CPA Passport

Five effective time-management tips
Date issued: 10 September 2012
Finding the perfect balance between study, work and a social life can be made simple with a little planning and management.

Workplace socialising: The dos and don’ts
Date issued: 10 September 2012
Out-of-hours work functions are a great way to get to know your colleagues and have fun. They can also offer an opportunity to make a fool of yourself and limit your future. Here are a few tips to steer you in the right direction.

Four easy ways to build a network
Date issued: 10 September 2012
Soft skills refer to personality traits and ability to interact with others. You will need to call on these skills to build professional networks and convince potential employers that you will fit in to their workplace.

Stay on track with your goals and finances
Date issued: 27 August 2012
2013 is fast approaching, and it’s time to sit back and assess whether you are in the right place to get through to the end of the year without a hitch. We have some tips to help you plan for those vital months of 2012.

Surviving your first day at work
Date issued: 30 July 2012
The transition from full-time study to a full-time corporate job is an exciting time. You can finally put your hours of study to use, and begin your career journey. We have put together some top tips to help you settle in on the first day.

How to secure an interview
Date issued: 16 July 2012
For every graduate position, there are perhaps dozens of applicants with similar qualifications and experience. Presentation, strong communication skills and an eye for detail are essential in getting yourself to the interview stage: just remember a few simple things.

Spend less keeping in touch
Date issued: 29 June 2012
For most students, cheap calls and SMS are a must. Check out some amazing apps that can give you what you need.  

Thinking of changing your subjects?
Date issued: 29 June 2012
If you've already started your university degree you probably know wherey your interests lie. Now is the perfect time to re-assess your subject choices.  

Smart money
15 June 2012
It’s never too soon – or too late – to start learning how to manage your money. Follow these smart money tips from CPA Passport.

Stressed out!
Date issued: 4 June 2012
You can deal with stress as you would for other obstacles in your life. You wouldn’t write an essay without planning, or go out on a Friday night without thinking about what to wear, so why can’t you plan for your emotional wellbeing at known "stressful" times. 

SWOT team
Date issued: 4 June 2012
Many companies use a SWOT analysis to find out how their goals are tracking. You don’t have to wait until you are an executive to make use of this tool; as it is perfect for uncovering strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for your goals right now. 

How you land a graduate position
Date issued: 18 May 2012
We thrive on hearing stories of success from members of CPA Passport, and are happy to share the tale of Amanda Bacon, who is in her final year at Central Queensland University studying a double degree of Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Business (Marketing). She will be starting at PwC in 2013.

Interview tips 
Date issued: 18 May 2012
Interviews can be stressful, but preparation can make the process easier and may even make it a rewarding experience. It's also important to think positively and have confidence in your experience and qualifications.

A picture is worth a thousand words
Date issued: 18 May 2012
Not every social media channel is created equally, and while you may be happy to share your social life with Facebook friends, LinkedIn is a completely different channel, a channel that is visible to your professional network and potential employers.

Study tips: Know yourself
Date issued: 3 May 2012
Chances are you don’t have total recall of every single thing you learnt this semester – and you more than likely have an exam coming up. This is why it is important to establish a study plan that works for you.

Time to take a tablet?
Date issued: 23 April 2012
Tablet computers are a great option for lectures – you can record sound and video and take notes, and they have much longer battery power than a conventional laptop. Also, with the release of Windows 8 expected shortly, you will soon be able to use Windows on some tablets.

Top apps for life and study
Date issued: 2 April 2012
If you own a smartphone, you probably know about the massive range of applications (apps) available. But did you know they can also help you study and provide welcome relief when you need to take a break?

Applying for graduate positions
Date issued: 2 April 2012
After university, it can be hard to figure out exactly what you’re qualified for, and how to best break into the industry. Getting a graduate job is the perfect way to kick-start your career. So how do you do it?

Have it all, pay less
Date issued: 21 March 2012
Let’s face it, finances can get pretty tight when you’re living the student life. The little money that is coming in is usually reserved for books, accommodation, transport and maybe a bit of fun during the week. However, you are eligible for all sorts of student discounts and offers that will make penny-pinching easier.

Career expos – how to prepare
Date issued: 24 February 2012
You’re probably familiar with the idea of careers fair expos, but sometimes the benefits of attending such events are unclear. Here are a few tips to ensurehelp you get the most out of a careers fair.

Office terms – what do they mean?
Date issued: 10 February 2012
Having the clothes and walking the walk isn’t all you need to learn when starting a job. You also need to know how to talk the talk.

Uni life – starting out
Date issued: 6 February 2012
If you’re about to embark upon your first year of university, chances are you have known for some time what, and where, you will be studying.

Crossing borders – communicating across cultures
Date issued: 30 January 2012
Communicating effectively is tough at the best of times, but when communication occurs between people from different cultures the challenges can sometimes seem insurmountable

Goal setting gets results
Date issued: 16 January 2011
Creating and working towards meaningful goals is the key to reaching your potential. Whether it’s working towards high distinctions, chipping away at key performance indicators, or training for a marathon, we all have the best intentions to deliver results. Research has shown that setting tangible goals along the way ensures that these intentions become a reality by keeping you on track, and managing your time and priorities effectively.

Spend your holidays wisely
Date issued: 16 January 2012
It’s easy enough to spend your break lazing by a pool and sleeping in, but while you’re relaxing your future colleagues might be working hard at standing out from the crowd. Consider using your holiday wisely by taking time to bulk up your resume or make a difference.

Tips for negotiating a salary
Date issued: 16 January 2012
One of the most daunting aspects of securing your first job or a new role can be negotiating your wage. Being prepared and open to salary negotiations will help you gain greater benefits for your role.

How to write a killer resume
Date issued: 21 October 2011
With exams coming to end, it’s time to start applying for professional roles, internships or holiday work. Your resume is a vital tool in the application process. Here are some tips to ensure you stand out from the crowd and don’t make any rookie errors.

Study tips – finding the right fit for you
Date issued: 3 October 2011
Preparation is the key to success. Have you retained the information you’ve learnt throughout your course? Are you ready to pass that test? Are you on your way to acing your exams? These questions might sound daunting, but if you’ve established a successful study plan you have nothing to worry about.

Get LinkedIn – create your profile and start networking
Date issued: 3 October 2011
There are more than 120 million professionals on LinkedIn, making it a powerful online networking tool for connecting with potential employers and finding job opportunities.

Make a difference
Date issued: 16 September 2011
As reported in the July issue of INTHEBLACK, more than 34 per cent of the adult population volunteer, but finding the right volunteering opportunity for you can be difficult. CPA Update gives you a few tips to set you in the right direction.

Don’t give up – beat those post-application blues
Date issued: 5 September 2011
If you’re entering the workforce or applying for internships you may have to go through a number of application processes or interviews before landing a job.

Making the most of careers fairs
Date issued: 22 August 2011
Find out what you should do to get the most out of your day and help enhance your career prospects.

Internships – what's in it for me?
Date issued: 5 August 2011
For many, an internship is a concept that often flies around the studying sphere, but, aside from working, what can you get out of doing an internship? 

Clean your online profile
Date issued: 5 August 2011
When you’re in the market for a job one of the first things you need to do – before applying – is clean out your online profiles. A nice rule to follow is ‘what would Grandma say if I joined this group or liked this comment?’.