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Welcome to Step 2!
You are probably wrapping up your first year or two and are nowÌýthinking about testing the professional waters over the summer break.
For most of you, it is likely your first time trying to find a job in a foreign country, or it may well be your first job anywhere. We understand your stress, as you are in the midst ofÌýstudying for midterms and finals on top ofÌýworrying about your job applications.
Here is a list of recommended steps - to take action instead of worry.
(Please note: to view and register for career fairs, information sessions and workshops offered through CaPS, login to and click on theÌýEvents tab. For a more comprehensive introduction to internships, please visit CaPS'Ìý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù²Ô²õ³ó¾±±è²õÌý±è²¹²µ±ð.)
- Exploring Career
- CV & Cover Letter
- Interview Skills
- Building Professional Image
- Knowing the Market
- Essential Documents
- Knowing your Workplace
Exploring Career Options
If you are more of a do-it-yourself person, here is a list of resources that will familiarise youÌýwith the potential applications of each major in the job market.
List of Resources
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Sometimes, figuringÌýthings out on your ownÌýcan be difficult. A new perspective from an advisor canÌýhelp you make the right decisions to find your career path. TheyÌýwill also help in orienting you towards a career path that fits your interests and skills.
List of Resources
- CaPS C-Lounge:Ìýa roaming lounge where students can drop in withoutÌýan appointment and chat with a career advisor. Ask any question that is on your mind.Ìý
- CaPS Career advisors: students can ask an advisor about any career-related inquiries. An appointment is mandatory.Ìý
- Find out if your faculty or department also has a career office.Ìý
Perfecting Your CVÌý& Cover Letter
When it comes to CVs and cover letters, one size does not fit all. In today’s competitive job market,Ìý CVs and cover letters need to be tailoredÌýto targeted industries or jobs.
If your CV and cover letter directly address the job’s requirements and showcase how well you can meet them, your chances of getting an interview invite increase dramatically. But many students struggle with the issue of how to focus on different aspects of themselves on different CVs and cover letters.
Here are some resources that will help you improve your job searching tools:
List of Resources
- If you have yet to attend any workshops about the basics of writing aÌýCVÌýand cover letter by CaPS, check them out on the CaPS website!
- CaPS CV advising (drop-in & by appointment)Ìý
- º«¹úÂãÎè Writing Center Tutoring: You may book a tutorial session to correct your writingÌýon your CV and cover letter.
- Workshop:ÌýPerfecting the Cover Letter by CaPS and Graphos for graduate students (under the tab 'Graduate Workshop')
- For career assistance from off-campus resources,Ìývisit Step 4 of iSTEP (under the tab "External Resources - CV and Cover Letter Advising").
DevelopingÌýInterview Skills
Comprehending Interviews
Once you have received an interview invitation, you mustÌýprepare.ÌýMany job applicants spend little time preparing for an interview, leadingÌýto poor results. Thorough preparation will improveÌýyour confidence,Ìýperformance, and job prospects. The resources below will provide you with a sense of this process:Ìý
List of resources
- CaPS Workshops: Practice your InterviewingÌý(under tab 'Interview Preparation')
- CaPS Workshops: Practice Case InterviewingÌý(under tab 'Interview Resources')
- The career or internship office of each faculty may offer more discipline-specific workshops for interview techniques as well. Ìý
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Fortifying Your Interview Skills
Practicing your Interview in French
ManyÌýinterviews are conducted entirely or at least partially in FrenchÌýin Quebec. Depending on your area of studies, fluency in French may have an impact on an employer's decision to hire you.ÌýÌý
Many international students are not prepared for this situation, as they have neverÌýexperienced interviews in French. Attending the workshops below will help youÌýlearn the strategies for a successful interview in French.
Please note that intermediate to advanced levelÌýof French isÌýrequired in order to attend some of the workshops.
List of resources
- FLC+CJE workshops series: "français au travail"Ìý(Follow to see the schedule for theseÌýworkshops.)
- Other French learning tipsÌý(under tab "ExpandingÌýSkills-Language")
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Mock Interviews
AÌýmock interviewÌýis aÌýconversational exercise resembling a real interviewÌýfor the purpose of providing an experience for a job candidate. Mock interviewsÌýhelp aÌýjob applicantÌýunderstand what is expected in a real interview. They also helpÌýan applicant improve theirÌýself-presentation.Ìý
List of resources
- CaPS Advisors:ÌýÌýStudents can ask an advisor about any career-related inquiriesÌýor schedule mock interviews. An appointment is mandatory.
- CaPS + InterviewStream:ÌýAt º«¹úÂãÎè, in addition to schedulingÌýan appointment with an advisor for a mock interview, you canÌýalso use the online platformÌýInterviewStreamÌýto practice whenever it suits you.Ìý
- Faculties and departments may also provide mock interview appointments.
- For a list of external resourcesÌýyou could use,Ìývisit step 4 of iSTEP (under the tab "External Resources").
Building Your Professional Image
In Canada and many other job markets, self-presentation and self-promotion matter!
This includes actions to be taken in addition toÌýdrafting your CV and cover letter and can be doneÌýboth on andÌýoffline.
More and more employers refer to LinkedIn profiles to know their candidates. And many vacancies are filled through contacts in your field. These twoÌýtypes of recruitmentÌý-Ìýone so publicly accessibleÌýand the other much more hidden -Ìýboth involve presenting your most professional self at any time.
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Establishing a Presence on LinkedIn
CaPS provides feedbackÌýregarding your LinkedIn profile during 20-minuteÌýdrop-in sessions.Ìý
There are also plenty of chances around campus where you could even get a free professional LinkedIn headshot!Ìý
List of resources
- CaPS LinkedIn Advising:Ìýon an appointment or drop-in basis.
- Coffee with CaPS Student Leaders - In Person (LinkedIn).ÌýRegister on
- Engineering: Building Your Network with LinkedIn Workshop (+photo). Register on Ìý
Introduction to Networking
Networking is an important part of any job search, and particularly here in Quebec. It is the process of establishing contacts for the purpose of gathering information, communicating your career goals, seeking advice, and obtaining leads on jobs. Unsurprisingly, the larger your network is, the more likely you are to be successful.
Unless you put effort into building your network, this could be one of the weak spots for many international students. But there are ways to compensate, and the following resources can help you on that path:
List of resources
- CaPS workshops: Practice your NetworkingÌý(under tab 'Undergraduate Workshops')
- Networking Tips
- : º«¹úÂãÎè, in partnership with Ten Thousand Coffees, has createdÌýº«¹úÂãÎèConnect, a career network designed to make it easy for members of the º«¹úÂãÎè community toÌýreceive or offer mentoring and career advice, connect with the º«¹úÂãÎè community and make the most of your º«¹úÂãÎè professional networks
- CaPS mentorship program:ÌýThe º«¹úÂãÎè Mentor Program is designed to connect º«¹úÂãÎè students with º«¹úÂãÎè alumni, allowing them the opportunity to gain valuable experience and advice for career development.
- More º«¹úÂãÎè Networking venues and events
- Each department’s student association may have plenty of networking events throughout the semester. Check their Facebook pages and websites regularly!
Mastering the Market
Where to Start Looking for a Job
In addition to traditional, published vacancies, one of the most important and often neglected ideas behind job searching is the "hidden market". ManyÌývacancies are filled by candidates with an internal reference, meaning they areÌýnever publicly advertised. This shows the importance of networking. It is that in Quebec, "hidden" vacancies make up 30% of the job market.Ìý
Have a look at the following resources to learn where to look for a job:
List of resources
- CaPS Workshops: How To Find a Job Ìý(under tab 'Undergraduate Workshops')
- CaPS Workshops: International Students: Finding summer and part-time opportunitiesÌýÌý(under the tab 'Targeted Workshops')
- CaPS Workshop: Job Search for 1st Time SeekersÌý(under the tab 'Additional Workshops')
- A list of job search sites
- Visit the previous section to findÌýmore information about Networking (under the tab "Build Professional Image- Introduction to Networking")
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Getting familiar with the Canadian labourÌýmarket
One of the biggest issues presented to international students might be the lack of knowledge of the local labour market. For example, what field is in high demand at the moment?ÌýWhere should one start to search for jobs? What are the reasonable expectations of salary? What is expected of you when you enter the labour market?
Check out these workshops and online tools to help you understand Canadian and Quebec labourÌýmarkets:
List of resources
- CaPS Workshop: Business Etiquette For Job SeekersÌý(under the tab 'Targeted Workshops')
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provides information about different trades and occupations in Quebec, includingÌýtheir principal tasks, wages, job prospects, potential employers, prerequisites and the training required.
You can also find out about trades and occupations in high demand, growing sectors of activity and the availability of workers.
Securing Essential Documents to Work When You are a Student
SIN
The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number required toÌýwork (and get paid) in Canada.ÌýEmployers must ask for the SINÌýof all new employees as soon as they are hired. You may apply for a SIN before you start working, or up to three days after your start date. A SINÌýis also required for taxation purposes.
- ISS Information on how to apply for a SIN
- Ìý- the government agency that issues SINs
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Do I need a work permit?
Find out if you need a work permit for your part-time jobs, summer jobs, or internships.
- CaPS+ISS Workshop: Finding Jobs in CanadaÌý(under the tab 'Targeted Workshops')
- ISS information on the requirements for on-campus work, off-campus work, and co-op or internships
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A newly created website from IRCC that goes through the various steps that students should follow from studying, working, all the way to citizenship.
Knowing your Workplace
Are Unpaid Internships Legal?
Unlike some other countries, there are few laws in Canada defining or regulating internships directly.Ìý Each province has its own employment standards legislation, regulations, and/or guidelines that may apply to interns.Ìý
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Integrating into your workplace
Once you’ve been hired, you’ll feel much more at ease in your professional environment if you are conscious of work values in Quebec and what is expected of you.
List of resources
- I choose Montreal:
- MIFI:Ìý
- Ìý(in French)
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