Career Development Workshops

Workshop Series:

# 1 = Build your Job Search Tools (CV, cover letter, interview and action plan)

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Compose a more effective and tailored cv.
2) Define the essential components of a cover letter.
3) Understand the importance of, and define what is involved in, thorough interview preparation.
4) Identify the best forms of verbal and non-verbal communication in order to conduct themselves in a professional manner before, during and after an interview.
5) Understand the importance of an action plan which includes identifying the eight steps that guide the career planning process and which of those steps needs development.

# 2 = Discover the Hidden Job Market (cold calling, networking, researching employers)

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Understand that most jobs are found through the hidden job market and that networking is a win-win situation.
2) Understand the importance of researching employers and industries.
3) Identify website resources and databases in which they can grow their employer contact base.
4) Formulate questions they would ask at an information interview.
5) Create their own script for a cold call to a potential contact in their field.

# 3 = Perfect your Professional Image (business etiquette, school to work transition)

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Understand the importance of, and define what is involved in, presenting yourself professionally in person – through your body language, attitude and communication style – and online.
2) Identify key elements involved in dressing for success.
3) Identify key differences involved in the transition from university to work life and know how to prepare for your first day on the job.

# 4 = Practice your Networking (Prerequisite: Workshop #2)

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Identify and modify their individual style of networking for various situations.
2) Practice their networking approach in a series of simulated scenarios.
3) Create a checklist for future networking telephone calls and / or meetings.

# 5 = Practice your Interviewing (Prerequisite: Workshop #1)

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Identify the best forms of verbal and non-verbal communication in order to conduct themselves in a professional manner before, during and after an interview.
2) Practice their interview skills in a series of simulated scenarios.
3) Create a checklist to help them prepare for future interviews.

# 6 = Practice Case Interviewing (Prerequisite: Workshop #1)

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Understand the importance of, and define what is involved in, thorough case interview preparation.
2) Identify the skills an employer is assessing during a case interview.
3) Understand and experience the process of a case interview.

Where to find Worldwide Work: Passport to adventure

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Identify some of their reasons and preparedness for going overseas.
2) List at least 3 international skills they already possess.
3) Effectively research programs such as youth exchanges, internships, professional exchanges, teaching abroad opportunities, volunteer, and independent work and travel programs, and summer opportunities.
4) Understand the steps in the international hiring process.

Where to find Summer Jobs and Internships: Beat the heat

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Assess their priorities and set goals for their summer job/internship.
2) Identify the primary job search steps involved in obtaining a summer position.
3) Uncover the hidden job market and understand its particular relevance to the summer job search.
4) Identify several sectors which often hire summer employees and list at least three resources to effectively research specific companies and summer job and internship opportunities.

Job Search for 1st Time Seekers

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Assess their previous expererience and job search readiness.
2) Understand the hiring process and the role of the hidden job market.
3) Identify key job search strategies and useful online resources for finding opportunities.

Grad School Applicants: Learn how to apply

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Identify the process and application components of applying to grad school.
2) Describe how to research potential schools and programs they would like to apply to.
3) Use the general tips provided to enhance their future applications.

Medical School Applicants: It’s all about the interview

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Describe the significance of the interview for the school and for themselves.
2) List the areas in which they need to prepare for the interview.
3) Prepare answers to some typical medical school interview questions.
4) Define the MMI and potential scenarios involved.

Effective Time Management for Busy Students

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Understand and articulate their own priorities and goals as they relate to their time.
2) Identify where their time currently goes.
3) List practical time and attention management goals.
 

Graduate and postdoctoral workshops

How to Talk About Yourself: Successful Interviewing Strategies

We will discuss what to do before, during and after a non-academic job interview. Find out what is involved in thorough interview preparation, what kinds of questions to anticipate, how to construct answers highlighting your relevant skills and experiences, how to communicate effectively (verbal and non-verbal), and what to do after the interview. 

Effective CVs for a Career Outside Academia

This talk will help you to understand the various elements of a non-academic resume and cover letter; and discuss how to compose a customized application that highlights relevant skills to an employer outside academia. 

How to Find a Job: Networking or Not working!

This presentation will provide an overview of non-academic job search strategies, followed by an in-depth look at networking as the most effective job search strategy.

What to do After McGill? Exploring Careers

Curious about career options other than academia? This presentation will provide you with an overview of various industries sectors and job roles; as well as discuss the elements of self-exploration in career planning.

Understanding your Graduate Experience

Wondering if your experience of graduate school is typical?  New to gradaute school and want to find out what to expect?  Find out more about recent research and theories of graduate student development, and some tips on how to stay sane in grad school.

Perfecting the Cover Letter

Need help to write your cover letter, in this joint workshop you will hear from CaPS how to highlight skills for employers outside academia, and from Graphos on how to write effectively.

Just Ask

Key job search strategies will be reviewed and a Q&A format will follow.

Targeted workshops

International Students: Adapting to the Canadian job market

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Learn some of the legal considerations of work in Canada as an international student.
2) Convey to an employer some of the skills and achievements from their past experiences.
3) Identify the primary job search steps involved in obtaining a post-graduation job in Canada.

International Students: Finding summer and part-time opportunities

By attending this workshop, students will be able to:
1) Learn some of the legal considerations of work in Canada as an international student.
2) Identify the primary job search steps involved in obtaining a part-time or summer job.
2) Understand the importance of, and define what is involved in, networking.
3) Identify at least 3 leads of opportunities on and off campus.