Employment Search Advice

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image09 Jul 2019

By Eugene Clark and Remy Maroc: This is the time of year when millions of university students across China and in other countries will be graduating and looking for employment.  In this article, I team up with an international recruiting specialist to offer some job tips for graduates.

Part 1: What jobs to apply for?
Know Thyself
Choosing the best possible job for depends in large part on knowing yourself and the kinds of activities you enjoy and seem to be naturally good at and drawn to.  This is far more likely to land you in the right place than wasting time comparing yourself to your friends or choosing a job based only on how much it pays.  Pick a job you will enjoy and that matches your talents.

Remember this is Only Your First Job.
Searching for a job is not a one-time event.  The reality is that most graduates today will have more than ten different jobs over the course of their career. Even if you are lucky and stay with the same organisation your entire working life, you will change roles many times within that organisation.  If you find you are in a job that does not meet your needs, keep looking.  We spend much of our lives working and it is important to find work that fulfils your needs and goals.  Do your best to settle for nothing less.

Be Flexible
Take note that a high percentage of graduates end up working in jobs and fields outside their course of study.  For example, someone who does a teaching degree may find no jobs available.  Yet, the underlying skills acquired in an education degree can translate into many different roles.  Ali Baba’s Jack Ma, for example, had many jobs (eg English teacher) and many failures before becoming co-founder and CEO of the Alibaba Group.  So, be open to travel the lesser worn path as it may lead to some very exciting opportunities.

Don’t Let Money Warp your Judgment.
There’s much more to life than money.  While the amount you earn is important, do not let this be your sole determining factor. Look long term to the growth opportunities of a particular job.  Try your best to find work that will provide you not only a living, but also a life.

Be Patient
Sometimes you won’t be able to find a job that is at the level you prefer.  If this type of work is something you really want to do, consider starting at a lower level a and being prepared to work your way up. 

Pick a Growing Market. 
As between possible positions in different industries, do your homework about the industry.  In high growth areas (eg artificial intelligence) you know that the industry is expanding.  This means there will be ample opportunities for growth and development.  If the industry is a declining one, future opportunities are likely to be more limited.  It’s like surfing.  When the surf is up, even average surfers can get a good ride.  When the surf is flat, there are far fewer opportunities and the rides are far less rewarding.
 
Focus on Learning
Look for a job that enables you to keep learning.  The best and happiest employees are those that continue to learn about their organisations, their company’s products and services.  Also keep learning about the wider context in which your organisation operates.

Part 2: How to get the job?
Be Prepared.
Beyond knowing yourself, being successful in a job search also means being prepared. Do your homework on your prospective employer, their services and products.  Ask also about their corporate culture to get a sense of how and whether you would fit in and whether you would like to work for such an organisation.  Read all you can about the particular industry and the challenges and issues it faces and how you might be part of the solution to those challenges.   Part of your preparation also means taking advantage of career expos, career information from your university and other job assistance that is available.  Brush up as well on your job search skills.  Is your CV in good shape?  How about your interviewing skills? 
Remember that first impressions are important so also pay attention to appearance. When speaking to a prospective employer make sure you know and have PRACTICED the following:
  • Your story – This should be brief but let people know who you are and get a sense of what value you could bring to their organisation.
  • Why you are interested in that organisation and the role.
  • What does the company do? Who is the CEO? Who are their main competitors? What is their culture?
  • Why would you be a good fit for the company and the role? (Think about what you can do for them, not what they can do for you)
Be Enthusiastic
Ralph Waldo Emerson, the 19th Century American essayist and philosopher, wrote that “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”  Make sure your prospective employer sees you as enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity.

Be Respectful and Humble
Organisations tend to hire people based on their qualifications and talents, but fire them when they don’t fit in and cannot work with others.  Show respect and courtesy to everyone you meet. Indeed, I always asked our administrative team about a candidate and warning bells went off if I discovered that the candidate was rude or impolite to them.  I wanted to know how they acted to others and when they were not ‘on guard’.  Employers appreciate a little humility. They want to know if you are coachable and open to learning new things and further growth and development.

Be Creative and Believe in Yourself
Remy:
“I have always been a believer in you can do anything you want. When there was a job that I really wanted I would go the extra mile to do whatever I could to stand out from other candidates. An example of this is I even offered to work for a week for free so that they could see how hard I would work for them and the value I could add to their team.  You can also do informational interviews with people in the organisation. This too will show your dedication and genuine enthusiasm and will help you build connections too. Another way to stand out is to ask for feedback if you are unsuccessful in an interview. This will only help you prepare better to nail the next one. I actually did this back in university when I applied for an internship and not only did I get some valuable feedback to help me in the future but the employer was so impressed they changed their mind and offered me the role.”

Be Resilient
Don’t get discouraged by rejection. There are many people applying for positions and many reasons why you might not get that interview.  Indeed, if you think about it most people fail more times than they succeed in applying for jobs.  As Vivian Komori notes, “Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce."

Part 3: How to be successful once you have secured the job
Actualizing your Potential and Continuing to Learn
Some graduates think, ‘Now that I have a job,  my days of having to study are over.’ In truth, you have only just begun.  A job is not an end point, but only one stop along a lifelong journey. As American author, Louis L ‘Amour states:
  “We are, finally, all wanderers in search of knowledge. Most of us hold the dream of becoming something better than we are, something larger, richer, in some way more important to the world and ourselves. Too often, the way taken is the wrong way, with too much emphasis on what we want to have, rather than what we wish to become.” — Louis L'Amour
The best way to ramp up quickly in a new role is to do the following:
  • Ask questions – Be engaged in every conversation and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
  • Get to know as many people as possible – Find out all who has been really successful in your role previously and reach out to them to ask them what worked well for them. It will also be beneficial to reach out to other areas within the business to understand what they do that way you can see how it all fits together. You will find that you will pull little bits of advice from each person to make up your own formula for success that works for you and that you hopefully can share one day.
  • Ask for feedback – It’s so important to OWN YOUR OWN DEVELOPMENT. You can’t improve on something if you don’t know what needs to be worked on. Ask your customers, ask your superiors, ask your colleagues, and your clients for feedback and you will quickly learn tricks of the trade that will set up for success and put you miles ahead of anyone else. *Remember when asking for feedback, be open, acknowledge it and then figure out the best way to apply it. Take advantage of all company resources too as they always have many tools available to help you be the best at your job.
  • Realize also that every job will have its challenges. Indeed, the challenges should be seen as opportunities to learn and sometimes that learning will be difficult. As John W Gardner notes:
“There is no learning without some difficulty and fumbling. If you want to keep on learning, you must keep on risking failure--all your life.”

Work Hard
It is important to realize that talent will never be developed or be enough without hard work.  There are no shortcuts.  As novelist Ray Bradbury put it:
"I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it."  
Artist Michelangelo similarly acknowledged: "If you knew how much work went into it, you wouldn't call it genius."

Hang in There
Hold on for one more day, one more month or one more year. Keep things in perspective and understand that you will be learning and probably will not feel comfortable for at least the first nine months of any job. Making judgements too early or leaving a job too soon could cause you to miss out on what could be an amazing career. As a general rule you should remain in a role or with an organisation for at least 2 years if you want to put it on your resume. This will show prospective employers that you made it through training and brought something of value to your previous company. Things always tend turn around and you will have your ups and downs with every job but I promise you if you stick it out, it will be incredibly worth it.

Gratitude is the Best Attitude
Cicero reminds us that ‘Gratitude the greatest of all virtues and the parent of all the rest.’  One of many things admirable about Chinese culture is their strong sense of family and obligation to parents, family members and friends who have made their success possible.

Be and Stay Healthy.
Remember finally that while getting that job is terribly important, do not do so at the risk to your own health. 
In the words of Irish poet and philosopher, John Donahue:  
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of
refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert,
approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.
 

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My Strategic Journey as an Accounting Student

When “accounting” is discussed, it is usually thought of as numbers, calculations and boring spreadsheets. I was not any different either. But now, as an accounting student, having amassed a lot of knowledge, I have realized that it is much more than that. It is more about understanding how money works, how businesses survive and grow and how important it is to keep things fair and honest. Accounting is just that.

 

Why I Chose Accounting?  

I chose accounting because I wanted to do something practical and useful. Every business need someone to manage its money properly. That means no matter where I work big company or small shop, accounting will always be important. 

Also, I enjoy organizing things and solving problems, and accounting gives me that chance. There is a certain satisfaction when your numbers match, or when you figure out where something went wrong and fix it. 

 

What I’ve Learned So Far?  

My academic experience has enabled me with the ability to prepare and interpret key financial documents such as balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. I have developed and improved technical ability in recording transactions, analysing financial health and finding risk.

On an equally important note, I have also adapted essential soft skills like time management, team collaboration and the ability to communicate complex financial concepts in accessible terms. Accounting has taught me that trust and ethical responsibility are foundational. A minor miscalculation or lapse in integrity can compromise not just financial statements but entire organisations.

 

The Struggles Are Real  

Studying accounting has its challenges. Mastering complex standards, reconciling financial differences and meeting academic deadlines can be overwhelming. There are times when the pressure to support accuracy and consistency feels relentless. However, every challenge has reinforced my analytical mindset, attention to detail and persistence traits which are essential for both professional success and personal growth.

 

My Hopes for the Future  

In the future, I want to become a professional accountant, even get my CPA or CA license. I want to help businesses make smart decisions and stay financially healthy. Most of all, I want to do a job that makes a difference. 

 

Final Thoughts  

If you are thinking about studying accounting, just know this it is not easy, but it is worth it. It teaches you responsibility, patience, and problem-solving. And once you get into it, you will see that it is actually interesting. 

Being an accounting student has helped me grow not just academically, but as a person. I am proud to be on this journey, even on the days when the calculator and I do not get along! 

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Rising Demand, Real Impact: Why the Bachelor of Social Work is the Future of Care and Community

As Australia faces growing challenges in mental health, aged care, family services, and community wellbeing, social work is emerging as a vital profession for the country’s future. The Bachelor of Social Work is more than a degree—it’s a pathway to a meaningful, stable, and in-demand career. 

National Trend: A Growing Need for Social Workers 

The Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights report highlights that the demand for qualified social workers is expected to grow strongly in the coming years. Between 2023 and 2028, social work jobs are projected to grow by over 23 percent. 

This increase is driven by: 

  • Greater focus on mental health services 
  • Expanding aged care and disability support 
  • Government investment in child protection and family services 
  • The need for culturally competent professionals in ever increasing multi-cultural communities 

Why International Students Should Consider Social Work 

Social work is recognised as a skill shortage area in several Australian states, which opens doors to potential migration opportunities through state nomination and skilled visa programs. 

Other benefits include: 

  • Qualifications that are nationally accredited and recognised (often through AASW – Australian Association of Social Workers) 
  • Diverse employment opportunities in government agencies, non-profits, healthcare, education, community organisations and pathways for research careers 
  • Opportunities to build strong professional skills in communication, cultural sensitivity, and case management 
  • A career that provides emotional rewards alongside professional growth 

Career Opportunities After Graduation 

Graduates with a Bachelor of Social Work may pursue roles such as: 

  • Mental health social worker 
  • Child and family support officer 
  • Community development worker 
  • Hospital or school social worker 
  • Aged care or disability services coordinator 
  • Crisis intervention or domestic violence case manager 

Many of these roles appear on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, offering a clear path for international graduates who wish to stay and work in the country. 

Why Social Work Matters 

Social work  combines professional knowledge with a deep sense of empathy and service. It is a career for those who want to make a lasting impact—whether by supporting individuals through hardship, strengthening families, or advocating for vulnerable communities. 

If compassion is in your DNA, the world needs you now more than ever. 

The challenges around us are many — injustice, inequality, suffering — but what we need are people bold enough to face them head-on. People with heart. People with courage. 

At NAPS, we don’t just train social workers — we shape change-makers. 
We’ll equip you with the skills to think critically, act creatively, and respond with innovation in the face of real-world problems. 

‘Let's get this right, when compassion meets action, everything changes' 

24/04/2025 Professor Venkat Pulla 

 

Choosing to study a Bachelor of Social Work is both a smart and compassionate decision. It leads to a career with strong job prospects, personal fulfilment, and the potential to contribute meaningfully to Australian society. For international students, it also offers long-term opportunities and a chance to be part of a profession that changes lives. 

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IFRS in Australia: A Guide to Financial Transparency and Accountability 

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) form the backbone of financial reporting in Australia. Since their adoption in 2005, IFRS has shaped how businesses communicate financial information, ensuring consistency and transparency. But what does this mean in practical terms for businesses, investors, and the broader economy? 

The Role of IFRS in Financial Reporting 

IFRS is a set of internationally accepted accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Its primary goal is to create a common financial language that facilitates comparability and reliability across global markets. Over 140 countries, including Australia, have adopted IFRS, making it a fundamental element of financial regulation and reporting. 

In Australia, the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) is responsible for implementing IFRS while considering local economic and regulatory factors. This ensures that financial statements meet global expectations while addressing specific national requirements. 

Why IFRS Matters to Australian Businesses 

For companies operating in Australia, IFRS compliance is not just a regulatory obligation but a strategic advantage. Standardised financial statements help investors, creditors, and stakeholders make informed decisions, reducing uncertainty and enhancing market confidence. 

Before IFRS, different national accounting standards created inconsistencies that made financial comparisons difficult. Now, whether an investor is assessing an Australian firm or a European counterpart, IFRS ensures that financial data is presented in a uniform and understandable manner. 

Key IFRS Standards Impacting Australian Businesses 

Several IFRS standards significantly impact how companies report financial information in Australia: 

  • Revenue Recognition (AASB 15/IFRS 15): Establishes clear guidelines on when and how businesses recognise revenue, reducing discrepancies and enhancing consistency. 
  • Lease Accounting (AASB 16/IFRS 16): Requires companies to record most lease obligations on their balance sheets, offering a more accurate picture of liabilities. 
  • Financial Instruments (AASB 9/IFRS 9): Regulates how businesses classify and measure financial assets and liabilities, improving transparency in risk assessment. 

How IFRS Affects Investors and Everyday Australians 

IFRS extends beyond businesses and accountants—it influences anyone with an interest in financial markets. Investors, for instance, rely on IFRS-based reports to assess company performance and make informed decisions. Superannuation funds, which manage retirement savings for millions of Australians, also depend on IFRS-compliant financial statements to evaluate asset performance and risk exposure. 

Moreover, IFRS supports economic stability by promoting confidence in financial reporting. When businesses adhere to a globally recognised standard, stakeholders can trust the accuracy of financial information, reducing the likelihood of financial misstatements and corporate scandals. 

The Future of IFRS in Australia 

Financial reporting standards continue to evolve, reflecting changes in business models, digital transformation, and sustainability concerns. The AASB actively monitors and updates IFRS standards to ensure they remain relevant to Australian businesses and investors. 

One emerging area of interest is sustainability accounting, which integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into financial reporting. As global markets place greater emphasis on sustainability, new IFRS standards are being developed to provide consistent reporting frameworks for ESG disclosures. 

Final Thoughts 

IFRS plays an essential role in maintaining transparency, accountability, and trust in Australia’s financial system. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or finance professional, understanding IFRS helps you navigate financial statements with greater confidence. 

At NAPS, we are committed to equipping future professionals with the knowledge to interpret and apply IFRS effectively. Stay tuned for our next blog, where we will explore Sustainability Accounting—a growing field that integrates environmental and social considerations into financial reporting. 

 

Aflah Tasnim

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Easter Breaks in Australia: Tradition, Symbolism, and Social Reflections

Easter is a significant holiday in Australia, widely observed with a mix of religious, cultural, and commercial traditions. For international students, especially those in social work, understanding the historical and social aspects of Easter can provide deeper insight into the cultural landscape of Australian society and its impact on various communities. 

The Meaning of Easter and the Holiday Break 

Easter, primarily a Christian festival, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it between late March and April. In Australia, Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, leading to an extended break. This time allows families and communities to gather, reflecting on faith, renewal, and togetherness. 

For social work students, Easter presents an opportunity to observe how different community groups engage with the holiday. It is a time when charities and social organisations focus on helping the vulnerable by providing meals, organising events, and addressing social isolation among the elderly or disadvantaged groups. 

The Easter Bunny and Eggs: Where Do They Come From? 

The Easter Bunny and chocolate eggs have become synonymous with Easter celebrations, but their origins predate Christianity. The rabbit, or hare, is an ancient fertility symbol associated with Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and renewal. German immigrants brought the tradition of an egg-laying hare (the "Osterhase") to other parts of the world, including Australia. Over time, chocolate manufacturers commercialised the idea, making Easter eggs a beloved tradition. 

Eggs, which symbolise new life and rebirth, were originally exchanged and painted in early Christian communities as a representation of Jesus’ resurrection. In modern Australia, this symbolism has evolved into Easter egg hunts, an activity enjoyed by families and communities nationwide. 

Easter's Social Implications in Australia 

From a social work perspective, Easter highlights various aspects of Australian society, including multicultural inclusion, commercialisation, and social equity. While many enjoy celebrations, others face financial hardship, loneliness, or food insecurity. Organisations such as the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul run initiatives to support marginalised communities during this period. 

For international students studying social work, Easter offers a chance to participate in community service, observe Australian social structures, and reflect on the importance of cultural traditions in community bonding and support systems. It also serves as an excellent case study of how religious and cultural traditions are adapted within a multicultural society like Australia. 

Easter in Australia is more than just a holiday; it is a reflection of history, tradition, and community welfare. Understanding its roots and contemporary impact can provide social work students with a broader perspective on cultural diversity, community support, and the role of social services during national celebrations. Engaging with Easter from a professional and academic viewpoint enables students to appreciate the social fabric of Australia and contribute meaningfully to community well-being. 

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AI and its Importance to Students in the Professions (Part I)

Decades ago it was the Internet, then the World Wide Web, then Steve Jobs and the Apple products that would change the world.  Then came the cloud, social media, the Internet-of-Things, block-chain, metaverse, Zoom—the impact of technology continues to make headlines and AI brings all of these together. Over the last few months, the latest buzz concerns artificial intelligence (AI). Not a day goes by without highlighting either gloom and doom or promises of great things to come. 
 
As a higher education institute concerned focused on the professions, NAPS believes that every major profession or industry will experience significant, and in many cases transformational, changes as a result of developments in AI. Health care, education, law, accounting, business, communications, transportation, retail, agriculture—all will have to grapple with the impact of AI in seizing its advantages while minimising potential risks.
 

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that uses multiple disciplines including deep and machine learning,  to build smart machines that are able to do complex tasks, including in some cases those that ordinarily would require human intelligence.
AI comes in two major forms: narrow and general. 
 
Narrow AI involves the creation of smart machines that can do one task, for example, play chess.  With large data sets and blinding speed and the ability to constantly learn, a chess computer can perform tasks better than any human.  Evidence the defeat of world chess champion Gary Kasparov by ‘Big Blue’. 
 
General AI (or ‘strong’ AI) involves the creation of smart machines that have a much wider or general application. An example is a robot or an android that looks human and can do a wide range of tasks, only faster, more consistently and smarter than a human.
 

AI Potential  and Fears. 
Many experts write of the many positives that AI will bring to almost every field of endeavour. Reflecting upon the immense potential of AI Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee wrote in 2018:

 
“For more than 250 years the fundamental drivers of economic growth have been technological innovations. The most important of these are what economists call general-purpose technologies — a category that includes the steam engine, electricity, and the internal combustion engine. The most important general-purpose technology of our era is artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning.”2

Most of the fears about AI are about general AI.  At the extremes, some experts think What are the risks to humanity itself when most of the ‘intelligence’ in the world is machine made rather than man-made.  The essence of these concerns is captured by world renown theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, who noted:

"Success in creating AI would be the biggest event in human history. Unfortunately, it might also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks."
 

AI Issues for students preparing for a career in the professions.

For students pursing a degree in the major professions, here are just a few of the many issues and topics involved with AI development about which you should have some awareness:
 
  • Industrial opportunities and challenges in developing AI
  • Enhanced data collection, big data analytics/algorithms and ever-increasing application to new areas of human activity.
  • Understanding society-wide impact in key areas, eg introduction and rapid expansion in use of automated transport
  • Expanding the application of blockchain technology in providing solutions to multiple industries
  • The role of AI in the biological sciences and breakthroughs in health informatics
  • The role of AI in enhancing the productivity and intellectual power of humans
  • Role of humans in interacting with AI products to ensure they are safe and do what we want
  • Speech recognition developments to promote universal applications and enhance human-machine interactions
  • The impact of AI on digital marketing and other business activities
  • Commercialization challenges and opportunities in relation to AI
  • Capturing video and incorporating it in AI applications
  • Machine and deep learning in the next generation of AI applications
  • How to better define and control the boundaries on AI systems
  • Growing movement towards singularity and machines approaching and in an increasing number of areas surpassing human intelligence.
  • Capturing the potential of big data analytics while at the same time dealing with challenges of discrimination and prejudice that can occur
  • How to build AI to Scale and gain return on investment
  • Internet of things: use of AI to help build systems in which various technologies are connected and working together to transform organizations and industries.
  • The impact of robotics and AI on employment.
  • Education: how do we bridge the talent gap needed to develop this important new area? How can universities, through their research mission, better support the growth and development of this important industry? How will AI change how education is delivered and to whom?
  • Geopolitical questions such as regulation across national borders, impact on security, cyber warfare and so on
  • Challenge of regulation so that AI advances promote industry advancement and at the same time protect important human values such as privacy.
  • Law as infrastructure: how can a legal framework be put into place that achieves the benefits of AI while at the same time limiting and guarding against potential harms that may result?  How does law, which tends to work on a linear path, keep up with technology which is growing exponentially?

Conclusion
Above all, today’s students as our future leaders in government, industry, education and all professions must develop a deep understanding of the nature and implications of AI so that they may enable us to have the knowledge to reap its rewards and the wisdom and responsibility to ensure its use for the betterment of humankind and society.


_______________________________
1Emeritus Professor, University of Canberra, Chair, Board of Directors, National Academy of Professional Studies; Fellow, Australian Academy of Law.
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