How Can Australian International Students Manage the Job Search Timeline?
Many Vietnamese students who study abroad choose to return to their home country for work, and among them are many students from Australia. The timeline for graduating in Australia has some differences compared to other countries, mainly due to Australia being located in the southern hemisphere, with seasons completely opposite to those in the northern hemisphere.
For international students returning to Vietnam for work, it is crucial to manage the timeline. So, how can Australian international students master the key timeframes for graduation and job searching when returning home?
Intake Periods
Firstly, Australia has two different intake periods (February and August), corresponding to two different graduation periods (June and December). Although February (the first semester) is a major intake time for Australian universities, many Vietnamese students also choose to enroll in August (the second semester). Therefore, students need to clarify when they will be graduating and participate in the corresponding autumn or spring job fairs in the same year. It’s important to plan the timeline well and prepare for job hunting after graduation. This article mainly focuses on students graduating in June.
Preparing Your Resume: In general, students should start preparing relevant resumes and internships a year before graduation. Many Australian students even begin preparing for internships from their first or second year. While the advantages and disadvantages of early internships are beyond the scope of this article, it’s essential to emphasize that internships and resumes are the foundation for formal job applications. Students are encouraged to prepare early. Using a three-year undergraduate program in Australia as an example, students can start their preparations in the second semester of the second year.
Determine Target Industry
Begin by determining your target industry or field. You can use your major, interests, relevant experiences, personality assessments, and other materials to help select your desired career field and types of companies. Then, you can start creating your resume. A typical resume includes sections for basic information, internship experiences, campus or project experiences, personal skills, etc. You can organize your past experiences to form a rough draft of your resume.
Additionally, you can engage in some professional networking by communicating with alumni who have extensive job-hunting experience or using social apps to expand your professional network. These steps will typically require 2 to 3 months of preparation.
Online Application and Test Preparation
The formal job-hunting process can begin during the winter vacation between the second and third years. Australian winter vacations are relatively short compared to other countries, so students need to manage their time effectively. During this winter vacation, you can choose to participate in job fairs or make online applications. For students overseas, online applications and submitting resumes through a company’s official website or going through Aniday are good options.
Next, you should participate in online tests, online interviews, or on-site interviews as soon as possible before the start of the academic year. If your target companies have online tests, you can start practicing early. Familiarize yourself with your resume and the basic knowledge required for your desired position. Be prepared for different interview questions. You can typically expect to receive internship offers for the following summer (December to February) in the first semester of your third year. After finishing the first semester of the third year, you can participate in your internship and aim to secure a full-time job offer.
Obtaining Offers:
For students who receive full-time job offers after their internships in the second semester of the third year, you can relax a bit. For those who do not secure offers at this stage, you can continue to look for job opportunities in Vietnam during the second semester of the third year. Use your time studying abroad to continually update your resume, improve your skills, and enhance your abilities. After graduation, you can focus your efforts on the online or offline job platforms, striving to secure positions during this period.
In a Nutshell
Managing the job search timeline for Australian international students returning to their home countries is a critical aspect of transitioning from education to employment. The unique academic calendar in Australia, with its different intake periods, demands careful planning and preparation. This includes building a strong resume, identifying target industries, engaging in professional networking, and acing online applications and interviews. The process may require diligent efforts across several years, but it can significantly enhance your prospects when seeking job opportunities back home in Vietnam. Remember, early preparation is key to a successful job search.
