20+ Tips from Upper Years | Co-op Panel Recap

Companies our Fall 2021 co-op panelists have worked at.

After a summer break, the ARBUS Society was so excited to host our first event of the fall term: the bi-annual Co-op Panel. This event took place on September 23rd and had ARBUS students from various years and employment backgrounds, discuss their experiences.

Our panelists this year were: Carly, Prianka, Irina, Shelina, and Riyah. Companies they’ve worked for in the past include: Hello Fresh, RBC, CIBC, TD, BMO, and various tech startups / incubators. Here are the top tips they shared:

Application Tips

1. Remember - quality over quantity: You don’t have to apply to the maximum amount of jobs to hear back. It’s better to put in time on a few applications than to blindly send out a hundred generic resumes and cover letters!

2. Apply even if you don’t meet all the requirements: Co-ops are an opportunity to learn and be taught various important skills.

3. Utilize campus resources: Attend networking events on WaterlooWorks to meet recruiters. Use CECA for resume critiques and interview prep sessions as well.

   Pro Tip: The ARBUS Society is here to help! Connect with any of us on LinkedIn to ask for advice, get resume critiques, and interview tips.

4. Remember to apply outside of WaterlooWorks as well on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and company websites - apply for jobs that interest you!

5. Good industries for ARBUS co-op students include tech, banking, not-for-profit, government, etc.

6. For banking co-ops: have impactful resumes that show results. 

Interview Tips

1. Be prepared: Most interviews have 1 round, but some can be up to 3 rounds depending on the role and the company.

2. Practice “Tell me about a time when…” - situational questions are very common.

3. Stand out by giving examples to support your resume, and show your enthusiasm. Even if you don’t meet all the requirements, you can still win over recruiters with your personality!

4. Other common interview questions include: Why do you want this job? Name a time you overcame a challenge? What do you know about the company? (Do your research to show your interest in the company), Tell me about yourself? (Keep your answer related to the role, mention something unique!)

5. Some thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer are: How has the company dealt with the pandemic? What do they like about the company? Day in the life of this role?

Co-op Experiences

1. Remote work has more flexibility, but it’s harder to stay motivated. Don’t be afraid to let the employer know if you need help. Keep work time & rest time separate!

2. Keep good relations with the HR team because they are there to help you.

3. Personality matters more than skills, recruiters want someone who is easy to work with, learns fast, and is very trainable.

4. Reach out to recruiters on your own, for instance: Google or search on LinkedIn “marketing recruiter” and send them a brief introduction to show you are interested.

5. Start-ups are fast-paced, but a great environment for co-ops because you learn a lot! 

Additional Tips

1. Building technical skills: YouTube, LinkedIn learning, UW has 6-week online professional development certificate courses on specific skills, also volunteer for clubs to learn by doing!

   Note: Marketing doesn’t need skills as technical as designers do, and no technical tools are required for HR roles either! 

2. Take courses centered on marketing, HR, CS (100), Excel, etc.

3. Book coffee chats with past co-ops: talk 80% about them and 20% about your interest in the job, this can even lead to referral.

4. For external co-ops: Be sure those meet the UWaterloo requirements & work with your assigned co-op stream.

5. How to manage school and applications: Set aside days to do applications - Do 5 a day, use Notion, and take care of yourself!

6. Ranking jobs: Call your co-op advisor for ranking help if you’re not sure what to decide! They’re not allowed to tell you your rank but they can give you very helpful advice.

Following these tips and tricks should help to make the co-op application and interview period, as smooth of an experience as possible. Please reach out to the ARBUS Society with any further questions about resumes, applications, or interviews. Best of luck!