With Public Practice Firm (PPF) information sessions and events, student club activities, BCCPA events, underway and the “thud” of 2023 job postings dropping left and right, the timing is perfect to get your Spring Public Practice Recruiting (PPR) Job Search in gear! I know, I know, you have mid-terms and soon finals. But don’t use those things as excuses for letting your job search lay idle. It’s time to get busy!

PPFs are really raising the engagement level with students this Spring and more firms are participating in campus recruiting activities than ever before. They have missed connecting with the student body face to face over the past couple of years, and their hiring numbers have slipped as as result. During this same time, business has grown and their needs are greater. So, the competition for the best students are ramping up.

While networking continues, it is important that you are already compiling information and research from these connections to give you a valuable resources for your applications which will be due before you know it.

SOON int will be the time to act and get your applications ready and to have them reviewed by someone than can evaluate your approach, content and presentation. Getting your PPR Application reviewed is CRITICAL to making sure your application is ready for submission. I get it that you are a capable adult learner and can take control of your own career, but my experience is, as capable as you may be, you still could use some help! And, I’m here for you 🙂

The PPR application process in the Spring is already under way with more firms posting opportunities the closer we get to the main recruiting period. Already, there are opportunities for you to get career support throughout the process with both workshops and individual career coaching.

In previous years I have met students that asked to get their applications reviewed after they had already submitted them to the firms. In moments, their blind spots were obvious but it was too late to pull them back and make them more suitable to PPR. I highly recommend you don’t take this approach and reach out sooner than later.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Get some advice – Attend the PPR Application Workshop taking place March 28th by registering through COOL. Here you will gain specific advice to put together your best approach. The information you receive there has been taken from years of experience helping students obtain interviews and for many, multiple interviews.
   
2. Get a review from your career coach – I have met so many students that thought their application was ready, only to realize it wasn’t, and/or it had errors or needed improvement. The best review experience you will have will take place when you have a “real” application in hand for a review. Real applications can receive real feedback. Currently, there are application review spots open through COOL March-May. Register for them quickly before they are gone. Further support for interview preparation will take place later in May with an Interview workshop May 9th. If the available time slots do not work for you, an online appointment may be possible also. If you can’t locate a scheduled opening, email dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca with your requests.
   
3. Create specific applications – The best applications are specific ones where the cover letter could not be given to any other firm than the one it is written for. General applications that are used for multiple firms are easy to spot and lack a connection with the firm, its people and the specific posting. Meaningful preparation with specific information is needed to impact people and to stand out from the crowd of applicants. ‘Firm specific’ applications are critical to increasing your chances for interview invitations and potential offers. The jury is not out on this one – they came back a long time ago – specific is what they are looking for. Absolutely tell your story, but make sure they are part of your story at the same time.
   
4. Research well – Be sure your research and firm connections are clearly communicated in your application. Often solid communication about firm knowledge and connections are the reasons candidates move forward in the process and are eventually selected. Who you met, where you met them, what they said and how it inspired you is a narrative that will show you are engaged and truly interested in each individual firm and team.
   
5. Get the message – Ensure you take your cues from each firm’s postings. Read them through and connect with the areas they emphasize in the wording of each posting. If they say, “Excellent skills…,” Demonstrated abilities..,” or “Exceptional…” these are indications that they REALLY want these things! They will be looking for you to prove to them that you have truly have these highlighted skills and have demonstrated them.
   
6. One final consideration – Getting help is not an admission of weakness but a good way to protect the time investment and finances you have made to get to this time of pursuing for your next career move. Even if it is a final check…you will be thankful you did!

Best of luck!

Russell

Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and the DAP Career Coach. Be sure to attend all the PPR Spring Workshops which will be posted on COOL for registration. Russell will be delivering  workshops for DAP and BCom students in collaboration with the Business Career Centre staff and is available to DAP students for online coaching appointments. Scheduled coaching appointments will be posted on COOL and can be registered for there. Random appointments can be set up by emailing Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.