Your first recruiting term: 5 tips for success from experienced co-op students
By: Katie Rieger (she/her)
We talked to five upper-year co-op students about their advice for students heading into their first recruiting term.
Waterloo has the largest co-op program in North America, which means you have access to global employers and world-class supports and resources.
ICYMI, your recruiting term is the term before your work term. Your recruiting term is the best time to start refining your résumé, applying to jobs and interviewing with employers.
Both the Full-Cycle Service and Employer-Student Direct job boards in WaterlooWorks list pre-approved co-op jobs:
- Full-Cycle Service: You apply to jobs through WaterlooWorks and the rank/match process.
- Employer-Student Direct: You apply directly to the employer on their timeline.
You can also arrange your own job (AOJ) if you have a job offer from an employer outside WaterlooWorks.
Advice for your first recruiting term from five experienced students:
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Alex, Faculty of Health co-op student
Alex, co-op student, Faculty of Health
Alex is a third-year Recreation and Leisure Studies student. He has worked as an outdoor education facilitator and WE Accelerate team lead.
Advice from Alex:
“My biggest piece of advice would be to connect with your co-op advisor. They’ve done this whole co-op thing before, so they know what works and what doesn’t.”
“I reached out to my co-op advisor on my first recruiting term. They were able to help me with my co-op job search to find roles that aligned with my program. They also coached me through my co-op interviews, so I knew how to advertise my volunteer and work experiences academically.”
“They are with you every step of the way and welcome any sort of questions you may have about the co-op process.”
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Lucas, Faculty of Engineering co-op student
Lucas, co-op student, Faculty of Engineering
Lucas is a third-year Biomedical Engineering student. He has worked as a project management intern, engineering co-op student, mechanical design associate, biomedical machine learning intern and electrical engineering technician.
Advice from Lucas:
“Go abroad!”
“I did a co-op term abroad, and it was my most rewarding one yet! I was able to grow professionally with a great job, but also personally as I learned to navigate a new country and its different customs.”
“Diverse experiences really help me further develop into a well-rounded person. I’m so glad I took an international co-op job.”
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Daisy, Faculty of Science co-op student
Daisy, co-op student, Faculty of Science
Daisy is a fourth-year Psychology student. She has worked as a community investment co-ordinator and engagement associate.
Advice from Daisy:
“Think about how you can give back to organizations that really need your skills and expertise. I did a co-op term with United Way Waterloo Region Communities and was able to support a local non-profit that does so much good in the community.”
“The co-op for community program funded my co-op term. This means a donor funded my co-op so I could work at United Way. The non-profit doesn’t have the resources to pay students, but they need talent.”
“It felt really good to be able to see the impact my work had on other people. There is nothing like doing something for someone else.”
“You don’t have to work for a non-profit but think about how your skills can create good for other people or try to find organizations that have the same values as you.”
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Davina, Faculty of Mathematics co-op student
Davina, co-op student, Faculty of Mathematics
Davina is a second-year Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management student. She has worked as a junior data and reporting analyst.
Advice from Davina:
“Use those "Not Interested" rankings on WaterlooWorks. Seriously.”
“When I got my first ranking result in my first term, I was ranked for a job I did not really want. Sometimes you may realize during the interview process that a position is not what you expected.”
“I used the "Not Interested" ranking to make sure I wouldn’t be matched with that job. Use these rankings only when you are confident you are not interested in a position.”
“I was lucky to be ranked in a few other jobs, so I hoped I would match with another job. It worked out in my favour and I got a great job.”
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Rachita, Faculty of Arts co-op student
Rachita, co-op student, Faculty of Arts
Rachita is a third-year Global Business and Digital Arts student. She has worked as social media marketing associate.
Advice from Rachita:
“Go to the résumé workshops and mock interview sessions!”
“When I was in my first recruiting term, I had no related work experience. I am really involved in the community and worked part-time in retail. I needed help articulating my transferable skills on my résumé to an employer.”
“I also did not know what employers would expect in an interview... they know we are students, but these are industry roles. Mock interviews made me feel more comfortable when I was going into the real thing in my first term. I was lucky to be matched with a job in cycle three.”
“My biggest advice is to use the resources available – the University literally offers them for our growth and development.”
Get ready to search and apply on your recruiting term by using the supports and resources available on campus. We understand that co-op can sometimes be challenging, but we’re here for you every step of the way.
If you need advice, contact your co-op advisor. They are ready to support you throughout your co-op career at the University ─ including when you’re applying and interviewing on your recruiting term.