Job title
- 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.