Bachelor of Finance (2018) and Bachelor of Accounting (2019)
Anson is currently the State Manager of Abacus Finance, an interstate financial service company in Canberra. He is an accredited member of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
During his time at CBE, Anson joined a number of private and public agencies including the Government of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals and a few not-for-profit organisations. Through the CBE Internship Program in 2019, he interned with CatholicCare, a social services agency of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
How has your CBE degree prepared you for your career?
Other than the knowledge and soft skills we learn in our everyday lectures and tutorials, I also learned very important lessons regarding how to demonstrate a strong and professional work ethic. Working in a highly regulated industry, I find having a committed and dedicated attitude sets a very good example for your colleagues and clients, and helps workers maintain quality and fulfil the compliance of service.
What attributes does your team look for when recruiting new staff?
Candidates who are proactive and have good critical thinking skills are what we usually look for when recruiting. Our job involves a lot of professional calls and communication with external stakeholders, hence the expectation is that our new staff can work independently.
The job market has become increasingly competitive and challenging. What are some practical steps that CBE graduates can undertake in terms of job searching?
- Keep track of your applications and networking events: stay organised so you only apply for jobs that you are interested in and qualified for. This helps reduce stress during the job searching process. Attending networking events also enables you to understand the industry beforehand. CBE organises good, resourceful events throughout the year.
- Go beyond the resume: your cover letter and resume are usually the first thing recruiters see before meeting you face-to-face. Try personalising your cover letter for each application and emphasising your skills and experiences that match the job requirements. This will help make you stand out from other applicants.
What can international students do to prepare themselves for the Australian job market?
My advice is to prepare and plan your career path as early as possible. If you would like to stay and work in Australia permanently, I suggest you research relevant policies as they may affect which industry or job you pursue and help you find your preferred position in the rapidly changing business environment.