Graduate Profile: International Business (Majors in International Marketing and Finance)

Name:  Bradley Gosling
Degree Awarded: International Business (Majors in International Marketing and Finance)
Position Gained: Assistant Trader
Organisation: ABB Grain Ltd
Commencement Date: December 2003

Could you give us a description of what your position involves?

I am employed in Melbourne as an Assistant Trader for ABB Grain in Cereals. I am currently completing work-based training and further study in logistics, finance, securities and trading. The role is a constantly developing one as I move towards a full trading position.

With your experiences in securing employment what advice would you give to students who are in their first, second, and final year of study?

Get some experience - it is very highly valued and gives you an advantage over every other candidate who doesn't have it. When you are first employed in a relevant environment you learn simple aspects like office politics, etiquette, behaviour, administration skills, punctuality, financial reporting cycles, and the dynamics of the industry you "think" you're interested in. If you're sitting in an interview and answer "no" when they ask if you've worked before, it is very difficult to justify why you think you're going to be a successful employee. Having experience, and more importantly some valued referees to testify to that experience, will weigh very heavily in your favour.

Networking is also incredibly important - and networking can be done anywhere, anytime, with anyone. Whether you are playing golf with someone in the industry you're interested in, serving drinks in a bar, swiping groceries through a Woollies checkout, or completing holiday work experience in a business - make sure you take advantage of every opportunity to learn something or get to know someone. You never know when that relationship might bring up an opportunity in the future. It is amazing what can happen when someone has a positive opinion of you and they're looking for help.

Extra curricular activities are also fantastic additions to your CV and leadership programs or educational programs show that you are willing to extend yourself. I would highly recommend Flinders Uni SIFE, Boston Consulting Group Business Strategy Competition, Graduate Skill Development Seminars, South Australian Youth Council, the Youth Register at the Office for Youth SA, and for my country friends the SAFF Young Leaders.

How did you go about finding graduate employment?

Technically, mine was undergraduate employment, however since graduation I have been promoted to this role in Melbourne. Having already completed 18 months in various roles within the company whilst studying, I was in a position to negotiate employment within the trading team. I still had to win the position and my combined experience, degree and additional training allowed me to do this.

Additional to this - I was constantly keeping an eye on the job market through emails from the Career Centre at Flinders Uni and Seek.

Can you briefly describe the application process relevant to your position?

I'll refer to my original application, which was conducted in 2003 and is a similar process today. The initial amount of applicants is generally 200-300 so a CV screening is the first level, with the best 100 chosen. These 100 are invited in to conduct some testing, consisting of a speed and accuracy test, problem solving, mathematical and verbal reasoning. Successful applicants were invited in for an interview, and the shortlist of candidates after the interview are given personality testing to measure their suitability to the business.

Once chosen - the 3 successful Cadets each year have interviews with the Department managers they'd like to work for, and selection is at the managers' discretion.

What interview questions were you asked?

Interview questions were diverse - and to be honest I was freaking out so much I don't remember many of the questions or what my response was!! Largely the interview is a process where they ask you questions to better understand your goals, personality and suitability to the business. Indicative questions might be:

Where do you want to be in 3/5/10 years time? (Question seeks a response on your goals, your direction, whether you are likely to stay in one role or move on to others, how motivated are you)

Describe a situation where you have used your skills to manage conflict? (Clearly designed to see if you have and can recognise effective conflict management skills in the workplace)

If you are confronted with a problem you cannot solve - who do you turn to? (Evaluates your ability to problem solve, what your process is when you are stuck, how you go about investigating and delivering a solution)

Who are your mentors, and when do you turn to them for advice? (Think about who you turn to for advice, why you turn to them, what are their attributes)

What are your best attributes? (Don't brag - just outline your key working strengths. No need to tell them how much you can bench-press...)

What are your biggest faults? Where can you improve? (Honesty is the best policy. Don't say you don't have any faults - no one is perfect. Talk about parts of your skill base that you'd like to work on)

Remember that the interview process is also an opportunity for you to ask questions. Don't get too nervous and feel like you have to impress them only. At the end of the interview there is always time for you to ask questions as well. Some of your own questions might include the culture of the business, its policy on internal promotion, what is the dress code of the business, are there opportunities for travel/study/maternity leave, and are there suitable leaders for you to receive mentoring from. Use this time to learn more about the role, the organization, the people who you will be working with and the opportunities that exist in the future should you master the role.

In your opinion, what factors enabled you to be successful in obtaining employment?

Certainly my previous experience was a big factor in gaining employment. I had good knowledge of agribusiness and relevant study in International Business, but my long-term employment and management responsibilities in both IT and Hospitality showed aspects of loyalty, initiative, skill development and responsibility. My GPA is certainly nothing to rave about - but my work experience was well developed and I believe was what gave me an advantage over other less experienced applicants.

Do you have any further helpful hints for graduates?

Have a go. The interview process can be gruelling, depressing and heartbreaking - but you will learn something from every interview and be better for it. Be willing to take a few knocks, don't expect to win the first job you apply for, and more than anything always be positive. You never know when you'll make a good impression on someone - and one day they might offer an opportunity and change your life. Good luck!