01st Dec2010

Painfully Perfect

by ProGrad

Painfully Perfect

 Attention graduate community, we know you are nervous and wanting to make a good impression as a can-do, nothing too hard for me kind of candidate but please do not list being a perfectionist as your biggest weakness!

 Unless you genuinely believe that you are disadvantaged by your ability to refine details and produce high quality work, it is always worth trying to be a little original in your answers.

  Some better (and more realistic) options to offer as a weakness may include, a lack of on the job or industry experience,  finding it hard to say no to people, tending to take on more than you should or not really knowing exactly where you want to end up.

 It might seem clever to try and turn a weakness into a positive, but it’s more obvious than you think- the best thing to do is be honest and express a desire or plan to overcome this, or steps you are already taking in this direction.

 Pretending to be the perfect person only sets up an embarrassing expectation, and leaves no room for growth or imagination. So next time someone asks you “can you tell me a weakness?” give them a strong answer, not a strength in disguise.

 If you are looking for that first interview, or advice on how to approach a prospective employer, contact ProGrad’s Graduate Management team on 02 8235 8300 or alternatively email us at info@prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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1 Comm
10th Feb2010

The importance of voicemail

by ProGrad

At ProGrad, I literally make hundreds of phone calls per day! One thing that really frustrates me is when I call candidates and they have those silly jokey voicemails. It’s so unprofessional and gives me a negative 1st impression of the candidate, before I’ve even spoken to them! It’s also very frustrating when candidates don’t have a voicemail set-up and their phone just rings and rings. It can really slow down the process.

If you are applying for roles through ProGrad, or outside of ProGrad, be sure to have recorded a friendly and professional voicemail message prior to hitting apply. Remember that potential employers could be contacting you and your voicemail message could leave a negative 1st impression! You don’t want to be ruled out of an opportunity before you have even spoken the decision maker!

Virginia – ProGrad

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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0 Comm
02nd Dec2009

Online Training

by ProGrad

ProGrad would like to assist placed graduates with online training tools which can be utilised “on the job”.  We’re thinking of providing an access for candidates that are looking for assistance to manage and monitor their own performance levels.

More than ever, in the current economic climate sales managers are spending more time selling, and less time managing.  As a result, they’re perhaps not able to spend as much time with the teams as they have done previously.

Rather than get frustrated by this, why not take matters into your own hands and manage your own performance.  Set your own KPIs, set your own time planner, and set your own performance review.  Don’t expect more from your manager, but give more as an employee.

If you have any ideas or suggestions of things that could be incorporated in this online training, please let us know.  Otherwise, watch this space as we’ll try to have some tools go live very soon!

For more information about ProGrad and our training, please contact the ProGrad office on 02 8235 8300.

Category : Graduate News, ProGrad Melbourne, ProGrad News
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0 Comm
30th Sep2009

What are the “glamorous” industries these days?

by ProGrad

Many graduates leave University and start applying for the “glamorous” looking roles.  Movies and TV shows have shown us the “cool” working environments in publishing houses, television studios, online media companies and naturally, there is a preconception attached to these roles.  They look great on the surface, but are they really that glamorous?

ProGrad work on behalf of hundreds of companies across Australia in a variety of industries.  The glamorous indsutries are part of that client base and we are forever hearing from employers about their frustrations during the interview process.  On meeting recent graduates and asking the question, “why would you want to work here?” the answers can be less than impressive.  Quite often, graduates are unable to articulate WHY they’re even applying for those roles. 

Here are the hard facts:

In any company (glamorous company or otherwise), you will be starting at the bottom.  The length of time in that company is dependent on YOU and your attitude/ ability.  Some of the most senior/ successful people you will encounter in those companies will have started their careers at the bottom.  They will be expecting the same from you.

When asked what you’re looking for, you need to explain WHY the ROLE appeals to you.  The company, the glamour and the perception you might have about the nature of the working environment is next to irrelevant during the interview process.

Successful candidates in an interview can articulate why they want the ROLE, and provide examples of why they’re appropriate for the role.

Just quietly, between you and me, the best opportunities don’t always lie in the “glamorous” companies.  Our advice is always to keep an open mind, you just never know what you could be missing out on.

ProGrad is an assessment, placement and training company.  If you would like to know more about our roles, and the opportunities available for graduates, please contact the ProGrad team now on 02 8235 8300.

Category : Graduate News, Interview Techniques, ProGrad Melbourne, ProGrad News
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0 Comm