The document is a discussion on LinkedIn among alumni of McGill University about advice for new graduates entering the job market. It contains 12 comments from alumni offering tips which include: networking on LinkedIn and other sites; being persistent and not giving up; keeping an open mind but staying true to your values; never stopping learning; being careful when burning bridges; and remembering your career is just a job and not to bring stress home.

1. Discussion: McGill University Alumni | LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&g...
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Samantha Bateman If you could give a class of new graduates some advice on entering
sbateman@integriaconsulting.c
See all Samantha’s activity » the job market, what would it be?
Stop following
Posted 14 days ago | Reply Privately
Comments (12)
Interesting that this came up because I was at a networking meeting at
Greg Brown McMaster University here in Hamilton last Friday. I got talking with a few of the
Consultant, Affiliate Marketer,
students during a reception after the presentation. So I will offer the same
LinkedIn Group Manager and
HAPPEN Opportunities
advice I gave to them. You're never too young to start networking or to build a
Administrator/Meeting contact network through social networking groups such as LinkedIn. Doing all
Facilitator this will pay untold dividends in future.
See all Greg’s activity » Posted 14 days ago | Reply Privately
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I would say only one thing, may sound corny, but it is the truth: be persistent
Predrag Sunjka and never give up in your job hunt.
Food Safety Manager at
Champag Inc. Posted 8 days ago | Reply Privately
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1) Keep an open mind and try new avenues, but don't be afraid to pursue
Vanessa Franco opportunities that are in line with your ethics and values. It all comes together
Solo Librarian / Freelance
somehow. You don't have to completely compromise who you are.
Proofreader
See all Vanessa’s activity »
Follow Vanessa 2) Never stop learning.
3) Be careful when it comes to bridge-burning.
Posted 8 days ago | Reply Privately
Keep track of everything during your job hunt! i.e. who you contact and when,
Anne-Sophie von Heyden who you've spoken to, business cards, company names, emails and letters
Inquiries Coordinator at The
you've sent out, etc. Not only is it handy during your initial job hunt (for example
American University of Paris
See all Anne-Sophie’s activity » to remember when to follow-up, etc), but if you change jobs again, you already
Follow Anne-Sophie have a ton of contacts and resources to work from the second time around.
Posted 7 days ago | Reply Privately
In the 1967 movie "The Graduate", Dustin Hoffmann's character was famously
Paul Farkas imparted the one word piece of advice "Plastics". Bringing the one word advice
National Manager, HR at
forward to today, I would update the advice to "Pivots" - as in pivot tables.
Hyundai Auto Canada
See all Paul’s activity » Businesses are awash in data - and those people, young or old, who can take
Follow Paul the myriad of data that exists in today's business environment and turn it into
meaningful information, are and will continue to be way ahead of the pack.
Posted 6 days ago | Reply Privately
At the end of the day is important to remember its just a job. Too many people
Terry Fong take the stress of the job home with them, which in turn impacts their friends
R&D Tax Credits Manager at
and famillies.
Ernst & Young
See all Terry’s activity » Posted 6 days ago | Reply Privately
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1 of 3 03/18/2010 4:09 PM

2. Discussion: McGill University Alumni | LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&g...
If you're still a student and just graduating in April, you might be interested in
Gregg Blachford taking part in McGill Career Planning Service's Job Finding Club in May. Details
Director, Career Planning
at http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/students/services/jfc/ Final dates to be confirmed.
Service (CaPS) at McGill
University
We help you find your way into the job market.
See all Gregg’s activity » Posted 1 day ago | Reply Privately
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- Don't settle. You've spent to much time to waste away in a job you don't love.
David Perry BA MM Don't use the recession or anything else as an excuse for not living your career
Guerrilla Recruiter dreams. That's just a cop-out.
Six-sigma recruiting black-belt
- Find 10 companies you want to work for and make a compelling pitch to the
who builds executive teams for
explosive growth.
CEO or EVP.
See all David’s activity » - Be Hunted! Leverage social networking technology by leaving "digital bread
Follow David crumbs" to your web site or blog.
- Make certain your resume and cover letter makes it very clear to the hiring
authority "Here's What's in It For You".
- Down load a copy of my speech to grads or my free DVD: Put America Back
To Work and become a Guerrilla Job Search Commando. www.gm4jh.com or
www.PutAmericaBackToWork.com/dvd
David Perry,
McGill: Class of '82
co-author, "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0"
Rogue Recruiter, www.perrymartel.com
Posted 1 day ago | Reply Privately
This comment has been deleted.
Thank you so much for all of your comments! I presented to the group earlier
Samantha Bateman this evening and shared your comments. I hope it will assist these new grads in
sbateman@integriaconsulting.c
See all Samantha’s activity »
their future endeavours.
Stop following
sam
Posted 1 day ago | Reply Privately
When new graduates start their career journey, there is one thing which is
Robert Zackon impossible for them to know; the life experience of their 30's, 40's etc. As we
Small Business Management |
grow older, it's amazing how our childhood passions become stronger and we
Sales / Marketing |
Administration Management
realize that who we are was developed years earlier. Anyone who is older
See all Robert’s activity » knows that the years go by in the blink of an eye, a concept which takes us all
Follow Robert by surprise. We all wish we knew what we know now, earlier. No one can gain
this knowledge by reading a book or taking a course.
With all that said, the best advice for anyone who is starting out is to listen to
their heart and try to figure out what it is saying. This is not an easy task, it
takes a lot of searching from within. Follow your dreams now, because they
will come back again later in life. Don't miss out on this.
Posted 1 day ago | Reply Privately
2 of 3 03/18/2010 4:09 PM

3. Discussion: McGill University Alumni | LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&g...
If it's still usefull, here are my comments:
Peter Gabor
Owner, PGabor Associates:
I am mentoring five students and interns. I have a volunteer coop student
Architecture, Interiors, & Urban
Design
working for me from Waterloo. I have participated in lectures to students in
See all Peter’s activity » Waterloo, Carleton, and Ryerson on this subject. I am chair of the OAA Intern
Follow Peter Committee. Not all architects agree with my recommendations, but they were
well received and appreciated by all the students and interns I talk to:
1. Research any firm you are applying to - there should be a reason and
rationale for wanting to work there. Employers do not appreciate applications
addressed to "to whom it may concern" . Be prepared to asnwer if asked why
you applied.
2. In a severely depressed market like we have had in the last 18 months, be
prepared to seek jobs in related feels rather than simply defering to the easiest
possibilities - Macdonald's, Tim Horton, Call Centre, etc. Pursue oportunities in
engineering, interior design, graphic design, and construction. (We particulary
prefer applicants with construction experience because it allows students to get
a better appreciation of how their drawings translate into reality, and the
resultant changes that require carefull consideration to keep the project on
track with teh original design vision.
3. Not everyone can afford it, but if possible, offer to volunteer, particularly at a
firm you have identified as a good learning opportunity, and/or does the type of
work you appreciate. The experience is still valid. Future employers need not
know that you volunteered. On a CV, just indicate: worked at XYZ Co Jan to
June 2010. Your actual experience at the firm will be most relevant to your
future as a student or intern.
4. Be patient and follow up. Circumstances change. Keep in touch with a firm
you would like to work at, even if you have found another job in the interim.
Build bridges that could be usefull in future job searches.
Posted 1 day ago | Reply Privately
Be sure to focus on the needs of the employer and how your skills match the
Peter Ryttel requirements of the position. Remember to provide a list of achievements or
Global Sales at Dow Jones &
accomplishments that tell the employer how you could help them. Limit your
Company
See all Peter’s activity » search to employers you are really passionate about; they will pick up on your
Follow Peter enthusiam.
Posted 23 hours ago | Reply Privately
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