here are three employers tips on how to present yourself genuinely through your CV, cover letter and at events.

Fronting up to a stranger, particularly someone who may end up being your employer, is not the easiest thing to do in the world. It can be terrifying, yet that is what you need to do at events such as career expos, right? The good news is that it is really really possible to develop good networking skills – communicating and developing a connection with strangers. Read how five graduates overcame their reluctance to network – and ended up in great jobs - by lots of practice.

Are you an international student? Read our five essential tips outlining what you need to focus on to improve your chances of finding work in New Zealand when you graduate.  A great degree is a good start, and then….