5 More Modern Ways of Doing a Job or Career Search

The old-fashioned way of finding a new job is by looking for job advertisements for roles that you have always wanted. While this traditional approach to job search can still help you land a good job, there are other and much better ways you can go about your search for a new job.

a. Recruitment Agencies

Reach out to several recruitment agencies, make sure you provide them with your details and documents, tell them what job you are looking for, and regularly keep in touch with them so that they will know that you are still searching.

When it comes to the recruitment agencies you should register with, you want those that specialize in your particular industry. This will increase your chances of landing a job in a shorter period of time.

b. Job Sites

There are so many job boards and job sites online that you can check from time to time. These websites will have lists of job vacancies that you may apply for. However, you need to be willing to have your resume and other personal information posted on their websites so that recruiters and employers will be able to find you.

c. Personal Websites

Building your own website may seem overwhelming and unnecessary at first, but with the continuous development in computer and telecommunications technology, having a personal website is now considered a vital part of career planning and job search.

When you have your own website, you can use it to showcase your skills, experience, educational background, personality, and so on. Virtually all the information about yourself that employers and recruiters will find important will be available on your website. Plus, you can impress potential employers by giving them a link to your personal website where they can learn more about you as an individual and a professional.

d. Networking Sites

Networking sites are so important for job seekers because the people you will see in these sites will share many similarities with you. It is also in these websites that you can begin to build a professional network, which you will find very useful in your job search. Through these networking sites, you will be notified of any job opportunity that matches your credentials. You can also seek advice from your contacts in your network in terms of how you can prepare for a job interview, or anything related to your job search.

e. Former Coworkers

It is always a good idea to maintain a good friendly relationship with the people you have worked with in the past. In fact, these people are an excellent source of information in terms of what job opportunities are out there in their respective industries. Again, all you need to do is reach out and express your intention of doing a new career search. You will never know who among them can help you find a job opportunity that you’ve long waited for.

Tips for Creating a Compelling Executive Resume When You Are Changing Careers

Wondering if you’ve successfully written a solid and convincing resume? Why don’t you try to scan your resume for about 15 seconds, and after that, write down what exactly you can remember. If you were the hiring manager, would you bother calling the owner of such resume? If the answer is no, then there is something wrong with the executive resume you’ve written.

Here are simple ways by which you can make your resume really compelling:

1. Have a strong selling proposition.

The main reason why employers or hiring managers take a look at your resume is to know who you are and why you should be considered for the position in their company. Thus, you need to make sure there is no fluff in your resume’s opening. Fluff here pertains to statements that you can make but not prove. Your resume opener should talk about you in a clear, detailed and specific manner.

2. Your theme should be the same until the last part of your resume.

Once you have made a clear value proposition in your resume opening, you have to make sure that you use the same theme all throughout your executive resume. If you state, for instance, that you are excellent at turnarounds, you have to remember to emphasize such trait throughout your resume.

3. Write your resume in a way that is easy to read.

It is crucial that your resume contain a compelling message that does not require much time and effort to read and understand. A single page resume that is densely written is not easy to read, and neither is a three-page resume with very little valuable content. It is also recommended that you use the most appropriate font, such as Calibri or Tahoma.

4. Include testimonials in your resume.

A very smart way of proving your value is to include some testimonials or quotes coming from your previous bosses, colleagues or even customers. This will prove to be essential and beneficial particularly to those who are changing career pathways. Statements from employers and colleagues will play an important role in your potential employer’s decision to invite you for a job interview.

Final Thoughts

Writing a good and powerful resume takes a lot of thinking and reconsideration. In fact, you have to repeatedly go over your resume just to make sure it is properly written and contains valuable content. It would also help if you could get someone to review or edit it. This is when a career coach would be most helpful to you. Especially if you are changing careers, it is very important that your resume reflects the skills, experience, and expertise that you have that will convince employers that you have everything they need for the position in their company.

What to Ask an Employer When Interviewing for Work in Canada

One part of a job interview that many job seekers tend to take for granted is the point where you will be asked by the interviewer of you’ve got any questions for them. It is too easy to ignore this part of the interview, but remember employers are using this interview component to figure out what type of employee you will be.

Below are the questions you can throw your interviewer, which can prove that you are a potential valuable asset in the company.

1. What contribution does this role make to the company?

With this question, you don’t only get some context for the position you are applying for, but it will also help you find career paths that you can eventually take in the future. The answer of the interviewer may then give you an idea about which teams you might work with.

2. Who will I possibly work with?

Depending on how things are doing during your interview, you may ask this question so that you may be given a chance to meet other team members who you might work with eventually. This also gives the hiring manager the impression that you are someone who values the other people you work with. Remember, employers like employees who can work harmoniously with other members of the team.

3. What other skills are needed to perform this job well?

If you got an invitation for a job interview, it just means that the potential employer sees skills of yours that can benefit the growth of their company. But this is not the only thing they are looking for. They want someone who can do the job exceptionally. By asking this question, employers will think that you are taking personal and professional growth and development seriously, which is a big asset to their company.

4. What is your company mission?

This question is not only about you getting the position you are applying for. This question reflects your desire to be part of an organization whose ideals are in line with yours. This also indicates that you are interested in how the company wants to achieve business success, as well as your willingness to contribute to the organization’s efforts to achieve its goals.

5. What do you expect from an employee?

Employers have expectations that every employee is supposed to meet. Thus, you would want to know if those expectations are even attainable for you. Knowing these expectations will also give you an idea of the kind of employee you need to be to stay in the job.

It doesn’t matter if you are applying for a job in your own city or country, or you’re planning to workin Canada. The job interview should not only be a means for the company to know if you’re a good fit for the position, you should also use it to determine if the company is where you want to spend the next few years of your life.

Resume Mistakes to Avoid When Doing a Job Search Canada

When applying for a job, you’ve got to do things almost perfectly to at least guarantee an opportunity for a job interview, and it all starts with a good resume. Your resume says everything about you – your background, your skills, your expertise, and even your personality. This is the primary basis of hiring managers when deciding who should and should not be called for an interview.

To make sure your resume does not make you look unprofessional, avoid these things:

1. Cute or random email accounts.

Signing up for an email account is free, so there is no reason why you should not have your own. And when creating your email account, avoid using cutesy, flirtatious, offensive or sexual email addresses. Ideally, your address should contain your complete name so that employers will have an easier time distinguishing your emails.

2. Misspellings and typos.

When you fail to proofread your resume, you are automatically setting yourself up for failure. Make sure you double check your resume for spellings, dates, and grammar. You should also not overlap time lines so that your story will not be confusing.

3. Sexy and very casual photos.

Resume experts actually recommend not attaching any image files or photos to a resume. Firstly, companies today are trying to stay away from prejudging applicants based on their looks, age or gender. Also, employers will always find a way in case they want to see how you look, so there is no need for you to attach any image of yourself in your resume.

4. Using the word ‘etc.’

According to resume experts, the use of the word ‘etc.’ on a resume signals laziness. For employers, this means that the job applicant is too lazy to simply list or write down whatever it is that should be on the list. Another thing to avoid is using the phrase ‘same as above’. Your resume is a reflection of who you are, so you should at least spend time and effort writing it.

5. Generic format.

If you are applying to different companies for similar positions, it can be tempting to use a generic resume so you can save time and effort. But you have to know that hiring managers are not inexperienced not to notice it. Generic resumes are often the first ones to go to trash, so if you want yours to go to the next level, make sure that you customize your resume to fit the position you are applying for.

Conclusion

Whether you are doing a job search Canada or just planning looking for a local job, your resume is an important tool that can either make or break your chances of getting the job you want. Therefore, you should take it seriously and be committed to writing a professional resume.

Things You Should Not Include in Your Resume When Applying for Vancouver Jobs

Recruiters and managers have hundreds of resumes to go through in a short span of time, which explains why job seekers only have less than a minute to try to impress them with their resume. Did you know also that bigger companies now have some applicant tracking software that helps them sort out applicants’ resumes? With that said, it is crucial that you come up with a resume that will entice hiring managers to read.

Below are the things that will get your resume in the trash, and therefore, you should avoid putting in your resume:

1. Your life story

Many job seekers make the mistake of including lots of irrelevant information in their resume. The irrelevant details are those that are in no way relevant to the position the applicant is applying for. Thus, you need to make sure you only put the skills and experience that are closely related to the kind of work you wish to get.

2. Your photo

Hiring managers these days choose not to be influenced by gender issues, and so they are less concerned about what you look like and your gender. Besides, there are many other ways they could check your photo, if they decide they really need to do so. Ideally, you want a decent photograph of yours placed in your LinkedIn profile and in other social media accounts.

3. Vague objective statements

 Saying that your objective is to gain more experience and skills is the best way you can have your resume thrown in the bin. You cannot use something so generic and too vague. Instead, focus on detailing your skills and experience, and how these will be a contribution to the company.

4. Irrelevant personal information

You don’t have to mention anything about your religion or favorite sport is they are not relevant to the job you are seeking. You don’t even have to indicate your marital status in your resume. Companies will have the chance to know you on a personal level during an interview, so your resume doesn’t have to contain such details.

5. General skills that others also have

If your skills are just part of the normal skill sets that all other applicants have, there is no need to mention them at all. You want to be impressive in the eyes of the hiring manager by letting them know what unique skills you have that many other candidates probably lack. This will make you stand out for sure.

Whether you are applying for a job in your country or for a particular Vancouver jobs perhaps, you want to make sure that your resume has relevant information only that will convince hiring managers that you are the best and most suitable person for the job.

3 Simple Tips to Help You Look for Toronto Jobs Efficiently

Looking for a job online can be very exhausting and frustrating. You have to draft cover letters, modify your resume, and wait endlessly for a response from employers. How long can you stand this? And how many times do you think you can write about yourself again and again?

One of the biggest gifts that modern technology has given us is the availability of digital applications and online profiles that allow us to apply for more jobs in less time. There is no reason to waste your precious time anymore. All you need to do is look at your job applications as a set of action items. This means that you have to prioritize and learn how to put your energy and effort in the right place.

Create Templates

Templates will make everything for you so much easier and more convenient. Before you start submitting your applications anywhere, consider the kind of businesses or industries you would like to work for. And then, emphasize your experience within those industries.

You have to see to it that each of your templates will zero in on the particular industry experience that you’ve got. Mention your experiences that are relevant to the industry you’re making the template for. Once you have built your template, the only thing you should do is to customize your cover letters or emails accordingly.

Be Realistic

If you don’t want to waste your time, then avoid applying to jobs where you don’t have all the job requirements for. The major requirements in any job include years of experience, education background, language or communication skills, and even technical skills. However, there are several minor qualifications also that you should pay attention to.

If you find that most of the secondary and tertiary skills required by the employer are the skills that you don’t have, then there is no reason you should insist on applying for the said job. You have to use your time wisely, and that is by putting your efforts into jobs you are likely to get.

Do Not Ignore Your email Introductions

One basic and yet very important rule in writing a job application through email is to be personal. You should first know who will likely read your email, and address your email to them. It is always best to use the name of the recipient of the email rather than use a generic one.

The next thing to remember is to make your subject line clear and specific. Indicate that you are a candidate applying for a specific role. This will make it easier for the hiring manager to know what the purpose of your email is.

Finally, make sure you keep your email short. Hiring managers receive so many application letters and emails every single day. By keeping your email short, you are actually giving the reader a better reason to read it. This will surely increase your chances of being considered for the Toronto jobs you are applying for.

Do You Need a Degree to Succeed in Your Career Search?

As many people say, being able to go to college is a luxury. However, many college students don’t think of it that way. In fact, surveys reveal that many students in college question why there is a need to get a college degree when real work experience can be enough for them to find a job.

Below are simple reminders of why a college degree is necessary if you want to succeed in your future career:

1. You can make more money. Employers often determine what salary to offer a job applicant depending on the latter’s educational background. Compared to those who don’t have a degree, college graduates are more likely to be offered great compensation and benefits, too.

2. You will have never-ending opportunities out there. With a college degree, you get to receive more job offers and you also have a better chance at getting promoted in your job. Whatever industry you decide to pursue in the future, your degree will always matter.

3. You become the agent of your life. Career experts always say that your career planning should start right before you enter college. Specifically, you have to choose a degree that is in line with the type of career you wish to have in the future. Don’t choose a particular one just because your friends are taking it up, too. Be smart in choosing a course in college, as it will be an important factor in your career pathway later on.

4. You will remain marketable. Although a college degree alone is not enough for you to be attractive to potential employers, it definitely matters. As you acquire more work experience, or when you undergo various skills training programs, your college degree will be an excellent complement to all those achievement, and this will certainly not be left unnoticed by hiring managers.

5. College is a good training ground. As mentioned earlier, experience is a vital factor in any career or job search success. Employers and hiring managers are always looking for people who already have relevant experience that they can use to offer something good to the company.

A college degree is an indication that you have received proper and enough training in a particular field. This explains why employers also put a lot of effort into finding applicants that come from quality universities and colleges.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the decision of whether to earn a college degree or not is all up to you. You may have your own reasons to not bother going to college, but still, there will always be enough reasons for you to get a degree. With a college degree, you have a better chance at succeeding in your career search.