Career Blog
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!
I’m not sure if any of you have experienced this, but a thought that has been on my mind since I’ve started thinking about life after university has been whether I want to work for the private or public sector. As someone who has experience in both sectors, I find it even harder to decide, but I have found many opportunities and advantages for both.
The first thing that comes to people’s minds when they hear “public sector” is the government. The fact that Ottawa has a large population of governmental employees definitely contributes to that thought. What I’ve noticed with my experience in the government is primarily how focused they are on recruiting students and incorporating a work-life balance element. With the baby-boomers retiring, it will be our generation that soon will be pulling the reins.
Governmental departments and agencies hire students, and they do this through FSWEP (Federal Student Work Experience Program), internal pools, CO-OP or even word-of-mouth recruiting. I got my job through FSWEP. And yes, it did take a long time to hear back. So for those of you whose applications have been sent to managers and haven’t yet heard back from them, it takes time, so don’t be discouraged!
The government also collaborates with the YPN (Young Professional Network). This network offers many activities and networking opportunities for youths, which allows students working for the government to have exposure to not only other students, but to different employers as well. Furthermore, being a student and working for the government means there is a possibility for bridging, which essentially means that students can be integrated into positions after the completion of their educational program.
The private sector seems to be a popular choice for many, and I’ve often heard from others that depending on the company, there is more room for growth, particularly “career progression.” A lot of private companies are smaller in size, with sometimes no more than 40 employees, which contributes to the idea of faster growth and promotion. In my personal experience, I was able to see career progression put into action. Once my colleagues were comfortable with their job duties and performed successfully, they were given more responsibilities, and within a year, some were promoted.
Organizational culture is also a huge factor that I’ve seen emphasized in the private sector. It’s true that within the sector one will find many different companies, each with their own set of values and beliefs, which makes it easier to determine which one best resonates with you. Interestingly enough, many private sector companies have government departments and agencies as their clients, so there is a level of collaboration between them.
At the end of the day, the public and private sectors offer many things, some very similar, and some very different. It’s important to determine the factors YOU would value in your future job, and use these to guide you to your ideal job. If possible, try to get experience in both sectors. You can also get advice and suggestions from friends, family, career specialists, etc. about which sector to choose, but at the end of the day, nothing beats your own experience. Always be mindful that whether an opportunity you choose works out or not, you will always learn something from it.
How do you get over 17 million people to willingly dump ice-cold water over their heads? Simple. You present it as the #IceBucketChallenge. Challenges are effective because they encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and to have fun doing so. The list of 2018 viral challenges is endless: the Kylie Jenner lip challenge, the cinnamon challenge, the hot pepper challenge and the chubby bunny challenge, just to name a few. Now, I present you with the latest and greatest challenge — the #CareerDevelopment challenge. It starts out with simple tasks, only increasing in difficulty as you move down the list and start building your confidence with each challenge met.
The following series of challenges will help you stand out from the sea of students and kick-start your career development journey!
Challenge #1: Talk to someone new
The first step to building your network is meeting new people. University is the best place to accomplish this goal because you’re surrounded by new people all the time. Whether you’re in class, at the student lounge or in line waiting for your coffee at Starbucks, you can form a new connection. Who knows? Maybe this person will be your future best friend or business partner!
Challenge #2: Create your LinkedIn profile
Most students are hesitant to create a LinkedIn profile early on in university. People tend to push it off until graduation nears, only to realize that they don’t have enough time to build a strong network on the platform. The opportunity cost of waiting until your final year to create your LinkedIn profile is enormous — imagine the number of professionals you may have met but be unable to keep in touch with!
Challenge #3: Critique your resumé
Your resumé is quite literally a reflection of you — one or two pages that summarize all of your accomplishments, activities and experiences. To put your best foot forward, you can have one of the Career Centre staff members review your resumé and provide you with valuable feedback to improve. They will help you create the best version of your CV so that you can feel confident when submitting your job applications.
Challenge #4: Go to a networking event
As a Telfer student, you have many networking events to choose from. The two largest networking events are Telfer Connects and Telfer Networks, and there are countless other smaller events taking place throughout the year. Take a look at the Telfer Career Centre Calendar to learn more about all the events taking place!
Challenge #5: Pat yourself on the back
If you’ve gotten this far in the #CareerDevelopment challenge, then you deserve a pat on the back. You’re already way ahead of the game! You’ve stepped out of your comfort zone and accomplished goals that will help you land your dream job! The next steps to take are continuing to meet new people, attending networking events and strengthening your relationships with existing connections.
Best of luck meeting these five challenges. May the odds be ever in your favour!
Some people radiate confidence, as if they are natural born leaders. However for most, confidence is a skill and mastering it is like mastering Excel, it just takes practice.
What if I told you, with the tips below, that you can fake it till you make it!
1. Stand Tall
Straighten your posture – I sound like a nagging parent. However, people who slouch are often viewed as unconfident or uncertain. So, counteract this impression by owning the room. Stand tall, roll back your shoulders and tilt your head up. Remember, the more space you take up the more confident you appear.
2. Eye Contact
Eye contact conveys confidence, but the more you look around, the more indecisive you appear. When in front of multiple people, make sure to alternate eye contact between them. It is also important to remember that eye contact creates a connection; so, maintain eye contact even when the other person is speaking.
3. Keep Your Hands Visible
Don’t be afraid to use your hands; keep them visible and active during conversation. For instance, use deliberate gestures when you talk. However, be effective because the overuse of gestures can be distracting. If incorporating hand movements scares you, then try keeping your hands beside you.
Wipe off your nervous sweat and start mastering your confidence!
''When I started first year, I struggled to decide whether Telfer was the right place for me. This year, by getting involved in the Telfer Finance Society, I feel like an integral part of the School. As marketing director, I have had the opportunity to work with an amazing team, expand my network, and gain real-world marketing knowledge. I urge students to get involved: it helped me feel like I truly belong here and now I know that I am where I am supposed to be.''
- Laurelle
Career Centre 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.
“After attending Telfer’s open house and watching a panel of older students talk about their experiences, I was struck by how some students had managed to make so much out of just four years. I made my decision to come to Telfer the second I walked out of that room. However, something I didn’t expect to feel in my first month of university was isolation. Since I come from Ottawa, I didn’t feel the initial pressure to build connections with the people in my program, but since I didn’t force myself to make friends, I found myself feeling alone. It has been difficult, but I’ve made an effort to get out there and talk to people, and I think I’m on my way to finding a good balance. One step I took was applying to the Women in Management Network as a first year representative. I hope that by the end of these next four years I leave Telfer with a better understanding of myself and my abilities. I am aiming to take advantage of as many opportunities as I possibly can in order to make the most of my time here and would recommend anyone in their first year to do the same!”
Sandy Nadugala
1st-Year Management Student
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.
Wake up Earlier
As motivation lessens and stress increases, it is common to neglect healthy sleep patterns. Hitting the sack at a reasonable time and getting up early in the morning gives you more energy and ample time to get everything done. In a technology-based society, so much time is spent on mobile devices without us even realizing it. Instead of checking social media when you first rise, get up, shower and eat something. This will give you a healthy start to the day and will make you more prone to study or to be productive. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish before 11 a.m.
Schedule Everything
When I say everything, I mean everything! The useful tool I use is Google Calendar because I can set notifications, unlike a traditional agenda. Both options are great but choose which one best suits your personality. If your time management is very poor, it would not hurt to opt in for both methods. On top of school and work-related tasks, here are some items I jot down that may not come to mind:
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Meals
Sometimes as students, I find we get stressed and do not eat proper meals. I schedule my meals because there is no point in studying for hours on end if you do not fuel your brain to be in its most active state. You need to be awake and alert to absorb information efficiently. -
Studying
It is very easy to say, “I’ll read that tomorrow” or, “when I get home I will review”. Having a visual representation of allocated study time is a good practice to have. This is crucial for me during times where multiple things are due at once (which is almost always). -
Cleaning
When everything around you is in order, it is so simple to get things done and focus. Take 10 minutes to clean up your workspace or room and it will make a world of a difference.
These little reminders are great, similar to having a friend who is nagging you to stay on track. It is very rewarding to go back and look at each month, week, or day and be able to see what you’ve accomplished.
Do Activities That You Enjoy
Balancing work and studies can be very stressful. It is important to remember to put down your books when you can no longer focus. The same old routine will make your university experience lack luster and will have you questioning your choices. Once you incorporate things you like into your schedule, whether it be daily or biweekly, you will see improvements. Think about how you can reward yourself after an exam before you go straight into studying for another one. When you know you have an event to go to, you’re more likely to get work and school out of the way sooner and not procrastinate.
With these tips you will look back on your days saying, “I’ve done so much today” as opposed to, “I have so much to do today”.
“I was scared to major in accounting initially because I had heard how demanding the course load was and how "boring" the subject was. My parents told me to do something more "exciting" like finance so that is what I majored in initially. I thought I was on the right track but recently I realized that I find my accounting courses much more interesting, and it's something I actually really enjoy doing and learning about. I'm grateful that the first two years of this degree was identical for all majors, it gave me enough time to get an idea of what I actually want to do in life and I was able to switch without taking a step back. Thanks Telfer!”
- Tiara
3rd-Year Accounting Student
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.
The best piece of advice I have received regarding my career, came from my grade 12 English teacher who told my class, “have a plan, but be flexible”. What he was saying was that in our future careers, we should have a plan – know what we like, what we’re good at, and how we will achieve career goals – while still being open to change and different opportunities.
I believe this is an important message for students and young adults who are entering their careers, because in the pressure we feel to have our lives planned from a young age, many students can get caught up in a plan which they feel is set in stone. Having a plan is important to ensure you are setting goals and achieving professional milestones, but it is important to be open to different opportunities, because you never know what hidden interests and talents you may have.
For me, this was an important lesson, as I was unsure of what I wanted to do with a degree in business. Because of this advice, I have made my career plan, including the steps necessary to achieve end goals, but I have utilized the resources available through both my own network and the University of Ottawa to engage in new experiences and open myself up for new opportunities.
My advice to students is to make a career plan and determine how you will achieve it, but never close any doors for differing opportunities. Use the resources from the Career Centre, the Student Services Centre, Telfer clubs, and more to diversify your professional repertoire and gain new experiences!
“I would say my third year has overall been a success so far! After a rewarding year as a Career Centre Ambassador, I decided to return this year and continue to make the most out of my Telfer experience. After finishing my first co-op term over the past summer, I was ready to come back to a semester of school. I was excited to have a more balanced course load with greater variety- I began to dive into the Management specific courses and have some flexibility in choosing electives. During this semester, I found I had fewer midterm exams and more papers/group assignments to complete compared to first and second years. Although it was a change with all the essays piling up, I determined a strategy early to break up the amount of work to make it less overwhelming.”
- Morgan Fong
3rd-Year Management Student
Current Ambassador