1. Finding a Summer Job: 2019 Summer Employment Programs
Identifying Other Potential Employers
Researching Potential Employers
Summer Fair 2019: how to follow-up
Career Services

2. Summer Employment Programs
Federal Student Work Experience Program - FSWEP (
Youth Employment Strategy Summer Work Experience:
Student Works Program (on-campus – jobs advertised at in March)
Entrepreneurship programs – Create your own job! ACOA (

3. Identifying Other Potential Employers
Visible Job Market
careerconnects.msvu.ca (new jobs posted daily!)
NS Government Summer Jobs:
Service Canada Job bank:
Departmental bulletin boards
Company postings (in house, websites)
Employment Agencies

4. Identifying Other Potential Employers
Hidden Job Market (80-90% of job market!)
Networking
Newspaper articles
Company newsletters and websites
Directories related to your field of study
(Directory of Community Services, Business Directory for the Metro Halifax Chamber of Commerce:

5. Common Types of Employers that Hire Summer Students
Summer Camps
Municipal Parks and Recreation Departments
Tourism related parks, and organizations
Various businesses looking for summer casual help
Ideas?

6. 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. It is also great preparation for the interview!

7. How To Research A Potential Employer
Contact the organization directly
Visit the organization’s website
Use your network – professors, family, friends may be familiar with the organization and know of “hidden” job opportunities

8. Making Contact If applying for an advertised job:
Follow their application instructions; Send a professional resume and cover letter tailored to the position
Make sure you have your cover letter addressed to a particular person
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

9. MSVU/SMU Summer Fair
What: Local, national, and international employers who want to hire you for Summer 2019!
Took place: February 6, 2019
Exhibitor List:
Who went to the fair?
Ideas for how to follow-up after the fair?

10. Making Contact If accessing the hidden job market:
Make initial contact by mail, or telephone
Goal is to secure an in-person appointment
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

11. Sample Script: First Contact
1. Introduce yourself: name, degree
“My name is _____. I am completing a degree in _____ at MSVU.”
2. Establish common ground (mention referral source, common interest)
“I met a representative from your organization at the MSVU/SMU Summer Fair and was excited to learn that you hire Summer students.” (or other appropriate comment)
3. Show that you know something about the organization (research!)
“I have also been to your website and learned about some exciting initiatives that are related to my studies. I am aware that you hire students to do research and would love to learn more about this opportunity.”
4. Ask for an in-person meeting
“I’m wondering if I could meet with you briefly to ask some questions?”

12. 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 of its services? (or other appropriate question showing your knowledge of what is going on in the organization)
Does your organization offer volunteer or summer employment opportunities for students interested in gaining more experience in this field? (Or if you know they do offer these opportunities, come up with a question about the nature of the work).
Where else could I find people involved in this type of work that I may not have thought of? (get referrals if appropriate)
Note:
Try to find a way to show how your education/experience can help meet the organization’s needs (give examples of related educational projects, work experience etc.)
Bring your resume and leave it if asked

13. Career Services Resume Critiquing Service (drop in hours)
Interview Preparation workshops
Mock interviews
Resource Library
Individual Counselling
Explore resources at: