Graduate Profile: Archaeology (Honours)

Name: Emma Cook
Degree Awarded (Majors if appropriate): Bachelor of Archaeology (Honours)
Organisation: Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
Position Gained: Quarantine Officer
Commencement Date: 14/02/2008

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

I am an AQIS Inspector with Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. My role can vary greatly but includes screening incoming international passengers and baggage at Adelaide Airport, inspection of incoming air and sea cargo and inspection of international freight containers. In any day I could be based at the Airport, at a truck depot, at the wharves in Port Adelaide or anywhere else in between. My department at the moment is Import Clearance but there are so many facets to working with AQIS I feel my opportunities are great.

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

I believe international experience to be very highly regarded. If you have the opportunity to work or live overseas, even for a short while, do it. It will increase your employability and it gives you so many more experiences to draw from in applying for jobs. Plus it will broaden your personal perspectives in only a positive way.

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

I checked the websites of the employers I wanted to work for regularly. Once the job was advertised I applied by sending in a completed application pack (application form, CV and selection criteria). There was also an information night that I attended and introduced myself. I took a while to hear anything back due to the number of applicants (it was advertised in the papers for several weeks). I then was selected for an interview and after that security checks. 

What interview questions were you asked?

I have had 'interviews' for a few different public sector jobs.   There was a great deal of psychological profiling and testing for all of them. Almost all were conducted by an outside agency in which the actual interview was only a small component of a larger assessment day. The interviews were not really based on the actual job but more based on aspects that make up a good worker like leadership, decision making, conflict resolution and similar. All of these interviews asked that the questions be answered by past example from within the last 5 years. You need to be very prepared as some questions come from left field and you need an answer!

For AQIS I had a semi-formal interview held by the department supervisors. Most questions were based upon my knowledge of role I was applying for. There were also questions about working together with other team members and also a fair bit about working under pressure, dealing with conflict and communication with non-English speakers.

Do you have any further helpful hints for students/graduates?

Know the position your applying for in detail. If you don't know anyone who works in that position (like I didn't) research it thoroughly. I also found that if I didn't make contact with an employer (or their recruitment agency) via email or phone then I just didn't get a look in. Jobs in the public sector are so competitive so don't leave it to chance or luck, if you don't take on the initiative you will probably be overlooked. Be confident in the interview even if you don't feel it :) it can make a huge difference!