Job Seeker Tips and Tools:

Identifying your unique talents
Develop a great draft resume
Find your best employment match
Writing a job specific resume
Writing a cover letter
Interview skills and techniques
 

Finding a great job – one that’s perfect for who you are and what you love to do – can often feel like a daunting task. One way to face the challenge is to break the process down into smaller, more manageable steps.

1. Identify your unique talents –

Before you start developing your resume, take some time to think about what kind of work environment you would find ideal. Are you a people person? Are you outgoing? Or are you more introverted? Someone who would rather work alone? Do you like a fast-paced environment; thrive on the challenge of multi-tasking? Or would you rather work in a quiet setting? Indoors? Outdoors?

Think about the unique skills and traits, special training and education you are able to offer a prospective employer. Outline your special talents and abilities as well as your work and volunteer experience and then begin the process of drafting your resume. top

2. Develop a great draft resume –

Using a “one size fits all” resume for every position you apply for is unproductive in today’s job market.

Each resume you send or drop off needs to be carefully designed to reflect your talents and abilities in relationship to each job opportunity.

Save time by constructing a draft resume that contains important information such as dates of employment, previous employers, job descriptions, names and contact information of references etc.

You can then use this draft resume to design individualized resumes for each position you apply for.

Your draft resume should include:

• Contact information – This information should appear at the top of your resume. Include your name, address, telephone, e-mail address and, if relevant, your web site address.
• Objective or Summary – One or two sentences which clearly describe what you want and what you want to achieve. Be specific.
• Skills – A brief list of your most relevant skills (keyboarding speed, specialized knowledge or abilities, personal ethics (responsible, outgoing, dependable etc.)
• Education – New graduates can list this information first; otherwise, include it after your Work Experience section.
• Work Experience – List your work experience in reverse chronological order. Include your position title and company name and location as well as the dates of employment. Briefly describe the work that you did using action words (such as “Promoted …”, “Initiated …”, and “Proven ability …”). Emphasize specific skills and achievements.
• Other information – Give professional memberships, specialized training, honors and awards, volunteer experience etc. top

3. Find your “best bet” employment match –

It’s time to start looking!

• Utilize this website to search for all licensed businesses in Chilliwack, and view job openings. Some businesses may not have any jobs posted online, but may still be looking to hire someone.
• Network, network, network. Talk to anyone and everyone about what type of work you are looking for. Follow-up on any leads.
• Try the federal government JobBank, the employment centers in Chilliwack and on-line employment sites.
• Identify which businesses you’d like to work for and phone ahead for an appointment with the Human Resources department or the owner or hiring manager. Ask if there are any openings and if not, ask if you can leave a resume.
• Read the Employment section of the newspaper. top

4. Write a job-specific resume –

Take the draft resume you completed earlier in your employment search. It’s time to start crafting a resume which showcases your talents and abilities in relationship to the job you are applying for.

Take a close look at the requirements of the position. Understand what skills and abilities the employer is seeking and how they are described in the job posting or advertisement. Use those key descriptive words or phrases in both your resume and in your cover letter.

Be sure to get some knowledgeable advice on how to best design and the information in your resume as preferred formats do change over time.

As a rule:

• choose one typeface
• avoid italics, underlined words, graphics or shading, especially if you will be faxing your resume
• do not fold or staple your resume
• keep your resume to a maximum of two pages top

5. Now write a job specific cover letter –

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and to summarize your suitability for the position being advertised.

Address the cover letter as directed in the job posting or advertisement. A cover letter should contain your name and contact information, a comment or reference to the position advertised, a paragraph or two about how your skills and abilities match what the employer is looking for and why you want the job.

Close the letter with specific details about what you intend to do next. For example, you could close the letter with “I will call you a week from Thursday to further discuss …”.

6. Follow-up –

If you haven’t heard back from the employer, telephone and confirm they did receive your cover letter and resume. If not, send another copy. top

7. Sharpen your interview skills and techniques –

Only a handful of applicants for each position make it to the interview stage so if you’ve been called for an interview, celebrate your achievement! And then start preparing …

Interview preparation is vital and yet it tends to be the most overlooked aspect of the job hunt process.

Before the interview:

• Research the company. Try to find out about its history and its milestones. Memorize the company’s mission statement.
• Find out who will be doing the interviewing and what their function is within the company. Do a little research to learn more about the interviewer(s) by talking to your contacts within the industry or by checking trade publications. Hooking into common interests (for example, you both support local theatre productions or have an interest in the environment or went to the same school) can help break the ice at the beginning of the interview and create a rapport with the interviewer.
• Research the company’s hiring procedure and ask if you will be required to take any tests.
• Ensure that your references are the best ones for the position for which you are being considered. Make a list of your prospective references and include names, company names, positions and contact information (phone, fax, e-mail). Do not include this information on your resume. Supply this information when requested to do so.
• Meet with each of your best references. Bring a copy of the resume you will use for the interview so they can see how you are marketing yourself. Be clear that their reference is critical to your success in getting the position. Thank them for both meeting with you as well as for being a reference for you.
• Practice! Practice! Practice! In front of a mirror, in front of friends and even in front of a video camera. Get constructive feedback on your composure, your posture, your body language and even how fast you are speaking. Practice your answers to common interview questions. Practice the art of the firm handshake!
• Memorize your stated objective from your resume and be prepared to support it.
• You are almost certain to be asked questions regarding what you perceive as you strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared with answers that relate specifically to the position for which you are being interviewed and work to redefine your weaknesses as strengths. For example, explain that in overcoming a weakness you have learned something, or chose a weakness that could be considered a strength, such as a tendency towards overwork.
• Be especially aware of negative body language. Crossing your arms implies defensiveness; fidgeting suggests nervousness; dropped shoulders could be interpreted as weariness or lethargy.
• Dress appropriately for the job. For instance, don’t wear a business suit to interview for a position as a mechanic; alternately, don’t wear mechanics overalls to interview for a position as an office manager. As a rule, dress conservatively and be well groomed. Don’t wear anything which connects you to a religious or political group.
• Don’t wear perfumes or colognes – many workplaces now have scent-free policies in place in an attempt to improve indoor air quality.
• Make sure you have good directions to the interview location and know how long it will take you to get there from your home. Take money for parking. Consider visiting the location the day before so you are familiar with exactly how to get there and if there are any road delays. You can find detailed driving directions on line MapQuest.ca.
• Consider taking a small briefcase or folder to the interview. This makes it easier to store copies of your resume and written materials from the company. Also carry some pens, pencils and notepaper so you can take notes during your interview if you need to.
• Plan to arrive at the interview location no more than 5 minutes early for your appointment. Don’t be late. But if you are unavoidably delayed, phone ahead and let the interviewers know. Try to reschedule the interview later in the day or later in the week. top

8. The Interview –

• Smile and greet the receptionist politely. Not only is it good business etiquette, the person interviewing may well ask the receptionist what they thought of you.
• Stand up quickly when greeted by the interviewer. Maintain strong eye contact and shake hands firmly. Stay standing until you are invited to sit down.
• Take a couple of copies of your resume. Make sure you read it over just before the interview so you are completely familiar with its contents.
• Ask a few carefully considered questions (normally less than a dozen) about the position, the company, and the industry as well as questions about when the hiring decision will be made. But be aware too many questions (or questions that are clearly inappropriate for the first interview, such as questions about salary or benefits) have the potential of alienating the interviewer(s).
• Don’t speak badly about yourself or about previous employers. Choose your words carefully.
• At the close of the interview, offer a firm handshake and thank the interviewer(s) for the opportunity to speak with them regarding the position. Be sure to maintain strong eye contact and thank each interviewer directly, by name. top

8. After the interview –

• Within a day or two, send an e-mail or letter thanking the interviewer(s) for taking the time to meet with you. This is not only good etiquette but it also reinforces you are interested in the position and your name will stay on the employer’s mind while they are making the hiring decision. Let them know that you look forward to hearing from them again.
• Let your references know you have been interviewed. Fill them in on the company’s name and how you would fit in the position you were interviewed for. Thank them again for their help.

9. Subsequent interviews

Now it the time to ask detailed questions about salary, benefits, conditions of work. Be sure to know the range of compensation for similar work, make your own determination of what you are worth and be prepared to hold your ground. top

10. Success!

Now that you have the position that you’ve worked so hard to get, is there anything else you need to do?

Yes, let your references know that you were successful and thank them again for their help.

And then go celebrate – you deserve it!

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