On May 29, 2012, Studentawards held an Executive Think Tank on the topic of “The Next Generation: Get to Know Your Future Employee/Boss”.   The event was moderated by Dr. Alan Middleton (Professor and Executive Director of the Schulich Executive Education Centre) and Suzanne Tyson (President, Studentawards Inc.). 

Participants at this roundtable discussion included 13 senior executives from a variety of industries and divisions (e.g. Marketing, HR, Business Development, Research), as well as 5 students from the Studentawards membership.  During the open dialogue discussions, the executive thought leaders offered the following job search and application tips:

Searching

• Jump right in and start somewhere – the job you’re applying for today probably won’t be the job you do in the future
• There is no such thing as a bad job – every job is a learning experience
• Don’t focus more on the money than on enjoying the job, and don’t pre-judge low-paying jobs – think about what you can learn and how you can apply it
• Recent grads are very well educated, but often have little experience – volunteer positions are intriguing because of the people you meet, the experience you receive, and the opportunity they provide to ‘test the water’ before making a decision about possible employment
• When reviewing job postings and descriptions, don’t be put off if you don’t have all the skills listed – if you’ve got 60% and the right attitude, apply!

Applying

• Don’t be afraid to be creative about your resume and have some fun with it – (e.g. one applicant created his resume in the form of a comic strip in line with the company values)
• Get noticed – tell your own story and show how you stand out above the rest – what’s your point of differentiation?
• Don’t forget to draw on all past experience (e.g. retail, restaurants) – what did you learn and how can you apply it to other jobs and situations?
• Be educated about the company – explain what value you can bring, and demonstrate mutual values

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