CampusRecruitmentSurvival Guide 2014

An on-the-go guide for the fallrecruitment season.

A T a l e n t E g g p u b l i c a t i o n

GET ACQUAINTEDWhat is TalentEgg?

TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job site and online career resource for students and recent graduates.

We work with hundreds of Canada’s topemployers, and we’re dedicated to helpingstudents navigate the school-to-worktransition.

In addition to connecting students and grads to real career opportunities and events, we also publish career content and resources, host live chats with hiring experts, organize TalentEgg Challenges and more!

Here’s our latest resource: The SeptemberRecruitment Survival Guide – an 8-step guide to help you land your dream job this coming school year.

Are you ready? Let’s get cracking!

TalentEgg Tip: don’t miss these either! They’re a little extra egg-cellent advice.

Be sure to check out our Relevant Reads. These are extra resources that can help you excel in each stage of your job search!

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STEP 1Know when employers are hiringIn September, looking for a job may be thefurthest thing from your mind.

Employers think differently, and start theirrecruitment and hiring process well in advance of the actual start-date – in fact, 70% ofemployers do the majority of their hiring in September!

Surprised? You’re not alone: more than 80% of students aren’t actively job-hunting inSeptember either.

The longer you delay starting your employment search, the fewer opportunities you’ll have toconnect with.

Starting early is the most important step tosuccess. Reading this guide (and getting ready to look for work this fall) is half the battle!

TalentEgg Tip: TalentEgg’s search filters can help you organize your search by industry and location.

RELEVANT READS

• The Permanent Job Search: What’s Your Story?• Get It Done: 3 Tips To Unlock The Amazing

Power Of Lists

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STEP 2Choose yourtoolsDon’t be intimidated by the challenges of the job hunt!

There are lots of resources available to you, both online and on-campus.

Start with TalentEgg! In addition to career-hatching job opportunities, we also have a number of tools to help you get started:

• Industry-specific career guides• Employer profiles and behind-the-scenes

videos• Interviews with hiring experts and HR

teams• ...and lots more (have a look around!)

Your campus career centre can also offer you excellent job-hunt support.

You can connect with a career counsellor toexplore your options after graduation, make an appointment to get resume or cover letter tips, find out about employer and career events on campus and more!

TalentEgg Tip: Check out TalentEgg’s Career Guides for insight into your chosen field. We’re always adding new ones!

RELEVANT READS

• Make The Most Of Your Career Centre: Getting Out There

• 5 On-Campus Services You Should Take Advan-tage Of

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STEP 3Do your researchPlan your school-to-work transition byputting your classroom skills to the test.

You can make the best use of your time bydoing some research and planning beforerecruitment season starts.

Explore employers in your chosen field andidentify at least 5 that you’re interested inworking for.

Ask yourself the following questions about each employer:

• What kinds of student and recent grad roles do they offer?

• What skills and experience do these roles require?

• What is their recruitment schedule (campus visits, application dates, deadlines)?

TalentEgg Tip: Got your eye on a particular employer? Their TalentEgg profile will include more insight into company culture, application processes and long-term career potential!

RELEVANT READS

• Recruited 101: Use A Master List To Customize Your Resume

• The 7 Most Overused Resume Phrases And How To Avoid Them

• What Not To Do: Resume Edition

• What will I need to complete the application process (resume, cover letter, transcript)?

• Have they shared specific contact informa-tion (with a name and email address)?

Put all of this information together in aspreadsheet – this will help you stay organized and plan your time effectively when you startapplying.

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STEP 4Update yourpersonal brandYour personal brand is a key tool in youremployment search – it’s the sum of all your social and digital media presence, which acts as a platform for the skills and value you offer an employer.

Don’t panic! Whether you’re a branding pro or new to the field, you can get your personal brand ready for recruitment season in just a few steps.

Complete (or update) your LinkedInprofile.This is not optional. At the very least, make sure you present relevant recent experience and a professional headshot, as well as anetwork with a few professional connections.

Tidy up your social media presence.If you can’t keep it professional, at least keep it PG. Make sure that the content connected to your social media profiles won’t deter aprospective employer.

Rebuild your resume.This is a great time to create a new resume from scratch. Having trouble getting started?

TalentEgg Tip: There are lots of online platforms for developing resources like a visual resume or video cover letter. These platforms have a lot of value – provided you use them to tell an engaging story, not to compensate for a lack of experience.

RELEVANT READS

• Here’s How To Build A Twitter Presence And Boost Your Job Search

• Professional You: Why Looking Good On Linke-dIn Matters

• The IRL Consequences Of Saying The Wrong Thing Online

Focus on results instead of responsibilities – and remember, no more than two pages (one is best).

Throw out your generic cover letter.If you’ve been using a cover letter template, it’s time to put it away. You’ll need a unique coverletter for each job application you write. That’s a key step to getting ahead!

Ask for feedback.Feeling a little uncertain? Your friends andfamily can offer a second set of eyes, and much-needed input. They may notice details you’re overlooking – and encourage you if you’re lacking confidence.

photo by: markus spiske

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STEP 5It’s time to apply!

You’ve prepared a solid online presence,reevaluated your resume and cover letter, and gathered a list of job opportunities you want to pursue this fall.

You’re all set! Keep the following advice in mind as you move through your applications.

Be ready to connect.Have you checked each employer’s eventcalendar? They may be visiting a location near you. Attending one of these events is a great way to connect with a recruiter and startbuilding a rapport. Don’t be afraid to reach out on social media, either!

Set manageable goals.Don’t just focus on deadlines. Work out atimeline for each application that includes producing a first draft of your application – and leaves time for revisions.

Apply to specific people.When the job listing doesn’t include a specific

TalentEgg Tip: Having trouble with an application? Put yourself in the hot seat – what would you say to show an employer your skills in an interview? Communicate that in your cover letter.

RELEVANT READS

• Tips For Success: Attending A Networking Event Alone

• Can You Deliver An Elevator Pitch? Start Here• What Should You Drink At A Professional Net-

working Event?

person, get creative. Do some looking around on LinkedIn to find the right contact.

Don’t lose the job description.If you land an interview, you’ll want to have the job description to prepare yourself. To keep things simple, save the job description in yourapplication (back it up somewhere, just in case).

Choose quality over quantity.Write unique applications for opportunities you’re really interested in. It’s easy to send the same application to 50 jobs – but employers can tell.

STEP 6Stop and take stockAs you enter application season, set aside time to evaluate how things are going and look for ways to improve.

You haven’t heard back yet:• Extend your applications calendar. Revisit

employer profiles and look for new opportu-nities you can pursue in the future.

• Reevaluate your commitments. Are there promising opportunities to develop new skills and experience you can explore?

• Maintain momentum. Make some new connections on LinkedIn or fine-tune your personal brand to stay active.

You’ve been screened out:• Edit your cover letters and resumes with

fresh eyes. What could you add, remove, or improve?

• Consider your alternatives. It’s important to stay open to career opportunities in other industries or fields.

TalentEgg Tip: We regularly share a motivational #SunnySideUp on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us to stay in the know!

RELEVANT READS

• Feedback We Crave: Getting It, Using It• Dealing With Job Hunt Rejection? Here’s How To

Do It Right• Creating Your Own Career Luck With DIY Oppor-

tunities

• Reflect and regroup. You may feel a little discouraged. Set aside some time to redis-cover your motivation.

You’ve landed an interview:• Evaluate your schedule. Edit your applica-

tion calendar to allow for interview prep time and travel as needed.

• Prepare to reach out. Be ready to connect with your mentors or relevant personal con-nections for interview tips and guidance.

• Congrats! Next up: Step 7.

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STEP 7It’s interview time!Interview jitters are common. Manage your nerves and get set for success by breaking your approach into three steps – and take them one at at time.

Before• Do your research. You should be familiar

with the employer’s goals, short- and long-term history, recent innovations, industry trends and the challenges typically asso-ciated with your role. Check out the em-ployer’s social media platforms, corporate website and do some engaged Googling, too.

• Produce your pitch. Look at your research and revisit the job description. Think of spe-cific connections (with examples) you can make between your past experience and the job in question.

• Plan your outfit. Do this well in advance. You don’t want to discover your go-to attire no longer fits the night before your inter-view. Make sure you’re dressing to suit the field and employer!

During• Show up between 15 and 20 minutes early.

Make sure you leave time for unexpected delays. Upon arrival, take a second to relax and observe the office culture around you.

TalentEgg Tip: Want a real interview prep challenge? Prepare your notes, then find a list of common inter-view questions. Read each one for the first time – and deliver your answer out loud, on the spot.

RELEVANT READS

• How To Answer Interview Questions• What Not To Do: Interview Edition• 8 Signs That You Rocked Your Interview

• Bring your confidence. Be ready to talk about your accomplishments without feel-ing self-conscious. A strong handshake and comfortable eye contact send a strong message to your interviewers.

• Stay professional. A great interview can quickly start to feel like a casual conversa-tion between new friends. If casual topics come up, respond in a friendly and enthusi-astic way, but stay focused on the business at hand.

After• Relax and reflect. You did your best! Did

you learn anything? Think about your experi-ence and make notes to help you plan even more effectively in the future.

• Follow up via email or phone. Let the employer know that you appreciated the opportunity to connect and reiterate your interest in the position.

• Plan your next move. Nothing is set in stone! Return to your schedule and figure out what your next task will be.

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Egg-ceptional work!

You’ve successfully put yourself out there during September recruitment.

With the skills and planning you’ve developed so far, you have a huge head-start on thecompetition. If you keep at it, your first career move will happen before you know it!

Check out a few more Relevant Reads to help you make your new job a sure success:

Getting started• 6 Key Things That Should Be In Your Employ-

ment Contract• Are You An Employee Or An Independent Con-

tractor?• Adjust To A New Workplace Culture: 7 Tips To Fit

In

How to egg-cel• Working From Home? Here’s How To Ace Your

New Job• Finding The Prime Time In Your Workday: 5

Steps• Can You Over-Deliver? 4 Ways To Exceed Expec-

tations At Work

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You can sign up by email, Facebook and Twitter.

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