ProGrad Melbourne

Case Study, Joe

As a long haired, fresh out of uni, guitar wielding, journalism graduate I entered the world of ProGrad not expecting too much. My older sister had applied six months earlier and she had secured three job offers within her first week of interviews, so sending off my resume was a no brainer. My three years at Monash University were spent writing articles, interviewing strangers and drinking copious amounts of beer. On the face of it, I was well out of my league and comfort zone. Nonetheless, I sent off my CV on Wednesday, and come Friday, I found myself sitting in a room full of twenty-somethings all eager to impress.

The assessment day started off extremely well and continued that way. The young faces in the room made me feel right at home. The group activities were organised, challenging and interesting. Some companies looking to recruit were also in attendance on the day which gave them the chance to see potential graduates in their element. Those of us that were selected in the end drank the night away at a Melbourne pub and still catch up on occasion. If anything, ProGrad is a good place to meet likeminded people and network with those already in the industry.

The following week saw me attending three primary interviews. Perhaps the most important of those was with CMC Australia. CMCA is the largest importer of steel from the Asian region and the parent company has offices all over the world. CMCA were offering a two year intensive training course. The course starts off with learning about products in the Melbourne warehouse, then sends the trainee to Sydney for ten months to learn about treasury, claims and logistics, and back to the Melbourne office for another ten months of BSR and JIT training. A special project at the end of training is then completed before the trainee becomes a full time Steel Trader. This role sounded perfect for me as I had no experience whatsoever and it gave me the chance to develop sales skills on the job whilst hanging out with rich people.

I met with the National Sales Manager and it wasn’t so much of an interview, but more of a chat – an hour long chat. That night, he gave me a call and invited me for a second interview the next day with the General Manger and told me to get a haircut. My ProGrad account manager, Nicole, assisted me immensely in preparation for the second interview. If you are successful, pray that you get Nicole as your account manager. I was up against one other candidate who had eight years of experience in the steel industry so I was definitely the underdog. Nicole urged me to get a haircut, which I did that night, and I met with the GM the following day. After another hour long chat the GM offered me the job on the spot and didn’t even bother to interview the other candidate. I suppose the lesson here is get an early interview if possible.

My first week at CMC saw me attending a meeting in Sydney and later that night, a big night out with the sales team (all paid for of course).

My advice for potential applicants is to go into the assessment day and each interview with confidence and don’t think you need a business degree to impress the suits.

If you would like to speak to one of our graduate management team, please contact us on 02 8235 8300.  Alternatively, you can apply online by clicking here. 

ProGrad have offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.  For more information, please email us at info@prograd.com.au

Case Study, Karolina

During my last year of studying marketing at university in Melbourne, I did not apply for any graduate positions like the rest of my peers as I wanted to travel the world before embarking on a full-time workload. I knew I would have difficulties searching for a job on my return to Australia, but I needed to experience the different lifestyles, cultures and history of other countries. On my return to Australia, I had a sinking feeling of reality – I am broke and I need to find a graduate position. The very next day, after a 26 hour flight, I frantically searched the web for marketing positions and applied to nearly every ad in a glimmer of hope.

I clearly remember the day ProGrad called me for a phone interview, as this was a huge turning point in my life. After successfully completing the phone interview and assessment day I was automatically contacted in regards to four prosperous interviews. Unfortunately for me at the time, I was stubborn about receiving a marketing position, not a sales position. This is due to the fact that there are no sales units at university so the perception of sales most graduates have is that of tele-marketing /call-centre atmosphere and the like. I remember a lecturer once told us ‘you will be lucky to get your first position in marketing. You will have to settle for a sales career first’. These words daunted my whole perception of sales as it embraced my thoughts with a negative notion towards this area.

ProGrad supplied me with four interviews for a sales position and one interview for a marketing position. Naturally I applied all my effort into the interview for the Marketing position at Southern Cross Computer Systems and to my wishes I was offered a second interview. One week later, the CEO of Southern Cross Computer Systems called me personally to offer me the position. I was ecstatic!  I accepted without even waiting to hear from other companies that I had been interviewed with. Southern Cross Computer Systems is an integrator and consultant. Its services bring together diverse technologies, multiple manufacturers and the need to produce an appropriate solution to the customer. The environment here is friendly, helpful and professional. I was in charge of corporate events, website development, marketing plans for our funds with blue chip partners, sales analysis and much, much more.

After six months in the Marketing position and observing the Sales team, I realised that my perception of sales was completely wrong! It is all about relationship building and making sure the customer is happy. I realised I wanted to be like the sales guys, work on tenders, regularly meet with clients, have the freedom of not being stuck at a desk and most of all the challenge! To my surprise, the Managing Director and the Sales Director were waiting for me to approach them with my interest in sales as they remembered in my interview I was adamant about marketing and not sales. As soon as I showed my interest, I was quickly given the opportunity to finish up with my Marketing duties and move into the sales area. I am now an Account Representative and I cannot explain the extent of my motivation – it is incredible. I honestly owe my success today to Prograd and the wonderful company that I work for. I hope my story helps other Marketing Graduates who hold the same perception as I did about sales. My advice now is – give it a go! With a guardian angel like ProGrad, anything is possible.

If you would like to speak to one of our graduate management team, please contact us on 02 8235 8300.  Alternatively, you can apply online by clicking here. 

ProGrad have offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.  For more information, please email us at info@prograd.com.au

Case Study, Mark

Prior to university I had no true experience in the IT industry. It was not until I threw myself at an opportunity to work with IBM during the summer break that my career really took off. By the time I was looking for a graduate position, I had worked with IBM, mentored other students and completed 2 private contracts for web development!

Enter ProGrad – the graduate recruitment agency that fast tracked my career in the right direction with the right people!

Back then, the assessment day felt like an episode out of The Apprentice! Although this day was necessary I knew that only the top candidates would be chosen to be represented by ProGrad, and that I would have to deliver 110%. Nerves aside, a combination of preparation, motivation and charm enabled me to succeed on the day.

After that, ProGrad presented me with numerous positions at high profile companies, one of which was Johnson & Johnson. Again, the interview process was extensive, but it really showed me that this was the graduate position for me! With emotions flying, they offered and I accepted the job, my career was off and running.

Johnson & Johnson is a health care company with hundreds of operating companies all over the globe. The position detailed a 1 year gradate contract in a dynamic and expanding IT team. I was exposed to all aspects of the industry, many of which were state of the art.

Looking back as my graduate position draws to an end, it was ProGrad that was able to facilitate and launch my career. I would definitely encourage other potential graduates to attend an assessment day. It is just one phone call away. I believe the key to success is to be prepared, motivated and unique.

If you would like to speak to one of our graduate management team, please contact us on 02 8235 8300.  Alternatively, you can apply online by clicking here. 

ProGrad have offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.  For more information, please email us at info@prograd.com.au

Case Study, Alison

Moving from university to the workforce can be daunting – ProGrad made that transition easy! Looking back, I’m so glad I took a chance and sent in my resume.

I was nervous at the beginning of the assessment day but, when I realised that everyone was in the same boat, my competitive streak came out and I rose to the challenge. Even if you don’t make it past the assessment day, you will learn so much. It really is a worthwhile experience.

I was amazed at the level of support ProGrad gives to everyone in the program. They really taught me how to optimise my chances in an interview. University gives you the theoretical knowledge, but ProGrad provides hands on experience and invaluable advice. They teach everything from the fundamentals of fitting into an office environment, to the essentials of spin, commercial negotiations and key account management.

ProGrad pushed me out of my shell and instilled a confidence I didn’t know I had. Now I’m a team leader for Tyro Payments, a specialist banking institution that’s taking on the big banks in the payment space. I love what I do and I love the feeling of success.

My advice to graduates would be listen to the ProGrad team – they know what they’re talking about! And be yourself, especially during the presentations. Having been back to ProGrad looking for graduates to join the Tyro team, I have seen the program from the other side of the fence. The candidates that speak truthfully, rather than rehearsing what they think prospective employers want to hear, tend to be the more successful ones.

ProGrad is a fantastic experience and an opportunity to learn so much about the business environment, I would recommend it to anyone wanting to pursue a career in business.

If you would like to speak to one of the ProGrad graduate management team, please contact us on 02 8235 8300.  Alternatively, you can apply to ProGrad online by clicking here. 

ProGrad have offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.  For more information, please email us at info@prograd.com.au