FINDING A JOB AFTER
GRADUATION








Welcome
Job Search 101
Self Assessment
Identifying Potential Employers
Researching An Employer
Preparing Your Promotional Tools
Making Contact With A Potential Employer
Career Planning Centre Services
Job Search 101: When to Start
 If you are graduating in the Spring, start your
job search now!
 Many employers recruit in the Fall, some as
early as September
 Treat your job search seriously – schedule
time each week to devote to it.
Job Search 101: Steps
1. Self-Assessment: Know what you want and what
you can offer an employer
2. Identify Potential Employers
3. Research Potential Employers
4. Prepare your Promotional Tools: resume, cover
letter, interview skills
5. Make Contact with Employer
Self Assessment
 Interests: What do you like to do?
 Values: What is important to you in a job?
 Skills: what are you good at?
 What are some skills you’ve gained from
your education and your experience that
would be relevant to employment?
Identifying Potential Employers
Some Employment Programs for New Graduates:
• Nova Scotia Civil Service Internship Program
(www.gov.ns.ca/psc/career)
• Public Service Commission of Canada Post
Secondary Recruitment (http://jobs.gc.ca)
• Career Edge (www.careeredge.ca)
• Entrepreneurship Programs: Create your own job!
SEED Capital Connexion Program
(www.acoa.ca/e/financial/capital.shtml )
Identifying Potential Employers
Visible Job Market
 www.msvu.ca/careerplanning
 www.careercruising.com (Username: Mount,
Password: Vincent)
 Service Canada Job Bank (http://jobbank.gc.ca )
 University departmental bulletin boards
 Company postings (in-house, websites)
 Employment Agencies
 Halifax Career Fair: www.halifaxcareerfair.ca
 Summer Job Fair: www.smu.ca/sjf
Identifying Potential Employers
 80% of jobs are never advertised
 The “hidden job market”
How do you find jobs that are not
advertised?
Identifying Potential Employers
Accessing the Hidden Job Market
 Networking (in person and social networking sites)
 Newspaper articles
 Company newsletters and websites
 Yellow Pages, The Career Directory (2007)
 Directories related to your field of study (Directory
of Community Services, Business Directory for the
Metro Halifax Chamber of Commerce)
 Professional Associations
 Volunteering
Using Linked-In and Other
Social Media Tools
 What is it? www.linkedin.com
 How to make new professional connections
 Use of other social media – Facebook,
Twitter, etc…
 Resource: How to Find a Job on LinkedIn,
Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other
Social Networks, B. & D. Schepp, 2010
Researching Potential
Employers
 Research products and services they offer, what
they look for in employees, application methods,
special initiatives, recruitment schedules.
 Researching the employer will help you identify
what you can contribute to the organization.
 How can you research employers?
Preparing Your Promotional
Tools: Resume Tips





Prepare a professional resume
Keep your resume to a maximum of 2 pages
Should be done in point form – use bullets
Avoid use of “I”
Choose the format that best demonstrates you have
the skills to do the job
 Include headings such as: Education, Relevant
Skills, Employment, Extra-curricular Activities
 Use action verbs (i.e., monitored,supervised, tested)
and accomplishment statements)
Preparing Your Promotional
Tools: Cover Letter Tips
 Always address your cover letter to the appropriate
individual
 Maximum 1 page
 Use “confident” language (i.e. “I am certain I am
the ideal candidate for this position.”)
 Avoid “I think”, “I feel”
 Always close by thanking them for reviewing your
application
Making Contact With An
Employer
If applying for an advertised job:
 Follow the application instructions
 Send a professional resume and cover letter tailored
to the position
 Follow-up after you apply to ensure they received
your information, to restate your interest, and to
find out their timeframe for setting up interviews.
Making Contact With An
Employer
If accessing the hidden job market:
 Make initial contact by mail, email, or telephone; goal is to
secure an in-person appointment with a hiring manager
 When making direct contact (phone, in- person), always
have your resume with you, prepare a short script about
yourself and what you can do for the employer (related
education, experience, interest in the organization), be
prepared for an informal interview
 Options: directly ask about employment opportunities, or
ask for an information interview
Sample Script: First Contact
With An Employer
1. Introduce yourself: name, degree
“Hi, my name is __. I am completing a degree in ___at MSVU.”
2. Establish common ground (referral source, common
interest)
“My professor, Dr.___ suggested I contact you to find out more
about career opportunities in the field of___”.
3. Show that you know something about the organization
(show your research!)
“I noticed on your website that your company is expanding it’s
services….”
4. Ask for an in-person meeting (information interview)
“I’m really interested in learning more about your organization and
I’m wondering if I could meet with you briefly to ask some
questions?”
Sample Information Interview
Questions
 How did you get started in this type of work?
 What skills or personal qualities are necessary in this career?
 How is your organization being affected by the recent expansion? (or other
appropriate question showing your knowledge of the organization)
 Does your organization offer volunteer opportunities for students interested in
gaining more experience in this field?
 Are there any current employment opportunities within your organization?
 Where else could I find people involved in this type of work? (get referrals if
appropriate).
 Note: - Try to find a way to show how your education or experience can help
meet the organization’s needs (give examples of related educational projects,
work experience, etc.)
- Bring your resume, leave it if asked.
- Always send a thank you letter to individual you interviewed.
Career Planning Services










Resume Critiquing
Interview Preparation
Mock Interviews
Co-Curricular Recognition Program **NEW**
Speed Mentoring
Resource Library
Individual Counselling
Interest Testing
Job Finding Club
Upcoming Events