Filtering the Options
At Western University, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the number of available opportunities, especially as an AEO student. It’s no secret that keeping AEO status requires a set of extra-curricular activities that has breadth and leadership. However, how do you know which clubs and opportunities are the right fit for you? Firstly, applying to everything you see is not going to work. Most clubs recruit during clubs week in September and attempting to hand in executive applications for all of them will result in none being competitive or valuable.
Perhaps the most important is to look for two types of clubs: those that resonate with you, and those that surround a subject/specialization of which you have always wanted to be a part of but never had the opportunity. Obviously, the first goal is looking for clubs that surround a topic for which you have passion and perhaps even experience; these options will always be meaningful and enjoyable, and your desire to become involved will show through the application process. The second option is one that not many people consider but is much more valuable than upon a quick first glance: that is, by placing yourself in a position to learn about a new subject or specialization, it’s easy to find out if you’re interested in pursuing further work in that area Both options discussed can lead to meaningful leadership positions and can turn into an unforgettable university experience. Finally, as AEO students, remember that you are part of a specialized undergraduate program of your choice for the first two years. Choose non-business clubs to join! Whether you’re studying Engineering or Medical Sciences, non-business clubs are just as valuable, if not more so than business clubs, since Ivey values leadership experience within specific sectors and industries.
Writing Your Application
So, you selected the extracurricular you want to apply for. Great first step–now comes the time to put in the hard work. Written applications might be one of the most integral steps in landing an extracurricular position, as clubs receive anywhere from less than 10 to over 50 applications from competitive, standout applicants for limited positions. How will you stand out in the endless sea of applicants to land that interview?
One of the strategies I like to use (and have introduced into my writing consistently) is candidness with a sprinkling of humour. If you write solely to try and impress whoever reviews your application, nine times out of ten in my experience, your words will be forgotten as soon as the recruiter’s eyes leave the page. Your application will come across as generic and disingenuous and ultimately won’t showcase your greatest asset—you! Injecting your personality into everything you write is paramount to not only written applications but to everything you write going forward. Being honest about your intentions, your experiences, and your writing will go a long way to solidifying your voice as a writer. To understand your audience, you must have a clear sense of who you are and your capabilities. This will allow you to adapt to each application effortlessly, and pinpoint which experiences are most essential for each club. You wouldn’t write the same thing when applying for a camp counsellor and an internship at a bank, as both roles require a different skill set. Identifying what a club requires will ensure that your applications are tailored to maximize the effectiveness of each question answered.
As a bonus, a little bit of humour can further strengthen an application and help to differentiate your application from others. Of course, writing an SNL sketch throughout each question will not set you up for success, but humour placed at opportune moments provides levity and range to your writing. While humour can help elevate your application, it’s still imperative to maintain a professional tone throughout the entirety of the application. This means triple checking for any grammar mistakes or misspelled words, as mistakes reflect your commitment to the club. If you can’t take the time to make sure your written application is polished, how will your work at that club be any different? Grammer is not my strong suit, so I’ll always get a friend to read over my work to make sure there are no glaring inaccuracies. These tips will help you achieve a standout application, but now it’s time for…
Nailing the Interview
If you have made it to this part of the process, pat yourself on the back! In my opinion, this is the easiest part of your application cycle. In first-year executive positions, nobody expects you to have a vast array of knowledge under your belt, so your best bet is to sell your personality to your interviewers by showing a genuine interest in the club.
Before showing up for your interview, make sure to conduct some background research about your club’s mission and the executives. Have LinkedIn? This may be an appropriate time to utilize the internet and social media to find out public information that can be referenced in your interview. Mentioning anything from past club events to any interests you have in common with your interviewers will ensure that you remain memorable. Additionally, first-year interviews follow the same basic format, with the only exception being role or interest-specific questions. Therefore, you can rehearse your answers to these frequent questions beforehand to ensure that your speech remains natural and concise.
After some unsuccessful interviews, I also learned that non-verbal communication is often more effective than the answers themselves. Focus on projecting confident body language; maintain eye contact, reduce fidgety movements, and butt in at the right moments to show the interviewer that you are following along with the conversation. Finally, ensure that you are always ready for the unexpected! While you may not be prepared for every curveball question thrown at you by the interviewers, how you answer the question in a time of stress can also reflect positively on your application. Take a minute to think about your answer and talk through your thought process to prove that you are fully considering each question. These unpredictable questions are where you can let your personality shine by showing creativity in your responses. Overall, while interviewing can be stressful for even the most extroverted of us, through trial and error, you will be able to find a club that’s the perfect fit for your expertise.
What Now?
Awaiting the verdict can be a tough undertaking, but luckily, you can take a few simple steps to put your mind at ease. You might find it worthwhile to reflect on your interview and consider what kinds of questions you found challenging. Introspecting your interview strengths and weaknesses will provide you with a clear direction for improvement. That said, try not to dwell on your shortcomings; instead, use them as opportunities for growth. You may also consider taking a few minutes shortly after your interview to email your interviewers and thank them for their time and consideration. In a sentence or two, restate your interest in the position to demonstrate your keenness in hearing back from them. Although a simple thank-you email seldom changes a selection decision, making the small effort to show your gratitude can be an explicit representation of your professionalism and proactiveness — and, of course, it is an often-overlooked mechanism for getting your name back into the minds of your interviewers. Studies consistently find that only a few candidates send thank-you emails after interviewing for an organization, while an overwhelming majority of recruiters remember these same individuals better when reviewing candidates.
Ultimately, securing your spot on an extracurricular is only the beginning. So many of us get caught up in the intent to perpetrate a team that we overlook the real work that begins upon selection. The long-term progress you make in an organization will be reflected in the contributions and relationships you make within your team. Take advantage of the strong connections you maintain with your senior executives and peers because they will become your best resource for letters of reference. From here on out, your teammates and supervisors notice the effort and impact you offer the group. So, if progressing into an executive extracurricular position is your next venture, anticipate this tremendous responsibility with ongoing, active commitment.