Hire a co-op student anytime!
Our co-op program runs year-round. So, our students are always available to hire for work terms that last four or eight months. We’ll help you find the right student for your organization on your timeline. This table outlines the typical hiring dates for each work term:
| Co-op work terms: | When to hire: |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 (September 5 - December 22, 2023) | May - August 2023 |
| Winter 2024 (January 8 - April 26, 2024) | September - December 2023 |
| Spring 2024 (May 6 - August 23, 2024) | January - April 2024 |
About our co-op hiring cycles
The easiest way to hire a co-op student is to post a job through our recruitment system, WaterlooWorks. Post your job on the co-op job board and follow our hiring cycles. A hiring cycle refers to the time allocated for posting your job, reviewing applications, interviewing students, ranking candidates and matching with a student.
Cycles 1-2:
- Longer cycles of 3-4 weeks with defined dates to post jobs, conduct interviews and rank students.
- On the final days of Cycles 1-2, employers are matched with students based on how they ranked each other.
- Designed to give employers and students more time for decision-making, as they can consider multiple options when ranking.
Cycles 3-6:
- Shorter cycles where employers can post jobs daily. These cycles are designed for speed and flexibility with all the steps happening within a few days.
- Three business days after you post your job, applications are ready for review. You can schedule interviews Tuesdays to Thursdays. Matches happen on Fridays.
Direct offer phase:
- After cycles 1-6, you can continue to hire by making direct offers to students.
- In this direct offer phase, you can post jobs on WaterlooWorks and arrange interviews on your own.
- The rank/match process is not used. Contact your service team for support
CO-OP RECRUITMENT/HIRING DATES
September - December 2023 Fall work term
Suggested work term dates: September 5 - December 22, 2023
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | By May 10 |
May 16 at 9 a.m. | May 23 - June 7 | June 8 at 12 p.m. | June 9 |
| Cycle 2 | May 11 - June 14 | June 20 at 9 a.m. | June 26 - July 7* | July 10 at 12 p.m. | July 11 |
| Cycle 3 | June 15 - July 25 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting July 14) | July 18 - 20 | July 20 at 8 p.m. | July 21 |
| Cycle 4 | June 15 - July 25 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting July 14) | July 25 - 27 | July 27 at 8 p.m. | July 28 |
| Cycle 5 | June 15 - July 25 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting July 14) | Aug. 1 - 3 | Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. | Aug. 4 |
| Direct offers | Begins August 8 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer directly to student |
Important notes
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next cycle's match.
- May 22: No interviews/University closed (Victoria day holiday).
- *July 3: No interviews/University closed (Canada day holiday).
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
January - April 2024 Winter work term
Suggested work term dates: January 8 - April 26, 2024 (work terms can range from 12 - 16 weeks)
- For winter 2024 recruitment, we are offering limited bookings for in-person interviews at the Tatham Centre.
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | By Sept. 13 | Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. | Sept. 22 - Oct. 4 | Oct. 5 at 12 p.m. | Oct. 6 |
| Cycle 2 | Sept. 14 - Oct. 11 | Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. | Oct. 20 - Nov. 1 | Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. |
Nov. 3 |
| Cycle 3 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Nov. 14 - 16 | Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. |
Nov. 17 |
| Cycle 4 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Nov. 21 - 23 | Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. |
Nov. 24 |
| Cycle 5 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Nov. 28 - 30 | Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. |
Dec. 1 |
| Cycle 6 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Dec. 5 - 7 | Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. |
Dec. 8 |
| Direct offers | Begins Dec. 11 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer sent directly to student |
Important notes
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next cycle's match.
- October 9: No interviews/University closed (Thanksgiving holiday).
- October 10 - 13: No interviews (Reading week)
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
May - August 2024 Spring/Summer work term
Suggested work term dates: May 6 - August 23, 2024 (work terms can range from 12 - 16 weeks)
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | By Jan. 10 | Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. | Jan. 22 - Feb. 7 | Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. | Feb. 9 |
| Cycle 2 | Jan. 11 - Feb. 13 | Feb. 16 at 11:59 p.m. | Feb. 28 - Mar. 6 | Mar. 7 at 12 p.m. | Mar. 8 |
| Cycle 3 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Mar. 19 - 21 | Mar. 21 at 8 p.m. | Mar. 22 |
| Cycle 4 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Mar. 26 - 27 | Mar. 27 at 8 p.m. | Mar. 28 |
| Cycle 5 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Apr. 2 - 4 | Apr. 4 at 8 p.m. | Apr. 5 |
| Cycle 6 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Apr. 9 - 11 | Apr. 11 at 8 p.m. | Apr. 12 |
| Direct offers | Begins Apr. 15 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer directly to student |
Important notes
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next cycle's match.
- February 19: No interviews/University closed (Family day holiday).
- February 20 - 23: No interviews (Reading week).
- March 29: No interviews/University closed (Good Friday holiday).
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
ARCHITECTURE CO-OP STUDENTS
September - December 2023 Fall work term
Suggested work term dates: September 5 - December 22, 2023
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 2 | By June 14 | June 20 at 9 a.m. | June 26 - July 7* | July 10 at 12 p.m. | July 11 |
| Cycle 3 | June 15 - July 25 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting July 14) | July 18 - 20 | July 20 at 8 p.m. | July 21 |
| Cycle 4 | June 15 - July 25 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting July 14) | July 25 - 27 | July 27 at 8 p.m. | July 28 |
| Cycle 5 | June 15 - July 25 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting July 14) | Aug. 1 - 3 | Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. | Aug. 4 |
| Direct offers | Begins August 8 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer directly to student |
Important notes
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next cycle's match.
- May 22: No interviews/University closed (Victoria day holiday).
- *July 3: No interviews/University closed (Canada day holiday).
- If you wish to interview both Architectural Engineering and Architecture students, please contact your Hiring Process Support through the WaterlooWorks dashboard.
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
January - April 2024 Winter work term
Suggested work term dates: January 8 - April 26, 2024 (work terms can range from 12 - 16 weeks)
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 2 | Sept. 14 - Oct. 11 | Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. | Oct. 20 - Nov. 1 | Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. |
Nov. 3 |
| Cycle 3 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Nov. 14 - 16 | Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. |
Nov. 17 |
| Cycle 4 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Nov. 21 - 23 | Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. |
Nov. 24 |
| Cycle 5 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Nov. 28 - 30 | Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. |
Dec. 1 |
| Cycle 6 | Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Nov. 8) | Dec. 5 - 7 | Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. |
Dec. 8 |
| Direct offers | Begins Dec. 11 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer sent directly to student |
Important notes
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next cycle's match.
- October 9: No interviews/University closed (Thanksgiving holiday).
- October 10 - 13: No interviews (Reading week)
- If you wish to interview both Architectural Engineering and Architecture students, please contact your Hiring Process Support through the WaterlooWorks dashboard.
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
May - August 2024 Spring/Summer work term
Suggested work term dates: May 6 - August 23, 2024 (work terms can range from 12 - 16 weeks)
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 2 | By Feb. 13 | Feb. 16 at 11:59 p.m. | Feb. 28 - Mar. 6 | Mar. 7 at 12 p.m. | Mar. 8 |
| Cycle 3 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Mar. 19 - 21 | Mar. 21 at 8 p.m. | Mar. 22 |
| Cycle 4 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Mar. 26 - 27 | Mar. 27 at 8 p.m. | Mar. 28 |
| Cycle 5 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Apr. 2 - 4 | Apr. 4 at 8 p.m. | Apr. 5 |
| Cycle 6 | Feb. 14 - Apr. 2 | at 9 a.m. on the 3rd business day after job is posted (starting Mar. 14) | Apr. 9 - 11 | Apr. 11 at 8 p.m. | Apr. 12 |
| Direct offers | Begins Apr. 15 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer directly to student |
Important notes
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next cycle's match.
- February 19: No interviews/University closed (Family day holiday).
- February 20 - 23: No interviews (Reading week).
- March 29: No interviews/University closed (Good Friday holiday).
- If you wish to interview both Architectural Engineering and Architecture students, please contact your Hiring Process Support through the WaterlooWorks dashboard.
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
PHARMACY CO-OP STUDENTS
September - December 2023 fall work term
Suggested work term dates: September 5 - December 22, 2023 (work terms can range from 12 - 16 weeks)
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | By May 2 | May 9 at 9 a.m. | May 17 (8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.) *see alternative dates below |
May 23 at 12 p.m. | May 24 |
| Direct offers | Begins June 12 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer directly to student |
Important note
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next match's cycle.
- Cycle 1 alternative interview dates:
- May 15 (8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
- May 16 (8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
- May 18 (8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
- May 19 (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
January - April 2024 Winter work term
Suggested work term dates: January 8 - April 26, 2024 (work terms can range from 12 - 16 weeks)
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | By Sept. 5 | Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. | Sept. 20 (8 a.m. - 7 p.m.) *see alternative dates below |
Sept. 25 at 12 p.m. | Sept. 27 |
| Direct offers | Begins Sept. 28 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer sent directly to student |
Important notes
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next cycle's match.
- Cycle 1 alternative interview dates:
- September 18 (8 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
- September 19 (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
- September 21 (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
- September 22 (8 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
- October 9: No interviews/University closed (Thanksgiving holiday).
- October 10 - 13: No interviews (Reading week)
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
May - August 2024 Spring work term
Suggested work term dates: May 6 - August 23, 2024 (work terms can range from 12 - 16 weeks)
Recruiting schedule
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| Submit job posting | Applications available for review (ET) | Interviews | Submit rankings by (ET) | Match results available by end of day (ET) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | By Jan. 2 | Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. | Jan. 15 - 19 | Jan. 22 at 12 p.m. | Jan. 24 |
| Cycle 2 (tentative) | Jan. 3 - 25 | Jan. 30 at 9 a.m. | Feb. 5 - 7 | Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. | Feb. 9 |
| Direct offers | Begins Feb. 12 | 3 business days after job is posted | Contact students directly to schedule interviews | No rankings will be made | Offer directly to student |
Important note
- Rankings that are submitted late will automatically be included in the next match's cycle.
- Your service team is here to help at any point, including direct offers.
