Sales & Business Development Co-op (Unpaid)

Sales & Business Development · Remote / Toronto — arrangement to be confirmed · Student Co-op — Unpaid

Learn how an agency finds and connects with potential clients. Join EightLabs for a supervised, unpaid student co-op focused on prospect research, professional cold outreach, lead qualification, follow-ups, and sales coordination.

EightLabs is seeking curious, motivated co-op students interested in sales, business development, and professional communication. You will learn how to research businesses, identify potential client needs, prepare relevant outreach, and support the early stages of a client relationship. No professional sales experience is required.

Through coaching, practice, and reviewed project work, you will learn to communicate the value of website, design, and digital marketing services without making misleading promises or using high-pressure tactics. You will be introduced to the sales tools and customer relationship management (CRM) workflows used by the team, with increasing responsibility as your skills develop.

Compensation: this is an unpaid educational co-op placement, not a paid employment opportunity. Applicants must be enrolled in a school-approved co-op or work-integrated learning program. Any placement is subject to school approval and applicable employment requirements; school approval alone does not determine whether an unpaid placement is lawful. Learning objectives, supervision, hours, location, and placement dates will be agreed with the student and school before the placement begins. There is no guarantee of a paid position afterward.

To apply, please include your name, a short introduction, your school and program, required placement hours and dates, availability, and any relevant school, customer service, sales, or communication experience. Tell us why you are interested in learning sales and business development.

Research prospective businesses and organizations using approved public sources, and help identify those whose needs may fit EightLabs services.

Learn to build organized prospect lists and record relevant business information accurately in the team’s CRM or tracking tools.

Draft personalized cold emails, professional social messages, and call talking points for supervisor review.

Practise outreach conversations and, when approved and appropriately supervised, assist with cold calling and other prospect outreach.

Learn how to ask useful questions, understand prospective client needs, qualify interest, and recognize when an opportunity is not a good fit.

Help follow up with interested prospects, schedule introductory calls, and prepare clear handover notes for the team.

Track outreach activity, responses, next steps, and follow-up dates; summarize progress and lessons learned for your supervisor.

Learn to respond professionally to common questions and objections, and refer pricing, promises, and commitments to the appropriate team member.

Follow approved outreach policies, applicable privacy and anti-spam requirements, consent and opt-out rules, and do-not-contact requests. No bulk unsolicited campaigns or unapproved collection of personal contact data.

Currently enrolled in a school-approved co-op or work-integrated learning program, with school confirmation required before starting.

Interested in sales, business development, digital services, or client communication.

Clear written and verbal communication and a respectful, professional approach to people.

Willing to practise new skills, ask questions, receive feedback, and learn from conversations that do not lead to a sale.

Organized, reliable, and attentive to accurate notes and agreed follow-up dates.

Comfortable learning spreadsheets, CRM systems, and digital communication tools.

No professional sales experience is required; relevant school or personal projects are welcome.

Experience in customer service, retail, fundraising, school clubs, or other roles involving communication.

Basic familiarity with websites, graphic design, social media, or digital marketing.

Experience using spreadsheets or a CRM, or an interest in learning how sales pipelines work.

Guided training in prospect research, cold outreach, lead qualification, and professional follow-up.

Practice with sales conversations and messaging, supported by coaching and feedback.

An introduction to CRM tools, pipeline tracking, meeting coordination, and sales reporting.

Supervised exposure to real business development activities appropriate to your learning stage.

Learning objectives and placement expectations agreed with your school before starting.