Did you miss the DFAT Graduate Program Presentation last Wednesday? There’s no need to worry! We have got you covered.
For the first time ever, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (‘DFAT’) came to the University of Queensland (‘UQ’) to provide an overview of their highly competitive Graduate Program, and to share their tips and tricks for the application and interview process with students. We were joined by Nicholas Williams (Deputy State Director, DFAT Qld) and Edward Kutra (Business Relations). The session was arranged by the team at BEL SET.
The top tips for the application and interview process which were provided at the session have been summarised below for your benefit.
Tip 1: Understand Australia’s place in the world. Knowing your country will enable you to represent your country.
It is vital for Graduates to understand Australia’s place in the world. This means knowing details such as what Australia’s major exports are, as well as major export markets, and even our policy position in Mongolia.
Why is this important? Nick provided an example. At one point, he was speaking to an international stakeholder in Wellington who asked him what Australia’s international position on climate change is.
Ed said that in the interview, there will be a question on the nature of Australia’s relations with another country (they could pick any random country), as well as the primary industries between those two countries and any significant connections they share. He specified that it is important to have a broad stroke understanding of Australia’s relations with other countries, so that in the interview, the interviewee can provide a ‘soundbite’ of what the relationship is based on.
Tip 2: Demonstrate an understanding of People, Networks and Relationships
In your application and interview, it’s important to demonstrate how you effectively engage with people and networks, and how you build relationships. Explain how your skills in these areas would be of benefit to DFAT.
Nick used his HR background as an example.
Tip 3: Know who the relevant Ministers and Secretaries are
This includes:
· the Prime Minister
· the Minister for Foreign Affairs
· the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment
· the Minister for International Development and the Pacific
· Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; and
· The DFAT Secretary and Deputy Secretaries.
The strategic directions of these Ministers should be your direction point when speaking in your interview or when writing your application.
Tip 4: Know the documents which provide the foundations for DFAT’s Priority Functions
The main document to be familiar with is the Foreign Policy White Paper. Nick also advises to look at DFAT’s Annual Reports, as well as the websites, press releases and speeches of the relevant Ministers.
Tip 5: Have a Political Antenna
It is important to be familiar with politics. This includes an understanding of how the Government works, who the relevant Ministers are, and what the central public service agencies are. Politics will impact how other public service agencies interact with each other, and how the Ministers engage certain issues.
It is also important to be aware of the ‘central’ agencies such as the APS Commission, the Treasury and the Department of Finance etc.
Tip 6: Every space counts on your application
It is important that you stand out from the rest of the crowd in your application, and therefore it is important to make every space count. Think about your words very carefully, and be concise.
Nick recommends using the STARL (Situation, Task, Action, Result, what did you Learn) method in your application.
Tip 7: Practice interviews with your friends
Every second of your interview counts! Therefore, it’s important to be prepared for it. Do some practice interviews with your friends in a mock setting.
Tip 8: Be mindful of what you ask at the end of your interview
At the end of the interview, you will be asked if you have any further questions for the panel of interviewers. Nick advises that you should not ask a question where the answer can easily be found out from the Graduate Recruitment Team. This includes questions such as: ‘When does the position commence?’.
Nick suggests using this time to give the interviewers three reasons why they should hire you. The last part of the interview is how they are going to remember you. It is their final impression of you.
Tip 9: ‘Someone is always watching’
Be aware of your surroundings, as there may be someone from the Department watching how you engage with other agencies, or perhaps observing how you dress and present yourself.
Tip 10: Try again!
Many Graduates apply three or four times before they successfully obtain a Graduate position. Do not give up after missing out on the first go. Try again for the next round!
About Nicholas Williams: Nick is the current Deputy Director of DFAT’s Queensland office. He grew up in Brisbane and graduated from Griffith University with a degree in Business (Human Resource Management).
About Edward Kutra: Ed works at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Business Relations.
Article by Melanie Karibasic
Stock Photo: Photo by Luca Laurence on Unsplash