Scotch College

OSCA Mentoring Program

Richard Orchard and Adam Routledge ('01)

The OSCA Mentoring Program commenced in 2003, and has a group of volunteer Old Boys in fields as diverse as Law, Accounting, Real Estate, Local Government, Share broking, Personnel Management and many more. A number of applicants have successfully undertaken the Mentoring Programs so far. Great Scot spoke to Adam Routledge (’01), who is a current member of the Old Scotch Football Club, about his experience with the Mentoring Program.

GS: Adam, how did you find out about the Mentoring Program?

AR: Through the OSCANET website (http://www.oscanet.com.au). Students completing Year 12 are inexperienced in understanding the steps required to conduct a thorough job search and undertake an interview program.

GS: Describe the process of the Mentoring Program.

AR: The first phase was to register online. My details were logged onto the OSCANET website (e.g. university studies, personal interests, leadership experience). The completed database form was then submitted electronically.

GS: What happened next?

AR: An email arrived a week later outlining the details of an appropriate mentor with contacts relevant to my qualifications. This was Roland ‘Barney’ Orchard. We then met for coffee.

GS: What did you discuss with Roland?

We talked about my previous experiences and where I was situated. The environment was very relaxed and it felt comfortable being completely open. After gaining an Electronic Commerce degree, the general direction was clear but the process of getting there was the big challenge. Applications had been lodged, interviews arranged and I needed some tips on how to perform to the best of my ability.

GS: What advice did Roland give you?

AR: We discussed interview preparation and what was required. Roland pointed out that being prepared with notes and researching background information on Sensis would be the best way to get a competitive advantage over the other applicants. I began research media coverage of Sensis via the internet and the press. Roland explained to me that the more questions I asked the interviewer, the more enthusiastic I would appear to the panel of interviewers.

GS: What was the best thing you took out of the initial meeting?

AR: Roland advised me to break the interview down into three phases, similar to an English essay:

Introduction	Outline previous history, be relaxed and just be myself.
Body	Explain how I would add value to the business.
Conclusion	Summarise my skills, i.e. why they should pick me.

GS: There were 140 people applying for the position and only five chosen. How did you rate your chances?

AR: It looked daunting at the beginning. I adopted a ‘nothing to lose’ approach and threw myself into it knowing that, whatever the outcome, much experience would be gained in the process.

There were two initial interviews which lasted one hour each. I advised Roland that I had been short-listed down to seven applicants. This was clearly good progress; however, two people were still to be cut.

At this stage, I promoted Roland to number 2 on the speed dial on my mobile phone as communication between us was vital. We met again and discussed final interview techniques and possible ways that I could achieve my goal of making the position. I left him full of confidence once again and went in for my final interview.

It is very unlikely that I would have got past the initial interview phases if not for ‘Barney’ and the OSCAnet Mentoring Program.

Adam was offered the graduate position at Sensis and began an 18-month Graduate Program, which commenced on 1 August. All Old Boys regardless of age are encouraged to register their details onto the OSCAnet Mentoring Program in order to receive advice regarding job searching, interview techniques and career pathways.

Roland Orchard and Adam Routledge (’01)