Tips for an effective job search

• ​Uncovering opportunities: networking
• Introducing yourself
• Researching employers
• Contacting hiring managers
• Action plan
• A work search checklist

• Know what you are offering.
  • Create and be able to enthusiastically recite a clear description of the benefits someone receives when they hire you.
  • Show what you can do for them.
• Know what you want.
  • Your search will be more effective if your goal is clear and you map out your strategy in advance.
  • Set daily and weekly objectives and evaluate your progress. Schedule time, each week, to identify target organizations, research industries, network and make contacts, and follow up.
• Use a variety of approaches.
  • In addition to traditional search methods (e.g., online job banks), invest significant effort uncovering job openings that have not yet been (and may never be) advertised.
  • Since approximately 80% of all jobs are never advertised, concentrate up to 80% of your job search on discovering unadvertised opportunities (i.e., networking, direct marketing to hiring managers).
• Be an avid reader:
  • Become knowledgeable about your industry by regularly reviewing trade publications, business articles and annual reports.
  • Look for ways you and your skills can be useful to the organizations you read about.
  • And look for new financings and expansions which suggest growth in an industry or organization that may lead to hiring new people.
• Review classified ads, current and past.
  • A series of ads for a company or industry may reveal a growth trend you can tap into.
  • Past ads (six months old or older) will help you identify organizations with jobs in your field.
  • Contact them to learn if there are any current opportunities for which you might be qualified.
• Don't overlook small companies (those with fewer than 100 employees).
  • Small companies account for more than 50% of total employment in Canada.
  • They can often be more flexible and may be able to create a new co-op position in response to a convincing presentation of your skills and your potential to help them meet current challenges and improve productivity.
• Consider contract work.
  • Both large and small organizations may have work they need completed on a project or short-term basis.
  • Although temporary, such work can still provide you with valuable experience.
  • If the work is very short-term, you may be able to secure more than one contract to generate enough work and income for the term.
• Create and carry a calling card.
  • A calling card, similar to a business card, is an effective, inexpensive way to leave information with anyone who can lead you to job openings.
  • Have cards with you at all times. Your card must include your contact information (name, telephone, e-mail, web site), your program/specialty/ career focus and, if you use the back, your skills/qualifications summary.
  • When you give people your card, you will often receive theirs, in return. Following up with them will increase your network – and your chance of a great referral.
• Plan to contact hiring managers directly, not HR.
  • You can telephone or drop in.
  • Many job seekers have found the latter to be effective: it’s more difficult to dismiss someone who is standing in front of you, than someone who has called you! (Refer to “Contacting hiring managers,” below.)
• Record all appointments, activities, and results.
  • Use the Networking Contact Record and Hiring Manager Contact Record (or electronic versions) to track progress.
  • Always keep these with you so you can follow up, no matter where you are.
• Consider registering with employment agencies or temporary services.
  • These can be found in the Yellow Pages and online.

Uncovering opportunities: networking

Never underestimate the power of networking in your job search. Experts agree that most job leads (perhaps as many as 80%) are found through networking. It is an essential part of a successful job search.

• making connections,
• developing leads, and
• building relationships with individuals and groups of people.

Building and using your network will be useful now and throughout your career.

• parents/family members and friends,
• professors,
• acquaintances at the gym,
• landlord,
• hairdresser …
• the list goes on.

Never assume you know everyone in a person’s network, no matter how close they are to you. Remember: every one of them also has a network of 200-700 people who might be able to help.

• Although it’s a good idea to attend events related to your field (often offered through professional associations), any event that allows for “meet and greet” opportunities can yield potential contacts.
• Consider trade shows or meetings for service clubs your parents or other family members may belong to.

Introducing yourself

• who you are,
• what you have to offer,
• your knowledge or training,
• skills, and
• experience.

To promote yourself effectively, develop and practise a self introduction that you can deliver anywhere, any time.

Practise your introduction until you are confident that you can present it professionally without sounding over rehearsed. Prepare several versions that you can adapt to different situations.

• Your name
• Your program and institution attended
• Field/position of interest
• Knowledge, skills, and experience that would be of value in this field/position
• Your interest in his or her organization (if speaking to a representative from that organization)

Hello, my name is Judy Smith. I'm a first-year student at the University of Waterloo, majoring in Computer Engineering. Besides taking courses in hardware and software engineering, I've worked in a technical position where I was able to gain experience in server networking, testing and debugging codes. Through these experiences, I learned to communicate with clients and handle various technical problems which would be an added value to your team. I'm currently looking for a position from May to August where I can apply my knowledge and skills as a Technical Analyst. [Your company is of particular interest to me because...] What main projects/priorities is your department currently working on? (Are there other managers in your area who might need a co-op student to help out with a special project over the summer?) (Do you have any colleagues who might need to find some extra help to fill in for full-time staff going on vacation?)"

Researching employers

Action plan

Knowing the theory and having good intentions is a start. But to achieve your goal (a job!) you must take action. The following will help you to put what you have learned about the process into practice. Additional information and tips about the job search can be found in the Career Development eManual. Begin right now!