"NOT JUST A JOB" BLOG - JOB SEARCH AND CAREER HELP

Using a Cover Letter as a Sales Tool

2009-07-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

Using a Cover Letter as a Sales Tool

A cover letter as the potential to set you apart from other candidates by demonstrating your exact match to the position and how you will fill the client's needs. As in sales you should do a client needs assessment before trying to sell them any product or service. The same theory applies to a cover letter. You will be able to tailor your experience specifically to the position and hopefully impart some of your enthusiasm about the role and potential employer.

You will be using a different format than a resume and will be able to add a bit more personal information that will set you apart from others with similar backgrounds. Make it less than one page and be sure to be as descriptive and persuasive in your writing style as possible. The same attention to accuracy that applies to your resume is important here as well. No spelling mistakes!

Like a Resumé, a cover letter contains several critical components:

The Heading:

Include full name, address, phone number and e-mail at the top of the page. If your address changes during your job search, send another Resumé and cover letter for the position that interests you. HR departments won't bother to change the information on your first version.
The First Paragraph. This is the introductory section of your cover letter. In the first paragraph, you should state how you learned about the job opening and your reason for sending the employer your Resumé. If you're applying for a specific position, be sure to include that information in the first sentence of your introduction.

If you've researched the company, be sure to mention why you're interested in it. You will differentiate yourself from the others by demonstrating your knowledge of company.
The Second Paragraph. Among hiring officials, the buzz word these days is "value offered." Explain the particular benefits you offer an employer. Not only will it get the employer's attention, it will distinguish you as a job hunter whose goal is to do the job rather than just get a job. Use this section of your cover letter to discuss your value as an employee over and above the information in your Resumé.

Talk about your transferable skills, such as being a self-starter and having excellent organizational abilities. Cite a specific reason why you're the ideal candidate for the position, then customize your letter to prove or demonstrate that point.

Focus instead on two or three qualities that distinguish you most. Also, try to connect these qualities to the position's key requirements. Focus on your particular area of expertise if it fits the position.

In closing, thank the reviewer for their time and mention that you are looking forward to meeting with them to discuss your fit for the position further.

This is a great sales opportunity, make the most of it by customizing your cover letter as a sales pitch of your skills and why the client needs you.

Best Jobs for 2009 and Beyond

2009-05-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Although we are currently still seeing higher unemployment numbers than in recent years due to the current economic downturn (anybody else out there ready for a switch to new terminology including the phrase economic upturn? I know I am!) there are still some areas that look like they will be strong this year and that will continue to grow in coming years.

I read an interesting article by Rachel Zupek today that gave some interesting facts and figures about what she thinks we can anticipate in the job market.

"The labor force is expected to increase by 12.8 million workers over the 2006 -2016 period, according to the BLS. Total employment is expected to increase by 10 percent to 166.2 million over that period as well, while an estimated 15.6 million jobs will be added by 2016. While that year seems like a long way off today, a certain number of new jobs will be added each year leading up to 2016 -- including in 2009. "

We will see growth in some areas that are new and some that have been strong in the past will decline. The landscape will look different however the important thing is overall growth. It may require some adaptability, however since the average person already changes careers several times in their working life, this shouldn't be a news to anyone.

So what are the trends looking like?

Here are 10 of the best jobs anticipated based on the jobs that saw growth in the second half of 2008.

Best jobs:
1. Public relations manager
2. Purchasing agent
3. Claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner and investigator
4. Human resources, training and labour relations specialist
5. Budget analyst

Industry: Professional and related occupations
Best jobs:
6. Computer programmer
7. Electrical and electronics engineer
8. Editor and writer
9. pharmacist
10. audiologist

There are several good free salary calculators on the web if you are interested in any of these careers and want to have a look at the general salary average that can be expected. These are some of the growth areas and if you look a bit closer you can see that may of them are related to the current demographic trends (audiologist, pharmacist) and to the advances in technology that are continually progressing (computer programming). If your really interested in where things are going to go with the job market demographic and consumer trends are a great place to start. You might not be able to tell the future but you will be able to make an educated guess at where you will want to be in the next 5 to 10 years.

Is Going Back To School worth the Investment

2009-05-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

If you are out of work, or just wanting progress in your current career, you may have wondered is going back to school worth the investment? Will the money and the time (and the time away from other things you would have been doing instead) be paid back to you in increased employability?

Going back to school is an important decision that many returning adult students make at some point in their careers. A Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in any field can help open up the doors of opportunity in almost every industry, and as competition increases in the technology and business fields, it can become increasingly important to become specialized in a particular area.
Even though a two-year diploma offers many benefits, many people feel that going to back to school to obtain additional training is a wise decision. Additional certifications in your field are never a bad idea - especially since they usually have a direct impact on your compensation if you r employer recognizes it. It isn't cheap to go back to school, and you should set some goals and have a plan in order to make the most of the experience. In addition to the financial stresses of going back to school, you will need to appreciate the change in lifestyle and accommodate your schedule accordingly. If you are used to staying home with the kids during the day, you will need to make time for classes or if you are pursuing an online education, making time to study and stay up to date with class requirements.
The most common question returning adult students ask when deciding on furthering their education, is the question: "Is going back to school worth my money?" The answer largely lies in understanding how the additional education will have an impact on your salary. Will you be eligible for a raise after completing additional training? Can your company provide tuition reimbursement since you can contribute to the business in the long-term? What are your real intentions and goals for making the most of your educational training? These are all important questions to ask when making the decision to go back to school, and money is only a part of the process.
The benefits of going back to school may also involve increasing your social circle, meeting new people, and creating a network of valuable acquaintances. When you step into the world of ongoing education, it can be both an enriching and rewarding experience. You will be able to learn from new professors, receive training from key leaders in your industry, and make valuable friends along the way. In this case, the monetary compensation doesn't become quite so important. Instead, you will be improving your overall outlook and enhancing your current lifestyle as well. If you do not live in proximity to your chosen campus, an online education is another option. Even though you won't be in face-to-face contact with fellow students and professors, you can still enjoy the collaborative experience of working with a team in an online format.
The need for skilled and professional workers in a variety of industries is on the rise, and qualified candidates can increase their chances of getting ahead with a solid educational background. After completing your additional education training program and making the decision for going back to school, it's a good idea to approach your current or prospective employer with new goals. These goals can be focused on a raise or an increase in salary, and you can start to compete at a whole new level within your industry.

Quote of the Day

2009-05-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

" Lose this day loitering, 'Twill be the same story Tomorrow -- and the next more dilatory.Then indecision brings its own delays, And days are lost lamenting over days!Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute!What you can do, or dream you can --begin it!Courage has genius, power, and magic in it.Only engage, and then the mind grows heated.Begin it, and the work will be completed."
--- Goethe

Quote of the Day

2009-05-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

" Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being."
--- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Quote of the Day

2009-05-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

" My interest is in the future because I'm going to be spending the rest of my life there."
--- Charles Kettering

Quote of the Day

2009-05-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

" In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing."
--- Theodore Roosevelt

Quote of the Day

2009-05-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

" It's all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation."
-Dr. Rob Gilbert

Quote of the Day

2009-05-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

" My greatest point is my persistence, I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories."
-Bjorn Borg

Sample Behavioral Interview Questions - STAR practice

2009-05-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

So are you ready to practice BEIng a Behavioral Interview (Behavioral event interviewing BEI) STAR?

Generally behavioral questions will begin with a statement like: "Tel me about a time when" or "Can you describe a situation where..."

Questions:

Describe a difficult problem that you tried to solve. How did you identify the problem? How did you go about trying to solve it? (Demonstrates problem solving)
Describe a time when you tried to persuade another person to do something that they were not very willing to do. (Demonstrates leadership)
Describe a time when you decided on your own that something needed to be done, and you

Before your interview find out as much as you can about the position and what type of behaviors you will need to be successful in the job. Think about times when you have been in a situation where you have been successful in using those behaviors.

Try to come up with two or three examples for each personal attribute that will best illustrate your suitability.

Think 'STAR' - Situation or Task, Action and Result.

Quote of the Day

2009-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

" The greatest thing about man is his ability is to transcend himself, his ancestry and his environment and to become what he dreams of being."
-Tully C. Knoles

Be a Behavioral Interview Star - Using the STAR technique

2009-05-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

Even if your new to interviewing or just getting back into it you've probably heard of behavioral interviews. The premise behind behavioral interviewing is that a job candidate's previous performance is the best indicator of their future performance.

Basically, the interviewer asks you questions about situations you have dealt with and how you you've responded in a particular scenario. Generally the scenario will be comparable to something you would be expected to deal with in the position you are interviewing for. You are demonstrating through your past behavior that you would be successful in the future in the same type of situation.

The classic beginning to a behavioral question is "tell me about a time when you" (insert situation) and how you dealt with that situation. The candidate ideally will give a real life situation in which they had to demonstrate a certain type of behavior that is considered essential to the position for which they are interviewing.

How do you prepare for an behavioral interview? Anticipating every question and preparing an answer for every possibility would be next to impossible. However there are strategies that you can use to be more prepared:

Enter the STAR technique.

Situation or Task:

Describe a real life situation that you were in or a task that you undertook. Try to make it as specific as possible and try to avoid generalities. Be sure to give enough detail and background information so the interviewer can envision the situation. This situation can be from a previous job, from a volunteer experience, or any relevant event. Start with previous work experience if possible.

Action you took:

Describe the action you took. Describe what you did and why that made sense to you in that situation. This is all about action and your actual behavior.

Results you achieved

What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?

Practicing with some sample behavioral questions is the best way to become effective at this technique. Get a list of behavioural questions (see post entitled sample behavioral questions for a list to get you started) and either run through them yourself or have someone test you in a mock interview.

Quote of the Day

2009-05-07T20:05:00.001-07:00

" When I was a young man I observed that nine out of the ten things I did were failures. Not wanting to be a failure, I did ten times more work."
--- Roosevelt

Conceive it - Quote of the Day

2009-05-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

"If my head can conceive it and my heart can believe it then I can achieve it"

Quote of the Day

2009-04-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

You'll never get ahead just by being really good at what you already do. Top management will look at you and say, "Hmmm, okay, just keep doing it"

Michelle Peluso, Age 34
CEO, Travelocity

Resume Content : What to include

2009-04-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Ingredients of a Resume:

There is no magic recipe for an effective resume. Just a few basic ingredients and you'll have a document worth presenting to an employer.

You do not have to spend tons of money to end up with a presentable and professional resume that will serve the purpose.

Career changers and those job-seekers with varied work experiences and accomplishments may want to utilize a functional resume style (we'll cover that tomorrow in part II).

A basic type of resume that will suit both entry level and career seekers without an extensively long list of jobs is known as a chronological resume. Here are the key elements:

Name and contact details:

This will be the information by which employers or recruiters will reach you. Keep this up to date at all times.

Include your name, address, phone number(s), and e-mail address.

Ensure that if you include a phone number you want that phone number used (ie. a work number is not always well advised). Also, people often change cell numbers or don't keep their cells on. It is preferable to offer a home and cell if possible. Keep your email addresses professional - some emails may be funny to friends but would lift an employer's eyebrow on a resume (I could share some "funny" email addresses that weren't so funny on a resume). Make sure it is appropriate to what you are trying to present. Bold your Name and centre the whole section.

Job Objective
If you choose to include this keep it short and sweet. Come at this with the attitude of what you want to offer as a contribution to the position or the employer's organization.

Key Accomplishments

Think of this section as an executive summary of your resume; identify key accomplishments that will grab the attention of an employer. Do this in bullet points if at all possible. An extremely long paragraph summarizing everyting will lose the impact of important accomplishments.

Education and Experience:

You can choose to do these two sections next, in either order. If you only have a small amount of experience because your a new grad you'll want to start with education. If you have 2 or more years of related experience start with experience first and follow with education.

Education
The education section will include include school(s) attended (including years of attendance), majors, degrees, and honors and awards received. If your degree happens to be from a country outside where you are applying include and equivalency testing results that you have received from authorities within the country where the job is located. Make sure your dates and facts are correct as this is often part of the fact checking when an offer is being considered. You should expect that an employer will ask for evidence of education presented on your resume.

Include additional designations and certificates that you have completed in the education section. If you do have an additional designation go ahead and use it after your name in the contact information area. This makes your qualifications easier to identify right off the top.

Employment Experience

This section should include company name, your job title, dates of employment, and major accomplishments. List experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most current experience (just a little tip, don't go backwards it will confuse everyone! Trust me). A helpful addition that I particularly like is a one sentence description of the company's product or service. If I'm looking for someone with a food background but I don't know that's what ABC company does because it is not apparent in their name this will help you get it across.

List your responsibilities and accomplishments in bullet format (rather than paragraph format).
Use action words/verbs when describing your accomplishments.

Affiliations/Interests

You can include this if you want. It isn't required.

References
"References will be made available upon request" - (This will conclude your resume)

Sail, not drift

2009-04-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

To reach a port, we must sail-
Sail, not tie at anchor-
Sail, not drift.

Franklin Roosevelt

The Science of Success

2009-04-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result.
- Oscar Wilde

The Ladder of Success

2009-04-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

The Ladder of success doesn't care who climbs it.
- Attributed to Frank Tyger

Quote of the Day

2009-04-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.
Galileo

The Millionaire in the Mirror - Book review

2009-04-13T13:21:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for a good book on career success I'd recommend The Millionaire in the Mirror: How to Find Your Passion and Make a Fortune Doing It - Without quitting Your Day Job written by Gene Bedell (2008).

The author is a career coach and business success story who looks at success strategies for people who are looking for career fulfillment. He gives suggestions on how to get your career under control, on track, and reinvigorated. It is a interesting read and a couple of chapters that were really relevant in today's workplace were "Getting Unstuck" and "Maximizing your Value". He talks about strategy to achieve career success within a traditional career path. Nothing he suggests is too drastic or unachievable for regular people currently in the workforce.

Overall a thought provoking read with some usefull career tips.

Quote of the day

2009-04-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

Our quote of the day comes to us thanks to one of our associates who used this quote in his email tag line.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Confucius

Great quote - Thanks!!

Writing a Resume

2009-04-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Resume Writing 101

Perhaps you've been out of the job market for a while and need a resume, or feel that the resume you've been using isn't getting the results that you want. It may be time to update your resume or even start from scratch. There are a few different way that you can go about producing a resume.

1. Write Your Own:

Find a book on resume writing and a word editing program (Microsoft word for example) and a friend or family member (or two) who is willing to proofread what you have written. You can use the online templates on Word and suggestions from the book to put together something that looks professional. Just make sure that you have someone proofread your finished product to make sure it does look professional (no typos, grammatical or spelling errors) A good resume guide is Knock 'em Dead Resumes: Features the Latest Information on: Online Postings, Email Techniques, and Follow-up Strategies (Resumes That Knock 'em Dead)

2. Use a Resume Writing Software Package:

Check out your local office supply store or online bookstore. They will have off the shelf resume writing software such as Resume Maker.

3. Use A Resume Writing Service:

If you don't feel you can produce a resume that is as creative and unique as you would like using templates or off the shelf software you might want to use a resume writing service.

This will require some research to make sure that you are getting what you are paying for.

Check out the website first and make sure you can review samples. Also make note of the the written copy on the website. I have come across sites that are actually using broken English - this is not how you want your resume to turn out.
Check the price. If it is extremely low you are not going to be getting one on one attention and, more than likely, they are just using the same template you could have gotten for free.
Check their credentials. The resume writing firm should have some credentials. The most common one is the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) designation that indicates they have passed certain required standards.
Look at their samples. If you don’t like their samples, you surely won’t like their work. Look to see if they are focusing on your specific skills and accomplishments as opposed to just listing job duties. Ideally there will be a questionnaire and a phone interview.
Do they offer a guarantee? Is there some seal of approval? Look for the BBB Online Reliability seal that shows they are a safe and reliable site.

Daily Quote

2009-04-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote of the day

2009-04-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply.Willing is not enough; we must do."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Quote of the day

2009-04-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."

Confucius

Interviews - Body Language

2009-04-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

What is your Body language saying during an Interview?

Here's a good clip from "The Early Show" that gives some information on body language during an interview. It's only a couple minutes in length but contains some useful information.

The body language expert Joe Navarro offers tips to Harry Smith on how people perceive job seekers in an interview. They watch real people in job interviews and talk about what they are doing that is right or wrong with their body language.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4894241n

Quote of the day

2009-04-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

"Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking."

William B. Sprague

Knowledge is Power - Preparing for an interview

2009-03-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

Knowledge is Power

One of the best ways to come out ahead of the competition in an interview is to make sure you have done your homework on the potential employer. This makes a great impression, shows that you take initiative, and will also make the employer feel you value what they have to offer. If it comes down to you and another candidate with a similar background this could be the element that tips the scale in your favour.

Here are some sources for company information:

Corporate website - Always make this your first stop. Check out the about us, our history, or about our product tabs usually located at the top of the homepage.

Company Directories - these can be found in the reference area at the library or online. These will normally give you information on number of employees, product, locations and annual sales numbers.

Company News - Look to the news media for information that is additional and separate from corporately released information. Just do a google search putting in the company name AND news AND the current year and the search should give you some results about what is new. If the company and employees are involved in supporting charity events you would find out about it here. If there are negative news stories you'll find them this way as well. If it is a smaller private company searching the local newspaper would yield information that might not be available any where else.

Industry Journals - If you are focusing on a particular industry it would be good to have an idea of who the competition is and where they are located. You'll find information about the industry as a whole in an industry journal. News and trends within the industry will be helpful knowledge during an interview.

Preparing for an Interview

2009-03-27T16:39:00.000-07:00

Preparing for an Interview

If you haven't interviewed in a while you will want to spend a little extra time preparing. Here are some good guidelines to follow if you are feeling a little rusty at the interview game:

Ensure that you have one drycleaned suit ready to be worn at all times
Check shoes and other accessories to make sure they are clean and polished
Try on your clothes if you haven't worn them in a while to make sure they are in good repair
Make sure you nails, hair and makeup look professional.
Research the company. Have a look at their website and google them to see what's new at the company. Familiarize yourself with the product that they manufacture or sell.
Look up possible interview questions, and find out if there are any tests that you will be taking and practice. Have a friend ask you potential questions and give some thought to behavioural questions that could come up.
Prepare appropriate questions to ask at the end of the interview.
Do a mapquest a few days in advance to ensure you know how to get to the interview and and how long it will take. Leave enough time so that unexpected traffic will not cause you to be late or stressed at the interview.

Job Market Stimulus

2009-03-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

Economic Stimulus Package: What will it do to the Job Market?

We've all seen allot of news on the economic stimulus packages that are being put together by the Canadian and U.S. government. With so many people facing uncertainty in the job market, the actual impact is of great interest to job searchers and people trying to manage their career during the turbulent economy.

News media and political rhetoric aside, what can you expect the "real" outcome to be? Here are some of the intentions of the packages:

Widespread growth amongst business sectors:
Jared Bernstein and Christina Romer are the U.S. economists who came up with and estimate that 3 to 4 million jobs that would be created or maintained by the U.S. stimulus. Their report on economic stimulus said:

"Certain industries, such as construction and manufacturing, are likely to experience particularly strong job growth under a recovery package that includes an emphasis on infrastructure, energy, and school repair. But, the more general stimulative measures, such as a middle class tax cut and fiscal relief to the states, as well as the feedback effects of greater employment in key industries, mean that jobs are likely to be created in all sectors of the economy."

the idea behind the stimulus in all sectors is the infrastructure and health care jobs (ie. the government created jobs) will have a trickle down effect. The construction workers and health care workers will go out to spend, the businesses etc. that are catering to these workers will have more money and in turn they will hire and spend. By their calculations a 1 percent jump in GDP would correspond to a 1 million jobs jump in employment. The principle is the jobs created in the public sector will multiple and create many more jobs in the private sector.

Relief for the Unemployed:
The stimulus will extend unemployment benefits and boost benefit payments. It also offers a tax deduction. Again the same trickle down effect is intended, as the unemployment is spent it is pumped right back into the economy. The sooner people start spending again the sooner the whole economy will get healthy. Consumer spending is key to getting company revenues up and retaining jobs.

The economists expect it to take two years for the stimulus to fully work its way through the economy. No one can fully predict what the outcome will be, however the stimulus can't do anything until the words become action. The planning stage appears to be over, now it's time to put the money in and see what happens. If the economists are right we should see the job market start to turn around as soon as the money starts to get into the system. The Bottom line is the economy really needs less talk and more action.

Interviews/Networking - Food For Thought

2009-03-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

"No man ever listened himself out of a job"

- Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States

Aptitude Tests

2009-03-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Aptitude Tests: What are they all about?

Many employers use aptitude tests to see where a candidate's potential strengths lie and to discover if the position they are hiring for is a good fit for the applicant. Another use for aptitude tests are to help career searchers discover their own strengths and interests so that they can target the right career path.

I have been looking for a good free online aptitude test - I am certain there is one out there but today's web search was a bit disappointing.

I was able to find one that appeared to be "free" and promised to be quite detailed and thorough. The website was very professional looking, however I once I attempted to test it out to see if it was worth recommending, I decided it definitely wasn't.

There was a hidden catch of having to provide extensive personal information in order that the company could give (read sell) your information for marketing purposes. As soon as the "mandatory" information of birth date came up that was where I decided, as good as the ultimate product and resulting assessment might be, I wasn't about to use a product that required that much personal information just to use it. I personally wouldn't recommend using anything online that requires you to give your birth date or other highly personal information.

So I looked up some books, as an alternate low cost option, that will give you a chance to research your career aptitude on your own without risking your identity online. You could probably find them at the library but if you want to take the tests directly in the book it's probably better to invest in your own copy.

Test Your Own Job Aptitude: Exploring Your Career Potential, Revised Edition by Jim Barrett and Geoff Williams
Career Aptitude and Selection Tests by Jim Barrett
Discover What Your Best At by Linda Gale

Happy Testing!

Keep on Walking - How Long will it take to find a job?

2009-03-25T08:16:00.001-07:00

" If we are facing the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking."
- Ancient Buddhist Proverb

There's an adage in the search industry that says a job search takes one month for every $10,000 in compensation. While there is some evidence that a higher compensation search might take a bit longer – or at least require a bit more effort – than a lower comp search. If you earn $190K, should you expect it to take nineteen months to find a job? The answer to that can be greatly influenced by how you approach your job search.

For instance take a different task that requires some effort. How long will it take you to shovel the snow off your driveway - no, it's March, so let's be a bit more optimistic - how long will it take to fill a backyard swimming pool with water? It will go allot faster if you use more than one water source and a hose with greater capacity (or a snow blower instead of a shovel for those of you not yet fully out of winter mode). Wouldn't you opt for the more effective method of filling a swimming pool or clearing your driveway? Both of these tasks will also happen more quickly if you don't stop for a hot cocoa (or cold beer on the pool deck).

My point being that the effort you put in to the search will be the essential ingredient to reducing the length of your search. In addition, what tools you use to increase your effectiveness are also extremely important.

Have a look at your average weekly activity. How many resumes are you sending out a week? More importantly how many TARGETED resumes are you sending out each week? If you aren't targeting your resumes to the position it's going to decrease your success. Targeting the resume with move you up to the increased efficiency of a snow blower as opposed to the old-fashioned snow shovel.

It may be a tough market but that will require you to put additional thought into your applications. The old quality over quantity. Where and with whom are you posting your resume? Look closely at your niche and target those job boards and recruiters who are looking for your specific skill set. For example, a recruiter that you have worked with in the past with success would be a good place to start. A google search for your profession with keywords for your geographical area should give you a good idea of who is looking for people with your specific background.

When you do decide to send in the resume make it easy for the recruiter or hiring manager to identify why you are the best fit. It sounds simple, but reading the job description and matching yourself to it is really essential. You would be surprised by the number of people do not make the attempt to apply to a job that matches their qualifications. It will take longer if you are applying to position that are not a match to your experience and qualifications. You wouldn't try to shovel snow with a rake!

I would recommend doing some homework on how to make your efforts effective and efficient. There are good free Internet resources and some excellent books available on job search. The time you spend researching and applying the right tools and venues will save you time and effort.

Making the appropriate targeted efforts will shorten the search and make you the exception to the one month to 10K rule. Getting yourself facing the right direction is the first step to making all that walking worthwhile.

Career Coward? New Job Search Books

2009-03-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a new source of information on job search here's an entertaining and educational read. This is a new book recently released on career and job search:

Career Coward's Guide to Changing Careers: Sensible Strategies for Overcoming Job Search Fears (Career Coward's Guides) by Katy Piotrowski

This is the second book in the Career Coward's series that promises to help you tackle one of the most intimidating job search situations you might ever encounter: changing careers.

Specifically if your you're unhappy with your current work, or, as is the case more often than we would like in the current economy, maybe you've been laid off in an industry that is losing jobs.
Katy Piotrowski is a career coach walks you through all the basic steps of tansitioning from your current career to a new one that would be more ideal.

It's worth a look!

Thinking outside the Box:Options outside of Canada

2009-03-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting option that might not work for everyone but I wish I would have known about it when I was right out University.

Did you know that if you are a Canadian citizen between the ages of 18 and 35, you can work legally for up to one year in many different countries? Whether it is to gain valuable international work experience or to finally take that trip of a lifetime you’ve always imagined, why not become one of more than 23,000 young Canadians who travel and work abroad each year.

The Government of Canada has a site with all the information about this program. So if you, or someone you know, would be interested this is a great place to find some information on options outside of the usual local jobs for youth.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has apparently negotiated agreements with several countries and has partnered with various organizations to allow Canadians to easily obtain a temporary work permit and gain professional and personal experience abroad.

Food for thought - Quotes

2009-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

I am the architect of myself
- Carl Rodgers

Employment Resources - What Are Your Tax Dollars Doing to Help You?

2009-02-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

Employment Resources - What Are Your Tax Dollars Doing to Help You?

Yesterday I posted a blog entry about the Toronto Public Library and their career and job search help resources. They were kind enough to mention the London Public Library's Digital Library (link on the left side of the homepage) which also offers digital resources. When I was surfing the London Public Library's web page I also found that they have an Employment Resources Centre that has on-site hours of operation for job seekers to use the Internet to search the Job Bank and other job posting sites, fax résumés free of charge to employers anywhere in Canada, e-mail résumés to employers, search daily classified ads, and create cover letters. They recommend that you call ahead to ensure a facilitator is available to help you (contact number is 519-661-4600).

Another site that is a good starting place, and something you may want to add to your favourites is the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities where they have " your one-stop source of information about jobs, job search skills, training, education, and other services for employees and employers" that are offered by the Ontario Government.

I hope these sites help get you started - there are some really good places to get help whether your trying to find a job or continue to grow your career.

Good Employment Resources: Fast and Free

2009-02-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

Good Employment Resources: Fast and Free

I just came across a great resource for job hunters in the Toronto area.

The Toronto Public library has the following service for those of you who have a library card and prefer the convenience of reading up on resumes and cover letters online: Why not download books on resumes, interviewing and careers from the Toronto Public Library website?
Read eBooks about employment interviewing, including technical interviews and Resumes for Dummies.
Get advice on marketing on Facebook and profiting from social networking and more.
Listen to eAudiobooks on employment interviewing. The list of downloadable books includes one about tough interview questions.
I assume other public libraries have similar services - definitely worth a look. It's fast and it's free... who wouldn't like that?

Follow Through - Excel in your search

2009-02-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

"Those who are blessed with the most talent don't necessarily outperform everyone else. It's the people with the follow-through who excel." - Mary Kay Ash

This is a great quote that relates to all the job searchers out there. Perseverance goes a long way. Keep on trying and you will be successful.

Setting Your Career Goals

2009-02-17T06:42:00.001-08:00

Destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.
- William Jennings Bryant

I've been reading "Having it All: Achieving Your Life's Goals and Dreams" by John Assaraf. He talks about the need to set your goals in order to successful. He refers to a study of Harvard alumni ten years after graduation. Apparently, the group with the written goals when they graduated earned three times the income of those who had no written goals at graduation.

This is interesting in its applications to your career. If you clearly set your 1 year and five year goals you will be able to stick to a plan to get where you want to go. However, if you just step into a position and see where it takes you, as many people do, you might end up somewhere you wouldn't necessarily have put on your five year plan. This a good excercise when considering training and education as well. If you want to get somewhere (say a certification or more senior role) and that requires several years of education knowing that and setting a timeline has obvious advantages.

Overall this book is a good motivator. It gives the reader some good tips and exercises towards achieving goals. It's a fairly light read and not a bad way to get your mindset where it should be when planning for your future.

Employment Trends 2009

2009-02-16T05:45:00.000-08:00

Employment Trends: What's Really Happening in the Job Market?

Have you been curious about what the in demand jobs are? Have your asked the question, where should I focus? Would it be worth my while to go back to school? Where do I get current facts?

While aptitude tests and personal assessments have their place in finding out where your strengths are, you don't want to make a leap without knowing whether there is a demand. Before you dedicate your time and energy a little reasearch into trends in the market you are considering is a good idea.

A good resource that you can go directly to is statistics canada website www.statcan.gc.ca. They present key trends in Canada's job market and have stats on many topics that might be of interest. This is a good way to get the facts on what's going on without relying on bias that might be included on news stories using the statistics to state their point. The have a report "The Canadian Labour Market at a Glance" which summarized the findings.

There is also a news feed on the newest Stats Canada findings on the site. One area I found interesting was the "daily" page which includes all the newly released stats each day so that you can see what the most up to date statistics are first hand - before they reach the newspaper.

Dumbing Down a Resume

2009-02-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

Dumbing Down a Resume

There is an interesting article on CBC today asking the question of whether job seekers should dumb down their resume to get work. The premise is that people who are overqualified are not getting hired.

The reason employers are not interested in hiring overqualified employees is that they are afraid the person will become unsatisfied quickly and leave. So, what to do if you really need the job or actually really want the position?

Just like any position I say tailor your resume. Leaving extra information out is not a big deal (obviously adding extra fabricated information is another thing all together and not acceptable). You should be tailoring your resume for every position. So although they are saying "dumbing down" I don't see it that way. If you really want a position then it's up to you to sell what you have that fits the position. As long as you have achieved everything you put on your resume then that would be appropriate.

Changing Careers

2009-02-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
Lao Tzu quotes (Chinese taoist Philosopher, founder of Taoism, wrote "Tao Te Ching" (also "The Book of the Way"). 600 BC-531 BC)

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

2009-02-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

"A journey of a thousand Miles must Begin With a Single Step"

This weekend the associated press published the U.S. job stats from the labour department in Washington and indicated that the number of unemployed workers climbed to 11.6 million in the U.S. With the average time it took for an unemployed person becoming 19.8 weeks compared with 17.5 weeks a year ago.

At first I was really brought down by this news and then I started reading some quotes and realized what should we do with this news? Here's what I came up with:
Work even Harder, and better yet work smarter.

Realize that you have to stay positive and start immediately to search with all the tools you can find. The most important tool is your mental attitude.

Who cares what the news says? There are still opportunities and you can find them.

Keeping your attitude positive can be hard but it will benefit you.

So my tip today would be skip the news and read some motivational material instead because after all, as Lau Tsu wrote, "A Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a single step".

Resume Self Assessment

2009-02-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

Resume Self Assessment:

I just read a recent study that evaluated 200 randomly selected resumes. The sudy was conducted by Graham Management Group’s which is an innovator in the Canadian resume writing industry. The results uncovered some common errors made and own to avoid them.

What are their recommendations to get your resume up to a perfect 10?

Target your resume

31% of all resumes analyzed did not reveal a clear job target. YOu want to attract employers. It is essential to show that you want this job not just any job!

Sell your Skills

Present yourself in the best light “Why should we pick you instead of other qualified candidates?” 97% of resumes that we looked at did not have a targeted proposal at all.

Incorporate results (numbers talk)

86% of resumes did not include any.

Check your spelling and grammar

81.5% of the resumes had spelling and grammatical errors. Come on people! Computer spell check, computer grammer check and have a live person look it over in case the spell checks missed something.

Design

83% — that’s 166 out of 200 — were nearly identical. Personally this one doesn't bother me - I'd rather have everyone use the same good template than trying to reinvent the wheel. Spend your time on content and acccuracy. Although some resume experts including the surveyors think being unique is better I'm not all that convinced.

Cover Letters- Are they really required?

2009-02-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

Cover Letters - Are they really required?

Whenever you submit a resume you know that the person receiving it will likely be seeing MANY resumes for the same position. Avoid the tempation to skip the cover letter.

You will be using the Cover letter to make an impact. Just make sure it's the impact you are hoping for. I once received a cover letter that was single spaced and four pages long - trust me this isn't the desired impact.

If the employer asks for a cover letter make sure you include one. If the employer doesn't specify that they require one it's still good etiquette to include it.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

- Look up the accurate name and address of the organization.

- Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.

- Keep it brief. You really shouldn't need more than two paragraphs.

- Make it easy on the eyes. Ensure that there is "white space" on the page.

- Tell the employer why you are good for the job. This is your chance to highlight how you fit. Imagine you are sitting behind them an pointing to your resume to show them what is important about you and how you are perfect for the job. Think of your cover letter as a yellow highlighter.

- Use an interested and enthusiastic tone.

- Thank the employer for their consideration.

If you are submitting your resume by email attachment the body of your email can be your cover letter. Use the same format as a formal cover letter. If something is specific to the position (an advanced degree or certification)and you possess it you can bold the font (use sparingly) as well.

Good News

2009-02-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Good News: Anybody out there Need Some Good News?

I don't know about you, but everytime I am on the news channels or online news pages I am getting so bombarded by bad news that I sometimes have to take a "news hiatus". I was searching around for some positive stories and found a Good News blog.

How refreshing a place to find some positive informative news. This confirms my belief that every single story out there is not doom and gloom.

When you are looking for a job, especially during challenging economic times, you have to stay positive. Your attitude matters, and it really matters when your are trying to present yourself in an interview! So, here's some positive news for all you job searchers - you can link to it on my blog list!

Books for Job Hunters

2009-02-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Good Books for Job Hunters

Where do I start? A great place is at the library or bookstore - a bit low tech in today's age of online resources and tools but still a fantastic place to get your feet wet.

Here is one job-hunting classic to get you started:

What Color is Your Parachute: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters & Career-Changers, by Richard Nelson Bolles (Ten Speed).

What Color is Your Parachute is the best selling job-hunting book ever. It offers tried and true career advice, is updated every year, and would be worth keeping in your personal reference library. Truly a classic.

Of course there are a plethora of good job search books out there, but this is a good starting place and worth the money.

WHERE DO I START? - Looking for a Job

2009-02-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

Where do I Start?

I often have people ask me where should they start their job search.

My usual first advice is online. This is by far the most efficient and effective way to find out what jobs are out there.

The first places to look would be on local job boards in your area. For example, we have a job board locally that caters to just local employer/job hunters called knighthunter. The other national job boards that are the biggies, and worth having a look at, are Monster.ca and Workopolis.com.

Job aggregates are great as well. Indeed.com (or Indeed.ca for Canadians) has an aggregate that includes corporate and agency positions and Eluta.com is a fantastic place to start as well. It is super easy to use and aggregates all the corporate websites that are advertizing positions.

There are tons of resources on line but these are all good starting places with good quality content.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW - Improve your odds

2009-02-03T06:51:00.000-08:00

Post Interview Follow Up

When you are in an interview make sure you ask for the business card of the people that are representing the company at the meeting. You will need the email addresses in order to write a thank you email. This actually is a great way to improve your odds and make you stand out above the competition. Here's a little blurb from an article about the subject of post interview thank-you's.

It Pays to Remember Your Manners...
Job seekers appear to be missing out on a prime opportunity by neglecting to thank their interviewers. More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of 100 Canadian executives polled said sending a thank you note following an interview can improve a candidate's chances. But, they estimate that only one in five (20 per cent) actually does so. These numbers are down slightly from five years ago, when 79 per cent of executives thought it influential to send thanks and 23 per cent of applicants took the time to thank their interviewer.
Source: Canadian HR Reporter September 2007

RESUME TIPS

2009-02-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

RESUME WRITING TIPS

Where to Start? Every job search should start with a well Written resume. Here is an article that will give you some ideas and suggestions to get you started.

Jim Price was looking for a new position after nine years with one employer. It seemed likely that his employer was going to merge with another company in the same field, and due to the overlap in job function Jim suspected there would be extensive cuts to his department. Not wanting to be left unprepared for the upcoming changes, he started to research the job market and trying to find out what else was available in his area of expertise.

Jim found several potential employers where he could apply. But before he could make an application he needed to supply a resume. As Jim had been with one employer for quite sometime he needed to prepare a completely new resume as the resume he used to attain his current employment was desperately out of date.

He began to search the web and also picked up some current books to help him with this seemingly daunting task. Here are some of the tips he discovered and used to produce an impressive resume:

Presentation:Your aim is to look professional. Do not use graphics, unusual colours of paper or ink. Stick to neutral ivory, white or grey paper (you'll be emailing it more often than not anyway) with a clear font such as Times Roman, Arial or Sans Serif. Boxes or lines can be used sparingly to separate areas within the resume.

Format:

Do not cram too much information on the page. The individual selecting potential candidates may have reviewed many resumes, leaving enough white space allows the important information to be clear and noticeable on the initial scan of your resume.
If providing a hard copy of your resume ensure that the printer you are using is good quality. If using an email version use a standard current program that can be opened readily, such as Word.
Use a font size of 10 or 12. Do not try and fit more information on the page by decreasing the font size. You will make the reviewer want to stop reading if they are getting eye strain.
Keep the paragraphs short and to the point. Use Bold font to highlight headings of categories. Use bullets to offset individual points.
Think about your format from a reviewer’s standpoint. Make it easy on the eyes so that the most important information gets across.
Important Technicalities (spelling and grammar):Pay attention to your spelling and grammar. Use spell check and grammar check, proofread it yourself and then have it proofread by several other people. A resume with spelling and grammar errors will stop you from getting an interview. The resume is an introduction of you and your work; you do not want to make a bad first impression.

Content: When listing your former positions include the information the reviewer needs - and don't sell yourself short. You know how big your former employers were and what they produced, but don't assume the reviewer does. You should name the company, location, years worked with the company, the size and what the company did. Following that, describe the responsibilities of the role and finally highlight important achievements (use figures, percentages, quantifiable results) that you had while in that position.You do not have to list all the jobs that you have held. Go back only to the most recent and relevant positions. You do not have to list jobs that were held fifteen or twenty years ago, especially if they have no relevance to the position at hand.

Focus:Begin the resume with a brief summary of who you are as a professional.

Selling:Don't be lazy about your selling your accomplishments. Just listing your function will not let the reviewer know why you are the best at what you do. You will need to distinguish yourself by drilling down to what you have done to make yourself marketable in your field. Say what you did and how you did it well. Think about your past roles and challenges in a results oriented fashion. Prove that you did it well by listing the results. For example:

Managed and directed a staff of 25 to increase sales at the location by 200%, resulting in a growth of 10 million from the 1st to third quarter.
Launched a new marketing program in the Mid West Market accounting for a 142% increase in new orders within the target market.
Launched a new Workplace Health and Safety Program and weekly staff meetings reducing the Workplace injuries by 22% within the first year of the program.
Once Jim was able to use his new resume to submit himself for positions he was able to start a new, higher paying position, just weeks before job cut-backs were announced at his former employer. The proactive approach and little bit of extra work he put into preparing an excellent resume paid off.

When preparing your resume ensure that you use a current resource book. A good place to start for ideas and sample formats is:

There is Resume Magic--Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer by Susan Britton Whitcomb (JIST Works). For executive-level ideas, Wendy Enelow's Best Resumes for $100,000+ Jobs (Impact Publications) or Donald Asher's Bible of Executive Resumes (Ten Speed Press) are both outstanding.

Interview Tips - How to answer "Do you have any questions?"

2009-02-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

Do you have any Questions? Preparing the Right Answer

You will be given an opportunity to ask questions during your interview. If you give it some thought before the interview you will be better prepared to ask well informed, intelligent questions.

You can utilize this as a golden opportunity to make a good impression and save yourself the regret of knowing what you should have asked – after your chance has passed.

During the research phase of your preparation keep a notepad handy to write down questions specific to the organization and their product or service. Getting interested in what the company does and how they have gotten to where they are is a great way to be an engaged candidate. There is no better way to show that you care about the company and your potential role within the organization than through thoughtful informed questions.

Here are some samples to get you thinking about possible questions:
· What are some of the characteristics of your top performers in this position?
· Where do you see the company going in the next 5 years?
· What/who are the major competitors in your market?
· Could you describe a typical month in this position?
· What would be the key indicators of success for someone in this position?
· What are the main qualities you would like to see in the successful applicant?

At the end of the interview you would take the opportunity to ask what the next step is.
A “closing question” you can ask the interviewer is how they see you fitting into the organization.
Depending on the type of position for which you are interviewing, the “closing question” could actually be part of the expectation for the role. If you are interviewing for a sales job it is highly recommended that you ensure you include the closing question; this is a skill that a salesperson would be expected to possess. This will also help you find out if the interviewer has any concerns and give you a change to address them. If the position really interests you coming up with questions should be easy. You will be able to tailor your questions to the job without trouble – however doing it on the spot can be a challenge for anyone. Prepare ahead so you shine when your interviewer turns the table and lets you ask the questions.

Phone Interviews - How To Prepare

2009-02-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

Phone Interviews: How to Get Prepared

Sometimes a face to face job interview will require some travel due to the location of the job. When this situation arises many employers will prefer an initial phone interview prior to requesting an on site interview. This saves both the candidate and the company time and travel expense if you realize that this position is not going to be the right match. It also gives you an excellent opportunity to sell your skills and abilities and land the face to face interview.
If this is an opportunity that you would like to pursue you do not want to underestimate the importance of the phone interview. It will be the stepping stone to get you to the next stage. Just because it is on the phone does not mean it is informal and you don’t need to prepare. The opposite holds true it can be more challenging and also a great opportunity. If you prepare better than other candidates it will be you who ends up at the next interview.
Setting up the phone interview is important. Work with the recruitment consultant to arrange a time and date when you and the employer can be available and make sure you have all the details.
Ensure that you are in a private, quiet location with no distractions
Avoid the use of cell phones. The reception on cell phones can be unreliable. You may not realize that the interviewer can not hear you properly, and you do not want to be asking them to repeat questions. Find a land line if at all possible.
Call in at the arranged time. As with a face to face interview, be punctual.
Research the company and position before the call and ensure you have your notes as well as your resume in front of you. Ensure you have a pen handy and a piece of paper as you can make any notes for questions you might have for the end of the interview.
Another thing you should have in front of your is a calendar. The employer may want to set up the second interview and you will want to have your schedule and available dates at your fingertips.
Phone interviews can be challenging because you do not have a face to face connection with the person asking you the questions. You will need to rely on your voice and ability to communicate effectively to succeed in this format. Some pointers that will help your presentation:
Smile. As corny as that sounds a smile comes through in your voice. This will help make a positive impression.
Pronunciate. Make sure you are speaking clearly and loudly. A quiet talker who mumbles is not going to make a good impression even if the answers are satisfactory.
If you find you present better when you stand up go ahead and stand while you talk.
Turn off any distracting electronics such as televisions or radios. You will need to give your full attention to the interviewer.
Give the interviewer your undivided attention and pay attention to your tone at all times. A positive clear speaking voice will be your most important asset.

If you present yourself as well prepared and articulate you will be one step closer to a face to face interview.