Career Blog
“Here’s a peek at my journey at Telfer:
What I’ve learned...
Through various courses and extracurricular activities, I gained leadership and communication skills. As the President of the Telfer Competitions Committee (TCCT), I currently manage an amazing executive team of 20 students who are in turn responsible for over a hundred Telfer students. As a business student, I hope to someday be in a senior management position. I believe that my experiences at Telfer will help set me succeed in such a role.
How it’s going...
It’s hard to juggle 4 courses, 30 hours of work a week and a time-consuming position like TCCT president. After realizing I had too many things to remember, I decided to create a calendar with all my tasks and events and made sure to set multiple reminders. I also find it very important to take personal time and spend time doing nothing. If it was not for those frequent little breaks, I am pretty sure I would have burned myself out.
What I’m grateful for...
I’m very lucky that I decided to get involved from my first year so I don’t have too many regrets. Case competitions such as Jeux du Commerce (JDC) and Happening Marketing (HM) have been the highlights of my time here and have been some of the best experiences of my life.
For that reason, my biggest recommendation for any Telfer students would be to get involved and make the most of the opportunities available to you. Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.”
– Elias Azzi, 4th-year MISA (Management Information Systems and Analytics)
and President, Telfer Competitions Committee (TCCT)
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’ve always been inspired by several women in my life and others who have left their mark on History or became famous in the media. These include, among others, my mother and my aunts, independent ladies who work in male-dominated fields. I think also of Serena Williams, whom I admire for her exceptional athletic performances. I also think of Jane Austen, an English author who lived in the 18th century and wrote compelling, feminist texts.
When I look at those women, their lives and their journeys, I am filled with the desire to meet new challenges. I too wish to become one of those inspiring women who have shaped History. It is this dream that has led me to choose the Telfer School of Management, one of the top schools in its field. I believe that the values taught at Telfer (leadership, excellence, and integrity) will help me reach that goal.
To conclude, if I had one advice for other humans of Telfer, it would be this: dream big and work hard to make your dreams come true. It is our duty, as women and men, to transform the opportunities offered to us into successes, whatever our dram career may be, and to become models for future generations.”
– Noémie Ipou, 4th‑year Marketing
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.
J.K. Rowling was rejected 12 times before she got published. Today, her net worth from the Harry Potter series exceeds $1 billion. Most people often face a great deal of rejection before they succeed. However, overcoming the fear of rejection will open up many opportunities both in your career and personal life.
Here are 3 ways to overcome the fear of rejection:
1. Seek out rejection
Inspired by the TED Talk What I learned from 100 days of rejection, by Jia Jiang, this first tip will help you desensitize yourself to the pain of rejection. In his experiment, Jia sought rejection for 100 days through absurd requests. These included asking to borrow $100 from a stranger and requesting a “burger refill” from a fast-food place. He got rejected almost every time.
By building this kind of resilience, you will discover that rejection is not a big deal. It will seem difficult at first, but eventually the negative emotions will begin to fade away. Rather than reacting with fear to any situation that involves a potential rejection, your mind will react positively.
2. Perform a cost-benefit analysis
Weigh the costs of getting rejected against the benefits of succeeding. How? Well, imagine you want to ask a manager for a coffee chat. If you get rejected, you might feel disheartened and discouraged. However, if the manager agrees, then you might build a valuable connection which could lead in turn to a potential job opportunity at your dream company. This cost-benefit analysis is extremely valuable for overcoming the fear of rejection.
J.K. Rowling allegedly said, “I had nothing to lose, and sometimes that makes you brave enough to try.” Had she not weighed the costs and benefits of trying to get published, she would not have had her best‑seller novels. Thinking in this way will help you realize that the fear of rejection is not worth giving up on your potential future opportunities.
3. Think about your past
Remember situations where you got rejected, but ultimately, it was for the best. I have experienced these many times throughout my life. I have been rejected more times than I can count, and I’m not afraid to admit it. Every time I got rejected, an even better opportunity arose. Although I was sad and upset at first, I understood later that it was a blessing in disguise.
Career paths are often not a straight path to success. Overcoming the fear of rejection is incredibly important as it will open up many opportunities for you throughout your career and personal life. Challenge yourself to get rejected today!
“Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time” – Alan Collins
Today, we cannot ignore the importance of networking when it comes to job hunting. The more you put into it, the more you will get from it. Your level of dedication to networking will determine the strength of your connections. That does not mean that you should not be authentic or natural. In fact, the more genuine you are, the more meaningful your connections will be. Here are 5 tips on how network naturally.
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Set a goal
When you can’t see the tangible results of your work, it’s easy to get discouraged. So, start by setting a goal for each event. It can be something as simple as meeting four new people. This will allow you to fully engage in each conversation and distract you from feeling anxious. It will also give you something to celebrate and measure your growth upon.
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Start with people you know
It can be very intimidating to walk up to someone you don’t know. Start with familiar faces. This will boost your confidence and make the conversation feel more natural. Why not bring a networking buddy: together, you can build each other’s credibility and give each other you a warm introduction, like a live testimony about you, which naturally puts you in a great light. That way, you won’t feel as pressured to make the next move or to ask questions.
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Prepare questions or ice breaker topics
This will help you make a long-lasting impression. Try to come up with genuine questions that are likely to interest your new contacts. For example, if you are a sport enthusiast, you can talk about a sports team the company sponsors. This approach will lead to a more natural dialogue. Thoughtful questions allow you to build trust and rapport, which supports your personal connection and expands your potential opportunities.
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Smile and use positive body language
About 93 percent of our communication is non-verbal. Therefore, maintaining a positive body language can send a powerful message. When we are extremely focused and/or a little bit anxious, it’s easy to forget a friendly gesture: smiling. There is nothing more natural and welcoming than a smile. Smiling makes it easier for people to connect with you because you seem more open; it also helps them remember you.
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Listen to and leverage follow‑up questions
The key to any successful connection is active listening. Many students get so caught up thinking what the next question should be that they become too distracted to listen to what is being said. If you are attentive to what the other person is saying, you can leverage follow-up questions. This shows the other person that you are keenly interested, which creates a memorable impression and a deeper connection.
“My favourite aspect of Telfer is the emphasis on student involvement in clubs and organizations. Getting involved in clubs such as WMN and AIESEC in Ottawa have been the highlight of my Telfer experience. Through them, I was not only able to meet some amazing people, but also develop myself personally and professionally. One of my proudest moments here was the development of Words with WMN, the first podcast from a Telfer Club. It gave me a creative platform to engage with new people and start some impactful conversations.
My ideal career would be in technology consulting. I realized this is the career path for me by attending various networking events, getting involved in campus clubs and joining the Profession of Management Consulting Program (PMCP). This allowed me to discover my strengths and weaknesses, something I may not have been able to grasp simply through classes. All my experiences at Telfer have gotten me to this very moment, and now I am looking forward to graduating in Winter 2021!”
– Wiam Ben Karroum, 5th-year BTM and Finance
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.
“One of the most rewarding moments during my Telfer experience was in my 3rd year, when my team won first place in the marketing case competition at Jeux du Commerce, a large business competition between many different universities.
Case competitions are always a chance to have a lot of fun and use my creative skills, but the reason that this moment was so rewarding was that I had competed in the same competition in my 2nd year, and despite our hard work, we did not do very well. This setback pushed me to work harder and prepare stronger for the next competition, knowing that I needed to develop my problem-solving and adaptability skills. I am now a stronger teammate, leader and problem-solver because of this experience and the many other competitions I have competed in!”
– Fiona Doomasia
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.
The cover letter carries huge importance in a candidate’s job application as it represents a useful tool in understanding not only how a specific individual meets the requirements of the job, but also what unique skills and abilities they can bring that set them apart from other candidates. That is why you must remember to TAILOR your cover letter to the specific organization and position. These next five steps can aid in this process.
1. Take time to research
Research the employer. This means learning about their mission, vision, and values; products and services offered; history; community engagement; etc. It is important to gather some background knowledge and to showcase that knowledge in your cover letter. This shows the recruiter that you took the time to learn about them and that you are interested in the position. This can even be done by talking to current employees at that organization, if you know any, or to individuals who hold a similar position.
2. Consider your audience
The audience of your cover letter is the individual who will be reading it, and this is who you address the cover letter to. Their name should be included in the job posting; however, if it is not, calling or emailing the employer directly is another way to get this information. LinkedIn is useful in finding out how to address this individual by determining whether to us “Mr.”, “Mrs.”, “Miss”, or “Ms”. Don’t forget, if you find the name of the person to address the cover letter to, use “Yours sincerely” to close; otherwise, use “Yours faithfully”. Taking the time to know your audience shows your investment in the position and can be key to setting yourself apart from other candidates.
3. Stay abreast of industry trends
Learn about current industry trends that that organization could be affected by and refer to them in your cover letter. This can be done through reading official industry publications or seeing on LinkedIn what stories the organization or their employees have been posting. Showing this extra knowledge is further evidence of your investment in the position and the organization.
4. Analyze the key skills required
The most important skills required for candidates are listed in the job description of the job posting. Listing all skills in your cover letter that you possess, but that are irrelevant to the job, wastes the reader’s time. Use the keywords in the job description when showcasing how you can demonstrate these skills now and in the future thanks to your past work or volunteer experiences.
5. Refer to the organization’s vision and values
Use the information gathered in step 1 and relate to it throughout your cover letter. This means personally tying the information to you by, for example, stating that you share in their values or that you want to be a part of fulfilling their mission as you also see it as important. To set yourself apart from other candidates, it is important to orient the letter to the specific company you are applying to.
Finally, be sure to Review your cover letter multiple times for grammatical or spelling errors. Book an appointment with a Career Centre professional through Career Launch next time you are applying for a job and they can be a second set of eyes to review your cover letter for anything that could have been missed.
Source: https://www.cv-library.co.uk/career-advice/cover-letters/how-to-tailor-your-cover-letter/
“Hello. My name is Sophia Chouinard, and I am a Co-op marketing student. I am now in my 4th year, and so far, I have had an amazing experience at Telfer. What I like most about Telfer is meeting new, like‑minded people. I have met all my close friends through my classes, and they have truly enhanced my university experience. My ideal job would be within the marketing field, either in event planning or content creation. Ideally, I would like to work in an organization that aligns with my values of corporate sustainability and sustainable living.
The happiest moment of my life while at Telfer was at Telfer Connects in 2019, where I was able to speak to my current employer. All the preparation done through the Telfer Career Centre taught me how to demonstrate my skills and knowledge and make amazing connections, which came in handy during the networking event. Finally, the biggest challenge I have faced so far at Telfer has been coming out of my shell. It has been difficult for me, but it has allowed me to really make the most of my time at uOttawa. Studying at Telfer has pushed me to expand my comfort zone and develop my skills with tangible benefits.”
– Sophia Chouniard, 4th-year marketing 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.
We can all agree that our first impression on a recruiter can be decisive. We look for a job, find an interesting posting, and boom, we apply, often without knowing if our resumé will help or impair our results. But what if we were making mistakes without realizing it…
To discover if your resumé IQ is optimal – and maximize your chances to land a job – follow the three next steps BEFORE you submit your next application!
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Update your content
A document containing inaccurate information shows a lack of interest for the position, which negatively impacts the recruiter’s decision. Think about it: an old phone number or email address will instantly deter employers. Furthermore, remember that your resumé must be tailored for your coveted position. If you are looking for an entry-level, business‑analysis position, and that you only have experience as a cashier or as a city pool lifeguard, you should highlight your transferable skills. And while you’re at it, take time to eliminate all typos, which create an unflattering image.
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Have your resumé reviewed by your peers or a PROFESSIONAL
Small details make all the difference in the world, so make sure that your resumé is impeccable in terms of both form and content. To do so, reach out to an advisor. Your resumé should be easy to read, accurate and thorough. Keep in mind that recruiters can review hundreds of resumés for each posting. In a pile of unremarquable, less-than-appealing resumés, yours will stand out.
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Choose the appropriate format
When it comes to resumé-building techniques, it is naturally difficult to generalize. Truth be said, there is no such thing as THE perfect resumé. Submit yours to various advisors or recruiters, and you will invariably get different opinions. However, there are some rules that everyone seems to agree with. First, the content must be relevant. Recruiters need to find the information they need easily and rapidly instead of drowning in a sea of superfluous information. Secondly, the content must be presented in a logical order. Your professional experience, for example, should appear in reversed chronological order (starting with the most recent experience). Finally, make sure to have separate sections: education, professional experience, etc.
I hope these three steps will help you boost your resumé IQ. Don’t forget: your resumé acts as your “combat weapon” in the recruitment process. However, it is also a double-edged sword, as it can either help or impair your job-search efforts.
Don’t hesitate to book an appointment with a professional from the Telfer Career Centre through Career Launch to have your resumé reviewed and improve your resumé IQ.
“Initially, what attracted me to this region was the accounting program at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. I ended up choosing the Telfer School of Management instead due to its national recognition. I have the feeling of having a unique identity at uOttawa, and the access to French is also a huge benefit, in my opinion. Ma greatest source of inspiration is Michael Jordan. I admire him for his perseverance and drive to succeed, in business as in basketball.
I have always had an affinity for mathematics, so I knew that accounting was a good option for me to expand my skills. I am very methodical and highly disciplined, and I think that Accounting allows me to use those qualities to my advantage.”
– Amour Assoume Mendene, 3rd-year accounting 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.