Graduate Resources
Welcome to MPIRO Graduate Resources!
Applying for graduate programs can be daunting.. so the MPIRO team have collated some resources to get you ahead of your application journey!
What jobs in international relations are available for me?
Starting your job search with and understanding of your key interests will help you narrow down a list of positions or programs you’re mostly interested in. Applying for many jobs or graduate programs can become hard to keep track of! However grad programs aren’t the only way in to the Australian Government – you can also apply direct!
Australian Public Service
The Australian Public Service offers a wide range of career path options. Whether you studied international relations or a different discipline, the APS employs a diverse range of people from all different academic backgrounds.
To learn more, head over to the APS Jobs Portal!
Victorian Public Service
The Victorian Public Service (VPS), similar to the APS, offers an extremely diversified career pool. Ranging from entry level policy officers to project management, the possibilities are inexhaustible!
To learn more about VPS graduate opportunities, head over to the VPS website!
Australian Government
There are many Australian Government agencies you can apply to that relate to international relations. To name a few…
- Department of Defence (DOD)
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
Attorney-General’s Department (AGD)
Austrade
- Department of Home Affairs
To apply for any role in the above, you must be an Australian Citizen.
You can find out more here.
Australian Government Graduate Programs
About to graduate and don’t know where to begin on graduate programs? We’ve got you covered. Below are a list of Australian Government agencies that run an annual graduate program.
- Department of Defence
- Australian Public Service
- Department of Finance
- Department of Home Affairs
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It is strongly suggested that you consider which graduate program you want to apply for well before the application deadline. Try to submit your application as soon as the applications open.
Private Sector
Graduate Tips & Tricks!
Here, we’re sharing tips from alumni and recruiters to help you in the application and job searching process.
Grad Tip #1
Do you know about APSC’s ‘Cracking the Code’?
The Australian Public Service Commission has a helpful guide for those interested in applying for Australian Public Service graduate programs!
Grad Tip #2
Apply for the programs you are really interested in!
The number 1 tip from MPIRO’s event with Department of Defence was to research and apply for the programs you are really interested in, rather than applying for all available ones. Having a tailored approach will have your application journey more streamlined and probably less stressful!
Grad Tip #3
Tackle the selection criteria using the ‘STAR’ method!
If you haven’t heard of it before, the STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. When responding directly to the selection criteria in both written applications and interviews, it’s important you cover:
a) Situation: describe a work or university situation applicable to the criteria that you were faced with. What’s the context behind your example?
b) Task: describe the task you had to compete. Did you face any challenges or a problem along the way?
c) Action: describe the action you took to complete the task. How did you help solve the problem?
d) Result: describe the result of your action. Was this positive? Did you receive positive feedback from management or colleagues? What impact did this have on others or the organisation? and did you learn anything meaningful?
Grad Tip #4
‘SMART Resume’ offers targeted suggestions and guidance on your resume.
If you would like to secure guidance and suggestions on your resume, you can upload it to UniMelb’s ‘SMART Resume’ program. Here it will suggest how to improve your delivery of speech, focus on content strength, assess how it fits towards a targeted career goal, and more!
Visit ‘SMART Resume’ here
Grad Tip #5
Familiarise yourself with the Integrated Leadership System
If you’re thinking of applying for a public service role, spend some time thinking about what skills you can demonstrate in accordance with this system, and what you can improve on.
Grad Tip #6
Familiarise yourself with, and practice for, psychometric testing
A psychometric assessment is used to measure a person’s suitability for a role based on their intellectual capabilities and personality traits. While you can’t *really* study for a psychometric test per se, there are a few things you can do to help prepare you.
Grad Tip #7
Believe in yourself!
It’s not about how much work experience, internships or extracurricular you have, but how you can articulate and present your experiences in a persuasive way.
Our motto: Hope for the best, expect the worst, and remember to be confident and not to take rejections personally or too seriously. A lot of circumstances need to align to receive an offer and some out of your control; even if you’re the smartest person in Australia.
Questions? Get in touch!
Think there’s something missing you want to know or think grads could benefit from? Drop us a line!
⇒ admin@mpiro.org