Amplify your Networking Skills

Networking is a great way to discover career pathways and uncover potential job opportunities. By networking, you get the chance to interact with others, share your interests, and find commonalities with others. With the help of some useful tools and techniques for connecting with people and establishing professional connections, networking has never been so easy!

What does it mean to amplify your network?

The theme for this year’s Canada Career Month is “Amplify”.  As part of this, we look to help students understand why it is important to make connections and feel comfortable with the concept of networking.  In doing so, students can help build their social and professional networks to support their career development.

Why amplify your networking skills?

There are several ways in which you can amplify your networking skills and benefit from making connections. Networking can:

• Improve future work prospects
• Help you build friendships with a professional bridge
• Support your business: advertising your company, products and services, and most importantly your professional brand
• Grow your list of professional connections in your industry
• Help you gain knowledge and different perspectives in your industry
• Provide the opportunity to access the hidden job market
• Lead to mentorship opportunities (opportunity to be mentored or to mentor)
• Allow you to practice your communication skills
• Source out professional development opportunities

Tools to help you amplify yourself in your professional network?

https://kinsta.com/blog/linkedin-statistics/

One of the top platforms for connecting with other professionals and offering opportunities for job advancement is LinkedIn. The barrier extends beyond only professionals and encompasses recruiters, alumni, and students everywhere. Through this single platform, they are all linked. Users with complete profiles are 40x more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn.

At CareerZone, the “Ultimate LinkedIn Cheat Sheet” is one of the most useful resources you can use to help guide you in building the ideal LinkedIn profile and making professional connections. 

Ten Thousand Coffees is a mentorship platform that connects students with alumni from Brock.

• By leveraging this tool, you can:
• Learn about new career opportunities and keep up with industry trends
• Develop your networking and mentoring skills through real-world practice
• Build your network of other Brock alumni and faculty based on your industry and interests
• Gain a better understanding of what careers are available with your degree
• Develop your communication skills in person and virtually 

https://slidemodel.com/elevator-pitch-presentations-guide/

Creating an Elevator Pitch is a quick and useful strategy you can use to network with professionals. 

The biggest benefit is that it provides you with a chance to quickly introduce yourself to the individuals you will be meeting or connecting with. Just like when you typically meet someone new for the first time:

 1)   Self-introduction and identification

·       You start off with your name to identify yourself and for them to know who you are

 2)     Describe your Key Skills/Experience/Qualifications/Education

·       This comprises a background of prior experiences and education relevant to a particular role.

 3)     Mention how your qualifications are valuable

·       Talk about your transferable skills, how they connect to the jobs you're interested in, and what skill set makes you want to work there.

 4)     Highlight what type of career or jobs you are seeking

·       You can briefly describe the types of jobs you are interested in and those that match your skills 

Be sure to stop by CareerZone in Market Hall or email us at career@brocku.ca if you have any questions or would like to go over some of these helpful networking strategies.

Connect With Us!  

We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer your questions.   

Follow us on our Social Media to stay up to date on our events and workshops!  

Twitter: @BrockCareerZone  

Instagram: @brockcareerzone   

Written by Chelsa Sunil, Career Assistant

Edited by Kara Renaud, Manager of Career Education, CCEE Department 

 

 

 

Amplify Your Interview Skills

A good interview depends on making a great first impression. In your interview, being punctual, dressing well, and, most importantly, communicating effectively, might make all the difference. By leverage technology such as, Interviewing.com (previously InterviewStream), you can practice your interview skills and receive feedback on your verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Preparing for your practice interview

By practicing your interview skills, you can reduce your anxiety and strengthen your interview performance. Prior to practicing, it is important to understand the position details and research the company you’re interested in. Know your objectives and the reasons why you are applying. Make sure you are prepared for your interview by knowing the location, date, and time of the interview, and dress to impress! Also, practice, practice, practice! Play around with the webcam and ensure your eyes are on the camera.   Just as though you were having a discussion with someone seated in front of you. While it might seem strange at first, the more you practice looking at the webcam rather than the interviewer on the display, the more at ease you will be.

Tips for virtual practice interviews

When you are completing a virtual practice interview, there might be a time frame set for you to respond within (e.g. 2 minutes).  You might also have the chance retry your answer if you are not happy with your first attempt to answer a question.  Depending on whether you set up your own practice interview or if it was created by an employer or staff member, this might not be a factor.  When responding to questions, be yourself.  Inhale deeply, relax, smile, and allow your true self to shine.  Employers not only evaluate candidates based on their responses, but they also consider your personality and how you present yourself.

Take advantage of tools such as Interviewing.com to help you get prepared for your next job interview.  It will help you build confidence and shed the nerves that come with the interview process.

Connect With Us!  

We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer your questions.   

Follow us on our Social Media to stay up to date on our events and workshops!  

Twitter: @BrockCareerZone  

Instagram: @brockcareerzone   

Written by Nicholas Siena, Career Assistant

Edited by Kara Renaud, Manager of Career Education, CCEE Department 

 

 

 

Amplify your Experience at Brock

Welcome to week three of Canada Career Month Badgers!! 

Brock is famous for leading in experiential learning, and because of this there are many opportunities for students to engage in quality experiential learning opportunities. The Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) department is very innovative and has been able to support thousands of students looking to build their skills and experience.  

When I first started at Brock, it was quite difficult to experience anything that the school had to offer as it was the peak of COVID-19. As an international student this is my first year on campus and my first time in the country. There is a lot to explore and learn. I had no idea where to find clubs, volunteer experiences, jobs and I missed a lot of these opportunities because of my lack of knowledge. So, I hope by the end of this blog you will be able to pick something that will bring you closer to amplifying your experience at Brock. 

Where to find the experiences? 

Brock has an entire website dedicated to experiences at the school. To find out what these experiences are, all you need to do is search up “Experience BU” and then log in with your student ID and explore the various opportunities available to you. To find out about volunteer and job experiences, check out the CareerZone portal at https://careerzone.brocku.ca.  Again, log in with your student credentials and navigate the platform.  

Why is it important? 

• Application of learning: Experience teaches you about how to apply theory into practice and provides an opportunity for you to make connects and reflect on your skills and interests. After all there is a reason why Albert Einstein said “The only source of knowledge is experience.” 
• To stand out: The work you have done in the past and the projects you have undertaken are particular to you alone and in this world it is very beneficial.  
• Self-Actualization: The more you experience the more you understand yourself and others and are able to navigate the world a bit better. The most valuable contribution of experience comes from the self-awareness it provides.  
• Build your network: While a degree might increase your peer base, experience gives you access to a huge network of people who can support your career development. 

It is never too late to amplify your experience at Brock as there is something for everyone within the school. While engaging in new experiences can be uncomfortable at times, you never know until you try. I encourage you to take a manageable risk and explore the experiences that Brock has to offer!  

Connect With Us!   

We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer your questions.    

Follow us on our Social Media to stay up to date on our events and workshops!   

Twitter: @BrockCareerZone   

Instagram: @brockcareerzone    

Written by Tiffany Muhindi, Career Assistant  

Edited by Kara Renaud, Manager of Career Education, CCEE Department

 

Amplify your Career Event Experience

Happy Canada Career Month badgers! Some of you may have no idea what I’m talking about but, simply put, November is a celebration of work and all those that have helped navigate our journey there. Here at CareerZone, we want to ensure that all Brock students are equipped with the best resources, whether that be online resources at careerzone.brocku.ca, networking events, resume/cover letter help or a 1:1 appointment with our helpful full-time staff. We want to make sure that by the time you graduate, you have a competitive edge in the job market or in applicant pools for graduate schools.  

So, what can you do to get involved?  The answer is simple: come out and attend some of our amazing events! 

But, the big question: HOW?! 

When I first started at Brock University, COVID-19 was at its peak and with first year completely online, naturally, last year was a big transition for me. Being new to the campus, I had no idea how to look for events, prepare for them or even what to do during events if somehow I managed to find one. So, now that I’m more informed, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share some tips and tricks.  

How to find out about career events  

To find out what events are happening on campus or in the community, check out the CareerZone portal at https://careerzone.brocku.ca. All you need to do is log in with your student credentials and navigate the platform.  All Career Events are easily accessible under the “Campus Career” or “Goodman Career” tabs in the Dashboard drop down menu, under “Events”. All that’s left to do is register if necessary! 

 

Preparing for career events 

Now that you have registered, it’s important to keep in mind that each event is not just beneficial due to the new information you could learn, but also the many new connections you could make. Remember, first impressions can be long lasting, so ensure you are dressed professionally and ready to learn! Do some research on the topic before hand and come prepared with a list of questions. This way, when you are socializing, you can skip over any awkward pauses and go straight into meaningful conversation. Additionally, I would recommend perfecting your online presence before hand, so that when you go to an event and someone asks you for your contact, you can confidently give them you LinkedIn to stay in touch. Did you know that CareerZone has a photo booth? Drop in to get your professional headshot! 

What to do during a career event  

When you are at the event, it is most important to have fun and be yourself! Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you don’t act professionally, but that you try your best to make everyone around you comfortable. If you are nervous, remember that this is completely okay, and many other attendees will also feel that way. Take a deep breath and find someone approachable to talk to. Once you start to feel at ease, conversations that follows will come more naturally. If you make some meaningful connections (I’m sure you will), don’t forget to ask them for their contact information and follow up with a quick message. If it’s an online event, ensure that you are clearly visible and that your background also reflects a degree of professionalism. As the event wraps up, don’t forget to thank facilitators for their time and efforts. :) 

Connect With Us!  
We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer your questions.   
  
Follow us on our Social Media to stay up to date on our events and workshops!  
Twitter: @BrockCareerZone  
Instagram: @brockcareerzone   
   
Written by Akanksha Guleria, Career Assistant  
Edited by Kara Renaud, Manager of Career Education, CCEE Department