Strategic Preparation and Purposeful Engagement: How Sana Afraz Secured a Portfolio Manager Co-op at CIBC
For Sana Afraz (Tech MBA ‘25), securing a Portfolio Manager Co-op, Enterprise Data, Automation & Operations Technology role at CIBC was the culmination of strategic preparation, consistent effort, and leveraging the resources available through the Centre for Career Design (CCD).
After discovering the opportunity through Handshake, Afraz recognized the importance of crafting a strong, tailored application. She meticulously aligned her résumé and cover letter with CCD’s templates, ensuring that her professional narrative—from her experience at Google to her MBA coursework—was clear, results-oriented, and optimized for employer screening systems. To further refine her application, Afraz attended CCD Resume & Cover Letter Career Foundations workshops, which deepened her understanding of effective storytelling and taught her how to highlight measurable impact and business value.
Afraz also engaged actively with CCD-hosted networking events, a technology recruitment fair, and fireside chats. These experiences allowed her to connect with alumni and recruiters, gain insight into employer priorities, and build confidence in presenting her skills and experiences. Through these interactions, she developed a nuanced understanding of what employers value, helping her approach both applications and interviews with clarity and purpose.
When invited to interview, Afraz treated the process as a full-time commitment. She conducted in-depth research on the role, team, and CIBC’s strategic priorities. Leveraging CCD’s Professional Development courses and digital resources like Big Interview, she prepared structured STAR and CARL responses, practiced storytelling techniques, and refined her tone, pacing, and presence on camera. Sana also focused on authenticity; aligning her personal motivations and career goals with the role and preparing thoughtful questions to engage her interviewers meaningfully.
Reflecting on her journey, Afraz shared, “The CCD’s resources helped bring structure and focus to my job search. I learned how to communicate not just what I’d done, but why it mattered and how it connected to the role I was pursuing. More than anything, the process helped me approach recruiting with perspective—seeing it as a way to understand where my skills and interests fit best and how I truly want to add value.”
Afraz’s success demonstrates the value of strategic preparation, intentional engagement, and leveraging CCD’s workshops, tools, and networking opportunities. By combining careful application planning, active participation in career events, and focused interview preparation, she successfully secured a role that aligns with her skills, interests, and career goals, setting a strong foundation for her professional journey.
