Graduate Recruitment Accelerator

Part 1: Welcome to GRA & Introduction to Graduate Programs: What are they? When do I apply? Where can I find them?

Part 2: Preparing to Interact with Employers: Linkedin and Career Fairs

Part 3: Building Your Resources: Resumes, Cover Letters, Selection Criteria responses for graduates

Part 4: Online and Video Applications

Part 4: Aptitude & Psychometric Testing

Part 6: Assessment Centres

Part 7: Interview Skills

Part 8: Interacting with Employers

Is the Graduate Recruitment Accelerator online or in-person?

The Graduate Recruitment Accelerator program is a hybrid program, meaning it has both online presentations/activities, and face-to-face events.

When are the program’s dates for; online activities, online events, face-to-face events, etc.

Online activities are completed on our ALPHA program, and can be completed any time during the program. Certain online activities will be required prior to relevant face-to-face events (eg. Assessment Centre modules prior to the mock assessment centre), but these will be clearly explained during the program.

Face-to-face events have set dates and locations that will be announced prior to the end of 2022. These events will happen in February and March 2023.

See above drop-downs for more information.

What if I’m not available all summer?

That’s okay, GRA is designed to be flexible around your other commitments such as work, summer study, holidays, etc. Online modules are released in bulk, and any deadlines will be announced well ahead of time for you to plan.

Not all these sections are relevant to me, do I have to do them all?

Yes, all of these sections are common practices used in graduate program recruitment, so we will be encouraging everyone to complete them in sequence.

Please note, participants who do not complete key activities might not be eligible to attend the exclusive mock assessment centre, mock interview, and meet the employer sessions if events are high capacity.

Will there be someone to help me?

Yes – the Western Sydney University Careers team will be contactable the entire time during the program to provide technical and program assistance whenever and wherever necessary.

• There will be a weekly online drop-in session every week where participants can talk to a Careers Education Consultant about the program, and any difficulties or questions they may have.
• Students will be added to a WesternLife group where they can discuss with Western Sydney University Careers staff, and fellow GRA participants, about activities, events, and more!

Is there a fee to attend the program?

No, the entire program is planned as a zero-cost experience. All online activities, face-to-face events, and external events carry zero planned cost for students.

Can anyone attend the program?

Application are open for anyone who is interested in completing the program. The application will ask a few questions about your studies, your career ambitions, and what you hope to gain from completing the program.

This program is most suitable for:

• Students in their penultimate or final-year of study of either an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree.
• Students planning to join the workforce/apply for graduate programs in 2023/2024.
• Students studying; Business, Technology, Engineering, Law, Humanities, Science, Social Science, Health Science, and Psychology disciplines.

How are students selected for the program?

Students will apply via the application form on CareerHub, and answer the questions honestly about themselves. Students who provide all required information, and effectively explain their career goals and expectations in joining the program will be the most competitive.

Students will not be successful in joining the program if:

• Information supplied is inaccurate.
• Essential requested information is missing.
• Answers are short, or do not fully answer questions.
• Applications are high, and students do not fit key criteria for the program.

Are international students able to join the program?

Yes! International students can apply.

What kind of employers will be at the events?

Employers with graduate programs will be invited. Some niche industries might not have specific representatives at all events, but the skills gained in the program are still incredibly beneficial for graduates.

There are graduate program roles available now. Can I apply to those?

There are graduate programs who open their applications as early as December 2022 for late 2023/early 2024 starts. Whilst you are free to apply for these programs now, many of these companies also run additional recruitment rounds later in the year, and will still take graduate who have graduated even several years later.

I don’t have a high GPA, can I still apply to this program?

Yes, GRA has no minimum GPA requirement for applications. Your application will be measured by the merits discussed in the ‘Can anyone attend the program?’ and ‘How are students selected for the program?’ drop-downs.