Graduate Profile: Accounting

Name: Chris Karellas
Degree: Bachelor of International Business (Major Globalisation & International Management) & Bachelor of Accounting
Position Gained: Analyst Assurance and Advisory (Concerned with Auditing)
Organisation: Deloitte    
Commencement Date: February 2008

With your experiences in securing employment what advice would you give to students?

Get as much work experience as possible, whether it is in a supermarket, bakery, retail or office work!   It builds valuable experience and all employers look for this.   Also, attend as many career fairs the university has to offer and be prepared to meet many people in the process!

How did you go about finding graduate employment?

Through Flinders Careers and Employer Liaison Centre, attending workshops, Grad Jobs, Hobson's guide and searching websites of companies whom I wished to work for.   Also, speak to people and staff (very helpful).

Can you briefly describe the application process relevant to your position? What interview questions were you asked?

Online application with several questions such as:

• Why do you want to work in this organization?
• What skills and attributes can you bring?
• Give an example when you have been in a difficult situation, team experience and leadership experience.  

I also attended several cocktail parties were I had to meet and greet people in a social environment and also participate in verbal, numerical and analytical testing.

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

Remained positive, asked for help from family members, lecturers and friends to assist in mock interviews and the Careers and Employer Liaison Centre staff.   I had decent grades, but extensive work experience with many different examples to draw upon when asked questions in the interview.

Do you have any further helpful hints for graduates?

Keep trying!   If you are not successful, ask for feedback to help you in your next round of interviews.   Be positive!   Grades are not the 'be all end all'.   Work experience and extra curricular activities play a major role if you want to be considered for a position.