Graduate attributes that boost your employability

Do you have a graduate (or even postgraduate) tax qualification? Are you looking to land a prestige tax, accounting or legal position?

To separate yourself from the pack of other candidates in the eyes of prospective employers, it pays to demonstrate the following four attributes.

How to make the most of your Mondays

Nothing sends your productivity into overdrive like getting a flying start to the week. You might think of each Monday as the ‘weekend hangover’, but it’s better to use the day as an opportunity to establish your priorities and beat your deadlines.

Whether you’re facing five days filled with client meetings or completing the last phase of a project that requires your analytical skills to be razor-sharp, here are four top tips for making the most of your Mondays.

Build your resume while you study

A ‘Catch 22’ situation exists for many younger graduates – employers often require that you already have relevant work experience before they’ll consider hiring you, but you need to secure that first job to gain experience.

Achieving a high-distinction average in your undergraduate studies or mastering your taxation law units is likely not enough to help you land the job of your dreams. While recruiters and hiring managers seek candidates who show academic rigour, many also require that you demonstrate passion, focus, drive and initiative in a practical environment.

There’s no reason to despair, however, if you’re still studying for your degree. There are countless ways to begin proving to your potential employer that your contribution to their business will go well beyond balancing the books.

Here are four strategies for building your résumé while you study – because it's never too early to begin your career in a ‘real world’ sense.

Which area of tax should you specialise in?

A career in tax can open up rewarding opportunities. It’s a multifaceted profession, with areas you can choose to specialise in once you've completed your postgraduate tax education.

But how do you know which discipline is the right fit for your mindset and abilities?

Here are four areas you might consider focusing on in your tax training, along with the skills and experience you’ll need to succeed and the types of personalities that tend to excel in them.

How to build rapport with your professional colleagues

The ability to get along with your co-workers – and create long-lasting professional relationships with them – is an essential skill for all tax practitioners.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, developing positive relationships with colleagues creates a richer work environment and can help your future.

Here are four key skills that expert rapport-builders focus on to enhance their relationships with colleagues.