Many international students that I know are struggling to find a part-time or full-time job. I feel very sorry for them and have been wondering if there’s anything I can do to help. Through reflecting on my own job hunting journey as an ex-international student and fresh graduate, I realised many jobs that I had were not obtained from a conventional way, applying through employment sites such as Seek or CareerOne. So I thought I should share my story here, and hope it will inspire you.
Lesson one: always give your interest a go, and you can be your own CEO
My cousin came to Australia to study before me. Like many international students, she worked as a waitress in a restaurant. Therefore, before I came to Australia for my master’s degree, my auntie had already foreseen I might also work in that area.
But, I surprised her. How boring the world would be if we all did the same thing! I felt I could bring much more to Australia, doing something that’s more fun and meaningful.
Being a Chinese tutor was always something I wanted to do. While in high school, I became very curious about the world after reading a book on studying in Canada. Also, I’ve witnessed a lot of hatred and misunderstandings from western media about China, Chinese culture and people. I wanted to make a change. I wanted to tell the world: ‘We are not like what you’ve heard in the media. We are friendly, hospitable and love peace and harmony.’ And being a teacher I could make some positive changes.
But where should I start? I found out there was a Mandarin teaching certificate I could get, so I flew to Shanghai, completed the training and got the certificate.
However, after arriving in Adelaide, I discovered there were only a few job vacancies, and all of them required a local teaching degree. I got disappointed and worried: ‘Am I like what my auntie said? Too idealistic and only wasting time and my parents’ money?’
Luckily, a month later, from a random conversation with strangers, I heard a girl was teaching Mandarin. I asked her how she got her students. ‘Gumtree.’ she told me. That opened a new world to me. I didn’t know I could advertise myself, so I posted an ad there. One week later, I had my first student.
Lesson two: use career services at your university or college
I’ve always been a person who is curious to check out different sections in a website (it’s like a treasure hunt), especially my university website. Hey, to be honest, we’ve paid so much for our tuition fees as international students, so why not make the most of it? Finding out all the FREE services your university provides for you could be a smart start.
For me, Career Services is a good one. I didn’t know we could book free career counselling sessions as many times as we want. Also, at CareerHub, there are many volunteering and job opportunities.
One day, I saw an ad: an International Student Ambassador role at StudyAdelaide. After reading it in one breath, I thought: ‘Wow, I really want to get this role! It’s like my ideal part-time job! You get paid to do so many interesting and meaningful things, such as being a student voice and go to different events to promote StudyAdelaide and share your experience with other new international students. How cool is that!’
But shortly after, my self-doubt kicked in, even though I did feel I was the kind of candidate they were looking for, but… There’s always a but. ‘The title sounds so fancy, and I don’t think I’m that outstanding.’ I hesitated. Then I thought: ‘Even if I don’t get it in the end, I won’t lose anything. Moreover, it could still be a great opportunity for me to learn. Besides, if I don’t try, the chance will be zero.’ So? I tried and got the role, being the only Chinese ambassador in the team. I want to thank Career Services at my university.
Because I wanted this role so badly that I booked my first career counselling appointment. I had two sessions in total: the first one was about resume writing and the second one was a mock interview. My career advisor introduced me to the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) and we did a role-play afterwards. I have to say, STAR gave me so much confidence before my real interview. I didn’t realise I had many actual examples to support me in getting the role, and feeling prepared was critical for a newbie like me.
I still remember during the interview, when asked why I wanted to be an ambassador, I could not only tell them the facts, the things I had done in the past, but I could also provide them with intangible reasons, the things coming from my heart. After the interview, I debriefed my auntie, who has been a manager for a long time.
She said joyfully: ‘Congratulations, you are in.’
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. ‘How do you know?’
‘Because you are genuine, which is powerful.’
She was right.
with other student ambassadors
Lesson three: volunteering and socialising leads to a surprise
A thankyou to Leanne whom I met at an education expo.
I was an unpaid host on the day, and during a break, I started to walk around, talking to some representatives from different educational institutions. Then I met Leanne who was at the University of Adelaide College booth. After hearing about my situation, as a fresh graduate looking for a job, she said, encouragingly: ‘You should apply to our College. I know there’s a position open in our sales department. ’
‘I know, but I don’t think I meet its requirements. I’ve never done sales before plus I have more interest in Student Services.’
She insisted: ‘Don’t think too much. Just apply. You never know there might be some opportunities opening up for you later.’
That’s how I got my second full-time job.
I was very grateful that I listened to her, because I learned so much from that work experience. Also, that job helped me to secure my current Student Services role. Everything is connected. Sometimes we don’t know what our next step will be, so what we can do is just take one step at a time. Everything we are experiencing now will help us in its own way.
Lesson four: go the extra mile to find out more information about the job you are applying for
When I was applying for the exam aid role, I didn’t have much confidence. Because it had been clearly specified the candidate needed to be familiar with the exam environment, but I’d never had an exam at that location. I wondered if there was anything I could do to make up for that disadvantage. I decided to call my friends to find out about the exam location, Adelaide Showground.
‘Could you tell me what it feels like at the location? Is there anything that the university can do to make you feel better if you are having an exam on the day?’
I got the job in the end. My then manager told me: ‘Do you know initially we didn’t plan to hire you? Because you didn’t have any exam experience there. But the fact you asked your friends about this location won you a chance, as it showed that you cared about this job opportunity.’
Action speaks much louder than words.
Lesson five: think of multiple ways to look for a job
The translator job I got with Sweat was from a job agency while my other position came through being proactive. The role is diverse, involving Chinese teaching, translation and interpretation, even though I didn’t have a translation certificate.
One day, I was thinking that since I like culture and language teaching, was there any organisation specialising in both areas? I started to google and found one company, but there wasn’t any job listed on its website. However, I didn’t stop there. I sent an email to the company indicating that I was really interested in working with them. A few days later, I got a reply: ‘Unfortunately we don’t need anyone right now, but we may need someone later.’
One month later, I was offered a casual role.
Don’t only wait for posted job opportunities. Do some research on your own. If you find any company that you really want to work for, email them.
Lastly, I just want to say have faith in yourself. Be yourself in an interview. Thanks to my mentor Bill, because I think this is the best piece of advice I have received. If you have prepared and shown your true self in the interview, but you still didn’t get the role, don’t feel discouraged. That only means you are either not suitable for the job or the environment. Move on. There will always be a right job waiting there for you.
