Career Services & Co-operative Education

416-289-5233 | careerservices@centennialcollege.ca | centennialcollege.ca/employment

CAREER & JOB SEARCH STRATEGY GUIDE

GET NOTICED BY EMPLOYERS
Key Job Search & Career Websites

HireCentennial (Access job postings, workshops, employer events, Login to my.centennialcollege.ca

a sample resume for your field, job search appointments, and resources  Student Services Tab 
– All services available during college & for 2 years after graduation!) Click on HireCentennial
Career Success Guide (Online course for students with 4 modules Login to eCentennial  Click on My
Tools menu & select Self Registration 
covering the career development process - Clarify your career goals and click Career Success Guide  Click
learn tips on how to reach them) Register
Indeed (Find jobs pulled from across the web & sign up for alerts) indeed.ca

LinkedIn (The world’s largest professional network – find linkedin.com

professionals in your field)
Eluta (Find jobs & employers who hire people with your diploma!) eluta.ca

Career Cruising (Complete a fun career matchmaker, explore careercruising.com

careers, read interviews with professionals, & find professional Username: centennial
associations in your field) Password: campus1
Interview Stream (Practice your interview skills at home) centennialcollege.interviewstream.com

Charity Village (Paid & volunteer postings in the nonprofit sector) charityvillage.com

Career Edge (Nonprofit recruiter with internship postings for new careeredge.ca
graduates & internationally trained professionals)
Talent Egg (Jobs & resources for students & recent grads) talentegg.ca
Provincial & Federal Government Jobs ontario.ca/careers & jobs.gc.ca

Magnet (Job search website for students & new grads) magnet.today

Partnership to Advance Youth Employment (Employment toronto.ca/paye

coaching, events & jobs for youth aged 18-29)
Employment Opportunities System (GTA job postings) toronto.ca/eos

Centennial College Work-Study Program centennialcollege.ca/admissions/financial-

aid/centennial-college-work-study-program
(Great way to find an on-campus job for fall, winter, and/or summer)

 Sign up for email alerts on HireCentennial, Indeed, & if possible, your industry’s job search board(s).
 Bookmark the career pages of 3+ employers where you’d like to work & check them a few times a week.

STRATEGIES TO ACCESS THE OPEN JOB MARKET (POSTED JOBS)

First, check job postings to know what employers in your field are looking for.
Then, make it as difficult as possible for them to say no. How? Key Tips
 Student clubs / volunteering in related area (2-4 hours per week) Use Jobscan.co to compare
 Entry-level / co-op / summer / temporary jobs your resume with the key
 Taking relevant courses or certifications words in the job posting.

Quality Trumps Quantity - Tailor your Applications Have your cover letter &
resume reviewed by an
1. Print a job posting that you’re interested in, highlight your skills & Employment Advisor to
experience, and emphasize them on your cover letter & resume (without ensure they’re competitive.
copying & pasting phrases). Book an appointment on
HireCentennial.
2. Take 10 minutes to research the company, find one thing you like about it,
& add it to your cover letter.
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Career Services & Co-operative Education
416-289-5233 | careerservices@centennialcollege.ca | centennialcollege.ca/employment

Build your Social Media Presence

Employers are likely to google you during the
hiring process. Build your credibility on social
media.
 Create a account highlighting your
skills and experience related to your desired
field. Join industry groups.
 Consider creating a account to
follow leaders in your industry. (Google:
leaders on Twitter in field] to get started). Post
updates about your field with your comments.
(Just remember: it’s all public.)
Employment Agencies
Register with employment agencies. They
can connect you to employers with entry-
level jobs in a variety of industries. Although
these jobs are often short-term, it’s possible
that a short-term job may be extended if you
impress the employer. One example of an
employment agency is . Their
website is roberthalf.ca. Find more at
acsess.org/members.

STRATEGIES TO ACCESS THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET

Attend Networking Events and Job Fairs
 Find professional associations using > Clicking on your career of interest >
click on Other Resources OR by going to HireCentennial > Employment Resources >
Career & Job Search Websites
 Attend their events or offer to volunteer at a conference in your field.
 Check out our networking events and job fairs on HireCentennial > Career Events

Book Information Interviews

 Learn tips on how to break into your field and expand your network.
 Avoid asking for a job as you’re just beginning to develop rapport.
How to Ask for an Information Interview:
1. Find professionals on LinkedIn that are doing what you want to do.
2. Add them to your contacts. Importantly, in your invitation, state your interest in their career,
summarize your interest and background, and request 15 minutes of their time to learn
about the career. We usually recommend that you meet in person; however if the contact is
unavailable you can also ask to communicate via email, phone, or even Skype.
How to Prepare For & Engage in an Information Interview:
1. Research the company prior to the interview
2. Dress professionally.
3. Prepare a list of questions that you want to ask. Topics can include: what s/he likes most /
least about the job, advice for someone new to the field, & professional organizations to join.
4. Bring along a resume for your contact to comment on.
5. Consider asking for the names of other contacts that you could reach out to.
6. Thank the person for his/her time. Also, follow up with a thank you letter.

ACCESS MORE JOB SEARCH TIPS, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS ON HIRECENTENNIAL!

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE CAREER SERVICES AND CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION

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