Top 5 Ways To Get Experience Without A Job

1. Volunteer

Many non-profit organizations require volunteers to help with charity events all year although summer and Christmas tend to be busier. The benefits of volunteering are so great that it well makes it worth your while. Not only will you be helping local charities with great causes but you have the opportunity to network and make new friends. Networking is another great key to potentially landing a terrific job!

Most charities and non-profit organizations receive media attention and when you volunteer, you become a part of that team and share in the limelight! The team may even have their picture in the newspaper or be on tv! You will also be gaining tons of experience and you can include all of this on your resume.

Many municipal and provincial run organizations also require volunteers to help out during the year and this is another opportunity to gain professional experience in your area of interest. For example, consider volunteering at your local hospital if you are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. Alternatively, volunteering at your local library would be great if you are considering a literary career. Law students can check to see if a provincial court is hiring volunteers and students interested in politics can volunteer at a local MP’s office. This sort of experience would be invaluable on your resume!

Ask your family members about volunteering at their work place. They can check to see if their company will hire a volunteer and perhaps allow you to job shadow. Many start up companies require help so volunteer with a new company and help them set up their operations and gain valuable experience at the same time!

2. Co-op

Most organizations hire co-op students to help out in their offices so if you want to gain some corporate experience, check with your guidance office, career center or call a local company and pick a department that interests you. Most corporate companies have a number of departments such as Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, and I.T which will able to accommodate students interested in Finance, any aspect of HR, Law students and students studying Web or Graphic Design, Programming or Computer Science. Most co-op positions will also give you school credit(s) so you’re gaining a lot more than just experience!

3. Internships

Internships are also a great way to gain hands on experience. Some companies offer paid internships however don’t discount an unpaid internship if you are unable to secure a paid one. Ideal for new graduates, internships allow you to get your foot in the door, network and gain experience all at the same time. Many internships will lead to paid positions within the organization so it’s well worth the time.

Check with corporate organizations or even start up companies as they need all the help they can get! Most start ups will also be open to new ideas and suggestions and provide meaningful work that you can learn and benefit from. Many new to the market magazines, newspapers and online publications hire interns to write articles and although you may not get paid for the articles you produce, the publicity you receive will be well worth it to any creative writing or journalism student! Many web design and marketing companies will also hire interns and again, you will gain valuable hands on work experience and be trained under experienced professionals – perfect for the marketing, web or graphic design student!

4. Community Involvement

Besides gaining experience in unpaid settings, get involved in your community! The more involved you are, the more networking you can do and the more chances of finding a paid job! Not only that, but the more involved you are, the more chances there are to have your involvement recognized. Most charities and non-profit organizations receive media attention and when you volunteer, you become a part of that team and share in the limelight! You may also win awards such as the junior achievement award, special achievement award, junior citizen of the year etc. The best part is that you can include all of this experience on your resume making your resume really stand out! You can get involved with a youth organization or even an environmental group if you care about the planet! Think about what you care about. Are you passionate about animals? The environment? Do you want to do something for underprivileged children in third world countries? Speak up and get involved!

5. Get Creative

Get creative, have fun and gain experience! If you are a web design or graphic design student, why not make a couple of websites on your own time. You will be adding to your portfolio and doing something you enjoy. If your favorite class happens to be English, why not write some articles or a short story in your free time. You can submit these to relevant magazines, newspapers or online sites for free and you just may get published! What better way to gain experience and get published at the same time! If you’re a marketing student, pick a product or service and create a marketing pitch or campaign. Even if it’s not for a real company, you can talk about it in an interview and believe me, you’ll get high points for showing so much initiative! You’ll stand out from the other candidates who may not have taken any of these steps to gain experience and you will make a great first impression! As a law student, hang around in the court rooms, take notes, see if you can speak with some of the court personnel. All of this will be adding to your personal experience! Last but not least, start your own business! If you are interested in event planning, why not offer to arrange some events for free. This will get you exposure and because you’re doing it for free, there’s room to grow and learn without the same expectations as there would be on a professional event planner that the company would pay tons of money to. Honestly, the world’s your oyster and you can do anything – IF you are Willing to that is.


Be creative and be different! Get out there and get that experience – even if it is unpaid! After all, you are only investing in yourself and your own future! There are no drawbacks and you win in every way!

JobBug is a job site for students and new graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs as well as co-op or intern opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

Class of '09 Scared of Sour Economy

Here's an interesting article that was published in the Calgary Herald titled : Class of '09 Scared of Sour Economy.

It's about students at the University of Windsor. The writer speaks with a few of them and their post-grad career plans. Most are worried and uncertain about the economy and how it's going to effect their futures.

While most news coverage has been about folks losing their jobs, not much has been written about students and new grads who are just now entering the workforce. Unfortunately this group is already one step behind even before taking a step into the working world.

An interesting article which will hit home for most university and college graduates in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

Class of '09 scared of sour economy

JobBug is a job site for students and new graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs as well as co-op and intern opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

Want a Job? Show Some Enthusiasm!

I realize that most students and new graduates are concerned about the lack of relevant experience they bring to the table. Often this is one of the main reasons a student or new graduate will cite for not applying to a job in the first place or feeling it’s one of the reasons behind not getting a job. One thing to keep in mind though is that very often the positions applied to are FOR students and new graduates. The job postings clearly state the qualifications required and most of them list a diploma or degree or working towards one as a requirement. Experience is an asset or nice to have!

I have interviewed many students and new graduates for various clients and I can tell you that it’s not necessarily the experience but the person’s enthusiasm and initiative that is scrutinized. A tiny hint or glimmer of a doubt will have the interviewer moving on to the next candidate. After all, besides enthusiasm and initiative, there isn’t much else to base the hiring decision on considering the lack of experience. I hope this shows you how important soft skills are in an interview!

That being said, of course, the more experience you have, the better it is for you and the more chances you have of landing the job (provided you still show enthusiasm in the interview!). Things such as volunteer work, co-op or internships make a world of difference. Many youth today still don’t get this concept. The fact of the matter is, you don’t have any work experience so why will a company hire you and what do you have that another student or new graduate doesn’t have? I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get involved even if it is an unpaid position! In fact, I was just chatting with a grade 11 student the other day. The lack of enthusiasm was evident, even in a non-verbal online chat! On the other hand, I also spoke with a grade 10 student who has already won a couple of junior achievement awards, participated in a summit, and served as school ambassador! Who would you hire?

Showing enthusiasm in an interview not only means that you show interest and excitement in working for the company but also have proven experiences listed on your resume that show you are an active student or new graduate who has shown enthusiasm by getting involved and has taken the initiative to participate in and learn new things. That’s why sitting at home and refusing to consider alternative ways of gaining experience can work against you. It’s better to get experience in an unpaid position especially if you are a student or new graduate and need to gain experience. Consider the alternative – no paid job AND no experience to show either!

You have to be prepared to work and be open to new ideas and experiences - and be enthusiastic about it! Doing it grudgingly will be obvious! Unless you know exactly what you want to do, you have to be open to working in a variety of settings. Not only will you be learning new things and gaining new experiences, but you just might find that you actually enjoy the work and can continue on with a career in that field. Making excuses or expecting to find the perfect dream job while still a student is a good way to waste precious time in which you can be gaining valuable experience that you can actually use to land a paid job.

If you know exactly what you want to do, you should aim to gain experience in that field however if you are just looking for a part time or summer job to make some extra money, there’s really no reason to be extremely picky. You can apply at a number of retail or restaurant locations. Seasonal parks and attractions are always hiring students for the summer. This sort of experience is still better than no experience at all!

If money is not a factor, consider being a volunteer. Many organizations are looking for volunteers and you can gain some excellent work experience by volunteering your time. Depending upon the type of volunteering you do, you may even be able to put together a portfolio of your work to show future employers! The important thing is to be positive and be enthusiastic about what you’re doing. A negative attitude is only going to bring you down and you won’t exactly make a good impression with potential future employers.

The bottom line is, you have to be willing and want to work. You have to take the time to create an appealing resume, take the time to conduct a job search, and actually take the time to apply to positions before anyone is going to hire you! If you can’t find a job, volunteer your time to gain experience. Sitting at home complaining is not going to do you any good! Showing enthusiasm and taking the initiative to gain various experiences will eventually land you a paid job, perhaps even your dream job!

In the next article, I will write about the top 5 ways to get experience without a job.

JobBug is a job site for Students in university, college and high-school as well as New Graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs and co-op or internship opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

First Impressions in Job Interviews, Part 2

In the first part of this blog I wrote about how to make the right first impression in an interview by dressing and presenting yourself in a professional manner. In the 2nd part, you will read about some additional tips that will help you make the right first impression.

When you receive a call for an interview and you are close to your computer (or are returning their message), try and get the company’s address off their website. Personally, when I call a candidate to schedule an interview and they already have the company’s address before I give it to them, it is impressive and shows initiative. I remember once when I received an interview call and I already had the company’s address, the Manager stated that he was impressed by my initiative and nobody else had taken the steps to do that. It’s a small step but definitely makes a good impression! Don’t ask them for directions unless you really have to! That’s what google, yahoo and mapquest are for! Just be sure to actually confirm the address you have while you’re on the phone so you are in fact going to the right place!

Make sure you take a copy of your resume to the interview. In my experience, almost 75% of the candidates interviewed do not bring an extra copy of their resume - most are students or new graduates. By taking a copy of your resume, you are showing that you are eager and prepared for the job interview. Managers are often pressed for time and if there is another Manager or Team Leader sitting in on the interview, your extra resume means that the Manager is not running around making copies for the others. Believe me, the Manager will appreciate it and you may not know it, but you are making a positive first impression with this small step! Go one step further and ask the interviewer if they would like a copy of your resume. Most often the interviewer will already have a copy but the fact that you asked is making a good impression.

Now that you have printed extra copies of your resume, be sure to carry some sort of portfolio (like one of those black zipper binders!). Not only does it tie in nicely with your well clad appearance but the binder can also hold a small notebook where you can take some notes during the interview. Do not carry the resume in your hand, fold it and stuff it in a pocket or carry a manila envelope!! Definitely not professional!!

When the interviewer comes out to greet you, make sure you shake hands and make sure your hands are not sweaty! While the interviewer leads you to the interview room, try and make small talk. For example, mention something about the building, ask how many floors the company occupies and if nothing else, talk about the weather. Small talk will help break the ice and beats a long awkward elevator ride in complete silence!

It’s okay to be nervous in an interview but this is the time to let out the actor in you! Make eye contact and pretend to be confident even if you are nervous! Remember, the more nervous you come across in an interview, the more chances that you will not get the job. Ask yourself - what’s the worse that can happen? There are only two options – you either get the job or you don’t. You will be more confident if you are well prepared and have practiced your interview skills. Visit the interview prep section if you need some interview help!

During the interview, it is very important that you maintain eye contact and look interested! You’re not about to land the job if you look bored and keep looking around the room. I remember a few instances when interviewing in an office with glass walls, the candidate would keep looking out at the people walking by. Needless to say, it got on my nerves and of course they didn’t get the job!

Don’t be fidgety or restless. Some people tend to shake their legs or move their feet when nervous and when sitting behind a table or desk, it looks like you’re entire body is moving. Not only is it distracting but it also implies that the person is nervous and restless. Try folding your hands and resting them on your lap or put your binder across your lap if you have restless leg syndrome!

Last but not least, don’t continuously look at your watch and turn off your cell phone before the interview!

It’s often the little things that make a difference and if you follow the tips outlined, I’m sure you’ll make a great first impression! Good Luck!

JobBug is a job site for Students in university, college and high-school as well as New Graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs and co-op or internship opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

First Impressions in Job Interviews

The purpose of a resume is to get an interview. Once you are invited for an interview, you have to ensure you make the right first impression. This is the opportunity to market yourself so not only do you have to be well prepared but you must also look and present yourself in a professional manner.

In a 2 part series, I will write about some of things that you can do to help you make the right first impression. The first part will focus on your dress, appearance and how you present yourself.

Dress professionally! Most people don’t realize how important the first impression really is. I have seen so many candidates come to an interview dressed in attire just not appropriate for an interview. Remember, this is your opportunity to market yourself in person and if you really are serious about landing the job, you have to make the effort to look and dress in a professional manner. Keep in mind, many companies hiring co-op or internship students can very well hire the individual on a full time or part time basis after the term is finished. That’s even more reason to make sure you put your best foot forward!

Guys can’t go wrong with a pant suit or at the very least, a shirt and tie. The ladies can also wear a pant suit or wear a dress or skirt with blouse but keep in mind, this is neither the place nor occasion to be wearing your clubbing attire. The dress or skirt should be knee length at minimum, longer is fine but nothing shorter. In other words, nothing too revealing!

As for shoes, dress shoes will work best for the guys and ideally, ladies should wear closed shoes or heels instead of open sandals. Definitely no running shoes or flip flops! And no hats please! This applies to any job interview, whether it is corporate, retail, restaurant etc. Remember, first impression!

Another important thing worth mentioning is hairstyle. I know most of this information seems pretty straight forward that everyone should already know but believe me, the number of candidates that I have seen attend an interview with unclean unbrushed hair is astounding! Guys, if you have some gel and cologne lying around the house – use it! Ladies, if you intend to leave your hair open, make the effort to straighten and style it. You don’t want unruly unkept and frizzled hair that will undermine all the effort you have put into your clothing. If you don’t want to style it, simply tie it back into a pony tail or bun. It will instantly give you a professional look! Heavy make-up is not recommended but some light make-up can enhance your appearance and tie your entire outfit and appearance together nicely.

Remember, the way we dress in school and when hanging out with friends is not exactly the same style used in the corporate world. Also, regardless of what sort of job you are applying for, the interview is your opportunity to make the first impression therefore even if you will be wearing a uniform on the job, you must make sure you present yourself in a professional manner in the interview. Don’t forget that the company is interviewing other candidates as well therefore the job can very well go to someone who made the effort to look professional and presentable. That being said, you also have to be prepared for the interview!

Besides a professional appearance, there are a few other things that will ensure you make the right first impression. We’ll look into those details in First Impressions in Job Interviews, Part 2.

JobBug is a job site for students in university, college and high-school as well as New Graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs and co-op or internship opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

New Job Board Launched for Students & Graduates in Greater Toronto Area

A Mississauga based company recently launched JobBug, a website exclusively for Students in university, college and high school as well as New Graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs, co-op or internship opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

Recognizing the lack of job related tools and resources for students and new graduates outside of their immediate schools, the idea of JobBug was conceived earlier this year with the vision to create an online space for students and new graduates to help locate job opportunities and connect with employers looking for fresh young talent.

To help make an entry into the working world, the website includes a job board with a listing of opportunities suitable for students and new graduates and offers useful information such as Interview Prep and how to Create a Resume. A News section includes articles about current events and employment news related to students and new graduates and a Blog section includes advice and tips as well as experiences written by students and new grads. Those who are going thru the process themselves are encouraged to share their personal experiences such as co-op, internship, first interview or first job experience via the “Blog for JobBug” section.

“It is our hope that students and new graduates will find useful information on the website that will help prepare them to enter the working world as well as locate valuable opportunities that will help in gaining excellent work experience. Our aim is help students and new graduates connect with employers seeking the best young talent to add to their organizations” states Riya Singh, Founder.

JobBug is plugged into the student and new graduate market by establishing relationships with major College and University campuses in the Greater Toronto Area and stays connected with their target audience via various social media outlets. In addition, job posting updates are sent out as the jobs come in and they are members of online college and university groups.

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JobBug is a job board exclusively for students and new graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs as well as co-op or internship opportunities. For more information about JobBug, please visit our website at Jobbug.ca