The University of Ottawa’s guide to … guide to job hunting
The time of year has come again where everyone is frantically searching for a summer job. I am sure that the majority of your friends have recently asked you what your plans are for the summer. If, like me, you have yet to solidify these plans and you are not too happy when these questions arise. Let’s be honest, summer job hunting can be quite the stressful undertaking. You want to find the perfect job, yet there are hundreds of others applying for that one job you want; you want to be paid well, but the reality is that student jobs pay student wage…the list goes on and on. The key thing is to not stress and take your time in the job application process. So, take a minute and read this article. Hopefully I can help you find the perfect summer job in the Ottawa area.
One of the largest online resume banks that can match you with the perfect job is the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP). This online program, run by the federal government, pulls key words from your resume to match you with available job opportunities. While the application process is a tad confusing, it is definitely worth applying. There are hundreds of potential job opportunities just waiting for you! To apply, follow this link: http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm.
If you are an economics or social sciences student, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is hiring numerous students for their summer student employment program. The Canada Revenue Agency operates in the same resume bank format as FSWEP. There are multiple jobs available in the human resources and administration fields, as well as the economic and financial fields. To apply, you can fill out the application here: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/apps/careers/external/english/2013-2751-HQ%20-0001-1650-Notice.html.
Service Canada offers a wonderful job bank that enumerates every job opportunity available to students across the Ottawa region and well as across Canada. These opportunities can range from office jobs, to health care work, to retail or customer service. You can also upload your resume to the job bank and potentially be matched to a job suited for you and your qualifications. By taking a quick look through the multiple pages on job opportunities in Ottawa, you will realize there are tons of opportunities out there! Check it out here: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/intro-eng.aspx.
On top of the specific job opportunities mentioned, there are multiple websites that advertise job postings across the region. Both Charity Village (http://charityvillage.com/), and Eluta (http://www.eluta.ca/) are wonderful search engines that post job opportunities in the charitable and non-governmental fields. Workopolis (http://www.workopolis.com/EN/Common/HomePage.aspx) and Indeed (http://ca.indeed.com/) are also great search engines for student jobs in any field. Additional to online applications and resume banks, applying in person to the government, non-governmental organizations, businesses, retail shops, or restaurants is a great way to get your resume and face out there.
Our professors, mentors and even our government may be preaching that there exists very few student job opportunities; however, they are wrong. There are tons of opportunities out there! While these opportunities do exist, you have to proactively search for them and apply as soon as possible. Deadlines are fast approaching for student jobs specific to fields of study, so I would highly recommend applying soon! It is also a good idea to clean up your social media accounts (employers usually look at your facebook and/or twitter before hiring you), and get a LinkedIn account. All in all, you must stay vigilant, follow up with your applications and keep up a good spirit. The process may seem never ending, but, in the end, all will pay off, and you will have your dream summer job!
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