An Effective Work Search

Where do I look for work?

All job postings received by the Career Centre are posted on our online job board.This includes on-campus/off-campus, Ontario Work Study, Trent International, Summer, P/T, and jobs for recent Trent graduates.  

It can be found HERE. You will need to log-in using your trent username and password.

Looking for more information, check out our Work Search Tip Sheets.

Consider the following steps when starting your work search:

1. Target Your Search

• Explore your career options – identify some target areas
• Take some time exploring the opportunities available (advertised jobs) and those that interest you
• Determine what organizations/people you want to contact (unadvertised jobs)
• Learn something about the places you plan to apply to

2. Contact Employers

• Tap into the unadvertised job market by phoning employers to introduce yourself
• Reply to job ads with a résumé and cover letter

Advertised Job Market Advertised jobs are work opportunities that have been posted publicly. These may include bulletin boards, online job boards or newspapers. While advertised jobs are easier to find, they tend to be more competitive and only make up small percentage of the total number of opportunities. Respond promptly Keep track of all jobs you apply for including the contact information  Be confident in your qualifications. Job ads list the ideal candidate. If you can make a case about your skills, apply.  Analyse the ad. Does it sound too good to be true? Don’t be afraid to ask questions before applying.  Tailor your résumé and cover letter. Focus on your specific skills as they relate to the job ad.

Unadvertised Job Market You guessed it…an unadvertised job is any opportunity that is not posted publicly.  This is where you’ll discover the majority of jobs.  To locate unadvertised jobs, you will need to consider networking.  Networking is creating a system of contacts for both information and support.  Tell everyone!  Let people know what kind of job you are looking for - contact friends, former colleagues, and relatives. Networking can be by email, phone or in person. Try contacting people in the field.  Consider informational interviewing.  It allows you to ask questions and maybe even get a foot in the door. Rather than looking for a job, look for information that will help lead you to a job.  Try directories, phone books, internet, associations and other people.

3. Follow Up

• Phone, fax or write the person making the hiring decision
• Call employers to ensure they received your application and find out where they are in the hiring process
• Follow up with the people that signed the letters indicating your application is "being held on file for future consideration
• Send a thank-you card, note or e-mail to those contacts that have assisted you                 
• Remember, the Career Centre is only one source of jobs.  You will want to look into the broader advertised and unadvertised jobs markets.

4.  Consider the Employer and Job Offer

• Reputation: Are there any complaints with the Better Business Bureau regarding the company?
• The company's Mission Statement
• Training period: paid nor not; safety training and gear provided?
• "Perks" to the job, e.g. free clothing, access to local events for promotion
• Turnover rate:  Has the job been open before?
• Signing a contract?  Read it all the way through and have others look it over.
• Workplace environment: Office setting? Outdoors? Heights? Confined spaces? Hazardous materials?
• Work schedule: nights, weekends, overtime, flexibility, guaranteed hours
• Compensation: salary; commission/bonus: how is it calculated?  Click here for links to sites about salary.
• Unsure of your rights and responsibilities regarding labour standards and/or health and safety?  Check out Work Smart Ontario, the official website of the Ontario Ministry of Labour for young workers and new workers.  Find out how to be safe at work.  Find out how to be treated fairly.