Rippling recruiter shares insider tips with WE Accelerate students
By: Matthew King (he/him)
Chris Tung offers practical guidance on résumés, interviews and networking
Chris Tung (he/him) knows what it's like to be on both sides of the hiring table. He used to be an engineer, and now he's a recruiter at Rippling. This experience gives him a unique perspective. One he candidly shares with co-op students to help them navigate job searches with confidence.
Tung held a virtual workshop with WE Accelerate students during the program’s career curriculum. There he offered direct and practical advice on how to stand out in today’s competitive hiring landscape.
"I don’t have a lot of time to spend on each résumé,” Tung says.
“It is a harsh reality, but anytime things aren’t neat, or I can’t find what I need, I’m moving on. I have to make different assumptions about an applicant. So you want to guide whatever assumptions I am going to make.”
Rippling simplifies how companies manage HR, payroll, benefits and IT. As a Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) employer, Rippling gives students the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Students automate and streamline business operations for companies around the world.
Chris Tung (he/him), recruiting program specialist at Rippling
Tung shared insights on topics like how to tailor a résumé, prepare for interviews and build an online presence that gets noticed.
"I’ve had people fail the interview, but ask really good questions, making me change my mind,” Tung says. “Asking good questions in the interview can be a game changer.”
Amber Cronin (she/her), instructional support co-ordinator for WE Accelerate
“This session was an excellent complement to what we are trying to help students with in the WE Accelerate program,” says Amber Cronin (she/her), instructional support co-ordinator for the WE Accelerate program.
“We can emphasize the importance of something like concise résumé bullet points. It's a different thing for students to see first-hand from a recruiter just how much of a difference it can truly make to getting hired.”
The session included a glimpse into LinkedIn’s recruiter advanced search and how to search for candidates.
"If you aren’t using LinkedIn, you should be. As a recruiter, this is my main sourcing tool,” Tung says. “It allows you to bolster your résumé, and there is no limit there. You should have 30 to 40 per cent more information than your résumé and cover letter combined.”
Students asked specific questions about job searching in tech and beyond. Tung’s advice emphasized authenticity, preparation and the power of strategic networking.
“Make sure you are going to the Employer Information Sessions that the Co-operative and Experiential Education provides,” Tung says. “It is your chance to get right in front of the company’s recruiter.”
Rippling will be on campus for an Employer Information Session on September 18 at the Tatham Centre (TC) to meet with students in person and share more career insights.
In addition to the session, students at Waterloo also have access to the Centre for Career Development, which offers one-on-one advising, résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews and workshops to help you succeed at every stage of your career journey.
Support that goes beyond the session
In addition to sharing his time and expertise, Tung and Rippling are also supporting WE Accelerate students through a financial gift to help participants succeed.
Rippling and Chris genuinely want to help Waterloo students succeed - it’s honestly about more than just filling jobs. Their involvement and support in the WE Accelerate program helps students build confidence, make connections and access resources as they continue their co-op journey.
Students in the 2025 winter and spring WE Accelerate terms can apply for a financial award funded by Rippling.