Researching Jobs
After graduating with a B.Comm. from St. Mary’s University, Joe Voltan began to pursue his dream job: a career in financial analysis and forecasting. Joe’s positive attitude and experiences enable him to job search with confidence. Having worked throughout his secondary and postsecondary schooling, Joe has become adept at the process, from exploring the hidden job market to preparing a proven interview strategy.
Joe describes his job hunting practices as a combination of preparation, personal networking, and focused follow-up.
“When looking for a job, I check the web—workopolis.com, jobbank.ca, and government sites. However, I have never found a job that way. Every job I have found came from networking: meeting people, asking friends and colleagues what they know about work available in the field I want. Job hunting has changed: many companies recruit by encouraging their employees to refer candidates.”
Presently Joe works for one of Canada’s five major banks. Originally hired as a financial service representative, Joe now captains his own team of FSRs, a job he found through an internal posting.
Assume that you are Joe’s ex-colleague. Research the jobs postings of major banks to find a job that interests you and write Joe an email letter asking him to refer you for a similar position in his company. Create and attach a résumé customized to the industry, for the job you are applying for.