I recently completed my first full-time internship, and well before it started I was lucky to have received more than this one offer. As much as I can support your job hunt, I will. Hopefully, my tips and insights will help you whether you are on the hunt or will be looking soon.
In no particular order:
1. Congrats! you're hired
I recognize that this is not a wonderful statement, but it was a mindset that I feel really supported my hunt for an internship. Treating the process of finding a job like a job in itself gave me the structure and discipline to carry through. Because yes this is not a fun process, it is necessary because ✨money✨.
How did I do this? I was very strict with my time, methodically organized with a tracking system and continually sought methods of motivation while I was at my desk being productive.
2. Spend time on your application package
For me it was supportive to have a 2 page resume, which was never submitted, but it was my starting point to refine the content tailoring to the job in focus. I really did not know what made a good resume, so I started off utilizing the Seneca Works platform, specifically the group setting workshops as a great introduction. From there, I spent time on my own documents before scheduling 1:1 sessions with a career expert who helped me with my documents for the jobs that I am wanting.
Somebody suggested to me, so I will suggest to you: create a portfolio to show your work, and keep in mind you likely have more work to show than you think. To some capacity, you can use class projects, previous experience whether it relates to the field or not, and really at one point you can pump out some passion projects to fill it out. I started my portfolio-building journey with Adobe InDesign, which is good if you’d prefer a book-type, realizing that I did not want that I tried Adobe Portfolio, current I am using ReadyMag which is also free to start using with more customization and flexibility.
3. Be comfortable with LinkedIn
This has its own point just to emphasize its importance. LinkedIn cannot be forgotten! Especially while you are looking for a position. In the end, I found + applied for my internship through LinkedIn, which undoubtedly led the hiring manager to explore my profile. So you know that I for sure did, and you should make sure that what they see is sufficient in quality and quantity. It represents you, so throw your personality in as well.
Being active on this platform is no way me saying “You need to post content”, being active to me looks like having an accurate, appealing, and updated profile, and having interactions with other posts as well as people. Share what you liked about someone’s post, what was the biggest takeaway for you? Did it leave you having any questions? Staying active in small amounts is better than not being active.
Would you like some more specific suggestions? Grow your network! We can start right here in our community, lets connect with people a part of SMC, if interested it would be great to let others know in the WhatsApp Group Chat. Also, you can connect with me on LinkedIn (please send a note with the request so I know where you know me from)
Follow Seneca Marketing Club on LinkedIn, a great place for you to start being active. Follow our Blog as well and interact with member publications. When the time comes and you have a brilliant idea or blog prompt which leads you to writing a piece, you can have this featured on our platform which will additionally show future hiring managers that you're putting in effort to prove your skills while they explore your profile. So many great tips right there.
4. Explore many platforms
There are so many sites now for us to find co-ops, placements, internships, part-time and full-time jobs. It is hard to keep up. But the flip side of trying to explore every platform is not exploring enough. It is not realistic to explore every job posting platform that is out there, but make sure you are exploring a variety. There are Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Talent Egg which I have heard great things about.
Do you know of any more job posting platforms? It would be great for you to share which ones you have explored.
5. Double and triple check
Of course, you need to double and triple-check your spelling and grammar before sending in any documents, but this point is more than that. I feel incredibly silly saying that for a while I was applying with my resume and cover letter in a Word document format - still wondering why no one was calling me back?! Don't be like me and remember to export your files as PDFs when submitting. Eventually after realizing this, I started strategically naming my files "Full name_Resume/CoverLetter_Job ID #". This is a tip I picked up from one of the Seneca Work professional sessions and it is important to keep in mind as it considers the viewer of the document. I have heard of people naming their files with the company they are applying to, but think of the fact that the person reading this knows what company they are hiring for. Instead, this strategic file naming tells them who's is this, what is this, and what is it for.
Additional resources:
On top of me sharing my thoughts, I wanted to share some LinkedIn posts which should be additionally helpful resources.
Let's talk LinkedIn messages when job searching
Why do I have to upload my resume and then retype all of the information on my resume?!
How to get started posting on LinkedIn
I hope that this was supportive and you took something from it. What future conversations would you like us to arrange? Let me know.
Feel free to reach out via LinkedIn
Written by: Alyssa Ber
Honors Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing Program (BMRK)