It can be tough to find a job as a student. The job market is competitive, and it takes a lot of time to create your resume and cover letter, apply to job postings, and attend interviews. Although it’ll take some time and persistence, we have some tips for building your resume and securing a summer job!

As a student, you may not have a lot of work experience yet – and that’s okay! To spice up your resume, consider these tips:

Volunteering is a fantastic way to gain real-life work experience, give back to the community, and make connections. SAMRU and MRU both offer a variety of volunteer opportunities. This local website allows you to choose volunteer positions based on your passions and interests. 

Take a course online.

What better way to build your resume and learn something new, all from the comfort of your own home? Platforms like edX, Coursera, Skillshare, and MasterClass offer a variety of free and paid courses that you can take to learn a new topic or supplement your field of study. 

Attend workshops

There are always opportunities for in-person workshops/talks and plenty of online workshops on LinkedIn! It’s a great way to hear about a professional’s journey and advice and maybe even do some networking. 

Representation Executive Council (REC) elected members are full-time, salaried employees of the Student Governing Board of SAMRU. Student Governors oversee the strategic direction of SAMRU and govern the organization on behalf of students. Stay tuned for when these positions open in the future! While the 2022-23 REC team has been appointed, Student Governing Board positions are still open for passionate and driven students. Find more information on SGB positions, including the Speaker of the Board, here.

Join a club

Clubs are a fantastic way to meet new people while doing something you enjoy! Many clubs hire volunteers for events and other tasks (such as running the club’s social media), which will provide you with even more experience to list on your resume! Check out what clubs SAMRU has at samru.ca/clubs 

So, now you have some ways to enhance your resume, but what about when it comes to searching for and applying to jobs? Don’t worry! We have tips for that too.

Conduct searches on multiple platforms

It’s easy to search for jobs on one platform, and while you may have some luck, it’s good to branch out as well! Some job-hunting platforms are:

• MRU Job Bank
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Workopolis

You also may have luck with Instagram hashtags (like #yycjobs) and selecting the most recent posts to find local companies hiring.

Build an online portfolio

Showcasing your writing, art, photography, or school projects is a fantastic way to visualize your skills to potential employers. There are quite a few free websites where you can quickly put together a portfolio:

• Wix
• Squarespace
• Google Sites
• WordPress

Alternatively, you could code your portfolio site. And don’t forget to add your new coding experience to your resume!

Reach out to your network

It may sound a bit cliche, but connections are essential. Consider reaching out to relatives, friends, classmates, or past coworkers and employers to let them know that you’re looking for a job! You never know who may end up knowing someone who’s hiring.

Recruiters sift through hundreds of resumes and cover letters every day. You don’t have to make your resume look fancy, but you should use action verbs to describe your specific skills and experience with the job posting. Tailoring your cover letter (yes, you should always submit a cover letter) to the job shows that you’re genuinely interested in working for the company and willing to put in some extra effort.

Practice for interviews

Even though it could feel strange to practice for an interview that you haven’t even been offered yet, it’s best to be prepared! Job interviews aren’t always easy, and it can be challenging to think of specific examples and scenarios on the spot, especially if you’re nervous. Get a family member or friend to ask you some common interview questions and practice answering them. 

It could also be helpful to practice answering questions with someone over a video call. Many employers conduct interviews online which can be a little different from talking face to face!

SAMRU spring/summer support

No matter where your journey leads you this summer, remember that SAMRU is still here to support you. Although the fall and winter semesters have ended, there are still a variety of SAMRU services available to you this summer including emergency student loans and food bank referrals via the Peer Support Centre.

For more information about the PSC, please visit samru.ca/psc, or to contact the centre call 403-440-6269 or by email at peersupport@samru.ca.