Preparing for Canada - Part 3 (Job Search)

      Welcome to the long awaited part 3 of this topic. I like to thank everyone for their emails and please if you are just reading this for the first time look for the earlier versions part 1 & part 2.

      I will be giving a few tips about job search and work experience before and after graduation as an international student. These tips won't necessarily have an order or lists but will make sure it begins just before graduation.
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Before Graduation

     One of the key things in a job search is a resume. While you are in school studying and attending classes be sure to make out time from your busy schedule to attend writing workshops or the career services department of your school. Talk to someone about how to write a resume or at least ask them to go over your resume for you.You will get good tips on how to write one or fix the problems in your resume.
When applying for a job whether in your field or not you will be asked to present a resume so make sure you have one irrespective of your academic year or work experience.

      It is good to have some kind of a part time job while studying but don't forget your goal should be to get experience in your field of study or at least some professional experience before graduation. Hence, do not get caught up in part time work. I will give a short example. Lets say you get a job as a Library attendant on campus to support yourself (rent, bills, groceries, etc). If you don't make out the time to apply for jobs in your field during the summer months it may be tough to get a job without any form of professional experience upon graduation.

      Join your student groups to meet other students who have gained some work experience and ask plenty of questions. An experienced student once told me to avoid a certain company because their pay cheque got delayed for a month and it was same case for everyone who worked with them. For example, lets say you are studying Engineering at the University of Manitoba, you can join the University of Manitoba Engineering Society. Get involved and talk to a lot of people. Sometimes, you can get access to past exam questions and answers in some of these groups.

     Talk to your professors, they might just have answers to where you should be applying for jobs. Some of these professors are research consultants or some how know a colleague or a former student who works for a company that offers services in your field of study. In addition, some professors get funding to work on a research for months and might just hire you as a research assistant which is a good way of gaining professional experience. Don't forget to show interest in their field when you talk to them (profs.). They might just get the idea that you are looking for experience and not interested in their research so be smart about it.

      If your program of study offers the Co-op option make sure you do your best to be admitted, as it can easily get competitive. Some Co-op programs have a duration of 16 months industry experience which is a great way to gain experience before graduation. Aside from work experience, you get to come back to school and have more understanding or appreciation for your field of study.

      Some professions have professional associations and do encourage student memberships so make sure you join and start enjoying the benefits available to students. Associations like CSEG, SEG, APEGA, APEGM to name a few, all have great scholarships, grants and mentorship programs for students. Also make sure you attend their functions to connect with professionals in your field. It is good to have contacts in your field while you are studying, they might just be able to recommend you for a position in the future or at least point you in the right direction. Don't forget to keep in touch with your contacts regularly.

      Always make you do a follow-up for any jobs you apply for and please do it in a respectful manner so you are not considered a stalker.

After Graduation    

Graduation comes with excitement but it also leaves you with the question "NOW WHAT?"

While some graduates get a full time offer after a summer position or Co-op work experience, others just get hired after their first interview. Sounds promising right?

The truth is, they are lot of students who graduate without any work experience and this is where I had a major roadblock to getting a job.
It is frustrating to apply for jobs with no single call or interview but don't go to sleep just yet. Use the tips below.

First of all be very motivated. You spent a great deal of effort staying up all night studying for your assignments, midterms, exams or putting together a final year project for a grade, so why not spend extra time for job search. Why not do a better job at job hunting that you will eventually get paid for. Be prepared to write 100s of resumes and cover letters. Be prepared to get out and talk to people a.k.a networking. Consider it a full time job irrespective of where you are or what you are doing.

        Keep yourself busy at all times and not Idle. If you eventually get an interview, employers will like to know what you have done since graduation. Get extra skills and certification by taking a short workshop in your field. Volunteer if you have to, but don't just sit at home. Whatever activity you get involved in while searching for jobs please indicate it in your resume and get ready to explain it to employers during the interview. It won't look good on you if all you did 9 months after graduation is just sit at home and watch tv and look for jobs. Get out and do something and encourage yourself while looking for a job.

       Some of these jobs won't be across the street from your house so have a "Go-Getter" mentality and be prepared to move if you have to. Remember you have to do something different from what every other job seeker is doing, so get creative too. In my situation, I made a business card with my name, program of study and a small note that said " recent graduate looking for first opportunity".
It was easy to hand out the cards whenever I met people in networking functions as opposed to resumes.

       Use your LinkedIn profile as an electronic resume. Employers also use LinkedIn a lot to post new positions or just browse profiles for potential employees so make the best of it. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is very professional. In addition, before an interview employers will always look for any recent online activity and that includes all social media pages. Make sure you clean up any indecency on your social media page as a potential employer may come across it. What is acceptable and not acceptable is really up to you but make sure you ask someone.

      Keep in touch with classmates and friends as they may have been recently hired and may be in a position to recommend you for a job or at least give inside information on which company may be looking soon.

      It is possible to find a professional job that is not directly related to your field and when you do please do not turn it down unless you really have something lined up. The key is getting your 'foot by the door' - get into the work environment and gain some experience while looking. When you do this, you can easily find yourself closer to people in your field or at least get to understand how the job market works. Either ways, it is better than sitting at home because you are gaining some experience and also earning some income.

     The sad part of job search is when someone takes a job at some convenient store and then gives up on job search in their field. Just remember the years you spent working hard in school for a degree and you will  be motivated to get back into it. You did not do a 4 year program to give up on your vision so get on with it. Remember you can achieve your goals if you don't give up on your self. If you give up on yourself no one else can encourage you, so be mentally strong while looking.

The Moment You Land Your First Opportunity  

      Once you get your first job its ok to rest a little bit, but don't completely go to sleep. Don't stop networking with professionals irrespective of background, nationality or ethnicity. Update everyone including classmates where you work and stay connected. Your LinkedIn profile should reflect this. Expanding your network can sometimes help bring business to your company and make you a valuable employee. In addition, during economic downturns professionals in your network might just be able to help you out in the case of layoffs. Stay connected with everyone.

      Seize every opportunity to learn new roles at work from experienced professionals to gain experience. Enroll in your company's educational program if there's any and talk to your boss about new opportunities at work.

      Remember with trust comes favour. Hence, employers like honest, reliable and trustworthy employees. To be gainfully employed you must have these three qualities. You keep them? you stand a chance of getting a job through referrals during tough times.

      If there is any thing else I would add, I did like to say 'Never Ever' leave  a good boss/workplace/co workers for a bigger paycheque somewhere else unless you are sure you will be getting a better treatment. It is hard to find a good boss, good co workers and a good pay cheque all at the same place. I will take a good boss over a bigger pay cheque any day because happiness is not easy to come by at work sometimes.


Don't forget to leave comments or send me an email at emakgaga@gmail.com for any corrections or general comments. Have a great week ahead.