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FINDING A JOB AFTER GRADUATION

Welcome Job Search 101 Self Assessment Identifying Potential Employers Researching An Employer Preparing Your Promotional Tools Making Contact With A Potential Employer Career Planning Centre Services

Job Search 101: When to Start

If you are graduating in the Spring, start your job search now!

Many employers recruit in the Fall, some as early as September

Treat your job search seriously – schedule time each week to devote to it.

Job Search 101: Steps

1. Self-Assessment: Know what you want and what you can offer an employer

2. Identify Potential Employers

3. Research Potential Employers

4. Prepare your Promotional Tools: resume, cover letter, interview skills

5. Make Contact with Employer

Self Assessment

Interests: What do you like to do? Values: What is important to you in a job? Skills: what are you good at?

What are some skills you’ve gained from your education and your experience that would be relevant to employment?

Identifying Potential Employers

Some Employment Programs for New Graduates:• Nova Scotia Civil Service Internship Program (www.gov.ns.ca/psc/career)• Public Service Commission of Canada Post

Secondary Recruitment (http://jobs.gc.ca)• Career Edge (www.careeredge.ca)• Entrepreneurship Programs: Create your own job!

SEED Capital Connexion Program (www.acoa.ca/e/financial/capital.shtml )


Visible Job Market www.msvu.ca/careerplanning www.careercruising.com (Username: Mount, Password:

Vincent) Service Canada Job Bank (http://jobbank.gc.ca ) University departmental bulletin boards Company postings (in-house, websites) Employment Agencies Halifax Career Fair: www.halifaxcareerfair.ca Summer Job Fair: www.smu.ca/sjf


80% of jobs are never advertised The “hidden job market”

How do you find jobs that are not advertised?


Accessing the Hidden Job Market Networking (in person and social networking sites) Newspaper articles Company newsletters and websites Yellow Pages, The Career Directory (2007) Directories related to your field of study (Directory of

Community Services, Business Directory for the Metro Halifax Chamber of Commerce)

Professional Associations Volunteering

Using Linked-In and Other Social Media Tools

What is it? www.linkedin.com How to make new professional connections Use of other social media – Facebook,

Twitter, etc… Resource: How to Find a Job on LinkedIn,

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other Social Networks, B. & D. Schepp, 2010

Researching Potential Employers

Research products and services they offer, what they look for in employees, application methods, special initiatives, recruitment schedules.

Researching the employer will help you identify what you can contribute to the organization.

How can you research employers?

Preparing Your Promotional Tools: Resume Tips

Prepare a professional resume Keep your resume to a maximum of 2 pages Should be done in point form – use bullets Avoid use of “I” Choose the format that best demonstrates you have the

skills to do the job Include headings such as: Education, Relevant Skills,

Employment, Extra-curricular Activities Use action verbs (i.e., monitored,supervised, tested) and

accomplishment statements)

Preparing Your Promotional Tools: Cover Letter Tips

Always address your cover letter to the appropriate individual

Maximum 1 page Use “confident” language (i.e. “I am certain I am

the ideal candidate for this position.”) Avoid “I think”, “I feel” Always close by thanking them for reviewing your

application

Making Contact With An Employer

If applying for an advertised job:

Follow the application instructions Send a professional resume and cover letter tailored

to the position Follow-up after you apply to ensure they received

your information, to restate your interest, and to find out their timeframe for setting up interviews.

Making Contact With An Employer

If accessing the hidden job market: Make initial contact by mail, email, or telephone; goal is to

secure an in-person appointment with a hiring manager When making direct contact (phone, in- person), always

have your resume with you, prepare a short script about yourself and what you can do for the employer (related education, experience, interest in the organization), be prepared for an informal interview

Options: directly ask about employment opportunities, or ask for an information interview

Sample Script: First Contact With An Employer

1. Introduce yourself: name, degree“Hi, my name is __. I am completing a degree in ___at MSVU.”2. Establish common ground (referral source, common interest)“My professor, Dr.___ suggested I contact you to find out more about career opportunities in the field of___”.3. Show that you know something about the organization (show your research!)“I noticed on your website that your company is expanding it’s services….”4. Ask for an in-person meeting (information interview)“I’m really interested in learning more about your organization and I’m wondering if I could meet with you briefly to ask some questions?”

Sample Information Interview Questions

How did you get started in this type of work? What skills or personal qualities are necessary in this career? How is your organization being affected by the recent expansion? (or other

appropriate question showing your knowledge of the organization) Does your organization offer volunteer opportunities for students interested in

gaining more experience in this field? Are there any current employment opportunities within your organization? Where else could I find people involved in this type of work? (get referrals if

appropriate). Note: - Try to find a way to show how your education or experience can help

meet the organization’s needs (give examples of related educational projects, work experience, etc.)- Bring your resume, leave it if asked.- Always send a thank you letter to individual you interviewed.

Career Planning Services

Resume Critiquing Interview Preparation Mock Interviews Co-Curricular Recognition Program **NEW** Speed Mentoring Resource Library Individual Counselling Interest Testing Job Finding Club Upcoming Events