Career Blog
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.
Hi everyone, and welcome back to school! There are SO many events, information sessions and other things happening in the month of September, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
In Telfer, you will hear very often that you need to network, which is true. LinkedIn is a very powerful tool that can help you with this, but it must be used correctly. Thanks to it I got my first “big girl” job. But how do you build a solid profile? It’s not that hard.
Work and Volunteer Experience
Before you can go and add all your friends, you have to build your profile first. Fill in all the sections that LinkedIn provides and asks for. If you do not yet have work experience, that is okay. Fill out the volunteer experience section and education section, so employers see what you have been doing for the past few years. Even if your volunteer experience is from high school, you can still add it — it does not have to be Boys or Girls club level of volunteering, but can be something like Yearbook Club.
Important: when you are describing your experiences, do not just copy paste the responsibilities from your resume. The descriptions on LinkedIn should sound like a story, e.g. “When I worked at McDonald’s, I was part of a team of over 5 people every shift.” This sounds more personal and is easier to read.
Have a Nice Photo
Alright, you filled out your profile and added all your great experiences. Look at you! Now let’s put a face to the name.
Photos Not to Use
I am glad you had a great night out with your friends exploring the nightlife scene in Ottawa, however employers are not impressed that. Do not make those photos your profile picture. Do not use selfies or unprofessional photos as a general guideline.
Photos to Use
Ideally, you want to use a professional headshot like from a Telfer Career Centre event (did you know that one of the perks of attending a Telfer networking event is that you get a free professional portrait photo to use for your LinkedIn profile!?).
But, if you haven’t had the chance to attend one of those two events yet, ask one of your friends to take it. When I just started working on my profile, I dressed in professional attire and found a wall in the Desmarais building and got my friend to take a photo. Pro tip: don’t cross your arms, it comes off looking aggressive and not welcoming. There are other ways to look assertive and set off a positive connotation.
Add Your Connections
You now have your photo! Looking good. And you have your experience, wow! Time to show off your profile. Just go to “My Network” and add all your friends, colleagues, professors and contacts. Add people you may know professionally like your managers from high school or your volunteer coordinator.
Pro tip: do not add or accept random people you do not know and have no relevance to your professional network - it carries no value and will not gain you any more engagement. If you do not have many connections, don’t panic just yet. We will work on that. That’s the point of developing your profile and your network!
What Do I Do Now?
Your profile is fresh and ready to go. Now what? We actually use it! Whenever you go to networking events, whether it be through Telfer or in the community, and meet people, remember who they are! If you met someone, and didn’t get their business card, but had a good conversation, you can connect with them on LinkedIn.
Also, I highly recommend you add a personal note for every LinkedIn invitation you send. If you’re connecting with someone you know well, it’s a great opportunity to say something nice and reinforce the relationship. If you’re connecting with someone you don’t know well, it’s a great opportunity to remind him or her how you met. If you’re connecting with someone you don’t know at all, it’s your only opportunity to convince him or her to accept.
Here’s how:
- Introduce yourself
- Say where you met
- Mention a fun fact about yourself they would have remembered
- End on a nice note
“Hi, Bob! We met at the Telfer Connects event yesterday and talked about the shift in the marketing industry. I was the Telfer student from Russia! I’d love to connect to keep in touch.”
How Will LinkedIn Help Me?
OK, great, you have nice connections and a good profile. What do you tangibly gain? Well, I built my professional network and eventually got a job. Others use to connect with industry people and build their network. Other people gain a big audience for their writing or their business.
My friend and a Telfer alumni, Tanveer Mostafa, has founded the uOttawa Sales Society last year and has been actively using LinkedIn to promote that and his new initiatives like videos and podcasts. Here’s what he has to say about that:
LinkedIn has helped me find the target audience for MY voice, whether I am expressing it through blog posts, videos, or sharing professional advice on my feed. It allowed me to connect and engage with people, with whom I wouldn’t have otherwise interacted.
All in all, LinkedIn is a cool site and you all should use it, while you’re a student and afterwards to continue to build your network.
And if you need some additional help, the Telfer Career Centre offers workshops, small group clinics and one-on-one profile critiques to help you make the most of LinkedIn. Book an appointment with a career adviser, reviser or attend one of the many events by visiting the Career Calendar of Events.
No more excuses! Happy connecting. :)
Sonya Gankina
3rd Year Marketing Student |
Do you have a LinkedIn account? Have you heard of LinkedIn before? LinkedIn is a widely used social media platform, where students can connect with employers and network online. Although many people believe LinkedIn is basically an online version of your resume, it is much more than that! LinkedIn is where you take your resume to the next level and elaborate your skills and experience, allowing for employers to learn more about you and how you could contribute to their company.
If you are just creating an account or if you are more advanced but want to further enhance your online profile, I have provided some tips and advice for your profile!
1) Professional Profile Picture
LinkedIn profiles with professional headshots get 14 times more profile views.
When selecting a LinkedIn profile picture, it is important to keep in mind employers will be looking and having access to your profile; therefore, keeping it professional is essential. Dressing professionally is a must and I would suggest you wear clothes that you would wear to a job interview or a networking event. Your headshot should also have a neutral background (i.e. solid colour), so it is not too distracting to the eyes and you keep it simple. Another important aspect to consider when taking the picture is to take a photo starting from the top of your shoulders, where your face takes up at least 60% of the frame. It might be obvious to select a current photo of yourself, but the picture should resemble what you look like right now and what recruiters would see if they were to meet you in person.
During the Telfer Connects and Telfer Networks, two annual networking events that the Career Centre hosts, we offer students free LinkedIn headshots. Make sure to mark your calendars for Telfer Networks (happening in January), as you do not want to miss this opportunity!
2) Background Photo
Everyone’s LinkedIn profile looks the same and often boring. By adding a background photo will allow you to express your creativity and bring more personality to your page. Again, just keep in mind that the background needs to be professional but visually appealing.
Check out this website for some ideas and inspiration for creative LinkedIn backgrounds.
3) Customize public profile URL
Did you know that you can create a customized LinkedIn profile URL?
I didn’t know this until last year and it is very useful when connecting with employers. It will not only allow you to be easily searchable by employers, but you can add it to your resume, email signature, or business cards. When you create a LinkedIn account, your URL will be generic with a bunch of random numbers/ letters attached to the end. You can shorten the URL and make it personalized by changing the ending to your name: linkedin.com/in/yourname
Here are the two easy steps on how you can personalize your LinkedIn profile URL:
- In the top right area, click the section “Edit Public Profile & URL”
- Once redirected to the page, in the top right area under “Edit Public Profile URL” there is a pencil icon and click this and type your name in
4) Summary
When employers view your LinkedIn profile, they want to quickly get a sense of who you are and in the summary section this is the perfect opportunity. The summary section is a short paragraph outlining and expanding who you are, your current work experience, and relevant skills and abilities to the industry. It should also highlight some of your interests and career aspirations. Ensure that your summary is only a couple sentences in length (I would say 5-6 sentences maximum), as it is easy for employers to read.
Still need some guidance in creating the perfect professional LinkedIn profile? The Career Centre offers individual LinkedIn critiques. Stop by the Student Services Centre and book an appointment with the Centre Centre!
References
https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2014/12/5-tips-for-picking-the-right-linkedin-profile-picture
https://www.thebalance.com/take-a-professional-photo-for-linkedin-2064035
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-numbers-2017-statistics-meenakshi-chaudhary/
https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/22-top-tips-to-effectively-raise-your-profile-on-linkedin.html