Career Options Magazine

Picture this: You’re heading into your final year of high school. You’re debating whether to enroll in university or college, and what you want to study there. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in the process of making these tough life decisions—there are many students in the same boat.

The idea of participating in a co-op program to help with your education and career decisions isn’t new. The challenge, however, is to secure a co-op position that will help you achieve those goals. In order to stand out against the competition, students need to learn how to best present their skills and experience to employers.

Choosing your top co-op placements and prepping for interviews can consist of a lot of groundwork, but the process can be made easier with the help of career events, company employment programs, recruiters—and practice.

Get socializing

In addition to researching about your co-op company of interest, one of the best ways to learn about an organization, its work environment and its staff is through interactive recruitment initiatives that involve a lot of communication, both online and offline.

An example of this is PwC’s Brilliant Futures program, where students can receive insight on how to start their career at the professional services firm. Current and former students now at PwC share their stories and experiences with other students via blogs, events, videos, Facebook and Twitter etc., on how and what to look for when trying to secure a career with the firm.

Here are some other interactive ways to land your ideal co-op position:

• Sell yourself! Remember, many companies use co-ops to identify the best students early in their school careers. If you tell a company that you want the co-op to “see if the role interests you,” they’ll likely pass. They want the candidate who tells them, “This is the career I really want.”
• Build relationships with other students and advisors in your co-op program.
• Attend networking and recruiting events.
• Ask to “job shadow” an employee who holds a position you’re interested in.
• Review company social media tools and participate in online forums and chats hosted by companies that offer co-op programs.

Make a lasting impression

You’ve made a list of your dream co-op gigs, and the next hurdle is to show that you have the right skills for the job. Here’s an insider recruitment tidbit: your resumé is the first document a potential employer sees—even before your cover letter. Recruiters tend to read the cover letter only if they like your resumé.

Target what you learned from your research or from staff at networking events, and incorporate it into your resumé, ensuring that you highlight achievements, not just job responsibilities. The key to a good resumé is to capture the reader’s interest with more than just “facts.” That’s what will make them want to meet you in person for a face-to-face interview.

The next step is acing your co-op interviews. Remember that the interview should benefit both the candidate and the employer—both parties are looking for the right “fit.” The company wants to learn about your skills and achievements, and you can learn more about the position itself and the overall work environment.

Here are some helpful hints for your co-op interview:

• Be yourself no matter what. As a student, you won’t be happy in a place where you can’t be yourself. By doing so, you will find your right fit!
• Remember to smile. A smile goes a long way and it shows that you’re excited to learn about a company.
• Be confident! This makes you more enticing to have a conversation with—so have confidence in yourself and in your experiences and capabilities. You can build confidence by being prepared for the interview; conduct thorough research and practice your interview skills.

As you start to think about co-op placements, remember to seek out fellow students with experience, attend networking events, conduct research online, use social media tools to interact and learn more about companies, and make the most of helpful recruitment programs. These different avenues help students with the co-op application process and, most importantly, provide insight into the recruitment routine—impacting future career opportunities.

James Davidson leads the national campus recruitment team at PwC Canada, a company that provides assurance, tax, consulting and deals services.

For more information, please visit: www.pwc.com/ca/en/campus-recruiting; careeroptionsmagazine.com