Need support with your career planning, discussing employment options or developing job search skills? 

The Skills & Jobs Centres are supported by the Victorian State Government to provide career advice and guidance to all Victorian's free of charge. Our highly experienced and qualified Employment and Careers Consultants are there to support you by providing information on study choices, job search skills and the latest employment information. 

As a BHI student the Skills & Jobs Centre team can support you through your entire journey from the moment you make contact with BHI to discuss study options, through to finding employment post-study. If you are looking for support with any career related matter, the Skills & Jobs Centre is the place to start! 

Why not make an appointment with an Employment & Careers Consultant? Offices are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday at our Elgar Road, Lilydale and City campuses. 

Box Hill Campus

Ground Floor- B7

465 Elgar Road

Box Hill, 3128

P: 03 8892 1350

E: SAJC.Elgar@boxhill.edu.au

City Campus

(Open by appointment only)

Level 4 (C1.431)

253 Flinders Lane

Melbourne, 3000

P: 03 8892 1350

E: SAJC.CBD@boxhill.edu.au

Lilydale Campus

L5 Building- Level 2

1 Jarlo Drive

Lilydale, 3140

P: 03 8892 1350

E: SAJC.Lilydale@boxhill.edu.au

Instructions: Select each heading for more information

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Useful career development resources

There are a number of career development resources available online that can assist you to start your research into study and employment options. These are a guide only, for individually tailored career advice it is still best to visit the Skills & Jobs Centres and speak with an Employment and Careers Consultant.


Career Quiz- a career quiz will go through a series of questions based upon things like your job preferences, interests, characteristics etc. The results provided will be based upon your responses and provide in site on what careers may be of interest to you.

  • Job Outlook- a career and labour market research information site
  • Skills Match- Skills Match will show you jobs or careers that use your skills
  • My Future- a career information and exploration service
  • Job Jump Start- explore career options and access useful resources to prepare for work


Course Information and Training Options- trying to decide what course is best for you can be a difficult decision. The below resources will allow you to research and compare your options. 

  • My Skills-  Find and compare the outcomes, duration and locations of nationally-accredited training from registered training providers.
  • Victorian Skills Gateway-  compare VET sector courses across Victoria
  • Course Seeker-  study the course that's right for you. Thousands of on-campus and online courses across Australia in one place

Labour Market Trends- labour market information helps to determine current skills shortages, skills in demand and where the areas of job growth are likely to occur over the next 5 years. 

  • Labour Market Portal- developed by the Department of Education to provide up to date labour market data to help people access localised information for their region
  • Victorian Skills Gateway- Occupations explorer will allow you to search for employment growth areas in specific regions


Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information- if you are looking to secure an apprenticeship or traineeship these websites have lots of useful information.


There are four Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Providers that currently operate in Victoria. They all have job boards with current vacancies available on their websites. 

Creating a Resume

A resume is a summary of your key skills & attributes, education and experience. It is often the very first impression a prospective employer has of us so we need to make sure it conveys as much job specific information as possible. 

The Skills & Jobs Centre team can work with you to support you to develop a tailored and industry specific resume. Please contact them on 8892 1350 to make an appointment. 

The purpose of a resume is to give your prospective employer enough job specific information that they want to offer you an interview.

Did you know....


You have:

 10 seconds to capture the employers attention

 30 seconds to peek the employers interest

 2 minutes total time for an employer to make a decision on whether or not to offer you an interview


Resume Tips:

  • Always tailor your resume to each individual job you are applying for
  • Only include factual and true information
  • Ensure your language mirrors the language in the position description/job advertisement
  • Most people read resumes off the screen so make sure you use a font/size that is easy to read like arial or calibri and size 11 or 12
  • Do not use pictures or graphics unless specifically requested
  • Pay attention to what you save the file as, use a professional name such as JoeSmithResume.doc


Cover Letters

A cover letter is attached to a resume as an introduction to you. It is always recommended that you supply a cover letter with a resume where possible .

The cover letter is normally one page long. It is where you put your case to be given the job or at least an interview. In the cover letter you highlight parts of your resume or explain some aspects of it.

The cover letter has four main tasks which can be arranged in four or five paragraphs.

1. Identify the job you are applying for and where you learnt of it

  • Sometimes the job will have an identifying number in the ad. State the job title and the number if one is given.
  • State where you saw the job advertised or who told you about it.
  • If you are not applying for an advertised position or one you have been told about make this clear at the outset.

2.  Say why you are suitable for the job

  • Focus on what the advertisement states is required if there is an advertisement. You will be mentioning things that are in your resume but that is fine - the aim is to persuade the reader to look at the resume.
  • In the cover letter you can construct a strong argument by bring facts together.
  • You can also explain gaps in your employment history or why you changed your career. Try to present this in a positive way.

3.  Explain why the job fits in with your plans and why it is attractive to you

  • Make it clear that you have done some research about the company.
  • Make it clear that you have read the job description and advertisement.

4.  State that you would like to be interviewed and how you can be contacted

  • Make sure that you can be contacted even if your phone is switched off. If they want to invite to for an interview you want to make it easy for them.

Key Selection Criteria

Some positions may ask you to address a Key Selection Criteria as part of the application process. Selection Criteria can ask you to provide additional information and examples of your skills, experience, values or knowledge which you must be able to demonstrate that you possess.

This can be a very time consuming task. If they have asked you to completed a Key Selection Criteria is is critical you include this information.  It is important because applicants are ranked against the selection criteria.

  1. Take a new page and write down each of the selection criteria.
  2. Under each criteria state that you meet the criteria, giving examples of  how and when you have demonstrated the skill, knowledge, value  or gained the experience.
  3. You can use the STAR model:
    • Situation- describe the circumstance in which you used the skills or qualities or gained the experience.
    • Task - what was your role?
    • Actions - what did you do and how did you do it?
    • Result - what did you achieve?
  4. Provide relevant examples from your work, study or community roles.
  5. Be aware that some selection criteria have several parts and all parts must be addressed. For example: "can follow instructions and show initiative" would require you to provide examples of following instructions and of showing initiative.
The Skills & Jobs Centre team can work with you to support you to complete a key selection criteria. Please contact them on 8892 1350 to make an appointment. 

Interview Tips

An interview is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given in order to determine whether or not someone is going to be suitable for a job or service. It is your chance to convince a potential employer that you are the right person for the job!

The employer in an interview is not only determining whether or not you have the skills and experience for the job but also whether or not you will be the right fit for the organisation so it is important to make a positive first impression! 

There are many different types of interviews including:

  • Face to face interview
  • Group interview
  • Phone interview
  • Panel interview
  • Skype interview
  • Behavioral based interview
  • Role play
  • Work trial

It is really important to prepare for an interview beforehand. You should plan the following things:

  • What will you wear
  • How will I get there
  • How long will it take to get there
  • Who is the interview with
  • Research some key facts on the company
  • Have a copy of your resume ready to take with you
  • Have a reference ready to provide
  • Get a good nights sleep!

The top 10 most commonly asked interview questions according to surveyed employers via Seek can be found here: commonly asked interview questions

For more information on interviews or to participate in a mock interview please contact the Skills & Jobs Centre on 8892 1350

VolunteeringVolunteering is a great way to develop your skills and experience and to build your confidence. If you are interested in volunteering you can contact:

In Class Presentations

If the Skills & Jobs Centre have delivered a presentation in your class recently you will find a copy of the slides here: 



WorkshopsThe Skills & Jobs Centre run a variety of workshops throughout the year. Workshops include:

  • Creating a resume and cover letter
  • All about Interviews
  • Accessing the Hidden Job Market
  • Employment for over 45's
  • Securing work experience 

For more information on upcoming workshops, please contact the Skills & Jobs Centre on 8892 1350.

Useful Job Search Websites

Use the below websites to search and apply for available positions. To maximize use be sure to register with each website so new listed jobs that match your search criteria are sent straight to your inbox!

Recruitment Agencies are a great way to find casual and temporary employment. Recruitment agencies also have fulltime and part time roles available. You can register with as many recruitment agencies as you like- there is no limit!

Social media is also a useful networking tool when looking for employment. Jobs can be advertised directly or you can create a professional profile for employers to view and make contact.

Last modified: Wednesday, 27 July 2022, 11:06 AM