Canada’s new grads face an active job market. How can you stand out?
As postsecondary students get ready to cross the stage to get their diplomas, a new survey from business consulting firm Robert Half shows they could face an active market. Sixty-four per cent of companies surveyed say they intend to hire entry-level professionals — those with zero to two years experience — in the first half of this year.
“It’s a great sign that there’s going to be some opportunities for (job seekers) to apply to,” Cal Jungwirth, Robert Half’s director of placement services.
Jungwirth says with an active market and many looking for a new job, it’s important to do what you can to stand out.
This can include using technology to research jobs and companies you’re interested in, and if you get an interview, learn more about that organization so you have a good understanding of what you’re in for.
It’s not just research though, as you can also work on tailored applications.
Anita Connolly-Lynch, career development director and employment services at the University of New Brunswick, said having your resume and cover letter tailored specifically to the job and showcasing how your skills can relate to the job you want can be a help.
“You need to be resilient and adaptable, because as a new graduate you may not have a lot of experience out in the work world to know that there are opportunities out there for you that you could not have even thought of,” she said. “(There are) job titles that don’t exist but can be created for you and your interests.”
Both Jungwirth and Connolly-Lynch say resilience is important however because you may not get that interview right away.
The important thing is to not be discouraged and look into leveraging your network and also highlight your soft skills, things like interpersonal
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