Enhancing Employability: Key Insights from Western’s Career Experts
On 10 April 2024, Launch Pad, represented by Carla Dias Wadewitz (Senior Manager, Innovation Strategy & Services), and Western’s Careers Team, represented by Iman Abou-Mahmoud (Careers Education Consultant), hosted an eye-opening workshop aimed at equipping Western students with the tools they need to secure on-campus jobs and other employment. This workshop featured invaluable advice from a panel of current and former student employees.
Ready to transform your job search? Here’s a step-by-step guide of what the workshop covered:
Step 1 : Developing In-Demand Skills
As Artificial Intelligence becomes more prevalent in the workplace, certain technical skills are becoming less employable. To stay ahead, students need to cultivate skills that differentiate them from machines. Employers highly value human-specific skills such as creative thinking, innovation, and effective collaboration. That’s why, Launch Pad hosts events like their biannual ‘Venture Makers Innovation Challenge,’ which offers students the chance to develop these critical skills. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance their employability.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS: Make sure to register for the next Venture Makers Innovation Challenge!
"To stay ahead students needs to cultivate skills that differentiate them from machines"
Step 2 : Researching the Role and the Organisation
Hiring managers can easily spot applicants who lack knowledge about the role and the organisation. To avoid this, students should present themselves as well-informed about both the company and the specific job. Thoroughly researching the organisation via its website and understanding the job description allows students to tailor their resumes to meet the job’s specific requirements. Highlighting relevant skills and experiences demonstrates a clear understanding of the organisation’s needs.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS: If the website is difficult to navigate or doesn’t have much information, students should check out the organisation’s LinkedIn profile!
Step 3 : Marketing Oneself as 'The Ideal Candidate' in a Resume
Iman advised students to “Think like a recruiter.” With many applicants for each position, it’s crucial to market oneself as the best candidate. The resume is the primary tool for this purpose. Employers often only glance at a CV for 5 to 7 seconds, so students must present their relevant skills in a concise format. Specific advice on crafting an effective CV can be found on Western’s CareerHub.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS: Apart from CV building resources, Western’s CareerHub also has job listings, careers podcasts and information on how to attend workshops hosted by the careers team!
Following these steps will give students an edge in the job market, though it doesn’t guarantee landing the role. Iman emphasized the importance of viewing each ‘rejection’ as a redirection and encouraged students to remain resilient. For further advice, students should contact Western’s Careers Team, attend future employability workshops hosted by Launch Pad and to continue upskilling. With the easiest avenue for Western students being Launch Pad’s Venture Makers.