Career Blog
You are a marketing student struggling to find a position in your field? Or you want to find a job but need to develop your skills first? Or perhaps you just entered the world of marketing and hope to find somewhere to start? Either way, there are many ways in which you can gain valuable experience and develop new skills in marketing without having any formal work experience.
Marketing is a very diverse field: it encompasses everything from keyword research to social media management. So why not build your skills across different areas by familiarizing yourself with marketing tools and platforms? This is the easiest way to develop a practical knowledge of marketing, hone your skills and gain experience, all without a formal work setting! Here are excellent free tools and platforms to get you started.
1. Canva ─ Basic Graphic Design
Canva is great for exploring your creative side! You can design almost anything such as social media content, brochures, business cards, and presentations. With free graphics and photos free for commercial and noncommercial use ready at hand, you can easily design to your heart’s content while gaining valuable experience.
KEY ADVANTAGE: Canva is free! There is a premium account available, but you can get easily by with a free account. It’s perfect for someone who wants to learn and explore basic design creation, typography, colour theory, and more!
2. Instagram and Facebook Creator Studio ─ Social media
If you are into the “social media” side of marketing, why not create an Instagram / Facebook account to learn about the inner workings of the platforms first-hand? Find something you’re passionate about, make a social media for it, and experiment with different social media techniques to your liking!
KEY ADVANTAGE: Instagram and Facebook Creator Studio are perfect as a beginner’s step because they allow you to schedule posts and get insights. With the free scheduling platform, you can learn how to keep your content on a consistent posting schedule.
3. Medium.com ─ Copywriting
Interested in copywriting? Build your writing skills with Medium.com. This platform lets you share any of your writing samples with a large, interactive community. This way, you can practice writing for different audiences and perfect your copywriting skills.
4. Google Analytics ─ Research and data
Rather than being creative ─ maybe you want to explore the “numbers and data” side of marketing. Google Analytics is the perfect platform for doing just that.
KEY ADVANTAGE: The Google Analytics Certificate is free, and you can learn skills that are in demand.
With these tools and platforms, getting your foot in the door as a marketing student has never been easier. You can explore your interest in marketing and build your knowledge, all without formal work experience.
Want to explore more?
The Telfer Career Centre is open for students to get advice on how to advance their careers! Book an appointment now through Career Launch to see how you can boost your career development as a marketing student!
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.
I started working with children during my last year of high school as a way to make some extra pocket money, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I held a variety of positions over the last three years, including in an after-school program, teaching dance and drama classes, as well as working at summer camps in July and August.
I’ve always been pretty hesitant to put “dance teacher” on my resume, because, well, what does it have to do with getting a job in business? But I realized that it is indeed by working with kids during the last few years that I’ve gained a variety of transferable skills that are actually crucial on the job market. Here are three of the many valuable skills that you may have learned while working with children, and why you should highlight them on your resumé.
1. Leadership
When working with a large group of kids in a camp or a dance class, you must be an excellent role model and supervise them through the day, whether from the lunchroom to the gym or in a complete dance routine. While you are definitely leading kids, you may also be leading staff members, especially the new employees that arrive every year, to whom you are showing the ropes of childcare.
2. Adaptability
Much like the business world, children can be unpredictable. You may have a minute-by-minute plan of all your activities, but you will learn very quickly that most kids don’t follow schedules very well (especially on an extremely hot day in July!) You have to adapt pretty quickly so that they don’t get bored and out of hand. You consistently need to change your game plan according to evolving circumstances.
3. Organization skills
Now the kids may not follow your schedule and set plans, but walking into a day with a plan A and a plan B in hand is very important, whether at a summer camp, in a dance class… or at the office! If you aren’t organized and don’t have a backup plan, the kids will take full advantage of it, and it will be complete chaos (I know this from experience, and it’s not fun!)
Although I’ve mainly honed these three skills while working in childcare, they have helped me professionally in many regards: when I had to lead a team through a project, to adapt my schedule, or to organize a meeting. The bottom line is: don’t discount any of your work experience just because it’s not a typical 9‑to‑5 office job. I guarantee you: all your non business-related jobs have taught you some very important skills that employers are looking for in their ideal candidates.
To receive further guidance on how to make the most of all your experience and how to showcase it best in your future work applications, book an appointment for a resumé critique through Career Launch.
Before entering my first CO-OP placement, I did not know what to expect. (I tend to freak-out over the unknown.) I imagined myself being overwhelmed with all the tasks and projects that I would be entrusted with. This fear was due in part to the fact that I had never experienced office work before. Having only worked in restaurants and retail stores, I did not feel prepared despite having attended all the necessary workshops and even a few 1-on-1 meetings with the CO‑OP staff.
Living – and fearing – the dream
I was very nervous partly because my first placement was at a very famous organization that I have known since I was very little: the House of Commons of Canada, on Parliament Hill. My whole life I had admired that building. Being from Ottawa, I’ve had the opportunity to go there for field trips, bike rides, and even New Year’s Eve. Getting to work on Parliament Hill was almost a dream come true. However, this made me more anxious, because I knew the standards would be high. I was not sure if I would be able to meet my employer’s expectations or if I would even fit in.
Seeking out support
On the first day, I felt excitement as I walked into this new setting, and I met my employer for the first time since our interview. She was very gracious and showed me around the different buildings. I had a lot of fun and many of my fears started to disappear. However, as work started to come my way, I became completely lost: I did not have a clue. Fortunately, my co-workers were there to help me: step‑by‑step, I started to learn more and more, and after a couple of weeks, I could do everything on my own. I felt silly for being so scared, as I realized that there was nothing to be scared about. At all. Turns out, I was well prepared for my placement, and my colleagues were there to support me along the way.
Taking advantage of the experience… and make connexions
Like for most things, I was scared for no real reason. I had so much fun over the course of my COOP term. There was a great balance between my capabilities and what my employer asked of me. The people I worked with were amazing and introduced me to so many interesting new concepts and ways of thinking. I met so many nice people that I’ve stayed in contact with long after my term has ended. I believe that this was easily the best part of my university experience thus far and I am very excited about my future CO-OP terms.
Let’s face it. Although most Telfer students were hoping to land a summer job in their field of study, many spent the last few months selling clothes or serving food. Sometimes, one simply has to pay the bills or to start somewhere. If you think your last summer job or current part-time job is inconsequential with regard to your professional journey think again. Here is how you can use a seemingly mundane job as a stepping stone towards your success in the business world.
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Build your resumé
Whether you work as a server at a local pub or as a sales representative in a department store, you have the opportunity to gain one of the vital elements of a strong resumé: transferable skills. Don’t focus so much on your menial duties, but on the way you perform them and on the skills you acquire while doing so:
- Retail
Accuracy and effectiveness: handling countless transactions per shift
Interpersonal skills: dealing with A LOT of customers in a courteous manner
Problem-solving skills: bringing forth solutions for customers and coworkers - Food Service
Diplomacy: accommodating the needs of customers, politely and with a smile
Multitasking ability: performing numerous, competing tasks quickly and strategically
Teamwork ability: assisting kitchen crew and other waiting staff - Call Centre
Communication skills: communicating clearly the established script or pitch
Empathy: listening actively to customers in order to understand their concerns
Poise: staying calm and collected when dealing with difficult people - Summer Camp
Creativity: offering a memorable, educational and fun experience to all participants
Leadership: leading by example as the captain of a group and building a team spirit
Work Ethic: abiding by the established code of conduct
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Get references
You may be performing tasks that have nothing to do with accounting or management, but you are nevertheless operating in a professional environment and with other professionals that could, later one day, provide you with good lip service to help you land your dream job. If you conduct yourself in a way that befits a junior accountant or an HR manager, even as you are flipping burgers or selling sneakers, your work ethic will lead you where you want to be.
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Expand your network
We often hear that more than 80% of job opportunities are found through networking. Take time to learn more about your colleagues and supervisors and their professional journey (not on how they spend their weekends ;0), and ask them to join your LinkedIn network. The key to your first business-related professional experience might just be the person working next to you.
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Take pride
Think your modest job at a department store, burger joint or daycamp isn’t all that impressive? Remember that most hiring managers had a similar job at some point, and that they truly understand the value of that experience. Perform your duties with pride and dignity knowing that you are building a foundation for something greater.
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Grow professionally
You may have been tasked with a clear set of responsibilities, but it does not mean that you shouldn’t go above and beyond your duties to improve the life of your coworkers, the satisfaction of your customers, or the effectiveness of day-to-day operations. If you want to boost your profile as a candidate for your ideal employer, don’t settle for the strict minimum: observe, think and take action.
- A task has been neglected, but clearly needs to be done? Display leadership by asking your manager if you could tackle it.
- You noticed a few things that could be improved? Assist management by suggesting strategic solutions.
- A coworker seems overwhelmed? Show initiative by offering assistance to your team.
- You deal with delicate situations or difficult customers? Strengthen your customer‑service skills by asking to debrief with management on a regular basis.
No matter how mundane they may appear, summer jobs are more than just a way to earn extra cash: they are shaping you as a professional.
If you need advice on how to present your recent summer gig like a pro on your resumé, book an appointment with a Career Centre professional.
Ever wanted to get work experience in Finance and Accounting? Are you looking to represent Canada internationally? As one of the largest employers in the National Capital Region, the Government of Canada has thousands of student positions available in over 150 departments and agencies. And getting access to these positions is super easy through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).
What is FSWEP?
FSWEP is a hiring mechanism for federal departments and agencies that offer students entry-level jobs in hundreds of career paths available across the country. This program has been designed to give students valuable and meaningful work experiences in a vast array of fields ranging from Administration to Zamboni operating! Most opportunities include a full-time summer enrollment that can often be extended for students who want to work part-time during the school year. This provides you with a steady source of income that acknowledges the workload you face while balancing school and work.
What you get from it
Personally, I was fortunate enough to start working for a relatively new department three years ago. I was recruited as a student administrative assistant for the Office of the President and COO at Shared Services Canada (SSC). In this role, I greeted visitors to the office, prepared meeting materials for the President and the COO of SSC, and so much more. Through my work, I was able to demonstrate my skills and was referred to the Financial Management Advisory Services, where I will be starting the Financial Officer Recruitment and Development (FORD) program in June to get my CPA.
Where it could lead you
I would highly recommend you apply to the inventory so that your resume is sent to managers looking to hire students across Canada (depending on your preferred locations). There are some pretty cool opportunities out there, including the Student Guide Program in France (with Veterans Affairs Canada) or the student policy analyst positions, which will allow you to shape future legislation affecting Canadians. Working in the public service is truly a rewarding career, as you know that any contribution you make is helping to make Canada a better place.
If you’re interested in trying out what the federal government has to offer, you can find more information about the FSWEP program as well as apply for the various job inventories here:
Have you ever felt that your lack of job experience put you at a disadvantage? Well, you are definitely not alone! Many students have never held part-time or summer jobs and are in the exact same position.
If you think you lack experience – think again! Experience comes in many different forms, including working on a group project, playing on a sports team and volunteering in your community. I’m here to tell you that you don’t need job experience to get a great job.
Here’s how I got my first job in retail banking with zero job experience:
1. Get involved
The more you get involved in your school and your community, the more experience you will gain. Volunteering your time can help you build transferable skills, such as time management and teamwork, that are valuable in any role. In addition, participating in workshops and school events can help you develop your personal image and learn more about the industry that interests you.
Telfer has many clubs and organizations to choose from, including the Women in Management Network and the Telfer Accounting Club. While attending these events, you will meet many like-minded individuals, which brings me to my next point.
2. Network
Leveraging your network can help you land a job with no experience. In fact, 80% of all jobs are found through networking! You can use LinkedIn to find people who work at a certain company that you would like to work for. Try connecting with them to learn more about the culture of the organization and their experience working there. This will also help you gain an insider’s perspective and help you stand out when meeting an employer.
I did not apply for the job that I interviewed for: rather, I had met the manager previously and formed a connection with them. We met at a time when there were no available job openings. It was a few months later that I received a call from them, asking if I was still interested in the position. This highlights the importance of forming and maintaining connections.
3. Be Professional, Polite and Punctual
Employers do not expect students to have much (or any) experience, so don’t worry about not having a job experience section on your resume. However, employers do expect students to be ambitious, determined and keen to learn. Make sure to demonstrate those qualities when you first meet an employer during an event or at an interview. Be professional, polite and punctual. Do your research on the company and don’t be afraid to let the employer know that you came prepared.
By participating in over 30 workshops and events in my first year at Telfer, I was able to practice common interview questions, build my CV, and learn how to dress for interviews. Actually, my first-ever interview was during an activity that featured speed interviews with employers. The interviewers gave me lots of feedback that later helped me during my real interview. Practicing with a mock interviewer or having your CV reviewed (both services offered by the Telfer Career Centre) can help you put your best self forward and feel more confident.
Don’t forget that you have a lot to offer! Stay involved, continue to network and demonstrate your ambition – you will land a job in no time!