Get Hired
Want to learn how to land that dream job? Check out this handy timeline and learn how Engineering Co-op & Career Services can help you every step of the way. Click on each of the icons below to learn more!
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Step 1: Resume & Cover Letter
Getting a co-op job interview requires high-quality resumes and cover letters. Beginning in your first year of academic studies, ECCS will work with you to perfect these documents. For personalized support come into the ECCS office in JHE-H301 and get expert advice and tips on optimizing your cover letter and resume. Book an appointment with one of our advisors on OSCARplus now!
Click here to find cover letter/resume samples for your program!
Step 2: Employer Events & Information Sessions
Step 2: Employer Events & Information Sessions
Attending co-op employer events and information sessions will help you stand out from your peers, and build connections with many important many employers and McMaster alumni. Make sure to visit as many of these events as possible; they will provide you invaluable information about what they look for when they hire students and will allow you the opportunity to ask questions.
Log onto OSCARplus and look under the Events tab for information sessions to connect with companies that interest you!
Step 3: Job Search
Before you land that great co-op job, you need to know where to find it. Learn where to look and how to be strategic with your applications with the help of our team.
Students begin searching for a co-op job four to eight months in advance of when you would like to work. For example, if you are looking for a position in the summer term, you should begin your job search in September or January at the latest. If you are not sure where to start, call or come to our office in JHE-H301 or book an appointment on OSCARplus and meet with one of our advisors to help kick-start your next job search!
Step 4: Mock Interview
An excellent resume and cover letter gets you an interview, but an outstanding interview gets you a job offer. Once you have finished applying to jobs, it is recommended that you book a mock interview with one of our career advisors on OSCARplus. Our advisors can help you prepare for an in-person or online interview with expert advice and strategies for answering certain types of questions.
Step 5: Job Interview
Great job, you secured a co-op job interview! Use the skills and feedback you received from our career advisors to ace your interview with confidence. Attend any secondary interviews or other tests and screening if you are asked to do so. Your interview for co-op may be on-campus at McMaster or may be hosted by the employer. Interviews may be in-person, on the phone or online. Be prepared to attend any and all interviews.
Step 6: Job Offer
Congratulations! You’ve made it all the way and secured a job at one of the companies you applied to. ECCS can help answer any questions or concerns you have about accepting or negotiating offers.
Once you’ve accepted the offer, you must register your co-op with us within 10-days after starting your work term so we can verify that it meets the co-op requirements, update your co-op record and enrol you in the co-op course on Mosaic.
Resources
Engineering Co-op & Career services offers a wide range of resources and services to all McMaster Engineering students to support your career development and job hunt.
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Book an Appointment
Our team of career development staff are ready to meet you and support you in your co-op and career needs. Book an appointment using OSCARplus.
Workshops
What is networking? When is it okay to negotiate salary? Our office provides a wide variety of professional development workshops to answer these questions and more!
Log onto OSCARplus and under the events page, look for a career development workshop!
Engineering Graduate students: Build Your Professional Skills
Graduate students: Complete these online tutorials to learn skills necessary to launch your career! Learn how to communicate effectively, plan your career in industry or academia, and crack the market.
MyGradSkills.ca
MyGradSkills.ca is a series of free, professional skills development modules available to Ontario graduate students!
Fireball Academy
For more resources on networking, writing cover letters and resumes, interview skills and more, check out the Fireball Academy website!