Career Blog
As you evolve at the Telfer School of Management and enter the business world, slowly but surely, you will have to abide by a “professional attire” dress code, either for an interview or for a networking event. As the business world and technologies have evolved considerably over the last few decades, the idea of a “professional attire” has transformed. It is worth going over and debunking some myths surrounding this concept that are making things overly restrictive and complicated.
Myth no. 1: Matching Is a Must.
Although matching pantsuits and skirt suits are still considered as staples of a professional wardrobe, they may make you feel a little bit too formal or stuffy, if not costume-ish. Fortunately, you have another fantastic option: dressy separates, i.e. a pair of slacks or a dress/skirt with a blazer of a different colour. Examples: a wine shift dress with a black blazer; navy slacks with a charcoal jacket; a charcoal pencil skirt with a cream blazer, etc.
Tip: Don’t try to wear two separates of the “same” colour together as a suit; if you do separates, make sure their colours are different enough. And yes, mixing navy and black is okay. ;0)
Myth no. 2: Black Is Always the Way to Go.
If you are on the market for a new suit (or your very first one!), and are considering black, you may want to think twice before you make such an investment. Although black is a conservative colour and conveys authority, it can actually look harsh on a lot of people. If you feel that black makes you look washed out, try another dark neutral such as charcoal or navy, or even mouse gray, olive green or steel blue if you are very fair.
Tip: Black pantsuits and skirt suits should be reserved for very specific, formal occasions (like funerals, galas and weddings).
Myth no. 3: Tailoring Is for Hems Only.
An ill-fitting suit or garment looks unprofessional, no matter how fancy or expensive they can be. And chances are that even the best-fitting blazer, jacket, skirt or slacks you can find will still not fit you 100%. The good news is that seamstresses and tailors can do so much more than just shortening hemlines: they can make a myriad of alterations to transform a garment from “OK” or “seemingly borrowed” to “WOW!”
Tip: If tailoring services are not included with your purchase, prepare to spend anywhere between $10 and $35 per piece for a perfect fit that will make you feel like a million bucks.
Myth no. 4: Professional Attire Can Make You Feel Uncomfortable and Weird… And That’s OK.
If you’re not feeling it, you won’t fool anyone. If a “professional” garment does not instantly boost your confidence, it is simply not for you. Find out what works for you: not all male bankers wear pinstripe suits, and not all female accountants wear stuffy tweed jackets with strings of pearls. Not all men are comfortable in a Prince of Wales check suit, and not all women are comfortable in high heels and a pencil skirt. Take time to become familiar with what suits you, and trust your instincts.
Remember: Professional attire is something that you own and, most importantly, wear: it should not wear you.
Myth no. 5: Personal Touches Are a Big “No No”.
Abiding by a “professional attire” dress code does not mean refraining from expressing your personality. Incorporating vintage jewelry, coloured (closed toe) pumps, patterned socks, a ruffled top or a bright necktie is entirely OK, as long as they are tasteful and that the overall ensemble says: “I’m ready. I’m smart. I’m competent.”
Tip: If your gut tells you that an outfit or garment would be inappropriate for a meeting with the Prime Minister, then it probably does not fit the “professional attire” dress code.
I hope this article will make it easier for you to choose professional attire in the future. Remember: for any event where you need to display confidence and ease, such as an interview or networking event, preparation is key. Don’t wait until the last minute to decide how you will dress: find options, ask for opinions and take full-length photos to get a better perspective.
“Wow, you’re only in first year? It’s so great that you’re networking early on”, was the common response I got from recruiters when I mentioned I was a first-year Telfer student, attending Telfer Accounting Club’s wine and cheese in my first weeks of school.
I’ve done a lot of networking. When I was a first-year accounting student, I began attending networking events within my first few weeks of school during the height of Co-op recruiting season. I recall knowing no one, showing up alone and lost; however, being driven out of my comfort zone made me develop new skills and a boldness that is so important when attending networking events. Here are some of the pros to networking early on in your university career.
Understanding your program
When you attend networking events, you get to meet a myriad of people working in your field of study. You have a chance to talk to them about their work: what they enjoy, how the hours are, the various pros and cons of the job, and the expectations placed on an employee in that position. If you’re still unsure about your program or whether you’ll enjoy it, it’s a good place to hear first-hand what a position in your field will be like.
Gaining confidence
When I first started attending networking events in the first year, it was definitely nerve wracking. However, the more you practise the art of the casual slide-in to a group conversation or exiting a conversation tactfully when it’s been going on for too long, the better you get. As a third year attending networking events during Co-op recruiting season, even though it was arguably my most important recruiting season (for my first Co-op), I was never nervous attending the events. I had attended so many events beforehand that I was comfortable meeting new people and the recruiters. One thing that’s important to remember when you’re networking is that the people you’re talking to are just normal people, and were once students as well! Don’t be too intimidated and just be yourself.
Meeting new people
Evidently, the point of networking is to meet new people! When you go to networking events, you’ll most likely see the same students around. It can be a great opportunity to meet other people in your program.
Discovering what you like and what you don’t
After doing recruiting season again in the second year, I really got to know what various companies (especially in accounting) were like based on the people I met. I was able to be more informed and comfortable about my decision for whether to go with a big 4 firm or not when my actual third year Co-op recruiting season came around. Once I knew who I did (and who I didn’t) want to work for, I made myself known on multiple occasions to the people I really needed to meet to reach my goals, and made more purposeful relationships.
I hope all my points about networking early will encourage you to step out earlier on in your career to meet new people! Remember: practice makes perfect! It doesn’t have to be every event available to you, but even just one more event gives you that much more practice.
Good luck!
How do you get over 17 million people to willingly dump ice-cold water over their heads? Simple. You present it as the #IceBucketChallenge. Challenges are effective because they encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and to have fun doing so. The list of 2018 viral challenges is endless: the Kylie Jenner lip challenge, the cinnamon challenge, the hot pepper challenge and the chubby bunny challenge, just to name a few. Now, I present you with the latest and greatest challenge — the #CareerDevelopment challenge. It starts out with simple tasks, only increasing in difficulty as you move down the list and start building your confidence with each challenge met.
The following series of challenges will help you stand out from the sea of students and kick-start your career development journey!
Challenge #1: Talk to someone new
The first step to building your network is meeting new people. University is the best place to accomplish this goal because you’re surrounded by new people all the time. Whether you’re in class, at the student lounge or in line waiting for your coffee at Starbucks, you can form a new connection. Who knows? Maybe this person will be your future best friend or business partner!
Challenge #2: Create your LinkedIn profile
Most students are hesitant to create a LinkedIn profile early on in university. People tend to push it off until graduation nears, only to realize that they don’t have enough time to build a strong network on the platform. The opportunity cost of waiting until your final year to create your LinkedIn profile is enormous — imagine the number of professionals you may have met but be unable to keep in touch with!
Challenge #3: Critique your resumé
Your resumé is quite literally a reflection of you — one or two pages that summarize all of your accomplishments, activities and experiences. To put your best foot forward, you can have one of the Career Centre staff members review your resumé and provide you with valuable feedback to improve. They will help you create the best version of your CV so that you can feel confident when submitting your job applications.
Challenge #4: Go to a networking event
As a Telfer student, you have many networking events to choose from. The two largest networking events are Telfer Connects and Telfer Networks, and there are countless other smaller events taking place throughout the year. Take a look at the Telfer Career Centre Calendar to learn more about all the events taking place!
Challenge #5: Pat yourself on the back
If you’ve gotten this far in the #CareerDevelopment challenge, then you deserve a pat on the back. You’re already way ahead of the game! You’ve stepped out of your comfort zone and accomplished goals that will help you land your dream job! The next steps to take are continuing to meet new people, attending networking events and strengthening your relationships with existing connections.
Best of luck meeting these five challenges. May the odds be ever in your favour!
When a mentor first told me to “create your own opportunities”, I took it lightly, thinking that all opportunities open to me would be found through friends, colleagues, family or online. My mind could not wrap around the concept of those four words - I had always used and followed processes in order to give back to volunteer organizations, to meet new people, and to apply for internships. So far in 2018, I’ve had the chance to create a few exciting opportunities for myself, from getting a position at a high-tech software company, to developing and scaling Telfer’s very own Women in Management Network (WMN).
What I’ve learned is it’s not what you say, but how you say it. Being able to communicate your value in a way that promotes your skillset and highlights different achievements is one of the most important parts of the “create your own opportunities” formula. For example, my decision to switch into Human Resource Management in my final year allows me to gain competencies related to human capital, and is a benefit to my financial and accounting background which I studied over the last four years. With this knowledge in hand, I will now be a well-rounded businesswoman once I finish school and fully enter the workforce. Related to this concept is the concept of self-awareness: knowing yourself; your skills, interests and passions; and what value you can bring to those around you. If you’re aware of what you enjoy doing and you align it with your personal and professional values, you will be able to better select the opportunities that are a fit for you.
Another important part of the formula is your willingness to step out of your comfort zone. This is where change happens! Engage with the right people and situations – once the industry you’d like to enter is defined, take action and seek out networking events that bring together professionals currently working in the industry. Did you know that only 20 % of jobs are posted online? The other 80% is filled by word-of-mouth recommendations and people actively creating/seeking out these opportunities. By attending networking events, meeting like-minded people, and communicating your value (even as a student) you’re putting yourself out there and making it easy for people to find someone with your skillset and fresh perspective. Instead of seeking someone like you out, you’ve now appeared right in front of them!
The final point I wish to mention is staying open. Many of us have already created the ideal job or volunteer opportunity in our minds. However, rarely will our plans work out exactly the way we would like them to. Instead of focusing on exactly what you want, be open to the different ways this plan can unfold. By having a loose grip on this plan (knowing the what, but being open to the how, for example), you may spot opportunities that you didn’t recognize earlier.
Creating your own opportunities may seem daunting, but after you’ve done it once, it becomes much easier to do it again. Know yourself, communicate your value, engage with the right people, and stay open. By following these tips and keeping a positive and grateful mindset throughout your journey, you will start to be more aware of all the good things flowing your way!
One activity that many people find nerve-wracking, I find fulfilling – it’s networking.
As an extrovert, I enjoy sharing stories and experiences with new acquaintances, I’m energized by socializing, and I quickly come off as open, friendly and approachable. Sure, these qualities make networking easier for me as I naturally gravitate towards crowds and I find making conversation easy. However, there are other aspects to networking that are equally as important.
Here are my tips on how to make networking enjoyable, instead of a hassle:
Adjust.
Adjust your mindset and alter your beliefs on what networking is supposed to be. Many people view these events as high-pressure environments when in reality, networking is just meeting people. It’s about building relationships and developing yourself as a professional. Instead of going into the event wanting to secure a new job, you should take the opportunity to ask recruiters or people in the industry more questions about the role, field, responsibilities, etc. Find out if it’s really a fit for you. Not only does this show your interest and help you develop rapport with the right type of people - they will also remember you, which makes getting the job that much easier down the line. Personally, I enjoy attending events to discover more about potential career paths, to meet new people who may give me advice or help me at some point in my career, and to learn about new opportunities in my community.
Prepare.
Do your research about the attendees. Use LinkedIn to see who’s talking about what event. This can help you target the right people and make the most of your time at the networking event. Create relevant questions during your preparation phase if you’re worried about blanking out while speaking to a charismatic recruiter, or the CEO of a large company! Preparing in advance is equally as important as being physically present at the event.
Execute.
At the networking event, ask the right questions. Some of my favourite standard questions (in no particular order) include: What motivates you? What’s your favourite part of your job and why? How did you get into your current role? How long have you been with your organization? Are you a member of any professional associations? What’s the most important skill you believe is needed for a career in your field? What advice would you have valued when you were in the early stages of your career? If you took the time to prepare, you should have an idea of the type of people who will be at the event and should feel more comfortable when it comes to executing. In addition, ask for their business card before gracefully exiting the conversation, and make sure to thank them for their time and their insights. Once you leave, take one minute to jot down the main insights you retained from your discussion with the professional.
Follow Up.
Don’t forget to do this within 24 hours of meeting someone. It’s as simple as sending an email (which should be on their business card) thanking them once again for their time, briefly summarizing the main insights which you noted, and including anything you promised to share, like more information on the club which you’re part of at school.
The reality is, networking is an essential skill that all business students should be comfortable with. Not only will it help you build out your future opportunities, but it helps you become more comfortable with speaking about yourself, your skills, and your career goals - which can be particularly good practice for future job interviews!
Two great workshops that I recommend for facilitating the networking process are Let’s Talk Networking and Intro to LinkedIn, held by Telfer’s Career Centre.
Hopefully these tips will help you navigate the (not-so) tricky world of networking and relieve some pressure before you attend that next networking event.
For the past four years, I had been set on working in Accounting for the Federal Government. It was what I had decided on as soon as I finished my summer internship with CRA back in August 2016. My following internship with DFO from May to December 2018, had validated that belief as well. I really enjoyed the work environments, the learning opportunities, and the people that I had been lucky enough to encounter on my teams.
In February 2018, push finally came to shove. My accounting courses became more demanding; my workload increased; I helped start Telfer’s very first women’s network, WMN, in addition to my role as a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador and Sponsorship director on CASCO. I started to feel overwhelmed and was having difficulty managing everything that was on my plate. (Looking back, it was a pivotal moment in my life as I had learned my professional limits and how much is too much for me.)
Simultaneously, other events were happening - both positive and negative - and they began to have an impact on my career path, although I didn’t realize this until after the fact. Taking Matt Archibald’s Seminar on Personal and Leadership Development (ADM 4396) gave me the opportunity to discover my passion and network with well-known leaders in the Ottawa community; attending different Career Centre workshops such as “Who Am I: Self-assessment and Career Testing” helped me evaluate my strengths, interests, and passions; I was becoming aligned with the right people who would connect me to others; work pressures started to mount; the pressure of keeping my commitments and my grades up while maintaining a social life, was taking a toll on me. It got to a point where something just clicked, and I asked myself – am I happy in accounting?
This was my breakthrough. Switching out of accounting was something I had been deliberating on since taking Intermediate Accounting 1 - the class which typically acts as a wake-up call for many accounting students. But after the build up I had encountered over those last few weeks, I finally had mustered up the courage to admit to myself that maybe, accounting isn’t the right fit for me. I had a very hard time accepting this fact, and once I did accept the feelings of dissonance that had been bubbling under the surface, I relied heavily on my support network. Many of my peers, upon hearing of my decision to switch, would ask “Well, what are you going to do now?” My answer was the same for about 2 months – I’m not sure, but I know I will figure it out. And I did!
I now work at a technology startup named Oproma as an Inside Sales Representative. The company focuses on creating value out of people’s unstructured data. I never thought of sales as a profession - I believed the ‘car salesman’ stereotype was true for any sales role. However, I have come to learn that professional sales is about building relationships, and solving problems. My passions, strengths, interests and talents are finally aligned; no longer am I trying to force a career path that isn’t right for me! I have a natural ability to connect with people, and networking is one of my favourite hobbies. My people skills are excellent, and I’m happy that I’ve finally found a profession where I can use these skills daily. I have surrounded myself with very driven colleagues who act as mentors to me, and I take in as much knowledge as I can from them. The fulfillment I feel about my life right now is unparalleled to anything I have ever felt before. I feel as though I am not only satisfying my soul and its calling, but also helping others grow both professionally and personally– which is my ultimate passion.
Main point: Make sure you’re being honest with yourself, about the path you’ve set for yourself. People say to follow your passion and then you’ll never work a day in your life - but the fact is, many people have difficulty finding that passion to begin with. Three resources that I recommend for developing more self-awareness are the Career Centre’s Who Am I: Self-assessment and Career Testing and Jump Start Your Job Search workshops, as well as the Seminar on Personal and Leadership Development (ADM 4396).
Last Thursday, I had the chance to attend Telfer Connects, an annual networking event organized by the Career Centre for third- and fourth-year students. This year, there were more than 30 companies and around 300 students in attendance.
As a fourth-year student attending this event for the second time, here are my takeaways:
1) Come Prepared
Networking events can sometimes be overwhelming, especially the first couple of ones you attend. Make sure to know which companies will be present and make a list of the ones you are interested in. Also, take the time to briefly research those companies to make it easier to talk to the employers from that company.
2) Talk to Everyone
If you are walking around and you see an employer that is not busy with another student, talk to them. Even if they are not from a company you are interested in, there is always something to gain from others.
3) Do not Just Network
The Career Centre offers multiple other services during Telfer Connects, take advantage of them. You can chat with a career counsellor, have your resumé looked over by an advisor and lastly you can get a professional headshot taken for your LinkedIn.
Telfer Connects was a fantastic event. The employers were friendly and the Telfer students came prepared which allowed for positive discussions. I look forward to Telfer Networks in January, open to all undergraduate Telfer students!
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation, without knowing how to make your exit?
I am currently reading Mike Bechtle’s How to Communicate with Confidence, a book that teaches us how to engage in better conversations ― not by trying to become someone else, but by building on our personality strengths (whether we are extroverted, introverted, or a mix of both). One of the chapters addresses ways to exit a conversation gracefully, and I’ll share four of these tips with you today.
1. Be honest
Do not make up false excuses to end the conversation. Instead, you can wrap up the discussion by mentioning what you enjoyed the most from your interaction. This will help you part ways on a positive note. Then, be decisive and direct in making your exit without leaving room for negotiation. And voilà!
2. Make it about you
If you have set some goals for yourself before the event, don’t be afraid to use them to justify your moving on from the conversation. For example, you may want to meet specific people to learn more about a particular program of study. However, it bears repeating that for this tip to work, you need to have genuinely set your objectives beforehand.
3. Ask for help in achieving your goals
Let’s say you came to the event to learn more about the field of finance and its various career opportunities. You can ask the person you are talking to if they are knowledgeable on this particular topic. If they are, it will give your conversation a new direction (especially if it had become tedious). You can always excuse yourself afterwards to learn more from other attendees on this topic. If the person has no information to share with you, they might either introduce you to someone who does ―which will lead you into another conversation―, or they will say “no” and you will have a way out!
4. Help other people meet
If you recognize other people in the room, introduce them to the person you are speaking to. If you feel that they are hitting it off (and this is important!), you can then excuse yourself and move on.
These tips are helpful in all situations, from networking events, to evening gatherings and in everyday life.
The secret is to practice often. It is a well-known fact that we learn through repetition!
Whether you are a first- or fourth-year student, you should be going to networking events. They may lead to your first summer internship, or your post-undergrad dream job. As beneficial as networking events can be, they can also be very intimidating. However, not if you know how to prepare for them. Use these five ways to prepare for your next networking event!
1. Research Attendees Before the Networking Event
Before attending the event, take a look at which professionals will be in attendance. You can research them to come up with some potential conversation starters. As a result, you can create a meaningful conversation with the professional. This meaningful conversation could lead you to many future opportunities as a student.
2. Update your Social Media Profiles
You must do this before researching and following up with professionals. Make sure your latest jobs are on your LinkedIn profile, and that a professional headshot is at the top. Due to this, professionals will be able to identify you, before and after the networking event. Finally, if your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles are public, they must look appropriate to a professional.
3. Memorize your Elevator Pitch
“Tell me about yourself.” This may be one of the most dreaded questions to answer. You can avoid this stress by memorizing a short introduction about yourself. Your talk about who you are and what you do must leave a positive impact on the professional. With this statement, you will create a long-lasting impression with the individual.
4. Track your Contacts
Throughout the networking event, keep track of all the professionals you speak to. You can do this by collecting business cards, or adding them on LinkedIn right on the spot. By doing this, you will know who to follow up with after the event.
5. Follow-up with your Contacts
Don’t forget to follow up with the professionals that you network with. Thank them for their time and ask them to connect at a later time, should that be relevant. Overall, keep in contact with these professionals, as you never know where it could lead you!
To learn more about Telfer Networking Events: www.telfer.uOttawa.ca/en/careercentre/undergraduate-students/networking-events
Telfer Connects was a huge success this year. More than 270 students and over 95 employers from 32 companies attended the event. As a third-year Telfer student, this year was my first time coming to the event as a student attendee and at the same time as an ambassador for the Career Centre. I got a chance to see the event from two different perspectives and would love to share my experience with you.
Last Year’s and This Year’s Format
Compared to last year, Telfer Connects has maintained its core structure and interesting additional elements. Students could meet several employers from different industries as well as have their LinkedIn photos taken and get feedback on how to improve their resumés on site by the Career Centre reviser. Even though Telfer Connects has been successfully run as one of the biggest networking events in the faculty, there were some changes implemented to improve the event. This year Telfer Connects’ format was organized in a new way with some additional features. In the room, all the employers had cocktail tables with their company’s names instead of big booths. There was a map at the front of the entrance that showed where each of the employers were standing. This change helped with the flow of students and created a more relaxed atmosphere in the room. Students were less stressed about networking with the employers and could take breaks outside on the couches whenever they wanted.
An Ambassador's Perspective
I came to Telfer Connects an hour after the event started to help out with the event as an ambassador. By the time I arrived, DMS 4101 was full of students and employers. The Career Centre staff and the ambassadors were helping everyone to get their name tags and direct them to the room to start networking. I was welcoming students and assisting them with questions regarding where certain employers were in the room. Every student that approached me seemed to have previous experience in networking. I asked a few of them if they networked prior to that day. Most of them told me that they had attended Telfer Networks during their 1st and 2nd years, which helped them to become more familiar with how to approach the employers at this type of event. Overall, students were well dressed and looked confident. Some of them brought their resumés and were ready to get employer contacts. One of the employers shared with me how he was impressed by how Telfer students present themselves professionally and are able to have interesting conversations.
A Student's Perspective
After my shift, I had some time to network with the employers myself. Even though the room seemed to be crowded, I did not have to stand in a long line to talk to company representatives. I think the fact that every company had at least two representatives helped a lot to meet student demand. It was easy to talk to the employers from the companies I was interested in. I talked with CLV Group, EY, RCGT, BMO and TD Bank, and I asked them all my questions regarding their experiences in their companies and touched on some topics non-related to the companies or jobs. They all were more than willing to share their insights with me and exchange contact information. Of course, at the end of the event I went to get my free LinkedIn photo, which took me 5 minutes.
Overall, Telfer Connects has been improving according to previous year attendees and my personal experience. I like how the Telfer Career Centre is always looking for new ways to innovate the event and offer students and employers an amazing platform to connect. I am excited to see what Telfer Connects will have to offer next year to students and employers.