Check out our graduate career advice and common questions asked!
What time of year should I start applying for jobs?
It’s never too early to start putting feelers out and connecting with potential employers. The key is to be proactive and network! It’s a great idea to keep a list of all the roles you have applied for and the relevant contacts. By doing this, when a potential employer makes contact, you’ll know which role they have on offer without having to ask.
Can I apply for more than one role at a time?
Absolutely you can. Make sure you make a list of the top ‘non-negotiables’ for you, which should always include supervision and support, and apply for roles that meet these criteria. Remain transparent throughout the interview and negotiation stages post-interview as to the status of other roles so that you can remain professional with potential employers. It’s a small Allied Health industry so very important not to burn any bridges!
How long should my CV be?
Don’t focus on the length of your CV, focus on the relevance of the content. Include details of all university clinical placements and employment, especially those jobs where skills are transferable to professional employment. For example, if you’re an Occupational Therapist seeking a paediatric role and have worked as a tutor to primary school students, details of this experience should be listed on your CV. As a general guide though, keep your CV to 3-4 pages.
Do I need to write a cover letter?
Always include a cover letter written specifically for the role. Do not provide a generic cover letter, rather personally address the letter to the employer or hiring manager. And if their details are not on the job ad, take the time to find out who you need to address the letter to! Respond to specific selection criteria in the letter and don’t be afraid to briefly mention who you are to give it a personal/memorable touch.
Should I include referees on my CV?
We advise you not to include referee contact details on your CV and rather state ‘References available upon request’. You can provide written references or contact details for referees during the interview process, typically after the interview. We advise this for a number of reasons:
- It avoids your referees being contacted unnecessarily, especially if you have applied for multiple roles
- It gives you the opportunity to notify your referees that they’ll be contacted for a reference by a potential employer
- It also gives you the opportunity to advise your referees of the position you have applied for and the requirements of the role
Before applying for any role, we recommend you have 2 – 3 professional referees in place with up-to-date contact details for each – name, position, phone number and email address. Commonly employers conduct reference checks themselves and don’t rely on previously obtained written references.
Ideally, referees are clinicians or managers who have supervised you in a professional role or student placement. You may also nominate a referee who has managed you in non-professional employment. Most importantly…. always ask permission before nominating someone as a referee. And give them the ‘heads-up’ that they will be contacted by a potential employer.
How do I prepare for an interview?
Preparation is key, so be prepared and do your homework! Ensure you have read the position description in detail to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the role prior to interviewing. Research the Interviewer or panel of interviewers and the organisation in detail. LinkedIn is a great tool to do this. Before the Interview, prepare for questions that may be asked. Prepare for both clinical questions and questions that relate to generic skills such as time management, organisation, and communication. Ask prior to the interview, what format the interview will take (formal/ informal, behavioural-based questions, panel interview, virtual or face-to-face)
What are current graduate market salaries?
Currently, we are seeing salaries for graduates range from $70k to $78k plus super plus bonuses. Packages typically include:
- Base salary
- 11% super
- Travel allowance or car
- Tools of the trade – including phone/ipad/laptop
- Professional development allowance
- Some organisations also offer bonuses
- And some roles in regional areas may offer an accommodation allowance
Allied Health Podcast
Did you know that MediRecruit Directors Danielle Weedon (B. Physio) and Clare Jones (B Occ Thy) are qualified health professionals and host the Allied Health Podcast? Check out Series 1, which includes specific episodes for graduate health professionals including dissecting a contract, an overview of the recruitment process, and some great interviews with graduate therapists.
