Career Blog
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COVID-19 has changed the way we look for jobs, transforming the search process to accommodate a more virtual and remote work environment. To help adapt your job‑hunting techniques to a post-COVID-19 economy, consider the following three tips.
Tip #1: Make networking your priority
Networking always pays off. Especially during a pandemic, maintaining connections with those around you can provide both new job opportunities and career development ones. This includes approaching family members, friends, neighbours, and even previous coworkers to ask if they have any relevant connections to share with you. In addition, the Telfer School of Management holds various networking events with industry professionals. Use these opportunities to build relationships and learn about upcoming career openings in Ottawa and beyond. Make sure to follow up afterwards with your new connections to demonstrate that you are serious about their line of work.
Tip #2: Differentiate yourself from the crowd
Pandemic or not, the competition is fierce, and making sure that your application stands out remains of utmost importance. To do so, ALWAYS tailor your resumé and cover letter. Highlight your unique work and volunteer experience, as well as your extracurricular activities, to show the employer that you are the right candidate for the job and that your background can fulfil the job requirements. You can also connect with recruiters on LinkedIn and send them a quick message to present yourself and gather information. Most candidates don’t take the time to do this: by being proactive and building the right connections, you will show recruiters that you are genuinely interested.
Tip #3: Be creative in your job search
Searching for the right position (or any open positions, for that matter), can take more time than expected; it may even take a few months and become a full-time job. Rejection is inevitable and should not discourage you. Instead, take it as an incentive to keep searching; you never know what connection could lead to a new opportunity. Think creatively: ask recruiters why they rejected your application, and use this feedback to improve future applications.
Make sure to schedule a meeting with the Career Counsellor at the Career Centre to help get you started. Many people have found rewarding jobs during the pandemic. Who knows? You could be next!
References:
The rules of job-hunting have changed during the pandemic—here are 3 ways to shift your approach
How COVID-19 Has Changed Hiring And Job Search And How To Be Successful
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“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein
This week’s Humans of Telfer is Bhanuja Rastogi, a 3rd-year Finance student involved in several uOttawa clubs. She co-founded the Business Healthcare Society and is now its co-president. Furthermore, she is the Director of Finance at the Women in Management Network, as well as Vice-president of Finance for the Health Science Networking Association. On top of being part of clubs here at uOttawa, Bhanuja takes part in many activities such as soccer, hockey, and field hockey. It is by juggling various athletic and academic activities as well as numerous extracurricular roles and collaborations that she has learnt the importance of time management, teamwork, and communication.
Bhanuja’s biggest inspiration is her older brother. “Seeing his passion, determination, and drive to accomplish what he wants, as well as his caring nature, has inspired me to challenge myself, pursue my goals and never give up,” she says.
In addition to her brother, she also has Telfer to thank for providing her with so many opportunities. “I like how Telfer places an emphasis on community and inclusivity. Telfer supports its students in finding the right career path by providing networking events, career fairs, and school clubs. Those are what allowed me to find what I wanted my future career to look like.” She urges students to step outside of their comfort zone and join as many clubs and sports teams as possible.
Bhanuja wants to use her knowledge and experience in finance to land her dream job in the healthcare industry. Being surrounded by friends and parents who work in the healthcare industry and having and gained experience as a volunteer at her local hospital, she knows this is exactly where she wants to be. “Volunteering made me see the impact a simple conversation or glass of water can have, and I have realized that what I want is a career in which I can help people and make a difference.”
– Bhanuja Rastogi, 3rd-year Finance student, Co-president/Co-founder, Business Healthcare Society, Director of Finance, Women in Management Network, and Vice-president of Finance, Health Science Networking Association
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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Sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to reboot one’s job search. Navigating the workforce and figuring out one’s goals and next steps can seem discouraged. But don’t despair! Here’s a list of 5 TED Talks that will help you know yourself better and reshape your mindset to boost your career drive.
#1: How to Find Work You Love with Scott Dinsmore
In this talk, Scott Dinsmore encapsulates a predicament that many students face: the need to tolerate a job that does not make them happy just for the sake of adding that experience to their resumé. Dinsmore highlights ways in which you can find a job that you will enjoy and be passionate about. Building that initial framework (who you are and what your strengths, values, and experience are) will guide you in figuring out the kind of work you want to do.
#2: How I Became an Entrepreneur at 66 with Paul Tasner
Comparing yourself with the young and successful people in the media can leave you feeling “I could be doing more”. Paul Tasner tells the story of how he turned an unideal career change into a startup and found great success… at the age of 66! His experience and final words, “Aren’t the accomplishments of a 70‑year-old entrepreneur every bit as meaningful as the accomplishments of a 30‑year-old entrepreneur?”, demonstrate that you can find success at any age.
#3: How to Make Stress Your Friend with Kelly McGonigal
Stress is often viewed as a defensive body response to bad situations, and we are told to minimize it for our overall health. Kelly McGonigal reshapes the way we view stress by showing what the body does. For example, she explains that instead of considering seeing quickened breathing as a bad response, we should simply see it as our body sending more oxygen to your brain. McGonigal invites us to see the stress in our lives not as something should eliminate, but as a natural, healthy response.
#4: Why You Will Fail to Have a Great Career with Larry Smith
With tough love and humour, Larry Smith shows the excuses we make that prevent us from having a great career. Having a passion is not enough to be successful and fate will not ensure it, yet people sometimes blame destiny for their situation. Phrases “If only…” and “unless” prevent us from taking actions. It is not until we get over our fear of failure that do we stand a real chance to have a great career.
#5: The Best Career Path Isn’t Always a Straight Line with Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper
Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper coined the term “squiggly careers” to highlight how a typical career path is not a linear promotion-and-pay-raise cycle over one’s career. It is rather dynamic and can “squiggle” in any direction. They emphasize how change happens around us all the time and argue that we should not limit ourselves, but instead explore all opportunities and possibilities.
Boosting your career drive can be done in as little as 10 minutes with the advice of TED Talk speakers. With your newfound motivation and confidence, log onto Career Launch to explore new career development opportunities!
References:
How I Became an Entrepreneur at 66
How to Make Stress Your Friend
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“No fim, tudo dá certo. Se não deu, ainda não chegou ao fim”. [Translation: Everything will be okay in the end. If it is not okay, it’s not yet the end.] – Fernando Sabino
Mandy Kuang is a 4th-year Human Resource Management student at Telfer. Currently in her final term, she describes her overall experience as productive, having strengthened her knowledge in her field. At the start of the pandemic, she got involved with CASCO as Auction Coordinator. During her time there, she enjoyed working with other like-minded individuals in achieving a common goal. The following year, she continued her efforts with the team as Vice-president of Sponsorships. Outside of Telfer, she is employed under a student employment program in labour relations and occupational health and safety.
Q. What interests you about your program?
A. Originally, I was enrolled in a general management program at Telfer. In my second year, I wanted to narrow down the field to something more specific, so I considered human resource management. From what I have gathered through my program, human resources are a key element of the success of both private and public organizations. It is essentially the identification and provision of human solutions to human problems. This field is imperative in a workplace as it can contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.
Q. How did you manage your time balancing school, work, and extracurricular activities?
A. As someone who likes to keep busy, I keep track of all the tasks and activities I need to do in a bullet journal rather than in a digital calendar. This includes writing out all my upcoming tasks and crossing them off as I complete them. In a way, physically crossing out items gives me a sense of accomplishment and helps me to stay motivated. It can be difficult to find a balance between school, work, and activities. However, it is possible: just find what works for you. It is important to find this balance to avoid burnout!
Q. Do you have any final thoughts or advice you would like to share?
A. Lastly, I would like to remind you to simply have fun. Your time at Telfer will go by in a flash, so make the most of it by gaining experience, making lifelong friends, networking, and figuring out your overall style of time management.
All that being said, Mandy is currently planning for her next steps after graduation, and she is looking forward to further discovering her field of study through work experience. Reach out to her on LinkedIn: she is always open to networking and meeting new people.
– Mandy Kuang, 4th-year student (Human Resource Management), Vice-president of Sponsorships, CASCO
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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After struggling to find my first CO-OP placement last year, I realized that my interview skills needed some serious help. I signed up for the Career Development Certificate so that I could learn how to be as employable as possible post-graduation. Here are 3 of the many reasons you should also sign up!
1. You gain a lot of confidence by attending relevant workshops and events
Job hunting can be intimidating (to say the least). So, why not gather the right tools before graduating? It’s never too early start preparing for the professional world. By attending workshops such as, “Ace Your Interview,” or “Network Like a Pro,” you will gain the confidence you need to impress future employers.
2. You get to ask questions in a supportive environment
I may be biased from working with the Career Centre, but the Career Centre Team is super helpful. Each staff actively does everything they can to provide students with the best resources. Through individual consultations with the Career Counsellor or one of the three relationship managers, you will get all your questions answered. Trust me, after working with them all summer, I know that they genuinely want us to thrive professionally.
3. You can add the certificate to your resumé
To attend workshops is one thing, but to show off your learnings is another! Once you’ve completed all 10 activities, you will receive a certificate for your hard work. This is a great addition for your resumé and LinkedIn profile, or even something to talk about during interviews!
Signing up for the Career Development Certificate is one of the most proactive step you can take to prepare for the job market post-graduation. Not only will you develop skills and knowledge, but you’ll receive an actual certificate. Plus, this is a free program, so why not put yourself ahead of the job market game by preparing early?
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“My most memorable experience at Telfer has been my decision to switch options, as it allowed me to feel more grounded and confident in my career path”.
For Justin Pereira Mendoza, a 3rd-year Human Resource Management student at Telfer, choosing uOttawa was greatly due to its bilingualism. Growing up in the GTA and being of Ecuadorian origin, Justin wanted to continue perfecting his French as a third language. He also appreciated what Ottawa had to offer: a change from Toronto, yet still a relatively large city to explore.
His happiness at Telfer has been greatly attributed to DECA uOttawa, an undergraduate case cracking club which he began participating in during high school for fun! In high school, Justin considered multiple career paths, including politics. However, it is DECA that made Justin realize that business would be a great career choice for him.
So far, Justin has been loving his time at Telfer. His biggest challenge to date has been switching option in second year. While he had initially enrolled in International Management, Justin knew that another discipline would better suit his strengths: Human Resource Management. Eveith n though this switch came with some risks and potential setbacks, he knew it would be the right choice for him. “My most memorable experience at Telfer has been my decision to switch options, as it allowed me to feel more grounded and confident in my career path”.
What attracts Justin in HRM is the emotional intelligence required, which he prefers to the conventional corporate side of business, as he appreciates the social side. Having worked in customer service, Justin knows how to empathize with others, and he is prepared to continue learning about emotions, various cultures, and people, to be the best human resource professional possible. Since he is also very passionate about social issues such as racial injustice, he finds that a career in HRM would offer the perfect compromise, allowing him to evolve in the business world, while also standing up for people’s rights.
Justin has many goals in mind for the future. He is determined to find an environment in which can speak his three languages and use his HRM skills. He also hopes to work in a management role or the government of Canada in an international setting. He is even considering a career in diplomatic service, perhaps for the United Nations.
Justin is excited for this winter and hopes to continue meeting more Franco-Hispanic students to continue practicing his language skills and feel connected with his roots.
– Justin Pereira Mendoza, 3rd-year Human Resource Management student, Vice-president, Academic, DECA uOttawa
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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Networking is an effective tool for business students to kick-start and develop their careers. Below are 3 tips that will undoubtedly help you to consolidate and leverage your business connections.
Tip #1: Start early
While college life can be tough, it is still important for you to dedicate some time to your career development. By starting to build your connections early, you will be at leisure of honing your networking strategies and building meaningful relationships with people who can help you to develop your career. Never wait until the last minute to start networking! Attending events while you have a lighter course load is a great way to get started. The Career Centre organizes myriad of career development events during the early stages of every term.
Tip #2: Learn from your connections
Many students start networking with the sole purpose of ‘landing a good job’. And as one can easily predict, many of them fail due to being too aggressive. Indeed, professionals who network tend to be more willing to connect with students/young professionals who show a genuine interest in their field and are eager to learn. So, treat every networking opportunity as a learning experience and do your research, and you will be surprised by how much you could learn and grow during this journey.
Tip #3: Follow up
Following up with your connections is an excellent way to help them to remember you, show your sincerity, and open the doors to upcoming opportunities. Start by sending an email or LinkedIn message within 24 hours of meeting them, reflect on your previous conversation and express your appreciation of having the opportunity to connect with them. You can then consolidate your relationship by interacting with them on LinkedIn, offering your help, and asking to have individual meetings. It is also helpful to keep a record of every connection you made with some notes attached to each one of them.
Interested to learn more on how to solidify and leverage your connections? Schedule a networking consultation appointment with one of the Career Centre’s relationship managers on Career Launch and check out the Career Centre’s networking page.
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“Since joining the Telfer School of Management, I’ve had an eventful two years. It’s been a time of many accomplishments, setbacks, and yet countless opportunities for growth. While I’ve realized that every situation can be regarded as a learning experience, it’s also become clear that most students found it tough adjusting to the hurdles imposed by the pandemic. This year especially, there’s been a dire need for uOttawa’s support systems.
Back in my first year, I was almost overwhelmed with all the things Telfer had to offer. Clubs, networking events, and case competitions made for an awesome first two terms. Working as a student ambassador, representing Telfer, was also an incredible experience: helping incoming students decide on their postsecondary institution brought me a sense of purpose. Having been there to grant them insight on Telfer’s opportunities and ultimately acquainting them with the path that will lead them towards their personal goals was amazing! But then everything stopped. The 2020 winter term ended abruptly, and suddenly we had much greater worries than our jobs and studies; our health was at risk.
Working full-time as Telfer’s Regional Mentor, I saw first-hand how incoming first-year students dealt with this kind of situation. The need for support and counsel was as important as ever. New students didn’t know what to expect and many felt that they were stuck on their own at home. However, through its various resources, the University of Ottawa has made its commitment to helping students adapt increasingly evident. Thus, our efforts transitioned online, where our continuous support ensured that students were able to find answers to any of their enrolment, academic, or service-related queries. With all this global uncertainty, it was vital that they at least received correct information to help them make further educated decisions about their future.
That is to say: Telfer allowed me not only to help other students, but also to gain valuable work-study experience and to feel like part of a community that cares for the success of its members. I am extremely grateful to have had such opportunities!”
– Lukas Wirz-Endrys, 3rd-year International Management student, Ottawa Regional Mentor Region, and former Telfer Student Ambassador
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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“Know thyself.” You've probably heard this saying from Socrates over, and over again without really understanding it. With these words, the great philosopher was trying to show that everyone is the master of their own way of thinking, appetite for life, ideas, and more. For years, the question of self-knowledge has intrigued many philosophers and psychology researchers. It is even more interesting today, as it is considered as one of the factors contributing to professional success.
In the following lines, I present three reasons why self-knowledge is one of the keys to your professional success.
Reason #1: It allows you to move towards a career or studies adapted to your interests
To grow professionally and get satisfaction from your job, you must understand your interests. What could be better than making a challenging career choice that matches your true aspirations? There are many ways to guide you, from your professional and volunteer experiences to tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Strong Interest Inventory.
How do you access these tools? The Telfer Career Centre offers a workshop entitled, “Who Am I: Self-assessment and Career Testing.” This workshop allows you to discover your interests and personality type (through the above-mentioned tests). At the same time, you can obtain the Career Development Certificate, an excellent tool for learning more about yourself as you progress through university.
Reason #2: It gives you the power to act quickly and find solutions to succeed
Imagine yourself reviewing an exam or completing a task for your employer. How would you like to review this exam or solve this problem? What is your work style? Do you prefer to work in a team or alone? Do you prefer to work in a hands-on environment or to achieve a specific goal? Do you prefer to take risks or to work carefully?
Self-awareness answers all these questions and that’s why by improving our self-awareness, we can quickly make smart decisions and achieve success in our professional lives.
Reason #3: It helps you manage your emotions and think clearly
Emotions often play a major role in our professional life and success. Getting to know yourself better will help you manage your emotions in all kinds of situations, both positive and negative. This will help you avoid the burden of anxiety, which can affect your decisions, and gain confidence in your ability to overcome difficult situations. By learning to manage your emotions, you will be clearer and more organized, and you will be able to make informed choices to achieve your goals in a timely manner.
Just as there are many reasons to gain excellent self-awareness, there are many resources designed to help you acquire such knowledge. Take full advantage of the Telfer Career Centre’s workshops and meetings with its team of professionals!
See the Calendar of Events on Career Launch and, most importantly, don’t hesitate to register!
Reference:
« Connais-toi toi-même » Socrate
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“I adore Telfer’s culture and its students. Thanks to Telfer, I have met with so many people from different countries, cultures, and ethnicity. I have made amazing friends who became my family. At Telfer, students are encouraged to be creative. They are also growth oriented, kind, understanding, and caring for each other. Because we often worked in group projects, we learned how to listen to each other and make decisions as a team. We learned how to respect each other’s learning curve. I constantly felt the support of my teammates and peers. We always empowered and supported each other. I believe Telfer has greatly strengthened my teamwork, interpersonal, and ownership skills. As a result, I feel prepared to become a leader in my career.”
A recent Telfer graduate (2021) and Area Manager at Amazon, Oya was very interested in management and logistics throughout her education. Thanks to the strategic management and new venture creation courses offered at Telfer, she started to envision her dream career. After many grueling job interviews, she finally got an offer from Amazon and then moved from Ottawa to Vancouver.
Oya describes her work routine as follows:
“There are so many challenges that I am facing every day at work. But if I had to narrow them down, the first one would be managing people that are way older and experienced than me. I started my career at Amazon as a leader right out of college, at the age of 23. I always believed in my managerial skills and leadership style, but when you have assistants and higher managers that have way more experience, having a backbone to commit your decisions and ideas can be challenging. The great thing is that I have a very understanding, supportive team by my side.”
Finally, when we asked Oya if, given the possibility to go back in time, she would switch careers, here is what she had to say:
“Absolutely not. I love my career and I adore my job. Every morning, I wake up at 5 a.m., and I never feel like going to work is a burden for me. Some weekends, I spend the whole day training myself on a new resource I could use at work. I try to enjoy my growth progress and celebrate every single achievement rather than focusing on my final goal. I work in operations and it’s a fast-paced environment with more than 120 people on premises, including the support departments. Every single one of them is so unique; they all bring value to our workplace. Learning from their experience and understanding their perspective has broadened my vision. I know that I am at the right place to grow in my field, and I have a big team supporting me to achieve my goals. It’s beautiful.”
– Oya Karadag, Telfer graduate (2021) and Area Manager at Amazon
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
