Looking for a job?
Develop an effective job search strategy
Simply applying to online job postings isn’t enough. A well-rounded job search strategy involves various techniques, with networking being the most productive.
Connect with employers in person
Whether you're seeking full-time, part-time, summer, or internship positions, meeting employers face-to-face can uncover valuable opportunities. Here’s how to make the most of these interactions...
Identify your skills and accomplishments
Understanding your skills and accomplishments is the first step in a successful job search. When you know what you’re good at, it’s easier to write a strong resumé, craft a standout cover letter, and confidently answer interview questions. This foundation will set you up for success as you move forward in your job search.
Develop your interview skills
It's completely normal to feel nervous before an interview. The best way to ease that anxiety and present yourself confidently is to prepare ahead of time and practise—over and over!
Negotiate salary and benefits
Receiving a job offer is exciting, but it’s important to ensure the offer meets your financial and professional expectations. Negotiating salary and benefits can help, but it’s not always possible. To negotiate effectively, you need to be prepared, understand the offer, and know what to ask for.
Create a professional LinkedIn profile
Using LinkedIn effectively can significantly enhance your job search by helping you build a strong professional network, showcase your skills, and attract potential employers. To help you with this, the Career Centre offers a variety of resources designed to guide you through every aspect of optimizing your LinkedIn presence.
Connect with employers online
Whether you're looking for a full-time job, part-time work, or an internship, managing your online presence is crucial in today’s job market. Many employers check social media profiles, so here’s how to ensure you make a positive impression online...
Write a resumé that highlights your accomplishments
In a competitive job market, your resumé needs to stand out. Tailoring it to the job helps employers see why you're a perfect fit.
Prepare for an interview
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but solid preparation will boost your confidence. Here are some tips to help the process go smoothly...
Understand your employment contract
When accepting a job, ensure you read the employment contract carefully and agree with all terms before signing. Keep a copy for future reference.
Wondering about Career Options?
Conduct Occupational Research
Researching occupations isn’t that different from doing academic research—something you already know how to do! Here are a variety of resources that can help you find information about industries, companies, occupations, and specific positions. You can't figure out what might be a good fit for you if you don't know what's out there!
Network/connect with people in the field
Connecting with others is one of the most important aspects of your career development for researching potential careers, networking with people in fields you’re interested in, seeking out or creating career opportunities, and looking for a job. All your connections are valuable ones. For the purposes of beginning and furthering your own career, it is important that you value all the connections you have and continue to make new connections, particularly in the career field you’re interested in.
Participate in a co-op or internship
Co-op placements and internships—whether paid or unpaid—are excellent ways to connect with industry professionals, explore career options, and gain valuable work experience. Check with your faculty or the YU Experience Hub for available programs.
Need to build skills and experience?
Describe your experiences in a way that resonates with employers
Throughout your time at York, you're developing a wide variety of skills, gaining experience and celebrating accomplishments—all of which are transferable to the workplace and are valued by employers! Take the time to clearly identify all the things you have to offer an employer and learn how to describe them so an employer can visualize you successfully performing the role you want.
Participate in a co-op or internship
Co-op placements and internships—whether paid or unpaid—are excellent ways to connect with industry professionals, explore career options, and gain valuable work experience. Check with your faculty or the YU Experience Hub for available programs.
Thinking about Grad School?
Ideal Timeline of What to Do When
Because entry into many programs can be competitive, you need to craft an application package that will get you noticed by a selection committee.
10 Tips for Writing a Strong Personal Statement
Your personal statement showcases who you are, your achievements and is a valuable step in your application. Here are 10 tips for writing a strong personal statement...
Personal Statement FAQ
If you have a question that you think might be relevant to other students, send it to us at career@yorku.ca with the subject line “Personal Statement – FAQ” and you will get a response. If it’s common enough, we’ll post it here too!
Get strong references from appropriate sources
You don’t just need profs to agree to write you a reference letter – you need good strong references. Since these are confidential, you won’t be able to see them, so here are a few things you can do to improve the quality of your references.
Support resources for writing a strong personal statement
You may book personal statement appointments with the knowledgeable and experienced writing instructors in the LA&PS and Bethune Writing Centre.
Practice your graduate school interview skills
Certain graduate schools require interviews as part of the selection process—including medical and dental school. Are you prepared?
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