Career Blog
Whether an employer wants to get to know you in an informal and more personable setting, or if you want to reach out to a professional you admire to acquire more information and advice, coffee chats are for you! They provide you with a setting where conversation can flow organically and each party can learn more about the other. Remember however that coffee chats still require you to prepare. Job opportunities are possible at any time, and you must be prepared to impress a prospective employer. Due to the current circumstances, virtual coffee chats are more and more common. Here are some tips and trick to help you master either your next virtual or in-person coffee chat:
Tip #1: LOOK PRESENTABLE
It is hard to find the motivation to look presentable when we are at home. Yes, coffee chats are meant to be casual. Yet, the dress code remains business casual. This will also allow you to put yourself in a professional mindset and of course will allow the other person to see you in a professional light.
Tip #2: DO YOUR BACKGROUND RESEARCH
No matter the circumstance, if a professional is giving you the time to speak with them, make sure you have done your research. Review their LinkedIn profile, or research their organization. You should familiarize yourself not only with their professional accomplishments but also with their personal side. This will allow you to be able to build a trusting connection and find common ground.
Tip #3: PREPARE QUESTIONS
It is completely normal to be nervous for coffee chats as it is often your first time meeting this person. This will not be like a typical interview. Think of a coffee chat as an exchange of information. They will ask you questions, while giving you answers to your questions and vice-versa. Try maintaining an organic flow. It is extremely important to have a few questions or topics listed to mention during your coffee chat.
Tip #4: DON’T FORGET YOUR COFFEE
You may not be at your local Starbucks, but nonetheless, it is still a coffee chat. So don’t be afraid to bring your favourite coffee or beverage in your favourite mug. Remember, employers do want to see your personable and fun side as well!
Tip #5: FOLLOW UP AFTER YOUR MEETUP
In order to maintain a professional relationship with the employer or professional you spoke to, follow up with an email, or LinkedIn message as a thank you for taking the time to meet through the coffee chat. Show them that you are either interested in a certain position or in maintaining a professional mentor‑mentee relationship. Keep the message short, simple, and to the point!
Hopefully these tips have eased you a little for your upcoming virtual coffee chat, or have given you some insight into a different means of networking! Good luck :)
LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for anyone looking to enter – or grow in – the job market. It is very common for recruiters to look at the LinkedIn profiles of their candidates to know more about them. Indeed, just as your resumé, your LinkedIn profile provides a wealth of relevant information.
Not too familiar with LinkedIn? Don’t worry. Here are three easy tips on how to improve your LinkedIn profile to attract employers.
Tip #1: Generate your personal URL
Did you know that each LinkedIn profile has its own URL? With your personal address, you can easily refer employers to your LinkedIn page, whether from your resumé or from your business card. You can also customize your URL to give it a more personal/professional twist. When you log in on LinkedIn, you can see your personal URL and change it so that it includes your full name.
Tip #2: Ask for endorsements and recommendations
When you add skills to your profile, your contacts can endorse you. You can also ask your contacts to give you recommendations, either in person or directly on LinkedIn. By being endorsed and recommended by your former employers, colleagues and various contacts, you’ll gain in credibility.
Tip #3: Stay active on the platform
Contrary to what you may think, LinkedIn is not a network of you remain inactive once you’ve created your profile. Check your profile regularly and make improvements to keep it up to date. Also, don’t hesitate to share your accomplishments or to congratulate your contacts for their successes. LinkedIn is the ideal platform to promote your activities and the blogs you’ve published.
Finally, don’t forget that the Telfer Career Centre offers workshops focusing on LinkedIn. To know when and where, check out the Calendar of Events. You can also book an appointment with a Career Centre advisor to know how to build and strengthen your LinkedIn profile. You can book an appointment at any time on Career Launch.
As students and professionals, you may already have developed several job-search strategies: a solid resumé ready, multiple job alerts set up, and a vast LinkedIn network. But did you know that practising mindfulness can also help you optimize your job‑search results in many ways?
Searching for employment while pursuing a degree is stressful even under the best circumstances. As we are approaching our very first virtual fall term, we need all the tools we can get to remain focused despite uncertainty. Here is how you can use mindfulness to optimize your efforts and results.
What is mindfulness?
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, mindfulness is “an invitation to step out of the clutter and really focus on what we are doing, thinking, and feeling in this moment. (…) It’s also a skill developed by deciding to slow down and taking the time to pay attention and be curious about things that we’re experiencing and things that we see around us.”
How can you apply it to your job search?
1. Cultivate intention
By taking the time setting a clear intention regarding your job search, you will focus your time and energy on what really matters whether it’s determining your top 10 employers; finding your true professional purpose; setting short- and medium-term networking goals; or completing your self-marketing package.
Need help setting a clear career intention? We can help! Book an appointment with the Career Centre staff through Career Launch.
2. Remain mindful of your accomplishments and progress
As you evolve in a professional, volunteer, or extracurricular role, pay attention to your accomplishments and the skills and knowledge you are gaining. It will boost your confidence, help you set new goals, and make it much easier to update your self-marketing tools.
Looking for some guidance on how to remain mindful while updating your self-marketing tools? Book an appointment with the Career Centre staff for a resumé or LinkedIn profile critique through Career Launch.
3. Practice mindful breathing
Looking for employment while studying full time is like a marathon… for your brain. Give this precious organ some love by practising daily breathing exercises. Research shows that mindful breathing can increase awareness of our thoughts, regulate emotion, enhance attention, and reduce stress. All these improve your brain efficiency.
Don’t miss the free, weekly virtual mindful meditation sessions offered to all students via Zoom.
Learn more about how you can apply mindfulness to your job search with the following resources:
How to apply the art of mindfulness to your job search
Mindfulness: A resource for your job search toolkit
5 mindful habits you can adopt to boost your bob search
As anachronic as a formal letter may appear in this era of rapid and instant communications, the cover letter remains a key component of your self-marketing package. Although not all employers require one, you should try your hand at it before you actually need to draft and submit one officially. It may take a little more time than you expect. If you don’t want your application to be rejected based on the quality of your cover letter, keep in mind the purpose of your cover letter and the pitfalls you should avoid in it.
What’s the purpose of your cover letter?
Your cover letter gives the recruiter a clear idea of how your current qualifications make you the perfect candidate for the job in the present, and of what you’ll bring to the table in the future if you are hired. It is not all about you, but rather about your future contribution to the organization and its goals.
What you should NEVER do in a cover letter:
- DON’T just read the posting once.
Read it several times and use a highlighter or a word cloud generator to identify the keywords you need to include in your letter.
Tip: MANY jobs require attention to detail and strong written communication skills. Your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to show that you really understand what the job is about.
- DON’T just address your letter to “Dear Hiring Manager” (when possible).
Try to find out who would be your immediate supervisor and address your cover letter to them personally. There are often clues in the posting or on the employer’s website.
Tip: In a pile of applications, a cover letter with the recognizable name of an actual recruiter will stand out. Going the extra mile to make your letter more personal shows that you care.
- DON’T simply mention that you came across the posting on LinkedIn or something.
Start by stating why you want to work for this team or organization specifically. Express your enthusiasm early and reiterate your interest for the position in the ending paragraph.
Tip: Your “reader” (the employer) wants to feel wanted for a genuine reason. Don’t simply quote the employer’s mission statement. Research the organization and be authentic.
- DON’T summarize your past accomplishments like in a biography.
The recruiter has read your resumé. Don’t bore them with the same content. Focus on what you can do for them in the light of the responsibilities listed on the posting.
Tip: Use the posting as your guide. Less is more.
- DON’T forego the proofreading stage.
If you leave typos and other mistakes in your cover letter, you’re giving recruiters the perfect excuse to discard your application altogether. The care you put in your cover letter is supposed to reflect the care you would put in your work.
Tip: Take the habit of proofreading everything you write with the right tools (Reverso, Grammarly, Antidote, Proofreading Tool, Paper Rater, etc.)
REMEMBER: Writing a cover letter is a skill. To learn how to master it, book an appointment for a cover letter critique or tailoring with the Career Centre staff through Career Launch.
If you are looking for a job and have not yet been interviewed for a job via Zoom, Teams, Skype, or any kind of video platform, you may be part of a minority. You probably already know the basics, but we wanted to refresh your memory so that you can prepare.
1. Get your technology in working order
Make sure you have:
- a solid internet connection;
- fully charged batteries;
- a working camera;
- a functional microphone;
- all the required apps (properly installed) as well as plugins;
- the right camera angle;
- a friend or family member to rehearse with!
2. Resolve logistic issues beforehand
Avoid:
- clutter, embarrassing, or overly personal items in the background;
- poor lighting;
- background noise;
- any source of physical discomfort;
- clothes with jarring colours or distracting patterns;
- social media, text or email alerts.
3. Rehearse until it becomes natural
Why not:
- write down your talking points and your answers to anticipated questions (video interviews allow you to use notes so take advantage of it);
- rehearse in the shower;
- practice with a peer virtually;
- book a mock interview on Teams with a Career Centre staff through Career Launch.
4. Prepare.
- Write down your talking points in bullet-point form.
- Create a list of questions for your interviewers and make sure to have space for their answers.
- Have a cup of coffee or another beverage to help you keep from fidgeting and to make the interview slightly more convivial.
5. Embrace your mistakes.
Remember:
- No one is perfect at video interviews except robots. And you are not a robot. You are a human.
- Mistakes are not the end of the world; it is your ability to bounce back that matters.
- If you blow an answer, pause, take a deep breath, acknowledge that you find yourself rambling, and simply ask to restart the answer.
- Humility, humour, and humanity are also endearing qualities.
6. Show positivity
Try to maintain:
- a friendly demeanour and a great smile;
- your focus on the camera (and not on your notes);
- a conversational tone (listening is key).
7. Express gratitude
Remember to:
- send each of your interviewers a thank you note within 24 hours after the meeting; acknowledge the time of the person who coordinated the interview;
- reiterate your interest for the position and remind your interviewers the value you bring to the team.
Telfer job seekers, did you know that:
- More often than not, before your application reaches the desk of a recruiter, it must be flagged by what we call an applicant tracking system (ATS)?
- Therefore, it is estimated that 75% of applications are rejected even before they are seen by an actual human?
What is an ATS?
An ATS is a software that employers use to collect, sort, scan, and rank job applications based on preset criteria. It is estimated that 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies rely on ATS software to help streamline their recruitment process. ATS have become a recruitment solution for an increasing number of organizations large and small.
What does an ATS do?
In essence, an ATS scans submitted resumés for specific keywords, hence determining which applications should be seen by recruiters. It weeds out unqualified applicants (and/or insufficiently‑tailored resumés), which makes the recruitment process easier.
What does it mean for you?
If your resumé is not optimized (i.e., written and formatted) for ATS, you may be rejected as an applicant EVEN if you are perfectly qualified for the position.
What can you do about it?
According to a study from TopResume, here are the tips you should follow for an ATS-optimized resumé:
- Select the right FORMAT.
PDF is not necessarily ATS friendly. If you are asked to upload your resumé to an ATS, and “PDF” appears in the list of accepted formats, use it. Otherwise, play it safe by sticking to Word (.doc or .docx).
- Avoid putting key information in a header and/or footer.
According to the TopResume study, ATS may not always be able to identify the job seeker’s contact information. Just to be safe, avoid using headers.
- Use keywords from relevant postings!
If you are unsure which keywords you should use in your resumé, collect a sample of job postings that represent the kind of position you are looking for. With the help of a word-cloud generator, such as WordClouds or Wordle, identify the vocabulary used in the job descriptions you have selected. Then, tweak your own resumé (and cover letter) accordingly.
- If you have several years of experience in something, take advantage of it.
After your Summary of Qualifications, add an “Areas of Expertise” or Core Competencies” section where you can list 3 to 6 of your strongest competencies (use terms from the posting). Don’t forget to “sprinkle” these same words into your “Professional Experience” and/or “Education” sections to demonstrate when you used those skills.
- Avoid tables, text boxes, images, charts, and other “creative” graphics
- Stick to plain and simple bullet points
- Keep it clean and organized
As you can see, optimizing your resumé for ATS is not rocket science, but it does require some thought… and time. To receive more personal tips and tricks on how to tailor your resumé for a specific application while making it ATS-optimal, book an appointment for resumé tailoring with the Career Centre staff through Career Launch.
To know more about ATS, check out the following resources:
What Is an ATS? How to Write a Resumé to Beat the Bots
Early Spring is my favourite time of the year for our student program. It’s when I finally get to see months of networking, attending events, and interviewing come to life in the form of new student hires all in one room eager to kick off summer onboarding.
This year has been a bit different, but it has still proven to be so fun to welcome students to our organization virtually. Now more than ever, we need keen bright-eyed new employees to help us think outside the box as we pivot in the way we do business.
As Canada’s Export Credit Agency, Export Development Canada has been tasked with offering additional support to Canadian businesses. I joked with some students that I felt like I was calling them to war, as I offered them opportunities to help Canada in this time of crisis.
We have had to flex new muscles to change how we onboard, train, engage, and support our new hires, but a couple months into quarantine, I think we’ve got it down! In amongst the crazy video call fails, we have had some major wins. Like all the extra support we have been able to offer employees through our online fitness program taught by EDC employees, access to video health care, a generous budget to create a work from home set up, fully virtual orientation sessions, a remote mentorship program, and a variety of upcoming professional development workshops for students. We also have a Growing Professionals Committee made up of students and new grads, who have gone above and beyond to welcome our new cohort of students. I think that being distanced from each other will only serve as a way to make us more intentional about how we connect with our early career employees!
I reached out to some of our Telfer students and new grads to hear about their experiences at EDC during COVID19 and their transition from the office to home:
Expectations and Adapting to Change
“Coming in as a student at EDC, I did not expect myself to be working from home full-time, but so far, my experience has been nothing but positive, from the onboarding, mentorship program available as well as job training. There are a lot of valuable lessons and skills to be learnt from starting a job remotely, especially as a student, and so I see this experience as a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow and learn how to be resilient, adaptable to change, discipline and innovative.”
Yasmina Zeidan, Student – Workforce Planning, Telfer 4th Year Student
The Importance of Communication and Work Life Balance
“COVID-19 aside, EDC places great emphasis on communication. Daily huddles with my team and weekly check-ins with my leader have been consistently present since I started with my role in January. These well-established lines of communication have truly made the transition to working from home seamless and less daunting as a relatively new hire. I have felt very supported through these abnormal times, continuing to receive regular training and progressing within my role despite working from home. Not to mention, I have continued to participate in my favourite fitness classes, as EDC is passionate about work-life balance and has implemented an excellent virtual fitness schedule, including guided mediations to ease stress and anxiety. On a larger scale, it is incredible to be working for EDC at a time like this, as the company continues plays such a significant role in responding to an economic crisis of this magnitude.”
Danica Toscano, Student – Loans Services, Telfer Grad 2020
Take Advantage of Online Tools
“EDC has developed a deep catalogue of online tools for its employees that have made the remote onboarding process seamless. In addition to resources, the culture is one which promotes constant internal communication and knowledge share. As someone adjusting to a new workplace virtually, I have never felt discouraged to ask questions or seek guidance from other employees.”
Luka Trivuncic, Student – Customer Experience & Analytics, Telfer Grad 2020
School to Work Transition
“I started my journey at EDC as a newly graduate. With 2 Bachelors, one in Finance and one in International Business, EDC’s HR found me the perfect team. I was placed in International Financing Guarantees. My daily tasks involve working with multiple counterparties such as financial institutions, foreign buyers and small/medium businesses. As a recent graduate, I felt encouraged and challenged in my role. I was treated as a professional and my team gave me the tools I needed to grow within EDC. Today, I am an Associate continuing to grow within the world of International Financing. I love the community and culture here and I encourage students to look into the great programs and scholarships offered.”
Amani Couture, Associate – International Financing Guarantee, Telfer Grad 2019
Helping Canadian companies overcome any challenges
Canadian companies are relying on EDC more than ever in these uncertain times and I am proud to say EDC has stepped up to the challenge. Despite working remotely, everyone across the organization has come together and aligned to one common goal… to help Canadian companies overcome any challenges they might be facing. I am lucky to be on a team that is focused on building solutions for small-medium-sized companies who have been hit the hardest. I am excited to start work every day knowing that my efforts are making a difference, it is a truly rewarding experience for a recent graduate.
Ben Lidzbarski, Student – Knowledge Services, Telfer Grad 2020
You know it. I know it. Everyone knows it. Times are strange, circumstances, unprecedented, and job prospects, uncertain. What you may not know, however, is that recruiters are still very much on the lookout for fit and value in potential candidates. Make no mistake: it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing more opportunities opening up like tulips under the hot sun.
So here’s how recruiters think you should prepare in the meantime:*
1. Connect and reach out
This means, among other things: 1) sharing openly your specific professional aspirations and goals with your family, friends, peers, and professional contacts; and 2) setting up informational interviews with people in and out of your network (not only recruiters) to gather vital information on your industry, top 10 employers and top 10 position titles. To find out more about those strategies, check out the recording of our Let’s Talk Job Search in Times of Uncertainty live session.
2. Be flexible and patient
By showing flexibility and patience in your job search as well as in your networking endeavours, you will not only broaden your prospects and increase your chances to find employment: you will also consolidate your professional brand. Remember that recruiters have been disrupted as much as you have, and that they are looking forward to hiring again. Build your credibility by showing them genuine empathy, reiterate your interest in the role or organization, and make sure they know where to reach you when something opens up. To receive personalized advice on networking, book an appointment with one of our Relationship Managers through Career Launch.
3. Get ready
So. Maybe your summer internship/job fell through. Maybe you had to move back home. Maybe you feel stuck and don’t really know what to do. It is entirely normal, but there is a way out. Take action and get ready. Here is a list of things you can do this summer if you find yourself unemployed:
- Build a job search strategy with our Career Counsellor (book an appointment through Career Launch).
- Research your industry, your top 10 employers, and your top 10 position titles (book an appointment with one of our Relationship Managers through Career Launch).
- Figure out the experience, knowledge, and skills you will need to land such positions.
- Identify the gaps, and create a strategy to address them.
- Get your video interview techniques in order (Stay tuned: We will hold an Instagram Live session and a live workshop on Teams entirely dedicated to interviews.)
For more information on each of those steps, make sure to watch the recording of our Let’s Talk Job Search in Times of Uncertainty live session. You can also book an appointment with your Career Centre Team to get professional advice.
4. Don’t give up
It is a fact: when things get back to normal (and they will eventually), recruiters are more likely to reach out to individuals who have remained positive, upbeat, and VISIBLE during the pandemic. Keep looking, including on social media such as LinkedIn and Facebook, clean up your own social media profiles, and start building your credibility online. Think of your online presence as a predictor of how you behave as an employee, and ask yourself if you are sending the right message. To know more about how to build your professional brand and online presence, check out the recording of our latest Instagram Live session on job search.
*The content of this article was inspired by a post by Andrew Seaman, Editor for Job Seekers and #GetHired at LinkedIn News, untitled What recruiters want you to know about job searching during the pandemic. It is also based on the many insightful comments recruiting leaders have posted as a response.
Studies have found that the average recruiter scans a resumé for less than 10 seconds before deciding if the applicant is a good fit for the position. When you have little time to impress a recruiter, every word on your resumé counts. That’s why it’s important that you’re making the most of it and not filling it with words and phrases that are not going to make an impact. Here are some things that you should consider eliminating.
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Objective Statement
Does your resumé still start with an objective? If it does, make this the first change to your resumé. Instead of writing bland generalizations, replace it with a professional summary or career statement that summarizes your qualifications in terms that it fits the job description and that an employer will appreciate. Moreover, writing an objective statement at the top of your resumé only takes up precious resumé space and besides, you can write about yourself in your cover letter.
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Jobs from More Than 5-10 Years Prior
Your resumé is not an autobiography of every job you have had since high school; it is a marketing tool. So, unless something you did more than 5 to 10 years ago is important for the recruiters to know about, you do not need to list every job you have had. Employers care most about what you have done recently and how that is relevant to their open position.
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Cliché or Vague Phrases
Using terms such as “result-driven” or a “team player” does not tell a potential employer much at this point. If you are not providing any context around these phrases, it is best not to include them in your resumé. Instead, use specific examples and numbers to prove that you are these things. For example, share information about a team you led and what you have accomplished.
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Full Paragraphs
Don’t write full paragraphs in your resumé. Each previous role you list should have three or four bullet points, explaining your position, responsibilities, and impact. Each point should not exceed two lines. If there is something you think is vital for a recruiter to know, save that explanation for your cover letter.
-
“References Available Upon Request”
Don’t bother including this phrase or a list of your references. Recruiters know you will provide this information should they ask. And hey, deleting this line means more space for you!
Editing a resumé can be tough but it is important to remember that you need to have everything working for you on it. Your resumé should contain factual information about what you have accomplished and showcase how your experiences can help an organization achieve its goals.
If you want to receive more information, the Telfer Career Centre and its staff are available to help. You can book an appointment for a resumé critique on Career Launch or you can drop by at DMS 1100 on Thursdays for a 30-minute drop-in session with a Career Centre staff.
Source: https://skillcrush.com/2015/12/29/22-things-to-remove-from-your-resume-immediately/
Most of the time, we as students – and professionals – have to deal with a lot of pressure. Having to go to work, making sure we get good grades, trying to spend some time with our friends and family. All of that can become overwhelming, especially while we are trying to figure out what we actually want to do in life. However, I believe it is actually good to not know where we will be in five years, or exactly what our professional journey will be like. In my case for example, I’m a third‑year accounting student, but four years ago, I saw myself enrolling in the nursing program, simply because I thought it fitted my personality better. And guess what, I picked accounting, and I love it.
For some of us studying business, being in third year means going through interviews and a lot of networking events. Well, by going over my interviews, I realize that the interviewers were not necessarily expecting to have someone’s personality matching the job. And guess what: your personality doesn’t have to match the job’s idealistic criteria. I got the opportunity to learn that by talking to people who had done a personality test like the ones they asked you to do while you’re in high school and even in elementary school.
When we look at jobs, we typically focus on things such as the job description, and we forget about few other things such as the social aspect of a job. This year, I had the chance take part in one of the Telfer Mentorship Programs. While talking to my mentor, I heard stories about his job as a CPA. He told me that he will always remember what his manager told him few years ago: « You are what I’m not, and what I don’t want to be, but the clients like you, and you’re bringing me money. » Quite shocking, right? But that one sentence made me realize that anyone can apply to any job, even if they do not have the « right » personality. They can still do amazing things.
Not knowing how to do something or what you will be doing in five to ten years can be stressful. Trust me: I’ve been there just like many of you. But we should all try to focus on this: what do we like, and how can we apply that in the future?
Want to learn more about yourself? Ask your friends, your family members, and your professors! You can also book a career-testing appointment through Career Launch.