APPLICATION FORM – APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR ALL SUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE STEPPING INTO WINTER PROGRAM

The Stepping Into™ program offers practical paid work experience for successful students with disability who may face significant obstacles in gaining employment. Obstacles include such things as academic transcripts that don’t reflect the students’ real potential, or having limited opportunity to participate in part time work while studying. The participating employers are pioneers within their field and are taking a leadership role in providing opportunities to students with disability to access internship opportunities.
 
The Stepping Into program involves a recruitment process and includes an application, interview and selection processes with employers. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to complete a paid work experience program with one of our participating employers. You will also be required to participate in a student briefing at the commencement of the program.
 
To be eligible for this program, you must have a disability and be enrolled in your final or penultimate year of a relevant degree at a recognised tertiary institution. You must be able to commit to the entire program. You must also be an Australian Citizen and / or have full working rights in Australia.
 
Any information about your disability will be removed prior to sending your application to the participating employers.
 
Employers that you are shortlisted to are responsible for selecting and notifying candidates for interview and offering candidates a position in their program.
 
All sections of this Application Form must be completed. Please attach the following information (applications without the following documents attached will not be considered):

• CV
• Covering letter
• Academic transcript (official or unofficial accepted)
• Relevant disability information (such as your Disability Access Plan from Disability Services at your University)

 
TIPS ON FILLING OUT APPLICATION FORM
It is important that the responses you provide in this application clearly articulate your skills and abilities. Below are some tips and guidelines for answering the sections of this application form in order to help you provide sufficient information in your application
 
General tips

• Ensure you complete all fields. Leaving any section blank is an incomplete application.
• Check for spelling, grammar and language. Get someone to proof-read before submitting.
• If you use industry related terms or acronyms, ensure you elaborate, and ask yourself, would the recruiter understand this?

 
Other interests, activities and achievements

• In this section, you should mention any involvement in extracurricular activities such as sporting clubs, university activities, achievements and prizes, either in your employment history, at university or the community.
• The employer wants to get an understanding of who you are outside of your studies.

 
Career objectives

• In this section, you should be clear about what your career goals are, what career interests you hope to pursue. Explain why you chose your course of study and how your studies are relevant to your career objectives.
• The employer is interested in knowing why you have applied for the internship and your interest in being considered for an internship in their organisation.

 
Other work related skills and abilities

• For this section, include any work-related skills and abilities you have and for each, provide an example of how you have demonstrated such skill either through your employment history, university or in the community.
• The skills could include technical skills (for example, specific computer programs/software you have competencies in) or soft skills (such as customer service, communications skills and ability to work in a team).
• The employer is interested in how your skills and abilities will match the internship offered and your ability to work effectively in their organisation.

 
Personal achievement

• This section is an opportunity for you to share an achievement you are most proud of either from your personal or professional life. In this section you are providing information to an employer about how you work through a situation effectively to achieve a positive outcome. HINT: consider using the STAR approach when writing this section.
• Think about what you write and whether it is appropriate for an employer to know. This section will be seen by employers. If you do not want to reveal things about your personal life or your disability, then do not include it in this section. Only information beyond this question will not be disclosed to employers.