At D2L our mission is to transform the way the world learns. We believe learning can be accessible, engaging and inspiring. To help us in achieving our mission, we are committed to building and fostering a culture where our employees feel included, valued, heard and enabled to do the best work of their lives. We look to attract, hire, develop and celebrate the achievements of talented individuals who bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences. As part our commitment, we are actively partnering with various clubs and associations who represent underrepresented or marginalized demographics in our industry.
We have partnered with clubs that have a focus on Women in Computer, Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and Latinos and Hispanics in STEM. D2L is continuing to expand our reach to other student groups that reflect the diversity of our clients and communities globally.
Over the past month, we’ve hosted four virtual workshops with our partner clubs focusing on career development topics. In these workshops we discussed tips for building a resume, how to pitch yourself during an interview, and the keys to building your personal brand via LinkedIn. Below is a brief overview of the session:
Session Overview:
Resume Tips and Tricks
Working in Talent Acquisition we see thousands of resumes; we see the shining examples and we see the pit falls. Since the resume is the first opportunity to make an impression to an employer, we wanted to ensure that students were equipped with the right tools. We reviewed the best way to organize achievements, how to draw attention to certain sections, and effectively reflect your impact in previous experience.
Interview Preparation
Getting nervous before an interview is natural. To try and calm those nerves we provided students with structured ways to answer tough questions, what exactly we are looking for when we ask “Tell me about yourself,” and how to relate your experience to the job you are applying for.
3 Easy Ways to Boost Your LinkedIn
This is the first thing anyone viewing your profile will see. Make sure that your profile photo is professional with a neutral backdrop! A good-quality photo will enhance your personal brand.
Be creative and write a headline that rocks! Use this to say a bit more about yourself and stand out. Use symbols strategically and give a snapshot of your profile. For example: Any good movie trailer will give a teaser of the content but will leave the viewer “hanging” and wanting to know more.
D2L Careers Blog Post
Your summary section should do the same! Give an overview of who you are, what you do and why you do it, but make the viewer want to read the rest of your profile. Be creative and use storytelling to capture the attention of your profile viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
As much as this session was meant for students to learn from us, we learned a lot from their questions throughout the session. Here are a few frequently asked questions from our Campus Roadshow which we think all students should know.
Resumes
Q: Where should I put my education on my resume?
A: For students or new grads, we always recommend putting your education towards the top of your resume. Your education is one of your most valuable assets at this point in your career, so make sure that it’s visible to the recruiter or hiring manager!
Q: Does my resume have to be 1 page?
A: The short answer is no. If you do have valuable work or volunteer experience, don’t exclude it simply because you don’t want to go over 1 page. However, make sure that your resume is concise and to-the-point.
Interviews
Q: Should I ask my interviewer about diversity and inclusion during my interview?
A: If it’s important to you, then yes! Asking this question can reveal a lot about the company culture. I’ve been asked this question several times by candidates, and I always enjoy explaining how D&I is incorporated into our culture.
Q: How long should I be speaking about my experience?
A: When speaking to your previous experiences, it’s best to speak for 3 to 5 minutes. Anything over 5 minutes, you’ve lost the interviewers attention. Anything under 3 minutes, you probably didn’t provide enough detail.
Personal Branding
Q: Who should I reach out to on LinkedIn as a student? How often? And what should I include in my message?
A: It’s best to spend your time messaging both recruiters and subject matter experts in your field ( like hiring managers), since they have the most input in hiring decisions. By both applying for the role and reaching out to someone at the company you are further establishing your interest in the role, and making your name stand out!
Q: Should I only be posting content on LinkedIn which is related to my career or role?
A: No! I always tell students that a key differentiator of your personal brand is something that makes you unique. Go ahead and share your personal passions and projects – but make sure that they’re appropriate for LinkedIn.
Call to Action:
If you’re a club or association and interested in a Resume Review and Personal Branding Workshop, reach out to Nicky Foster, People and Culture Generalist at [email protected]
Written by:
