Created by TalentEgg, this free guide for students and grads is filled with valuable recruitment tips, articles, and insights to help them hatch an egg-citing new career.

1. THE SEPTEMBER RECRUITMENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
6 Tips & Tricks
For Getting
Noticed And Hired
by

2. What’s inside...
1
3
Why
September?
3
About
TalentEgg
4
TIP #1
Do Your
Research
6
TIP #2
Create Your
Own Personal
Brand
8
TIP #3
Look The Part,
Both Online
and Offline
10
TIP #4
Ask The Right
Questions
12
TIP #5
Have A Goal In
Mind
14
TIP #6
Get In The
Headspace
16
You’re Ready
To Hatch A Top
Career
2

3. For most students, September is an opportunity for a fresh
start. New classes, new textbooks, new semester.
What the majority of students and grads don’t realize is that September is
also one of the best times to start your job search! In fact, almost 70% of
employers do the majority of their hiring during the fall.
Luckily for you, TalentEgg has put together the 2015 September
Recruitment Survival Guide for Students: your one-stop shop for
recruitment tips, articles, and insights!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get cracking!
TalentEgg is Canada’s most popular job board and online career resource
for students and recent graduates. We provide valuable resources for
aspiring professionals looking to hatch real, meaningful careers!
Why September?
About TalentEgg
3

4. TIP #1
Do Your
Research
4

5. Conducting research is one of the most crucial parts of the job-
hunting process.
Sure, it can feel a bit tedious – however, recruiters say that they can tell if
a candidate has done their research as early as the application stage.
This means that if you do your research well, your application will have
an immediate advantage over the candidates who didn’t make the proper
preparations. So where should you start?
• Conduct preliminary research. Before you apply to a job or meet with
a recruiter at a career event, research the company, their culture, and
what they do.
• Seek out face-to-face opportunities. During the month of September,
many employers attend career events at school campuses to recruit
students and soon to be grads.
• Connect with the recruiter. If you’re meeting a recruiter at an interview
or an event, look up their professional profile on LinkedIn.
• Determine if they fit you. If your research shows that the employer isn’t
a good match with your career aspirations and personality, don’t pursue
the role – your efforts are best spent finding the right match.
Before The Interview: How To Prep For Success
Inside A Recruiter’s Head: The Screening Process Broken Down From Posting To Interview
Demystifying “Networking”: Why Every Student & Grad Should Start Making Connections Today
EGG-CELLENT READS
5

6. TIP #2
Create
Your Own
Personal
Brand
6

7. Every company has a brand – it reflects their goals, values and
the vision of the company.
Every job-hunter should have the same mentality. Are you looking for
a large, established business or a relaxed start-up? Are you creative or
analytical? Are you laid-back or do you work best under pressure?
Consider all these factors, and ensure they are reflected in your application
documents, and both your online and offline presence.
• Your resume and cover letter. Tailor different aspects of these
documents to the identity you want to project. Consider the layout, font,
and even the way you present information (graphics, statistics, etc.)
• Your portfolio. Collect your best projects from your classes and
internships, and find the best way to present them to employers.
Consider creating an online portfolio, and have a hard copy handy for
interviews.
• Your email. Be sure that you have a professional-looking email and
signature. If you won’t have access to your email for a short period of
time, set up the automatic messaging feature so employers aren’t left
hanging.
The Font Style Guide: Resume Edition For Students
Set Yourself Apart: How To Create Your First Professional Portfolio
Entry-Level Career Advice: The Science Behind Your E-Mail Signature
8 Simple Steps: How To Put Together A Professional Website For Your Job Hunt
EGG-CELLENT READS
7

8. TIP #3
Look The Part,
Both Online
And Offline
8

9. What’s on the inside counts most – however, first impressions
can have a huge impact on your career prospects.
In order to put your best foot forward during the job-hunting process, you
need to make sure that you are showing employers a polished and put-
together version of yourself. However, your image goes beyond the outfit
you pick out for your interview. You also have an online presence to groom
and maintain. Here are some top tips for putting your best face forward!
• Dress sharp. Have a few key pieces in your wardrobe that can take your
image from “everyday casual” to “career professional”.
• Your online presence. It’s time to vet your social media accounts and
update that LinkedIn profile. Employers are not afraid to check their
candidates out online, so be sure they’ll like what they see!
• Check your body language. Crossing your arms in an interview can
undermine your claim that you’re an open, engaging people-person.
Practice answering questions in front of a mirror.
Expert Career Advice: Why Your Image On Social Media Matters
Skills For Your New Career: Mastering The Art Of Body Language
Be Smart, Dress For The Part: An Intro To Workplace Dress Codes
Putting Your Best Face Forward: 6 Rules To Follow When Choosing Your LinkedIn Photo
Students And New Grads: Here’s How To Make Your First Impressions Count In An Interview
EGG-CELLENT READS
9

10. TIP #4
Ask The Right
Questions
10

11. Often, students and grads become so fixated on asking
impressive questions, that they forget the whole point of the
process: to find out if the company and the job are the right fit
for them.
This isn’t just a one-way engagement... recruiters are expecting your
inquiries, so make those opportunities count!
• Go beyond the job description. What do you want to know about the
position that the job description can’t tell you? Get a sense of what a
typical day in this role will be like.
• Demonstrate your knowledge. Take some time before your meeting to
analyze any recent projects or endeavours that the employer has taken
on. Be certain to mention any tidbits of information that are relevant and
show that you’ve done your research.
• Get to know the recruiter. Recruiters are people too – and they likely
have great insights and knowledge about the company from their own
experiences. Ask them about how they got started in their role, and
you’ll likely find some great info.
Networking 101: How To Build Rapport
The Art Of The Professional Follow-Up
A New Grad’s Guide To Navigating Multiple Job Offers
Top 10 Questions For Students & Grads To Ask During An Interview
Your First Job: The Questions You Need To Ask During On-The-Job Training
EGG-CELLENT READS
11

12. TIP #5
Have A
Goal In Mind
12

13. If you’re going on a journey, it’s important to know what your
destination will be. And while, “getting a job” may be your end
goal, be mindful of the journey.
In order to create a proper roadmap for yourself, you need to do some
serious self-evaluating. In addition to creating a personal brand, you
also have to create short and long term destinations to get to where you
ultimately want to be. Ask yourself the following questions:
• Am I currently on the right path? Career journeys are rarely
straightforward – consider where your current path will lead you, and
what adjustments you should make to your approach. This will help you
select career opportunities that suit your needs.
• What support do I need to succeed? No one is an island, and it’s
crucial to identify what resources you need to find success. Perhaps a
rotational talent program might benefit you more than an entry-level job.
Inquire about training and mentorship programs with employers.
• What are the growth opportunities? You should be looking for a role
that will put you on track for natural career progression. Keep in mind it
will take a lot of hard work to achieve your goal, but it will be worthwhile
in the end. Always think ahead!
What’s Beyond Graduation? A Guide For Students & New Grads
Is There A Job For Me? 3 Tips For Taming That Post-Graduation Fear
“Is This Job Right For Me?” A New Grad’s Guide To Evaluating A Job Opportunity
In Pursuit Of Your Dream Job? Here Are 4 Things Students & Grads Should Take Into Consideration
EGG-CELLENT READS
13

14. TIP #6
Get In The
Headspace
14

15. Finding success during Fall Recruitment Season can all come
down to whether or not you find your “zone” – it’s important to
be in the right headspace when engaging with professionals, and
the start of the school year can throw a lot of curveballs at you.
• Get enough sleep. When Netflix asks if you’re still watching, answer “no”
and hit the hay. You’ve got a busy day ahead of you.
• Eat properly. We know all the cool kids are running off of 8 cups of
coffee a day, but resist the temptation. Having a healthy meal before a
big recruitment event can do wonders for your performance.
• Prepare for setbacks. No matter how experienced you are, there’s
always a chance you’ll spill soda on your blazer 5 minutes before the
interview. Be sure to have that emergency lint-roller or stain-removing
solution on hand to prevent panic.
Start Fresh: Get More From Your Morning
Students & Grads: Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
Top 8 Networking Hacks For An Aspiring Young Professional
3 Ways That Having Fitness Goals Will Make You More Successful In Your New Career
EGG-CELLENT READS
15

16. Congratulations – you’re
ready to hatch your career!

17. Now that you’re armed with the knowledge and the skills, you’re
ready to face Fall Recruitment Season head-on!
Happy Career Hunting!
Looking for more resources? Check out these great articles:
A New Grad’s Guide: Acing The
360 Degree Job Interview
Personal Business Cards For
Students & Grads – Can They
Boost Your Networking Game?
Formal Vs. Casual Emails: How
To Keep The Professionalism In
Your Correspondences
12 Thoughts Every New Grad
Has Had While Job Hunting (In
GIFs)
5 Apps That Will Change A New
Grad’s Professional Life
Keep Track Your Job Hunt: 3
Methods For Students And
Grads
17