Looking

Don’t rely exclusively on Internet sites. Direct and spontaneous job applications, employment agencies, personal contacts, postings and internships can also be successful avenues.

You can also increase your chances of success by using the network you’ve established during your studies and following up after submitting your CV.

Contacts

It's always easier to be hired or recommended to an employer by someone you know. Ask your former coworkers, friends, family or professors if they know of any job opportunities. Word of mouth could keep you busier than you think. Over 80% of positions are found via personal contacts, so establish your own network!

Targeting companies

Many job opportunities are not publicly announced. That means reading job offers isn't the only way to find a job.

An interesting option is to target the companies you wish to work for and contact the people with decision-making authority regarding hiring. Prepare a short introduction about yourself and get in touch with the designated person to "make your pitch". The purpose is to make the person listening want to know more about you, so they'll look forward to requesting your CV and meeting with you.

A quick job search method is to go directly to the Web sites of the companies that interest you. Most sites have a job openings section. You can usually send your CV directly by the Web. The company will keep it in a base of candidates and contact you when any job matching your profile becomes available.

Job offers

Watch for job offers in the newspapers, professional publications, your neighbourhood or your community centre. You'll see that many of them are within your reach.

You could also try looking online. Visit our section of useful links for some good references.

Also, visit a Carrefour Jeunesse emploi office in your area or your school's student employment centre or, visit the Youth Opportunities Ontario Web site.

You could also meet with someone at a recruitment agency or "headhunter", but be careful! You don't want your CV to circulate all over the place and end up in many copies on a recruiter's desk. Bear in mind that an agency that places you in a job charges the employer a certain amount. You might have trouble getting out of the agency if you want to work directly for the employer one day.

Create your own job!

You can also use your resources to create your own job. Offer your services to your family and friends and have them spread the word.