Summer break has begun, giving you a chance to spend time with friends and family, and some all-important rest and self-care. This time also offers you the opportunity to explore your career options, develop your employability skills and build your experience.
Here’s five ideas to get you started:
Gain practical experience
Working over the break can help boost your professional behaviours and skills. While it’s a bonus to land a job directly related to your degree, any role can add value to your resume and be great practice for future placements, internships, or grad programs
Volunteering is another way to gain practical experience, with the added bonus of giving back to the community at the same time. Try looking for opportunities that align with your values and career interests – Curtin Volunteers! is a great place to start.
Work on your personal brand
Spend time over summer building your personal brand, as a well-crafted and consistent message can make you more attractive to potential employers. You could start by ensuring your social media accounts reflect the brand you want to portray and create or update your LinkedIn profile.
Do some research
Take some time over the next couple of months to explore potential employers, their culture and values, and the opportunities they have available. A simple way to start is by browsing company websites and social media channels.
Understanding your target companies will help you tailor your job applications and interviews to their specific needs when you start applying for internships or jobs in the future.
Build your network
Take your research a step further and begin connecting with professionals in your field. Attend industry events, join online forums and use LinkedIn to build your network. You can gain valuable insights into specific roles, learn what it’s like to work in different sectors, and even find out about future job opportunities.
Update your resume
A strong resume is a must if you want a competitive advantage in today’s job market. During the break, revamp your resume, highlighting your recent achievements, new experiences, and skills gained through your studies and/or work. Don’t forget, you can receive instant resume feedback 24/7 through Curtin VMock.
Curtin Careers team is open throughout the semester break – you can book a time with one of our team to discuss career pathways and possibilities, building your experience and networks, job search strategies and how to become more employable.
This article was written by Career Development Consultant, Tania McKiernan.
