Thursday, February 23, 2017

right here’s what you need to realize to get a job working with refugees and asylum seekers



have you ever ever puzzled what hiring managers are seeking out whilst recruiting for australia's maximum sought-after nfps?


on this collection on the ethical jobs weblog, we’re interviewing the those who lease on the establishments you need to work in – and we will provide you with the insider information you want to make your subsequent job application excellent.


this month we communicate to stephanie clee, strategic humans and culture supervisor at mda. mda is a queensland-based company that works with refugees, global students, migrants and people in search of asylum. they hire people in jobs ranging from advocacy to community improvement and customer services.



hi stephanie, thanks for chatting to us! to begin us off, can you deliver us a short rundown of what mda does?


mda is an impartial, non-authorities corporation dedicated to reaching the first-rate agreement effects for our customers.


as considered one of queensland’s largest multicultural businesses, we work with refugees, people seeking asylum, worldwide college students, migrants and their nearby communities.


mda is committed to a welcoming queensland in which all new arrivals can contribute and participate in a multicultural society.


can you stroll us via the recruitment procedure at mda?


the recruitment method varies relying on the role. maximum of our recruitment follows a basic structure that includes collating and reviewing all packages and shortlisting for cellphone screening.


a hit applicants at this level are invited to a panel interview and the favored candidate is reference-checked. for the duration of this technique, we regularly consist of a work task that could be a function-play, writing a file, responding to a scenario or preparing a presentation.


our panel interviews are behavioural-primarily based as we search for key examples of the decision-making strategies we attempt for at mda.


we highlight storytelling, as we accept as true with this is the fine manner to recognize an applicant’s reasons. we want to allow every possibility for applicants to reveal their character as we have a strong emphasis on recruiting for man or woman at mda.


so in assessing applications, what are the pinnacle things you look for whilst finding out who to interview?


we area plenty of importance in information who you are and why you're enthusiastic about running at mda. we want candidates to spotlight the important thing talents, revel in and attributes they might deliver to the position.


it’s additionally vital to follow the suitable software layout – as an instance, providing both a resume and cowl letter.


we are looking for employees who can upload to our organisational lifestyle, so personalised programs are also critical.


and we regularly consist of the abnormal left-of-centre selection standards, along with ‘a love for corny jokes’ and we enjoy studying candidates’ responses to those!


and what are a number of the most commonplace errors candidates make in interviews?


the majority of the applicants we interview are qualified for the role in phrases of competencies and experience. one common mistake is not focusing sufficient on why they want to be a part of mda or why they are obsessed with the specific role.


some interviewees don’t solution all elements of the query or cross into sufficient depth with their examples.


eventually, another mistake isn't showing the panel enough of their persona.


and who would a candidate possibly meet at an interview at mda?


our panel interviews are usually made from three group of workers members – the hiring supervisor, a member of hr group and a 3rd team of workers member, who may be on the equal degree as the position being recruited for, or from any other branch.


the 0.33 panel member acts as a ‘cultural champion’ to make certain we're always selecting for cultural healthy throughout the employer. hr can even ask for opinions from others consisting of reception personnel or every body else the candidate may additionally have spoken to.


what forms of characteristics do human beings want to be triumphant at mda?


there are numerous qualities we value at mda, however the main ones we search for are compassion, motivation for the position, adaptability and flexibility.


we paintings in a complex coverage location and the surroundings is constantly converting. it's miles essential to be agile and adaptable however additionally to maintain ardour for working at mda.


and eventually, what advice could you supply to a person who desires to paintings at mda but may not have the proper enjoy or qualifications?


brief-term contracts are a first-rate manner to advantage exposure to mda and to exhibit your persona and skills. at the same time as you may require transferable abilties or qualifications to be successful, we discover there is much less opposition for brief or fixed-term positions.


we've a number of personnel that have entered the organisation via one group and, after gaining experience, have been capable of pass into their best role. a few vacancies are most effective despatched to inner group of workers, which means once you are employed at mda you’ll have get right of entry to to more possibilities.


if your skillset does not in shape any advertised roles, we actually have a volunteering program, that's some other exquisite way to get started out with mda. a records of volunteering seems fantastic on a resume because it manner the applicant is already familiar with the paintings and values of our organisation.