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How to Spot a Phishing Email: Four Things to Look Out For in the Workplace

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Phishing emails have become much more common in recent years. They’re one way that scammers try to obtain your information and money, and even infect your computer with dangerous software by posing as a company or someone you trust. Phishing emails commonly target business professionals, so here are four tips to help you spot a phishing email while on your work term.

Your ‘boss’ asks you to buy gift cards
Unless it has been discussed previously, your boss or anyone in the company won’t send you emails asking you to pay for things like gift cards with your own money.

Sketchy email addresses
If you receive an email that seems suspicious, it’s always best to check the email address, even if the sender’s name is someone you know. Sometimes the sender’s email address is obviously fake, such as executivedirector@companyname.com, but scammers can get creative by adding a period, switching two letters around, or misspelling a word, and hoping you won’t notice.

Suspicious links
If you receive an unexpected email with a link, it might be a phishing email. One way you can tell is by hovering your mouse over the highlighted area. If the description doesn’t match the link, do not click the link and delete the email.

Requesting private information
Scammers might pose as IT or Human Resources and ask for private information such as your passwords, address, or social insurance number. You should not send confidential information via email, and most companies will never ask you for that type of information through an email.


Phishing emails can be sneaky, but with enough diligence you can avoid falling victim to them. If you are ever in doubt if an email is legitimate, ask your supervisor. If you realize you’ve fallen to an email scam, tell your supervisor immediately and they will guide you through the proper procedure for handling the situation.

Co-op Students: how to find a self-developed jobs

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Looking for a work term job can be tough (and overwhelming, too!) But if you use the right strategies and tools, you can easily land to your dream job.

We encourage you to start exploring for jobs that are not available on my career. You can use different websites to find your desired job. The jobs on the websites below could make meaningful co-op work terms.

CMAIASPIRE COVER

CMAI is a Canada-wide organization that coordinates the delivery of Work-Integrated Life-Long Learning (WILL) opportunities in the transportation (land and marine) and aerospace industries to post-secondary institutions.

Among its services, CMAI offers a student placement tool for multi-disciplinary students, known as the SPOT.

The SPOT is a one-stop service for student recruitment. It offers collaborative value-added services for both students and companies.

 ASPIRE

ASPIRE has been developed by Toronto Finance International in partnership with employers, post-secondary institutions and the government to positively impact the quantity and quality of student work-integrated learning opportunities in the Financial Services sector, and grow the in-demand, work-ready pool of early-stage talent.

ASPIRE is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program

Bio Talent Canada

Get your foot in the door to start your career. Gain valuable work experience and skills needed to initiate your career in the biotechnology. Visit the Bio talent Canada website to apply.

ECO Canada

ECO works with the federal government as part of Canada’s Work Integrated Learning Strategy, ECO also work with employers and post-secondary partners to help students kick-start their career path in the environmental sector.

ITAC Career Ready Program

The Information and Technology Association for Canada is a talent-sourcing association for the Information Technology sector. ITAC has a job board full of funded positions for students.

Mining Industry Human Resources Council Gearing Up Program for Students

Mining Industry Human Resources Council is an industry association for the mining sector and administers the Gearing Up Program for work-experiential learning opportunities across Canada.

Venture for Canada Job Portal

Venture for Canada links students and recent grads to paid positions at Canadian startups across the country.

 

Check out these websites for more information on how to apply. If you have questions about jobs on these websites, visit your Career and Recruitment Specialist. Book an appointment with your Career and Recruitment Specialist through myCareer. Call MCS  at( 902-494-1515 ), or visit our office at Room 2100, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building.

Navigating the myCareer Dashboard

Log in to myCareer: https://mycareer.dal.ca/login/student.htm

Upon entering myCareer, you will see the main menu (left-hand side of the screen if viewing from a laptop/desktop computer); the two menu options that most students find confusing are Career Services and Management Career Services.

As a Dalhousie student, you have access to the career services and resources provided by the Bissett Student Success Centre (located in the Student Union Building on the Studley campus) which can be found under the Career Services tab. This includes job postings for part-time, full-time, summer, casual, and volunteer positions, among other non-co-op opportunities.

BComm, BMgmt, and CRMBA students will have access to the exclusive and industry-specific services and resources provided by Management Career Services. This includes Co-op/Internship job postings, registration for exclusive career events and employer information sessions, as well as the ability to book a 30-minute meeting with a Career & Recruitment Specialist.  Students should be in the habit of logging into myCareer often to see new opportunities as they become available.

In the main part of the screen you’ll see a blue circle icon in the bottom right corner; click to action the following options: Search Postings, Book an Appointment, Register for an Event, and Submit A Form. Underneath your name on the main screen, there are multiple tabs that feature popular menu services offered through myCareer, which include:

  • Dashboard
  • Co-op
  • Co-Curricular Record
  • Documents
  • Interviews
  • Appointments
  • Event Registration

The default view when you log in is the Dashboard tab. Within the Dashboard tab, you can toggle between the Overview, My Account, My Forms, and My Calendar buttons.  The Overview button displays your upcoming schedule, featured job postings (Co-op and Non Co-op), and any upcoming events or workshops. The My Account tab displays pertinent information to the account user and allows you to make edits to certain fields. Please note that the My Forms button does not currently host information for Faculty of Management student users. The My Calendar button allows you to view the events you have registered for, appointments you have booked, or job interviews you have scheduled. The default calendar view will not display the content until you click on the gray Toggle Filters button and select which items you wish to view.

Co-op

Click on the Co-op tab to view details regarding your Co-op Record and Co-op Sequence.

Co-Curricular Record

The Co-Curricular Record recognizes your extra-curricular activities and experiences outside the classroom.  The Co-Curricular Catalogue is a searchable database of opportunities and can also be accessed under the CCR tab on the left navigation bar.   If you have created a Co-Curricular Record (CCR), click on this tab to view the activities that have been posted to your CCR. To print your CCR, or add a new position to your record, click on Co-Curricular Record in the main menu.

Documents

The Documents tab allows you to view any files you have uploaded to myCareer, such as cover letters, resumes, and application packages. When viewing your documents, myCareer gives you the option to toggle between Bissett Student Success Centre Documents and Management Career Services Documents at the top of the box. Note: It is important to remember that myCareer is not intended as a long-term file storage solution. Be sure to save copies of all your application documents to your own personal computer drive or web-based file storage account.

Interviews

This area will detail interviews you have been selected for that are unscheduled, and interviews that have been booked, with respect to current or past applications. The default setting is “Today / Upcoming” but this can easily be changed by selecting another option from the drop-down list.

When employers want to use myCareer as a resource to schedule interviews with prospective Co-op students, you will be notified by email to log in to the myCareer site and confirm a timeslot for your upcoming interview.

Appointments

During a 30-minute, one-on-one appointment, an MCS Career and Recruitment Specialist will provide industry-specific expert advice to meet your individual needs. We provide appointments for:

  • Work term sequence and eligibility
  • Your job search and networking strategy (including working abroad)
  • Interview preparation and practice
  • Resume review and revision
  • Co-op work permit for international students who wish to work in Canada

Under the Appointments tab, students can view any upcoming or past appointments that have already been booked or cancelled.

Event Registration

If you have registered for one of our upcoming events, (such as a workshop, information session or recruiting event) the time and place of the event will be listed in this section. To retrieve a detailed description (date, time, location) of the event you have registered for, or to cancel your registration, simply click on the blue “View” button to the left of the event and open the event details in the current or a new window.

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For more myCareer tips, consult our other Student User Guide tutorials.

Spotlight: Kelly Tracey

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Kelly_TraceyA career in the finance industry is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires dedication, a well thought-out plan, and an early start. Any successful Dalhousie finance student will tell you that an early start begins by making an appointment with Kelly Tracey, our Finance Career and Recruitment Specialist.

Kelly has been a member of our team for six years – building excellent relationships with students, employers and alumni to create a network of contacts to help finance students achieve their career goals. She is always working to stay current on student, employer and economic trends to support both student and employer successes.

Kelly grew up in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, before moving to Fredericton, New Brunswick. She attended St. Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick, where she received her B.A in Criminology and Psychology, as well as a Level B Psychometrics Licence.

When she’s not working, you might find Kelly doing yoga, gardening, running or travelling. Her favorite book is The Art of War by Sun Tzu, she loves Thai food, Chantal Kreviazuk’s music, and The Sound of Music. However, there is nothing Kelly is more passionate about than her family.

Like most students, finance students will often have questions about their careers. What kind of job can they get if they major in finance? What is the average salary? How do they get involved in a particular industry? For these types of questions, Kelly refers students to have a look through the Vault Guides.

Every Dalhousie Student has free access to the Vault, an incredibly useful tool when researching possible career paths and career-relevant information in any industry. Need interview help? There’s a guide for that. Trying to write a resume? There’s a guide for that. Thinking of changing majors? Well, guess what, there’s a guide for that too.  Almost any question you might have that could affect your career path can be answered with the Vault, so take advantage of this incredible resource!

How to impress your boss with professionalism, etiquette, and initiative

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op6Securing your first work term is a great achievement and an important first step to your career development. It is also an excellent opportunity to make a positive impression that can lead to success in the workplace as well as making great professional connections. To make the most out of your first work term, consider these tips:

RESEARCH & REACH OUT

  • Learn as much as you can about the role, the company, your boss, and your co-workers before your first day.  You can do this through speaking with people you know, researching the company website, the news, LinkedIn etc
  • Ensure you reach out to your immediate supervisor to introduce yourself prior to starting work.  Confirm logistics such as: Location, start time, dress code, and emergency phone numbers.
  • Give some thought to the skills and knowledge you are hoping to get out of the work term, how you can achieve this and who can best help you achieve your goals

TAKE TIME TO S.T.U.D.Y.

S = Survey your surroundings

T= Take the time to analyze and learn the most important things; company’s strategic plan, goals and objectives, structure, processes, current projects

U = understand the people situation: Who are the key resources? Who’s doing what?

D = Do not make hasty decisions. Being new means you will not yet understand the current situation, facts, or internal politics

Y = Yes you can! No matter how overwhelmed you feel in your new position –just take a deep breath, remain calm, stay focused, and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

DEAL WITH AMBIGUITY

Ask questions to understand your role and how you will be evaluated.  Learn the business, in and outside of the area/team you are working.   Approach your supervisor to schedule a time where you might interview them to learn more about the company/industry/job.    Be proactive as it is great to show initiative, but show some restraint.  Humility plays as important a role as ambition.

EXHIBIT PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR

  • How you answer the telephone, how you use email, and how you articulate your voice mail greeting are different from your personal accounts
  • When leaving a message, ensure you state your name and contact information at the beginning and end of the short, concise message
  • Perform menial tasks with enthusiasm to demonstrate your work ethic does not change depending on the task you are assigned
  • Show respect for the corporate culture
  • Become acquainted with colleagues, even those outside your peer group

 op8RELATIONSHIP & IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT

  • Remembering names is a very important business skill to master.   Develop strategies to remember names.
  • Learn what is normal in this particular workplace:  work hours, coffee use, smoking, parking etc
  • Try to avoid eating at your desk.   Arrive early to work, ready to work, not to eat breakfast
  • First impressions matter… and they last.  Always dress professionally.  It is better to overdress then to underdress
  • Take initiative to ask for more work if you are not busy.  Let people know your strengths and your willingness to assist
  • Be keen. Don’t be the first one to leave at the end of the day. Always remember that even if this is not the job you want for a career, it is a stepping stone for you in terms of your resume, your skills and a reference

 ADD VALUE

  • 80% of success is attributed to simply showing up and giving 100%.  When you commit to a goal, deadline, or say you are going to do something, ensure you meet those expectations
  • Keep moving forward and do extras.  Avoid excuses such as “I have no experience” or “I am a student”.  For the duration of your work term, you are an employee of that company and should identify yourself as suchop
  • Demonstrate that you are approachable and coachable.  Being able to receive constructive feedback and use it to improve is an important skill to have
  • After one month, take the initiative and request an informal review of your progress
  • Start each day by writing down how you can contribute and what you hope to learn
  • End the day by writing down what expected and unexpected progress you made and what you can do tomorrow

 

 

 

RBC Career Launch Program: Kick Start Your Future!

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RBC

“Can’t seem to get your foot in the door? RBC Career Launch is the opportunity you’ve been looking for! It’s a year-long, paid, first career experience and development program designed to help develop your resume and prepare you for long-term career success.”

2 years ago, Mallory McKenzie had just completed her internship with Summerhill while in the Bachelor of Management program and was looking for post-grad career opportunities. Upon learning about RBC Career Launch, Mallory wrote the required essay and applied online through the program’s website. Her application was selected and Mallory was interviewed for the position.

Once the interview stage was complete, Mallory was accepted into the program.

The RBC Career Launch program spans 12 months and is separated into three “rotations”:

  • The first rotation spans months 1-6 and involves fundamental training within personal and commercial banking.
  • The second rotation spans months 7-9 where the student participates in a secondment with an RBC charitable partner.
  • The final rotation spans months 9-12 and includes a functional experience where students can work on a project in a specific area at RBC (such as Human Resources).

Mallory has almost completed her second rotation where she is currently volunteering in Fund Development at Phoenix Youth Program: a Halifax based non-profit organization that provides guidance to at-risk youth:

“It has been very interesting and so different from anything I have done before. They are a really great organization and I’m happy to be able to contribute to their work.”

Mallory is looking forward to her third rotation of the RBC Career Launch program where she will be working on a commercial banking project at RBC’s regional office.

More information as well as applications for the RBC Career Launch program can be found and submitted through the RBC Career Launch website. The deadline to apply for the 2015 RBC Career Launch program is on October 27th, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. EST.

 

 

 

Alumni Spotlight: Gray Little

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Gray LittleGray Little graduated from the CRMBA program in May and currently works for Procter & Gamble (P&G) as an account manager. Although Gray now works in marketing, his focus while on his corporate residency with BMO Capital Markets was on the banking sector.

At BMO Capital Markets, Gray was assigned projects that pushed him outside his comfort zone; something that he claims was very valuable and helped him become successful after his corporate residency was over:

“BMO has a great culture, I accomplished a lot and made some great connections. I was given the opportunity to have a lot of responsibility and to learn new skills, especially when I was given tasks that were out of my comfort zone. Although challenging, those experiences helped me gain confidence, take initiative, and recommend changes while working on projects.”

“Participating in the CRMBA program will lead you to great things. Even the smallest skills you learn will affect your professional career. For me, it was learning how to develop a strong elevator pitch. On Interview Day, it was my pitch that caught the attention of BMO.”

“Your corporate residency will help you step outside the box and feel more confident in the workplace. More importantly, it will give you a good idea of what you want to focus on with your career. It will help you realize what you are good at and what profession you truly want to pursue.”

Using the skills he gained while on his corporate residency, Gray later attended a P&G information session on campus where he spoke with P&G representatives. By showing initiative and networking, Gray was able to have a good conversation with the representatives which increased his interest in working for P&G. The conversation he had during the information session lead him to apply for a positon at P&G online. Gray was hired soon afterwards.

Through the career development skills he gained during his corporate residency and the valuable company insights he received during the P&G information session, Gray has become a strong member of the P&G team.

For more information on career opportunities with BMO, visit the Career Opportunities page of their website.

For more information on career opportunities with P&G, visit the Careers page of their website.

Kehan’s First Canadian Work Experience

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Kehan Wang_MCSMy name is Kehan Wang. I am currently completing my third co-op work term as a Special Projects Assistant with Dalhousie University’s Management Career Services (MCS). This is my first Canadian work experience and I have appreciated this opportunity to be a part of the MCS team.

Co-op work terms are very valuable for a student like me who is pursuing a better future, because they allow me to experience different roles, work methods and work environments before graduation.  This is the reason why I decided to complete co-op work terms in both China and Canada before I launch my career post-graduation.

My first Canadian work experience has impressed me in two ways. The first positive impression was with regards to the work environment. My very first day at MCS was a team building day. During the day, I joined MCS office staff members for lunch and played team building games. This event gave me a better understanding of every staff member. I had a lot of fun on my first day and the feeling of nervousness faded away. In order to do my work each day, I usually ask some small questions to my colleagues, but they are patient and always happy to answer my questions.

The second positive impression I received was how much trust the team put in my ability. My supervisor put me in charge of a social media project and allowed me to contribute my own ideas. Sometimes she asked my opinions and suggestions before she assigned a project to me. This level of trust enabled me to contribute more and gain a greater work experience.

Now that I know what it is like to complete a work term in Canada. I have three pieces of advice for international students who are preparing for their first co-op work term in Canada:

1. This opportunity to gain a better understanding of culture and regional differences will not only expand your knowledge of what it is like to work in Canada but it will also make you more successful in your future career path.

2. Whenever you are searching for jobs or while you are at work, remember to always have confidence in yourself.

3. Appreciate and value every opportunity you have. Seize every day and make the most of every opportunity.

NOTE FROM MCS: If you would like to learn more about Canadian workplace culture and expectations, please refer to the Management Career Services Workplace Experience Program which helps international students who have little or no prior work experience in Canada. International students looking for immediate help with their Canadian job search are encouraged to check out the e-Learning webinar entitled Beginners Guide: The Job Search in Canada.

Informational Interviews: Benefits and Strategies for Success

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Danielle3

Informational interviews are crucial networking tools to receive guidance (and possible job opportunities) when developing your career. Although they may seem challenging, informational interviews can be truly interesting and valuable.

Not convinced that informational interviews are worth the time and effort?  Think again and discover the many benefits to using informational interviews as a key tool in your job search and career planning:

Once you believe in the power of informational interviews, you need to make the most of them. First, you need to line up the interview by figuring out who the right people are to talk to and get them to agree to meet or speak with you. Tip: The Halifax Chamber of Commerce , LinkedIn, and industry associations are great resources to find professionals and their contact information to request informational interviews.

Once you’ve lined up one or more informational interviews incorporate the following tips to maximize the potential of each meeting and reap the networking rewards!

1. Do Your Research. Never go into an informational interview unprepared. Find the person you are interviewing on LinkedIn (or other social media platforms), and familiarize yourself with their professional experience and job titles, this information will help you develop your questions. It is important to also research the company/industry that the interviewee is working for as well as any common interests you might share (if available).

2. Be Positive and Show Interest. The best way to avoid awkward informational interviews is to connect with the person you are interviewing and create genuine conversations. The key to achieving this is to listen to their responses and ask questions that legitimately interest you. Don’t be afraid to stray from your prepared questions, the best advice is usually given in these conversations.

3. Remember to Listen.  Be mindful of interrupting the person you are interviewing and focus on letting them finish a response before prodding for more information. The purpose of the informational interview is to absorb knowledge, however, in most cases the interviewee will give you plenty of opportunities to contribute.

4. Do Not Ask for a Job. Be professional when conducting informational interviews. This means that you must arrive on time, dress appropriately, and take notes. Although you should prepare as if you are attending an interview, remember that this is not a job interview. That said, your interviewee may ask about your qualifications and career aspirations, so be prepared to discuss these. This can help you make a positive and professional impression and potentially land you a job or earn you a positive recommendation in the future.

5. Always Follow Up. Showing your gratitude to the interviewee for the time/guidance they have  given you is important when trying to make a lasting impression. This is done most effectively through a hand-written and personalized letter. This medium is more sincere than an email or phone call and will show that you truly appreciate the opportunity to speak to that person. Ideally, the letter should be sent within 24 hours of the interview.

Want to learn more about interview tactics and strategies for success? Check out our collection of e-learning seminars covering a range of job search and interview-related subjects.

 

Student Spotlight: Josh Mitton

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kk

Meet Josh Mitton. Josh is a current CRMBA student in the midst of his corporate residency as a Student Entrepreneur at Innovacorp. With his extensive background in educational programs and his entrepreneurial spirit, Josh was able to start PlatoPath: a business that links grade-school curriculums with modern apps and games. In light of his success, Josh offers encouragement to those also striving for positive entrepreneurial corporate residencies:

 “To have a positive corporate residency experience, you have to daydream. Picturing where you will be in 1, 5, 10, and 20 years will reinforce why you are doing what you are doing on tough days, and also keeps you focused on your overall goals and ambitions.”

Progress Magazine recently awarded Innovacorp’s Student Entrepreneur in Residence program with its Innovation Award for New Initiative for demonstrating a creative way of encouraging innovation in Atlantic Canada.Josh attributes his positive experience to the engaging environment at Innovacorp and his ability to interact with and learn from his peers in the workplace.

“Innovacorp provides resources such as space, supplies, advisory teams, connections, and capital for a candidate to start their own business, while also exposing them to investment practices, pitches, and analysis work.”

“My advice to first–year CRMBA students is this: think of others before yourself. You will quickly make friendships and connections that can impact the rest of your life if you follow this principle. A textbook can only teach you so much; people can teach you forever.”

“You get what you put into your residency; that’s a cliché for a reason. “