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Metro College of Technology is located in one of the most active business markets in Canada. Toronto has a thriving small and medium business community, and countless ways for professionals to network!

 Networking is an important aspect of Professional Development and career success. Learn how to start growing your own professional network today!

 Networking Tips for Students:

• Networking Can Land You a Job! Employers are now relying more on referrals and recommendations from their own networks and employees. Start going to networking events related to your industry, and take business cards to give to those you meet.
• The Importance of Networking in Your Job Search Networking can expand your horizons and expose you to new job opportunities that might not be advertised on traditional channels (e.g. job boards, employment websites, newspapers etc.).
• Take Control of Your Career! Networking is an opportunity to learn about different aspects of your industry, and areas that you might not have known about.
• Career Tip: Network Like a Professional! Be prepared to network at any opportunity. Dress to impress, have an elevator pitch ready, and be visible online (e.g. update your LinkedIn profile regularly).
• Create the Perfect Elevator Pitch Develop, practice and perfect your 30-second elevator pitch, and make it memorable!

Make the Most of Your Job Placement Grow you professional network while you work. Meet your co-workers, managers and supervisors and get to know them professionally.

Many people are afraid of telephone interviews. They may feel nervous because they do not physically see the person they are speaking with. To overcome this barrier and get your dream job, you need to take some time and practice to be fully prepared before the interview. Here are some tips and suggestions you should keep in mind prior to your interview. 

Telephone Interview Tips:

• Silence is key. Turn off the radio, TV, and cell phone. Ensure you are in a quiet room away from family, friends, roommates and/or any sort of interruptions and distractions. 
• Be prepared. Gather your tools: resume, pen and paper, company information highlighted with important facts. Have your job description with you. 
• Ask questions. Have questions prepared about the company and position. Also ask if there are any “further” responsibilities and qualifications that are not mentioned. 
• Show interest. Similar to point 3, have written notes of points you want to make. 
• Do not get side-tracked. Turn off the call-waiting feature. 
• Dress to impress. Experts say if you are dressed professionally you’ll come off that way. First impressions count! 
• Positive Interaction. Since you lack the verbal cues of body language to assess whether you’ve said enough, mark the end of your response with a question such as “Would you like further details about my experience as an intern with ABC Company?” 
• Be considerate. Let the employer end the interview. Then, as always, thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in this position. 
• Smile. Smile when you are on the phone interview. Your enthusiasm will be conveyed in your voice.

Metro College of Technology supports all students with their job search process. We offer a Professional Development course where students learn all the techniques required to know for any job hunter.

Call us today at 416-585-9880 or fill out the request form at www.metroc.ca for more information.

Being ready for a job interview involves more than getting a good night’s sleep, arriving on time and dressing professionally. During the days before the interview, you should research the company and job, and practice interview skills so you don’t get caught off guard with interview questions!

Top 5 Tips to Ace Your Next Interview:

• Be Yourself – A job interview is an opportunity for employers to get to know you and get a feel for how you will fit in with the company culture. This is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd, show your personality and professionalism.
• Keep Your Answers Short – Provide answers to the specific questions asked during your interview. Stay focused and don’t go off topic! Being able to provide a succinct answer demonstrates your mastery of listening and communication skills.
• Reframe Your Faults – The interviewer may ask you to identify your biggest challenge or fault. Practice your interview skills beforehand and have an answer ready. Be sure to reframe your answer into a positive, and never end an answer on a negative note.
• Identify a Past Challenge – Interviewers will usually ask you to identify a challenge you have faced in your past employment and describe how you handled the situation. Practice answering this question with various examples and solutions so you are not caught off guard when asked. Ensure you portray a good example of how you overcame a challenge and succeeded!
• Have Your Questions Ready – At the end of the interview you may be asked if you have any questions. This is where you can demonstrate your understanding of the company and the job duties. Be ready with some thought-out questions that demonstrate your knowledge and interest.

Are you having problems preparing for job interviews? Learn about Metro College Job Search Assistance Service, and get the help you need!

Get the most out of your education with these 5 tips: 

1. Focus on learning, not memorizing. It might be more simple to memorize new information in order to recite it at a later date, this may be effective in class, but will fail in the real-world. Focus on learning, truly understanding new concepts, theories and terms, so that you can properly apply them in a real world situation. 
2. Create solid study habits. Understanding your optimal learning method will make it easier for you to study! Do you retain information better in the morning or evening? Does it help you write your own summaries of new concepts? Do cue cards help you retain new information? Learn more about the Top Skills to Develop While in College. 
3. Do the work, don’t coast! Homework, readings and assignments might seem mundane, or optional, but they are provided as an added education tool to help students understand new theories and concepts, and apply them to a variety of real-world scenarios. Learn more about Completing Homework: The Key to Success. 
4. Don’t cram. Cramming, trying to memorize weeks of work within a day, is never a good idea and rarely leads to actual learning. Take the opportunity to review notes and assignments on a regular basis, and give yourself the time to absorb new information, ask questions to your peers and/or instructor, and be prepared to be tested on your knowledge at any time. Learn more about Test Taking Tips for College Students! 
5. Use college resources. Metro College has several Student Services available to help you with your educational journey and future career. Check out the Department of Co-Operative Education, Job Preparation Services, and Financial Aid Office. 

Are you struggling with your education? Talk to your instructor or student manager about your concerns. Together we will find a solution that will help you optimize your learning experience at Metro College!