Welcome to the SDSS Co-op Resources Hub!

Are you an SDSS student looking to prepare for your Co-op intake interview/application form, a part-time job, or summer work?

This page is here to help! Explore job search resources, resume-building tips, and interview advice to kick-start your career journey.

Get started today and take the next step toward your education and career/life goals!

What are you interested in?

• Co-op Intake Interview/Application Form Resources - Scroll down below.

• Job Search Resources - Scroll down below.

Co-op Intake Interview/Application Form Resources

Before starting the Co-op program, students attend an interview with a co-op teacher or complete the Co-op Application Form to discuss their interests, career goals, and suitability for work placements, which helps to suggest appropriate Co-op opportunities.  

Purpose of the Interview/Application Form:
The interview/application form serves to assist the Co-op teacher in:

• • Assess Student Interests and Goals: This step determines the student's career interests, strengths, and aspirations to help find a suitable placement. 

  • Evaluate Suitability for Co-op: Determine if the student is ready for the responsibilities and demands of a Co-op placement. Daily attendance, punctuality, responsibility, initiative, positive student behaviour, and trustworthiness are some qualities and characteristics that lead to a successful Co-op experience.

  • Discuss Placement Options: Students will review past and present placement opportunities and discuss which ones might be a good fit for the student to pursue. 

What to Expect:

• • Resume and Cover Letter: Students may be asked to prepare a resume and cover letter to showcase their skills and experience.
    (Refer to resources provided during Careers class, Course Selection materials like myBlueprint, and see resources below)

  • Questions about Career Interests: Be prepared to discuss your career goals, what you hope to gain from the
    Co-op experience and any specific industries or roles you are interested in. DO YOUR RESEARCH!
    (Refer to resources provided during Careers class, Course Selection materials like myBlueprint, and see resources below)

  • Questions about Skills and Experience: The interviewer will likely ask about your skills, work experience (even if it's informal), and any relevant coursework. 

  • Questions about Work Ethic and Attitude: Be prepared to discuss your work ethic, punctuality, attendance, behaviour, and ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team. 

Job Search Resources

The following resources will get you started on your job search journey!

Job Search

Job Search Tips for High School Students (The Balance Careers) [Guide]

This article aims to help students approach their job search creatively and from multiple angles to help boost their chances of finding a job. Some examples include starting your job search close to home, checking out companies known for hiring young people and advertising your job search. The article also touches briefly on other things students can do to boost their chances, such as cleaning up their social media presence, being flexible and dressing appropriately.

Get help finding a youth or student job (Government of Ontario) [Programs list]

This webpage shares a variety of programs to support youth to find jobs, including information about Employment Ontario, apprenticeship opportunities and summer programs.

Resumes

How to Write a High School Resume (The Career Counter) [Video]

This step-by-step video walks students through how to write a high school resume, including what to put on a high school resume with no experience.

Cover Letters

Cover Letter for High School Students with No Work Experience (With Samples) (Indeed) [Guide/Video]

In addition to providing tips for creating each section of a student’s cover letter, this guide includes formatting tips, examples of experiences students can include and sample cover letters for entry-level positions (such as babysitter, retail sales associate and dishwasher).

High School Student Cover Letter Example (ResumeGenius) [Article/Guide]

One of the most useful aspects of this article is the long list of skills high school students can highlight in their cover letter. This article also contains a short section with writing tips, an example of a high school student’s cover letter and a detailed template students can use as inspiration.

Interview Preparation

Student Interview Tip Sheet (Ontario.ca) [Tip sheet]

This four-page tip sheet provides students with tips on how to prepare for an interview before, during, and after the interview. While the guide was designed for summer job positions, the tips provided can also help high school students prepare for other roles.

This tip sheet also gives examples of interview questions in the following categories, along with suggestions for answering them:

  - General

  - Technical or job-specific

  - Situational or scenario-based

  - Behavioural-based

Teen Job Interview Questions, Answers, and Tips (The Balance Careers)  [Guide/Video]

In addition to offering general interview tips for teenagers, this article helps students explore common questions asked during a teen interview, insights into what the employer is looking to learn and examples of good answers.