About commerce.... (2 Viewers)

[Zeref]

Anything is good on your CV provided that it has substance and you can sell it in an interview. That being said, I found ECs to be overrated in terms of graduate roles and vastly overrated when it comes to entry level stuff. I had some decent ECs (nothing special), but most graduate programs I interviewed with seemed far more interested in my industry experience. Maybe it was because I didnt have anything too special, but I could definitely sell them well in an interview. Entry level employers have almost zero interest in ECs - relevant experience is all they care about (I know it doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is). I know that with Law graduates, ECs don't count for much at all - the focus there is primarily centred on grades and legal experience (I cant comment further, but I have seen the metrics used to grade candidates).

Now where does one get this relevant industry experience?

 

[ameher]

Now where does one get this relevant industry experience?

Tbh when i was in my first few years back at uni i looked at volunteer roles in law firms, mainly got those through family networks, but also by dropping my resume into local offices in my area if they needed someone to perform general administration duties.

 

[Zeref]

Tbh when i was in my first few years back at uni i looked at volunteer roles in law firms, mainly got those through family networks, but also by dropping my resume into local offices in my area if they needed someone to perform general administration duties.

Soz don't have any.
Suggestions for commerce related ones?

 

[enoilgam]

Now where does one get this relevant industry experience?

Well, this is why such a socio-economic bias when it comes to Law. Industry experience is very difficult to get for early year Law students unless you have family/friends who can get you in (i.e. Uncle Bob who is a partner at some firm). A lot of people from less wealthy backgrounds dont have access to these opportunities, which puts them at a disadvantage with clerkship programs. This is why I think the focus should be more on ECs/volunteer work because these opportunities are less dependent on who you know. It evens the playing field.

Tbh when i was in my first few years back at uni i looked at volunteer roles in law firms, mainly got those through family networks, but also by dropping my resume into local offices in my area if they needed someone to perform general administration duties.

This is a good idea - you have to be proactive. Eventually, someone will be willing to give you a go.

 

[enoilgam]

Soz don't have any.
Suggestions for commerce related ones?

Volunteer - if I was hiring and saw volunteer work experience on an application that would look really good to me. That shows a lot of initiative and drive.

 

[obliviousninja]

Volunteer - if I was hiring and saw volunteer work experience on an application that would look really good to me. That shows a lot of initiative and drive.

Goes beyond financial incentive

 

[Zeref]

Volunteer - if I was hiring and saw volunteer work experience on an application that would look really good to me. That shows a lot of initiative and drive.

Coolies. What would be the ideal volunteer time? Cuz it's kinda dog if u volunteer for 1 day then jump to volunteer for 1 day at another place and keep going until ur ECs are pimped with volunteering stuff.

 

[enoilgam]

Coolies. What would be the ideal volunteer time? Cuz it's kinda dog if u volunteer for 1 day then jump to volunteer for 1 day at another place and keep going until ur ECs are pimped with volunteering stuff.

I wouldnt volunteer for one day - if you get volunteer work experience with a company, do it for two or three months (of one or two days a week).

 

[ameher]

Soz don't have any.
Suggestions for commerce related ones?

Around tax time there are a number of accounting firms which offer roles to assist in general database management, and admin duties. They may even pay you. Also with respect to EC's, playing sport worked for me, along with getting involved in a few university clubs/societies. Get on to those EC's early at university, and build from there. EC's + Work Experience + solid grades is the way to go.

 

[Zeref]

Thanks for all the help guys

 

[RishBonjour99]

I wouldnt volunteer for one day - if you get volunteer work experience with a company, do it for two or three months (of one or two days a week).

Also, just because its volunteered and you aren't getting paid, don't take it too easily. I know someone who initially offered to worl free for a top 10 small ib in sydney and then got paid work and is still with them (only 2nd year). That is called drive and taking initiative. Tbh it is great you are asking around etc but most of these you should have known through a simple search on the net (and past bos forums).
And with ECS. Anything counts and is valuable. You know you're making good progress when you struggle to include everything in your cv within 2 pages and have to decide which ecs or work experience to fit in. Also make friendssss. I got my first ever job through a friend, her mum was the hr for that company and it was awesome experience. When she applied for a big4 internship i sent her all my interview stuff and now we will both be working together again. So like you never know where your connections will lead you.

 

[obliviousninja]

Around tax time there are a number of accounting firms which offer roles to assist in general database management, and admin duties. They may even pay you. Also with respect to EC's, playing sport worked for me, along with getting involved in a few university clubs/societies. Get on to those EC's early at university, and build from there. EC's + Work Experience + solid grades is the way to go.

Totally agree on the part about getting ECs early. Im in for a chance of getting director positions for prominent commerce related societies

 

[Phaze]

Totally agree on the part about getting ECs early. Im in for a chance of getting director positions for prominent commerce related societies

Do being in societies and volunteering groups mean anything on a Resume/Job Application or is it only when you're in an executive position within these societies/groups.

 

[obliviousninja]

Do being in societies and volunteering groups mean anything on a Resume/Job Application or is it only when you're in an executive position within these societies/groups.

Just being in a society means nothing. You must have at least some kind of role, doesn't have to executive, can be sub committee. Commerce based societies are preferred.

Volunteering groups yes if you engage in activities.

 

[ameher]

Totally agree on the part about getting ECs early. Im in for a chance of getting director positions for prominent commerce related societies

Good work mate! sounds like really good stuff. I remember getting the change to network with companies directly as a result of being in some societies at university. really helped out in some cases.

 

[enoilgam]

Also, just because its volunteered and you aren't getting paid, don't take it too easily. I know someone who initially offered to worl free for a top 10 small ib in sydney and then got paid work and is still with them (only 2nd year). That is called drive and taking initiative.

It should be noted though that in this day and age, informal, volunteer internships don't often lead to paid positions but it can still happen so don't take it too lightly. Twenty or thirty years ago your chances of getting work at a company would be much higher - I don't know why businesses don't do this any more, the best way to evaluate talent is to have them work for you I think.

Still though, from a personal perspective, I'd look highly on any applicant with unpaid work experience - to me it shows commitment and drive.

Do being in societies and volunteering groups mean anything on a Resume/Job Application or is it only when you're in an executive position within these societies/groups.

ECs aren't just limited to uni clubs and societies - try to look beyond uni because that can help you stand out. Also, something else to look out for are programs like 180 degrees consulting - you definitely gain some strong transferable skills through these organisations.

 

[Drifting95]

It should be noted though that in this day and age, informal, volunteer internships don't often lead to paid positions but it can still happen so don't take it too lightly. Twenty or thirty years ago your chances of getting work at a company would be much higher - I don't know why businesses don't do this any more, the best way to evaluate talent is to have them work for you I think.

Still though, from a personal perspective, I'd look highly on any applicant with unpaid work experience - to me it shows commitment and drive.



ECs aren't just limited to uni clubs and societies - try to look beyond uni because that can help you stand out. Also, something else to look out for are programs like 180 degrees consulting - you definitely gain some strong transferable skills through these organisations.

That is evident through how difficult it is to get into these programs

 

[enoilgam]

That is evident through how difficult it is to get into these programs

Admittedly I dont know too much about their entry standards, but the stuff they do definitely translates to the real world.

 

[seremify007]

I would add that a shopping list of ECs get you past application stage and potentially through to an interview but if you can't really demonstrate or articulate to me what you achieved/learnt and how it makes you a better potential fit for the role (ie sell it to me) then it's meaningless. This is likely what will happen if you try spreading yourself thinly across too many ECs or work experience type things but fail to truly learn or get the value from it.

I'll put it this way, I interviewed some guys last week and whilst one person came up with a team to enter a uni competition, he wasn't able to articulate any real conflicts or challenges and how he led the team through difficult times or resolved issues which is what I would normally expect from someone who used leading an EC team for an example of leadership.

 

[rogery]

The most popular majors in commerce courses would probably be accounting and finance. But, don't feel like you need to study what everyone else is studying. If you are passionate in marketing and management, you are most likely going to perform better and succeed in doing that rather than an area that you don't have much interest in.