2. Reflect on your achievements

Consider your past experiences from work, internships, volunteering, community involvement, etc., and identify your achievement(s). Think of times when you:

• Solved a problem
• Received praise/awards
• Created efficiencies
• Exceeded expectations
• Achieved a goal
• Initiated something
• Prevented an issue
• Improved something
• Demonstrated leadership
• Were selected for added responsibility or promotion

3. Follow the formula

Example accomplishment statements

The following are pairs of statements identifying the same role. Consider how the second statement of each pair is written as an effective accomplishment statement.

• Provided customer service
• Provided customer service in a busy retail environment resulting in the creation of a loyal customer base and improved sales by 10%

• Initiated reorganization of file system
• Initiated reorganization of file system which made client information more accessible to staff of non-profit organization

• Initiated and completed system of data entry from manual to computerized
• Initiated and completed system of data entry from manual to computerized system, resulting in improved account analysis and report generation for tax and other purposes

• Maintained and updated files
• Maintained and updated patient files through a client management system (CMS) for a rehabilitation clinic with approximately 340 regular patients

• Trained administrators and other staff
• Trained administrators and other staff on MS Excel, supporting efficient team workflows and saving outside training expenses of more than $1000

• Created manual for volunteers
• Created procedural and responsibilities manual for volunteers at a community agency, which reduced overlapping duties and increased efficiency

• Worked on product layouts
• Revised merchandise layout and recommended changes that resulted in increased product visibility and increased sales by 33%

• Work well in a team environment
• Collaborated with team members to complete a group marketing project for final year commerce class ensuring tasks were identified and completed by the team members on time

Action verbs synonyms to use in your resume

Communication and people skills

Creative skills

Data and financial skills

Helping skills

Management and leadership skills

Organizational skills

Research skills

Teaching skills

Technical skills

Click button below to download Resume Sample PDF.

Accessing the early job market

Which employers in your area hire people with similar degrees or past experiences as your own? Look at these companies’ career pages for upcoming events or recruitment sessions. Having a proactive mindet can make a big difference. Begin exploring opportunities early so you can connect with professionals, attend events, and position yourself ahead of other applicants.

Directories

• Directories are online databases that allow you to find lists of companies you might not have known existed. Some examples include The Red Book, 211 Ontario, and The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
• Search online for directories specifically in your field or area of interest, like retirement homes, children’s services, shelters, etc.
• Use directories to create a ‘leads list’ of companies and their key contacts, so you can check their postings regularly and strategize your networking.

Job banks

• Job banks allow you to search directly for available job openings in your area.
• Include a cover letter, unless specifically directed otherwise. Also, include a short message to the employer when you apply by email.

Networking

Tailoring your resume and cover letter

Incorporating key words from the job posting into your resume and cover letter, as many companies use a computerized applicant tracking system (ATS) which filters out applications based on key words before any live person will see it.

Read the qualifications in job postings carefully. If you have a desired qualification, present it clearly at the top of your Highlights of Qualifications section and be sure to include how you have demonstrated it.

Continue to build your career skills

• The SSC offers professional services on resume writing, skills, interviewing, LinkedIn, job search coaching, accommodation and disclosure in the workplace coaching, etc.
• Explore Job Search Essentials (JSE) – a free, flexible online program on Avenue to Learn to complete at your own pace. Focus on finding your skills, improving your resume and cover letter, accessing the hidden job market, networking, interviewing, negotiating job offers and more. Registration is posted on OSCARplus (under Student Success Centre > Events) at the start of every month.
• Check OSCARplus for events, company recruitment sessions, workshops, jobs and volunteer postings to support your professional development all year long..
• Look for work and volunteer opportunities to build your career ready skills.

As your first point of contact with a future employer, your resume must make a positive impression, demonstrating your value to the team to increase your chances of being called for an interview. Remember, this is YOUR resume – you have the power to decide what to include and how to present your experience in a way that aligns with your goals

Click button below to download Resume Sample PDF.

Top tips 

• Tailor your resume with keywords, backed up by evidence of accomplishments, to demonstrate your area of focus for each application
• Keep it to two pages max, prioritizing quality and relevance over quantity
• Know your industry and use relevant terminology 
• Write strong accomplishment statements using action verbs to highlight your skills and impact instead of your tasks or duties
• Include your LinkedIn URL to provide access to more information about you
• Every experience counts – whether it’s a one day job shadow, a weekend volunteering opportunity, or a part-time job, all have transferable skills
• Orgranize your resume sections to reflect what’s most important to the employer
• You can leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to assist with resume updates, ensuring you personalize AI suggestions to fit your style and the specific job requirements. Visit The Pros and Cons of Using AI to Write Your Cover Letter and Resumé to learn more about using AI for your resume and cover letter.

Common mistakes 

• Not tailoring your resume to your audience, or using keywords without supporting evidence
• Making your resume overly brief, which can be perceived as a lack of effort
• Including spelling and grammar errors
• Not using your education section to present skills and knowledge
• Only taking advice from one person or those working in unrelated fields
• Over-relying on AI tools such as ChatGPT without personalizing the content

Access more support on your resume 

• Check our Resume Sample to get started
• Attend one of SSC’s resume presentations
• Drop in to an in-person career drop-in to ask questions on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:30-4 PM, Gilmour Hall 110
• Schedule an appointment on OSCARplus if you have additional question

What do you think interviewers will ask? Research the organization’s values, culture, and recent news to show genuine interest.

General tips & practice

• Listen carefully and take your time! It is okay to take a moment to collect your thoughts.
• Keep water handy. Do not chew gum or eat throughout the interview.
• Practice with Big Interview.
• Prepare short stories using the STAR formula (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight your experiences.
• Review the Interview Tips: Common Questions tip sheet for strategies on answering common questions and structure your stories using STAR.

Delivery

Think about someone who has compelling delivery – what makes them engaging? Strong delivery combines verbal skills and body language.

In-Person Interview Tip

Bring the following to your interview:

• Several copies of your resume
• A notepad and pen (ask permission to jot down a few notes while the interviewer provides details of the opportunity)
• A typed list of professional references if possible

Virtual Interview Tips

Technology & environment preparation

• Know the platform (Zoom, MS Teams, phone, etc.) and test it in advance
• Have the interviewer’s contact info ready in case of tech issue
• Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a professional background
• Position your camera at eye level; centre head and shoulders on screen
• Turn off phone and email notifications
• Some companies may send you a link to record your interview
• If it is a video interview, find out how many chances you have to answer each question and if it is a timed response

During the interview

• Dress as you would for an in-person interview – from top to bottom!
• Be yourself. Remember to smile. This will project a positive tone in your voice
• Speak slowly and clearly. Pausing briefly before answering
• Keep your resume and key organization/industry facts within reach for easy reference
• Technical glitches are normal – stay calm

End of interview questions

You’ll usually be asked if you have questions at the end of an interview. The questions you ask can be as important as the answers you have provided up until this point. Have a list of prepared questions.

Do ask:

Job/organization/industry-related questions:

• If the responsibilities of the job are not clear, ask for clarification.
• How will success in the role be measured?
• How has a current event/market conditions impacted the department/organization?
• What is the workplace culture like in this company?
• What does a typical day look like?

Process-related questions:

• Be sure you know what the next steps are after the interview.
• Will you contact me, or should I follow up?

Don’t ask:

• About salary or benefits (vacation, holidays, sick days, etc.) in the first interview; wait until an offer is presented.
• About information on the company website (e.g. the organization’s mission, the basic tasks associated with the job).
• Personal questions about the interviewer (if you happened to find the interviewer’s personal social media, keep this to yourself).
• Condescending questions (questions that begin with ‘why don’t you…?’ can be viewed as demanding).

Final Tip

Remember: interviews are a two-way conversation. You’re not only being evaluated — you’re also deciding if the role and organization are the right fit for you.

Accommodation and disclosure

Disclosing a disability is a personal choice. Factors to consider when deciding include: impact to your work, if you require accommodations, or for health and safety. If you require an accommodation for the interview itself, you should consider disclosing at the time of application or when you are called to set up an interview. You do not need to disclose diagnosis at any time.

Remember to thank the interviewer

Sending a thank you letter or email is part of interview etiquette. Keep it brief, personalized and sent within 24 hours. In your letter you should:

• Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview
• Articulate your continued interest and enthusiasm for the position
• Recap your strengths
• Reference something specific from your conversation (e.g. a new product or system you discussed)

These questions can be asked at any company for any position. Examples are included later in the document. Consider different ways the same question can be asked, such as “why should I hire you?” and “what makes you a unique candidate?”

Field/industry specifics

What skills or attributes are important in your career area? For example, social services may emphasize interpersonal skills or ethics, whereas engineering may focus more on project management and problem solving.

Job posting

This is your biggest clue to what employers might ask you, and it may overlap with the field or industry questions you’ve thought about. What skills did the employer list? Can you come up with examples of how you demonstrated those skills?

Once you have a topic or theme identified, brainstorm the different questions interviewers could ask. Here are some examples:

Teamwork

• Tell me about a challenging time when you worked with a group.
• Tell me what role you typically take in a group or team.
• What was the most successful experience you had working with a team?

Conflict

• Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a client or customer.
• Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a supervisor or professor.
• How do you handle conflict?

Practice

Use Big Interview to find sample questions and practice answering.

Tip: Make a list of skills noted in the job posting and identify your most relevant example(s) to prove you have that skill. You can also find ways to integrate some of these within your answers (i.e., to showcase strengths and experiences).

Behavioural-based questions

These questions are based on the assumption that your past behaviour is a good predictor of how you will act in the future. Your interviewer will ask questions to determine if you have the skills/traits that are considered vital to the organization’s success. Your knowledge of the organization and job will help you predict what qualities/characteristics are most valuable. Behavioural based questions are likely to begin with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give an example of …”

How do you answer a behavioural question?   

• Decide ahead of time which experiences are the most relevant (refer to your research of organization and job); share your stories within the context of the opportunity.
• Share experiences that involve positive outcomes; or demonstrate lessons learned when sharing challenging circumstances.
• Draw on experiences from school, work, extra-curricular involvement, volunteer, study-abroad, internships and field placements, etc.

Use the STAR formula as a framework for your stories or examples

• Situation (outline the situation) 
• Task (briefly outline the problem/obstacle/task that you were faced with)  
• Action (describe the specific steps that you took to approach the situation) 
• Result (what was the outcome and what did you learn)

Other behavioural-based questions to consider:

• Tell me about the most difficult customer service experience that you have ever had to handle.
• Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? How do you stay focused?
• Give me an example of something you’ve done in previous jobs or school that demonstrates your willingness to work hard.
• Tell me about a recent experience that you would describe as a real learning experience.
• Tell me about a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventative measures.

Situational questions

Interviewers may also ask hypothetical questions (“What would you do…”), and usually pertain to their work environment. You can supplement your answer with concrete examples of how you have handled similar situations in the past, if applicable. Examples include:

• What would you do if your shift was ending and you were not finished a project that your manager was expecting before you leave? 
• How would you handle a customer that came in to complain about a product?
• What would you do if you saw your co-worker stealing money?

Stress Questions

Interviewers commonly pose ‘stress’ questions to assess how candidates react when put under pressure. More specifically, they allow the interviewer to gain further clarity about how you think and behave when facing uncertainty. Questions you may face:

• If you were a novel, what would the summary on the back of the book say?
• What would be your instant reaction if you realized you had lost something important and could not get it back?
• If you could be any kitchen appliance, what would you be?
• Why is your GPA not higher?
• Why were you not more involved in extra-curricular activities while at university?

To prepare for these kinds of questions:

• Be aware that these questions may come your way in the middle of a Q&A interview.
• Remain professional, positive and focus on highlighting your skills.
• Do not take the questions personally, make excuses or become defensive.
• Often there may not be a correct answer; therefore, the logic and assumptions you present to support your responses are very important.
• “Stress” may come in the form of the interviewer’s manner rather than a specific question. If an interviewer comes across as unfriendly, maintain a professional and friendly demeanor yourself.

As you’re starting your job search, checking in with yourself on your capacity time-wise and energy-wise can help you determine which roles would currently be the best fit for you, and can help prevent burnout.

Below are some questions you can ask yourself to assess your capacity to commit time to work:

• If you’re planning on working while taking classes, how are you finding your current academic schedule?
• Does your current schedule allow for time to study, complete your assignments, and practice self-care?
• Thinking back to past semesters or work terms where you felt overwhelmed or drained, are you noticing yourself currently feeling similarly?
• What commitments do you currently have on your plate, and how would you prioritize them alongside working?
• How would you feel if you took on another commitment on top of the ones you currently have?
• How many hours per week would be doable for you to work so that you can still have time for your responsibilities and hobbies outside of work?

Understanding Your Skills and Accommodation Needs

Taking inventory of your unique strengths is another aspect of your job search that can help you narrow down the types of roles that you’d enjoy and would excel in. Some prompts that can help you identify your skills and strengths are below:

• What types of situations or tasks have you excelled in? Looking back on your previous experiences, identifying these situations, and how you excelled in them can help you pinpoint your skills.
• What strengths have others highlighted in you (academically, personally, or professionally)? Reviewing feedback on projects or assignments, or any comments you recall from professors, TAs, supervisors, colleagues, and loved ones can also help you brainstorm your strengths.
• What types of challenges do you feel confident navigating?
• What accomplishments have you felt proud of yourself for, within and outside of the classroom?
• What experiences have you enjoyed and been most interested in, within and outside of the classroom?

Similarly, reflecting on tasks or situations where you’ve struggled can help you identify your accommodation needs and/or the types of jobs that you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing.

• If you’re receiving academic accommodations, this can be a helpful starting point when brainstorming workplace accommodation needs.
• If you’re looking for more information on types of accommodations, or how employers can accommodate individuals with various types of disabilities in the workplace, reviewing the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a helpful place to start.

Planning Your Job Search Process

As you’re starting to apply for roles that you’re interested in, planning a system for your job search that works for you can make the job search process more sustainable. Some strategies to help you with this are below:

• Scheduling time specifically for your job search tasks (i.e. tailoring applications, attending career advising/career counselling appointments, informational interviews to structure your job search.
• Setting goals for the week, whether you prefer to plan for a specific amount of time spent on job searching (i.e. 1 hour per day), or a specific number of applications you send out (i.e. 3 per week).
• Continuing to be mindful of your capacity to take on additional tasks throughout your job search, and be flexible with your goals depending on any changes to your disability symptoms, academic workload, and other commitments.
• Considering the types of environments you prefer to do job search tasks in can help motivate you; for example, some people prefer to work on tailoring their applications in a setting with ambient background sound, while others prefer to work in silence.
• Taking into account the time of day you find job search tasks most doable in. For example, some people prefer to job search at the beginning of the day, while others prefer to after their classes/work shift for the day has wrapped up.
• If you find it helpful to work alongside a friend or support person, try scheduling time with them where you both work on tasks together and hold each other accountable.
• Another option if you’re looking for an accountability person as you’re doing job search tasks is a co-working platform like Focusmate, where you can set a goal for a work session and work alongside someone who will be doing their own tasks; you can find more information on Focusmate.

Applying to jobs

• As you’re researching roles to apply to, it can also be helpful to look at the organization’s EDIA policies, and diversity hiring initiatives, and their accommodation policies, which you can typically find on their website.
• If you’re looking for more information on whether a role would be doable for you, or if a workplace would be inclusive to you, informational interviews can be a helpful way to learn more about the role you’re considering applying to from someone who’s currently working in it.
• For more information on what informational interviews are, how to set them up, and how to prepare for them, please review our Informational Interview tip sheet.
• When you’re applying to roles, some details to double check would be that you have:
  • Used the date of the application on your resume and cover letter.
  • Double checked that the job title and ID number matches the position you’re applying for.
  • Made sure that you have the correct name and spelling of the company in your application, and that you have reviewed any information from the posting on who the cover letter should be addressed to.
  • Thoroughly read through your application and made sure that the spelling and grammar are correct.
• If you have several job postings to apply for, prioritizing them by the deadline can help you submit them on time.
• When you’ve submitted each application, make a note of each job you have applied to, and keep a copy of the posting with the version of your application that you submitted. When you’re invited to an interview, you’ll have a clear sense of the role and the skills required even if the posting is no longer available online.
• If you need a second set of eyes on your applications, reaching out to someone you trust for feedback can help draw your attention to any areas to change. You can also book an appointment with a Career Advisor at the Student Success Center or attend our drop-ins for job search coaching support as well.
• For more information on researching the hidden job market, networking, assessing whether to apply to a position, and on industry-specific job search resources, please visit our Job Search Strategies Tip Sheet.
• As you’re job searching, reflect on whether you would feel comfortable to disclose any accommodation needs, and at what stage of the application/hiring process you would do so. This is completely your decision; only you can decide if and when you want to disclose a disability to a prospective employer.
• Note that disclosing your accommodation needs at each stage has its own pros and cons to consider; for more information to help you with making this decision, please visit our Accommodations and Disclosure Tip Sheet.

Preparing for interviews

When you’ve been invited to interview for a position, this is a victory in and of itself! It’s a sign that your applications are passing the initial review stage.

• If you feel comfortable to share any accommodation needs at the interview stage, reviewing the interview invitation, and any instructions on who you would send accommodation requests to, and any deadlines on doing so can help make sure that you feel comfortable while interviewing.
• If the interview will be in person, helpful to familiarize yourself with the area ahead of time, whether it’s mapping your route or commute there, or traveling this route ahead of time.
• Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your interview begins; accounting for this when planning your commute can help you calmly navigate to your interview.
• If the interview will be virtual, take time to navigate the platform it will be hosted on, its features and review any demonstrations or tutorials available for how to use it. Practicing virtual interviews with someone you trust, and troubleshooting any technical issues ahead of time can help build your comfort level with using the platform.
• Wearing business attire that you’re comfortable in can help you feel more confident and will help you make a strong first impression as you’re speaking to your interviewers.
• Choosing what to wear ahead of time (at least 1-2 days before the interview) may help you feel more prepared on the morning of the career fair.
• If you need support with this step, scheduling time with a loved one to plan your attire together can help motivate you and give you a second opinion on what you’re planning to wear.

Preparing any items that you need ahead of time is another way to feel more comfortable during the interview. Some examples are below:

• Water bottle
• Any assistive devices you need
• Any translation apps you need
• A notepad/pen to jot down any notes/contact information
• Multiple copies of your resume

For more information on preparing for various types of interview questions, questions to ask your employer at the end of your interview, and techniques to manage anxiety during your interview, and more, please refer to our Interview Tip Sheet.

• Practice! Interviewing is a very different social interaction to those we typically do in our daily lives; it’s natural to find them difficult. The more you practice your interviewing skills with a loved one and/or a Career Advisor at the SSC, the more comfortable you can feel as you do them.

Your Support System While Job Searching

Job searching can feel daunting at times, but you’re not alone throughout the process.

We’re here to help if you’re looking for further support with your job search. Visit Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) to learn more about career and job search support tailored to your needs.

With job searching comes the possibility of rejection; leaning on your loved ones, whether it’s your family, friends, any professional supports (i.e. counsellor, Career Advisor), support groups, and your professional network can help you stay encouraged as you job search.

We recommend checking out the Neurodiversity Hub for more information and tips on job searching as well.

Disability-Specific Job Boards

To support you with your job search, the job boards below are specialized to supporting individuals from neurodivergent populations with finding opportunities. This is not an exhaustive list but can be a starting point to finding organizations that are inclusive.

Discover Ability Network – Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Discover Ability Network is a unique job-matching platform. Free for both candidates and companies, the online portal aims to connect people with disabilities directly to Ontario businesses.

Integrate Autism Employment Advisors

Integrate Autism Employment Advisors support skilled autistic professionals reaching their potential; a workforce delivering non-traditional solutions; candidates and clients recognizing the value of an inclusive environment—that’s success at work. Founded in 2010, their decades of corporate experience drive their mission to help organizations identify, recruit, and retain professionals on the autism spectrum. Visit their website for more information and resources.

Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN)

ODEN produces a monthly email newsletter that’s packed with valuable, informative content including information about upcoming webinars and training; disability sector information and updates; a round-up of disability and employment related news; the Disability Insights quote of the month; and promising practices shared by ODEN members.

Lime Connect

Lime Connect is breaking stereotypes and leading companies of every size, industry, and location to understand the importance of, and fully value, the talent, and strengths that employees with disabilities bring to the workplace.

We’re here to help if you’d like further support in preparing for your job search. Visit the Career Access
Professional Services (CAPS) section of our website for more information on accessing our services.

Research the employers

Identifying the companies you’re interested in working at can help you come into the career fair with a clear plan of who to talk to.

Below are some steps to help you learn more about the employers:

1. Review the websites and LinkedIn pages of the employers leading up to the fair, along with their EDIA policies, and accommodation policies. If you find structuring your research helpful, set a goal for how many employer websites you’d research per day.
2. You can also use the People tab on the company LinkedIn page to find employees that you can connect with on LinkedIn. If you’re looking for more information on how to have informational interviews with individuals working in your companies of interest, review our Informational Interview Tip Sheet here.
3. Reviewing job postings by your companies of interest leading up to the career fair can give you a sense of the roles they’re hiring for and the skills they’re looking for in candidates. If you have any questions about the available roles, the career fair would be your opportunity to have them clarified and also demonstrate that you’ve done your research on the employer.

Prepare questions to ask

After you’ve done your research, you’ll be equipped to prepare a set of questions that you can ask employers at the fair; some examples of questions you can ask are below:

• What are the main skills (soft and technical) that your organization looks for in candidates for X role?
• What makes a person successful in this role and/or organization?
• What advice do you have for university students/graduates regarding getting into this field? Are there professional networking opportunities you would recommend?
• How would you describe the culture of the organization?
• Mention what you’ve learned about the organization and ask a related, relevant question.

Prepare items to bring

The career fair can be a crowded and occasionally hectic environment, so preparing items you need for the day can help you feel more comfortable as you navigate through it. Examples of items to bring are as follows, but you’re welcome to bring anything you need:

• Water bottle
• Any assistive devices you need
• Any translation apps you need
• A notepad/pen to jot down any notes/contact information
• Multiple copies of your resume

If it would feel more comfortable to attend with a friend or a support person, schedule a time to meet them there so that you can navigate the career fair together.

Choose what to wear

Wearing business attire that you’re comfortable in can help you feel more confident and will help you make a strong first impression as you’re speaking to recruiters.

• Choosing what to wear ahead of time (at least 1-2 days before the career fair) may help you feel more prepared on the morning of the career fair.
• If you need support with this step, scheduling time with a loved one to plan your attire together can help motivate you and give you a second opinion on what you’re planning to wear.

Update your resume and LinkedIn

Bringing multiple copies of your updated resume to the career fair can help you leave your contact information and an impression of your skills and experience with the employers you speak to.

• It may be helpful to bring different versions of your resume depending on the types of positions you’re targeting (i.e. one version of your resume tailored to Teaching positions, and another version of your resume tailored to Administrative positions), so that you can market your specific skills depending on the employer you’re speaking to.
• If you need support with updating your resume, please book an appointment with the Student Success Centre’s career services ahead of the career fair.
• As you’re preparing for the day, consider setting a reminder for yourself to print out multiple copies of your your updated resume at least 1-2 days before the fair to give yourself time for any last-minute changes.
• Note that some employers may prefer you apply online to use their preferred recruitment process. In that case, noting the name of the individual that you spoke to at the career fair and alluding to your conversation with them in your cover letter can help to differentiate your application with your effort to pre-connect with the organization.

Prepare your elevator pitch

Your elevator pitch is a short description of your background, skills and interests; this is a “snapshot” of you that the representative can use to understand who you are, what you do and what you are looking for, including your interest in the company.

• Leading up to the career fair, taking the time you need to draft your elevator pitch and practice it can help remove some ambiguity around speaking to employers, since you’ll have your introduction ready.
• If you’re looking for support with preparing your elevator pitch, feel free to book an appointment with the Student Success Center’s career services, and to practice it with your support system too.
• You can also find more information on preparing your elevator pitch and other conversation starters for the career fair in the Career Fair: Practice Your Pitch tip sheet.
• Bringing a copy of your pitch with your resumes can help jog your memory during the event.

Get familiar with the space or platform

If the career fair is an in-person event, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the area ahead of time, whether it’s mapping your route or commute to the venue or planning how to navigate the event itself.

• If the career fair has a map of employer tables published, noting where the employers you’re interested in will be located can help you navigate the event space.
• If it helps you to observe other attendees interacting with employers before initiating your conversations, that’s no problem; take your time to walk through the venue and observe other interactions until you feel confident to chat with them.
• Some people prefer to speak to the employers they’re not as interested in first, as a low-pressure way to build comfort before speaking to their top employers.
• If the fair is a virtual event, take time to navigate the platform features and review any demonstrations or tutorials available for how to use it.

Set goals for the day

While the end goal of attending a career fair is employment, your goal for the event itself can be more specific (for example: to practice networking, meet people in your field of interest, make contacts)

Some questions to help you set goals and priorities for the fair:

• Who are your companies of priority to talk to? (Tip: Breaking down your companies of interest into your A-list, B-list, and C-list companies can help you focus on the ones of priority at the career fair)
• What information do you want to learn, knowing that your conversation with employers will be brief?
• What would you want to do/learn to feel accomplished at the end of the career fair?

Grounding yourself during the Career Fair

You’re not alone in finding the career fair overwhelming; it’s alright to take a break, adjust and take a deep breath if you need a break from the space. When you feel calm and ready, return to the fair and find employers you want to learn about.

Some techniques to help you with grounding yourself are as follows:

• Box breathing: Breathing in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, out for 4, and hold for 4.
• Rainbow grounding: Going through each of the colors of the rainbow, and finding items around you which match them.
• 5-4-3-2-1 grounding: 5 things you can see, 4 sounds you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
• 3-minute meditation
• Fidget items/stress ball
• During the event, if you need time to gather your thoughts, take notes on the conversations you’ve had with an employer, and center yourself between each employer you speak to, feel free to take the time you need and pace yourself as you move through the event.
• Noting down 1-2 key points from each conversation can also give you something to refer back to when following up with the employers.

Find support available during the Career Fair

Reviewing the career fair website or event page will help you find information about any supports available during the event.

• For example, some career fairs may include an advising table where you can ask any questions you have about presenting your skills and speaking to employers.
• If you need accommodations for the event, reaching out to the organizers ahead of time with the accommodations you’re looking for can also help make sure that you’ll have what you need to feel comfortable during the event.

Following up with employers

The career fair was your opportunity to build an initial connection with employers; now that the event is over, continuing to engage with them and continue your connection beyond the fair will improve your chances of progressing in the hiring process.

For more information on how to follow up with employers afterwards, please visit our Career Fair: After the Fair tip sheet.

More support

We recommend checking out the Neurodiversity Hub for more information and tips on preparing for a career fair.

We’re here to help if you’re looking for further support with your your job search. Visit Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) to learn more about our services which offer career and job search support tailored to your needs.

Start with the notes section to keep track of useful sources for your job search. Then, choose one of the templates below to organize your week and create your job search schedule. Fill in scheduled commitments (class, work, appointments, etc.). Next, fill in the time you need to job search (don’t forget to include time needed to study as well). Include time for meals, sleep and exercise, and leave some blank “buffer time” every day to handle any unexpected changes. Finally, don’t forget to schedule reward time!

Click button below to download fillable Job Search Weekly Scheduler Word document.

Job search notes

Use this section to record ideas about where and how you will job search, i.e. websites to check (job posting sites and company websites), as well as people to connect with.

Scheduling your time

Choose one of the following scheduling options or feel free to create your own!

Option 1: Blocks of the day

This option offers flexibility with times. Choose the time of day that works best for your job search. Commit to a period of time (i.e. 1 hour on Monday afternoon and 2 hours on Tuesday morning). Aim for an hour a day or a total of 5 hours in a week, but start with what you can manage and work from there. Be sure to balance your time with searching for opportunities, networking and preparing your applications.

Option 2: Schedule by the hour

This option is more detailed and requires more commitment to specific times. Schedule your job search into the timeslots that suit you best. Aim for an hour a day or a total of 5 hours in a week, but start with what you can manage and work from there. Be sure to balance your time with searching for opportunities, networking, and preparing your applications.

Reframe networking

• Think of networking as building relationships, not trying to impress. The person you’re speaking with is there because they want to support others who are early in their career.
• You’re not asking for a job—you’re learning, connecting, and growing without putting pressure on where the connection might lead.

Focus on authenticity and curiosity

• Ask questions that you’re genuinely interested in, listen actively, and learn from the experiences of others.
• Showing up authentically helps build trust and genuine relationships. Allow your personality to come through.

Progress over perfection

• Every conversation is practice. Celebrate small wins like saying hello or asking a question and over time, starting these conversations will become easier.

Practical Strategies

Prepare in advance

• Use these tips to better understand the purpose of networking, ways to prepare, and questions you might ask.

Start small

• Connect with people you already know or have a connection with—think about peers, alumni, family friends, or professors.
• Join smaller career events or virtual meetups, and warm up with a couple of low-stakes conversations before approaching your ideal employer.
• Go to a networking event with a friend and/or book an appointment with a career advisor at SSC or in your faculty to practice conversations in advance.

Managing Anxiety Before

Support your nervous system

• Try box breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, pause for 4, exhale for 4, pause for 4 and repeat until you’re feeling more grounded than when you started.
• Notice any tension in your body and direct your breathing to those places with the intention of releasing and relaxing the muscles.
• Make space to sleep and rest before the conversation or event.
• Avoid consuming foods that you know increase your experience of anxiety—for some, this might include high levels of caffeine and sugar.

Visualize success

• Close your eyes, imagine yourself in the space with people you expect to speak to, and picture yourself answering confidently and connecting with them. Pick one thing you’re worried about happening and imagine yourself navigating the situation successfully.

Managing Anxiety During

Breathe and pause

• Take deep breaths before entering a room or starting a conversation. Don’t forget to breathe during the conversation as well.
• It’s okay to take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding or asking a new question.

Listen actively

• You don’t need to be talking the whole time. Active listening, including asking questions, maintaining eye contact, head nodding, and paraphrasing to confirm understanding takes pressure off you and shows genuine interest.

Use anchoring techniques

• Hold a pen, wear a comfort item, or repeat a calming phrase to stay grounded.

Remember your common humanity

• Everyone feels awkward sometimes — even seasoned professionals (like the people you’re talking to).

Exit gracefully

• If you feel overwhelmed, take a break or politely excuse yourself. Use phrases like: “It was great chatting with you, I’ll let you connect with others as well.”
• Before ending a conversation, ask if it’s okay to follow-up and request contact information, if you don’t already have it.

After the Event

Reflect and celebrate

• Take a few moments to reflect on what went well and what you would do differently next time.
• Acknowledge your effort with self-compassion—showing up is a win and every conversation is an opportunity for growth and learning.
• Reflect with gratitude by sending a quick thank you message or LinkedIn connection request to the people you spoke with and mention something you appreciated from the conversation.

• Job titles vary by company. Be flexible and open minded. The job titles may be different from what you were expecting, but the responsibilities may align with your interests, skills and/or goals.
• Explore sample job titles and job descriptions on the NOC website.

Job duties or job description

• This section outlines the typical tasks or responsibilities of the position.
• There is usually room to grow within a role, to take on special projects, and to expand one’s set of duties.
• There may be a section that says “other duties as assigned” which gives the employer flexibility in assigning you tasks other than the ones conveyed to you through the job posting.

Job qualifications or requirements

• Certain occupations in Canada are regulated such that you must have a certain degree to practice it, i.e. Medicine MD or Law LLB.
• Many other occupations accept a range of related education. For example, to be a counsellor one may have a Masters of Social Work, Master of Education with a specialization in counselling or a Masters in Psychology.
• Employers usually list minimum requirements (must-have) and preferred assets (nice-to-have). Aim to meet the minimums, but don’t let the nice-to-have stop you from applying.
• Employers may indicate # of years of experience required or preferred. Remember that all experience counts, including related volunteer and projects experience. Apply if in doubt, especially if you meet all the other qualifications.
• If you meet about 70% of the qualifications, it’s worth applying.

Should I apply? Consider the opportunity. Ask yourself:

• Will it give me an advantage in my career in terms of overall learning, skill development and/or experience?
• Will I be in contact with professionals in the field?
• Will I gain useful experience and skills?
• Will this provide me with exposure to the working environment I want to be in?

Read the “About Us” section on the posting

• Review how the employer addresses Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), especially as it relates to your identity.
• Consider the advantages of disclosing lived experience if the company is specifically recruiting for a certain diversity group (review the Accommodations and Disclosure in the Workplace tip sheet for more on this topic).
• Check how the organization describes its workplace culture, social impact, values, mission statements, etc. and reflect on whether you align with them.
• Explore the company website for more details, including the ‘about us’ on the company website, their staff directory (if they have one posted) to assess consistency in EDI language.
• Check their social media presence (LinkedIn, Instagram, X, etc.) to see how they portray themselves online.
• Engage with employers through career fairs, company information sessions and coffee chats. If you want to know if an employer matches your values, sometimes the best way is to ask them directly.

Tailor your application (Resume and Cover Letter)

There are certain key words that appear in job postings and it is highly recommended that you incorporate those key words into your resume and cover letter. This is because some companies use a computerized applicant tracking system (ATS) that filters out applications based on key words before any live person will see it!

Read the qualifications system carefully and if you have a desired qualification, present it clearly at the top of your own Highlights of Qualifications section and be sure to include how you have demonstrated it.

The SSC offers professional services on resume writing, skill identification, interviewing, LinkedIn, job search coaching, accommodation and disclosure in the workplace coaching, and more.

Are you unsure about your options or suitability for career paths? We have career counsellors that can help you navigate the career planning process.

Check OSCARplus for events, company recruitment sessions, workshops and job and volunteer postings to support your professional development.