Five things you can do in college to support launching your career after graduation
We all dream about getting that perfect job after graduating. But did you know that you don’t have to wait until graduation to start working towards that goal? You can start getting ready from the first day you start your college program. One of the Employment Officers at AC’s Employment Support Centre has she shared some valuable tips that will make a difference in your student and career journey. Check them out!
Get in touch with AC’s Employment Centre
“The sooner, the better,” says Lindsay Bortot, Employment Officer at AC. The Employment Support Centre gives students access to several services such as customizing your resume and cover letters, preparing for interviews, building a LinkedIn profile, and learning how to use it. The professionals at the Centre also assist students with job search methods and strategies.
Network with your classmates and professors
It’s important to note, that there is a “hidden job market” and that not all companies post their jobs publicly. Sometimes they will share opportunities through internal emails and that is one of the reasons why it is so important to network with your classmates. Talking to your professors will also help! Don’t forget that many of your professors still work in the industry and they might be watching you. They can be great references when you are searching for your dream job.
“If a company can reduce their time and efforts with recruitment and selection, they will,” says Bortot. “If they know they’re going to get 100 resumes online, but they just don’t have time to recruit and select, they might rely on word of mouth or look for internal referrals.”
Attend recruitment events
Lots of organizations host recruitment events, in person and/or virtually. Sometimes the jobs they promote at these events aren’t shared online or through traditional channels. Even if the company you are interested in working for doesn’t have a job in your field at that moment, going to these events will give you the chance to talk to people you wouldn’t normally have access to and make an impression. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect and network for the future!
“These are all important pathways in order to uncover opportunities and put yourself in front of the competition, so that you can actually find a job faster,” says Bortot. “Your job search will typically be longer if you’re just using one method of job searching, like looking online.”
Reach out to potential employers!
If a company you dream of working for doesn’t have a job opening right now, this shouldn’t be a reason for you to give up. Reach out and ask them for advice (not a job!). This will help you make a professional impression and let them know that you are interested.
“You can look up a company you want to work for, and then you can look to see who works for the companies who have a LinkedIn page,” says Bortot. “Then you can look at their career path, connect to them directly, send a message and ask questions.”
Check out AC’s job search platform
Hire AC is exclusive to students and graduates of Algonquin College and there you can find new jobs posted every single week in a wide range of program areas. The job posts include summer positions, part-time opportunities, and full-time opportunities.
“Students can actually filter their searches by their program area and see what kind of jobs are being posted that would relate to their goal,” says Bortot.
Getting started on your career preparation early will help you stand out when you’re ready to land your dream job. Find more information on AC’s Employment Support Centre LinkedIn page.
