Step 3: Admission into Co-op
This is the third step in a three-step application process. To ensure your application goes smoothly, ensure you have completed Step 1 and Step 2 before continuing.
When you are granted admission to co-op, it's important to understand that jobs are not guaranteed and you will be competing against other students to secure employment opportunities through the recruitment and selection process. Your success is based on many factors, including:
- how active you are in the job search process
- the number of positions to which you apply
- how well your cover letter and resume sell your experience and skills
- your interview performance
- your past experience, either paid or unpaid
- your grades
- having a positive attitude and realistic expectations
Co-op Process
When admitted to co-op, you will be required to:
- participate in modules or seminars on all aspects of the job search, such as the Fundamentals of Co-operative Education Course
- apply to many job postings
- be on campus for interviews during primary recruiting periods.
- we advise students not to make travel commitments during primary interview periods, including during the fall reading week before a winter work term
- not take vacations during work terms
- be willing to relocate for jobs (including finding housing in another city or town)
- pay co-op fees to participate in the program
Applying to Jobs
The Co-op Office invites employers to recruit students each term. Coordinators review job descriptions, decide which programs are suitable, and post them on Navigator.
Candidates view the job postings that are open to students in their programs, and apply to the jobs of interest to them. The Co-op Office arranges interviews, in person, by phone or video conference.
During the primary recruiting period each term, employers and students rank each other, and we use an algorithm to “match” employers and students.
Once we have announced the results of the ranking and matching process, the students who are still seeking employment participate in the continuous employment period. The Co-op Office arranges interviews any business day, and coordinators make job offers to students. We usually give students up to 24 hours to accept or decline an offer.
Students are also welcome to do an independent job search. They can apply to jobs they find on their own, in addition to applying to co-op postings. When students find their own jobs, we ask them to provide details and contact information before accepting offers. A co-op coordinator will decide whether to approve the job for co-op.
Primary Interview Periods
- Interviews with CPA firms for students seeking their first work term take place during the first week of classes in January.
- Interviews for the spring work term take place from late January through mid-February.
- Interviews for the winter work term take place from mid to late October, including during the fall reading week.