Students and the Summer Job Hunt
Report on Business chats with Iris Unger of Montreal-based Youth Employment Services about this summer's tough job market
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Hello, Iris. I'm a political science and history student who has been very involved in organizations on campus. I've done internships, worked at volunteer organizations, and was an editor of our campus paper. I've been applying to entry-level/internships in communications, but students who have done business certificates or gone to business school are beating me out. What advice would you have about making that jump, and selling softer skills?
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Ms Unger, as a new university graduate looking for full time work with some work experience in my field, what do you think is the best way to find a job (online, a job service, in person)? and how can i make my resume stand out against the hundreds employers may receive?
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Best way to find a job is through networking and letting people know that you are looking for work . Networks can come in many forms.Also research organizations that you would like to work for and contact their HR or manager or find out if you might know someone who works there..Send a resume and cover letter that is targetted to that organization and its core values. Put a career highlight section in to give you an opportunity to stand out and speak about your specific achievements
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Also, for those who are interested - the Globe reached out to students across the country to find out how their summer job hunts are going. You can look at their stories here.
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You need to do a self assessment looking at your values,skills,personality and also your financial reality. Review what tasks you have enjoyed . Do research on what types of jobs match your transferable skills and target those organizations. Then adjust your CV accordingly.
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Cover letters are critical!! This is what will really seperate you from all of the other candidates .They must be well written without any spelling or typing mistakes. It should show the employer why you are the best candidiate and that you know something about the company and why you are a good match. Do not send out generic cover letters. Employers see right through that. Many CV's get bypassed if there is no cover letter. .
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Don't get discouraged the job market is difficult now. Contact an employment counsellor to ask them for feedback on your CV and cover letters to ensure you are creating the best tool possible to market yourself.. This could be through a community organization in your area, such as YES ,or an employment counsellor at your school . They can also help you identify transferrable skills which we often have difficulty recognizing or identifying in ourselves. Good luck.
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For those still weighing their options between work or more school, the Globe took a look at what your choices are here
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Don't get discouraged. Network .Network. Network. Let people know you are looking for work and be specific about what it is you want to and can do.Use resources around you. There are a lot of community organizations that work specifically in this area but do some research to see which ones are the most appropriate for you. If you are getting stressed and need help speak to someone about it. You are NOT alone.
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