Co-op Q&A Panel | Event Recap
As the chaos of September has begun to wrap up and the search for co-op placements has commenced, the ARBUS Society hosted an informative Q&A Panel that answered 10 frequently asked questions about the co-op process.
We also had the privilege of having one of CECA’s (Center for Career Development) advisors give us a workshop on how to effectively prepare your CV and cover letter. CECA is a great resource for all co-op students and they provide one-on-one support for students.
Visit CECA for more information on drop in sessions or how to book an appointment with an advisor!
The four panelists include two students from the ARBUS Society and two students from the Economics Society. From the ARBUS Society there was Jenny Xu, President, and Jimmy Nguyen VP of Finance. From the Economic Society there was Aryan Chopra and Parn Narang.
Co-op experience of the panelists
Jenny Xu (3B Legal Studies)
Government of Canada- Business Analyst
OFSI- Risk Analyst
Jimmy Nguyen (3A Economics)
CIBC- Analyst
Aryan Chopra (4B Economics)
Commerce Dynamics- Marketing And Business Development Specialist
Gore Mutual Insurance- Marketing and Communications Co-op
Parn Narang (3B Economics)
BMO- Profit and Loss Analyst
RBC Capital Markets- Financial Analyst
Frequently Asked Co-op Questions
Below are their answers to the top 10 frequently asked questions co-op students have.
1. How was your experience as a whole applying for co-op? Any tips to keep in mind as someone applying for the first time?
As Aryan explained, “[applying for co-op] is both exciting and challenging”. Applying for co-op is a competitive process, but provides valuable work experience that will help you to secure future jobs.
Aryan provided 5 important tips to keep in mind:
Start early:
Begin your job search and application process well in advance.
Use university resources:
Take advantage of the co-op office and career services for resume building, interview prep, and job postings.
Customize your resume and cover letter for each application.
Network:
Attend job fairs, networking events, and reach out to alumni or industry professionals.
Be persistent:
Don't get discouraged by rejections; keep applying and improving your skills.
2. How many jobs should I apply to? What if I don’t have all the skills the posting is asking for?
Jenny explained that you should apply to as many jobs as possible. The more places that you apply, the better chance that you have of getting an interview. It would never hurt to put out as many applications as possible!
Do not worry if you do not have all of the skills being asked for, they can always be developed on the job. You should apply for the job as long as you have a lot of the skills.
3. Are there any campus resources to help me when applying for co-op from home? Should I apply outside of WaterlooWorks?
There are many campus resources available! These include:
CECA
Co-op Advisors
Networking events / Information sessions
Societies (like the ARBUS Society!)
It also can increase your chances to apply outside of WaterlooWorks as there are many opportunities available that aren’t posted.
4. What are some co-ops we can get as ARBUS students? Do you have any advice for those looking to secure bank-specific co-ops?
As an ARBUS student, the co-op options can be very broad/versatile depending on your major, which leaves a lot of options open.
Jimmy explained that those in Economics can find jobs at banks, accounting firms, financial/money service businesses, etc.
Jimmy suggested:
Apply to many places regardless of experience, qualification, or skills
Tailor each resume to each job posting
Make sure to practice your interview skills, as first impressions are vital!
Have good technical skills
Excel (VBA)
Tableau
PowerBI
Gain club and societies experience
Work on communication skills
5. Do you have any tips for how to stand out in an interview? What type of questions should I ask the interviewer at the end of my interview?
In order to stand out in an interview:
Talk about examples that expand on your resume, do NOT just repeat the same information
Prepare, but do not over prepare; be as natural as possible
Ensure you have a good personality (smile, friendly, confident, etc.) and thank the interviewer
Speak calmly and pause when needed
Be enthusiastic about the job! Show the interviewer that you are eager and ready to take on the role
Jenny provided us with some questions to ask the interviewer:
The interviewer’s favourite part of the job?
What are the company’s goals / what are they working to achieve?
Is there anything I can do to improve my chances/fill any knowledge gaps/skills missing?
It is important to do research on the company to show that you are interested and make you stand out!
6. Are there any questions that interviewers frequently ask?
Parn provided us with some examples of common questions that are asked:
Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to work for our company?
Describe a challenging situation you faced at school or work and how you resolved it.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you work in a team?
Give an example of a time when you had to meet a tight deadline.
Jimmy Nyugen, VP Finance (left) and Jenny Xu, President (right)
7. How do I calm my nerves before interviews?
Aryan reassured us that nerves are normal before an interview and provided some tips:
Practice:
Prepare and rehearse your answers to common questions.
Mock interviews:
Do practice interviews with friends or career advisors.
Deep breathing:
Take deep breaths to relax before the interview.
Positive self-talk:
Remind yourself of your accomplishments and capabilities.
Visualization:
Imagine yourself succeeding in the interview
8. What was remote work like as a co-op student? What is the experience like on-boarding and working completely from home?
Parn stated that from his experience, there are both pros and cons that come along with working in a remote environment. All meetings, training sessions, and access to company resources were online, which were convenient, but can also be difficult.
He explained that it is important to create a workspace at home, communicate with the team regularly, do not hesitate to seek help and clarification, and to manage time effectively.
9. How can I break into tech and marketing roles? What was it like working in Project Management (PM)?
Aryan informed us that breaking into these roles will require a combination of skills, experience, and networking. This includes:
Building a portfolio
Attending tech or marketing events to network with professionals
Highlight relevant skills on your resume and cover letter
Gain experience by applying for entry-level or intern positions
Aryan described working in PM as being rewarding, but requiring important skills like strategizing, planning, and executing product development.
10. How can I stay connected with my managers and co-workers after a work term? What are some ways I can grow my personal brand and professional skills?
Jimmy provided us with ways to connect with colleagues and to build personal brand and professional skills. These included:
Coffee chats, check-ins and touchpoints
Be friendly, sociable and approachable
Take initiative and tackle your own projects
Get involved in workplace events
Hopefully the FAQ of this panel answered your questions, but if not don’t hesitate to contact us for further help and guidance!
See below for more information from our previous co-op panels: