Looking for work this summer? TMU career experts can help

The job search process is not easy by any means, but it can feel especially daunting right now with constant changes in market trends. Whether you’re a current student, soon-to-be graduate, recent graduate or alumni, TMU’s Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre can offer some practical tips.

“While there are external factors like macro economic and labour market trends that we cannot control as individuals, there are many things we can do to improve our chances of getting hired,” said Wincy Li, associate director, career education.

Using AI tools can definitely help job seekers get started, but Li’s advice is to not rely on them too much, at least for now. 

“AI can be useful in showing you what a template resume can look like, or helping you with some basic interview questions, but I still advise students to develop their job search skills independently so they can tell their own stories about their experience. Don't be too reliant on these tools because on top of data privacy concerns, they also tend to give you very generic responses that may not help you stand out from your competition,” Li said.

Read on for more tips and information to help you maximize your chances of getting hired.

Be open-minded

Career experts say that things can change quickly in the job market. Right now, industries like travel and tourism, hospitality, e-commerce, and health, wellness and fitness are growing. But trends come and go.

“My main advice to students is try to stay open-minded about the kinds of jobs you might be applying for, especially if it's your first job in the professional world, and when the labour market is feeling tight like it is now,” said Emily Garant-Jones, director, student success and career navigation. 

“Focus on how your skills can be transferable to different industries, and how your first job can help you develop skills, experience and a network that you can leverage to get your next job.”

Access support and resources

Students can book one-on-one appointments for advice with career educators at the Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre.

Regular workshops are also held on where and how to look for work, staying up-to-date on hiring trends, personal branding, writing compelling resumes and cover letters, and more helpful topics.

Check out the Centre’s online resource hub that includes curated resources such as resume templates, networking tips and more.

Learn to articulate your skills

A good practice is to tailor your resume, cover letter and online profiles to highlight your relevant skills and experience to employers.

“Do your research: understand the job role and the organization you’re applying to. It makes a significant difference when hiring managers see high quality, tailored applications,” said Garant-Jones.

An important part of that is actually recognizing your strengths and articulating your skill set in a way that is relevant to the field you want to work in.

“Think creatively about how you can articulate your skills. Position your experiences that are specific to the role you are applying to, and remember that experience doesn’t just come from jobs. You’re gaining transferable skills, technical skills and knowledge through your studies, volunteering, co-curricular activities, community involvement, family business, side hustle and self-led professional development activities,” Garant-Jones added.

Tap into your network

Experts suggest reconnecting with your professional network and building new connections through informational interviews to learn about the latest industry and hiring trends.

The Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre also organizes career fairs and networking events where students and alumni can meet potential employers in various fields.

“Building a support network with people who are invested in your success, and leaning on your friends, family and mentors is important. Not only from a job search perspective, but also to maintain your well-being during the process,” said Li.

Have a plan

Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) to keep yourself accountable and stay active in your application and networking efforts so you are applying to many opportunities.

Having a plan ensures that you are diversifying your job search strategies. For example, excerpts suggest using different sources to find job postings. These include industry and general job boards, company career pages, social media (including LinkedIn), informational interviews and career fairs. 

When job searching, experts suggest that even when you don’t meet 100 per cent of the requirements, consider applying; employers are willing to train after hiring. 

Start early

Identifying the right career path and getting hired in the field you want to work in can take time. Meeting a TMU career educator can help students explore their career options, get ready for the job search process, and develop their strategies and action plans.

“Start thinking about your career from your first few days at TMU. Our team supports students in finding the resources they need from their first day at TMU right until five years after they graduate,” Garant-Jones said.

Students looking for work opportunities while at TMU can consider co-op or the Career Boost program, or access job postings for off-campus opportunities.

“Taking advantage of co-op, Career Boost and other opportunities helps students develop skills and gain valuable experience. I also suggest taking advantage of the different work-integrated learning or experiential learning opportunities available to you as a TMU student to gain new skills and knowledge,” Garant-Jones added.

Finally, career experts agree that it’s normal to feel greater stress or be overwhelmed about finding a job right now. If it’s affecting your well-being and academics, the centre has a team of Student Success Navigators who can help you find the right resources on campus to meet your needs, such as the Centre for Student Development and Counselling, Academic Accommodation Support and faculty-specific resources.