40 Job Search Checklist
Use this checklist, or the downloadable Word version below, to track your progress and ensure you have completed all the necessary job search steps.
Job Search Preparation Essentials
JOB/CAREER GOAL
- Do you have a clear and realistic goal?
- Have you researched the labour market in your field Job Bank, Ontario’s labour market
RESUME/COVER LETTER
- Have you tailored your documents to include keywords?
- Have you had your documents reviewed?
- Book an appointment with Conestoga’s Career and Employment Advising department on the Student Success Portal.
Job Search Essentials
ONLINE JOB BOARDS
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Indeed
- Eluta
- Workopolis
- Monster Canada
- Glassdoor
- Charity Village
- Job Bank
- Government of Canada jobs
RESEARCH EMPLOYERS
- Generate a list of employers that interest you
- Visit company websites to see if they have jobs posted that are not advertised on online job boards
NETWORKING
- Brainstorm a list of your contacts
- Keep in contact with previous professors, program coordinators, supervisors, and colleagues
- Connect with professionals for informational interviews
- Attend events relevant to your field
- Expand your network through social groups: Eventbrite, Meetup
ONLINE NETWORKING/SOCIAL MEDIA (LINKEDIN)
- Complete your LinkedIn profile
- Follow companies that relate to your field of interest
- Connect with professionals for informational interviews
JOB FAIRS
- Check with your college’s career centre to find information about upcoming events
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- Ask employers that interest you if they are looking for volunteers
COLD CONTACTS (in person, by email, or by phone)
- Use business directories, business journals, and professional associations to generate a list: Yellow Pages
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES (temp or permanent opportunities)
- Register and follow up regularly (if applicable)
Interview Essentials
INTERVIEW
- Have you scheduled a mock interview?
REFERENCES
- Have you contacted your references?
Download Job Search Checklist [opens a Word document (.docx)].
Originally adapted from Job Search Checklist in Be the Boss of Your Career: A Complete Guide for Students & Grads, copyright © 2021 by Lindsay Bortot and the Employment Support Centre, Algonquin College, which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.