Neha Khurram • Career Coach

I started a new job last week at leading Canada’s only Startup Accelerator program for disability tech innovators across all disability categories. Applications open early May to participate in our free, non-dilutive program that welcomes global founders.

This is a team photo from my 3rd day, celebrating the launch of our physical hub dedicated to providing space and support to founders building products and services in the accessibility sector.

If you or someone you know is creating a solution to advance accessibility innovation, send me a DM!

Note: I’ll still be actively supporting job seekers and founders outside of my new day job, unlocking deeper network strength in health sciences and disability tech.

My first week was filled with reunions, from leaders I connected with at events I attended earlier in my career to leaders I worked with at former employers such as MaRS. It was a great reminder how small the world is, and how the value of our professional connections compounds over time, especially in the innovation ecosystem!

Which job seeker are you?

Work hard, play hard energy in full effect ✨

From interviewing job candidates in French and English, to dressing up for corporate life on Bay St (Canada’s ‘Wall St’) to travelling and spending a ton of time with good friends…2016 was a year for the books!

This was also the year I invested in professional development at the University of Toronto, picking up HR courses to supplement my degree in Psychology, which opened up a better role in recruiting and negotiation leverage for my next promotion. 📈

#2016

New Year, New Job! ➡️ Swipe to see job search tips for 2026. See more details below. ⬇️

1. Embrace rejection and expect hear ‘no’ a lot so you can get closer to YES. Treat every interview as a chance to learn more about yourself and employers so you can align with roles that match your level of experience, genuine interests, and available market opportunities.

2. Learn AI tools; they cut across every function! Also, use AI to research companies, tailor resumes, and prep for interviews. Hint: ChatGPT for problem-solving, Claude for writing, Perplexity for fact-checking, Gemini for native G-suite use, and Grok for deep reasoning + trending news.

3. Create a brag sheet of your accomplishments. Translate into a professional summary to request introductions, resume bullets, and interview stories. Quantify impact, decisions made, and problems solved.

4. Learn the art of storytelling for interviews, outreach, networking, and follow-ups. Align LinkedIn, resume, and portfolio so they tell a clear story. Practice explaining why your work mattered, not just what you did.

5. Research the target market before applying anywhere. Get to know salary bands and role expectations. Track your top companies and who’s hiring in your industry. Study trends so you can speak to the future confidently.

6. Join a community. Participate in professional associations and local networking events to be where hiring managers already gather. Be helpful, visible, and relevant to make it easy for others to get to know you.

7. Apply early & selectively. Most jobs get hundreds if not thousands of job applications. Nail down your top employers, top skills, top job titles, and aim to get your application in early; aim to be 1 of the first 10 applicants.

What else would you add? Drop a question or comment.

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#2026