Working Over The Holidays!

Brock U is in FULL EXAM-MODE! 

Although there are a lot of tasks, assignments, and exams going on... there is a lot of time to get ahead in the career side of things during this holiday season!

This can be done by updating your professional documents (CV, Resume, Cover Letter etc), networking, and being on the lookout for potential employers!

Some more practical steps you could take is challenging yourself to do a 

"5 things to do before the end of Winter Break". 

The challenge is to:

1. Speak to a close friend or a family member about a career goal you have in mind

In the season of giving, bond with someone you care about through a goal you genuinely care about in the career world.

2. Update your LinkedIn/Make a LinkedIn

In the corporate world, LinkedIn is very necessary, networking has been made so much easier through this app and it is a necessary bridge to put in place for your success.

3. Look for 10 possible employers you could apply for, for the summer period

This is a practical step to think about because it can also reveal the jobs you would be interested in partaking in and where you ideally see yourself.

4. Start looking at prerequisites for Post-Grad applications

It is always better to start looking into application requirements earlier than later. I assure you, you do not want to be bombarded with several statements of interest.

5. Write SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) Goals for 2024 regarding your professional/career-based path

CareerZone's Walk-In services are open from 10 am to 4 pm until the 20th of December

(While the virtual services go on till the 22nd of December from 10 am to 2 pm)

And opens back up on the 2nd of January for their in-person services

Be sure to get assistance as soon as possible!

Have a Great Holiday Break!

Clem, Career Navigator

Curriculum Vitae Support

Ah, November: a cold, stressful month in University Land. Midterms are fully in gear , and to top it all off Grad School Applications are due soon. So allow us at Career Zone to take some weight off your back, and help you begin writing your Curriculum Vitae (CV). 

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

Contrary to popular belief a CV is NOT a resume. Yes, they hold similar qualities, but these two documents are not interchangeable. A CV is a document that holds all of your amazing scholarly achievements.  

Your three page paper will lay out everything from Education to community involvement. Into a variety of separate sections you will discuss your, Educational pathway, Awards, Research Interests/Profile, Publications, Experience (both scholarly and community wise), and finally your references. 

We understand that you still may not feel at ease about your CV, but not to worry as the Career Zone is here to guide you! In-person or online we are here for you! 

What Online Resources Does the Career Zone Offer? 

When you access your Career Zone portal you can use the student resources tab to access all of our amazing CV documents. On the “CV & Statement of Intent” page, you'll will find a variety of resources (including a mock CV) to guide you through this tricky application process. Another great advantage of our online resources is that we provide a few different types of CV's. These include: A general CV sample, a Chemistry based CV, a Psychology based CV, and a Advanced PhD CV. 

What In-Person Resources Does Career Zone Offer?

For in-person assistance you can book an appointment with one of our amazing Talent Specialists. A talent specialist will walk you through your CV step by step. To book an appointment with one of our Talent Specialists you will have to access your Career Zone page, and book a “Document Review” session. 

Career Zone also offers walk-in appointments from 10 AM - 4 PM Monday to Friday. A walk-in appointment will assist you with locating these resources, and booking your appointment with a Talent Specialist! 

Now that you have all of these tips and tricks, writing your CV will be a breeze! If you need any assistance feel free to visit the Career Zone Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM. You can also contact us via email at career@brocku.ca!

You’ve got this Badgers, and remember we are here to help you navigate the way! Stay Cozy this Winter Season and get those Grad School Applications in!

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                    Written by Julia Collin-Pereira, Career Navigator

Navigating your Resume and Cover Letter - Crafting a path to success

In the ever-changing landscape of job search, your resume and cover letter serve as the first point of contact between you and potential employers. These professional documents not only showcase your qualifications and skills, but also your personality. Crafting these documents effectively is crucial for landing a job that you want. In this blog, we will explore the key elements of both resumes and cover letters and provide valuable tips that you can use to stand out in a competitive job market. 

Resumes:

Contact Information:

Begin with your name, address (street name optional), phone number, email address and your personalized LinkedIn profile URL if you have one.

Education:

Show your educational background in reverse chronological order. Begin with the degree title, followed by the institution name, and the time frame of that degree. You can highlight the degree title in bold to make it stand out.

Professional Experience:

Tailor this section to the job that you are applying for. Showcase past experiences that are relevant to the job. To make your experience stand out, we recommend using the CAR  formula (Challenge, Action, Result). Craft 3-5 statements under each experience heading. The CAR formula is an excellent format to highlight what you did in a job, how you did it (skills used) and the outcome of your actions.

Volunteer Experience:

Showcase relevant volunteer experience. Tailor the details to align with the specific job you’re applying for by emphasizing the aspects of your volunteer experience that showcase your suitability for the position.

Professional Development:

Include any additional training, certifications, or conferences you attended that shows an ongoing learning and growth within your field. It is a section in which you can show that you are current with industry trends.

Special Skills:

If you want to highlight any special skills you might have such as, technical skills or languages, you can create headings for these and showcase them for potential employers.

Formatting:

Ensure a clean and professional look by using a consistent format, font size of 11-12, and use bullet points for easy reading. Restrict the page count to a maximum of two pages.  Click here to see an example of a well-formatted resume. 

Cover Letters:

While a resume can be a snapshot of your professional life, a cover letter gives you the chance to connect with an employer on a more personal level. Here are some tips to help you write a standout cover letter!

Introduction:
The goal of the introductory paragraph is to grab the reader’s attention right from the very start. A good rule of thumb is to mention why you are writing and why you are interested in the position.

The Body Paragraph:
The goal of this paragraph is to create the reader’s desire to read further by discussing how your skills and qualifications match the needs of the job. Talk about how your qualifications make you the right fit for the position. Your intentions should be to draw a connection between your qualifications and the job description and show the employer how you can bring value to the organization. Feel free to split the body paragraph into two paragraphs if you want to.

Concluding Paragraph:
In your closing paragraph, request an opportunity to meet and discuss your qualifications for the position, in other words, request an interview. Inform them of how you can be reached and thank them for their time and consideration of your application.

Formatting:
A cover letter should never be more than one page. Format it similar to a business letter using font sizing 11-12 points. Everything in the cover letter, from the date, all the way to your name and signature, should be aligned to the left. Click here to review our cover letter guidelines.

For more information and resources on resumes and cover letters, please visit careerzone.brocku.ca > Student Resources. Good luck!

Ahrar Tahmid Rubab,
Goodman Career Navigator.