Job search

In order to approach the job search strategically, you need to consider what you have to offer and what you are looking for. Once you have some idea of the kind of work that will suit your current needs, you can strengthen your job search process by crafting a targeted strategy to help you land an opportunity that aligns with your goals.

Consider your current priorities

Your career is a life-long journey of consecutive decision making. All experiences offer opportunities to learn, grow, and build professional relationships. 

There may be times when you find the job search process particularly challenging. The economy, the amount of competition in your industry, and many other factors can make it difficult to find your ideal role. There may also be times when you have to focus on urgent priorities, like paying rent, and have to take a survival job. These are common challenges when job hunting.

If you aren’t able to find your dream job now, consider taking other work. You can take a role that will build relevant experience for your future goals, and spend time developing your skills. For example, you can access a free online platform called LinkedIn Learning through your public library and earn certificates to strengthen your employability.

Set your goals

Your degree and your previous experience can lead to many different types of work. Before starting your job search, ask yourself some initial questions to determine your current goals. Below are some examples you might consider.

  • What type of job do you want? Is it full-time, part-time, or seasonal? At an office or in the field? Entry-level or intermediate?
  • What skills do you already have?
  • What kind of work would be interesting for you (e.g., research, teaching, admin, entrepreneur) and why?
  • Who does the sort of work you’re interested in (e.g., academia, non-profit, private or public sector, industry)? For example, you might consider who shares your interests or who might need employees with your skills and experiences. Do you have experience related to the work you’re interested in? Ask yourself what types of employers would be interesting for you.
  • Where do you think your experience and knowledge will be seen as valuable? What kind of work do you think your academic, personal and professional backgrounds have prepared you to do?

Research your preferred fields and employers

Find out as much information as you can about the fields, companies, and organizations that you’re interested in. This will help you to write effectively tailored job applications and increase your chance of being hired. It will also help you determine if you have the knowledge, skills, and experience required to do the work you’re interested in.

Below are some examples of research you can do before you start applying for jobs:

  • Search companies online and locate their focus, mandate, mission, or goals. Search for trends, new developments, current literature, and more, in the fields of those companies.
  • Identify the experts. Look for industry or professional associations, current employees, and leaders in your fields of interest. 
  • Think about the specific employers you might want to target. Research their work. Do they have competitors you might also research?
  • Consult the “Your degree” pages for Arts degree, Science degree, Engineering degree, and Land and Food Systems degree to learn about companies and professional associations that often hire students with your academic background.
  • Review hard information such as data gathered from your online research, alongside soft information such as advice or tips from informational interviews.

Know where to look for jobs

The first place many candidates look for jobs are online job boards or company website job listings. This is a good start,  but you should widen your scope for a more effective job search strategy.  Watch this short video to learn about additional job search strategies, or explore the ideas below.

Network with professionals in your field

Employers spend about 80 percent of their time searching for candidates through their networks, so it is important to prioritize networking or developing relationships and having 1-1 coffee chats with professionals in your preferred field.  You may be able to see job postings early, find out about jobs that are not posted, or receive a referral from the person you are connected to in the company.

Consider temp jobs or volunteer roles

Temp agencies like UBC Hiring Solutions can match you with temporary positions based on your skills. This is a great way to gain experience, expand your network, and could be a pathway into a permanent role. Volunteering for nonprofits is another  way to build connections and learn about new opportunities. 

Leverage your summer or part-time job

Consider your summer or part-time job as a potential source. They may have a corporate office or headquarters with interesting roles, and may be happy to promote someone who already knows the business.

Strategize based on the market

Think about where there is a need for your skills, or research labour market information on platforms like Work BC. Is there a service you could provide that might solve a problem? If there is, you can use that to help guide your job search.

Job boards and industry associations

UBC job boards and programs

General job boards

Industry-specific job boards

Career resources

Additional resources

Ten Thousand Coffees

Create a free profile on The UBC Hub and connect with thousands of alumni ready to share their experiences and offer career guidance.

50 Ways to Get a Job

Use this guide to find work that is personalized to you and where you’re at in your job search.

Glassdoor

Search jobs and get the inside scoop on companies and salary ranges through anonymous reviews written by employees.

CareersOnline

Use your CWL to log into the online job and volunteer board for UBC students and alumni.

Career events and workshops

Whether you’re looking to improve your job applications or find resources to help you develop your career, UBC has events and workshops to support you.

If you have questions

Contact the UBC Career Centre for any questions.