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Student Spotlight: Clare Kilgour

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Clare Kilgour is third year Bachelor of Commerce student, majoring in accounting, and Co-President of the Dalhousie Accounting Society. She chose Dalhousie because she adored the idea of moving somewhere new. “I loved the idea of living on the east coast. The co-op program also caught my eye because it would allow me to have three real world work experiences.”

Through her conversations with upper-year Commerce students, Clare decided to take the initiative in beginning her job search early. “I learned the importance of networking and getting involved to build my resume,” says Clare. She utilized the resources available at Management Career Services, saying, “What MCS did to help me was provide small networking events where I could practice in order to be better prepared to talk to recruiters in second year. This really helped me with my confidence.”

Clare has since secured three consecutive co-op positions with Deloitte. She currently works from home, and although she has gotten used to the change, she hopes that she can go into the office when it’s safe. Her daily tasks include performing audit testing procedures on various accounts that she sees on the financial statements. “For example, this week I am testing the Property, Plant, and Equipment balance,” says Clare. “Testing means that I use various pieces of documentation from the client, like an invoice for a purchase of equipment, to recalculate and verify the PPE balance that will show up on their year-end financial statements when released to shareholders/the public.”

When asked what her proudest accomplishment has been this term, Clare reflects back on all three of her co-ops with Deloitte and says that she is proud of the independence that she’s earned. “I am able to understand procedures more, ask less questions, and have more autonomy over the work I am doing,” she says. “This is part of why I enjoy working at Deloitte in audit in addition to the team and learning environment.”

Clare’s advice for you? Keep practicing and furthering your networking and communication skills, because it does get easier, and attend the company information sessions.

If you are interested in accounting, feel free to reach out to Clare to chat, and check out the Accounting Society!

Pronouns: She/Her

More from Clare:

  • @Clare_kilgour

Student Spotlight: Natcha Wannaklang

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Natcha Wannaklang is a 4th-year BComm student majoring in accounting. She is originally from Thailand and came to Canada to pursue her undergraduate degree in Commerce at Dalhousie. Despite being an international student immersed in an unfamiliar country and speaking another language, Natcha was able to secure three work terms in Canada and fast-track her professional development. Keep reading to get inspired by Natcha’s work term success!

Natcha HeadshotWhen asked about the biggest job search challenge she has had to face being an international student, Natcha says that it was difficult to make connections when all of your past work experience is in another country.

“It is hard to get your foot in the door for an interview with companies when your past work experience isn’t in Canada. Since I am from Thailand, all my work experience was in another language and culture, and I was trying to find work in a country I didn’t have any personal connections in. Even though I grew up speaking another language, I am fully capable of working in English, as are many other international students.”

Working in the small, rural community of Inverness during her second co-op work term at Cabot Links presented Natcha with a greater feeling of culture shock than she had experienced before. But it helped that her employers and co-workers were very welcoming, and all the workers were very close.

“When I first moved to Inverness, I lived in staff accommodations where I got to meet many of my coworkers who I now consider my friends. Since many of the workers at Cabot Links are from all over the country, having workplace events really helped bring everyone together and feel more a part of the team”.

One of the greatest strengths Natcha believes she brings to her employers as an international student is her diverse background and culture. Growing up in a different culture than most of her classmates and peers gives her the competitive edge of having a unique perspective. According to Natcha, sometimes a different perspective leads to a new way to solve a problem. This proved especially useful when tasked with finding solutions to problems during her work terms.

“Having multiple perspectives and approaches for solving problems is always beneficial because it allows a company to listen to new ideas and find a better way to achieve the goal at hand”.

Although Natcha has experienced challenges finding a co-op work term, she says her experience has been nothing but positive when it comes to personal and professional development. One of the most difficult aspects of being an international student is not knowing the culture of your host country. Natcha says that all three of her co-op work term employers went above and beyond and were welcoming and supportive throughout her employment. From helping to update her resume and cover letter, to engaging her in team building activities, Natcha says she has felt comfortable from the beginning.

When asked about what type of advice Natcha would give to fellow international students who are looking to make the most out of their co-op work terms, she says to work hard and make sure to get out of your comfort zone.

“Finding a co-op placement is never easy, so by working hard and applying to a lot of job openings, it increases the chances that you will find a co-op that you will like and will help you to further your future career. My work terms have resulted in going out of comfort zone by working in a communications role, moving to a small town in Cape Breton for work, and working in an industry I wasn’t very familiar with. The great thing about my work terms was that each one gave me the experience I needed to find work after I graduate”.

Pro Tip:Optimize your job application by tailoring your resume and cover letter to align your skills and experience with the specific job description and qualifications.

Want to learn more about finding work in Canada? Check out our e-learning webinar “Beginners guide – the job search in Canada” under the Resources section of myCareer.

How to Leverage your Summer Work and Volunteer Experience

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As you start looking for your first co-op, internship, or post-grad job, consider how any of your experiences can strengthen an application and give you a competitive advantage. It’s easy to overlook summer jobs or part-time jobs if they don’t seem directly related to your career goals. You may think, how can flipping a burger, working a cash register, being a nanny, or volunteering at an event help me land a job in a more professional setting? However, in almost any job you have had in the past, you have learned something new, gained experience you can draw on, or worked with people that can help you achieve your future career goals.

Identify transferable skills and accomplishments

Skills that employers are looking for can be developed in a variety of ways. For example, mentoring new servers in a restaurant shows leadership and communication skills; completing landscaping jobs on-time shows time management skills; and working as part of sales team shows collaboration and teamwork. When identifying which skills you have developed, consider which ones were required to complete the tasks and responsibilities of your role. Here’s five ways you can easily leverage it.

Update your resume and LinkedIn account

Once you have identified which transferable skills you have developed, highlight them on your resume with strong profile and action statements. If you need extra help with this, attend the “Improve your Cover Letter and Resume” workshop, watch the e-webinar on writing a winning resume, and/or book a one-on-one appointment with a Career and Recruitment Specialist.

Maintaining a LinkedIn profile is a great tool to show your skills and qualifications to employers – and have recruiters come to you.

  • Looking for help getting started on LinkedIn? Watch the “Your Career Starts Here” and “Top 5 Profile To-Do’s” videos on the LinkedIn for Students Youtube playlist.
  • Already have a profile? Attend our next LinkedIn workshop which covers how to maximize the social media platform.

Think of examples from your work experience that showcase your skills and abilities

Expand and illustrate the skills you highlighted in your resume and cover letter during upcoming interviews. Your cover letter should provide specific examples of key skills the job requires. Additional examples can be provided during the interview. Avoid repeating what is in your cover letter – they have that already; tell them something new.

Interviewers commonly use behavioural interview questions that ask you to draw on previous experiences. For more information on behavioural interviews, watch our e-webinar which covers how to formulate the perfect answer.

Request references and/or LinkedIn endorsements

Show future employers you can walk the walk by proactively putting together a list of references that reinforce your application. An additional option is to ask colleagues and supervisors to endorse your skills on LinkedIn, which can add credibility to a job application, attract recruiters looking for your particular skillset, and increase your profile’s professionalism.

Stay connected with your employer

Whether your summer job or volunteer experience was in an industry you would like to pursue as a career or it was just to help pay for tuition, your former employers can be great resources to you in the future. Building your network with a variety of contacts has the chance to offer some unique opportunities down the road. Be sure to collect business cards, connect on LinkedIn, and thank your employer for the experience during your time with the organization. Keep in touch in case new opportunities with greater career development potential or full-time roles become available. Since your former boss or company is familiar with your capabilities and experience, they may be more likely to consider you over other candidates who they don’t know.

Get involved with these government employment programs!

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Interested in gaining experience in, or finding full time post-grad employment with a government organization? The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), the Post-Secondary Co-operative Education and Internship Program and the Post-Secondary Recruitment (PSR) program gives federal organizations a chance to find you! Learn more about these programs and the benefits of applying!

Federal Student Work Experience Program

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What is it?
The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) provides students with learning opportunities through valuable, hands-on work experience. Interested students can apply to the national FSWEP inventory by creating an account and completing all listed requirements. When a federal government organization submits a request to fill a job position, students from the inventory are selected based on the required job criteria (e.g., education, language, skills, work location, etc.). The student is then contacted to confirm their interest in the job, and if selected by the requesting organization, is invited for tests and interviews, as required.

Who will it appeal to?
This program is open to full-time secondary or post-secondary students in a recognized institution who are returning to full time studies in the fall. Students are not required to have previous work experience in order to apply. While non-Canadian students may apply to co-op/internship work opportunities, preference is given to students who are Canadian citizens. If your citizenship status changes to Canadian citizen after applying, please update your applicant account.

What kind of opportunities are available?
Jobs can be offered on a full or part-time basis. Jobs are offered from a number of employers from different fields, such as Transport Canada Civil Aviation, Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Royal Military College of Canada, etc. When applying to the general FSWEP inventory, students can also request to be included for consideration in the departmental programs.

When is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply is October 31, 2015, 23:59 Pacific Time. Please note that students must apply to the FSWEP every October to be included in the inventory.

Where can I find out more?
For more information, visit:  http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.php

Post-Secondary Co-operative Education and Internship Program (CO-OP/Internship)

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What is it?
The Post-secondary Co-operative Education and Internship Program (CO-OP/Internship) is a way for students to gain hands-on experience in their fields of study with federal organizations.Students can apply for a co-op or internship work placement by becoming approved by their on-campus co-op/internship program and consulting campus job posting boards.

Who will it appeal to?
This program is open to students recognized as having a full-time status by their academic institution. The student must also be enrolled in a co-op/internship program that the federal government has been approved to hire from. Only work terms necessary for graduation may be completed in the Public Service of Canada. While non-Canadian students may apply to co-op/internship work opportunities, preference is given to students who are Canadian citizens.

What kind of opportunities are available?
Co-op opportunities last four months, while internship assignments may vary from four to eighteen months. Federal organizations may offer students back-to-back work terms if approved by the student’s academic institution.

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline depends on the individual job position posted. Please check with your university co-op coordinator/center for individual job post deadlines.

Where can I find out more?
For more information, visit: http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/coop/index-eng.php 

Post-Secondary Recruitment Program

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What is it?
The Post-Secondary Recruitment (PSR) program launches and furthers the careers of university and college graduates by offering a range of jobs within the federal government of Canada. Requests for candidates from the PSR campaign take place throughout the year. PSR uses the Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE) for most of its jobs and inventories. The PSEE includes unsupervised internet tests and supervised online tests (in person). The PSEE can only be written once per PSR campaign.

Who will it appeal to?
Anyone with a post-secondary education is eligible to apply. Student graduating in the spring, are also eligible to apply. While non-Canadian students may apply to co-op/internship work opportunities, preference is given to students who are Canadian citizens. If your citizenship status changes to Canadian citizen after applying, please update your applicant account.

What kind of opportunities are available?
Opportunities are available at specific federal organizations. Applicants can also get added to a number of career inventories.

When is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply is October 6th, 2015. Internet testing will occur during mid-October, 2015 and in-person testing between November 2015 and early January 2016.

Where can I find out more?
For more information, visit:  http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/psr-rp/index-eng.php

Want to get involved with these government programs? Apply through Dalhousie by logging onto myCareer and searching the Career Services job posting ID #49842!

Build your career in Finance this summer!

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Are you interested in finance and want to know more about the industry? Here’s your chance to participate in five career enhancing events that will increase your finance knowledge, expand your business network, and give you an inside perspective of top finance companies. Get your finance game on and don’t miss out on these amazing learning opportunities!

1) LinkedIn RBC Campus Recruiting

Date: June 23rd – August 27th, 2015
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m
Location: Online, on the LinkedIn RBC Campus Recruiting page

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The RBC Campus recruitment team will hold Live LinkedIn chats, giving students the opportunity to interact about the various areas within the bank. The session scheduling and topics are as follows:

July 23rd – Personal and Commercial Banking (CBLP, Advice Centers plus more)
July 30th – Day of Finance (CPA and FMDP)
Aug 6th – Wealth (WMGP, DS, GAM)
Aug 12th – Capital Markets & Group Risk Management (GRM Leadership, Credit Risk)
Aug 20th – Insurance
Aug 27th– Campus Recruiting Wrap up – Be Prepared for Fall recruiting!

How to apply:
Join the LinkedIn RBC Campus Recruiting group and submit questions to receive live responses. Students can also pre-submit questions by emailing campusrecruitment@rbc.com.

2) RBC Capital Markets – Celebrating Women Networking Session

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Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2015
Time: 5:00 -7:30 p.m
Location: The RBC Plaza, Toronto, ON
Application Deadline: Monday July 20th, 2015

RBC invites female students heading into the 3rd year of their undergraduate degree to The Women Networking Session. Students interested in Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Debt Origination or Research are encouraged to apply. This session is a great opportunity for students to meet senior professionals and alumni of RBC’s Global Investment Banking and Global Markets Programs.

How to apply:
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and passion for the industry by Monday July 20th. Note that travel and accommodation will be for your own account.

3) PepsiCo Canada – Finance Open House

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Date: Thursday, August 6th, 2015
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m
Location: 5550 Explorer Drive, 8th floor, Mississauga, Ontario

Are you passionate about starting a career in Finance? PepsiCo’s Finance Open House is the chance for you to learn about the New Grad and student opportunities, and showcase your skills to the Finance Team, Senior Executives and CFO of PepsiCo.

How to apply:
Email PFCHQHR@pepsico.com with the following information:
• Name
• Email
• School
• Year of study
• Are you in a Coop Program? Y/N
Please note that spots are limited and will be on a first come first serve basis

4) Speed Interviewing & Networking for Financial Services Professionals

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Date: Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m
Location: TBA once you have been accepted to attend
Application Deadline: Wednesday August 5th, 2015

Brought to you by The Halifax Partnership and Job Junction, this event invites participants to be interviewed by financial services professionals from several companies in a round of 7 minute interviews. This interview style is called Speed Interviewing and it is intended for you to put your best foot forward and give the company a glimpse of your skills and personality. If they are interested in a follow up interview, they will contact you. At the end of the event, there will be a Networking Social that will allow you to further connect with professionals.

How to apply:
Email your resume to Isaac Mbaziira at isaacm@halifaxpartnership.com by Wednesday August 5th, 2015. As there are a limited number of spaces, it is advised to apply promptly. Please note that there will be a pre-screening interview before you are accepted to attend this event.

5)    hEDGE Finance Conference 2015

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Date: August 26th – 28th, 2015
Location: Throughout the financial district in Downtown Toronto
Application Deadline: Friday, July 3rd, 2015

hEDGE Finance Conference 2015 focuses on Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Asset Management, Equity Research, Private Equity, and Venture Capital. The three-day conference will be packed with firm-led workshops at each of the respective sponsors’ offices, keynote speakers, networking events, mock interviews, a competition, and delegate socials.

How to apply:
Applications are now open at: https://hedgeconference.ca/apply/ Students are encouraged to send in their application early.
For more information contact hEDGE at info@hedgeconference.ca

Student Spotlight: Yiran Chen

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Yiran ChenYiran Chen is a second year Commerce student who recently secured her first co-op work term in Halifax with Ernst & Young. From the time she began her first year at Dalhousie, Yiran has been dedicated to developing her professional skills by participating in career workshops and information sessions. She believes that taking this initiative can make the job search process easier and more successful:

“Never hesitate to ask for advice from senior students, your professors, mentors, and advisors at MCS. The earlier you start asking them questions, the more you’ll learn, and the better you will be prepared for the job search.”

Yiran is also making the most of the opportunities Management Career Services offers students who are preparing for their job search. For example: Yiran attended an Ernst & Young information session where she gained insight into the company before applying for their co-op position. She then used the advice and knowledge she took away from the information session to help her build a strong application and eventually secure a position with Ernst & Young:

“MCS is very useful and helpful. I recommend you take advantage of their resources from day one. I learned almost everything about the business world (such as appropriate business attire), from workshops held by MCS. Attending events and info sessions is the best way to learn about employers and to show them your initiative.”

Yiran shares her advice for both first-year and international students on how to become confident with their career development and co-op job search:

“Don’t be terrified to show up at an info session when you are a first year student. Just be present in the room and listen, see how other students ask questions and network with employers. You will get used to it and learn how to do employer research and ask smart questions, which is much easier than learning all those things while under the pressure of job searching. “

For information on upcoming MCS events, visit the events calendar on myCareer.

Student Spotlight: Megan Kunder

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Meet Megan Kunder, a second year MBA student from Oakville, Ontario. Megan previously completed her corporate residency with DHX Media and this year, secured her post-grad position with Deloitte. Through her networking and awareness of the job market, Megan was able to find a post-grad position that she knew would be the perfect match with her interests. Here is some great job search advice from Megan herself!

“I would advise students to take any opportunity available to meet with potential employers. This is a great way to determine what a company’s corporate culture is like and to improve your networking skills before you enter the working world.

In order to align myself with my post grad position at Deloitte, I first reached out to a number of Deloitte employees. By the time applications were due, I had met with Deloitte employees in Halifax and spoke over the phone with a current Deloitte consultant in the Calgary office.  By speaking with these individuals I was able to determine that Deloitte was a good fit for me.

I am excited to contribute the skills and knowledge gained in my MBA to the Deloitte team, in addition to learning from my co-workers’ outstanding experiences.”

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