The secret to graduate employability: what employers look for

The future is bright, job seekers! The government is forecasting a major rise in Australian employment over the next decade – amounting to some two million extra jobs – and growth is expected across all industries. With so many opportunities on the horizon, now’s a good time to think about life after graduation.  

Hold on a second, though – does that mean landing a job is as simple as sending off a few applications once uni is over? Or is there more you can do to improve your graduate employability?  

With the help of DeakinTALENT experts Michael McKenzie and Gabrielle Paton, we’ll answer those questions, explore what employers are looking for in graduates and share some practical ways to improve your prospects in the job market after graduation. 

What do employers look for in graduates? 

It’s not always easy to know what employers are looking for in graduates, but the team at DeakinTALENT are definitely in the know. According to Paton, recruiters are generally looking for three main things. 

‘They assess if the candidate has the ability to do the job, if they have the motivation and are committed to the role, and if the candidate is a fit for the team,’ says Paton. ‘If you can tick these three areas when applying and interviewing for a role, you’ll give yourself the best opportunity to secure the job.’ 

If you’re looking to boost your graduate employability and nail the job search, Paton and McKenzie say it’s also important to assess your key skills and to get your CV looking sharp. Here’s how.

What skills do employers look for in graduates?  

Employers are sending one message loud and clear: developing job-ready skills with previous work experience is a major plus when it comes to graduate employability.  

‘97% of students who had secured graduate roles all had some kind of work experience, as found in the 2024 Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) Graduate Survey,’ says McKenzie, reinforcing the importance of engaging in work integrated learning, such as internships, and having a part-time or casual job while studying.  

More specifically, McKenzie says that employers are looking for candidates with strong teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills, but it’s just as important to recognise the skills that employers would like to find but often don’t.  

‘The survey also noted the skills candidates often lacked, which included an understanding of their organisation, commercial awareness, communication and resilience,’ McKenzie says. 

Graduate employability: what do employers think and want when it comes to resumes and job interviews?  

Anyone who’s ever tried to build a resume knows it can be a bit daunting. How do you make it readable yet impressive? What really needs to go on your CV, and what’s just filler? And then, of course, there’s the interview.  

Luckily, Paton and McKenzie have spoken to hiring managers and recruiters to find out what they really look for on resumes and in interviews.  

• Resume/CV tips: ‘Ensure your CV is preferably two pages (three at the maximum), has a clear and uncluttered layout, and highlights skills from previous work, internships, or volunteer roles,’ says Paton. 

• Job interview tips: ‘Once you secure an interview, research the company thoroughly, use examples of your experiences and knowledge when answering questions, and prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewers,’ McKenzie says. 

Tip tips for enhancing your graduate employability  

There are plenty of ways to improve your graduate employability but Paton says that DeakinTALENT is a great place to start.  

‘There are so many amazing tools and resources freely available to Deakin students, including resume templates, interview preparation tips, AI resume checkers, LinkedIn profile guides and anything else you could need.’ 

Beyond that valuable resource, though, there are also proactive steps that you can take to enhance your graduate employability, whether you’re just beginning at university or are ready to start the graduate journey. 

How to improve your graduate employability if you’re still in university 

Even if you’re a few years away from applying for jobs, it’s never too early to start thinking about life after university.  

‘Right now is the best time to start enhancing your employability,’ says McKenzie. ‘Get that hands-on industry experience, do your research and head to DeakinTALENT for access to career coaches, workshops, events, online resources and job opportunities to help you become your most employable self and achieve your career goals.’ 

If graduation is just around the corner, it’s time to keep a closer eye on key opportunities. For instance, applications for graduate roles generally open in February and March of your final year, while workplace opportunities like internships, clerkships and vacationer roles tend to become available midway through your second-last year of study.

How to make yourself more employable as a recent graduate  

If you’ve just graduated or are on the final stretch of your degree, it’s time to think about maximising your graduate employability. To make things easier, Paton and McKenzie have laid out some clear and practical tips for recent grads: 

• Utilise job platforms: ‘Sign up for job alerts on Gradconnection, Prosple and the myDeakinTALENT Careers Platform and express interest on company career pages to receive notifications when applications open,’ says Paton. 
• Organise and track your job applications: ‘Use a spreadsheet or preferred tool to keep track of each application, with details on the position, company and deadlines,’ McKenzie says. ‘Save the job descriptions, as they may be removed once applications close. This helps you prepare for potential interviews.
• Preparation is key: ‘Start preparing early by organising your documents (CV, cover letter, transcripts) and identifying target companies,’ says Paton. ‘Have a “hit list” of companies you’re most interested in and focus on quality over quantity when applying.’  

Remember: the earlier you start planning for your future career, the more employable you’ll make yourself as a graduate, so definitely try to get on top of graduate opportunities before you leave the university system. ‘The biggest regret we often hear from alumni and professionals in the workplace is that they didn’t think about their career until they finished their final exams,’ says McKenzie.