Career Blog
Do you always tailor your application before applying? Do you always get a positive response from the employer? If you have answered “no”, “rarely” or “never” to these questions, do not fear and keep reading. In this article, I’m sharing with you my experience as a user of the resumé critique appointments offered by the Telfer Career Centre.
Pay. Attention. To details.
The quality of the language used in your resumé reflects your quality as a candidate. Think about it. The most common skills listed by candidates are: 1) attention to details; and 2) written communication skills. Sadly, many students contradict their own claims with a ton of grammatical errors, avoidable typos, and format inconsistencies. After my first résumé critique, my resumé was full of red ink because of such minor mistakes. Minor mistakes that could have cost me job offers! I understood then how crucial those seemingly minor details are from an employer’s perspective. Besides, there are so many tools out there that can help you! Just make sure you use them! And resumé critiques at the Telfer Career Centre address this issue.
Be specific
Many candidates describe their accomplishments and professional experience in very generic terms, or simply provide a list of their main responsibilities, without emphasizing their specific skills. “Helped customers” is not that convincing. “Practiced active listening and assisted 100+ clients daily in both official languages, providing them with appropriate, customized solutions” is way better. Resumé critiques will teach you how to craft powerful content like this.
Tailor. Tailor. Tailor.
Remember that every position has its own requirements. Your resumé might describe your skills very well, but if you do not meet the specific requirements listed on the posting, you might be rejected even though you are the perfect candidate. Try first to understand the required qualifications, and then adapt your resumé accordingly. The Telfer Career Centre offers a special type of appointment to help you in that regard: Resumé tailoring for a specific job posting.
Provide evidence
As students, we often tend to describe our skills in loose terms: ambitious, team-focused, detail-oriented, punctual, etc. Can employers simply take our word for it without further proof? Of course not! Adding claims like these on your resumé without substantiating them is a waste of space… And a missed opportunity! Support what you claim with tangible examples. If you don’t, you competitors will (and be hired in your place). You want to present yourself as a team leader? Wonderful! Use action verbs such as led, conducted, coached, trained, oversaw, and initiated, and make sure to provide context and specifics (for example, the number of trainees you were supervising). The resumé critiques offered at the Telfer Career Centre also focus on these writing techniques.
Use your Career Centre
Unfortunately, some Telfer students do not take advantage of the resumé critiques offered by their Career Centre. Is there a job opportunity you really want to apply for? Book a resumé critique with the Professional Development Coordinator at the Telfer Career Centre through Career Launch. Trust me: this will change forever (and for the better) the way you apply for jobs, now and in the future.
“Don’t chase people. Be yourself, do your own thing, and work hard.
The right people – the ones who really belong in your life – will come to you. And stay.”
― Will Smith
What do you like most about Telfer?
“What I like about Telfer is that there is always something going on. Since my first year, I have noticed that there is always a fair for student clubs, a gala, or a networking event on the calendar. I love Telfer because of the opportunities to learn and make new connections and friends. I appreciate the fact that I can constantly improve as a person.”
How did you decide what career you would like?
“The first time I realized I wanted to go into accounting was when I attended a conference by CPA Ontario in high school. I had the opportunity to speak with CPA Professionals, and I realized that accounting does not have to be a 9-5 desk job. Being a CPA, you get to travel to talk to various clients and you have the option to work wherever you want, whenever you want.”
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
“Managing all my tasks has been my biggest challenge so far in my academic career. I am currently the VP of Events for the Telfer Accounting Club and a Speaker Coordinator for Legacy Canada, a project under Enactus uOttawa. Having a leadership role in two student clubs, studying full time, and working part time, sometimes it can get overwhelming. But I could not drop anything to reduce my workload. The clubs I am in are amazing, and I love them both. That is one of the great things about Telfer: there are so many great extracurriculars to choose from that it is difficult to leave once you are involved.”
– Rivetha Kandeepan, 2nd-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.
Here at the Telfer Career Centre, we talk a lot about how to become the best possible candidate, and how to perfect our resumé to get the job. However, sometimes you can do everything right and still not get hired. Although this is part of the game, it can still catch a lot of us off guard, especially the first time. Today, we’re going to discuss the imposter syndrome, dealing with rejection, building resilience, and my favorite tips for mindful job hunting.
Imposter Syndrome: Taming the Beast
Suffering from imposter syndrome is having the overwhelming feeling of being a fraud or doubting one’s abilities; it is the fear of being found out as a phony, the impression that you owe your success only to dumb luck. Although it is not formally considered as a mental illness, research shows that as many as 80% of adults have suffered from it in 2020. Job rejection can aggravate this feeling, making you believe that you didn’t really deserve your degree.
Here are a few things you can do to ease your anxiety:
1. Know that you are not alone. Corny, I know, but true nevertheless. Everyone feels like an imposter at some point: you are NOT the weak link. You’d be surprised by who’s also suffered from an imposter syndrome – even famous American poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou has been quoted discussing her struggles with it.
2. Track and measure your success. Proper goal setting and tracking can do wonders for your productivity and confidence. Regular goal tracking will help you better define your key skills and weaknesses. So, instead of feeling like you’re bad at everything, take stock of your successes and show kindness to yourself by saying : “I may not have accomplished X yet, but I did accomplish Y and Z and that’s pretty cool.”
3. Say “Yes!” to new opportunities. When plagued with imposter syndrome, it’s easy to renounce new professional, educational, and extracurricular opportunities simply out of fear. By saying “yes” more often, you will: build networks, open doors, and increase your skill set. All these things will counteract your feelings of being a phony.
Building Resilience While Dealing With Rejection
Think about it: in the professional world, most people who dare to put themselves forward get rejected, not chosen. Knowing this does not make the experience more agreeable, but it put things in perspective. Fortunately, you can learn a lot from job rejection… and build your resilience in the process. First, don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from recruiters: they might give you a generic response, but you can politely ask for more details. You put a lot of work into the process and deserve some sort of explanation.
True: Some employers simply won’t provide any feedback. When that happens, I see my rejection as dodging a bullet, as a refusal to provide feedback may signal a hostile work environment.
However, if you do receive feedback, take this opportunity to integrate these details to your personal development plan. It’s also possible – especially after a long string of rejections – that you need to refine your job search, tailor your resumé, or add certifications. Ask yourself if what you’re saying in interviews reflects what appears on your resumé, if you are including the right keywords and if you could take an additional course to stand out more.
Mindful Job Hunting
To finish off today, here are some of my top tips to remain mindful while job hunting (and living your everyday life):
- Develop your “why”. By cultivating intention and purpose, you’re more likely to get interviews for relevant jobs. Think beyond “I need a job to make money,” and try to determine which industries interest you, what kind of impact you want to have, etc.
- Stay present. Once you’ve received feedback, shift your thinking away from the past and focus on the present and the future. You may feel frustrated, but tweak your language: it’s not a matter of if you’ll get a job, but a matter of when.
- Don’t overwork yourself. Job searching can become a full-time job if you let it. Pace yourself and set small, measurable goals to work towards instead of trying to bulk apply to 30 jobs at once.
If you are doubting yourself and are looking for ways to overcome past rejections and avoid future ones, look no further: make an appointment with the professionals at the Telfer Career Centre through Career Launch.
Telfer has a fantastic network. Over the years, I’ve made many great connections from group projects, extracurriculars, networking events, and so on.
Shirley Mach is a 4th-year Finance student, a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador, and Sponsorship Director for CASCO.
My Experience at Telfer:
“I’m currently completing my final term. I would describe my overall experience as highly engaging and productive. At school, I’m a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador; I was also involved with CASCO as Sponsorship Director.”
Why it’s great/What I like:
“Telfer has a fantastic network. Over the years, I’ve made many great connections from group projects, extracurriculars, networking events, and so on.”
About my program:
“Why Finance? I thought the program was fitting given that I enjoy working with numbers and incorporating business-related concepts. At Telfer, I was able to fully explore my program, from its professional challenges to its advancement opportunities. As well, my program has certainly helped me master the fundamentals of finance and its theoretical framework.”
My tips or advice:
“Know that you are not alone and be sure to take advantage of the support system available. The resources offered are endless and are there to help you navigate your way through university.”
“Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time at Telfer and I’m grateful for the many opportunities that were available to me. I am currently planning for my next steps after graduation, and I am looking forward to further exploring what my field of study has to offer. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me on LinkedIn as I am always willing to network and meet new people!”
– Shirley Mach is a 4th-year International Management and Marketing, a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador, and Sponsorship Director for 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.
The Telfer School of Management is known for its wide range of extracurricular activities, ranging from student clubs and case competitions to professional development programs. Many Telfer students may wonder what they could get from such opportunities. Below are several reasons why I think you should get involved in extracurricular activities.
Reason #1: To boost your academic performance
By getting involved in extracurricular activities, you get to apply the knowledge and skills gained in class to real-life situations, such as launching campaigns (using what you have learned in your marketing courses), or managing a student organization’s budget (using your knowledge from accounting and finances courses). You can also develop many soft skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, which are critical to your future success in the business world.
Reason #2: To explore new interests
You still don’t know what career you would like to pursue in the future? No problem! Extracurricular activities at Telfer cover many different industries and provide countless learning opportunities for students. By getting involved, you can interact with business professionals, access career development coaching and receive customized feedback.
Reason #3: To build your connections
You’ve heard it before. Networking is one of the most valuable things you can do as business students to boost your career. Research has shown that people with stronger networks tend to be more successful professionally. Making new friends and expanding your network during a global pandemic may have proven really hard, and this is yet another excellent reason to get involved. Through your extracurricular activities, you can meet many individuals from different backgrounds, but who share the same passion as you. Many of these connections could lead to lifelong friendships and/or career opportunities in the future.
Interested in learning more about how to kickstart your career? Sign up for career development workshops and book career development appointments with the professionals at the Career Centre on Career Launch.
“I have been exposed to life-changing opportunities and I have immersed myself in a community full of hardworking and ambitious people. Overall, I had a fantastic experience; and I’m so proud to be a member of this amazing school!”
“My four years at Telfer have been phenomenal! I’m currently completing my last term, and over the last four years, I have been offered a wide variety of opportunities to gain practical experience, which will be beneficial for my future career after graduation. I believe I could have had a better experience had the pandemic not affected extracurricular activities. But seeing how Telfer has managed to support its students during those hard times was impressive. Telfer is not just a school. It is a community that helps students and enables them to reach their potential by allowing them to get involved and grow. I have been exposed to life-changing opportunities and I have immersed myself in a community full of hardworking and ambitious people. Overall, I had a fantastic experience; and I’m so proud to be a member of this amazing school!
– Dina Khakbaz, 4th-year International 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.
Would you be able to run a marathon should the urge suddenly arise? If you’ve never followed a training plan to that end before, your answer will most likely be “no”. It takes indeed an average of eight to 10 weeks to prepare physically for such an event. Career goals follow the same logic. Applying for a position at a large firm without considering the required qualifications and relying solely on one’s dreams is like entering a prestigious marathon without ever having run a 5K. With that in mind, let’s look at some steps that will help you pursue your goals in a thoughtful way.
Step 1: Prepare well
By putting together all the winning conditions, you will be able to achieve your most ambitious dreams. Visualize your goal and make it less “vague” by breaking it down into sub-goals: these are the small milestones that will, one by one, allow you to cross the finish line. As in a marathon training, set more modest, but measurable targets within a realistic time frame. By setting S.M.A.R.T. goals and keeping in mind your original ambitious goal, you will maximize your chances of success. It is therefore possible, even likely, that before you join a large firm, you will have to prove yourself in other organizations for some time. Your first 5K could be a leadership role in a student union or a volunteer position in a charity.
To identify the sub-goals that will serve as steps towards your ambitious goal, book an appointment with the Career Counsellor at the Telfer Career Centre through Career Launch.
Step 2: Aim for one goal at a time
As you can see, rushing into things and taking decisions lightly may not be the best approach. The sub‑goals you have set for yourself are steps towards your final goal. At each stage where you need to make a decision, review your progress and update your sub-goals to reflect new considerations. You may need to modify your training plan to maintain your trajectory. This is not a waste of time! On the contrary, it will bring you emotional and professional balance. Your first 10K could be a summer job with a medium‑sized firm. You may also experience rejections (all runners experience injuries) or develop new interests (some runners take up triathlon!) It is also likely that you will need to acquire some specific skills or knowledge (good runners perfect their technique and educate themselves on nutrition and recovery).
To tailor your job application based on your next career sub-goal, make an appointment with the Professional Development Coordinator at the Telfer Career Centre through Career Launch.
Step 3: Crossing the finish line
With patience, grit, and hard work, you will reach your goal. There may be many obstacles along the way, but what matters is that you overcome them and, most importantly, that you never give up on your dreams.
Even seasoned marathoners have learned to walk before they started running. If your goal is to work for one of the most prestigious firms in your industry, make sure to have a clear roadmap of S.M.A.R.T. milestones first.
Elite runners surround themselves with a competent team (nutritionist, massage therapist, coach, etc.) To achieve an elite position, do the same! Don’t hesitate to visit Career Launch to book an appointment with the Career Counsellor or one of the specialists at the Telfer Career Centre!
Telfer is much more than a business school: it is a community of committed, outward-looking
and supportive people. I am extremely proud to be a part of it.
Q. What do you like most about Telfer and why did you choose this school?
A. I have been Dean of the Telfer School of Management for almost a year, having assumed the position on March 9, 2021. I can confirm that Telfer is a community of wonderful students, faculty, support staff, and graduates. It is both authentic and dynamic and it embodies very well the nature and culture of Canada’s diversity and bilingualism. These are the qualities that most attracted me to Telfer. Moreover, our school is enjoying a tremendous momentum right now: it is moving forward, and it offers many opportunities in terms of research and program growth and development.
Q. What has been your happiest moment so far at Telfer?
A. As I said, Telfer is a vibrant community where joy abounds. I have had many good moments at Telfer so far, but for now I would like to mention two. First, the B.Com. revision, which had long been awaited, was finally approved last year. This process had started 5 years earlier and was prolonged for several reasons. The approval of the new program was for me an unforgettable and emotional moment that will remain in my memory forever. The joy in the room at that moment was inexplicable and wonderful. It is important to remember that we are talking about an undergraduate curriculum that directly affects and transforms the present and future of many students. This revision has resulted in a more agile and flexible program for our students. It allows them to take courses from other faculties and tailor the program to their tastes and aspirations. This is one of the things that students have long been asking for, because previously the vast majority of electives were predetermined. The program was more rigid. Secondly, a revised curriculum means new professors. It is a joy for me to know that we are in the process of hiring new professors, and not just any professors: very high calibre professors who will contribute in a VERY positive way to the future of Telfer.
Q. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to face so far?
A. Certainly, like any human being, I have found the pandemic to be no picnic. Coming into my position in a virtual environment in 2021 was not easy, as I had very little contact with students and faculty. A university is a human organization, not just a building or a technological arsenal: it is first and foremost a community of professors, students, and employees. It is a big ball of 100% human energy. The pandemic has robbed us of much of that humanity and managing a fundamentally human organization in the midst of a pandemic comes with many challenges. But the pandemic has also brought something to Telfer: it has taught us to push the boundaries of educational technology, for example.
I strongly encourage our students to check out the services and resources provided at the Career Centre
as early as possible during their journey at Telfer, and not wait until their final year or term
to seek advice from its team of professionals.
Q. What are your thoughts on the Telfer Career Centre? If you were to give one piece of advice to Telfer students so that they take advantage of this resource, what would it be?
A. It is very important that Telfer has its own career centre, and the Telfer Career Centre provides a tremendous service to students. One of the biggest challenges is the late engagement of some students who begin to look in our career services toward the end of their academic career. They start thinking about the job market and realize they need help preparing their resumé, learning how to conduct themselves in interviews, etc. I strongly encourage our students to look in the services and resources provided at the Career Centre as early as possible during their journey at Telfer, and not wait until their final year or term to seek advice from its team of professionals.
– Dean Stéphane Brutus holds a B.A. from Simon Fraser University, an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Center for Creative Leadership.
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 Telfer Career Centre is full of wonderful people who support, equip and coach undergraduate and MBA students as well as recent graduates in their career development and preparation for the workplace. Marion Lajoie is one of those gems!
Marion Lajoie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa as well as a Masters’ degree in Educational Counselling. Whether as a dance teacher, a camp coordinator, or a Career Counsellor for the Career Centre, Marion has always enjoyed making a difference in the lives of others. Her passion for helping people has led her to have a meaningful career at the Career Centre, where she helps tomorrow’s leaders turn their various business interests into career possibilities.
As a career specialist, Marion plays an important role in the lives of students by guiding them in their career choice and shaping their personal and professional development. She loves the dynamic, creative, and innovative environment offered by the Telfer community, which provides so many opportunities for students to grow and learn.
Just like every student, Marion has been through that key period in life during which we ask ourselves so many questions about who we are, our personal and professional skills, what we are going to do in life, etc. After reflecting thoroughly as a result of her studies in psychology, she realized that what she loved and wanted to do most in her life and career was to help others. To fulfill this life mission, she undertook a masters’ degree in Educational Counselling at the University of Ottawa, during which she completed an internship at the uOttawa Career Development Centre.
It was while she was looking for work after completing her Masters’ that she heard about a great job opportunity that she couldn’t pass up. Telfer was indeed looking for a Career Counsellor to join its new Career Centre. Since entering our great community, Marion takes pride in helping students grow every day.
– Marion Lajoie, Career Counsellor at the Telfer Career Centre
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.
“From my first day as a Telfer student, I knew my program would allow me not only to thrive and grow in a safe environment, but also to push my boundaries. Each Telfer course teaches you not only theoretical skills, but also skills that are transferable to the professional world. I encourage other students to choose Telfer: it offers a well-diversified curriculum and provides opportunities to develop social skills and network.
Initially, I was intimidated by the calculus prerequisite. Surprisingly, it turned out to be my greatest strength, and I decided to switch from International Management to Finance. I really enjoy all my finance classes, as they offer an interesting mix of real-world situations and the application of math. As a work-study student, I now work for a Canadian law firm specializing in intellectual property.
Telfer taught me the importance of building relationships. After a year of networking, I have many peers in different workplaces around the world, which allows me to understand how to adapt to a growing professional environment and ensure that I develop my portfolio accordingly.
Socially, I quickly realize that I share similar personality traits and interests with other Telfer students. Telfer hosted an incredible 101 week that allowed me to meet a lot of my peers. I was able to find friends who challenge me both academically and socially. So, don’t let your fears stop you from reaching your full potential. In retrospect, I am extremely grateful that I did not let a calculus course stop me from getting into one of the top business schools out there, but rather exposed myself to a subject that I love and thrive in.”
– Jessica Roe, 3rd-year student (Finance), Junior Financial Analyst at Smart & Biggar (CO-OP)
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.