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. 

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.  

Your cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression on an employer. It should be more than just a form letter. Tailor it to the job and company, and make sure it highlights your skills and experience in a way that catches the reader’s attention. 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to find a job right away but applying for many positions without a clear focus might not bring the results you're hoping for. Here’s why focusing your efforts on jobs that genuinely interest you will lead to better results...

Simply applying to online job postings isn’t enough. A well-rounded job search strategy involves various techniques, with networking being the most productive. 

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. Consider using additional resources to create your own internship opportunity. 

The Work/Study Program at York University provides eligible undergraduate students (domestic and international) with the opportunity to develop professional skills and contribute to the University through paid, on-campus employment opportunities. 

Looking for summer opportunities? 

The Career Centre can help streamline your search with our comprehensive guide. 

There may be various reasons why you decide to decline a job offer—whether it’s a better fit elsewhere, unsatisfactory salary or conditions, or personal reasons. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to decline the offer respectfully.

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. 

When accepting a job, ensure you read the employment contract carefully and agree with all terms before signing. Keep a copy for future reference. 

Have you ever heard the saying, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”? If you feel like you're not growing in your current role, take control of your development by seeking out new opportunities. 

Teamwork is not just about working alongside others—it's about building strong connections that foster collaboration, creativity, and success. Here’s how you can stand out as a team player...

To advance in your career and catch the attention of your supervisors, you need to excel in your role and ensure your contributions are noticed. Here are some key tips to help you shine...

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! 

Looking the part is an essential part of interview success, but a tight student budget doesn’t always allow for a full professional wardrobe. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you dress the part without breaking the bank. 

Even though the interview is over, there are still steps you can take to leave a lasting positive impression. Here are a few follow-up tips to ensure you stay on top of your game...

With the rise of video and phone interviews during the pandemic, LinkedIn has introduced a feature to help you prepare for interviews with confidence.

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but solid preparation will boost your confidence. Here are some tips to help the process go smoothly...

Navigating a dining interview can be challenging, but mastering dining etiquette can set you apart as a polished and professional candidate. Here’s a concise guide to help you make a positive impression during interviews involving food...

Creating strong relationships with colleagues is essential for success, both in person and online. Here’s how to connect effectively...

Joining a professional association offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact your career. Here’s why you might want to get involved...

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...

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...

Learn about a variety of skill development and career building tools available for you...

Choosing the right outfit is an important process for work and making positive impressions! Start by assessing your personal style and the clothing that makes you feel confident. Here are some things to think about...

Personal presentation through dress...

There are various styles of business attire, each suited for different work environments or occasions.

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.

Proper mobile device etiquette is essential for maintaining a professional image and ensuring respect in the workplace. Follow these guidelines to navigate mobile device use effectively...

Crafting professional and appropriate emails is crucial for making a positive impression. Follow these tips to enhance your email communication...

Every workplace has its own unique culture. This culture affects how people interact, how work gets done, and what’s considered acceptable behaviour. Understanding this culture helps you fit in and succeed.

Your online presence can impact your professional image. Here’s how to manage your social media and online identity wisely...

Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience, make connections, and develop skills. Here’s why it’s valuable...

There are many events and activities on and off campus that need volunteers for just a few hours or a day. These short-term commitments are perfect for busy schedules and offer several benefits.

Rights violations in the workplace are serious and should be handled immediately. Here’s what you can do...

Identify your goals and aspirations, keeping in mind that they may evolve over time. Consider what you want from your job...

Responding to online postings shouldn’t be your only job search strategy but it should definitely be a part of your strategy. 

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. 

Because entry into many programs can be competitive, you need to craft an application package that will get you noticed by a selection committee.

Certain graduate schools require interviews as part of the selection process—including medical and dental school. Are you prepared?

The differences between a CV and a resumé aren’t carved in stone. In fact, in Canada and the United States, the terms are often used interchangeably. Generally speaking though, if what you are trying to foreground is your knowledge of a field, you want to lean more towards a CV. If you want to highlight your relevant skills and experience for a position – then a resumé would be a better choice.

Perhaps the career you're interested in requires a graduate education or a post-degree program or maybe you've determined that a post-degree diploma or certificate would make you a more desirable candidate in your chosen occupation.

If you've determined that the occupation you're interested in requires post- graduate study—or that you would increase your odds of success in your chosen career with some education beyond the Bachelor's level—begin to research the different programs available and the institutions that offer them. 

You can set up appointments to do this or attend one of the information sessions that many programs offer prior to the application date. 

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. 

Benefits of identifying and reflecting on your experiences...

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...

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!

You may book personal statement appointments with the knowledgeable and experienced writing instructors in the LA&PS and Bethune Writing Centre. 

While there is no tool that can determine your perfect career, there are many career assessments that can provide starting points for further research based on individual personality type.

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! 

If you are interested in exploring entrepreneurship as a career option and have an idea for business there are a variety of resources that can help you determine whether self-employment is for you, and to support you if you decide to start your own business.

Take some time to reflect on your passions, interests, and experiences to determine what sort of volunteer work aligns with who you are. To find a volunteer position that meets your needs, identify your goals and aspirations prior to starting your search.

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. 

Many students think their degree determines what they'll do after graduation, but your degree is just one of many things to take into consideration when deciding on a career path. The most important factor in choosing a career that's right for you is...YOU!

Understanding how career decision making works can take some of the stress out of the process. The Career Centre has developed a career decision making model to illustrate the different parts of the career exploration process and how they fit together. 

York's Career Education & Development offers a range of services and events which are open to all York students and new graduates as well as online resources to assist you with job searching, career exploration, and finding volunteer opportunities. We strive to make students and community members feel welcomed, respected, valued, and heard. We work together and aim for meaningful participation of all our community members. 

Beyond the Professoriate (BTF) is an eLearning Platform with on-demand, self-paced learning modules that allow Master's, PhDs, and Postdocs to explore career options and discover ways to apply the skills acquired through their education. You can access the modules in any order and if you decide to complete 7 core modules, you earn a certificate of completion.

York's Career Education & Development offers a range of services and events which are open to all York students and new graduates as well as online resources to assist you with job searching, career exploration, and finding volunteer opportunities. The Career Centre strives to provide inclusive career exploration and job search support York's diverse student population. Students who are interested in acquiring additional information regarding aboriginal services and supports are encouraged to visit York's Centre for Aboriginal Student Services. 

York's Career Education & Development offers a range of services and events which are open to all York students and new graduates as well as online resources to assist you with job searching, career exploration, and finding volunteer opportunities.

Want to learn more about careers and job search? York's Career Education & Development offers a range of services and events which are open to all York students and new graduates as well as online resources to assist you with job searching, career exploration, and finding volunteer opportunities. We are committed to creating an environment that values diversity and inclusion. The Career Centre is a safe and positive space for LGBTQ+ students and new graduates. 

The York University Career Centre supports York alumni up to two years after graduation. If you're wondering about career options, need support in your job search, thinking about further education, looking to polish your professional etiquette skills, or want to meet employers, be sure to take advantage of the many workshops, services, events and resources offered by York's Career Centre. 

The Career Centre's professional staff strive to provide quality career exploration and job search supports to York students and new graduates. In an effort to continue to make our services more accessible, students with disabilities may find supports in each of the areas indicated below. 

Need help deciding which skills and experiences you want to develop? 

Jobs and/or volunteer placements are great places for skill building. Just because your job may not be your “career job” there are still opportunities for growth. 

3 Fundamental Rights of Employees in Canada...

You never know who you'll meet while participating in a club or on a team. It doesn't have to be a career-related club either. Any club you're interested in can provide opportunities to connect with others.

Volunteering is a great way to gain professional experience that can help you land your next job!