eLoft Careers
  • Home
  • Who is eLoft for?
    • Job Seekers >
      • Students and Grads
      • Professionals and Execs
      • Pay With Points!
    • Career Educators
    • Organizations
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Home
  • Who is eLoft for?
    • Job Seekers >
      • Students and Grads
      • Professionals and Execs
      • Pay With Points!
    • Career Educators
    • Organizations
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Login

COVID-19 - JOB SEARCH HELP FOR STUDENTS AND GRADUATES - FREE WEBINAR AND RESOURCES

6/5/2020

 
by Liz Harding and Chandra Drevjany, Co-Founders of eLoft Careers ​​​
During these challenging times, eLoft Careers in partnership with the SchoolFinder Group, presented this webinar to support the job market success of students and graduates.  This webinar includes tips and resources to help all job seekers so we encourage anyone currently looking for work to watch the video to gain valuable advice on how to manage in this new reality.   Thank you to attendees for their great feedback:

​"It was an amazing webinar. Thank you so much!"
"Thank you for providing all this free support and resources! I really appreciate it :)"
"Great presentation thank you! It inspired me to make good use of my quarantine time"
"Thank you so much for the webinar! I found it extremely useful and look forward to the tipsheets :)"
"Thanks so much! This was great!"
Below you will find free downloadable templates to support you job market success:
eloft_careers_links_to_resources.pdf
File Size: 146 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

eloft_careers_resume_tip_sheet.pdf
File Size: 185 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

eloft_careers_linkedin_and_ensuring_a_professional_online_brand_tip_sheet.pdf
File Size: 179 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

For additional resources, click here to view our online, on-demand job search related courses.

Application Tips

9/3/2020

0 Comments

 
by Chandra Drevjany, Principal and Co-Founder of eLoft Careers ​​​
Follow these application tips to support a successful job search.
Picture
  • Referral by an existing employee
    • A referral by an existing employee will be the most effective way to get your resume noticed!
    • After applying to a job following the method outlined in the job ad (e.g. email, online), check your networks!
    • Many companies have referral bonuses to incent employees
    • Referrals by internal employees are more likely to be called for an interview over applicants who apply ‘cold’

  • Online (e.g. Job Board or Company Website)
    • Typically go into a database or resume scanning technology like an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
    • Keywords are paramount; minimize bolding, special bullets, characters and graphics
    • Keep pertinent details (i.e. contact information) out of the header/footer
    • Follow formatting and application instructions precisely!

  • Email
    • Follow the instructions in the job ad
    • Assume it will be uploaded/scanned into an ATS
    • Create one document that includes your cover letter as page one and your resume on the following page(s)
    • Include a short introduction email OR paste your cover letter into the body of the email

  • Hand Delivery (In Person)
    • Print your cover letter and resume on high quality paper and enclose in a letter size envelope
    • When possible, address the envelope to a specific person and ask for them directly
    • Dress to impress!
    • Be prepared for an impromptu interview!

  • Regular (Snail) Mail
    • Less and less common in our digital world
    • If the job ad advises to apply via regular mail then it is acceptable to do so (otherwise apply via email)
    • To beat the competition and track delivery, consider paying for an express delivery option
​
0 Comments

The eLoft Careers IMPRESS Model for Networking

6/1/2020

 
by Liz Harding and Chandra Drevjany, Principals and Co-Founders of eLoft Careers ​​
Here are our top tips for managing those conversations with the eLoft IMPRESS model:
Picture
  • Idle chit chat - When you first meet with someone, take a few minutes to engage in some idle chit chat to get the conversation going, build rapport and a friendly tone for a great meeting. ​

  • Manage expectations – once you have settled in, check in with the other person to manage expectations regarding length of the meeting.  For example, “I know we had scheduled 30 minutes for our meeting today, is this timing still good for you?”

  • Purpose/Reason for the meeting – Next, be sure to share with them the purpose or reason for the meeting.  You likely shared this in your original message to them when you scheduled the meeting.  For example, “As I mentioned to you in my email, I currently work as a Risk Analyst in the financial services industry.  I know you have built your career in this field of work and I am interested in your advice as I begin exploring my options for growing my career.”

  • Explore – The majority of your time should be spent exploring and asking great questions.  Come prepared with 6-10 questions you would like to ask the person you are meeting.

  • Summarize and ask 3 key wrap up questions -  Leave 5 minutes at the end of your meeting to summarize and ask these 3 key questions. 
  1. “Are there 1-2 other people in your network you feel would be helpful for me to speak with based on my current career goals?” 
  2. “Would it be ok for me to keep in touch with you?” This question is especially helpful if you hope to keep in touch with them regarding future career opportunities they may become aware of.  If they agree to keep in touch, be sure to make a note in your calendar when next to follow-up. 
  3. “I really appreciate your time today and would like to reciprocate.  Is there anything I can do for you?”  There may be something obvious based on your conversation such as sharing an article or connecting them to someone in your network but if not, this is a great question to ask.    

  • Send a thank you message – Within 24 hours, send a thank you message to the person you networked with along with anyone who made the introduction.  In addition, be sure to follow through on any commitments you made to them.

Good luck with charging up your networks for career success in 2020!
​

Great Questions to Impress at the Interview

18/11/2019

 
by Liz Harding, Principal and Co-Founder, eLoft Careers ​​
Picture
An interview is a business meeting and, just like any meeting, it is important to go into it well prepared.  In most cases, the interviewer will allow you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. Asking great questions is one way to impress them and has many advantages for you, the job seeker:
  1. It tells the interviewer that you have prepared well and done your research
  2. It demonstrates your interest in the position and the company and makes the interviewer feel that you are genuinely keen on this role in their organization
  3. It demonstrates curiosity and leaves a favourable impression.  Failing to ask questions suggests to the interviewer that you are just not that interested in the role or the company
  4. Finally, it shows the interviewer that you are looking for the right fit opportunity. This is what the interviewer wants too!

Picture
Prepare a wide range of questions
​

Now, sometimes, the interviewer answers many of your questions during the course of the interview, leaving you with nothing else to ask.  To avoid this situation, prepare lots of questions and take them with you to the interview.  Try to include some questions that link to the research you have done as it is less likely that these will have been answered during the normal course of the interview discussion. Taking along 8-10 great questions will ensure you have something left to ask at the end of the process. 

Picture
So, what should be the focus of your questions?
​

Great questions will focus on the following areas (but don’t ask anything basic that can be answered through a simple online search):
  • The organization; its history, products, services, regions, plans for the future, growth, and success to date etc. Ask questions that expand on your research into these aspects.
  • The specific role and the team; the responsibilities, expectations, priorities, size of the team, background of the team, length of service of the team, the reason for the position being available etc.
  • The industry; you can ask questions on the trends, competitors, size, growth, external factors impacting the industry, innovations etc.
  • Research-based questions; e.g. perhaps you read that they recently sponsored a local event in your community and you’d like to find out more about that or that they recently entered a new market and you have some questions relating to that strategy.

Picture
Example questions to ask:

There is an infinite number of questions you could ask and they will vary depending on the role, organization, and the interviewer.  Here are some examples to help you get started:
  • Can you tell me more about the team with whom I will be working?
  • What do you love about working here?
  • I was interested to read about your recent sponsorship of the Kids Up Front charity event in Toronto.  Can you tell me a bit more about the company’s involvement in community projects?
  • Why has this position become available?
  • What training is provided during onboarding?
  • Can you walk me through a typical day in this role?
  • What are the main priorities for this role in the first 6 months?
  • Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
  • What are the next steps in the interview process?
Check out our Interview to Land Course for more great tips on preparing for your next interview. https://www.eloftcareers.com/elearning-online-courses.html


In Celebration of Small Businesses – A Hidden Job Market of Opportunities

8/10/2019

 
by Chandra Drevjany, Principal and Co-Founder, eLoft Careers ​​
Picture
October 20 – 26th celebrates small business week in Canada with exciting events happening across the country.  As of 2017, small businesses (< 99 employees) employed 8.29 million individuals in Canada or 69.7 percent of the total private labour force.  Between 2013 and 2017, small businesses were responsible for the majority (67.5 percent) of net employment growth and this is predicted to continue. Source:  https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/061.nsf/vwapj/KSBS-PSRPE_Jan_2019_eng.pdf/$file/KSBS-PSRPE_Jan_2019_eng.pdf

Picture
​So, what does this mean for job seekers?  Job opportunities for all sizes of organizations, and particularly for small businesses, often exist in the hidden job market.  Many job seekers make the mistake of focusing their search on publicly posted job opportunities (the tip of the iceberg), thinking this is the optimal way to look for a job, but to be successful, they need to learn to uncover hidden opportunities.

​The hidden job market consists of available or soon to be available positions that are not advertised publicly.  Although it is very difficult to measure how large the hidden job market is (after all it is hidden), most if not all the information you will find about this source of job opportunities estimates it to be larger than the public job market. This is definitely a source of open positions you want to ensure you tap into during your search!  

Picture
The Public Job Market
The public job market consists of those jobs that are advertised publicly.   Jobs that would be considered in the public job market include:
  • Online postings via company websites, job boards, associations, and online classifieds
  • Jobs found via employment agencies, search firms or headhunters
  • Positions posted by a career services department or community employment services group
  • Open positions you find at job fairs and recruiting events
  • Jobs posted in print formats such as in newspapers or trade magazines
Regardless of how a position is advertised, remember that these jobs make up the public job market and therefore only a small percentage of jobs that are available. 

Picture
​How to Uncover the Hidden Job Market
There are several ways you can uncover the hidden job market and be the first to learn about positions before they are advertised. 
  • Make networking and conducting information interviews your #1 method of job search. 
  • Share your career goals with everyone you interact with including friends, family, and acquaintances. 
  • Attend all types of events to expand your networks and meet new people.  If you are seeking a job, this is not the time to shy away from invitations and event opportunities.  Of course, networking events are terrific especially ones that will expose you to people in your field and/or industry. 
  • Develop professional social online profiles to attract employer attention.  Due to the volume of applications employers receive when they advertise jobs, many will use social recruiting strategies to find their own candidates online and invite them to apply.  You cannot be found by these employers if you do not have a professional presence online.  Focus on developing your LinkedIn profile first as this is the most commonly used platform by employers.  Consider other platforms depending on your field of work. 
  • Subscribe to news alerts and follow companies of interest on social. 
  • Finally, share articles and other information via your professional social online platforms related to your field of work.  This strategy is interesting because it helps to develop your digital footprint as a professional and helps keep you top of mind to people in your network since they will receive ‘pings’ that remind them you are out there.       

​To learn more about small business events across Canada where you may be able to uncover your next exciting hidden job opportunity, check out:  https://www.bdc.ca/en/small-business-week/events/pages/default.aspx

For a more information on how to optimize your job search, check out our online course
Job Search Strategies and Networking Success

The 3 Doors to Landing a Job!

15/7/2019

 
by Chandra Drevjany, Principal and Co-Founder, eLoft Careers ​
Picture

​Job search entails a series of 3 doors you must open in order to be successful.  These doors are sequential meaning you must get the first door open in order to move to the second door and the second to get to the third.  If you manage to get to the third you are doing well and will soon land a job.  If you are struggling with your search, try to figure out which door is stuck and what you need to do to navigate your way forward.


Picture
​Door #1:  Are your applications resulting in job interviews?   

​If you are getting interviews for 5-10% of the jobs you are applying for, then you have successfully opened door #1.  If you are getting many more, fantastic – you are doing a great job with your applications.  If, however, you are getting less, let’s look at some solutions in order to successfully open door #1.

Here are some solutions to help you in opening door #1 which is the toughest to navigate as there may be several reasons this door is not opening:
  • Based on the stat of getting interviews for 5-10% of the positions you apply for, are you applying to enough positions?   For example, if you have only applied to 3 jobs then you need to increase your applications to increase your chances of getting an interview.
  • Ensure your resume and cover letter are customized to every position for which you apply.
  • Check and double check all written communication for spelling and grammar mistakes (resume, cover letter, email messages, etc.).  Get someone you trust to proofread and double check everything for you.
  • Are you qualified for the jobs for which you are applying?  You should have a 75%-80% match to the position in order to be competitive in landing an interview.
  • Are you using networking as your #1 method to look for a job or are you stuck behind your computer?  Be honest with yourself here and re-prioritize how you spend your time if needed.
  • Seek referrals from people you know as often as possible – being referred will help increase your chances of landing an interview.
  • Do you have a professional online brand?  Employers will review your online information and make decisions on whether to interview you or not based on what they find.  Make private or delete any online information that does not support a professional brand.
  • Are your goal job criteria too narrow?  Goal job criteria consist of the criteria you are using to find opportunities.  Can you be more flexible in any of your criteria, potentially opening more options?  For example, review the job titles/level you are targeting, expand the geographic location of your search, apply to different industries or review your compensation expectations to ensure they are in line with industry standards. 
  • Review your target list of employers and industries.  Focusing on industries in which you already have experience will be easier than trying to move industries so be realistic about your expectations.

Picture
Door #2:  Are you getting past the first interview at least 50% of the time? 

​If you are finding that you are getting interviews but being moved to 2nd interview less than 50% of the time, then door #2 is where you need to problem solve. 

​Let’s take a look at some possible solutions to move you through door #2.
  • Are you presenting a knockout offline and online brand?  It could be something you are doing, or not doing, during the interview, or, some aspect of your online brand that is preventing you from moving forward to the 2nd interview.
  • How much interview prep have you really done?  Have you prepared for common questions and behavioral based interview questions?  Check out our Interview to Land course to help with your interview preparation. https://www.eloftcareers.com/elearning-online-courses.html
  • Finally, participate in a practice interview, ideally with a Career Professional so they can give you some open and honest feedback on how you present yourself and respond to questions.  Hire someone to help you or check with your local government services to see if there are services like this available to you.

Picture
Door #3:  Are you getting 2nd or 3rd interviews but no job offers? 
​
If you are successfully opening door #1 and door #2 – this is excellent news!  It is only a matter of time before you will receive a job offer!  You are almost there. 

If door #3 is where you are stuck, you are best to seek the advice of a Career Professional who has a depth of experience working with job seekers.  Consider the following: 
  • Do a very careful review of your online or digital footprint or hire someone to do this for you.  Is there something employers are finding that prevents them from making an offer?  If you find something, remove it or hire a company to help improve your digital footprint.
  • Participate in a mock interview with a Career Professional to help you understand how you present yourself in person and your communication style. 
  • Review your references carefully and ask yourself “Are all these people my champions?”  If in doubt, hire someone to check your references or consider finding a new reference.

​Be curious, analyze your job search results and continuously navigate challenges to ensure you land as quickly as possible!  Struggling with your job search?  Contact us at info@eloftcareers.com for a free 20-minute consultation to see how we might help you navigate the 3 doors to landing a job!

Build a Great Career Using PHD

10/6/2019

 
 by Chandra Drevjany, Principal and Co-Founder, eLoft Careers 
Most of us have heard the saying ‘Rome was not built in a day’.  This saying has been around for a very long time and is used to express the idea that achieving great things takes patience, hard work, and determination.  Great careers are not built in a day either.  The constant images and information we are bombarded with on social platforms can lead us to believe that others have it easy and make us wonder why it is so hard for us.  The reality is, if you take some time to speak with people you know who have achieved career fulfillment and success, they will likely share with you a journey that involved many ups and downs, challenges and tough decisions.  Building a great career absolutely takes Patience, Hard work and Determination.  Let’s look more closely at building a great career using PHD.
Patience
Building a great career takes time – let’s be honest, you will be working for decades of your life and if you are looking to move up or gain a more challenging or senior position, it takes time to achieve this. 
  • Early in your career, if you are new to the country, changing careers or there are limited positions in your field at this time, be open to stepping-stone positions that will help develop new skills and experiences to support continuous learning and growth
  • Smaller organizations can act as a great stepping stone to larger employers and they tend to be more entrepreneurial and flexible, giving you the opportunity to try different things and gain a broad range of skills and experience.  Although your goal may be to work with a large, well-known employer, consider smaller organizations that will provide great experience as a stepping stone to the dream employer.
  • Be patient in both your search and your career journey.  When you land a job, take the time to learn it from the ground up and perform at your best to set the stage for future opportunities.
Hard Work
Job search is hard work and it is easy to think about a million things you would rather do than look for a job!  Here are some tips to ensure you stay focused on the goal of finding a new job: 

  • Job search is hard work and requires us to do things we don’t feel skilled or experienced with – be prepared for this!
  • Seek advice and support from people who understand what it takes to land a job in today’s market
  • There is an absolute correlation between the amount of work you put into your job search and how quickly you will land. 
  • Finally, make a plan on what you will do each day and stick to it!  

Determination

Determination in job search and in building a great career is about never giving up on your goals and dreams.  When you are searching for a job:
  • Ask for help from a career professional, a friend or family member about your search and be open to their feedback and suggestions.
  • Wake up every day and bring your ‘best you’ to the job search.  Be positive, be energized and believe in yourself!
  • If you find yourself feeling discouraged it is ok to take a break.  You will face tough moments and even rejection.  If this happens – give yourself permission to take an afternoon, a day, or even a few days off to reset and refocus.  It will do you a world of good.
  • Become an active learner to remain marketable and employable for life.  Perhaps you are already attending school to ensure you have marketable skills and knowledge – good for you!  Employers want and need people who are prepared and demonstrate active learning.  If you are further along in your career and looking for a job, make yourself more marketable and attractive to an employer by taking a course or furthering your education to show them you are open and always learning.  

​Good luck building your career using PHD!

Contact us at info@eloftcareers.com for a free 20-minute consultation to discuss how we can help you build a great career!

Here’s How to Handle Curveball Interview Questions Like a Pro

11/4/2019

 
by Liz Harding, Principal and Co-Founder, eLoft Careers 
Picture
Landing an interview at your dream company is only the first step toward landing a job offer. Whether it’s working in a corporate organization, a trendy startup, or the public sector, you can be sure that the interview process is bound to be rigorous and you will most likely encounter a few curveball questions along the way.
 
Questions such as, "If you had a choice between two superpowers - being invisible or flying - which would you choose?" may seem to have nothing to do with the job to which you just applied. However, these tricky questions are meant to test your creativity/your ability to think on your feet, your problem-solving/critical reasoning skills, and your personality. Don’t fret, curveball questions can really throw you off in a job interview, but often there is no right or wrong answers. Here are 5 tips on how to make sure you provide good answers to unexpected questions. 

Picture
Tip # 1: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare: Did you know that a quick Google search or search on Glassdoor can help you get a feel for the type of curveball questions out there? You might even find some hints about the questions used at specific companies.  For example, "How many ridges are there around a quarter?" asked at a Big 4 Accounting Firm, or "How many basketballs can you fit in this room?" asked at Google. Remember the interviewer is looking for what separates you from other candidates, preparation is key and by practicing a few curveball questions ahead of time, you will really build your confidence.

Picture
​Tip # 2: Give it your best shot: Getting it right is not the point.  Instead, focus on demonstrating your ability to think it through logically and talk them through the steps you would take to find the solution. Answer the question while providing the situation, task, action and result to your solution. Whatever you say, as always, justify your answer thoroughly. Show them how you cope with the unexpected and how you remain rational and calm under pressure. 

Picture
​Tip #3: Know your main messages: Make sure you have identified the main messages you want to emphasize throughout your interview.  Reflect on your strengths in terms of your skills, competencies and personality as they relate to your goal job and goal company. Use these themes and weave them into your responses. For example, let's say your main messages are around your logical thinking, calm approach, integrity and fairness.  Then you are asked what's your favorite colour and why? You could choose blue which is known for trust, respect and calmness which reflects your personality.

Picture
Tip # 4: Don't second guess your answer and be yourself: It can be tempting to try to figure out what personality they are looking for to answer a curveball question "correctly" but STOP!  Before you do this think about it carefully.  You might be able to fake it in the interview but faking it consistently on the job is probably not realistic and very stressful. Better not to land the position than find yourself in the wrong fit job and organization.


Picture
Tip # 5: Take your time to answer: Don't rush your answer to a curveball question. The interviewer knows you probably didn't expect it so do take some thinking time.  You can say "That's an intriguing question, let me just take a moment to think that one through'.  This will buy you a few seconds of thinking time before you answer in a way that emphasizes the key messages you identified in your preparation.

Yes, interview questions like these can be more than a little intimidating, but, they can also give you a chance to show an employer who you are, how you think, and if your work style is a match for the position.  It's unlikely you'll know in advance the exact question you'll be asked, but that doesn't mean you can't practice answering a curveball question ahead of time. Have a go before your next interview, because you never know where the next curveball is coming from.
For more tips on curveball questions and how to ensure perfect preparation for your next interview, see our full course, “Interview to Land” at https://www.eloftcareers.com/elearning-online-courses.html and follow us on social.

To Network Or Not To Network? That Is The Question.

8/1/2019

 
by Madison Ross, eLoft Careers Student Blogger and Recent Graduate, B.Sc. Honours Food Science Degree (Co-op), University of Guelph
​LinkedIn
 
Picture
What is networking? And why is it a valuable tool to have in your professional artillery? The term “networking” refers to a system of connections formed by individuals who share a common interest. Through the transfer of knowledge and ideas, business professionals can form essential ties and crucial connections. There are a plethora of networking opportunities available to people at all stages of their careers and getting started as early as possible with building great networks is the focus of this blog.  Thanks to the internet, networking has never been easier.  Everything from networking advice to business etiquette to LinkedIn how-to and much more can be made available to you at the touch of a button.

Picture
LinkedIn is one way you can grow your professional network and is an excellent tool to help you keep track of the people you meet and how their careers develop and evolve over time; however, finding ways to meet people face-to-face and get out from behind your computer can be much more effective and successful when it comes to building great networks.  To improve your networking results, consider taking up a new hobby such as sports including golf, cycling, squash, hockey, yoga, sailing, tennis, etc.  If you are willing to put in the time and have the budget golf would be a great skill to have for anyone interested in building a career in the business community. It is a game that has been associated with business networking for many generations!  Alternatively, if you already play sports or are not the athletic type, consider joining groups or clubs that align with your areas of interest.  

Picture
​During my time at University, I grew my network by joining the Food Science Club, participating in College Royal, going to the Institute of Food Technology (IFT) Food Expo convention, and joining a recreational women’s hockey league. 

​One of the first things I did during the start of my first year was join the food science club, where avid foodies would meet biweekly to discuss various food science topics, work opportunities and other areas of common interest.    This club provided me with several networking opportunities since a majority of the other food science students were in the co-op program.  Through the food science club, I learned about an annual spring tradition at the University called “College Royal”.  It provides an opportunity for current undergrads to setup elaborate displays and games to gain the interest of the public, to teach, engage, and excite guests about their majors.  Overall, it was a great place to volunteer because you never knew who was going to walk through the doors, what questions you were going to get asked, or who you were going to meet. 

Picture
​Another great networking opportunity I had at University was the IFT Food Expo.  It is an event that brings together more than 1000 food employers and allows food industry professionals and food science students to interact, learn and experience the most forefront food innovations in ingredients, equipment, packaging, processing, etc. As a food science student, I always saw it as a way to grow my professional network, and enhance my knowledge about the industry I wanted to start a career in.
              
​To grow your professional network, the best thing you can do is to reinvigorate those extracurricular activities you enjoyed when you were younger and consider joining/picking-up new hobbies such as yoga, platies, gardening, cooking.   At the end of the day, you want to invest in a hobby because you never know what opportunity will come knocking at your door.  Good luck building your networks! 

Networking With Purpose – Quality vs. Quantity

30/10/2018

 
By Emily Wiseman, eLoft Careers Blogger, Bachelor of Commerce Graduate (University of Ottawa, 2016) and current Manager, Operations and Technology at Scotiabank
LinkedIn
​
Picture
​In the days of social media where more likes on your posts and followers on your various channels validates your social success, it is easy to translate this more-the-merrier concept over to your LinkedIn account and professional networking approach. However, the corporate world is a competitive and busy place - simply having a connection with someone online is not enough to have them take time out of their day to advocate for you and your career. In this post we will be looking at the importance of honing in your networking efforts to those individuals who can, and are willing, to help you take that next step closer to landing your dream role.
 
First a little bit about myself, I graduated from the University of Ottawa’s Bachelor of Commerce program with specialties in Finance and Accounting. In my final year I landed a summer position with Scotiabank and have now been in my current role as Manager, Operations and Technology for a bit less than two years. The titled concept of this blog is one that I believe was a key factor in my landing of the summer job that led to my current position shortly after graduation

Picture
Research and Select Employers of Choice
​
In the Canadian Accounting and Finance fields there are quite a number of big players, not to mention the medium sized firms who also present wonderful career opportunities. All of these firms market themselves towards business students as post-graduate career-launching pads and are actively seeking to hire. With such a large selection, one approach could be to try to connect with as many of these companies as possible with the hopes that one will see the potential in you and take you on. While these firms may all appear quite similar, I would advise looking deeper into the characteristics that make them unique and selecting your top choices to pursue. Some great starting points are to read up on company histories, mission statements and core values. Look into what really matters to you, for me this meant; corporate social responsibility efforts, a focus on advancement of women in leadership roles, international opportunities and support of inter-departmental transfers. By narrowing down the pool and really getting to understand your top choices’ culture and stories, you will be able to convey true interest in these firms rather than a “please anyone, anyone at all, hire me!” attitude. Firms want to hire people who will be dedicated to them as it is a large investment to hire and train an individual; they want you to be envisioning growth within their company - not simply wherever a paycheque can be found. 

Picture
​Find Key Contacts Within Your Employers of Choice
Once your research and selection phases are complete, your next mission is to get in front of some key people. You want to be able to make a connection with someone who either has the ability to make a referral to a job for you or can introduce you to someone who can. With job postings receiving sometimes hundreds of applicants, having a referral behind you can help you stand out and hopefully land an interview. Following your preferred companies on social media and LinkedIn can be a great way to catch upcoming local events being held near you. Some typical in-house events that present great opportunities to network are; speaker series, office tours, lunch and learns and alumni events. Beyond company-hosted events, industry events are another great source for connections – keep an eye out! In the following sections I will look at some isolated topics with specific advice on how to best leverage your surroundings.

Picture
​Start Early
Your first year of University comes with so many new hurdles and adventures, probably not one of your first year bucket list items is learning how to network. However nerve-wracking it may seem to attend a networking event, I hate to break it to you – the nerves will only go away with practice, not time! The sooner you take the leap and start finding your networking groove the better. Landing a summer job whilst in school can be a great way to ensure you have a job lined up post-graduation – so long as you perform well in the four month trial you are given!

Picture
​Everyday contact potential
You never know who in your circle may know someone, or know someone who knows someone, that works or has worked at your dream company. Let it be known to those around you what companies and roles you are interested in so that if there is a potential connection in your existing network, you find it. Having someone who is further along in their career or even a retiree from the company can be an incredibly valued opinion to have backing you. Think of your Professors, family, family friends, co-workers etc. 

How to approach and solidify a connection
First meeting is in person...
Should you be so lucky as to first meet your potential connection in person, ensure that you highlight the following in the time you have with them:
  • Introduce yourself and express why you wanted/are happy to meet with them.  Be careful not to come on too strong here – starting off by saying you want a job when you graduate puts the person on the spot. Saying you are currently conducting research on organizations that you are interested in and want to learn more about is a better approach.
  • Ask questions to their own experiences and tenure with the company; let them guide the conversation here and go with the flow – a great time to develop some friendly and respectful rapport.
  • Discuss future events and other possible avenues to connect with their people.
  • Request permission to reach out via email should you have any further questions regarding the company and potential job opportunities – setting up an open door for communication.
  • Post-meeting send a thank you email for their time and use this as another reminder of your interest in their company, the excellent personal fit you have and of your eagerness to continue to learn more about them and their company.
You have been provided contact details....
Someone in your circle has been able to give you a name and contact details - fabulous! Start by sending them a formal email:
  • Begin with introducing yourself in relation to your common connection and stating that you hope they do not mind you taking it upon yourself to reach out.
  • In this email, hit on many of the key points noted above: you have been doing your research on the company and culture, you are very interested in the organization and some of your key skills and abilities may be of interest to them.  Be transparent that you are seeking a position but approach them as wanting to gain and learn more about their organization. This is a good approach when trying to secure a networking meeting.
  • Politely request a coffee meeting in which you would like to learn more about their organization and culture.  By securing a face-to-face meeting you will be able to learn more about the organization and further develop your relationship with this person within the organization.
Picture
Advice for the classic conference style networking event
Particularly common with University and College Business Faculties, these events gather together numerous firms looking specifically at hiring students for both summer and post-graduate positions. These events are the holy grail of networking opportunities and should not be approached frivolously. Typically each attending company will be represented by some recent graduates who have done well in their first years and by their Talent or Recruiting Managers.
Often the attending companies of these sorts of events will be posted online weeks ahead of time, take your time in reviewing their company profiles and research their typical entry-level jobs. Hopefully your top firms will be in attendance and if not, look into some of the lesser known companies to see if you could have the right fit and would like to learn more about them. Prepare for these types of events as you would for an actual interview.
​
General Tips:
  • Find out what companies will be attending and who will be their representatives
  • Do your research and pick your top must-meets and must-impress
  • Have your elevator pitch at the ready (why would we be lucky to have you work for us?)
  • Dress as you would for an in-person interview
  • Ladies, spoken from a painful personal experience; wear comfy shoes! You could very well be standing and walking around for several hours
  • Bring multiple copies of your resume
  • Business cards are a great way to be remembered at the end of the day, having Bachelor of Commerce – Finance Major 2020 as your title is just fine
  • Follow up with connections made with a personalized note and LinkedIn invitation

Picture
e-Loft Careers – be a step ahead
In this post we have strategized how one can meet and impress a valuable connection in the hopes of securing a job referral. However, the preparation for an interview is a much larger topic than what can be covered here. While you can find many articles and YouTube videos online that go over the typically expected questions, I have found that for myself such exercises still leave me full of nerves that I am not adequately prepared. Luckily, if you are looking to take the interview opportunity seriously, there are more fulsome options available. Personally I prepared for my interview by taking the eLoft Careers Interview to Land course and I cannot recommend it enough. The course is designed by HR experts with long careers in the field who share the ins and outs of what employers are looking for throughout the interview process, helping you craft personalized responses to all of the key underlying topics that can be expected. The course walks you through all aspects of preparation; from what to not do two nights before an interview, what key experiences you can draw from, strategies for every type of interview style, to the perfect follow-up approach. This company also offers one-on-one sessions for a coaching session catered to you!

<<Previous

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

resources

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Proudly Canadian! 
Copyright © 2020 eLoft Careers - A division of The Career Loft Inc.
​All Rights Reserved
Contact Us
Picture