Graduate Recruitment @ Otago
Graduate recruitment offers students the chance to find out about the world of work and job opportunities, and is coordinated by the Career Development Centre in close consultation with students and employers.
Each year employers visit the University of Otago to talk about their work and the opportunities their business or organisation has to offer. In addition, the Career Development Centre offers a series of seminars and workshops throughout the year to help students develop job search skills.
The opportunity to:
- Meet face-to-face with prospective employers
- Find out about graduate-level job openings and internships
- Know what employers look for in graduates - what are their preferred skills and attributes?
- Network - Careers fairs and presentations are great places to start your professional network
- Update yourself on what's happening in the world of work - what are the employment prospects?
- Practise and polish your interview skills
- Become acquainted with companies' culture and values - would you fit in?
- Clarify your career objectives - is this the kind of industry/sector you want to work in?
- Help with your choice of study - what subjects are these employers interested in? Do they have subject preferences?
It's convenient! You can do all of the above without leaving campus, and it's FREE!
Make the most of Graduate Recruitment events
1. Register with OtagoCareerHub
Once you have registered, always keep your contact details up-to-date, especially your email address.
2. Keep your eyes open for events
- Log into OtagoCareerHub regularly to keep up with events, jobs and messages
- Check your student email account - direct emails are sent on behalf of employers via the Career Development Centre
- Attend Career Fairs and Expos, employer presentations, Cutting Edge employer presentations
- Attend Career Development Centre seminars and workshops
3. By the time you leave Otago
Make sure you know:
- How to put together a top quality job application (CV and cover letter)
- How to successfully conduct a job interview
- How to network effectively
- How to present yourself professionally to prospective employers
Fairs and expos
Career fairs and expos are held on campus and provide excellent opportunities for students to meet face-to-face with employers and find out about job opportunities.
Accounting, Law & Finance Expo
Held annually in March
General Careers Fair
Held annually in May
Teaching Expo
Held annually in July
All details are placed on OtagoCareerHub
Seminars
The Career Development Centre runs seminars and workshops throughout each semester to help you with your job search.
The seminars begin in early March.
Seminar topics
• Career Planning - Who Am I, Where Am I Headed?
• Networking the Hidden Job Market
• CVs, Covering Letters, and Application Forms
• Online Applications
• Psychometric Testing
• Interview Skills (with practical interactive sessions)
• Professional Presentation
• Contract Negotiation
Venues, dates and times are listed in 'Events' on Otago CareerHub (link – CareerHub)
Employer presentations and information sessions
Find out about particular companies, their cultures and what they look for in graduates from senior executives, Human Resource Managers, and recent graduates available to share their experiences.
All students are welcome at employer presentations, which are usually held at lunchtime or in the evening.
First and second year students find the presentations useful for planning their course of study and career direction. Final year students and graduates can apply for current vacancies within companies.
Cutting Edge employer presentations
Guest employers talk on topics related to the world of work.
Previous presentations have covered:
• 'Getting the Job YOU Want'
• 'How To Avoid Blowing Your Job Interview'
• 'Preparing a CV that gets YOU into the YES pile'
• 'What you should look for in an employment agreement'
• 'Negotiating Job Offers'
• 'Psychometric Testing: What's It All About?'
All students (and staff!) are welcome to attend these sessions.
Vacation internships
A number of employers and organisations offer studentships or internships over the summer break. These are paid work opportunities that are related to your degree and are available to students in their penultimate year.
Internships are advertised within academic departments and on OtagoCareerHub, or you can find your own!
School of Business Internship Programme
This is a full-year internship for BCom and BCom(Hons) students.
For more information contact the Internship Coordinator
Email: internships@otago.ac.nz