Career Preparation Workbook

Career Preparation

Workbook TRS 2-148 | 416-979-5106 trsmcareers@ryerson.ca | www.ryerson.ca/trsmcareers

Co-Operative Education Fact Sheet 2015/2016

2014/2015 Current Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management

(established 1999)

Ted Rogers School of Accounting and Finance Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism

Ted Rogers School of Business Management • • • • •

Economics & Management Science Global Management Studies Human Resources Management Law & Business Real Estate Management

2017/2018 Ted Rogers School of Business Management • Marketing Management • Entrepreneurship

Ted Rogers School of Retail Management

Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) is expanding its Co-operative Education programs.

By 2017-2018 all TRSM schools will have a Co-op Education option for qualified students.

•

•

•

Full-time students entering their 2nd year will have the opportunity to apply to the Co-op program at their school when they launch in September. Students meeting the eligibility requirements will undergo an interview and will be informed about their Co-op admission status by mid-October. Those admitted will prepare to begin their first Co-op job in the following summer work-term.

Students will be considered for the Coop option on the basis of their academic achievements and non-academic requirements, which vary by TRSM school. Admission will be selective, based on academic performance, suitability to represent the program and potential to succeed in Co-op work terms.

As part of the requirements of completing the

•

•

Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op option) degree program, students will have to successfully pass a minimum of three work terms and achieve the pre-determined Cumulative Grade Point Average for their TRSM program.

Ryerson’s Office of Co-operative Education and the Business Career Hub, will be available to support all students as they progress through alternating work and academic terms. Each Coop program will also have a faculty advisor and school staff to support students.

As market demand allows, individual TRSM Coop program may be available to students across TRSM’s schools earlier than currently scheduled.

Students are required to meet the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) at the end of their first year of study as part of the academic requirements for the Co-op option. As spaces in the Co-op option are limited, students are expected to present grades above the minimum requirement. The CGPA for each School is:

Student Benefits • • • • •

Work in a variety of fields Earn while you learn Make industry connections Applied Learning Build a great resume

Information Technology Management

Accounting & Finance

3.33

Business Management

3.00

2.80

Retail Management Hospitality and Tourism Management

2.80

2.80

For more information please visit: www.ryerson.ca/tedrogersschool/coop

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Visit www.TEKsystemsCareers.com.

Copyright © 2014 TEKsystems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

/rcsonline

@RCS_Online

@RCS_Online

rcs@ryerson.ca

The Ryerson Commerce Society is a student-elected organization that represents over 9000 full time undergraduate business students and 29+ student groups within TRSM (Ted Rogers School of Management). We provide services, host events, advocate for positive change within TRSM and fully fund students to attend national and international conferences and competitions! Working closely with student groups to cater to the various interests within the school, our organization helps both course unions and special interest groups at TRSM by providing funding, logistical and administrative training.

Our organization also works to collaborate with alumni and external student organizations to diversify services, and to embrace the dynamic culture of Ryerson University.

Ted Rogers School of Management | Room TRS 2-145 | 416-979-5000 x 4217 | www.rcsonline.ca

At the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto we are committed to nur turing our colleagues.

We place emphasis on career development, we value diversity, and we drive efficiency through teamwork.

Explore your opportunities at chelseatoronto.com 1-800-CHELSEA (243-5732)

A member of Langham Hospitality Group

Your pathway to growth, experience, and success begins at Donalda Club.

We a re a n exclu sive year rou n d mu lti a ct i v i t y g o lf an d cou n try clu b wh ere ca ree rs b ecome a reality.

www.donaldaclub.ca 416.447.5575

The opportunity of a lifetime “At PwC, I am totally comfortable bringing my whole self to work.” – Jon First drawn to PwC by its culture of support, openness and diversity, Jon immediately knew it was a place where he could be himself. He is actively involved in PwC’s gay and lesbian professional network, ‘GLEE’, and also coaches, mentors and helps his team excel through PwC’s Enhanced Working Practices such as its teach-don’t-tell approach to learning. And it’s that same culture of support that has given Jon many other amazing opportunities including a secondment to PwC Brisbane.

Discover your opportunity.

Apply today.

Full time, summer and co-ops available in: Actuarial, Assurance, Consulting, Deals, Risk Assurance Services and Tax.

www.pwc.com/ca/campus facebook.com/pwccareerscanada linkedin.com/company/PwC-canada @PwC_ca_campus @PwC_canada_careers

© 2014 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. 3470-120 0714

Amazing career stories begin at Scotiabank “

I joined Scotiabank full time after previously completing two co-op work terms here. My current role has allowed me to further develop my knowledge of capital markets while gaining practical experience in business analysis and project management. I would highly recommend Scotiabank to students who are passionate and eager to learn about information technology, making new networks and pursuing a future in the financial sector.”

— Hari, Senior Business Analyst (Ryerson Alumni)

Hundreds of inspiring, heartwarming and even heroic career stories take place at Scotiabank every day. Start your amazing, heartwarming and even heroic career story at www.scotiabank.com/campus Follow us: www.linkedin.com/company/scotiabank @SBStudentJobs

Best Workplaces 2015 Canada Registered trademark of the Great Place to Work Institute. † Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

®

OPPORTUNITIES

INFINITE Make all the pieces fit.

Become a CPA.

Enrolling in the CPA Program is the best way to achieve your business goals. You’ll graduate with advanced management skills, strong leadership qualities and a comprehensive understanding of financial performance. Become a valued asset among employers, your opportunities are infinite.

goCPAontario.ca

Notice: Š Business Career Hub, Ryerson University, 2015.

This workbook may not be reproduced, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of Ryerson University. Nothing in this notice inhibits a user's rights under fair dealing according the Canada's Copyright Act.

Contents

Step 1

Step 2

13

Introduction & Self-Assessment

32

Career Research. What’s Out There?

14

Ted Rogers School of Management

34

Education Career Research

Professional & Ethical Guidelines

35

Education Research Outline

18

4-Year Plan

36

Exploring Your Major

20

Introduction & Self-Assessment

47

What is Career Research?

23

Assessing Skills

48

Researching the Industry

25

Content Knowledge/Technical Skills

48

Researching Employers

27 Competencies

49

Researching the Job Title or Role

28

Career Values Worksheet

50

Career Research Worksheet

29

360° Assessment

51

Job Shadowing

29

Formal Assessment Tools

52

Experience Building

30

Career Statement

52

Volunteering

31

Career Development Plan

54 Internships 57

Co-operative Education

58

Professional Development

59

Summer Job

60

Working Abroad

62

Your Company Interests

Step 3

63

Marketing Yourself

123 Job Search

65

How to Market Yourself

125

Job Search Methods

67 Resumes

127

Network

69

Sections of the Resume

127

Job Postings on the Internet

75

Resume Action Verbs

130 Recruiters

77

S.T.A.R Model

130

Contacting Companies Directly

78

S.T.A.R Model Worksheet

131

Job Search Checklist

78

Electronic Resumes

133

Top 10 Tips for Salary Negotiation

79

Resume Do’s & Don’ts

134

Additional Business Correspondence

79

Common Resume Mistakes

134

Thank You Letters

80

Resume Checklist

135

Reference Letters

82

Sample Resumes

137

Responding to Job Offers

87

Cover Letters

138

Declining a Job Offer

93

Cover Letter Checklist

94

Sample Cover Letters

101

Your Cover Letter Worksheet

Step 5

102

Interview Content

140 Managing You Career

102

Types of Interviews

142

How to Succeed on the Job

106

Types of Interview Questions

144

Your On-Boarding Plan

109

S.T.A.R Method

145

Managing Your Career Worksheet

110

S.T.A.R Method Worksheet

111

Questions to Ask

112

Declining an Interview

Step 6

113

Interview/Follow Up Letters

146 Work-Life Planning

114

Interview Checklist

148

Alumni Career Services

115

Interview FAQ

149

Career Planning

117

Mock Interviews

152

Career Development Plan

153

Professional Development

154

Further Education Choices Worksheet

118 Networking

Step 4

Step 1 Introduction & Self-Assessment

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

13

TED ROGERS SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL & ETHICAL GUIDELINES The purpose of this document is to provide all Ted Rogers School of Management (“TRSM”) undergraduate students with Professional & Ethical Guidelines to follow while enrolled in a TRSM program and when engaged in the community.

As future business leaders, all TRSM students are expected to abide by the highest standards of ethical behaviour, academic integrity and professionalism, as consistent with these guidelines. This is in addition to the various guidelines, codes & policies of the University.

These guidelines are meant to ensure the success of all TRSM students, as well as maintain the excellent reputation of TRSM. If you fail to follow these guidelines, Ryerson University reserves the right to follow up with you individually.

Professional Standards • You will uphold a professional relationship with all Ryerson staff, alumni, current students and company representatives.

• You will represent yourself to the Ryerson staff and to company representatives with factual data regarding academic, employment, citizenship/visa, or any other information requested.

• Official communications from Ryerson staff will be sent to your Ryerson e-mail address. You are required to read these e-mails and stay informed about important deadlines and any other relevant information sent to your Ryerson e-mail address.

Not checking your e-mail carefully is not an excuse for missing RSVP deadlines or deadlines set by your Program Administrator.

14

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

Diversity Ryerson University has a very diverse community. The University strives to build a respectful and inclusive community conducive to academic excellence.

Everyone that works, visits or studies at Ryerson University has the right to do so in an environment free from any form of harassment, discrimination or violence. All members of the Ryerson community have a responsibility to build a positive and supportive working and learning environment. As a student you agree to respect the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Business Career Hub The Business Career Hub is dedicated to promoting a beneficial relationship between employers and students. The reputation of the TRSM community is largely based upon the interactions between TRSM students and recruiters. At the Business Career Hub, we work with students to ensure that they are wellprepared candidates for various career opportunities presented to them. While we can’t guarantee job placement, we work very closely with students to increase their chances of being placed. In order to benefit from the services, the onus is on the student to participate in the professional development curriculum and events hosted by the Business Career Hub. It is also up to the student to keep in contact with the Business Career Hub Team and to advise the Business Career Hub Team of any potential interviews arranged with employers.

Please do not forget that you are an ambassador for the TRSM: The views you express regarding TRSM and the way in which you present yourself directly impact the TRSM brand, and as a result, the value of your degree.

Attendance at Events The following are standard professional courtesy guidelines that we hope each TRSM student will follow and respect:

• You will submit an RSVP when asked (“Répondez S’il Vous Plait” is French for “Please Reply”) by the deadline to help employers and staff plan for their events and workshops (Please always RSVP whether you are attending or not). If you RSVP that you will be attending, you will follow through with the commitment. If you need to cancel – please notify the appropriate contact as soon as possible (48 hours notice is preferred).

• Prepare Sufficiently: When attending a networking event, please be prepared to engage in conversation as well as answer questions: being prepared includes conducting company/industry research and preparing questions in advance.

• Arrive on Time: Plan to arrive 15 minutes early, so that if there are any delays, you can still be on time.

• Dress Professionally: The dress code is business formal for all events where alumni and recruiters are present. If business casual is allowed, you will be notified, otherwise please always dress professionally. Jeans, shorts, sneakers, flip flops and similar casual wear are never appropriate at events.

Inappropriate behaviour during corporate events can lead to being removed from the event (e.g. being intoxicated and/or boisterous, treating other attendees with a lack of respect, wearing unprofessional attire, or attending an event for any reason other than a genuine interest in the event).

Interviews This is your chance to shine! In order to convince the employer that you are the right candidate, you must be well prepared so that you can concisely highlight all of your relevant experience and accomplishments.

You want the employer to understand your excitement for the position – so make sure you’ve done plenty of research and are educated about all aspects of the role.

• If interviewing for a position that was brought to your attention by the Business Career Hub, please notify the Business Career Hub immediately, and schedule a mock interview.

• Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early for the interview.

• Prior to attending an interview, you must make a sincere effort to learn about the company. Failure to do so demonstrates a lack of interest and reflects poorly on TRSM. • You will conduct yourself with professionalism and honesty throughout the interview process.

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

15

Job Placement • Apply for the positions that match your abilities and interest.

• You must respond to every job offer in writing, stating clearly whether or not you accept or reject the offer.

• Upon accepting a position, it is expected that you honour the acceptance of an offer as a contractual agreement with the employer. Please do not represent yourself as being prepared to accept an offer unless you are prepared to do so.

• Report Your Employment Status: Please notify the Business Career Hub if you accept a job or an internship opportunity. Report all relevant offer information (company name, salary, bonus, location, etc.) for employment reporting.

Thank you for taking the time to review these Professional & Ethical Guidelines. This document exists to help TRSM students create and maintain positive professional relationships. Please do not hesitate to reach out to anyone in the TRSM community if you have questions about these guidelines.

16

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

Step 1 Introduction & Self-Assessment

The first part of the career management cycle introduces you to the importance of career management and provides you with exercises for you to complete, so you understand the integral role you play in your own career.

It’s your journey, we’ll guide you along the way.

Step 1 Introduction & Self-Assessment

17

4-Year Plan Please refer to the chart below to track your career management successes. Place a checkmark in the empty column to indicate you have completed the tasks/milestones.

Note that the four year breakdown is a general guideline for your career development throughout your academic program.

First Year First year activities guide you in making career path decisions. Take charge of your career and explore selfassessment activities and specializations available to you.

First Year Tasks And Milestones Setting Personal Career Goals Workshop Exploring Your Major Exploring Your Environment Career Events Student Groups & Coaching/Mentoring with Upper Year Students Part-time/Summer Employment

18

4-Year Plan

Second Year Explore how your specialization aligns with your career goals by researching opportunities around you as well as doing a Career Gap Analysis. To get started, research current market trends in industries that you are interested in to gain a realistic perspective of what is needed to prepare for your career (both academic and non-academic requirements). The Business Career Hub team will be here to help guide you in your resume/cover letter writing and becoming an expert on business etiquette. You will then be ready to apply the knowledge gained in the past two years to conduct information interviews and explore your options.

Second Year Tasks And Milestones University Major Research – Connecting Careers to Your Academic Courses Research Industry Topics & Trends Based on Your Industry of Interest Professional Designation Information Sessions Etiquette Workshop Student Group Event Participation Conducting Field Research Resume / Cover Letter Development

Third Year

Third year is a great time to begin networking and interview preparation as well as learning about job search strategies and methods.

Third Year Tasks And Milestones Etiquette Workshop (Dining) Networking Techniques Networking Workshop Networking Nights Interview Preparation Workshop Interview Tips & Techniques Job Search Methods

Fourth Year If you have yet to do so, it is now time for you to visit the Business Career Hub to set up a one-on-one consultation with a Career Consultant. The Business Career Hub also works with its partner organizations to develop company information sessions and networking nights for fourth year students.

Fourth Year Tasks And Milestones Meet Career Consultant in 6th & 7th Semesters Company Information Sessions Industry Networking Nights Field Research Campus Career Fairs

Internship Search Strategy Campus Career Fairs Resume & Cover Letter Review with Career Consultant Industry Networking Nights

4-Year Plan

19

Introduction Work is an enormous part of our lives - it takes up over a quarter of our living week. With so much of our time focused around work, it has become more important to ensure the careers we choose align with our specific skills, needs and values.

Studies show that finding work that connects to your career goals, interests, skills and values increases your job satisfaction, self-esteem and overall wellbeing. Therefore, devoting time to planning your career path is perhaps the most important step of the career management cycle.

Self-Assessment Self-assessments assist you to discover your skills, values, interests and needs, which in turn help you to make informed career decisions. With a selfassessment, you will be more organized and focused in your career management, whether that includes making career choices or doing a job search.

You can start your self-assessment by asking yourself questions such as: • What do I do well? What do I enjoy doing?

• What have I been recognized for, including compliments I have received for a job well done?

• Do I enjoy working with people, objects or data?

• Do I prefer a routine or a diversity of tasks?

• Do I like to take the lead or prefer to follow others?

• Am I more comfortable communicating in-person or by writing?

• Do I like using my creative and artistic abilities?

• How important is work/life balance to me?

• Do I enjoy working as a team or individually?

20

Introduction & Self-Assessment

Your answers to these questions will help you get started in understanding what you are looking for in a career.

Your Story

(Source: CareerCycles. See copyright notice below)

The first part of the self-assessment process is to construct your career and life story. Creating a timeline of events in your life will help highlight accomplishments and achievements that you can mine for important information that will help you make good career choices for yourself. Fill out as much of the information below as possible.

High School Example: High School Dates: September 2009 - June 2013

What school subjects and extracurricular activities did you enjoy in high school?

What did you think you missed in high school?

Subjects: Economics, History

Extracurricular: volleyball team, badminton club

Missed: Being part of the yearbook committee; planning the semi-formals

What was your frame of mind leaving high school and deciding what to do next?

What personal qualities did you demonstrate?

Enthusiasm

Hopeful, excited, nervous

Knowledge

What led you to decide on the university program you chose?

Currently, what are the most significant experiences or learning from that program?

Program Choice: Chose School of Business Management because I wanted to learn more about how business practices impact the world

Significant Experiences: BUS 100 helped me start thinking about my career and next steps

Team orientation

What assets did you get from the experience (ex., 1 year customer service experience; budgeting skills; etc.)?

More than 3 years of proven customer-focused event experience in not-for-profit settings Skilled in building new collaborative relationships and disseminating information in a clear and concise manner Proficient with MS Access database to track more than 400 event registrations

Life & Career Example: Life & Career

Event/Role: Registration Volunteer, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (United Way Toronto) Dates: October ( 2009-2011) Enjoyed

Didn’t Enjoy

• Meeting new people • Encouraging members of public to register for the marathon • Providing clear information about the marathon and United Way charity details

• Recording and processing registrations in the database

Who influenced you and how?

Event Coordinator-Jerry: Taught me to anticipate and deal with last minute scheduling changes that can happen during given events.

Volunteer Recruiter-Sarah: Told me to smile more during interviews and highlighted the importance of building meaningful volunteer and other community experiences.

Introduction & Self-Assessment

21

High School Exercise (Your Story): Life & Career Exercise (Your Story): High School:

Event/Role:

Dates:

Enjoyed

Didn’t Enjoy

• • •

• • •

What school subjects and extracurricular activities did you enjoy in high school?

What did you think you missed in high school?

Dates:

What personal qualities did you demonstrate?

Subjects:

Extracurricular:

Missed:

What assets did you get out of the experience (for example, 1 year customer service experience; budgeting skills; etc.)?

What was your frame of mind leaving high school and deciding what to do next?

What led you to decide on the program you chose? Currently, what are the most significant experiences or learning from that program?

Who influenced you and how?

Program Choice:

Significant Experiences:

22

Introduction & Self-Assessment

Copyright notice: This document contains proprietary, copyrighted materials of Mark Franklin, president of CareerCycles Inc. It is for your guidance only and is not to be copied, quoted, published, or divulged to others. All content is protected by copyright © 2013, Mark Franklin. All rights reserved.

Assessing Skills

Personal Skills

Skills are the ingredients that make up the recipe of your career. They bridge the transitions from school to the workplace and from one career to another.

Choose the personal skills that best describe you and make note of any personal skills not on the list that you feel you have.

As a student, you need to know: • What your most important and transferable skills are, • The value of your skills; & • What skills you need to develop, learn or acquire.

Types of Skills A skill is something you do well. A common mistake is being too general when describing your skills. For example: “I have strong design skills”. Design involves many separate skills.

There are three categories of skills: personal skills, functional skills and content knowledge/technical skills.

• Personal skills: Who I am – detail-oriented, empathetic, etc.

• Functional skills: What I do/have done; similar to personal skills; how we relate to people, data and things » Transferable skills are the functional skills you can take and use from one job to another. For example, counseling, prioritizing and problem solving are transferable skills • Content Knowledge/Technical skills: What I know; specialized knowledge – writing HTML script, etc.

______ accurate ______ adaptable ______ aggressive ______ ambitious ______ assertive ______ attentive ______ calm ______ cautious ______ confident ______ committed ______ competitive ______ confident ______ consistent ______ cooperative ______ creative ______ curious ______ dedicated ______ detail-oriented ______ diplomatic ______ dominant ______ easy-going ______ efficient ______ empathetic ______ energetic ______ enthusiastic ______ expressive ______ flexible ______ focused ______ generous ______ honest

______ humourous ______ independent ______ industrious ______ intuitive ______ inventive ______ loyal ______ motivated ______ open-minded ______ optimistic ______ organized ______ outspoken ______ patient ______ persistent ______ playful ______ polite ______ practical ______ punctual ______ reliable ______ resourceful ______ responsible ______ self-controlled ______ sincere ______ sociable ______ spontaneous ______ systematic ______ tactful ______ talkative ______ thorough ______ tolerant ______ trusting

Assessing Skills

23

What 6-8 skills best describe you?

1.

Functional Skills Select the functional skills you have the most of.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

How have the above skills helped you succeed?

1.

2.

3.

achieve adapt advise analyze arrange assemble assess audit budget build calculate coach compile compose convince coordinate counsel create decide decorate delegate detail design

develop direct edit encourage enforce enlighten evaluate examine execute explain express facilitate finance formulate focus gather generate guide help identify implement improvise influence initiate

instruct interpret interview invent investigate judge lead learn lecture listen manage mediate mentor motivate negotiate observe operate organize perform persuade plan present prioritize program

promote reason reconcile record recruit repair report research schedule sell set goals set up solve speak strategize style summarize supervise synthesize systematize teach team-build train understand

For each skill selected above, place each one in one of the columns below. What conclusions can you draw from the results?

4.

5.

6.

Working with People

7.

8.

Which skills can get in the way of your success? How will you manage these skills in the future?

24

Assessing Skills

Working with Data

Working with Ideas

Working with Things

Choose your 6-8 strongest functional skills: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Content Knowledge/ Technical Skills Content knowledge/technical skills are the specialized knowledge you learned on the job or at school.

Read the sample below, and then complete the following exercises with the technical knowledge and abilities you have learned and developed.

Sample knowledge/technical skills exercise:

8.

Role

Business Technology Management Intern, IBM

Knowledge/ technical skill #1

Receive electronically submitted requests for I.T. support and distribute requests to staff using MS Access and Outlook.

Knowledge/ technical skill #2

Analyze incoming help desk requests and track orders in MS Excel spreadsheet.

Knowledge/ technical skill #3

Skilled in project management software such as Podio.

Knowledge/ technical skill #4

Knowledge of TCP/IP and networking concepts.

How have the above skills helped you succeed?

Which functional skills must you develop and how will you do this?

Content Knowledge/ Technical Skills

25

Your knowledge/technical skills #1 Role

Knowledge/ technical skill #1

Knowledge/ technical skill #2

Knowledge/ technical skill #3

Knowledge/ technical skill #4

Your knowledge/technical skills #2 Role

Knowledge/ technical skill #1

Knowledge/ technical skill #2

Knowledge/ technical skill #3

Knowledge/ technical skill #4

26

Content Knowledge/ Technical Skills

Essential Skills Human Resources & Skills Development Canada did a national research study to examine needed Essential Skills in the workplace. The study broke out three essential skills sets: • Fundamental Skills, such as communication • Personal Management Skills, such as being adaptable • Teamwork Skills, such as how you manage conflict Please go to the List of Online Resources for a more complete list of skills. www.ryerson.ca/trsmcareers/onlineresources

Competencies In recruitment terms, what is a “competency”?

A competency is any skill, knowledge, behaviour, capability, or personal attribute that allows a person to be successful in his/her job performance. It is important to understand what competencies an organization seeks and develops in their employees.

Organizations often use competencies in their recruitment and selection, and also act as guidelines for employee training, career development and succession planning. Many organizations have their own list of competencies they feel their employees should have or strive to gain in order to help the organization succeed.

Recruiters always assess an applicant’s fit in an organization’s culture, often based on the organization’s competencies. Therefore, it is important to research the organizations to ensure you have or are developing the competencies they seek before applying.

The following is a sample list of competencies with definitions for your reference. Knowing the language used internally by an organization will assist you in speaking more directly to their needs and showcase the alignment of your values, skills and attributes with the company’s culture. Furthermore, it gives you the language to refine your Career Statement, which in turn positively informs your resume writing, interviewing and networking skills, and much more.

Sample Competency Areas: Results Driven

Works to achieve excellent results in order to meet and exceed performance indicators

Adaptability

Able to modify one’s approach and style to match changing environments and information to accomplish goals and reach desired results

Building Relationships

Builds and manages successful relationships with individuals, teams, stakeholders and partners while treating others with dignity and respect.

Communication

Able to clearly communicate ideas, information and knowledge to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Decision Making

Employ good judgment to make wellinformed decisions, understanding the implications such decisions have on all stakeholders and the organization.

Initiative

Seeks new opportunities and tasks within the organization to actively learn and develop skills and abilities.

Problem Solving

Capacity to use sound judgment to pinpoint symptoms and problems and evaluate the best course of action to overcome any obstacles to achieve the desired outcomes

Teamwork

Actively collaborate with others to achieve individual and team goals while acknowledging everyone’s contributions.

Action: Take the time to research the competencies of an organization and consider how they align with your competencies, ensuring you demonstrate them in your professional brand via your resume, elevator pitch and more.

Competencies

27

Career Values Worksheet Once you have a clearer picture of your core skills and competencies, it is important to focus on how you fit in an organization’s or industry’s culture. To do this, you need to look at a number of things.

Complete the following exercise to help clarify your strongest career interests:

Work Values The following list describes a variety of values that individuals seek to express through their work.

Rate the degree of importance you would assign for each in your own work.

3 = Very Important 2 = Reasonably Important 1 = Not Very

28

Career Values Worksheet

#

Value

Description

Adventure

Work duties that are high-risk

Aesthetics

Duties involving beauty of ideas/things

Artistic design

Creative work in different art forms

Community

Engagement in community/ neighbourhood affairs

Competition

Challenge myself against others

Creativity

Create new ideas and products

Fast pace

Environment where there is a lot of activity

Friendships

Develop close relationships with people through work

Help others

Assisting others in a direct way individually or in groups

Help society

Contribute directly to the community and greater good of society

Influence

Able to change others’ attitudes, opinions or behaviour

Intellectual status

Be seen as an expert and specialist in your field/industry

Knowledge

Always seeking to learn and gain more knowledge and understanding

Leadership

Direct/lead others to accomplish goals

Location

A place that matches your lifestyle

Make decisions

Able to set policy and determine course of action

Moral fulfillment

Work in line with a set of moral standards

Physical stamina

Use physical abilities at work

Power

Fully or partially control others’ work activities

Recognition

Visibly and publicly recognized for quality work

Security

Stable job with fair compensation

Stability

Predictable job duties and routine

Supervision

Being responsible for the work of others

Time flexibility

Able to partly or fully make your own schedule

Work alone

Do things on your own with little contact with others

Work under pressure

Situations where time pressure is high

Work with others

Working closely with a group of individuals

List your top work values.

1.

2.

3.

4.

360° Assessment It is important to get feedback from others so that you can better understand if your perspective of your abilities, values and needs are in line with what you are communicating to others. If there seems to be gaps, it is important to make note of them and explore why there is a gap and if necessary, how to close it.

5.

6.

7.

8.

How would these values determine future career decisions?

If you would like to try a free 360° assessment tool, please visit the Business Career Hub to speak with a Career Consultant and check out our List of Online Resources. www.ryerson.ca/trsmcareers/onlineresources

Formal Assessment Tools Once you have done your own self-assessment and received some feedback from family and friends, the next step is to try your hand at some formal assessment tools. These types of tools (personality, interests, reasoning, etc.) can help to provide some feedback on your own self-perception and others’ perception of you.

It can show how your own self-assessment aligns with the formal assessment tools’ results.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to remember that formal assessment tools cannot tell you what career path or major to take. They are designed to validate what an individual already knows about themselves.

If you would like to learn more about formal assessments, please visit the Business Career Hub to speak with a Career Consultant.

360° Assessment Format Assessment Tools

29

Career Statement

(Source: CareerCycles. See copyright notice below)

Your Career Statement is at the heart of your career strategy. It describes who you are and what’s most important to you in the world of work. It takes Your Story, preferred skills, values and interests and connects them to your career goals to clarify what is most important to you.

Review the sample Career Statement and then complete the following exercise to create your own Career Statement.

As I’m moving into my last year of university, I’m currently exploring different possibilities for my future. I want to be able to capitalize on my skills and interests, as well as get a stronger sense of what I’m good at and apply that to possible career paths.

I know what I don’t want: super high pressure environments, and ones which reward performance based on commission and sales targets. What I do want: I like working with people, and helping people by using my skills. Supporting inclusion and social justice are important to me. I’d like to have the opportunity to leverage my French language skills if possible. People often describe me as kind, independent and reliable.

I think combining my strong ability in problem-solving (which has been further developed through my studies in economics) with my commitment to helping others could translate into possible careers in consulting, public sector, and non-profit organizations. In the long run, I might also want to start my own social enterprise related to the arts and the community, as I am also passionate about music, films and cuisine.

To achieve these goals, I’m hoping to further my technical skills by obtaining a masters’ in economics with a specialization in social economy. I’m also planning to put my entrepreneurial skills into practice by helping

30

Career Statement

with my family’s efforts to head up a franchise. My dream goal is to start up my own food shop importing foods from European countries, and run it as a social enterprise with a community engagement component.

My Career Statement Here’s what I want (Desires, Goals) Here’s what I want to do or use (strengths, skills)

Here’s the kind of person I am and how others describe me (personal qualities) Here’s what I bring with me (Assets)

These people have influenced/continue to influence my life, school and/ or career choices (Other people) These are the possibilities I’m most curious about

Copyright notice: This document contains proprietary, copyrighted materials of Mark Franklin, president of CareerCycles Inc. It is for your guidance only and is not to be copied, quoted, published, or divulged to others. All content is protected by copyright © 2013, Mark Franklin. All rights reserved.

Career Development Plan Your career development plan is meant to help capture your career goals, the steps you need to take and resources you need to access and utilize to achieve those goals. The development plan is meant to outline your key career objectives and can be adjusted as your career develops.

Career Goal

What Do You Have?

Skills, abilities, etc.

What Needs To Be Developed?

Gaps in training, experience, technical skills, etc.

How Will You Develop It? Consider Education & training needed, obstacles/gaps that may need to be overcome.

Who And What Can Help? How? Consider your network, using information interviews, industry related websites, associations, etc.

When Will You Do This?

Create a timeline/ deadline

Strategies 1. Write your goals down Put your goals down on paper. Ideas in our head are easily forgotten or cast aside. By writing down your goals, you make them more real by being able to visualize it on physical paper.

2. Set short-term milestones and tasks If you want to find an internship in your field of study, create job searching tasks – for example, set up a milestone of creating a company list and contact list by a specific date. Breaking down bigger goals makes it more manageable and easier to keep track of.

3. Be specific - Measure Actions & Progress The more specific milestones and tasks are, the easier it is for you to measure your ability to achieve them and measure your own success. If possible, set a date, and use numbers and other measurements. For example, your task might be to contact 2 new contacts in your industry of interest every week; or spend 1-2 hours every day on your search for summer internship opportunities.

4. Start with one goal Can your current written goal be broken down to something smaller and simpler? Start with one at a time, gain control, and then add more goals into the mix.

5. Schedule time for your goal Decide and commit to when you will put time into your goal.

6. Set a goal you actually want to achieve and is realistic Set a goal you want to achieve and reflect on that goal.

Make sure this is something you want to achieve and not something you feel you “should” do. Make sure it is realistic and is it achievable? Is your timeline realistic? Etc.

Career Development Plan

31

Step 2 Career Research

32

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

Step 2 Career Research

Career research is the process of discovering important facts and information about a particular or group of possible career options.

To avoid involving yourself with a career that falls short of your expectations, take the time to research the career you may be considering.

Step 2 Career Research

33

Education Career Research As part of your self-assessment and career development plan, you will need to explore and research your educational preferences and goals. A good place to start is to first understand what courses and subject matters you enjoyed learning in the past and how that connects to your career goals. To start, the following are some questions to consider and a short review of the different schools within the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University.

Career/education goal #1 [e.g. International marketing ] What do I like about this goal?

e.g. I love using my creative skills, I’m good at presenting, and I’m interested in working abroad.

What specific occupations can this lead to that are of interest to me?

e.g. Marketing Assistant/Analyst, Assistant Brand Manager, Assistant Account Executive, International Market Researcher

What special skills, knowledge or training do I need?

e.g. Graphic design, writing, social media, more than one language, building a portfolio is a big help

What is the job outlook for this career area?

More jobs in digital marketing, hard to go global in entry-level jobs

Relevant majors

e.g. Marketing major Global Management Studies minor

Courses that interest me within this major

[Do they match up to what is required of the occupations you listed were of interest to you?]

What student clubs are associated with this major?

e.g. Ryerson Marketing Association, AIESEC

What questions do I have about this major and the career possibilities it can lead to?

[Set a deadline to book an appointment with an academic advisor, and a Career Consultant, especially if you feel you are missing information and need more resources].

34

Education Career Research

Career/ education goal #1

Career/ education goal #2

Education Research Outline Wondering how to start the career exploration process when it comes to choosing your major? Here’s a guide to get you started.

It Starts With You:

1 2

• What classes have you enjoyed?

• What are some of the things you feel you do really well? Consider both classes and activities outside of the classroom.

• How would you describe the people who you enjoy working with?

• What characteristics would need to be present in your ideal job? How do they relate to your values?

• What types of jobs or careers are people involved in around you?

Major Exploration:

• Review the Ryerson undergraduate course calendar. What are the course descriptions that seem interesting to you? Highlight them.

• Contact departmental representatives for more information. Ask about sitting in on a few classes that interest you to observe.

• Talk to students in 3rd and 4th year about their majors!

• Talk with student services about majors which interest you (especially if you’re thinking of a double major).

• Visit the Business Career Hub for a quick consultation on potential career paths with each major.

The Matrix:

3

• Based on what you learned from the first 2 steps, narrow down to maximum of 3 potential, broad, career fields that interest you the most.

• Set up a matrix: » What do you like about each career field? » What training, skills and knowledge do you need? » Which majors are most relevant? » What student groups are associated with that major? » What is the job outlook and average entry level salary for each career field?

• Are there other factors influencing your decision?

• Discuss your options with someone you trust.

• If you still can’t decide, seek further advice from student services and the Business Career Hub.

Ready, Set, Go:

4

• Map out your academic plan for your chosen major with an academic advisor.

• Check out the Business Career Hub’s resources on “Where Can My Major Take Me?” • Attend events and get involved in related student groups to start building connections within your major (and beyond!).

• Conduct field research with professionals and alumni you connect with.

• Visit the Business Career Hub and attend workshops to get additional support on career planning, resume/cover letter tips and interview techniques.

Education Research Outline

35

Exploring Your Major “The world of business is broad enough that everyone can find their niche.”

The Ted Rogers School of Management’s guide to majors should be your #1 source, which you can find on our List of Online Resources

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Industries

General Accountant, Management Accountant, Portfolio Accountant, Financial Analyst, Auditor, Management Consultant, Controller

Accounting firms, banks & financial institutions, insurance companies, educational institutions, social service agencies, hospitals, government, non-profit, selfemployment

www.ryerson.ca/trsmcareers/onlineresources What we will do here is give you a couple of career considerations and suggested resources to help you make the most out of whichever major you choose.

If you haven’t yet chosen your major, be sure to go through the reflective exercises in the “Educational Research Outline” preceding this section.

A few strategies…

• Get involved in student groups and other

•

School of Accounting & Finance > Accounting

•

The Accounting major provides professional education for students wishing to enter the accounting field, as well as prepares them to obtain professional accounting designations, such as Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

•

Below are skill sets commonly associated with careers for accounting-related studies.

Ability to synthesize

Computer knowledge

Logical problem solving

Abstract thinking

Decision-making capability

Mathematics

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Motivation/ initiative/drive

Communication

Legal knowledge

Objectivity

36

Exploring Your Major

•

extracurricular activities that can help you develop your interpersonal skills.

Do your research on professional designations to decide which route is best for you.

Consider attending the “Business Ethics Speakers’ Series” events that Ryerson hosts as this is a hot topic in the accounting field and will become increasingly more relevant.

Look out for job postings in late summer or early fall for internship opportunities starting in the following summer to gain experience.

Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge… o Ryerson University Accounting Society (RUAS) o Ryerson Commerce Society

School of Accounting & Finance > Finance

A few strategies…

The finance major offers a wide selection of finance courses, allowing you to focus on corporate financial management, investments management or personal financial planning. It can also prepare you for earning professional designations such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

local and international. Participate in any field visits to companies in the sector to have a better understanding of the industry.

• Get to know Ryerson’s National Bank Bloomberg lab.

• Visit the websites of the Canadian Securities Course and Chartered Financial Analyst to explore these professional designations.

• Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge…

Below are skill sets commonly associated with people interested in finance.

Communication

Accuracy

Sales skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical knowledge

Ability to synthesize data

Supervision

Ethical behaviour

Computer knowledge

Decision-making

Ability to deal with change

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Industries

Pricing Specialist, Commercial Banking Associate, Financial Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst, Staff Accountant, Mortgage Officer, Compliance Analyst, Management Trainee, Consulting Associate

Accounting and financial management, personal financial planning, securities trading, insurance, mutual and pension fund & capital market sectors, public institutions (including education).

• Follow the markets and financial news – both

o Ryerson University Finance Society o Ryerson Capital Markets Group o Ryerson Commerce Society

Exploring Your Major

37

Business Management > Economics & Management Science

A few strategies…

The Economics & Management Science major is designed to meet the need for professionals with well-developed analytical and model-building skills and prepares you for graduate studies in a variety of business and economic fields.

The Economist (www.economist.com) • Consider graduate studies in economics, especially if you are interested in doing research.

• Don’t forget to consider jobs within public sector and at all levels of government, as there are often opportunities for graduates with the skillset that an economics major can develop.

• Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge…

Below are skillsets commonly associated with careers for economics-related studies.

Strong quantitative reasoning

Attention to detail

Explain complex theories

Statistical analysis Strong problemsolving skills

Listening & clarifying skills

Information management

Questioning & responding

Work with scientific research

Analytical thinking Economic modeling Computer knowledge

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Industries

Bank Research Analyst, Commodities Analyst or Trader, Cost Analyst, Credit Officer, Economic Research Assistant, Economist, Market Research Analyst, Statistician, Public Administrator

Forecasting firms, banks, economic research, financial information firms, government, labour unions, statistical research

38

Exploring Your Major

• Stay up-to-date by reading publications such as

o Economics & Management Science Course Union o Ryerson Commerce Society

School of Business Management > Entrepreneurship

A few strategies…

The Entrepreneurship major will teach you how to become an entrepreneur and play a key role in society by pursuing opportunities to create and sustain a competitive and viable enterprise. This major is for you whether your goal is to own your own business or to assist existing organizations grow and develop.

with existing entrepreneurs as mentors, follow famous or inspiring entrepreneurs on Twitter, and read related online publications like Fast Company (www.fastcompany.com) and Spring Wise (www. springwise.com) • Participate in competitions that require you to work on simulating the development of a business idea and even running a small business. This is great exposure to get a feel for what it’s like to be an entrepreneur.

• Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge…

Below are skillsets commonly associated with people interested in entrepreneurship.

Resilience

Sales skills

Managing others

Leadership

Financial acumen

Adapt to constant change

Innovation

Selective focus

Flexibility

Vision communication

Problem-solving

Marketing

• Expand your network offline and online – connect

o Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Ryerson o Ryerson Commerce Society

A Sample of Career Possibilities Skilled in being self-sufficient and self-employed by launching new businesses or taking on the leadership of existing small businesses; helping organizations cultivate a culture of innovation and new-market development

Exploring Your Major

39

School Of Business Management > Global Management Studies

A few strategies…

This major provides students with the managerial skills and cultural understanding required to function effectively in the new global business environment. If you are interested in pursuing a career that may take you abroad, or to work for a Canadian company with international operations, this major can help prepare you.

of a second or third language can be extremely beneficial.

• Stay up to date on international news by following publications such as The Economist, International Herald Tribune and McKinsey Quarterly.

• Getting international work experience will add credibility to your resume. Consider doing a study abroad through Ryerson’s international exchange office, volunteering or working abroad through AIESEC, a global student group facilitating international work exchanges.

• Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge…

Below are skillsets commonly associated with people interested in global management.

Ability to think globally

Interest in strategy and operations

Interest in international politics and economy

Adaptability skills and willingness to live and work abroad

Awareness of government relations, particularly as it pertains to international trade

Understanding different cultural contexts and how they affect business

Multilingual capabilities

Ethical decision making

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Industries

Customs Officer, International Marketing Coordinator, Country Risk Analyst, Foreign Affairs Assistant, Project/ Account Coordinator, Junior Consultant

Multinationals, banks, consulting firms, import/ export firms, international organizations (including non-profits), government, travel, tourism and transportation

40

Exploring Your Major

• Consider taking language courses – knowledge

o Ryerson Global Management Group o AIESEC Ryerson o Ryerson Commerce Society

School Of Business Management > Human Resources Management

A few strategies…

In this major, you will learn about managing a diverse workforce, strategic recruitment, salary systems, HR planning, industrial relations, and training and development of employees. With a careful selection of electives, this major satisfies the course requirements for the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation.

for leadership positions where you can manage recruitment and retention of volunteers or staff.

• Build a portfolio of “hard” skills like statistics and technology solutions balanced with “soft” skills such as advising and coaching.

• Consider pursuing designations like the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and take electives that will contribute towards that designation.

• Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge…

Below are skillsets commonly associated with people interested in human resources.

Communication

Work with seniorlevel staff

Handle sensitive situations

Interpersonal skills

Appreciate value of diversity

Organizational behaviour

Strong sense of integrity

Problem-solving skills

Empathy

Knowledge of workplace laws

Conflict resolution

Objectivity

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Industries

HR Assistant, HR Coordinator, HR Specialist or Generalist, Labour Relations Specialist, Salary Administrator, Compensation Analyst

Health care, manufacturing, financial sector, service industries, high-tech and research, all levels of government, hospitality and non-profit.

• Participate in extra-curricular activities and look

o Ryerson Human Resources Student Association

o Ryerson SOS (Students Offering

Support)

o Ryerson Commerce Society

Exploring Your Major

41

School Of Business Management > Law & Business In this major you will learn about contract negotiations, human resources, risk management, policy development and property transactions, as well as areas of emerging importance such as corporate social responsibility and corporate governance. You will acquire critical thinking skills vital to your future success as an executive.

A few strategies…

• Get involved in Ryerson’s Law & Business clinic to

• •

•

Below are skill sets commonly associated with people interested in law.

Critical and logical Strong listening thinking skills

Client servicing skills

Interpersonal skills

Master legal terminology

Strong written communication

Strong sense of integrity

Persuasive communication

Objectivity

Advocacy

Handle complex information

Ability to see both sides of an argument

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Industries

Compliance Officer, Policy Analyst, Public Affairs Officer, Sustainable Development Assistant, Sustainability Analyst, Advocacy Analyst

Private and public sector in areas such as compliance, regulatory affairs, corporate policy, government relations, corporate social responsibility, environment and natural resources, sustainability, not-for-profit organizations, graduate studies in law to become a lawyer.

42

Exploring Your Major

•

•

get real-life experience in helping students file their tax returns.

Volunteer for organizations offering legal services, including not-for-profit organizations.

Look for research opportunities with professors and seek opportunities to have your school papers published.

If you’re interested in law school, ensure you get involved in extracurricular activities. Well rounded students with leadership skills will stand out when it comes to law school applications. Also prepare in advance to write the standardized test for entrance into law school, the LSAT. Stay up-to-date on the news regarding major legal cases, new laws, regulation and hot topics in compliance and privacy.

Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge… o Law and Business Students Association o Ryerson Corporate Governance Association o Ryerson Corporate Social Responsibility Group o Ryerson Commerce Society

School Of Business Management > Marketing Marketing Management involves interpreting and responding to customer needs better than the competition, while ensuring that the organization remains financially viable. Marketers analyze consumer trends, competitive activity, and other external factors and use this information to develop strategic plans that determine the products and services the organization will offer, and how they will be priced, made available and promoted to customers.

Below are skillsets commonly associated with people interested in marketing.

Communication

In touch with industry trends

Strong listening skills

Interpersonal skills

Selling and presentation skills

Social media

Client-servicing skills

Problem-solving skills

Work independently

Creativity

Ability to deal with change

Statistics skills

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Industries

Marketing Assistant, Marketing Coordinator, Account Coordinator, Account Manager, Marketing Analyst, Business Analyst, Sales Account Manager, Social Media & Digital Coordinator, PR Assistant, Communications Coordinator

Market analysis, and forecasting, marketing research, brand management, media management, sales and promotion, interactive marketing communication, customer relationship management, consulting, social and non-profit marketing.

A few strategies…

• Build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your

•

•

•

•

aptitude and experience in marketing – e.g. websites designed, photography, advertisements/brochures/ logos designed, articles written, successful communications pitches/strategies from previous roles (including volunteer and extracurricular).

Start getting experience by looking at internship and volunteer opportunities – not-for-profit organizations might be a good start as they need support in this area and will often take on interns or volunteers.

Practice your networking skills by attending various events on campus connecting you with industry and alumni – this will help you develop your selling skills.

Explore blogs of industry leaders, such as Seth Godin (www.sethgodin.com/blog) for the latest marketing insights.

Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge… o Ryerson Marketing Association o Ryerson Commerce Society

Exploring Your Major

43

School Of Information Technology Management > Business Technology Management The Business Technology Management program requires a strong focus on developing personal and interpersonal skills, in addition to technical and academic skills, producing a hybrid business/ICT professional. As well, the program requires students to gain hands-on work experience prior to graduation, often with employers in the coalition.

Below are skillsets commonly associated with people interested in business technology management.

Organization & planning

Problem-solving skills

Adapting to change

Leadership & communication

Technical proficiency

Interest in systems design

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Work independently

Working under pressure

Research skills

Troubleshooting

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Professions

Business Technology Analyst, Project Manager, Technology Analyst, IT Analyst, Database Coordinator, Information Systems Auditor, Application Analyst

Business Analysis, Technical Support, Operational Excellence, Database Administration, E-commerce, Information Systems, Web Development, Process Improvement

44

Exploring Your Major

A few strategies…

• Build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your

• •

•

•

aptitude and experience in business technology – website design and/or development, online resume, your own blog posts commenting on technology trends and influences (check www.mashable.com).

Stay up to speed and practice your own skills via various social media outlets (LinkedIn, Twitter) Participate in case competitions to hone your problem-solving skills and apply theory to realworld challenges needing business technology solutions.

Get a foot in the door by seeking out internship and volunteer placements with organizations in need of business technology support. Not-for-profits are a good place to start as many are trying to improve their processes and outreach through technology.

Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge… o Information Technology Management Students Association o Women in Technology Management o TedX Ryerson o Ryerson Commerce Society

School Of Retail Management

A few strategies…

The School of Retail Management provides exposure to and involvement with the practical aspects of the retail sector, coupled with theoretical underpinnings of a Bachelor of Commerce degree. The Ted Rogers School of Retail Management strives to connect students, graduates, and employers in numerous ways to generate new opportunities in the ever changing world of Canadian retail through a mandatory internship program.

• Participate in Ryerson’s Winter Wonderland

Below are skillsets commonly associated with people interested in retail management.

Managing & motivating others

Client servicing

Adapting to change

Quick decision maker

Selling skills

Inventory management

Attention to detail

Training & development

Product development

Working under pressure

Fresh thinking/ creativity

Goal-oriented

A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Professions

Store Manager, Team Leaders, Buyer, Pricing Analyst, Sales Analyst, Merchandising Business Analyst, Loss Prevention Manager, Sales Manager, Supply Chain Analyst

Designer, buyer, merchandiser, supply chain/logistics analyst, quality assurance, marketing/public relations, planning & allocation, leasing, consumer research, store/department manager, sales manager

competition to design storefronts during the holiday season. This will give you both practice and visibility – both great things to build into your resume.

• Work your way up by seeking out part-time and internship opportunities in retail.

• Stay up to speed regarding industry trends – especially how technology and social media is changing the retail landscape.

• Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge…

o Retail Students Association o Ryerson Commerce Society

Exploring Your Major

45

School Of Hospitality & Tourism Management In the Hospitality & Tourism Management program, students get a solid foundation in service and operational issues, plus strategic business management skills.

In fact, they are exposed to virtually every branch of business that affects the hospitality and tourism industry.

A few strategies…

• Look

•

Below are skill sets commonly associated with people interested in hospitality & tourism management.

Managing & Quick decision motivating others making

Problem solving

Customer service

Adapting to change Planning & organization

Attention to detail

Working with teams

Public speaking

Working under pressure

Fresh thinking/ creativity

Interest in travel

•

•

• A Sample of Jobs

A Sample of Professions

Front Office Supervisor, Reservation Manager, Management Trainee, Exhibit & Media Planner, Operations Managers, Events Coordinator, Sales Manager, Tour Planner, Airport and Reservation Agent

Accommodation & Marketing, Golf Club Management and Operations, Hotel Management, Tourism Management, Leisure Management, Hotel and Food Administration, Restaurant Management, Resort Operations, Food & Beverage Management, Event Planning & Management

46

Exploring Your Major

•

into joining professional associations (especially if they have a student membership) to attend industry events and expand your networking possibilities.

Gain industry knowledge through part-time and summer work experience. As part of your program, you will be required to complete a certain number of hospitality & tourism hours to graduate. This counts for a lot when trying to move up into management roles in hospitality and tourism. Apply for jobs or volunteer opportunities that can help you practice your communication and customer service skills, as well as attention to detail.

You can get hands on experience by participating in Ryerson’s own Cara Commons Demonstration Kitchen through an elective Food & Beverage course.

Stay up-to-date with latest trends in the industry – sustainable tourism is one example of an emerging trend.

If you’re interested in going international – consider language and geography courses, a study exchange or even volunteer, internship and work opportunities abroad.

Get connected to the following student groups to build your network and industry knowledge… o Hospitality & Tourism Management Students Association o Sustainable Tourism Management o Ryerson Commerce Society

What Is Career Research?

Where Do I Start?

Career research is the process of discovering important facts and information about a particular or group of possible career options. To avoid involving yourself with a career that falls short of your expectations, take the time research the career you may be considering.

Most individuals will begin their career research by making a list of job titles they are interested in learning more about and then searching the Internet for those job titles. While at first glance this may appear to be good system, the truth is that by focusing on job titles, you risk omitting a great deal of relevant information.

The Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) system currently has over 40,000 distinct job titles organized into 500 unique occupational groups.

Therefore, it is important to have a solid understanding of your career choice from an industry, company and position point of view. Having a strong career research plan is key to developing this understanding.

Before beginning to explore and research the labour market for the perfect job, it is important that have an understanding of what job is perfect for you. A thorough self-assessment (see step 1) and completing a Career Cycles session with a Business Career Hub Career Consultant is a good place to start.

Perhaps a better way to go about Career Research is to follow the outline below:

Industry and/or Sector Specific Company Job Title or Role

By researching the industries you are interested in and then drilling to the specific job titles of roles you will get a better understanding of what career options are available for your specific program.

What is Career Research?

47

Researching The Industry As you begin to research specific industries, be sure to keep in mind the following key questions:

• What are the career prospects in a given industry?

It is not enough to simply want to work in a particular industry, it is also necessary that there be open job opportunities available for you when you begin your job search.

• How is the industry’s overall economic health?

Determine if the industry is currently in a state of growth, stability or decline.

• What are the main trends and issues in the specific industry? Give thought to what the challenges or opportunities for this industry might be.

• Which occupations are in high demand in a given industry? Things change constantly within any given industry. While conducting your research, be sure to pay attention not only to the careers that are in high demand today, but what areas might be in demand in the future.

Researching Employers

Taking the time to do your research is really important in aligning your skills, values, and experience to a specific industry or organization.

Research allows you to:

• Determine whether you are the right fit to an • • • •

General information you will want to uncover should include, but not be limited to:

• Once you have determined which industries you are • interested in, you can begin researching companies • within those industries. Be careful not to simply list the • 5 largest companies within a specific industry. While • these companies and businesses will come readily to • mind, remember that not everyone can, or will want to, • • work for a large multinational corporation.

• • •

48

Researching The Industry

organization’s mission, vision, and values Find out if you are really committed to the company’s services and/or products Assess what kinds of jobs you are qualified to do Showcase your knowledge of a specific industry or organization in an interview or networking meeting.

Attend a campus Career Fair, Industry Evening or Special Guest Event to learn more about particular industries and organizations, where you may be connected with exciting opportunities to build your experiences

Size of the organization • Size of the organization Location(s) • Location(s) Products andand services • Products services Organizational culture andand values • Organizational culture values Growth opportunities for employees • Growth opportunities for employees Training programs • Training programs Employee input on business decisions • Employee input on business decisions UseUse of technology • of technology Travel opportunities • Travel opportunities Recent news articles related to the company • Recent news articles related to the company And much more!

• And much more!

Hiring Managers are always impressed when you have done extensive research and can ask relevant questions about the industry, company and/or position.

Some areas you should search include company websites, news sites, blogs and LinkedIn.com If someone in your network works for or has knowledge of the company or industry, reach out to him or her. The individual will likely be able to provide you with information not generally available to the public.

Researching The Job Title Or Role Based on your research, you can now begin searching for positions within those companies. A good place to start is with the company job boards within their own websites. Keep in mind that this will only give you job titles and roles for positions that are currently available.

In order to get a more complete view of the positions and job titles within the company, you will need to do additional research.

The LinkedIn company page allows you to view all the employees within a particular company along with their job titles and career paths. Please note you do not need to have a complete LinkedIn profile to make use of this research tool.

Another potential research option is to check out job fairs where companies you are interested in are attending. Speaking to a recruitment representative from the company is a great possibility.

Keep track of the following information in order to make the most informed decision as to the career you want to pursue:

• Job duties and responsibilities • Qualifications (experience, skills, education, • • • • • • • •

certification, etc.)

Work environment Positive and negative aspects of the work Values reflected in the work Salary and benefits Present demand and future outlook Latest developments in the field Related types of work Prospective employers

Researching Employers

49

Career Research Worksheet

I think I could do this job for:

Make copies of the following worksheet and use it as a guide for summarizing information about each career you choose to investigate:

There are basically three different approaches you can use in doing your occupational research:

one year

Area of concern

Description

Meets my expectations

Job duties and Responsibilities

No Yes

Education/ Training Work Environment (Indoors, Outdoors, Quiet, Busy) Work Skills needed Entry Level pay scale Typical hours of work Opportunities for advancement/ future outlook Related Occupations and ability to transfer skills

My overall impression of this job is:

50

Career Research Worksheet

five years

the rest of my life!

Print and Online Media Resources

Career Area/Job Title/Role:

two years

No Yes

No Yes No Yes

No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes

Perhaps the most traditional sources for career research are print and online media. In addition to reading the business sections of your local newspapers, trade publications and other print resources, refer to the information below.

Statistics Canada: North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code The authoritative source on industry information in Canada, Mexico and the US. Each industry code is useful to identify and search for an industry profile.

Industry Canada Useful website for information on statistics about specific industries, organizations in different sectors and much more.

The Alliance of Sector Councils – List of Canada’s Sector Councils Industry-led partnership organizations that address skill development issues and implement solutions in key sectors of the economy. Each sector provides a variety of information such as labour market reports, skill profiles, etc.

Human Resources Development Canada – Labour Market Trends An excellent site with links to a variety of sites providing very current labour market information and trend analysis.

National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code The authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada. Each occupational code is useful to identify and search for an occupation on other career exploration websites.

Sample list of online Job Boards and Search Engines • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ryerson.Magnet.Today Talentegg.ca Jobpostings.ca Indeed.ca SimplyHired.ca LinkedIn.com Workopolis.com

Direct Involvement After you have done research into a specific occupation and held networking and informational interviews, it is time to get directly involved in your area(s) of interest.

Job Shadowing Job shadowing is an opportunity to learn firsthand what someone in an actual position of interest does. To find a job shadowing opportunity, use the same strategies when creating information interviews and networking meetings. Simply ask for a longer commitment. After your job shadowing, you should now have a better idea of the company’s culture, and the work done by an individual in a specific role. Review your notes and take a moment to consider whether your new found knowledge aligns with your own skills and values. Be sure to send a follow-up thank you card or email.

Field Research Interviewing people working in the occupational areas you are considering can be an especially effective way to gather up-to-date information. Doing this will also give you the opportunity to evaluate what you have heard or read and get a first-hand impression of the work environment. Information interview contacts can be acquired through family and friends, teachers, professional associations, career fairs and trade shows, and directories of employers and industries.

Job Shadowing

51

Experience Building

Volunteering

While employers value your grades, they also want to know what skills you have and what experience you have using those skills. People often think that paid work experience is the only way to develop these skills and gain experience in a field of interest, but the truth is there are many other additional options on how you can develop and enhance your skills.

Why Should I Volunteer?

How you build on your experience is up to you. Start by evaluating what experiences you have already. Jot those notes down below. Now, what other experiences do you want? What have you dreamed of doing?

Brainstorm some ideas about what experiences you might possibly want to look into doing. Review the remaining chapter to learn more about the different options there are to build your experiences.

Experiences I Have (i.e., where was this – work, school)

What I Did in This Experience (i.e., skills or accomplishments)

What Else Do I Want to Experience? And How (i.e., volunteer, internship)

What Skills Do I Want To Develop

52

Experience Building Volunteering

Volunteering has many benefits. Not only can you get hands-on experience in your field, but you can learn more about the expectations and skills required in it.

You may have the opportunity to learn some of the content knowledge/technical skills needed or to apply the skills you have learned in your academics. You could also have the opportunity to further develop or enhance your functional or transferable skills. Lastly, there is the opportunity to use and develop your personal skills.

Volunteering also allows time to explore career interests and discover new opportunities. If you are volunteering in a position that is related to your career goal, it allows you to meet and connect with individuals in the field, and perhaps even at the company or organization you would one day like to work for. These connections can be a great resource to learn more about the industry and/or company/organization through somebody who is currently in the field. You may learn the ins and outs of the organization, establish a clearer idea as to what sort of experience and skills they require for positions of interest to you, and perhaps even learn about future or upcoming opportunities. You may or may not know, but about 80% of jobs out there aren’t actually posted for applicants. Instead, they may be filled through referrals, promotions or networking.

Volunteering is not always about getting more experience in your field. You may have certain interests, causes and passions that you feel strongly about and decide that you want to spend time getting involved outside of your career goals. You may feel that giving back to your community is important and that you want to get involved. It is important to evaluate what your intentions are for volunteering so you can decide what options might be best for your needs and desires.

Things to Consider There are a few key ideas to consider for any kind of volunteer opportunity you are looking for. It is important to think over the points below to help you determine what will be of interest to you, what you want to gain out of your volunteer experience, and what you’re willing to do. Keep in mind:

The opportunities to volunteer and get involved can be endless, especially if you are willing to travel a distance. Depending on what kind of volunteering you want to do, you may be able to find opportunities across Canada, within North America and even overseas.

Volunteering abroad may also allow for time to travel, perhaps making it a more cost-effective way to travel.

If volunteering abroad is of interest to you, remember to keep in mind a few things:

1. Why do I want to volunteer?

2. What kind of volunteering do I want to do (i.e.

1. Why do I want to volunteer abroad? industry related, interest related, community 2. What type of volunteer opportunities am I interested

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

related)?

What are some of the opportunities I have to volunteer? And where?

What kind of time commitment do I want to give (i.e. length, frequency, hours per week/month)? Don’t over-commit, and set realistic goals for yourself.

Remember to think about how volunteering will work with other schedules like work and school.

Where do I want my volunteer opportunity to be located geographically?

What kind of qualifications do I need for the opportunities that I am interested in?

• Do I need previous experience?

• Do I need a valid driver’s license, a security check, a passport or visa?

What skills do I want to be able to utilize in my volunteer opportunity?

What skills do I want to further develop in my volunteer opportunity?

in abroad? Am I looking for something that is industry-specific, or something that will allow me to immerse myself more into a particular culture?

3. Do I have the requirements to go abroad (i.e., passport, appropriate visas if needed) 4. How much will volunteering abroad cost me – will I be required to pay for flight/transportation? How much will food and accommodation cost?

How Can I Find a Volunteer Opportunity?

There are many resources available to you to conduct a search on finding a volunteer opportunity. A few examples are listed below.

Finding On-Campus Volunteer Opportunities

• Talk to student groups or clubs. For a list of student groups, please visit the Ryerson Commerce Society website found on our List of Online Resources ryerson.ca/trsmcareers/onlineresources • Talk to your friends and classmates who are already volunteering, or have in the past • Ryerson University Student Resources

Volunteering

53

Finding Volunteer Opportunities OffCampus

Volunteer Experience that I Have

• Talk to your friends and family who are already •

•

•

•

volunteering, or have in the past Research companies/organizations of interest, explore their websites and connect to see what opportunities might be available Magnet – An innovative network that provides members access to a breakthrough technology, WhoPlusYou, which delivers an enhanced job search and matching service to facilitate recruitment, and provide network-generated opportunities based on qualifications and skills.

(Ryerson.Magnet.Today) Online resources/search engines: o Volunteer Toronto: www.volunteertoronto.ca o Charity Village: www.charityvillage.com o Volunteer Canada: www.volunteer.ca o Planet Volunteer: www.planetvolunteer.net Read local newspapers and magazines

Remember that when you are volunteering to keep a professional attitude. Be prompt, show up on time, be on your best behaviour and let your skills shine through.

You never know what opportunities volunteering may lead to in the future, so keeping that professionalism is very important. Prepare yourself for the opportunity as if this were a paid position.

Volunteer Opportunities that I Want to Look in to

Internships What is an Internship?

The Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) defines an internship as the following*: What can be considered an Internship?

• An experiential opportunity integrating knowledge gained in the classroom to an employment setting

• Has a defined start and end date and includes a job • •

• •

description Has clearly identified objectives and outcomes related to the student’s field of study The student’s work is supervised by a qualified professional and feedback is shared with the student on a regular or ongoing basis The employer provides equipment, resources and facilities to support the learning objectives/goals Includes a reflection and evaluation process at the conclusion of the internship

* Source: http://cacee.com/CACEE_Statement_on_Unpaid_Internships.html

54

Internships

Internships can be paid or unpaid, full-time or parttime and happen at any time throughout the year.

Additionally, it can provide a valuable learning experience. It is important to keep in mind a few things when deciding if you want to do an internship.

• First off, you should decide if you have a preference for a paid or unpaid internship. If you are completing your internship during the summer and working full-time, keep in mind the upcoming school year and your finances. Are you able to commit to an internship that is unpaid?

• Consider when the internship is - is it in the summer or is it a part-time internship that is offered throughout the school year? What time length/ commitment are you looking for in an internship?

• Additionally, think about what you want to get out of your internship. What kinds of skills and knowledge do you want to learn? Will the potential internships you’re looking at align with your career goals? Is there a potential internship opportunity with an employer that you would potentially like to learn from or work for one day? How close is it to home?

• You may want to consider other things as well such as the culture of the workplace or the size of the organization.

When thinking about the possibilities that are available to build on your experiences, always keep in mind what you’re looking for and what kind of experience you want to find. An internship is a great way to gain more experience and you definitely want to make sure it will be beneficial to your learning and professional development.

What are the benefits to internships?

There are many benefits to internships, but it all depends on what you want to get out of it. By thinking about the questions given above, you should be able to learn more about your expectations of an internship and how you think it will help you. Some of the main benefits to internships are listed below, but the benefits can really be endless.

• Gain • • • • • •

industry-related exposure and work experience Connect with professionals in the industry and widen your network Develop new skills and enhance your existing skills Make an impression on a potential employer – show them what you can do Learn how to apply your existing knowledge through academics into the “real world” Show potential employers that you have field experience already Potentially turn an internship into a job opportunity

How can I prepare for an internship?

Prepare for your internship as if it were your actual job. Show up on time, act professionally, get to know your co-workers, participate, ask questions and seek feedback. The more you are able to get from your internship, the better you will be able to market your accomplishments later on.

Internships

55

How can I find out about internship opportunities?

How can I convert my internship into a possible job opportunity?

Start looking early! Many employers will start to recruit as early as September or October for the following summer.

Converting your internship into a potential job opportunity begins prior to your first day:

• Research and connect with employers of interest to

•

•

•

you to inquire about the possibility of an internship.

Look at their company website and see if they highlight the possibility of an internship, and if not, try to connect with them to learn about potential opportunities.

Speak to your existing contacts including family and friends, co-workers and classmates. Get the word out that you are looking for an internship and let them know what kind of internship you hope to find.

Attend information sessions and networking sessions to learn more about companies, their culture and what opportunities they provide students and recent graduates.

There may also be a chance to develop your own internship. Is there a company you really want to work for and you aren’t sure if they even offer internships? First of all, ask! You won’t know the answer until you do.

• Seek out information if they’ve hired interns in the past, currently hire interns or if they have thought about it for the future. If you have an idea about how you can work as an intern with their company, see if they are willing to accept a proposal.

However, do your research if you want to propose an internship position.

• Be as specific as possible and highlight how you can help while learning at the same time. As you go through the workbook use the tips and resources that are provided to help you with your internship search.

56

Internships

Before Your Internship:

• Start your learning process. Research and prepare your understanding of a given company operations and business specific language using company websites, labour market information and your existing network of industry contacts.

• Investigate transportation methods and timelines well in advance to ensure that you are consistently punctual.

• Approach your internship with modesty. Showcase your appreciation for having the chance to learn and participate!

During Your Internship:

Co-Operative Education

• Take

What is co-operative education?

•

•

• •

•

initiative! Determine clear, attainable performance expectations and goals with your employer to best facilitate your success. Debrief these items on an ongoing basis.

Build relationships. Use your time with employees to conduct field research and gain insight about their professional growth. Promote who you are and how you align with the organization.

Be as open and flexible as possible. You may be asked to do things that were not included in your job description - embrace it!

Offer to contribute to a variety of business areas, regardless of your task.

Check, check and check again. Reading, interpreting and responding to details are important.

Ask questions and engage with staff, particularly if you are unsure of the answer.

Ask! As the end of your internship approaches, speak with your boss about your future academic and career goals and align them to the organization’s needs. Demonstrate your value to the organization and then inquire about possibilities of continuing in more of a full-time/part-time capacity.

Co-operative education combines students’ academic studies with alternate periods of work experience.

Programs that have a co-op option typically provide 4-16 months of hands-on, industry experience. Coop terms are completed when the student has their semester off, typically over the summer months, and co-ops are always paid positions.

Students participating in a co-op term are supervised and evaluated by both their employer as well as the co-op program they are enrolled in. The hands-on experience allows students to take what they have learned so far through their academics and apply it to real world situations in their industry. Co-op’s also allow students the chance to explore career options and network with potential employers. They can also help build a student’s resume for future applications, and potentially even lead to future job opportunities. If a co-op program is of interest to you, check with your program to see if one is available.

After Your Internship:

• Keep in touch! Maintain contact with staff members who may support you with your job search. These individuals may refer you to additional internal opportunities and act as strong references.

• Update your internship contacts (staff, HR team, internship supervisor, etc.) about your job search process. Ensure that you meet with the appropriate contact(s) about the possibility of employment. Use your formal goals and performance achievements to demonstrate your past successes on the job.

Co-Operative Education

57

Professional Development Building knowledge through professional development is another great way to enhance and develop your skills, connect and network with individuals in your field as well as a chance to seek out new job opportunities.

You may think that professional development starts once you’ve landed that job you’ve been looking for; however, opportunities for professional development can start while you are a student.

Joining a professional association in your field is a great way to start building on your professional development.

While every association is different, they each have numerous benefits available once you have registered to be a member. Many associations hold their own networking events, assist in some capacity with further training and development (i.e., designations in your field, additional courses, etc.), promote additional events and professional development opportunities in the field as well as communicate general information of what is happening in the field. All of these benefits also provide an opportunity to meet other members and learn more about the association and other companies/ organizations.

Professional associations may also have job postings on their website that could be exclusively for members only. If interested in a professional association, it is important to research all of the relevant associations in your fields and interests.

Some associations may be more obvious for you to consider depending on your major or area of study (i.e., Human Resources and the Human Resources Professional Association or Accounting), but are there other related fields or areas of interest to you?

58

Professional Development

One additional benefit to joining associations as a student: there are often discounts for students!

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CCIC) is a great way to start your search on professional associations within Canada. You are able to search national associations, as well as associations that vary by province or territory. Visit their website at www.cicic.ca

Summer Job There are many different kinds of summer jobs out there but you have to have an idea of what you’re looking for in order to find the opportunities that are more interesting to you. Finding summer work in your field is one option and you may find work through securing an internship, a short-term contract or even a temp agency.

All of these options can provide different lengths of employment, so again know what you are looking for.

Employers may sometimes hire a summer student on as a short-term hire in between filling a position, when another employee has an extended leave of absence or even when they just need additional help but don’t feel they need to hire someone full-time. Keeping that contact with your network may help you identify these kinds of opportunities.

How Do I Find a Summer Job? Start looking early! Finding a summer job isn’t really much different than searching for a full-time job, an internship or even a volunteer placement. Summer jobs are in demand every year and waiting until exams or even after exams are over isn’t going to guarantee you a job right away.

• Additionally, other contacts in your network may be

• •

•

•

able to help. As you’ve done some research into potential opportunities that interest you, you may have connected with different people on the way.

There’s the possibility of inquiring about summer or contract positions within their organization or just one’s that they might know about.

Attend networking sessions and information sessions.

Don’t forget to do research on company websites as well and investigate to see if they offer any summer programs, summer internships or student learning experiences.

If you have joined any professional associations, don’t forget to look for opportunities available through them or on their websites.

There are also many government programs which offer summer jobs for students. A few popular programs include: Ontario Summer Jobs Program, the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) and the National Research Council (NRC). More information can be found on their individual websites.

• Some employers hire summer students as early as September of that year (i.e., 8 months prior), but starting in January to February there is often another recruiting wave for summer students.

• There are of course numerous search engines that you can search for summer jobs, including Talentegg.ca, Ryerson.Magnet.Today, Ryerson’s CareerVault and much more.

• Let your family, friends and classmates know that you are looking for a summer job and for how long you are able to work (May-August? June and July only?). Perhaps they know of an opening that will be available in the summer and can find out more information for you.

For more information on summer employment, stop by the Business Career Hub and speak with a Career Consultant.

Summer Job

59

Working Abroad

• Keep an eye out for any events or information

There are many benefits to gaining international experience. You get to have a new experience, perhaps learn a new language and enhance your communication skills, meet new people, and learn about new cultures. Your experiences can also help to enhance your resume. There are many other benefits to gaining international experiences, but it all depends on what you want to get out of it!

•

Finding work abroad isn’t always the easiest to do so preparing ahead of time is important. Depending on the location you wish to travel to, as well as the time of year, finding short or longer-term work may be more difficult than expected. There are many resources to use online just as if you were looking for experience more locally, and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. By first thinking about what kind of international experience you are looking for, you help to focus your search and to feel less anxious.

•

•

•

60

Working Abroad

sessions that may be held on campus. Ryerson International is one resource available to students and located right on campus. Ryerson’s Student Experience Centre can also assist you with finding out more about exchanges.

AIESEC is Canada’s largest student-run organization, and focuses on providing youth leadership development internationally. AIESEC focuses on helping students as well as new graduates (up to 2 years) and allows you the opportunity to connect with other members and learn about their experiences. AIESEC assists with learning about internships overseas that can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 18 months and is another easily accessible group as they have a chapter at Ryerson.

Additional resources may include Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP), The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas, Lonely Planet and Verge Magazine. If you’re looking to speak directly with organizations to assist you going overseas, keep an eye out for going abroad fairs – they can be an excellent resource to get to ask your specific questions about going abroad.

You might also know people who have gone abroad for work, volunteering, internships etc. – talk to them about their experiences and how they started their own research. You might be able to use some of their resources.

Perhaps you are working or have worked for a company that you’d be interested in working with overseas – do they have any international offices or opportunities abroad? If you have contacts in your network, speak to them as well as you might not know their whole career story.

Action What kind of things should I consider if I want to work abroad? There are many things to keep in mind when looking at going abroad. These might not be questions that you know the answers to right now, but it is recommended that you keep these thoughts in mind when you are doing your own research.

1. What opportunities are you looking for?

2. What do I want to gain from working abroad? Or do I want to volunteer, study, etc.?

3. Where do I want to go? Are there countries that I am interested in?

4. Do I want to go somewhere that I have been before, family or friends have been/are, or do I want to go somewhere totally new?

5. How long do I want to go for? Is it the ‘right time’ to go?

6. Do I know the realities of working abroad?

7. What do I need to go abroad – a visa, a passport, and medical checks?

8. Do I already speak another language or do I want to learn one?

9. Do I like to try new foods?

10. Am I willing to take risks, or how do I handle risks and sudden changes?

Some Resources to Get You Started: • • • • • • •

Working Abroad – Unravelling the Maze Verge Magazine AIESEC Ryerson International Ryerson’s Student Experience Centre SWAP The Big Guide

Working Abroad

61

Your Company Interests Choose 5 business areas you are most interested, such as Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal Services, Marketing, Sales, etc. Then, rank them in order of most preferred, where 1 is most preferred.

1.

Company Scope Choose and rank 3 company size preferences where 1 is most preferred. For example, 0-10 employees, 11-99 employees, etc.

1.

2.

3.

2.

3.

Review your preferences from above and enter them into the table below according to ranking.

4.

5.

(1) Most Preferred

Geography Choose and rank 3 geographies of interest with 1 being most preferred.

(Function)

(Geography)

(Industry)

(Company Scope)

(Industry)

(Company Scope)

(Industry)

(Company Scope)

(2) Most Preferred

1.

2.

3.

(Function)

Industry Choose & rank 5 industries of interest where 1 is most preferred. For example, Consulting, Government, Logistics & Shipping, Manufacturing, Public Relations/ Advertising, Retail/Wholesale, Technology, etc.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

62

Step 3 Marketing Yourself

(Geography)

(3) Most Preferred

(Function)

(Geography)

Step 3 Marketing Yourself

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

63

Step 3 Marketing Yourself

What have successful organizations mastered which more and more students need to start doing? The answer is branding.

Self-branding in your career development helps illustrate who you are, how you are valuable and why you are needed. It is about building a name for yourself, showing others what makes you different and describing the value you can bring to a specific situation.

64

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

How To Market Yourself

A perfect pitch:

Self-branding in your career development helps illustrate who you are, how you are valuable and why you are needed. It is about building a name for yourself, showing others what makes you different and describing the value you can bring to a specific situation.

• Starts a conversation • Is short and to the point • Doesn’t sound like a sales pitch, remember you are

Most people are not active in creating and maintaining their brand. People hope what they’ve done in the past is enough to get them their next job; however, people need to take control of their messaging and create a brand that is more attractive to the potential employer.

In order to do this, you need to complete a thorough self-assessment (see step 1) of your experiences, skills, passions and values, and then translate the various highlights of your self-assessment into a clearly communicated branding message.

talking about yourself not a consumer product • It is authentic and genuine. While your pitch should have similar key points, it should be altered depending on who you are speaking with.

Preparing Your Commercial Elevator pitches are derived from the idea that you can deliver a brief personal commercial within the confines of a 30 to 60 second elevator ride with someone important. Whether you are communicating in person, or via your self-marketing documents, it is essential to develop your pitch in order to concisely communicate your qualifications, skills and abilities.

The Perfect Pitch You often have a very short amount of time to introduce yourself in-person or through the use of an alternate self-marketing document (i.e., resume, cover letter, etc.). Yet, at the same time, you want to make sure that you leave a lasting impression. A pitch should allow you to effectively introduce yourself while still being able to demonstrate how you stand out from your peers.

Marketing How to Market Yourself

65

Step 1

Step 2

Use your creativity to select a series of the items below that can make up your personalized pitch.

Draft your pitch on paper. Obtain feedback and modify your pitch. For in-person pitches, practice!

1. Greeting. Highlight your first and last name.

2. Professional, Campus and Volunteer Experience.

Sample:

3.

4.

5.

6.

Briefly outline your accumulated experience in a targeted manner.

Strengths & Talents. Illustrate what you are skilled in doing.

Accomplishments. Showcase particular things you have attained to support your strengths and talents.

Professional Style. Describe how others may characterize you as a professional and how you tend to perform at work.

Job Search Strategy. Highlight why you are at the job fair and where you are looking to go with your career development.

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Marketing Yourself

“My name is Lana Dell and I’m currently a student in my third year of the Retail Management program with the Ted Rogers School of Management. On campus, I am actively involved as a leader on the Retail Student’s Association and successfully worked in store environments for more than 2 years with Lululemon Athletica. Based on my past summer internship with Sears.

I have proven experience with business analysis in retailing, where my strengths and talents are in evaluating large amounts of spreadsheet information and building ongoing team relationships. Further, the CEO of Sears personally recognized me for my exploration in the use of social media outlets such as Instagram to track upcoming Canadian promotional merchandising trends. My peers would describe me as an organized asset to the team and I am currently exploring possibilities to learn more about merchandising from a corporate perspective.”

Craft Your Pitch: “Good morning/afternoon, my name is ______________________________.

It’s nice to meet you. I’m currently a student in my __________ year in the ____________ program with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. On campus, I am actively involved in _________________ _______________ and work part-time at _______________________. Based on a past summer internship, I have experience with _______________________, where my strengths and talents are in _________ _________________________________.

For instance, I have been recognized for _____________________________ and my peers would describe me as ______________________________.

Right now, I am __________________.........”

Resumes In combination with an application package and/or a cover letter, a resume is often one of the first items a potential employer will receive during the job search process. Resumes act as a tool to help employers screen applicants; therefore, your resume should be a concise outline of your education, experience, activities, accomplishments and skills as they relate to your employment goals. Being a current student or recent graduate, you are encouraged to include your important extracurricular, volunteer and leadership experiences. Keep in mind that a resume alone usually does not secure you the position; however, it is a gateway for interviews.

When developing your resume, be sure to tailor separate versions to fit each career field or job position you are applying for. Employers may spend only about 30 seconds scanning your resume to determine whether your background and skills match their requirements.

An effective resume will convince an employer that you have the skill sets and qualifications for the job you are applying for.

Resume Formats There are three basic resume types: reverse chronological, functional, and a combination of the two. During your time at the Ted Rogers School of Management, it is recommended that you format your resume in Reverse Chronological format, as it is used and expected within most industries.

Resumes

67

Reverse Chronological Resume The reverse chronological format is the most common and straight forward type of resume. It describes your career progress through your employment and education history. It lists your experience in reverse sequential order, starting with your most current job and working back. Most employers prefer this style because it is familiar, easy to read and gives them a quick indication of where you worked, when and what your skills are based on your job history.

ADVANTAGES • Most employers are familiar or expect this style • Easy to prepare, organize and read • Provides a clear representation of experience and community involvement • Ideal if you have experience that is related to the position

Reverse Chronological Resume Format Example: Begin creating your reverse chronological resume by listing your recent experiences. Under each job title, state major accomplishments such as bullet points.

Accomplishment statements are a brief explanation of how your actions and skills benefited an organization in your time working there. Use the STAR model to help you develop effective accomplishment statements; state the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the results. See the STAR Model for building effective accomplishment statements for tips and examples

Cashier, Loblaw Companies Ltd.: 2009 – Present • Process more than 150 customer transactions using cash and debit machines in a 1 hour period • Respond to guest questions, comments and concerns using active listening and a solution focused approach • Analyze and evaluate accurate grocery pricing details and cost referencing using updated price binder and internal database

Fundraising Volunteer, Save the Children: 2007 – 2009 • Successfully raised more than $1000 in donated funds for annual Fall Save the Children Campaign • Answered and responded to over 300 telephone calls from the general public concerning fundraising packages; communicated charity information accurately and in detail • Led and motivated peer volunteers to attain and exceed monthly fundraising targets of at least $100; spearheaded new volunteer incentive program to stimulate optimal fundraising efforts

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Marketing Yourself

Sections Of The Resume

Profile Statements

The content of your resume will need to be modified based on the role for which you areapplying. The sequence in which you present the sections will also vary depending on which layout you choose as well as on the importance that you attribute to each of them.

When crafting a resume, the most effective content that you utilize should be a direct reflection of what the specific employer audience expects. While you are encouraged to access the below content to develop your targeted resume, it is also essential to connect with the Business Career Hub to learn what the resume expectations are for a particular industry and company.

The profile should follow your contact information.

Include a profile statement to demonstrate to an employer that you are directed in your internship or job search. This section of your resume should answer questions such as:

Contact Information In all layouts, your resume should begin with your contact information (name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address). This information should be displayed clearly and should be immediately identifiable by potential employers.

• What do I want to do?

• What field or industry am I interested in?

• What type of position am I seeking?

Remember to tailor your profile to suit each job or internship you are applying for. A profile should be no more than 3 – 5 sentences long.

Example: PROFILE STATEMENT Organized and motivated Accounting (B.Comm.) student possessing more than 2 years of combined education and experience with design and analysis of numerical

• Name: Should be bold and a larger font than the rest of your contact information.

• Address: Include your full address with postal code. If you are uncomfortable with including the information on your resume, simply include the city and province.

• Telephone Number: Select the main phone number where you may be reached. Please be sure your message is professional sounding and return calls promptly.

• E-mail address: If you include your professional e-mail address and be sure to check it daily.

spreadsheets. A positive, self-driven individual who collaborates effectively in teams and demonstrates a commitment to ongoing development in areas of tax and auditing.

Sections Of The Resumes

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Summary of Qualifications For your prospective employer, a Summary of Qualifications can influence your chance of receiving an invite to an interview. Functioning as a juicy movie trailer or the summary found at the back of an engaging novel, this key function of the resume section is to impress employers and entice curiosity about your possible talent. It is essential that your Summary of Qualifications appears within the top 1/3 of your selfmarketing document and your list should be no longer than 3-5 key points.

As the name indicates, your Summary of Qualifications, effectively constructed, will include an overview of your most important experiences and qualifications.

Most importantly, such highlights will be refined and targeted to a specific position or opportunity for which you are applying. Effectively streamlined, your Summary of Qualifications removes the necessity of a Job Objective and to find clues on how to create a successful summary, reference the given job posting or similar opportunities you have seen.

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Sections Of The Resumes

Here are some tips to consider when you are writing your Summary of Qualifications:

1. Brainstorm your skills, experiences and

abilities.

Treat your generation of ideas like a creative writing exercise, where you can refine and limit your summary later.

2. Resumes are living documents.

Review and critique your summary on an ongoing basis. Is it targeted? Specific? Have a Career Consultant, friend or family member provide you with feedback.

3. Take the Summary of Qualifications and

compare it to your work experience.

Does your summary accurately showcase what you have done as well as your competencies?

Summary of QualificationsSamples: Human Resources Management Student • 1+ year of education, training and practical experience with Human Resources support functions in manufacturing and technology industries.

• Successfully completing a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resources Management from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University; CGPA 3.5.

• Strong proficiency with the complete MS Office Suite (2007, 2010), PeopleSoft (HRIS) employee registration and reporting software.

• Organized, accountable and detail-oriented individual who leverages social media to facilitate ongoing employee communication within organizations.

Business Technology Management Graduate • More than 1 year of hands-on education, training

Education Start the section with your most recent education.

Include your degree, major/minor, university attended and expected graduation date. You may also choose to add additional sub-sections such as major projects, key courses, academic honours or scholarships.

Example: Education Bachelor of Commerce, Finance Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University (TORONTO, ON)

2009 – Present Expected Graduation: April 2013

Key Courses: Investment Analysis, Small Business Finance, Advanced Portfolio Management Major Projects Investment Analysis: Studied and monitored diverse investment opportunities to determine which ensured the best return.

and professional experience in I.T. and business technology industries; committed to ongoing professional development and top-quality performance • Achieved a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Technology Management from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University.

• Bilingual: fluent in oral and written English and Russian; demonstrated communicative capabilities in-person and over the phone • Strong proficiency with the complete MS Office Suite (2007, 2010), Mac and Windows operating systems, Visio, Windows Server 2003, 2008, Windows 8, Symantec Endpoint, Symantec Backup Exec, Microsoft Exchange 2003, 2007

Sections Of The Resumes

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Professional Experience

Technical Skills

What have you done? Begin your experience section with your most recent experience. Experience can include any paid or unpaid work experience, such as part-time, full-time, summer, or internship roles. Be sure to include the position title, company name, city and country, dates worked and accomplishment statements in order of importance. Don’t use sentences; use phrases that begin with action verbs and refrain from using pronouns.

Possible items to include: foreign languages, computer skills and current certifications. It is important to include your knowledge level for each skill; however, do not overstate your competence because the company can test you.

Example: Technical Skills

Example: Professional Experience Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University May – September 2012 Toronto ON Office Assistant

• Provided courteous front area reception for the Ted Rogers School of Management Finance Department on a bi-weekly basis; successfully answered and responded to more than 15 student and employer inquiries about Finance programming via telephone on an hourly basis • Efficiently faxed, photocopied, printed and scanned department course and confidential administrative documents; developed, coordinated and prepared more than 400 syllabus packages for Principles of Finance course • Supported and collaborated with the Finance Chair on marketing and administrative projects; analyzed, investigated and revised existing MS Excel 2010 contact database to ensure that over 1000 sensitive entries were up-to-date and organized by student number

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Sections Of The Resumes

• Fluent in written and spoken English and French • Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access and Visio • Advanced knowledge and experience with Adobe CS5, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and InDesign.

Extracurricular Activities

Volunteer Experience

This section of your resume can include membership and leadership within an organization. Begin with your position title (Member, Treasurer, Special Events Committee Chair, etc.) and then state the name of the organization and the dates of participation. Follow the position title with a brief description as you did for your experience section.

What have you done to help your community? How have you been involved in on-campus activities? List organizations and the skills and abilities utilized.

Example: Volunteer Experience

Example: Extracurricular Activities VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING September 2011 - Present RYERSON COMMERCE SOCIETY (RCS)

• Developed and coordinated complete Marketing Plan for RCS to guide the successful implementation of promotional student group strategies and events for the 2011/2012 year; presented successful RCS Marketing Plan to more than 20 team members using Prezi presentation software and received over 90% team support on initiatives • Implemented, designed and completed more than 12 RCS board reports using MS Excel and Word 2011 in order to track RCS team monthly minutes and milestones; shared outcome reports with the General Manager, Undergraduate Student Relations & Development and obtained ongoing approval rating for RCS action items such as the heightened focus on RCS Twitter promotion • Supported and helped students on campus by way of holding more than 150 office hours between 2011/2012 to hear unique campus perspectives and needs

VOLUNTEER September 2010 - Present ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI-Community Centre Toronto, ON

• Plan, prepare and serve warm breakfast items to 80-100 people experiencing homelessness on a weekly basis; support and engage with community centre patrons experiencing homelessness to determine additional community and health services they may access in the GTA • Lead and teach volunteer recreational knitting program for more than 40 community centre attendees; market and secure support for more than $1,000 in knitting tools and yarn donations from local knitting store, The Purple Pearl

Sections Of The Resumes

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References Remember to contact each individual you will be listing as a reference to secure his/her permission in advance.

Make sure to list references on a separate sheet of paper and only submit them with a cover letter and resume if requested by the employer. Otherwise, take them to the interview or make them available if requested.

Provide three references, if possible, and give their name, title, company, contact information and their relationship to you. If you do not have sufficient employment references, consider using academic or personal references.

• Work Reference: Most common type of reference.

This person has been your colleague or supervisor for paid work or volunteer work.

• Academic Reference: A professor or teacher who has known you for a period of time. They should be able to provide information regarding your abilities and performance.

• Personal Reference: Least common type of reference. This person should be able to speak about your character and personality.

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Sections Of The Resumes

Example: References Jane Doe Human Resources Manager ABC Company Address City, Country, Postal Code Business Phone Email Relationship: Current Manager Jim Brown Manager XYZ Company Address City, Country, Postal Code Business Phone Email Relationship: Former Manager Jane Dolan Personnel Administrator 123 Company Address City, Country, Postal Code Business Phone Email Relationship: Former Colleague

Resume Action Verbs Always use action verbs when writing your accomplishment statements in your resume. Below is a list of action verbs you can utilize.

Accounting & Financial Skills Administered

Balanced

Developed

Programmed

Adjusted

Budgeted

Estimated

Prepared

Allocated

Calculated

Forecasted

Projected

Analyzed

Computed

Managed

Qualified

Appraised

Conserved

Marketed

Reconciled

Assessed

Corrected

Measured

Reduced

Corrected

Netted

Researched

Determined

Planned

Retrieved

Audited

Balanced

Estimated

Addressed

Condensed

Formulated

Observed

Advertised

Consulted

Incorporated

Participated

Arbitrated

Conveyed

Influenced

Recruited

Arranged

Corresponded

Interacted

Referred

Articulated

Debated

Interviewed

Reinforced

Authored

Developed

Involved

Reported

Clarified

Discussed

Joined

Responded

Collaborated

Edited

Marked

Specified

Communicated

Explained

Moderated

Suggested

Composed

Expressed

Negotiated

Wrote

Computer & Technical Skills Accurate

Documented

Lead

Query

Assessed

Evaluated

Managed

Reviewed

Aptitude

Expertise

Measured

Solved

Built

Extrapolated

Mined

Support

Created

Implemented

Modeled

Reviewed

Observed

Computed

Installed

Networked

Solved

Inspected

Optimized

Support

Analytical & Problem-solving Skills Administered

Communication, Customer Service, Marketing & People Skills

Adjusted

Budgeted

Evaluated

Organized

Designed

Allocated

Calculated

Examined

Planned

Developed

Interfaced

Prepared

Synthesized

Predicted

Diagnosed

Investigated

Quantified

Tested

Analyzed

Compared

Forecasted

Answered

Computed

Formulated

Prepared

Appraised

Corrected

Gathered

Programmed

Assessed

Detected

Identified

Researched

Audited

Determined

Interpreted

Retrieved

Acted

Designed

Initiated

Performed

Balanced

Developed

Investigated

Resolved

Adapted

Developed

Instituted

Photographed

Reviewed

Began

Displayed

Integrated

Planned

Combined

Established

Introduced

Revised

Composed

Fashioned

Invented

Revitalized

Conceptualized

Formulated

Modeled

Shaped

Created

Founded

Modified

Solved

Customized

Illustrated

Originated

Budgeted

Developed

Managed

Calculated

Diagnosed

Measured

Creative Skills

Resume Action Verbs

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Management & Leadership Skills

Research Skills

Administered

Coached

Ensured

Incorporated

Analyzed

Detected

Extracted

Investigated

Advocated

Collaborated

Established

Increased

Ascertained

Determined

Formulated

Inventoried

Aided

Consolidated

Evaluated

Initiated

Clarified

Diagnosed

Gathered

Located

Analyzed

Contracted

Expedited

Instituted

Collected

Discovered

Identified

Measured

Answered

Contributed

Facilitated

Insured

Compared

Evaluated

Inspected

Monitored

Conducted

Examined

Interpreted

Organized

Critiqued

Experimented

Interviewed

Quoted

Detailed

Explored

Invented

Researched

Appointed

Controlled

Familiarized Intervened

Approved

Cooperated

Furthered

Led

Arranged

Delegated

Generated

Managed

Assessed

Demonstrated

Guided

Merged

Assigned

Diagnosed

Headed

Motivated

Organizational Skills Approved

Filed

Processes

Specified

Arranged

Generated

Provided

Standardized

Categorized

Implemented

Purchased

Submitted

Charted

Incorporated

Recorded

Supplied

Classified

Inspected

Registered

Systematized

Coded

Maintained

Reserved

Tabulated

Collected

Monitored

Responded

Updated

Compiled

Obtained

Retrieved

Validated

Corrected

Operated

Reviewed

Verified

Corresponded

Ordered

Routed

Distributed

Organized

Scheduled

Executed

Prepared

Screened

Project Management, Design & Planning Skills Accelerated

Created

Handled

Matched

Administered

Cultivated

Illustrated

Originated

Allocated

Delegated

Imagined

Planned

Approved

Designed

Implemented

Prepared

Arranged

Developed

Initiated

Prioritized

Assembled

Devised

Innovated

Produced

Composed

Engineered

Instituted

Reported

Conceived

Established

Introduced

Reviewed

Conceptualized

Formed

Launched

Revitalized

Conducted

Generated

Located

Simplified

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Resume Action Verbs

Teamwork Skills Advocated

Contracted

Evaluated

Interviewed

Aided

Contributed

Expedited

Led

Arranged

Cooperated

Facilitated

Mediated

Assessed

Counseled

Familiarized

Motivated

Assisted

Demonstrated

Guided

Negotiated

Clarified

Diagnosed

Helped

Participated

Coached

Educated

Influenced

Persuaded

Collaborated

Encouraged

Insured

Provided

Consulted

Ensured

Intervened

Reasoned

Work Ethic Activated

Drafted

Initiated

Produced

Attained

Effected

Innovated

Proposed

Conducted

Eliminated

Instituted

Raised

Delivered

Established

Obtained

Rehabilitated

Demonstrated

Expanded

Operated

Repaired

Designed

Generated

Ordered

Researched

Devised

Implemented

Performed

Retrieved

Dispensed

Improved

Piloted

Reviewed

Distributed

Increased

Pioneered

Served

S.T.A.R. Model S.T.A.R. stands for Situation-Task-Action-Results.

The STAR method is a great way to uncover your personal accomplishments and achievements, helping you differentiate yourself from your competition. The first step in developing your STAR statements is to brainstorm your past experiences. Review your school involvement, volunteer participation or previous jobs and identify your greatest accomplishments.

1. Explain the SITUATION or TASK that had to be

solved or completed – include the people involved, deadlines and places to validate the story.

2. Outline a specific TASK you were required to carry out or perform.

3. Clarify the ACTIONS taken to specifically manage the situation or task successfully.

4. Explain the RESULTS accomplished. Clearly explain the positive impact you had on the organization through your actions.

When preparing your STAR statements, keep in mind the abilities and competencies the employer is inquiring about. Make sure you have several examples you can pull from, built from your experience in current or past jobs, extracurricular/volunteer activity, academics and more.

Example: Competency

(I.e., Leadership, Initiative, Communication …)

SITUATION

• Class Project due in less than 2 weeks…

• No formal grading guidelines provided by Professor…

TASK

• Team would benefit from more clarity with respect to marking criteria • Would be helpful to contact Professor further…

ACTION

• Took initiative to contact Professor on behalf of team…

• Accurately communicated project information with team and adopted leadership role to allocate tasks to members

RESULT

• Achieved 95% on assignment…

Sample S.T.A.R. Accomplishment Statement: Led negotiation and communication activities concerning team task allocation for more than 10 peer students and achieved 95% on project outcome.

S.T.A.R. Model

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S.T.A.R. Model Worksheet Competency SITUATION TASK

ACTION

Electronic Resumes Today, many employers request that applicants submit their resumes and cover letters electronically. However, there is no universally accepted way to submit your e-resume to an employer. Some employers may request your resume as an e-mail attachment, as a Word document or a portable document format (.PDF).

Others may request your resume as plain text pasted into the body of an e-mail message or pasted into an online submission form.

Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind when creating an e-resume:

RESULT

Accomplishment Statement:

Competency

POLICIES

Find out what the employer’s policy is on accepting electronic resumes.

Do they accept electronic resumes?

If so, do they prefer the resume as an attachment or included in the body of the email in plain text format? If attached, which saved format do they prefer?

KEYWORDS

Resumes that are submitted online should include keywords that are being searched by the employer. Key words and skills can be found in the job posting; if there is no job posting available, try researching similar positions in other companies.

FORMAT

If you are attaching your resume, state what format the attached is in (e.g. MS Word, .PDF, etc.). Be sure to invite the employer to contact you if they have any difficulties opening the attachment.

SITUATION TASK

ACTION RESULT

Avoid italics, graphics, shading, horizontal and vertical lines.

Accomplishment Statement:

Use a font size no smaller than 11-12 points.

Use an universal typeface such as Times New Roman, Arial or sans serif fonts such as Helvetica or Futura.

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S.T.A.R. Model Worksheet Electronic Resumes

Resume Do’s & Don’ts DO’S • Print on high quality paper • Ensure the font is readable • Keep the information on your resume relevant. If you are switching careers or industries, focus on your transferable skills.

• Use action verbs and keep your sentences concise, while ensuring you communicate positive results/accomplishments • Keep your resume to 1-2 pages in length for most job applications • Try to stick to the reverse chronological resume format • Be thorough and double check grammar and spelling. Have a second set of eyes proofread your resume, preferably a career consultant.

• Write in formal language. Avoid slang, abbreviations and contractions.

• Send your resume in .PDF format unless directed otherwise.

DON’TS • Don’t include personal information such as weight, height, marital status, social security, religion, or political affiliation • Don’t use graphics (unless applicable for the job position) • Don’t list detailed descriptions of unrelated job duties • Don’t use words such as I, me or my • Don’t exaggerate your experience • Don’t start phrases in experience sections with “Responsible for” • Don’t state salary • Don’t use abbreviations without stating what they stand for • Don’t use your current work contact information

Common Resume Mistakes 1. Resume uses “some, various, or several” to quantify – give recruiters a number or a range to indicate your level of involvement.

2. Adding suffix “-ing” onto any verb to start an accomplishment statement – stay in the present or past.

For example, use manage (present), or managed (past); avoid “managing”.

3. Listing interests/affiliations/volunteer activities that are more than 5 years old – if you have not continued with it or it is unrelated to your targeted job, consider removing it from your resume.

4. Providing opinions instead of demonstrating skills – avoid statements such as: a. Excellent communication skills or

Exceptional customer service or Gained valuable experiences

b. Recognize that you have skills but present

them using accomplishment statements to demonstrate your competencies.

5. The resume lacks focus – resume should show the employer, at a glance, what you want to do and what you are good at (See STAR model).

6. Resume items are listed in an order that does not consider the reader’s interest – for example, a preferred order is: title/position, name of employer, dates of employment.

7. The resume is not bulleted – use a bulleted style to make your resume more reader-friendly and ensure bullets are used consistently.

8. The resume is constructed with an overused template – resume templates such as those created from a Microsoft Word template are instantly recognizable to employers. Try to use resume templates as a guideline for initial development only.

9. Include references on your resume - always create a separate document for your list of references, ensuring you use the same format (heading, font, etc.) as your resume 10. The appearance of the resume becomes skewed or distorted when sent electronically – if you are regularly sending your resume as an e-mail attachment, it is recommended it be sent as a .PDF file to remove any possibility for formatting issues. If the job posting asks you to send it as a file format different from .PDF, send a “test copy” of your resume to yourself to ensure that the formatting appears consistently from computer to computer.

Resume Do’s & Don’ts

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Resume Checklist Presentation & Content Is your name at the top of the page and bolded?

Are your address, phone number and e-mail included and easy to read?

Is your phone number (including area code) and e-mail information current? Is your e-mail address simple and professional? Have you updated your voicemail message so it is professional?

If you have a 2-page resume, does your name and page number appear at the top of the second page? If not, it is recommended that you add this information.

Have you had a Career Consultant review your resume?

Formatting Is your resume an appropriate length (1 or 2 pages)? Is white space used well to make the resume layout appealing?

Is the font simple, easy to read and consistent throughout? Is a standard font (recognized by most printers) used? Fonts such as Times New Roman, Helvetica or Arial are common.

Is your resume free from spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors?

Your resume is eye-catching, both in printed and in digital form.

Your resume format organizes and highlights your most relevant skills and experiences for the job. Tip: Employers usually prefer Reverse Chronological resume formats.

Spell abbreviations and acronyms in full when using it for the first time. Tip: Avoid company specific jargon.

Don’t use graphics (unless relevant to the prospective position). Make sure there’s lots of white space for ease of reading.

References are in a separate document and only provided when they are requested or when you attend an interview.

Profile Does your profile statement clearly state what you will bring to the position? Tip: If you answered “No”, consider rewriting.

Is your statement between 3 and 5 lines and related to what employers are looking for?

Have you avoided pronouns like “I”, “me” or the use of third person? Is a formal writing style used?

Summary of Qualifications

Do your headers and name stand out?

Did you brainstorm the details of your skills, experiences and abilities?

Are your margins even (left, right, top and bottom)?

Have you matched your Summary of Qualifications section to the job posting?

Are your verbs in the proper tense? Present tense for current positions and past tense for past positions.

Did you compare your Summary of Qualifications section to your listed work experience? Does this summary accurately showcase what you have done as well as your competencies?

Are dates, titles and employers discernible at a glance? Tip: Generally, dates are right justified for easy scanning.

Do you keep the formatting consistent in your resume? (i.e. brackets are used for telephone area codes and line spacing).

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Style

Resume Checklist

Have you used accomplishment statements (S.T.A.R. Model) to describe your skills?

Have you indicated your written and spoken proficiency for languages?

Have you reviewed and critiqued your summary on an ongoing basis. Is it targeted?

Education Is education the first main section on your resume? (For alumni, does education follow work experience?)

Have you listed your university degree? You can also consider adding your major/minor, key courses and more. Tip: For undergraduate students, add your expectedyear of graduation Have you removed your high school information after your 2nd year of undergraduate studies?

Note: Only keep your high school information if it highlights relevant skills and experiences related to the job opportunity (i.e. French Immersion).

Professional Experience

Student Groups, Associations & Activities If you do not have activities to add, did you consider volunteering to close gaps in your resume?

Have you formatted long-term commitments in the same format as work experience?

Did you use accomplishment statements (S.T.A.R. Model) to describe your transferable skills?

Have you quantified your actions where possible by including numbers and percentages?

Are you specific about team commitments including how often you played, and your role?

Did you include relevant student club activities?

Is your professional experience listed from most current to least current? Ensure you clearly include job title, company name, dates of employment, and location in the same format throughout your resume?

Have you used accomplishment statements (S.T.A.R. Model) to describe your transferable skills?

Do your bullets start with action verbs and focus on achievements and skills, not job duties? Have you quantified your actions where possible by including numbers and percentages?

Achievements & Awards

Have you included specifics about interests to prompt recruiter questions?

Saving, Sending & Printing Did you save your resume as a .PDF file?

Is the title of your resume file in the format, “LastName_FirstName”?

Did you print your resume on single sided, white paper? Staple documents with more than 1 page.

Have you listed any recent scholarships, honours or awards?

Have you included any related business competitions, course work, relevant projects, or study abroad?

Recommended: only state your GPA if you are on the Dean’s list. Tip: Include a separate AWARDS section if you have received many different awards.

Additional Resources Please visit the Business Career Hub’s website to register for one of our upcoming workshops.

Resume Checklist

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Sample Resumes

Review this upcoming internship and the following 2 resumes to learn more about targeting your self-marketing documents.

Sample Job Posting

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Sample Resumes

Sample Resumes Applicant with Work Experience

Sample Resumes

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Sample Resumes Applicant with Work Experience

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Sample Resumes

Sample Resumes

Applicant without Work Experience

Sample Resumes

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Sample Resumes

Applicant without Work Experience

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Sample Resumes

Cover Letters What is a cover letter?

Cover letters are business-oriented documents that are created along with a targeted resume. The overall purpose of such letters is both to introduce and market yourself to potential employers and industry members. In addition, cover letters provide important information to prospective contacts concerning your background as well as your vested interest in an upcoming opportunity, whether it has been advertised or not. Developed effectively, these documents serve to illuminate your combined education, skills and experiences.

Why write a cover letter?

In North American settings, cover letters are an integral aspect of your self-marketing strategy. Such documents are a necessary component of the current job search landscape and provide the unique opportunity to offer potential employers a glimpse into your values, accomplishments, qualifications and background in a more personal value-based manner than a targeted resume.

Far more than a supplement to your resume, cover letters are intended to illuminate your specific talents that match with the needs of a given opportunity or overall employer. In addition, cover letters offer you the chance to showcase your competencies with written communication, such as your ability to express and elaborate on ideas.

Developing A Winning Cover Letter: 1. Gain Self-Understanding:

• To create an effective cover letter, it is imperative that you recognize your career interests, personal and work values, competencies, relevant qualifications and achievements. You are not simply repeating the content of your resume, but rather building on the relevant skills and experiences for the particular company/opportunity.

2. Get to Know Your Audience:

• First and foremost, the objective of your cover letter is to generate employer/company interest in you as a prospective candidate. A successful document is intended to prompt employers and/or companies to follow-up with you about your workplace fit.

• When preparing your cover letter, do your best to create content from the standpoint of your audience, where one strategy is to include information that is beyond surface details that are easily accessed.

• Plan to conduct preliminary research on a company/ contact website.

• Information such as a job posting for a given opportunity of interest, a past posting with the same company or information about a position with a similar employer, can also be very useful to you. Use these resources to compare the position of interest with your current values, interests, and qualifications such as educational background and relevant experiences. Comparing this information in a table format may be helpful.

Cover Letters

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Writing Your Winning Cover Letter 5. Greeting 1. Your Contact Information • For self-marketing purposes, your cover letter heading should match your resume contact header with respect to font and overall style.

2. Date • It is effective to include the date a couple of spaces below your contact information.

3. Recipient Contact Information • Commonly written in standard business format, the recipient contact information appears a couple of spaces below the date.

• Do your best to include: o Full Name of Recipient o Position/Title o Company Name o Company Address

4. Subject Statement • Placed one space below the Recipient Contact Information, the Subject Statement identifies the intention of your letter. For a job application, you may include the job title or reference number in this section.

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Cover Letters

• Create one additional space before the Greeting.

The best case scenario is to direct your cover letter to a specific contact. If you know the name of the individual in charge of hiring, or have been referred to another person, use their last name (i.e., Dear Mr. Smith, Dear Ms. Gurrero, etc.). If you are not sure of the contact’s gender, you can leave your Greeting unspecified (i.e., “Dear ________ Manager”).

• In the event that you are unable to secure the name, title, mailing address, telephone number and email address of a contact, you can phone the organization to speak with Reception or Human Resources to request this data.

• If you are still unable to generate such information, you can use: o “Dear Hiring Manager/Committee” o “Dear Human Resources...” o “Dear Manager...”

6. Introductory Paragraph • The key to this section is outlining why you are writing a cover letter in the first place.

• If applying to a particular opportunity, discuss the opportunity: o How you found out about the position; if someone referred you, convey their name • If your cover letter is not addressing a specific job, identify the specific industry, department and role you are actively pursuing. Inquire here about organizational information and job descriptions.

7. Body Paragraph

10. Enclosures

• This area of the cover letter highlights the reasons

• If you are adding an enclosure to your cover letter,

you are an excellent candidate for an upcoming position/company as well as your interest in prospective opportunity.

• Avoid simply repeating the components of your resume here. However, do mention and elaborate on points that you have noticed are a job requirement or are important to the employer/organization.

• Start with choosing key components of your educational and work background, your skills, competencies and values. It is essential to draw connections between your prior experiences and the upcoming opportunity. Also add valuable data concerning the upcoming role/organization/ employer throughout.

8. Concluding Paragraph • Finish your cover letter with an overview concerning your motivation to attend an upcoming interview, your interest in the particular role (if applicable) and employer/company.

• Include your plans to follow-up. A word of caution: if you specify a follow-up date, be sure to act on it!

• Lastly, thank the employer/organization for their consideration of your interest in an upcoming opportunity.

you can illustrate you have done so with: o “Encl.” and type the name of

the additional document(s) (i.e.,

resume, reference letters, etc.)

11. Layout • Keep your cover letter at a 1 page and 3-5 paragraph maximum.

• Text should be aligned to the left and should be a minimum of 11pt. font.

• Keep the font you are using consistent between your resume and cover letter for self-marketing consistency. Tip: Maintain consistency on the headings of your resume and cover letters.

12. Proofreading • Prior to sending your cover letter (or any selfmarketing job search documents, for that matter), check for spelling, grammatical and formatting errors. It can be helpful to have a friend, relative, or additional contact review this material as well.

9. Closing and Signature • Finish your letter with a sign-off with: o “Sincerely...” o “Kind regards...” o “Yours Truly...”

• Type your full name below the sign-off and if possible, sign below your typed name

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Sending Your Letter

Follow-up

1. Hardcopy

• The importance of following-up after you send a

• To send a hardcopy of your letter, print the document on the same type of paper you have used for your resume (recommendation: high quality).

• Attach your cover letter to your resume with a staple.

• If you plan to send your cover letter by mail, it is recommended that you do not fold the document (or attachments) and instead send them in an 8.5 x 11 envelope.

2. Electronic • Add your completed, proofread cover letter and resume as an email attachment.

• Include a short, professional email stating that your cover letter (and additional documentation as needed) is attached.

• Save as a .PDF file • Your sample email might read like: Subject: Important-Job Application, Business Analyst Dear Mr. Smith, Noticing your job posting for a Business Analyst on the company website, I am writing to express my interest in this upcoming position. For your reference, please find my attached cover letter, resume and ______________ so you can learn more about the value I can bring to your organization. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email or telephone if you have any comments or questions and I look forward to scheduling an upcoming interview with you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely, Beth Sinclair

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cover letter (as well as additional self-marketing documentation) cannot be emphasized enough. o Follow-up can occur more than once • Requesting an interview • Thanking an employer for an

interview, • Accepting a job offer, • Declining a job offer, • Responding to a rejection letter; & • It may be helpful to use a form of tracking (i.e., MS Excel spreadsheet,

journal, etc.) to keep an accurate record of your contacts and follow up dates.

• To best remember what you have communicated to employers, it is also suggested that you retain copies of your sent cover letters and applications.

Common Cover Letter Mistakes Over-Generalizing

Do your best to refrain from using “Dear Sir of Madam” or “To Whom it May Concern” and attempt to locate the precise name and title of the individual who you are contacting. If unsure, turn to company directories, LinkedIn, and other social media outlets.

Too Much/Not Enough Length

Cover letters that are too short or lengthy miss the point of the document, which is intended to concisely represent your interest in a given opportunity as well as your background, qualifications and skills. Keep your cover letter target at a maximum of 3-5 paragraphs, it should be 3/4 of a page in length.

One Size Fits All Mindset

Resist the temptation to send the same cover letter in response to different opportunities. Conducting preparatory research can help you to further refine and personalize your letter.

Unremarkable Openings

Ideally, the first paragraph of your cover letter serves to intrigue potential employers (i.e., like a movie trailer).

Instead of cutting to your objective right away, include a thoughtful opening and information about your unique background to leave a lasting impression.

Over-Reference to Me, Myself and I

While cover letters are commonly composed using the first person stance, it is not effective to over-populate your document with “me, myself and I.” If you notice more than 5 of these references, it is advised that you re-examine your letter and attempt to include more information about the prospective employer.

Under-Promoting Yourself

In a nutshell, if your cover letter does not sufficiently provide an employer with the motivation to reach out to you, it hasn’t quite done the trick. Market your selling points and achievements accordingly.

Leaving Out Your Contact Information

Resumes and cover letters can become separated.

Mirroring your resume, ensure that you include up to date, accurate contact information should a prospective employer want to contact you.

Forgetting to Spell Check & Grammar Check

Prior to sending your cover letter, it is essential to check the content for spelling and grammatical errors.

It is also highly recommended that you have friends, family members and other important contacts review your letter for mistakes, consistency and flow.

Repeating Your Resume

Avoid the urge to copy and paste elements of your resume on your cover letter. Think about this document as your opportunity to provide the prospective employer or contact with more background information about yourself, including your goals, ambitions and value.

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Cover Letter Rules, Tips & Advice

In the body of your cover letter, develop a brief overview of your relevant education, Limit your cover letter to a 3-5 paragraph skills, abilities, and experiences as specified to the specific company/position maximum • When using email, your cover letter may be shorter

Match your self-marketing documents

• Utilize the same font on both your resume and cover letter • It is also helpful to include your resume contact header on your cover letter for document continuity

Address your cover letter to a specific contact

• Company websites & social media platforms, (i.e., LinkedIn) can help you to identify a key individual who has not been listed • Avoid using outdated, general terms such as “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom it May Concern” • If you are unable to locate a contact, you can use the terms: “Dear Hiring Manager…”, “Dear Hiring Committee…”, “Dear Manager of _______”, etc.

Keep it simple

• Avoid using overly complicated, flowery language on your cover letter

Outline the point and objective of your cover letter within the first paragraph • Why are you writing this self-marketing document

in the first place?

• Why are you interested in an upcoming opportunity (advertised or not)?

Ensure that your cover letter is written with clarity and detail • Target your key points to an upcoming job posting (or an example of a job posting) as much as possible

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• Give examples and evidence of your key

qualifications through the use of accomplishments, to illustrate how you can benefit the prospective employer/company (i.e., reduce operational inefficiencies, etc.)

• Quantify your statements (i.e., how many phone calls did you receive in a 1 hour period? How many clients did you support? Etc.) • Qualify your statements to ensure your example meets particular criteria • Don’t forget to add your personal values and qualities that are well suited to the company

Keep it positive! Include proactive, solution focused statements and achievements • To avoid appearing over-eager, ensure that such content is professionally written

In your final paragraph

• Ask for action (i.e., follow-up over the telephone, etc.) and outline that you appreciate the consideration of your application Be careful with any format, spelling or grammatical errors prior to sending your cover letter.

Double check that your contact information is current and accurate.

If possible, sign your hard copies using black or blue ink.

Cover Letter Checklist Presentation & Content Did you target your cover letter to a specific opportunity/employer/company?

Have you indicated your contact information and how the employer can get in touch with you beyond 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. time frames?

Are other contacts using the same phone line?

If so, inform others that you are expecting a call from an employer and to be professional on the phone. Is your voicemail prepared to receive calls from prospective employers after you have sent your self-branding documents?

Are the cover letter components readable, organized and professional looking?

Did you sign your cover letter with your name?

Did a Career Consultant review your resume?

Quality and Style of Writing Did you check your spelling, grammar and sentence structures correctly?

Enriching Content Did you quantify and qualify your cover letter statements and added value based information about your past experiences, education and competencies? Have you used these qualifications to your advantage?

Have you effectively illustrated your understanding of the employer/company you are targeting?

Does your cover letter showcase in-depth thought and provide original insight that is not predominantly based on your resume?

Mistakes Did you address your cover letter to a specific contact? Is your information accurate?

Provided that you don’t know the contact information, is your salutation free of gender assumptions?

Does your cover letter respond to the qualifications the employer/company is looking for?

Did you highlight the experiences, skills and qualities that you can bring to the employer as opposed to the things you would like them to bring you?

Have you illustrated the purpose of your cover letter to the employer/company?

Does your resume end with an action orientation such as an interview request and a statement that you will follow-up?

Does your first paragraph make the employer want to find out more about you?

Have you ensured that your cover letter refrains from sounding overly needy or coming across as desperate (i.e. “I am willing to do anything….)

Did you effectively use significant action verbs?

Have you ensured that your cover letter uses objective language and refrains from subjective sentiments such as “I feel…,” and gets to the point of what you would like to discuss?

Did you refrain from using cliché phrases and disclosing extensive, unrelated personal details?

Character and Appeal of Writing

Character and Appeal of Writing Did you save your cover letter as a .PDF file?

Is the title of your cover letter file in the format, “LastName_FirstName”?

Did you print your resume on single sided, white paper? Staple documents with more than one page.

Is your cover letter engaging? Does it address the employer/company point of view?

Additional Resources

Have you effectively demonstrated that you are a good fit for the upcoming role or organization?

Please visit the Business Career Hub’s website to register for one of our upcoming workshops.

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Sample Cover Letters

Review this upcoming internship posting and the following cover letters to learn more about targeting your selfmarketing documents.

Sample Job Posting for Business Analyst Intern Posting

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Sample Cover Letters Sample Cover Letter Response

Sample Cover Letters

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Additional Cover Letter Samples Sample Posting

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Sample Cover Letters

Additional Cover Letter Samples Sample Cover Letter Response

Sample Cover Letters

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Additional Cover Letter Samples Sample Posting

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Sample Cover Letters

Additional Cover Letter Samples Sample Cover Letter Response

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Additional Cover Letter Samples Sample Cover Letter for Assistant Marketing Manager with TD Canada Trust

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Sample Cover Letters

Your Cover Letter Worksheet Introduction/Opening (1 paragraph) How did you find out about this opportunity?

Briefly, why is this opportunity a good fit for you?

Body (1 paragraph) What do you know about the Employer/Organization’s Value Statement & Shopping List?

In response to this information, what are your Key Qualifications? Outline your key achievements!

Conclusion (1 paragraph) Conclude with a summary of your key points mentioned in the Cover Letter.

Outline your next steps, such as your contact information and plans to follow-up with the Employer/Organization.

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Interview Content The job interview is an integral part of the recruitment process. However, the interview process itself will be subject to much variance and will not be the same from company to company and job title to job title. Having said this, there are aspects and trends within the interview process that are similar. A strong understanding of these aspects and trends will be a great advantage to you and your job search. The ability to perform well during an interview and to portray a positive impression is key to your success.

What is an interview?

Interviews can come in many different shapes and forms. From an official, multi-interview recruitment process to an informal meet and greet at your local Starbucks. Ultimately, all interviews have one common goal, to determine if you are a suitable fit for both the position and the organization. It is also important and helpful to view this as a two way street. The employer is looking to see if you fit with the organization, but you are also trying to determine if the position/organization is a good fit for your wants and needs as well.

Types Of Interviews There are many types of interviews and interview methods are constantly changing. The list below is not meant as a comprehensive list, but as a summary and description of some of the current popular interview styles.

1. One on One Interview

Most interviews are between a single hiring manager and a single candidate. Questions will range from topics that cover an applicant’s skills, experiences and fit with the company culture.

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2. Behavioural Interview

In a behavioral based interview, a hiring manager will ask questions focused on how the candidate behaved in specific employment scenarios. Behavioral based interview questions are popular because interviewers believe how an individual acted in the past will indicate an individual’s future behavior in a similar scenario.

3. Group or Panel Interview

A group or panel interview can consist of a single interviewee with 2 or more interviewers or a single interviewer with 2 or more interviewees.

4. Interviews in a Public Place

Sometimes interviews can take place outside of an office, such as a coffee shop. There can be a number of reasons for holding an interview in a public place, like not having a local office nearby.

5. Open Job Interview

In this type of situation, companies will accept resumes and hold interviews during a specific block of time on a specific day(s).Any individual can attend such an event.

6. Phone Interview

Phone interviews are generally used as a screening strategy to determine which candidates should be invited for a face-to-face interview. Phone interviews can also be held if the candidate is not located close to the company or hiring manager’s office.

7. Screening Interview

A screening interview is a type of job interview that is conducted to determine if the applicant has the qualifications needed to do the job for which the company is hiring. A screening interview is typically the first interview in the hiring process.

8. Video Interview

Video interviews are quite common and is the preferred method of holding an interview if the candidate is not located near the organization’s office(s).

9. Second Interview

A second interview may be held to clarify an individual’s fit within a company’s culture or verify his/her skill and experience level for a specific role. Second interviews will often be conducted by a different interviewer.

10. Third Interview

For a specific role, an organization may conduct 3 or more interviews with a single candidate to ensure the right person is selected for the job.

11. Testing

In a number of organizations, such as those in hospitality industries, applicants might be required to complete personality, temperament and/or skills based testing to further assess the extent to which they align with the company culture.

12. Case

Commonly, candidates are presented with given business questions, situations and challenges to work on individually or collectively. Such a format is most often used in areas relating to management consulting and finance.

13. Dining Interview

Having an interview over a meal is an opportunity for an interviewer to gain insight on how a candidate may communicate and behave in an environment outside of the office.

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Appearance

The Interview: Non-Verbal

The way you dress and groom yourself are the first things an interviewer sees. You’ve heard it before and it bears repeating: you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. Be professional in your dress and if you aren’t certain about the corporate dress code and culture, err on the side of conservatism.

Ensure clothes are clean and pressed; wear shoes that are polished; avoid jewellery that may be distracting; and be conscious of others’ cologne/perfume allergies (less is better; none is best).

Being aware of your body language is very important.

Use it effectively, beginning at introductions. Offer a firm handshake, eye contact and smile. These small behaviours indicate, “I’m confident; I’m excited to be here.” Do your best to avoid obvious signs of nervousness like tapping a pen, drumming your fingers, shaking your foot or shuffling papers.

Arrival Arrive at the interview building location a half-hour before the interview; and go inside the company’s lobby fifteen minutes before your appointment. Remember that an interview begins the moment you arrive in the reception area. Get settled and be cordial with the receptionist. Front office personnel are often coached to form opinions about you. Their “report” may be part of your interview evaluation.

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When talking, use gestures to convey your passion and excitement. Change the tone of your voice, volume and inflection to avoid being monotonous.

Also, watch the interviewer’s body language for cues and if necessary, change your approach. Ask a question. Draw the interviewer back into the interview.

Skype And Conference Interviews Thanks to applications such as Skype, video interviewing is becoming more accessible and popular.

In the event that a company or recruiter should request a Skype interview, make sure you take these steps to ensure a successful experience.

• Ensure you install the software and test the video and audio quality well in advance of the interview.

• Run a test call or do a mock interview to become more comfortable with video interviewing.

• Ensure your username, profile picture, and status are professional.

The quality of online video has improved dramatically over the recent past. A video interview will put a higher emphasis on you appearance and performance. In order to ensure that you are at your best and most confident, keep these following points in mind.

4. Background

Choose an appropriate area of your home and office that will not have distracting materials in the background. Think about how your webcam is set up and what can be detected behind you. Are you in a setting that portrays professionalism? Tidying the space is also suggested.

5. Lighting

When checking video quality, you will likely need to adjust the lighting in your room to ensure you image is clear on the screen.

6. Script

One of the greatest advantages for the Skype Interviewee is the ability to prepare and use notes and scripts. However, don’t overuse notes and scripts, as it can distract you from listening to questions and giving your responses. Also, ensure you have pen and paper handy so you can write down any relevant notes for your reference as you move through the interview.

1. Smile and Focus

To keep the interviewer engaged, make sure you emote (smile!) throughout the video interview and try your best to maintain eye contact with the camera. Looking away might make you seem indifferent.

2. Choose your Colors Wisely

Avoid harsh colors and opt for more neutral colors.

Avoid clothing with too many patterns as they can be distracting to the interviewer on the other side of the video.

3. Hair and Make-Up

As video becomes more and more of a higher quality, it is important to ensure that your hair and make-up is as good as possible.

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Types Of Interview Questions It would be impossible to give you a list of all the questions that could be asked of any particular candidate during an interview. Similarly it is impossible to give a list of the “Best Possible” answers. Each job applicant will have strengths they wish to demonstrate, as well as weaknesses they wish to downplay. It is better if instead of focusing on the answer you are going to give, try to gain an understanding of the type of questions that could be asked and the purpose behind each.

It should be noted that an interview question posed during the interview can fall into more than one category.

1. Credential verification questions

This type of question is designed to give the interviewer a fuller understanding of the information listed on your resume. Typical questions will be along the lines of “What was your GPA?” or “How long were you at company X”. The interviewer is looking for objective measurements of you experience and will want to see your answers supported by the information on you resume.

2. Experience verification questions

These questions are an extension of the Credential Verification questions and will typically search for additional qualitative information. “What did you learn during your time at university?” and “What were your main responsibilities at company X?” are examples of the interviewer looking for information with which to evaluate your background.

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Types of Interviews

3. Self-assessment questions

Sometimes viewed as the more “traditional” questions, the interviewer is looking for you to provide an idea of your character. “What is your greatest weakness?” or “Where do you see yourself in five years” are opportunities for you to portray an impression of professionalism. Be sure to speak genuinely and refrain from negative comments.

4. Oddball Questions

The purpose of the oddball question is to get you past your pre-programmed answers and determine if you are capable of thinking on your feet. There is not an objective right answer to these questions. Instead, the interviewer is interested in seeing how you think and cope when faced with an unusual situation.

Some examples of this type of question are “How many cows are there in Canada?” or “Sing me your personal themesong.” When answering these types of questions, be sure to “think out loud” so as to give the interviewer insight into your thought process.

5. Situational/Hypothetical Questions

An interviewer may give you a hypothetical situation and ask you how you would react in such a scenario.

Be sure to take your time and give the question some thought before answering. Be honest, and answer clearly and with detail. There is no right or wrong answer, but rather, the interviewer is looking to develop an idea of how you will respond in situations that are common on the job you are interviewing for.

6. Technical questions

Technical questions can be hands-on and are often focused on specific aspects of the industry in question (i.e. Technology, Finance). When answering technical questions, do not fake it! It is great if you do have the answers,but if you don’t, simply speak to your desireto learn and your ability to pick things up quickly.

7. Behavioral questions

Behavioral questions are becoming more and more popular and are quickly becoming the standard for interviews. These questions are based on the notion that past behavior is the best indicator of future performance. This type of question includes, “Can you give me a specific example of how you did that?” and “What were the steps you followed to accomplish that task?”

When answering behavioral or situational questions, be sure to keep in mind the S.T.A.R method. When answering behavioral or situational questions, be sure to take your time and consider which example you will use.

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Common Behavioural-Based Interview Questions Behavioural-based questions tend to have common themes. Below are some sample questions organized by skill set groupings.

• Give me an example of an important goal you set and how you accomplished it.

Cooperation

• Describe a time when you came up with a creative solution/idea/project/report to a work problem.

• Tell me about a time you co-operated with someone

General

• Tell me about yourself.

• Walk me through your past experiences and educational background.

• Why are you interested in this opportunity?

• What are your strengths and how can they support you in this role?

• What is your major weakness and what are you doing about it?

Communication

• Describe a time that you were successful primarily because of your ability to communicate well.

• Tell me about a sensitive situation that required very careful communication.

Ongoing Improvement

• Describe a time when you made a mistake in a working environment. What did you learn?

• Describe a time you recommended a change that improved the processes or operations in your position.

Detail Orientation

• Give me an example of a time where your attention to detail helped you avoid making a mistake.

Decision Making

• Tell me about one of the most difficult decisions you made in the last year. How did you come to make your decision?

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Goal Setting

Types of Interviews

with whom you really would rather have not cooperated.

Creativity/Innovation

• Describe a time when you came up with a creative solution/idea/project/report to a work problem you had been dealing with for some time.

• Tell me about a time you were especially creative in solving a lingering problem.

Customer Service

• Give me an example of a time you helped develop or strengthen customer relationships.

Problem Solving

• Tell me about a time when you experienced a challenge with a coworker, classmate or peer. What happened and what was the outcome?

Initiative

• Tell me about a time when you pushed yourself to do more than was necessary.

Flexibility/Adaptability

• Tell me about a time when you had to stop working on one assignment and start working on another one. What did you do? How did that work out?

S.T.A.R. Method

Interviewee:

As discussed in the Resume section, S.T.A.R. stands for Situation-Task-Action-Results. The STAR method is a great way to uncover your personal accomplishments and achievements, helping you differentiate yourself from your competition. The first step in developing your STAR statements is to brainstorm your past experiences.

“I do recall one time this fall, in a Revenue Management class I was taking, where I experienced a challenge with a classmate who was not following through with her project responsibilities for our final presentation on Food & Beverage Revenues, worth 50% of our mark. To successfully complete this project, I felt that I needed to take the initiative to address this issue with her 2 weeks before the due date… (Situation/Task)

1. Explain the SITUATION or TASK that had to be

solved or completed – include the people involved, deadlines and places to validate the story.

2. Outline a specific TASK you were required to carry out or perform.

3. Clarify the ACTIONS taken to specifically manage the situation or task successfully 4. Explain the RESULTS accomplished. Clearly explain the positive impact you had on the organization through your actions.

When preparing your STAR statements, keep in mind the abilities and competencies the employer is inquiring about. Make sure you have several examples you can pull from, built from your experience in current or past jobs, extracurricular/volunteer activity, academics and more.

Sample Response to Behavioural-Based Interview Question: “Tell me about a time when you experienced a challenge with a coworker, classmate or peer. What happened and what was the outcome? “

…Ensuring that I was sensitive to the needs of my classmate and did not jump to conclusions, I did ask her if I could speak with her over a casual coffee two weeks prior to the assignment due date. By asking her first if she was having any issues with the project during our coffee meeting, my classmate disclosed to me that she was, in fact, having difficulty manipulating Excel revenue spreadsheet columns and was too nervous to ask the Professor or myself for help close to the presentation deadline… (Situation/Task) With a new understanding my peer’s situation, I offered to help her with the Excel project components, which I was quite familiar with, and in return, she offered to edit my PowerPoint presentation. I coached her through the Excel process, and as our working relationship and communication improved, so did our productivity. On our presentation date, we were professional, prepared and engaging, which did not go unnoticed by the class, who cumulatively gave us an A grade. The Professor was also quite impressed and asked if he could use our presentation as a sample for upcoming classes next semester.” (Action/Result)

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S.T.A.R. Method Worksheet Using the below worksheet, take some time to think about an example you might like to use:

Your STAR Answer SITUATION

TASK

ACTION

RESULT

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S.T.A.R. Method Worksheet

Questions To Ask

Do Not Ask:

During interviews and alternate interactions with employers, it is strongly recommended that you prepare at least 3-5 questions prepared to ask immediately following their questions. Typically, you will be asked if you have questions to share and planning such inquiries serves to highlight your interest as a candidate.

• Questions that deal with salary, benefits, vacation,

Recommended Questions • During

•

•

•

•

• • • •

the interview, we spoke about __________________ and I would be quite interested to hear more on the topic of ________________________ (area related to company operations).

What is your team hoping that a successful candidate will attain in this position within a year?

Tip: Relate the interviewer’s response back to your prior successful experiences as discussed earlier in the interview.

What is the organizational culture like in this company? Tip: If the culture aligns with your workplace values, share this with the interviewer!

In your opinion, what kinds of skills or qualities tend to make for successful employees in this position?

Tip: After you obtain an answer, attempt to relate it back to your skills and abilities, as discussed earlier in the interview.

In your view, could you please name the most difficult or challenging aspects that a successful candidate may encounter in this role?

What might a typical work day/week/month look like for an individual in this role?

I would like to find out more about how this position became vacant in your organization.

When does your team expect you to make a decision?

When can I expect to hear from a representative?

Always ask for a business card, if they have not yet been exchanged.

or job security, as they suggest you are primarily self-interested and are less focused on company needs.

• Questions that refer to negative or inappropriate topics or company information. Tip: Keep the interview items discussed positive!

• Questions that you are not sure the interviewer can answer (i.e., vague inquiries, overly technical questions), as they will have considerably less impact.

Questions To Ask

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Declining An Interview

Call

There may be times when you will decide to decline or refuse an interview. This could be for a host of reason. Perhaps you have accepted a position with a different company and no longer need the interview, or upon reflection, you decide the position is just not appropriate. If you are considering declining an interview, for whatever reason, consider these points before contact the interviewer.

Avoid canceling via email. Some people do not check email regularly and if your email is not expected, it may not be read in a timely manner. Call at least three times before leaving a voice message on the telephone.

When leaving a message, mention that you did try calling twice before. Because some people check voice messages only once or twice a day, send a follow-up email if there is less than a day before the scheduled meeting.

Think Carefully Consider why you are declining the interview. Keep in mind that once you have cancelled the interview, you may not be able to schedule another one. It may be more appropriate to reschedule the interview for another date than cancel it outright.

Give Ample Notice Give the interviewer as much warning as possible.

You should consider advising the interviewer of your decision as soon as you have made your decision to decline. Under no circumstance should you ever simply not attend an interview. A weeks’ notice is better than a day’s notice.

Contact The Correct Person Unless you have been asked to contact the interviewer directly, the person who originally arranged the interview will be the most appropriate person to contact when declining a meeting.

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Declining An Interview

Whether you speak in person, leave a message or send an email, use the same etiquette to decline the interview. Begin by apologizing that you have to cancel the interview. Explain why you need to decline the interview and be sure to thank the person for considering you for an interview.

Interview/Follow Up Letters On average, interview/follow-up letters are downplayed. Yet, contrary to popular belief, such documents serve to solidify your interest in a given opportunity, highlight your key selling points and convey your excitement concerning the prospect of moving forward in the selection praocess or receiving the job. Send your interview/follow-up letter 12-24 hours after your interview, during business hours.

Sample:

January 30, 2013 Mr. Hoop Manager, Talent Acquisition Rogers Communications 484 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M5H 4K7

Effective Interview/Follow Up Letters:

Dear Mr. Hoop,

• Mention contact information, the interview date

This letter is to thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday morning for the position of Customer Service Manager with Rogers Communications. Based on what I learned about your dynamic team, I am still very interested in the chance to operate in this fast-paced, service driven role. Following our meeting, I have continued to research annual Rogers’ customer service statistics and am confident that my experience managing service teams, applied leadership training and educational background in telecommunications qualify me as an ideal match for the Customer Service Manager position. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email or telephone at your earliest convenience and I look forward to following up with you on February 13, 2013 concerning the possibility of a second meeting.

and your appreciation for the opportunity to interview.

• Outline your comprehension of the upcoming role requirements in relation to your own capabilities.

• Address any confusion, items that you forgot to mention during the interview or pro-active counter objections to what an employer may have stated during the interview.

Sincerely,

___________________ Jessica Gore

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Interview Checklist

Day Before The Interview

Keeping track of everything you need to do in order to properly prepare for an interview can be tricky. Follow this helpful checklist to keep you on track.

Print your resume on clean, plain-colored paper

Days Before The Interview

Lay out what you will be wearing and give your outfit a final once over

Ensure you know the correct location of the interview and have planned the route beforehand.

Make sure you know where you are and when you should leave in order to get there on time Thoroughly research the organization If you know the name of the interviewer(s), research their history and current activities

Make sure you bring extra pens, paper and anything you else you may need

Clean / polish your shoes Set your alarm clock and give yourself ample time to get ready and out the door Get a good night's sleep to be fresh and quickwitted

Day Of The Interview

Review the job posting before the interview If possible, clarify any unknowns such as interview format Make multiple copies of all required documents (resume, transcripts, etc.)

Review the list of sample interview questions Prepare answers which will show your best qualities Have your list of references ready Review your resume Get a haircut/manicure/etc. if needed Brainstorm and write a list of possible questions to ask Decide what you will need to wear at the interview and make sure your clothes are clean and pressed Practice a mock interview with a close friend Write and practice your elevator pitch or your about me speech

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Interview Checklist

Groom properly and thoroughly Eat well Dress appropriately Give yourself plent of travel time - take an extra 30 minutes just in case of delays

15 - 30 Minutes Before The Interview Arrive at least 15 minutes early, and check your appearance in the mirror Check in with reception and make a great first impression. Many interviewers will ask for the receptionist’s opinion once you have left Turn off your mobile phone Wait patiently for the interviewer – do not fidget

At The Interview When introduced to the interviewer, repeat his/ her name to confirm pronunciation and help in remembering Big smile and firm hand shake Sit up, make eye contact and give your responses in a thoughtful and organized manner Show your exciteent about the role by emoting Stay positive! Avoid making negative remarks!

If you must complete a form, use good penmanship, and ensure you complete all fields with the proper information Take time to formulate your answers – pausing is a sign of thoughtfulness in your responses

Immediately After The Interview Shake hands and keep smiling!

Thank the interviewer for his/her time Ask for a business card Emphasize your interest in the job, but do not appear desperate or inappropriate After leaving the office, take a few notes about the interview while it is still fresh in your mind

Day After The Interview Send a thank you letter / note

Interview FAQ How early should I be for an interview?

You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Use the extra time to browse through your notes one last time and observe the atmosphere. Keep in mind the interview begins as soon as you walk through the door, so don’t talk on your cell phone or underestimate the receptionist! If you arrive more than 15 minutes before your interview, sit in your car or in the building lobby. You don’t want to show up too early and make the interviewer feel rushed.

What should I bring with me to the interview?

Bring several copies of your resume, company research, questions to ask, portfolio, references or recommendation letters, business cards, paper, pen and anything else they told you to bring. It is better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.

Make sure all of this information is in a folder or binder – no loose papers.

What should I know about the interview beforehand?

Try to find out as much as you can about what will take place so you will be prepared. Will you have to fill out an application? Will there be multiple interviews during your appointment? Will you be given a tour of the facility? Will you have to take an assessment test? Do they have the proper A/V equipment if you are giving a presentation?

What if I forget the interviewer’s name or don’t know how to pronounce it?

Simply call before your interview and ask the receptionist or administrative assistant. This is a big “NO NO” that could be avoided very easily.

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What if I am running late for an interview or What questions should I ask during the can’t make it at all? interview?

If you will be late, call the interviewer and give them an estimated time of arrival and the reason for your tardiness. If something has come up and you can’t make it at all, be honest and get in touch with the interviewer as soon as possible. Ask if it is possible for you to reschedule. Keep in mind being late or not keeping your appointment is strike one against you and it is a HUGE strike. The employer may just forfeit your interview altogether. If you do get the chance to still meet with the interviewer, genuinely apologize and be sure to make up for the mishap by giving a great interview!

You should have at least 3 questions to ask the interviewer such as: A) “What would be a typical day for someone who is hired in this position?” B) “What kind of training program do you have?” C) “What would be expected of me in the first 90 days if I’m hired in this position?” You should ALWAYS have questions. Just like the interviewer is trying to see if you are a good fit, you should be trying to see if the company is a good fit for you as well. Having no questions shows that you are not really interested in the job.

How soon should I follow up after an interview?

What research should I do on the company? You should follow up immediately — definitely within You should first start with the company website and look up their values, mission statement, future plans, products, services, honors, awards, current news, training and development opportunities and job openings. You should write these things down and familiarize yourself with them. Your notes will come in handy when asked “What do you know about our company?” or “Why do you want to work here?”

You can also check out the Better Business Bureau, LinkedIn, Google, Twitter and Facebook for additional information.

Don’t forget to look up the actual interviewer and know 2 – 3 things about him/her as well. Not knowing anything about the company could be strike 2!

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24 hours. You want to do it right away so you don’t forget and so they don’t forget who you are. You should thank them for taking the time to interview you and giving you the opportunity to learn more about their company. This can be done through an e-mail, voice message or handwritten note. I would suggest you mention something specific that you talked about in the interview to make them remember you. Also, if you are sending an e-mail include additional information such as recommendation letters, LinkedIn profile, blogs, online portfolio or video resume. Remember, each interviewer needs his/her own individual thank you.

Mock Interviews

Interview Stream:

Mock interviews are an excellent way to prepare for the job interview. It gives you a venue to work out your interviewing technique and answers in a risk free and supportive environment. When arranging mock interviews, it is best if you mimic the actual interview environment as closely as possible. It may be easier to ask a family member or friend to perform the mock interview with you, but ensure they give you honest feedback. Consider approaching a non-interested person who has some familiarity with the industry you are interviewing for such as a professor.

Interview Stream is a web-based mock interview tool that assists students in preparing for interviews.

Using a webcam, students will have the ability to simulate an unlimited number of job interviews by responding to pre-recorded interview questions (that can be targeted towards specific industries and roles).

Students will then have the option to seek feedback from professors, colleagues, mentors, or members the CEP Team – just by sharing an online link. All TRSM students need to register, is their Ryerson e-mail address! More information can be found at trsmcareers.interviewstream.com

The Business Career Hub consultant team is available for mock interviews for students in 3rd and 4th year.

If you would like more information or would like to arrange a mock interview, please come by the centre to set up an appointment.

Additional Resources Please visit the Business Career Hub’s website to register for one of our upcoming workshops.

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Networking What is Networking?

Networking is about making connections, and building and maintaining relationships.

It is about reciprocity and functions on the question, “How can I help?” Networking is about finding ways to help one another.

Networking can happen in many environments for a variety of purposes; however, the focus in this section of your workbook will be on how to network in a business environment for the purposes of career advancement.

Discovering Who is Part of Your Network When we think of networking, we often think about meeting strangers and building relationships with people we don’t know. What we don’t realize is that networking is also about connecting with people we do know for the purposes of accomplishing certain goals.

The following is a list of the people that are already part of your network: With all of these people as part of your network, it is very easy to start networking. All of these people can be extremely helpful in helping you achieve your career goals. As such, it should be your initiative to reach out to these people.

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Who’s In Your Network?

Name (i.e., Professor Smith, Sara)

Relationship (Instructor, Boss, Friend....)

The Core Principles of Networking

What to keep in mind…

Networking requires you to have the right mindset and the right skill set. The mindset needed for networking requires you to appreciate the importance of intimacy and generosity.

1. Focus: The point of having a focus is so

Intimacy means that you make people feel as if they can approach you. When you are networking with anyone, you need them to want to talk to you and to enjoy talking to you.

Generosity is a core aspect of networking. When you are networking, you need to focus on adding value to the relationship, not just finding value in the relationship. Often, people think networking is about them getting something but in reality, networking is a two way relationship that requires you to be generous.

There are many ways that you can add value to those that are part of your network.

that you know what you hope to accomplish through your networking. Be sure to know what it is you want to achieve – make sure that what you want to achieve is realistic.

2. Target: Who is it that can help you achieve what

you want in terms of your career goals? You need to be able to identify these people in order to reach out to them. It is recommended that you start by reaching out to people that you already know.

3. Define: You must be able to define the value

you bring to the relationship. Remember that networking requires you to take part in a two way relationship. This means that you are required to add value to the relationship.

4. Ambassadors: It is crucial to have people that will be willing to speak to your character and credentials.

Let people know what your achievements are and what you are capable of so they can vouch for you.

5. Reach out: Your friends are your friends because

you take the time to connect and listen. Do the same with the rest of your network. Don’t be afraid to reach out and learn and listen to what is happening to everyone else in your network.

6. Catch up: It’s important to understand that meeting someone once does not classify them as part of your network. In order for someone to be a part of your network, you need to maintain a relationship with them. As such, it is important to catch up with members of your network and stay informed as to any development in their careers that may be relevant to you.

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The TRSM Networking Model

The Dos and Don’ts of Networking

To help make networking simple, we have developed a four step process that outlines what you should be doing and focusing on in typical business networking scenarios.

The following are some dos and don’ts of networking.

To help make the tips easy to remember, we have divided them based on which stage of the networking process they are relevant to.

1. Approach: When you network it will be up to you

When Approaching

to approach people, either in person at an event or you may have to reach out to them virtually.

When you approach someone you are making a first impression, and you want to make sure it counts. Below you will find some tips for how to approach someone for the purposes of networking.

2. Build

Rapport: Networking is based on building relationships and in a conversation it is crucial to build rapport. Be genuine when building rapport and focus on the other person just as much as you focus on yourself.

• Arrive on time for the event • Don’t approach industry members with a large group

• Don’t cut into someone’s conversation but rather • • • •

3. Convert: While it’s great to build relationships with • people, when you network you have a goal and at some point in the conversation you will need to focus on accomplishing your goal. The goal may be to set up an information interview or even to have contact information shared. Regardless of what the goal is you will need to be able to ask the questions that will allow you to reach your goal. This is when you convert the conversation into a tangible output.

4. Follow Up: It is crucial to follow up in a timely manner, especially if you want people to remember you. Following up is professional and allows you to maintain a relationship with the individuals you’ve met through networking. Below are tips and tricks for networking.

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• •

• • •

find a way to join the conversation Take the initiative to walk up and say hello – people are here to talk to you Dress in proper business attire Avoid strong perfume or cologne (less is better; none is best) If there is food at the event, do not approach anyone while you are eating Approach with a greeting and start the conversation with a friendly introduction Save time and approach the people that are part of your target Be prepared for your conversations – have questions ready that are relevant to individuals you are speaking with Always make sure to find out the proper pronunciation of the individuals name Stand with proper posture, have a firm handshake and an inviting smile Keep cellphones off or on silent – don’t check your phone during the event

When Building Rapport • Rapport is built by learning about the individual and •

•

•

• • •

• •

•

that requires attentive listening Be prepared to speak about who you are, your experiences (both at school and outside of school) and what direction you plan to go in once you are done school Current events may be a great way to get a conversation going, so be sure to research current events in specific industries before the event Learn as much as you can about the industry member and take notes – the notes will be useful for future meetings If you are in a group setting, make sure to keep the industry professional as a part of the conversation You can’t build rapport by monopolizing a person’s time When you talk to an industry member, try to talk about information you feel is relevant to the other individual Be genuine and sincere – people connect better when they feel someone is being honest Try to add value to the conversation. To do this, you must listen well! For example, the industry member may mention that they don’t know how to use a certain app – offer advice or help! Offer insights into questions the individual may have.

Always remember networking is a two way relationship!

When Converting: Gain Value from the Interaction • You convert only once you have established • • • • •

rapport, so you should not talk business first Never ask for a job Never give your resume Feel free to ask for a business card Try to establish the best way to follow up and perhaps even when to follow up Don’t get ‘cornered’ – if you feel uncomfortable in a conversation, find a polite way to excuse yourself

When Following Up • Try to follow up on the terms that have been established during the conversation • Start the follow up with a thank you • Wait at least 12 hours to follow up and try to follow up during standard work hours

Additional Resources Please visit the Business Career Hub’s website to register for one of our upcoming workshops.

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Following Up The Networking Meeting Follow up a networking meeting with a thank-you letter at least a week from the date of the meeting. If you have good penmanship, consider hand writing a thank you letter and mailing/delivering it to the networking contact to personalize it.

Sample

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Step 4 Job Search

Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

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Step 4 Job Search

There are many different ways to conduct a job search, however whichever approach you take, it will begin with knowing what are you looking for and creating a strategy to search in a way that is effective for you?.

Available research indicates that roughly 20% of jobs are posted outside of an organization at any given time, which leaves 80% of available jobs in the ‘hidden job market’. This section will help you to learn how to tap into this market and open up additional opportunities to you to conduct your search.

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Job Search Methods There are many different ways to conduct a job search but there is no right or wrong answer on how to job search. When searching for jobs, the important thing to know is what are you looking for and are you searching in a way that is effective for you? Roughly 20% of jobs are posted at any given time, and that leaves 80% of available jobs in the ‘hidden job market’. Learning how to tap into this market will help to open up additional opportunities to you, but you don’t want to forget about keeping an eye on the jobs which are posted and employers who are actively recruiting.

Effective job-search campaigns focus on implementing key strategies. They include taking the following inspired actions:

• Accessing services and resources from the • • • •

Business Career Hub Networking Responding to published openings on the Internet Working with recruiters Contacting companies directly

The following table shows the percentages of jobs found using different methods:

Job-search Methods

% of Time

Networking/Warm Leads

70% – 80%

Applying to Jobs on the Internet

5% – 15%

Recruiters

10% – 20%

Direct Company Contact

5% – 15%

Most jobs are won through networking: talking to friends, relatives, former employers, colleagues, professors, and association members and others you know. Just remember, focus and divide your job search efforts appropriately based on the effectiveness of each search method.

Networking It’s been said before and it will likely be said again - use your existing network. Let your family and friends know that you are looking for work, an internship, a volunteer opportunity or whatever it is you are looking for.

Remember to let them know what kind of opportunity you are looking for, and not just ‘any job’! Speak to former co-workers, classmates, and members of clubs or associations that you are a part of. You never know who might have a connection in a certain industry, or what kind of opportunities they have just been told about. If there are people in your network working at an employer of interest, talk to them. See what kind of inside scoop you can get in terms of the best way to apply, what kind of candidates they are looking for, when jobs become available and how you can find out about them. If they are unsure of the opportunities available, perhaps they can connect you with the right person to find out more information.

Your goal is to continually build an ever-growing network that eventually reaches into your industry-specific, business environment until you discover employer needs and/or positions. With each networking contact that provides you information and connections to other contacts, your visibility and news of your availability grows.

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Networking succeeds for many reasons.

Research Companies Of Interest

• Most job opportunities are not openly advertised and

It is really important to know what kind of job you are looking for and the potential employers of interest to you. If you aren’t sure what companies you would like to work for, it’s time to do some research!

networking can put you in touch with the individuals in an organization who are in the planning stages of doing new hiring.

• Most employers would rather hire people they know or people referred to them directly by those they trust.

So without question, job searching is about people - making new relationships and staying connected.

Documents can’t:

• Provide you with an insider’s view of particular company and it’s culture; • Give you the inside scoop on unadvertised opportunities; or • Recommend you to hiring managers Only people can do those things.

Take a few moments to go back to Step 2 and review some of the important things to consider when doing your research. Your research will likely include looking at numerous employers, some of whom you might decide aren’t the ones you are interested in and others that may be of great interest to you. Look at the reasons you’ve come up with on why they are or aren’t of interest to you. Write some of these down and use them for future researching. As you find out more information on companies, continue to do the same. Perhaps it is the values of the company that is important to you. Maybe it is the size of the company, or the work environment that they provide. They might even have a large focus on professional development programs and you know that is important to you. Keep track of your wants and desires that you look for in an employer or job. These wants and desires might even align with the desires you’ve looked at in Step 1 when creating your career statement. Being aware of these will help you to narrow down your search as you are looking for job opportunities.

Are there particular companies or organizations that you already know that you would like to work for?

Browse through their company website and look at what career options they currently have available on their careers website.

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Network Think back to the steps outlined for effective networking in Step 3. Prepare your materials needed and start learning about upcoming networking opportunities. There are many events that occur oncampus throughout the year so make sure you’re staying updated. Drop by the Business Career Hub or website to see what new events are being promoted.

Stay up to date with student clubs or associations and check your Ryerson email for emails from trsmcareers@ryerson.ca or magnet@ryerson.ca As you learn about upcoming information sessions, recruiting and networking events, career fairs and more, take note of them, RSVP and book it in your calendar. After attending events, remember to follow up with people that you spoke with. It may be a chance to inquire about conducting an informational interview to learn more about the company.

Steps in the networking process 1. Create your contact list 2. Set up the networking meeting — by telephone, email or via a social media platform 3. Prepare for the networking meeting 4. Conduct the networking meeting 5. Follow up the networking meeting with a Thank You note

Job Postings On The Internet Responding to job postings on the Internet is another method in your job search. Not only will you find opportunities of interest to you, but it is also a way to learn about the local job market and help you pinpoint which companies may be hiring. Job postings can give you ideas on where you should be looking for work.

Approximately 5 to 15 percent of all jobs are found by responding online because the Internet is accessible to the majority job seekers, making it very competitive.

The key to landing a job using the online method is by standing out from the other applicants. You do this by targeting your cover letter and resume for each job opportunity. Read the job posting very carefully, highlighting the most important qualifications the employer is looking for and will be needed to succeed in the role. Match your skills to the requirements in the job posting as much as possible.

Make sure you do as much company research as possible before applying. Target your cover letter to align your accomplishments with the most important qualifications in the job posting. Customizing your resume and cover letter to match each job opportunity will increase your chances at being called for an interview.

If possible, forward your application documents to the hiring manager after applying online to HR.

For more tips and proven techniques on maintaining your network, refer to Step 3.

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Business Career Hub Online Resources

www.ryerson.ca/trsmcareers/onlineresources

Magnet

Ryerson.Magnet.Today Magnet is a network connecting people with the right opportunities. Its members consist of 60,000+ employers, 16 educational institutions, universities, and colleges, representing over 500,000+ students, and labour-based and employment focused organizations.

Through the use of cutting-edge technology, WhoPlusYou, the Magnet network enables individuals, organizations, and employers to gain access to the right connections and opportunities, in order to realize their professional goals. Magnet is a Ryerson-led initiative, in partnership with the Ontario Chambers of Commerce, and is funded by the Government of Ontario to address youth unemployment and underemployment.

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Online job boards and search engines are another way to conduct a job search. While roughly 80% of jobs aren’t posted online, there are still many that are posted daily, and they can also give you a good idea as to what qualifications you may need for the type of job you’re looking for. Sometimes finding a good job board or search engine can be difficult as there are so many out there, but as you begin to find ones that you like and have found jobs of interest on, make sure you favorite that website URL or write down the ones that you enjoy. As a student or a new grad, you’ll want to make sure that you are using online resources that cater to your experiences. You may find a search option that highlights your years of experience, your field of study or even your skills – take advantage of these when possible to help narrow down your search to those that are applicable. Below are just a few different resources that you can use to search for different opportunities.

Online Resources Chart Research Jobs Volunteering Internships Resources & Tips Working in Canada www.workingincanada.gc.ca

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TalentEgg www.talentegg.ca

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Career Cruising www.careercruising.com

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Magnet Ryerson.Magnet.Today

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Career Vault & On Campus Jobs www.jobpostings.ca

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Jobpostings.ca www.jobpostings.ca

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Indeed.ca www.indeed.ca

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SimplyHired.ca www.simplyhired.ca

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LinkedIn www.linkedin.com

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Workopolis www.workopolis.com

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Eluta www.eluta.ca

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Charity Village www.charityvillage.com

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Volunteer Toronto www.volunteertoronto.ca

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Planet Volunteer www.planetvolunteer.net

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Ontario Intership Program www.internship.gov.on.ca

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Career Edge www.careeredge.ca

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Career Access www.campusaccess.com

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MyWorldAbroad www.myworldabroad.com

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Recruiters Recruiters can sometimes be beneficial to your job search; however, you need to keep in mind that recruiters provide their services to client organizations.

It is important to keep in mind that you will only be an asset to a recruiter if you specifically match the qualifications of the role they are trying to fill for their clients

Some Things To Keep In Mind When Working With A Recruiter Are: 1. No firm should have exclusive rights to you.

2. There is no magic number of firms to work with; base the number of recruiters you work with on the quality of your relationship with them.

3. Make sure you research the recruiters you plan on potentially connecting with; referrals from people within your network are a great source of information.

Contacting Companies Directly Approaching companies directly is less effective than networking when trying to tap into the hidden job market. However, it can lead you to organizations where your network has not been able to bridge you to as well as discover job prospects you were not aware of. By contacting hiring managers directly, you can also work towards building relationships with managers who may be helpful to you in the future.

The main goal of contacting companies directly is to meet with current employees to discover opportunities open now and roles they plan on filling in the near future.

To do this, you need to learn about the organizations’

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needs and figure out how you can fill that need.

Research, research, research. It can feel timeconsuming, but the more research you do, the more likely you will find the organizations in need of help and the hiring managers associated with those organizations.

What To Keep In Mind When Approaching Companies Directly: 1. Create a targeted list of companies 2. Do extensive research on the companies 3. Put together a sample phone script with the hopes of setting up a meeting 4. Contact the hiring manager 5. Always send a thank you note

Job Search Checklist Job searching can definitely feel overwhelming, especially when you are in school. It can be really helpful to manage your job search by breaking it down into steps that work for you. You may have even already completed a few of these steps as you have worked through the previous sections of the workbook.

You may find yourself working on some steps before others, even if it’s not in the same order as below.

Additionally, some steps may feel on-going – and they will be, especially as you start looking and applying for jobs! Start by looking at what you have done so far, and then work on filling in the rest of the gaps so you can help make your search more manageable.

Step 1: Know who you are Know your strengths, skills, interests and values Know your accomplishments you’ve had through work, volunteering, school or other opportunities

Step 2: Know what you want Have an idea as to what your area of interest(s) are in a job Create a list of things that are important to you in a future job opportunity Attend the Business Career Hub’ workshop on setting personal career goals if you’re looking for additional guidance

Step 3: Do your research Research potential companies you would be interested in learning more about. Try to think of about 5-10 companies. Why these companies?

What do you already know or like about them and what do you want to learn more about?

Research potential job titles that you might be interested in learning more about. What kind of job would you hope to find in these companies that you have listed above? Why are these jobs of interest to you and what do you like about them?

List 3-5 jobs that you might want to learn more about Conduct an informational interview to learn more about these companies and jobs of interest. If you’re looking for more information on informational interviews, attend our workshop on informational interviews

Step 4: Prepare your documents Attend the Business Career Hub’ workshops – learn how to write an effective resume and cover letter as well as helpful networking techniques Start preparing your cover letter and resume.

Incorporate those strengths, skills and accomplishments from step 1 into both documents using what you learned in the workshops Make an appointment with a Career Consultant to have your resume and cover letter looked at (3rd and 4th year students) or drop into the centre for 1-on-1 assistance (1st and 2nd year students) Double and triple check your resume and cover letter for grammatical or spelling errors. Ensure that your contact information is correct and that the resume and cover letter you are sending is targeted to the correct company. Perhaps a family member, friend or classmate can assist you in looking over your documents Prepare your 30 second pitch for when you are networking

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Step 5: Start looking

Step 6: Prepare for the interview

Use the different strategies highlighted throughout the workbook to start your job search – network with people in the industry; let your contacts (family, friends, previous co-workers) know that you are job searching and for what kind of job; look on company websites for available opportunities

Practice your interview skills and learn how to master those tough questions – attend our workshop for helpful tips and suggestions

To learn more about companies, opportunities, jobs, and events that are happening on-campus, keep an eye out on our website. And by signing up to be a member of the Magnet network, you will gain access to a breakthrough technology, WhoPlusYou, which delivers an enhanced jobsearch and matching service to provide you with network-generated opportunities at (Ryerson.

Magnet.Today)

Double check that your answering voicemail is professional sounding in case you miss a call for an upcoming interview

When you find opportunities of interest, tailor your resume and cover letter to each position before applying Create a system that works for you to keep track of your contacts, interviews and other job-search activities. Keep all of the documents you have used when applying for jobs – your cover letter, resume and a copy of the job description – this will be helpful for your interview preparation Make an appointment with a Career Consultant to learn about how else you can be looking for opportunities (3rd and 4th year students) Follow up with contacts you may have established during your research and any job leads that you may have established

Make an appointment with a Career Consultant to work on your interview skills one-on-one or through a mock interview (3rd and 4th year students)

Prepare options of attire to wear to interviews – have a few different options Map out how you will get to the interview, allowing yourself enough time to get there with potential delays from traffic and weather while still arriving 10-15 minutes early Identify references that you can use – ask your references if it would be okay to use them, and let them know a bit about the job, your skills and qualifications for the job and why you’re interested in working there. Keep them updated with your job progress

Step 7: After the interview Remember to follow up! Collect business cards or contact information from everyone who interviewed you and follow up within 24 hours Use your follow up as an opportunity to thank each of the interviewer(s) for their time, show your interest in the position and company again, and add in anything additional that you feel they should know but didn’t have a chance to mention in the interview

If you’d like more assistance on your job search checklist, contact the Business Career Hub to see how a Career Consultant can assist you.

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Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

Top 10 Tips For Salary Negotiations Receiving a job offer can be very exciting. Or it may be slightly disappointing, if the salary is less than you were expecting.

Below are a few tips that will help in your salary negotiations:

1. Only give your salary expectations when it is clear you are the preferred candidate.

Giving too much too early may jeopardize your overall contract negotiations. So be safe and don’t mention a figure. If the employer insists see tip # 2.

2. Make the employer give their salary expectations first.

If the employer brings up the salary question early, start by letting them know you are open and flexible on salary, but you would like to learn more about the opportunity first. Then, ask them directly, “What is your salary range for the role based on the requirements of the job.”

4. What is the lowest you will go.

Before getting too invested in landing the job, make sure you know the minimum salary you are willing to take.

5. Do you get company benefits?

Negotiations are not just about salary. Remember, you may have room to discuss other benefits, such as vacation time, insurance coverage, professional training and bonuses.

6. Sell yourself Make reference to your resume and what you did for your past employers.

7. Be ready to decline the offer.

It’s easy to believe you will only get one offer. If you feel pressure to accept the offer, it’s okay to politely decline and remove yourself from the interview process.

8. Don’t revisit agreed upon points If the employer tries to renegotiate aspects of the contract you already agreed on, it may indicate he/she was not forthright in their initial negotiations.

9. Trust your gut 3. Research Talk to people in the industry and in similar positions, and check out websites like Payscale.com to discover what individuals in the role generally earn.

The interview can sometimes get complicated and negotiation adds another layer of complexity to the mix.

So be sure to trust your gut and the extensive research you have completed!

10. Take it slow Once the negotiation has ended, don’t accept the offer right away. Ask for some time to consider the final offer and take a moment to weigh your options before making a decision.

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Additional Business Correspondence Developing effective correspondence documents is not always simple. Becoming comfortable with composing correspondence letters, such as follow-up and thankyou letters, takes time, effort and preparation. Yet, being able to create correspondence items that reinforce your personal brand is a salient aspect of today’s job search climate. Currently, it is less of an option to pass along your resume or cover letter without supplementary communication.

Depending on your unique situation, it is true that you may take more or less time to draft your professional communications. One helpful strategy is to place the most effort on creating and targeting correspondence letters for the opportunities you are highly interested in pursuing.

Some other best practices relating to correspondence include:

• Ensuring that you have the accurate name and title •

• • •

of the individual you are contacting.

Taking the time to highlight the focus, or goal of your correspondence and streamlining your letter to the receiver.

Checking your drafts for spelling and grammatical errors. Have others proofread your documents.

Whether sending your correspondence via email, mail or in person, keep a copy for your reference.

Making a plan to follow up with the correspondence receiver.

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Additional Business Correspondence Thank You Letters

Moving forward, this section will cover: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Thank You Letters Reference Letters Job Offer Acceptance Letters Declining Job Offer Letters Rejection Follow Up Letters

Thank You Letters In the job seeking arena where it is critical to set yourself apart, thank you letters are indispensable.

The act of writing a thank you letter is one of the most undervalued approaches that prospective candidates use to their advantage and continue to use in the workplace. As it may be clear, the objective of a thank you letter is to thank a given contact for their time and assistance (i.e., for providing you information interviews, references, contact names, etc.) regardless of the degree to which they helped you. Such documents effectively showcase your appreciation of others and create lasting, positive impressions of you as a potential and current hire.

Outlined below are some tips to consider when drafting your thank you letter: • Keep it short and simple.

• Send your letter between 12-24 hours, during business hours (i.e., 9:00am-5:00pm) after your interaction with the contact.

• Electronic thank you letters are most common (i.e., email, LinkedIn); however, if you know the contact, a personalized (and professional) note or card is also effective.

Sample Thank You Letter

June 1, 2013 Ms. Merk Professor, Marketing Management Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3 Dear Ms. Merk, Thank you for agreeing to be a reference for my upcoming job search. As we have collaborated closely for the past 2 years on student council related activities and departmental projects, I am confident that you can best communicate my background and abilities in detail. From your questions during our meeting yesterday about my top 10 companies of interest as they relate to my key skills, I appreciate and value your guidance and continued interest in my career. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments and I look forward to staying in touch with you.

Sincerely,

Reference Letters When applying for work or educational opportunities, candidates may be asked to submit reference letters as opposed to reference checks. Such documents can provide useful information concerning your education, previous experiences and competencies to prospective organizations where you would like to learn or work.

Possessing effective reference letters is closely linked to the kinds of references you have attempted to leverage.

In terms of developing your reference letter(s), you will first need to approach potential references (i.e., a current or past employer, professor, industry contact, etc.) who can speak to your experiences and abilities.

Choose your references wisely.

Finding and developing effective references is a challenge for many individuals at all career levels.

At the student level, individuals often report that they have not had the chance to develop lasting, proactive references with departmental staff and faculty as well as key industry members. As having professional references is essential to both job search efforts and educational opportunities, some helpful strategies related to fostering and maintaining effective references are outlined below.

Jessica Gore

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1. Make a concerted effort to foster ongoing, meaningful relationships with individuals who could serve as upcoming references. Such contacts may be located within academic and industry settings and can become acquainted with who you are, as well as your work and your career direction.

2. Get in touch with your prospective references prior to citing them as a reference. Waiting until your reference is about to be contacted by a prospective employer or educational institution is not professional and could damage your relationship with the individual.

3. Help your references to support you. Provide

your contacts with hard and soft copies of your resume, cover letter and additional self-marketing or application documentation as needed. If it is beneficial to your reference, you could also write core aspects that you feel are important for them to include (i.e., your strengths, accomplishments and attributes that align with the given position). If possible, request that your reference provides you with an extra copy of their letter (note: sometimes this is not possible or permitted). Ensure that the basic contact and application details of additional documentation and envelopes are completed in advance for the convenience of your reference.

4. Thank your references for helping you. If you

are successful with your application to work or efforts to pursue further schooling, send your contacts a follow up thank you message to reinforce your appreciation for their efforts.

5. Provided that your prospective reference

agrees to develop a letter concerning your value as a candidate after you have approached them inperson, over the telephone or by email, it is helpful to share a format, or letter guideline.

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Formatting Guidelines for References: 6. Greeting

Ensure that the letter will be addressed to the individual you are sending the application (please omit this step if you are not sure of the contact name).

7. Paragraph One – Relationship

Please explain the nature of your relationship with the referee. How long have you known this contact? What has prompted you to write this letter?

8. Paragraph Two – Qualifications

What is the referee qualified to do? What role are they applying to and what value can they bring to the opportunity?

9. Third Paragraph – Skills & Competencies

Please outline the referee’s skills and competencies that you have directly encountered or observed.

10. Conclusion

Please summarize the information you have provided about the referee throughout the letter. It is helpful to include statements that illustrate your support for and recommendation of the referee.

Please offer your contact information to the prospective employer, should they be interested in following up with you about the referee.

Responding To Job Offers After you have made your decision regarding a particular job offer, it is integral that you respond in kind.

Accepting a Job Offer When accepting a job offer, ensure this information is in writing for an employer. In your acceptance letter/email, highlight your excitement that you have been selected for the upcoming role and outline your prior interview discussions to ensure that there is no confusion relating to the specifics of your joining the workplace.

Be sure to add why you think the employer was correct with their decision to invite you on board and highlight the job title as well as alternate position arrangements (i.e., start date, salary, etc.). Do not hesitate to add any other details you feel are important.

Sample:

August 16, 2014 Mr. Hoop Manager, Talent Acquisition Rogers Communications 484 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M5H 4K7 Dear Mr. Hoop, This letter is to thank you for offering me the position of Customer Service Manager with Rogers Communications. It is with great enthusiasm that I accept this offer. Discussed in our earlier telephone conversation, I would like to confirm that my starting salary will be $40, 000 per annum and that I will receive full benefits commencing after 4 months of probation. In terms of my start date, I will be available to begin the role on Wednesday February 27, 2013 at 8:30am and will complete all relevant paperwork beforehand as needed.

It was a pleasure to meet your staff, such as Ms. Valencia, and I look forward to becoming a contributing member of your team.

Sincerely,

Jessica Gore

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Declining a Job Offer Letters/emails declining job offers illustrate to the prospective employer that you are no longer interested, or able to accept a given position. Here, you are requesting that the employer set aside your application for the time being, which can ensure that they are not spending valuable resources attempting to contact you and prepare for your on-boarding as an employee.

When declining a job offer, regardless of the role, it is essential that your communication comes across as polite, positive and professional. Give the facts and mention the names of key organization contacts you interacted with. Acknowledge the employer’s efforts and note your gratitude for the opportunity to be interviewed. It is possible that you may wish to work for this organization down the road and preserving a professional relationship can surely help.

Sample:

August 16, 2014 Mr. Hoop Manager, Talent Acquisition Rogers Communications 484 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M5H 4K7 Dear Mr. Hoop, Stated during our earlier telephone conversation, I would like to thank you for offering me the role of Customer Service Manager with Rogers Communications. Further, I appreciate you taking the time to interview me and speak with me in more detail about the position. My consideration of the position has been a difficult one; however, I have chosen to accept a position with another telecommunications company.

Thank you for making yourself available to address additional comments and questions that I had. It was a pleasure to meet your staff, such as Ms. Valencia, and I valued learning more about Rogers Communications’ operations.

Once again, thank you for your offer and I wish you all the best in your candidate search.

Sincerely,

Jessica Gore

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Declining A Job Offer

Rejection Follow-up In the event that you receive a response from an employer stating you have not been selected for a given opportunity, it is important that you follow up in a positive way. Despite potential feelings of disappointment, embarrassment and frustration on your part, adopting a proactive attitude and sending a rejection follow up letter maintains your professional reputation and may increase the likelihood that you are considered for a similar possibility in the future.

Such documents are approximately 1-2 paragraphs in length and to ensure that your letter/email makes a lasting, positive impression, here are some formatting guidelines:

• Within your opening paragraph, it is ideal that your letter gives the impression of sincerity. Thank the contact or company for having the opportunity to speak with them (i.e., for an interview).

• During the second paragraph, describe and showcase your ongoing interest in the organization.

• In your closing statements. Reiterate your appreciation for having the chance to speak with the employer or contact and request that you are further contacted for upcoming opportunities.

Sample:

August 16, 2014 Mr. Hoop Manager, Talent Acquisition Rogers Communications 484 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M5H 4K7 Dear Mr. Hoop, Stated during our earlier conversation, I would like to thank you for providing me with the opportunity to interview with you for the role of Customer Service Manager with Rogers Communications. Further, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me in more detail about the position. While I am disappointed that I was not selected for your upcoming role opening, I am thankful for the professionalism you demonstrated towards me throughout the hiring process. It was a pleasure to meet your staff and I valued learning more about Rogers Communications’ operations. Moving forward, I would be very interested to hear about additional opportunities with Rogers Communications and I wish your team the best during your continued candidate search.

Sincerely,

_______________ Jessica Gore

Declining A Job Offer

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Step 5 Managing Your Career

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Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

Step 5 Managing Your Career

In some ways, your first career is very similar to your freshman year in school. You have to assimilate to a new environment, connect with new people and learn new things about yourself.

This transitional period in your life can set the stage for professional growth and career progression.

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How To Succeed On The Job: Transition From University To Career Professional Many new graduates begin a new chapter in their lives believing they have to know everything on day one of their new job. However, the majority of employers realize there is a learning curve for new employees, especially among entry -level new graduates.

Check out these few tips to help you have a smoother transition from student to business professional:

Build Your Professional Image It is important to always maintain a positive attitude.

Always deliver top quality service and strive to exceed expectations in all that you do. This will help you to start building a reputation for your work ethic and the quality of your work.

Having a positive attitude is only the beginning of your professional image. You also have to dress the part and behave in a manner that will allow you to establish a stellar reputation and image at work. If you feel that you may need a little guidance, find a mentor or onthe- job coach that can provide you with the DO’s and DON’T’s of proper work attire and demeanour.

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How to Succeed On The Job

Business Formal vs. Business Casual The majority of professional workers are subject to standardized dress codes imposed by their employers.

Typical formal clothing choices consist of conservative colors, fabrics and styles. Occasionally, office workers can dress less formally in apparel that helps maintain a productive business environment yet is comfortable enough to feel more relaxed than on a typical work day.

Although jeans are acceptable in many offices, all business casual apparel should be neatly ironed, free of frayed edges and in good condition. A business casual look does not include t-shirts, shorts or sandals.

The objective of a business casual style of dress is to look neat and well-groomed but relaxed – comfortable yet classy. Business casual clothing choices are not the same as casual clothes you might wear on a Saturday afternoon at home watching a basketball game with friends, or clothes you would wear to a night club. Keep in mind it’s not an “anything goes” approach to dress and grooming in the workplace.

Learn The Workplace Culture And Establish Relationships With Co-Workers Take the opportunity to observe your co-workers and supervisors to learn the unwritten rules of the workplace. Try to fit within the work environment. How are things done? Do most of your co-workers arrive a half-hour early and stay at least a half-hour later?

What are some of the daily administrative procedures?

Building friendly relationships with your co-workers helps with team building and overall satisfaction on the job.

Volunteer to lend a hand with priority projects to show both co-workers and supervisors that you are a dedicated team player. However, avoid those who tend to have cliques and often complain about other co-workers. Do not promote negative energy in the workplace.

Master Effective Communication Skills Communicating with others is an essential skill in business dealings, family affairs, relationships, and personal development. It is important for new graduates to know that professional communication in the workplace is usually more formal than when they were in college. Mastering communication is the surest way to get ahead in the workplace and your career.

Polish your written and verbal communication skills.

Use the appropriate level of formality, and proofread everything you write. For verbal presentation styles, try to learn as much as possible about the audience you will be presenting to. If you are not comfortable with presentations, consider taking a professional course in public speaking.

Manage Your Time And Stay Organized Meeting deadlines and commitments is an important part of earning the respect from your colleagues.

Creating a to-do-list and using a calendar can be helpful in setting up important reminders. In addition, create a weekly journal of your accomplishments, projects and learning objectives and goals. Also, keep a clean and tidy work space.

Working Through A Challenge With Professional Finesse One of the true tests of any first job is learning how to manage conflict, time pressures and stress. There will always be road blocks when you decide to do things differently or take action. When faced with an obstacle or challenge, try to explore potential solutions on your own or with the assistance of a co-worker. If you have to speak to your manager, be sure to have exhausted all other options and let you manager know your attempts to rectify the issue on your own.

Networking In The Workplace Developing and maintaining strong and positive relationships with colleagues and professional contacts is as important as any item on your resume when being successful in your career. Positive relationships can make the difference not only for job happiness, but also career advancement.

When starting a new job, you are creating a new set of relationships with colleagues who likely know little about you. They may know you by your resume, but they do not know how you will be as a teammate. Your new co-workers will be looking to see whether they can trust you and develop a friendly and professional relationship with you. This is why developing positive workplace relationships is important. It means managing a wide range of personalities and ambitions.

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You cannot control how your colleagues interact, but you can control your reputation. Show you are willing to learn and be open to feedback and suggestions. Don’t be afraid to voice your insights or ideas, but be flexible and understanding when others may be defensive about company procedures and practices.

Get to know as many people you work with as possible.

Networking can be done during the workday, as well as designated work events like social events or holiday parties. Networking can be as simple as a “Good morning” to the co-worker at the front desk, in the elevator, or as you pass in the hallway. In a new job, there is a great opportunity to quickly build a reputation as friendly and likeable through simple greetings. Do your best to engage different colleagues in casual conversation before or after meetings and show an interest in the personal lives of those around you.

Finally, remember that people like talking about their lives outside of work. Do not be too intrusive, but if you know someone has children, pets, or a favourite sports team, consider engaging them in those topics. Offer general, friendly and appropriately personal information about yourself to also show you are a human with a life outside of work.

Volunteering Through The Workplace Many organizations have volunteer programs and/or events that help employees give back to the community under the organization’s banner. Taking part in such volunteer programs and/or events is another way to develop your professional and personal brand/image, network within the organization and community, and most importantly, give back to the community.

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Your On-Boarding Plan

Your On-Boarding Plan After 3 months at your new job, your peers will expect you to be comfortable in your role. To ensure success from day one, it is sometimes helpful to create a plan for yourself that may cover 3, 6, 9 or more months.

Start by understanding your new role inside and out, from responsibilities to expectations of success. Then, break out what you hope to accomplish into specific milestones based on your understanding of the role and the expectations of your peers. Start with your first week: what do you want to have accomplished by the end of the week? Then build out your plan to 2 weeks, a month, 3 months and so on.

Remember that more and more workplaces value someone who is adaptable and flexible, which means you can’t expect your plan to always go according to plan. Be ready to change it on the fly, but always be thoughtful of your plan and what you hope to accomplish. Don’t forget about it; come back to the plan and reassess your priorities.

Finally, you always need to review your plan and assess your progress, success and setbacks. If there is a roadblock, consider solutions to getting past it, and if you reach your goals, celebrate your success!

Managing Your Career Worksheet List your Priority Goals. Start with the most important items you would like to accomplish:

Goal #1: Goal Start Date: Goal End Date (Accomplishment Date): Strategies for Goal #1:

Who can help me? How?

Goal #2: Goal Start Date: Goal End Date (Accomplishment Date): Strategies for Goal #2:

Who can help me? How?

Goal #3: Goal Start Date: Goal End Date (Accomplishment Date): Strategies for Goal #3:

Who can help me? How?

Managing Your Career Worksheet

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Step 6 Work-Life Planning

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Ted Rogers School of Management Professional & Ethical Guidelines

Step 6 Work-Life Planning

You are starting your new career and have begun implementing your 2-5 year career plan.

As you work towards achieving your career goals, don’t forget about the other important areas in your life and begin striving for balance.

Step 6 Work-Life Planning

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Alumni Career Services

Being A Ryerson Alumni

As a recent graduate, you are eligible to receive ongoing services from the Business Career Hub for up to two years after graduation. On-going career services include:

As you transition out of your studies and into your next adventure, which may entail graduate school, work and more, stay in touch with the Ryerson community through the Alumni Relations Department (www. ryerson.ca/alumni).

• Gain access to the right connections and

• • • • •

opportunities by joining the Magnet network at Ryerson.Magnet.Today.

Invitations for information sessions and events hosted by industry experts and recruiters Customized workshops focused on career skills hosted by career consultants Drop-in resume editing sessions Invitations to annual career fairs Invitations to special guest lectures and notable speaker series

If you are interested in receiving ongoing information about upcoming events, workshops and job opportunities via email and newsletters, please contact us at trsmcareers@ryerson.ca to ensure you are kept on our email list.

Connect with fellow alumni by joining RU Online, social media, and follow Ryerson Alumni news through its e-newsletter and Ryerson University Magazine. You can also stay involved through a number of Alumni events planned throughout the year by different Alumni Groups at the university and across Canada and the world.

Finally, young alumni can now take part in a new event series called Blackboard to Boardroom, designed to help new graduates and young alumni make the transition out of school successful. The event series includes a variety of seminars, workshops and social events that address topics relevant to you, such as financial planning, purchasing your first home, working internationally and much more.

Stay in touch and enjoy the privileges of being a Ryerson University Alumni. Go to www.ryerson.ca/ alumni to learn more about all the benefits you receive after graduation.

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Alumni Career Services

Career Planning Over the past several decades, we have seen company needs and structures change dramatically where the ‘life-long’ company employee no longer exists. Employees must now be more actively engaged in managing their careers through continuous selfassessment and professional development.

In order to be successful in today’s job market, you must be mindful of your career plan, whether you are searching for work or are already working. You are the best person to evaluate your career, so it is important you take the time to consider your interests, needs and possibilities.

Create Your Own Career Development Plan By:

Consider the following questions as you evaluate and adjust your career plan: 1) What current skills do you have that make you highly employable?

2) What are some skills you do not have or need to develop that would make you highly employable?

1. Always assessing your skills 2. Be aware of the local job market and trends in your industry of interest 3. Continuing to learn, whether in an informal or formal setting (ex. certificate courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.)

4. Evaluating the company’s or industry’s long term needs and finding ways you can help meet those needs 5. Network in your company and industry

3) Are you currently associated with any professional affiliations like boards, associations, etc.?

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4) Currently, what are you known for at work?

What do you want to be known for at work?

7) What do you enjoy most and least about the current role?

5) What top 3- 5 skills do you bring to your current role?

8) How would you rate your job satisfaction on a scale of 1-10? How is that different from 1 or 2 years ago?

6) What are your 3 - 5 main responsibilities at work? How do you assess success?

9) How would you rate your effectiveness in your current role? How is that different from 1 or 2 years ago?

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Career Planning

10) What initiatives or projects could you take on in your current role?

13) What influences outside of the workplace play a role in your career decision making? What are your biggest stressors outside of work?

11) What can you do to make yourself more visible in your industry and company?

12) Who can act as a career partner and help you reach your career goals, including individuals in the organization you are currently with?

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Career Development Plan Your career development plan is meant to help capture your career goals, the steps you need to take and resources you need to access and utilize to achieve those goals. The development plan is meant to outline your key career objectives and can be adjusted as your career develops.

Career Goal What Do You Have?

Skills, abilities, etc.

Things To Remember As An International Student If you are an international student and planning to stay in Canada after graduation, it is important that you begin thinking about your career and life goals as soon as possible. In this respect, your greatest asset is Ryerson’s International Student Services (ISS) department (http://www.ryerson.ca/internationalservices/).

Well before your final undergraduate year, you should visit ISS to learn about all of the services with which they can assist you. Some of the services you can receive include, but are not limited to:

• Immigration workshops on Canadian immigration

What Needs To Be Developed?

Gaps in training, experience, technical skills, etc.

How Will You Develop It? Consider Education & training needed, obstacles/gaps that may need to be overcome.

Who And What Can Help? How? Consider your network, using information interviews, industry related websites, associations, etc.

When Will You Do This?

Create a timeline/ deadline

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Career Development Plan

issues and policies; • Individual advising on O immigration questions and application procedures, such as work permits and permanent residency; O health insurance; O working and volunteering; O graduate school; • Information about additional resources you can access through various government and not-forprofit programs and services; • And much more.

You can visit or contact International Student Services, Ryerson University at the address below: International Student Services Ryerson University, POD 50A 350 Victoria Street Toronto, ON, Canada M5B 2K3 Phone: 416-979-5000 ext. 6655 Fax: 416-542-5873 Email: issask@ryerson.ca Website: http://www.ryerson.ca/internationalservices/

Professional Development Developing new skills, learning new technology and discovering different methods of doing business are important puzzle pieces in maintaining success in your career. For professional development, seek out:

• contacts, associations and/or organizations that can keep you updated on the issues and trends in a specific industry or function • training and mentorship opportunities through your organization, associations, colleges/universities, online training resources and more.

Further Education Choices (Source: CareerCycles. See copyright notice below)

6. Cost: How much will it cost – can you finance this?

7. Employment Likelihood: What will be the payoff in terms of employment after you graduate?

8. Earning Potential: What will be the payoff in terms of starting salary? Potential after a few years?

9. Likelihood of Getting In: What are the entry requirements? Do I meet the minimum? How much above the minimum will I need? If grad school, are there faculty in the department doing research in your area of interest?

10. Network: What kind of people will I meet in the program? How important is this network for my future? Do faculty have real world experience?

11. Experience: What kind of opportunities are there to link to the outside world? Co-op? Placement?

12. Doorway to More Education: What will you want to do after this further education? What doorways do you want to keep open? (e.g. Ph.D.)

If you are wanting to explore further education, or if your Career Statement contains further education possibilities, you can use this table to help you think through and compare programs. It will help you make better choices and avoid investing your time and money in programs that may not be aligned with your overall desires Review the following definitions and then complete the table.

1. Career Fit: How does this fit into your career

2.

3.

4.

5.

plans (do you even have a career plan)? Is further education required for your career choice?

Meaningful and Valuable to You: How does this reflect what’s important to you, your personal growth and development?

You’ll Enjoy the Learning: Overall, is this something you want to do? Does the program and faculty focus on your interests?

Duration: How long will this take? Is this acceptable?

Timing: Is now the best time to do this?

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Further Education Choices Worksheet For each factor, identify the “ideal” response. Then name up to four additional possibilities for further education.

For each possibility, rate each factor based on how closely it aligns with your ideal. Use a scale of 1-5, where 1=does not align with my ideal at all, 5=perfectly aligned with my ideal.

Factor

My Ideal

Possibility 1

Possibility 2

Possibility 3

Possibility 4

Career Fit Meaningful & Valuable Enjoying the Learning Duration Timing Cost Employment Likelihood Earning Potential Likelihood of Getting In Network Experience Doorway to More Education

Copyright notice: This document contains proprietary, copyrighted materials of Mark Franklin, president of CareerCycles Inc. It is for your guidance only and is not to be copied, quoted, published, or divulged to others. All content is protected by copyright © 2013, Mark Franklin. All rights reserved.

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Further Education Choices Worksheet

Services for TRSM Students The Business Career Hub is proud to provide Students with specialized, industry specific career preparation services.

Our industry specific career consultants can assist in connecting you with your target list of organizations by using a customized approach to match you with the right career opportunities.

Employment Opportunities • •

• •

Career Showcases Industry Specific Networking Sessions with our Corporate Partners Interview Sessions Magnet - Online resources

Job Interview Preparation •

•

Skills Building Workshops • • • • • •

Setting Career goals Job, Search Resume & Cover Letter Preparation Networking, Business Etiquette Interview Techniques LinkedIn & Social Media Branding

One-on-one mock interview coaching with program specific Career Consultant Help with organizing phone, Skype, and in person interviews

Connect with us TRSMCareers www.ryerson.ca/trsmcareers

trsmcareers@ryerson.ca

416.979.5106