Effective Work Search
- Target your search
- Contact employers
- Follow up
- Consider the employer and job offer
- Entrepreneurship and job opportunities
- Work search links, job boards and career planning resources
Career and Workforce Readiness by Careerspace at Trent
6 self-paced modules to guide you through the job search process:
Job Search Skills by Complete Student – an open-source module for Canadian university studentsThese in-depth modules will help you articulate skills employers are looking for; understand the diversity of occupations and how to research them; apply tools, databases, and search engines to identify career opportunities; understand the “hidden job market”; build an effective resume and cover letter, and succeed in an interview.
Wayble is a resource that was developed by international students for international students. This is a free resource that offers: on-demand career materials and courses, an exclusive job board featuring opportunities nationwide, as well as networking events and career programming that can help further develop experience. Wayble builds connections with employers and job seekers across Canada and also has resources on Immigration. Sign up today to learn more!
Networking & LinkedIn
Have you ever heard of the “hidden job market?” Many employers search for candidates through their connections because they can feel more assured that they’ll find the right fit. Building your professional network, and having career conversations with professionals in your field, are important ways to gain knowledge and learn about opportunities.
Networking Events, Resources and Career Expos:
Careerspace hosts several expos and networking events throughout the year where students can meet directly with employers.
- Career and Volunteer Expos
- Life After Trent networking events
- TrentUConnect online networking platform
The Résumé or CV
A résumé should be concise, persuasive, and extremely well-written. There is no "best" résumé format.Use what works best for your situation and the position you are applying to.
In Canada, the main difference between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a résumé is that a CV is usually only used for academic positions or when applying to some professional and graduate programs. Some international employers may use the terms CV and résumé interchangeably. If you are applying for international jobs, research expectations for CVs and résumés for specific countries. A résumé is used for seeking employment in most other fields.
Check out our Tip Sheets on résumés and CVs. You'll find résumé samples at the bottom of the list of tip sheets.
The Cover Letter
A cover letter is your personal stamp on your application. Even if you aren't asked to submit a cover letter, an employer is likely to expect one. A good letter highlights important accomplishments and skills, demonstrates your research and gives you the opportunity to highlight your genuine interest in the role and organization
Check out our Tip Sheet on cover letters.
The Interview
The most important thing you can do before an interview is prepare.
Prepare by:
- researching the company and reviewing the job posting
- thinking about your skills, experiences, and knowledge and how they relate to the position; think about examples of when you have demonstrated these and how you can use the examples to answer questions
This will help you to anticipate some of the possible interview questions and be ready with relevant examples and demonstrations of your skills. Being prepared will also help to deal with nervousness.
- Types of interviews
- Phases of the interview (with sample questions)
- Tips for before, during, and after the interview
Check out our Tip Sheet on interviews.