1. Get Hired! FIND A JOB BEFORE YOU GRADUATE
Prepared by MSVU Career Services

2. FINDING A JOB AFTER GRADUATION
Job Search 101
Self Assessment
Identifying Potential Employers
Researching An Employer
Preparing Your Promotional Tools
Making Contact With A Potential Employer
Career Services

3. 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.
How much time will you spend? Treat your job search seriously – schedule time each week to devote to it.

4. 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

5. 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 academic, work, and co-curricular experiences that would be relevant to employment?

6. Identifying Potential Employers
Employment Programs
• Nova Scotia Government Opportunities -
Graduate to Opportunities Program -
opportunity/
• Public Service Commission of Canada Post Secondary Recruitment -
• Career Edge -
Entrepreneurship Programs: Create your own job! /
Spark Zone-
Centre for Women in Business-
Futurpreneur –

7. Identifying Potential Employers
Visible Job Market
Career Cruising: (Username: Mount, Password: Vincent)
Service Canada Job Bank:
Wow Jobs:
Talent Egg:
Career Beacon:
Company Postings: check website directory under “Job Search Resources” section of msvu.ca/careerplanning
Halifax Career Fair:
Summer Opportunities Fair:

8. Identifying Potential Employers
80% of jobs are never advertised
The “hidden job market”
How do you find jobs that are not advertised?

9. Identifying Potential Employers
Accessing the Hidden Job Market
Network - in person and online (on campus employer visits, Fusion Halifax events:
Make a professional connection -Halifax Partnership Connector Program:
Volunteer - Find organizations at:
Newspaper articles, websites and company newsletters
Employment Agencies
The Career Directory:
Directories related to your field of study - Halifax Chamber of Commerce Business Directory:
Professional Associations – See directories below
associations.aspx#canad

10. Using Linked-In & Other Social Media Tools
Linked In - What is it?
Make new professional connections
Use 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
Workshop: Using Social Media to Fast Track your Job Search! See msvu.ca/careerplanning for dates.
Using Linked-In & Other Social Media Tools

11. Researching Potential Employers
Before making contact with an employer:
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.

12. 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, Professional Development
Use action verbs (i.e. monitored, supervised, tested) and accomplishment statements

13. 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

14. 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

15. Making Contact With An Employer
If accessing the hidden job market:
Make initial contact by , or telephone (better); 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

16. 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?”

17. 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
Always send a thank you letter to individual you interviewed

18. Career Services Resume Critiquing Interview Preparation
Mock Interviews
Co-Curricular Recognition Program (msvu.ca/ccrp)
Individual Counselling
Interest Testing
Job Finding Club
Upcoming Events

19. QUESTIONS?

20. REFERENCES
Scanlon, D. (Director). (n.d.). Monsters University Movie Poster [Image], Retrieved July 29, 2013, from poster-arrives-for-monsters-university Scanlon, D. (Director). (2013). Still from Monsters University [Image], Retrieved July 29, 2013, from monsters-university-trailer-2/