Career Development

1) Write a Strong Resume:

Examples of what you can include in a resume:

• Name, Address, Phone Number, Postal Code, Email
• Skills (things you are good at that would look good to an employer)
• Education (Include 3 schools, years attended/grade levels, expected year of grad from SCI)
• Work Experience (employer, position & responsibilities, years worked)
• Volunteering Experience (position, timeline, years)
• Awards/Scholarships (explain award, year)
• Athletics (years involved)
• Languages (other languages spoken)
• Travel Experience (include countries, years)
• Three References (Names, job/position, email, phone number)

​Check out the websites below for some assistance:

http://www.youth.gc.ca/eng/topics/jobs/resume.shtml

http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4001064

2) Research Potential Jobs

-Make a list of places you'd like to work and learn about those companies (talk to workers there, ask friends, look online)

-What does it look like working at the company? Research pay, hours, responsibilites, what they offer their employees (student scholarships?). In interviews they like to see that you've done your homework and that you really know why you want to work there. 

-Go to the companies, talk to employers/managers, see who is hiring, and hand out your Resume (this will help you see what potential jobs are actually out there, and you will learn the application process for each job)

3) Write a Cover Letter

 -A cover letter should be no more than one page, should state your intention to work for the company, and include why you want to work for them (don't say "to make money", should include other reasons for yourself like job experience, and also how you want to help the company itself)

-Summarize your most important skills and experience from your resume that are specific to the job you are applying to

-Include information specific to the job, you should sound knowledgeable about the specific job you are applying for (i.e. don't have a generic cover letter for each job you are applying for)

See the tips/examples below:

http://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/how-not-to-write-a-cover-letter-canada

http://www.canadajobs.com/articles/viewarticle.cfm?ArticleID=1268

https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CoverLetters.html

 4) Prepare for a Job Interview

-Review popular interview questions on the links below

-Practice! Ask a parent or friend to ask you common questions and prepare your possible answers

-Find nice clothes to wear and look presentable (no hats, wear nice pants, shoes, and dress shirt or professional appearance for girls)

-Show up early to the interview (this looks good to employers)

http://www.michaelpage.ca/content/80-top-10-interview-questions-and-how-you-should-answer-them.html

http://www.ceswoodstock.org/job_search/intervuintro.shtml

http://www.youth.gc.ca/eng/topics/jobs/interview.shtml

​5) Stay Positive and Be Persistent

-If you get a job right away, good work, if not don't give up your search

-Many places will only hire at certain times of the year and many places will not be hiring, but continue to hand your resume out and make as many connections as you can

-Think about people you know who can help you get started with work (Put the word out to everyone that you're looking for a job: Tap into parents, parents' friends, friend's parents, family connections, etc.)

-Don't think a certain job is below you, you may need to start small and work your way up with experience - there is honour in every job

-Sometimes volunteering somewhere can be a way to get noticed in a company and may lead to work in the future - go to Volunteer Manitoba to research possible opportunities

As always, see a Student Services teacher if you have any questions!