Look for Work

Effective Work Search

Career and Workforce Readiness by Careerspace at Trent

6 self-paced modules to guide you through the job search process:

Cover image for Career and Workforce Readiness modules by Careerspace at Trent. The image depicts characters in a cartoon style, who appear ready to embark on an adventure.

Job Search Skills  by Complete Student – an open-source module for Canadian university students

These in-depth modules will help you articulate skills employers are looking for; understand the diversity of occupations and how to research them; apply tools, databases, and search engines to identify career opportunities; understand the “hidden job market”; build an effective resume and cover letter, and succeed in an interview.

Networking & LinkedIn

Have you ever heard of the “hidden job market?” Many employers search for candidates through their connections because they can feel more assured that they’ll find the right fit. Building your professional network, and having career conversations with professionals in your field, are important ways to gain knowledge and learn about opportunities.

Careerspace hosts several expos and networking events throughout the year where students can meet directly with employers.

The Résumé or CV

A résumé should be concise, persuasive, and extremely well-written. There is no "best" résumé format.Use what works best for your situation and the position you are applying to.

In Canada, the main difference between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a résumé is that a CV is usually only used for academic positions or when applying to some professional and graduate programs. Some international employers may use the terms CV and résumé interchangeably. If you are applying for international jobs, research expectations for CVs and résumés for specific countries. A résumé is used for seeking employment in most other fields.

Check out our Tip Sheets on résumés and CVs. You'll find résumé samples at the bottom of the list of tip sheets.

The Cover Letter

A cover letter is your personal stamp on your application. Even if you aren't asked to submit a cover letter, an employer is likely to expect one. A good letter highlights important accomplishments and skills, demonstrates your research and gives you the opportunity to highlight your genuine interest in the role and organization

Check out our Tip Sheet on cover letters.

The Interview

The most important thing you can do before an interview is prepare.

Prepare by:

researching the company and reviewing the job posting
thinking about your skills, experiences, and knowledge and how they relate to the position; think about examples of when you have demonstrated these and how you can use the examples to answer questions

This will help you to anticipate some of the possible interview questions and be ready with relevant examples and demonstrations of your skills. Being prepared will also help to deal with nervousness.

Check out our Tip Sheet on interviews.