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The 201st Application

It’s been two months and 20 days since my first day of my Co-op term at Westcoast Family Centres, but I still find myself waking up every other day in utter disbelief that things worked out!

Letters
“What Do You Study in Communication?”

“So, what exactly do you study in communications?”

Leana Li using a computer with papers on the table
My Love-Hate Relationship with Accounting

"I knew very little about accounting and definitely had no passion for it" - read on to find out how Leana overcame her aversion towards accounting.

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Communication Portfolios

Hear what this co-op student had to say about the Communication Co-op's annual "Get the Edge" event. This year's focus was all about portfolios! Read on to see what communication professionals have to say about the importance of having a portfolio and creating a personal brand.

Image reads, "Rejected" in red block letters, with a large X over the word "resume"
Five Reasons Why Your Résumé Might Get Tossed Out (and Other Resume Don'ts)

Your résumé is your first chance to impress a potential employer. A few avoidable mistakes, however, might force a potential employer to toss out your résumé in the “NO” file. What are the most common mistakes applicants make with their résumés? Avoid these common pitfalls to increase your chances of getting an interview!

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The Resume of the Future

What will the resume of the future look like?  Considering how many other things have changed in the world of career development, it's kind of surprising to me that many of the conventions that apply to resumes and cover letters seem to be alive and well.

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Resume Tips from the BC Public Service

Getting your foot in the door with an organization isn’t always easy, but there is help. If you’re looking for a position with the BC Public Service, they’ve offered up some resume tips to help hopefuls get to the next stage of selection.

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Writer's Block: A Bitter Blankness.

Blank. That's pretty much all I've experienced whenever I've sat down in front of a computer screen with the intention of writing a blog post. What is this experience?  What happened to the sense of flow I had gotten so used to every Friday morning - that carefree time warp of productivity I seem to have taken for granted?

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Acing the Job Interview

You submitted a stellar resume and landed an interview. Great! Now you have to ace the interview. At the interview, you will want to make a good impression, so make it count!  Here are some tips to give yourself an edge!

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Chee Mamuk Aboriginal Program

“We have many strengths as Aboriginal people. We can use these strengths to raise awareness and prevent HIV/AIDS and STIs.” – Melanie Rivers, Chee Mamuk Aboriginal Program

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Nailing Interviews | Part Two | In the Interview

We last left off during the pre-departure training for the grand mission known to everyone as an interview. Catch up with the trainees as they go into their next campaign - the actual interview.

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Put Your Cover Letter at the Top of the Stack

While it may take a while to master it, keep working on your cover letters and continue to try new things. Writing cover letters is an art -- the only way to get good at them is through practice.

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How To Make Your Resume Stand Out

Your resume represents many things. It is a slice of your life that highlights to an employer the most relevant things you’ve done, experiences you’re proud of, and the skills you’ve acquired. Still, writing one can be tough! Fortunately, there's one thing that can help you write an amazing resume: the job posting!

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FREE Jobpostings: Aboriginal Issue

Aboriginal inclusion in the workplace is a crucial part of the overall discussion that is taking place around diversity and inclusion in the current Canadian jobs scene. At Jobpostings, we commend those companies that support workplaces where everyone— especially those within the Aboriginal community—can be their authentic selves.

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[Indigenous Employer] Chee Mamuk, Aboriginal Program

“We have many strengths as Aboriginal people. We can use these strengths to raise awareness and prevent HIV/AIDS and STIs.” – Melanie Rivers, Chee Mamuk Aboriginal Program

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Pre-medical Symposium

Are you a non-traditional student who is considering medicine? If so, we would like to invite you to attend our symposium.

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LYNX: Aboriginal Student Career & Employment Program

The LYNX Aboriginal Student Career & Employment Program provides an opportunity for Aboriginal Students from various universities in Western Canada to connect directly with potential employers.

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The Dirty Dozen Interview Questions

Needless to say, we all want to succeed while being interviewed. Yet it seems no matter how much we prepare, we always come across at least one question that stumps us. Part Three, the final portion of our multi-part series explores the last four of the 12 most commonly asked, commonly-feared interview questions.

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Finding Your Passion: Doing What You Love

70,000 hours. To do what? Well, according to Gillian Watters, director of programs at KEYS Job Centre in Kingston, Ontario, 70,000 hours is the amount of time you will spend at your job over the course of a lifetime.  Read on to find out how you can spend 70,000 hours doing what you love.

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How-To Succeed & Have Fun On the Job

Natalie wanted nothing more than to do well at her first co-op placement. Here are some things she picked up to make her work term fun and more successful! 

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What to Expect During a Site Visit

I had no idea what to expect for my first co-op site visit, did you? In this blog post, I reflect back on what happened during my first site visit, to help prepare you for what might happen at yours!

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Want to Work for the Non-Profit Sector? 4 Reasons Why You Should!

People often overlook the non-profit sector, as an option to carve out a career, yet the sector can offer a lot of rewarding opportunities that may not be available in the public or private sector.

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5 Reasons Why Volunteering is Splendid and How it Can Reverse the Signs of Aging.

Find out the 5 reasons Alex has for why volunteering is splendid! Figure out ways to get great experience and skills for your resume that won't cost you a dime. Also discover how volunteering can reverse the signs of aging...

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3 Mistakes & 3 Tips - Cover Letters

It's been an hour, and there's nothing but a blank screen staring back at you. The job posting closes in another couple hours, and you need to submit a cover letter to go with your resume. But where oh where do you start? Here's 3 things to avoid, and 3 tips for writing your next cover letter!

Diary of a Marketing Co-op: Stand Your Ground
Stand Your Ground

In this segment of Diary of a Marketing Co-op, I look back at the need to be assertive to meet never-ending deadlines and how to balance this with the ability to know when to go with the flow.

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OLE! Targeting Resumes and Cover Letters

This is the time to grab the bull by its horn.  Learn to target your resume and cover letter to win your dream job.   

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Three Mistakes and Three Tips: Cover Letters

It's been an hour, and there's nothing but a blank screen staring back at you. The job posting closes in another couple hours, and you need to submit a cover letter to go with your resume. But where oh where do you start? Here's 3 things to avoid, and 3 tips for writing your next cover letter!

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Quarter-Life Crisis: It's Real

It's no secret that young people entering the workforce today are facing very different challenges than generations past. "Quarter-life crisis" emerged to describe the experiences many young people were going through as they struggled to establish themselves in adulthood. But what does this phrase really mean?

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Convocation! 3 Things to Think About When Graduating

The world is your oyster. How many times have you heard that already? In two days, you will have walked across that stage with your parchment in hand: a result of your four to five (or more) years of hard work. While we will leave all the emotional, heartfelt speeches to the esteemed speakers on stage, we decided to write a congratulatory and advice piece for those that will be receiving their diverse degrees, as well for students who will be graduating in the near future.

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Business Career Management Corner: Professionalism in the Workplace

Landing the job is only the first step. Once you arrive for work you not only need to make a good first impression, but create a lasting professional reputation.

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5 Tips for Making a Successful Transition from School to Work

Students are often hoping to quickly graduate and find the job of their dreams, but school and work can be extremely different and the gap can be fairly difficult for some to adapt to. Here are five tips to help you prepare for the work force! 

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The Office Culture: What School Doesn’t Prepare You For

There are many things school doesn't teach you about working in a corporate environment. Check out 3 areas Natalie wants you to pay attention to when you are on your job and tips to help you improve your work performance.

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Top Ten Tips for Co-op Work Term Success

John Grant, an SFU Communication Co-op Alumus has five work term experiences in his portfolio and shares his top ten tips for completing a successful and fulfilling Co-op work term.

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