Career Blog
“As a 2nd-year student who has recently switched from Management to Finance, I am grateful for all of the opportunities Telfer has offered me. From participating in the Co-op program to joining many different clubs like the University of Ottawa Muslim Students Association, UNICEF, and uOsmile; my university experience has been both busy and enriching.
During high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future. I decided to take my father’s advice on giving the Telfer School of Management a try. Telfer was no doubt the best choice for me. It created many opportunities for me that helped develop my career path. There are countless other reasons why the Telfer School of Management is a great school but the most important reason, in my opinion, is the wealth of resources offered by the Telfer Career Centre. It has helped me edit my resumes and rehearse for interviews numerous times. The Career Centre is an extremely important resource, and I encourage all Telfer students to use it. From its various workshops to the wise advice of its counsellors, the Career Centre has so much to offer. I still have a long way to go until my graduation, and I can’t wait to see where Telfer will take me in the years to come.”
– Nora Al-Akwaa, 2nd‑year Finance student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“I have just had an interview for my dream job! What is my next step? What can I do to increase my chance of getting the job?” Many students are unsure of what their next step should be after an interview. A professionnal follow-up email is a great way to establish connection with the interviewers and to get any updates or information regarding the position.
Below are the critical steps to write a professional follow-up email:
Step 1 – Choose the right subject line
A good subject line should be one that gets opened faster than any other emails lying in the recruiters’ inbox. Simply reply to the latest email they sent you. This way, email will get much more attention.
Step 2 – Keep it simple
The body paragraph should be kept simple, so it does not require much time and effort for the readers to understand. Stay straight-forward: avoid being shy or unclear. Thank the recruiters for the interview and their time, reiterate your enthusiasm about the position and invite them to contact you if there are any updates.
Step 3 – Click Send
This can be the hardest step! Many students worry that their follow-up email might bother the recruiters and make them sound too desperate for the job. It is completely ok to feel this way, but it crucial to send the follow-up email when necessary. Do not hesitate to reach out to the recruiters if you need to know about any updates.
“If there is one thing I have learned at Telfer, it is that students should take advantage of the amazing professors who teach at this school. They are extremely knowledgeable and are always happy to help us understand the class material or to give us some career advice. I truly believe that students will have an enriched undergraduate experience by talking to at least one of their professors during their time here.”
– Rushika Khatkar, 4th‑year Finance Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
It’s almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented to you.
No – it’s not only just presented to you: you are actually encouraged to take it.
The opportunity to experience new countries, new cities, new people, new everything.
And it’s handed to you on a silver plate by the University of Ottawa.
The International Exchange Program may sound daunting but the opportunity to go abroad for one semester (or more) during the school year is something that most students may not have the time to do after graduating. Or ever. Sure, there’ll be potential vacations and travelling in the future but the sense of being independent and living alone in a foreign country among places and people that you’ve only ever seen on screen or paper or heard about is uniquely different. This is perhaps the only time in your life when you will experience such a mixture of wonderment and exploration.
The great thing about this, is that this is not a luxury, nor selfish. The University of Ottawa encourages students to participate in the program, to experience what others have called “a life-changing period” in their lives.
That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
The opportunity peer out the window every morning to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.
The wonderment of watching the sunset in the late hours of Budapest.
The joy of going for your daily run in the bustling streets of Milan.
The amazement at the architecture in Amsterdam.
The excitement discovering the Singapore University of Technology and Design.
The breeze in your hair while biking in New Zealand.
The smile on your face as you take your first bite of a Belgium waffle.
That is the beauty of an international exchange.
“As I am finishing up my undergrad here at the Telfer School of Management, I realize that I have learned so many invaluable lessons that apply not only to just school but to life in general. In short, meet as many people as possible, inside and outside Telfer. You never know who you may connect with and whether they can help you or not in your career goals.
What you put into your experience here is what you will get out. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to understand very clearly your values and career goals and let that guide you through your years in Telfer. While doing this, though, remain open to other fields that you may be interested in. Have as much fun as possible and get involved. Good luck to everyone graduating and to everyone I have met that helped enrich my experience through the years!”
– Belal Qayum
4th-year Student (Management Information Systems)
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
Studies have found that the average recruiter scans a resumé for less than 10 seconds before deciding if the applicant is a good fit for the position. When you have little time to impress a recruiter, every word on your resumé counts. That’s why it’s important that you’re making the most of it and not filling it with words and phrases that are not going to make an impact. Here are some things that you should consider eliminating.
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Objective Statement
Does your resumé still start with an objective? If it does, make this the first change to your resumé. Instead of writing bland generalizations, replace it with a professional summary or career statement that summarizes your qualifications in terms that it fits the job description and that an employer will appreciate. Moreover, writing an objective statement at the top of your resumé only takes up precious resumé space and besides, you can write about yourself in your cover letter.
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Jobs from More Than 5-10 Years Prior
Your resumé is not an autobiography of every job you have had since high school; it is a marketing tool. So, unless something you did more than 5 to 10 years ago is important for the recruiters to know about, you do not need to list every job you have had. Employers care most about what you have done recently and how that is relevant to their open position.
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Cliché or Vague Phrases
Using terms such as “result-driven” or a “team player” does not tell a potential employer much at this point. If you are not providing any context around these phrases, it is best not to include them in your resumé. Instead, use specific examples and numbers to prove that you are these things. For example, share information about a team you led and what you have accomplished.
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Full Paragraphs
Don’t write full paragraphs in your resumé. Each previous role you list should have three or four bullet points, explaining your position, responsibilities, and impact. Each point should not exceed two lines. If there is something you think is vital for a recruiter to know, save that explanation for your cover letter.
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“References Available Upon Request”
Don’t bother including this phrase or a list of your references. Recruiters know you will provide this information should they ask. And hey, deleting this line means more space for you!
Editing a resumé can be tough but it is important to remember that you need to have everything working for you on it. Your resumé should contain factual information about what you have accomplished and showcase how your experiences can help an organization achieve its goals.
If you want to receive more information, the Telfer Career Centre and its staff are available to help. You can book an appointment for a resumé critique on Career Launch or you can drop by at DMS 1100 on Thursdays for a 30-minute drop-in session with a Career Centre staff.
Source: https://skillcrush.com/2015/12/29/22-things-to-remove-from-your-resume-immediately/
“After reflecting on the past 4 years at Telfer, I realize there have been moments where I lost sight of what the purpose was. There is a mentality that’s instilled early in students that it’s simply about getting that piece of paper.
While graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce will look the same on a résumé, what you put into university is what you will get out. Whether it be your understanding of statistical software, your ability to create a presentation and confidently present without saying “um”, or your understanding of micro and macro-economic factors that may affect future business decisions, it differentiates yourself when you are within a workplace.
Therefore, I’d say: make your time at Telfer count. Participate, learn, and find ways to motivate yourself because the classes you are taking are not simply there to get you a piece of paper, but what highly educated individuals who have worked in various industries think will be useful to prepare you for the upcoming future.
Shout out to all the friends I have made through Telfer: it wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun without you!”
– Andrew Gudgeon
4th‑year Finance Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
Video and Skype interviews are increasingly common in today’s workforce. You have probably been asked to do a Skype interview at least once or twice in your life. If not, you will be asked to do one then sooner or later. With more and more employers using Skype for their first-round interviews, it’s a good idea to take your digital interviewing skills to the next level. Here are five key tips on how to ace your Skype interview:
Tip #1: Do a Trial Run
There is nothing worse than turning on your laptop for a video interview and finding out that your audio is not working, or that your camera is not functioning. To avoid these mishaps, be sure that you have downloaded, installed and tested Skype’s app well before your interview. Do several checks, such as testing your microphone, checking the lighting, setting up the camera so that your face is nicely framed, and figuring out the best room to have your interview.
Tip #2: Practice. Practice. Practice.
Your first few video interviews are bound to feel awkward as you figure out where to look, what to do with your hands, or how loudly to speak. However, it is easy to work out those things ahead of time. Practice with a friend; provide them with a set of questions you expect to be asked and have them run a practice interview with you. Keep in mind how you will appear from the interviewer’s point of view. You will look them in the eye by looking into the camera, not by watching their image on the screen
Tip #3: Dress the Part
Wear the same clothes you would wear if you were going to an in-person interview. Do not give into the temptation to dress up only above the waist. Wearing the complete ensemble will help you stay in the interview mode, especially if you have to stand up.
Tip #4: Prepare Your Environment
Make sure that the room you choose to have your interview in does not have too many distractions and too much noise. A cluttered background may distract your interviewers and can send the wrong idea of your organizational skills. You want to have a clean, neutral and simple background, that not only looks professional, but it also makes sure that the interviewer focuses on you and only you.
Tip #5: Stay Present
Pay special attention to what’s going on during a Skype interview. Giving listening sounds, like “hm,” or “yes” will reassure the other party that the technology is functioning correctly and that you are, indeed, listening. In addition, pay attention to your body language: sit up straight, make eye contact, lean forward, and nod so the interviewers can see that you are engaged.
In conclusion, when it comes to Skype interview, planning is key. It will save you a ton of stress and help you perform better. Want to receive more information or practice? The Telfer Career Centre staff can help! Book an appointment for Skype interview tips on the Career Launch website, or drop by at DMS 1100 on Thursdays for a 30-minute drop-in session with a Career Centre staff.
Source : www.job-hunt.org/IT-job-search/skype-job-interview.shtml
“In 3rd year, I switched majors from Accounting to Human Resource Management. In high school, I didn’t have anyone to look up to when thinking of programs to apply to.
It is Telfer, its online resources and its Career Centre that have helped me to figure out what major was better for me. Even though I considered the change late, I made my switch knowing that this would be the best path for me and that I would be happier in this field. Thank you, Telfer! :)”
– Lovelyn Caparino
3rd-year student in Human Resources Management
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
Have you ever found yourself being overwhelmed with school work and extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, etc.)? We all have something to do at school to keep ourselves busy and involved. Nonetheless, sometimes we are having trouble finding the right balance between academics and social life. The imbalance could lead to counter-performances in either academics or extracurricular activities; if we cannot find a way to manage the pressure, it will slowly turn into stress.
Here are some tips that will hopefully make your life easier:
- Create a detailed timetable and stick with it: The first tip to deal with anything in life is, you must be well organized. In order to stay on track with all your assignments, deadlines, and commitments for clubs, you need a timetable. Plan everything ahead of time and when it needs to be done. Prioritize academic work, for instance, assignments, midterms, finals, etc., and fit your activities in the free time slot whenever you are available.
- Always be mindful that academics come first: Always keep in mind that the primary reason why you are coming to university is to learn. Activities are crucial as they make you stand out from others; however, keeping your grades high and attending classes is more important as you will need to apply all that new knowledge after you graduate.
- Set a goal and work hard for it: Before studying or doing activities, always set a goal that you want to achieve and promise to work hard towards it. In academics, aim for high grades in classes. In extracurricular activities, aim for a leadership position and get the most out of it by dedicating several hours to it.
- Give yourself a break: We all want to get straight A’s and it is great to have that mindset. Nevertheless, that will not always be the case. Do not stress yourself out if you do not get what you were aiming for. Sometimes, you will fall short, so stay on track and give yourself a break from all the school work, activities. A long period sitting in front of your computer doing an assignment or a task will not help. Stand up, move around, listen to music or watch a movie to reduce stress are going to boost your concentration level and productivity.