January 22, 2026 By Kim
YouAlberta is written by students for students.
Kim (she/her) is a career peer educator and health promotion student intern. She is currently in her final year as an art and design major in the Bachelor of Arts program. Kim likes to drink coffee, run, draw, read and spend time with her cat, Echo! She can tell you the best way to brew coffee and why cats make the best pets.
Most students, especially those in search of an internship or post-grad role, feel confused about what employers look for in a good applicant. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if it’s your first time looking for a job.
In 2025, the Career Centre conducted a survey to learn about employers' recruitment and hiring practices, receiving over 200 responses. Questions ranged from “What information do you want applicants to include in their cover letter?” to “What makes you reject an applicant?” Employers gave comprehensive answers to many of the questions, allowing us to gauge current trends in this ever-changing job market.
The survey results showcase employer expectations when it comes to applying for a role. Most employer respondents represent the educational services field (29%) and professional, scientific and technical services such as accounting, legal, engineering, public relations and research (19%). However, there are many fields listed, ranging from health care to the arts.
Here are some answers from employers that may help you land your next interview:
Many employers stated they want applicants to include why they are interested in working for the organization! They also expect applicants to include their education and experiences that helped them prepare for the role.
At the Career Centre, we recommend that students explain not only what connects them to the role, but also why they chose the role they are applying for. It’s about connecting your professional values to what you understand about the organization’s values.
Other employers look for a targeted cover letter, not just a generic one. A well-written cover letter can have a considerable effect (69%) on an employer's decision to offer an interview.
It’s evident that you should pay close attention to the job posting’s description when creating a resume and cover letter, and tailor those documents to the job. You should also make sure that you proofread your documents before submission.
“Take the time to research the target employer. If you can show me some effort has been put into the application, I am likely to offer an interview,” responded one employer.
Others emphasized targeting and relevance in an application, along with using simple resume formats. Several reiterated that your application should be free of grammatical and spelling errors.
One response encompasses what the Career Centre also recommends: “Your resume and cover letter should relay your unique story. Read the job posting really well; research the organization and its priorities and values. Make sure you tailor your resume and cover letter for every application.”
A generic resume may be easier to write, but employers expect one that’s targeted.
With the rising use of generative AI across industries, many applicants look to AI to aid them in their application process. Employers have responded that it’s important to not overly rely on generative AI and to allow your application to reflect you as a person.
Many acknowledge the usefulness of generative AI, but you should ensure it's not what writes the entirety of your application.
At the Career Centre, we offer document reviews to help students get started on or enhance their resume and/or cover letter before applying to a role. You’ll get advice from a trained advisor to further tailor your documents and to ensure they're ready for an employer!
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