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.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Career

When it seems like your career is stuck in a rut and you can hardly find a reason to be excited to go to work each day, you may easily be tempted to consider changing careers. There seems to be a greener pasture out there, but is there really? Just because you are emotionally ready to switch careers doesn’t mean it is the right time to do the big change. You must take the time to evaluate the situation and assess yourself to know if you are truly prepared to do something different.

Here are the questions you need to ask yourself before you decide to change careers:

1. Why are you so eager to change careers?

Unless you clearly know and understand your own reason for leaving your current career, you may find yourself jumping out of the frying pan and straight into the fire. We all have different reasons for not wanting to stay in our current career. What’s important at this point is the awareness of your own reasons.

2. Is a career change the real solution?

It is often too easy to believe that it is your career that you want to change, when the reality is that you’re just having issues with your coworkers or your employer. Think about what it is that can make your working life interesting and enjoyable. If you are not sure yet, you might as well try another job or applying for a different position.

3. What are your capabilities and skills?

Working in a particular industry for many years doesn’t necessarily qualify you for another career in a different industry. You need to know what you capabilities and transferable skills are. Do you have the necessary skills to be successful in the career you’re thinking of pursuing? If not, how are you going to acquire or develop such skills?

4. Can you use your existing skills?

Changing careers means doing something that might be totally different from what you are presently doing. Should you decide that you will be better off in a new career, you need to assess your skills and decide which of them are relevant and which are not. This awareness is important especially when you’re about to create a resume. Your resume should convince potential employers that they can benefit from the skills you have developed throughout your career in a different field.

5. What are your values?

Finding satisfaction in your career comes not only from the financial stability your career may offer. More importantly, your career must be in line with your own beliefs and values. Otherwise, you will never find fulfillment and happiness. Keep in mind that when choosing a career, you need to go for one that will make you happy knowing that you’re doing something right and good in relation to your own personal beliefs and values.