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5 New Year’s Resolutions to Boost your Job Search

Text "2020. New year, new job"

A new year means new opportunities and chance for job seekers to rethink their job search process. As the old saying goes, if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you are going to get what you always got. So before you ring in 2020, take the time to review your job search strategies and set some new goals.

Consider these resolutions to boost your job search:

1) Update your resume

A resume that appears outdated or incompatible with today’s technology may give an employer the impression that you might not be ready for a new job. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) require that resumes are formatted to be processed and selected by a computer before ever being read by a HR. This means that a poorly formatted resume will not be selected, regardless of how qualified the applicant is.

Keywords are vital to getting your resume noticed. Update your profile summary and work history using keywords used by employers in their job postings. This will increase your chances of getting your resume past an Applicant Tracking System and into the hands of the hiring manager.

Tip: To make sure that your resume matches the keywords being used, try an online tool such as WriteWords or Jobscan to compare your resume with job postings.

Even a resume optimized for ATS should still be to be easy to read and pleasant to look at. When formatting your resume, pay attentions to things like punctuation/bullet points, fonts, and alignment. Print out resume and look through it. You can also ask for feedback from potential employers or network contacts.

Tip: For additional help with your resume, sign up for our free Resume Clinic email course or check out our Workshop Calendar for in-person resume writing classes.

2) Improve your online presence

Over 80 percent of employers use social media to screen candidates before hiring. Your social media presence can directly influence your employment prospects, and can impact on whether employers will find you, and whether they will consider you a good match to the job and the company when they do come across you in their search for candidates.

As a job seeker, you want to make sure that you are easily found online and that employers will be suitably impressed with what they see. A well-written LinkedIn profile will allow you to showcase your skills and make a professional impression.

Tip: Check your privacy settings. Make sure the content on your Facebook or other social media accounts is private and can only be viewed by your friends. Also, you may want to conduct a search of yourself online to see what employers might find. Don’t just look for web results, check the images as well.

3) Update your skills

Keeping your skills up-to-date is vital to every job seeker. Whether you are a newcomer to Canada, recently lost your job, a mature worker, trying to overcome a gap in your resume, or changing careers, enhancing your skills is a worthwhile investment of your time.

Listing courses completed in 2019 (or even better, 2020) on your resume will reassure employers that despite being unemployed, you are still ready to hit the ground running at your next job. You may want to brush up on your programming or computer knowledge, language skills, management or any number of other skills that could improve your employability. Don’t forget to add your newly acquired skills and experience to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Tip: Check out our top 5 resources for quality training courses in Toronto.

4) Expand your network

You’ve heard it before; finding work is not only about what you know, but who you know. You already have a network of former colleagues, acquaintances and friends. Put them to work for you and leverage your network to get job referrals. The holiday season is a great time to reconnect with old contacts. If you can, meet with people in person; ask questions, get guidance, and make sure they know that you are looking for a new opportunity.

Tip: Start with LinkedIn. See who you know and who you would like to get to know better. Ask questions using LinkedIn’s Messaging tool and approach the more responsive contacts for an information interview.

5) Boost your job search strategy

It is important to examine how you look for job opportunities, companies you have applied to, and the responses you are getting. Develop a job search plan complete with weekly goals to keep you on track.

Goals can include:

  • Write a list of the top 10 companies that you want to work for and where they post their jobs
  • Set up alerts on sites such as Indeed so that you are notified when suitable jobs come up
  • Make sure the employers and recruiters you have had contact with have your newly updated recent resume
  • Create your job search “elevator pitch”

Tip: When you follow a company on LinkedIn, you will get notified when those companies post new job opportunities. If you see a job that you’re interested in, it is easy to apply for it on LinkedIn’s Jobs tab or the company’s LinkedIn page.

2020 might be the year you land the job you have always wanted. Keep these five resolutions and watch it happen.

For more personalized help with your job search, contact JVS Toronto or visit one of our nine locations across Toronto and York Region.

Happy new year from all of us at JVS Toronto!

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Should You Look for Work Over the Holidays?

Santa hat hanging on laptop displaying the message "We are hiring"

The snow is falling, festive music is playing, and people everywhere are talking about their travel and party plans. It’s December and the holiday season has officially begun! For job seekers, the thought of taking some time off during the holidays is hard to resist. But before you shut down your computer and set aside your job search for December, our employment experts have a few insights you should consider. 

Tips for Job Searching over the Holiday Season: 

More Networking Opportunities

Employers may be less busy and more relaxed now that they have wrapped up projects for the year which means their schedules are often clearer and they have more time to chat. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to employers and ask for an information interview to learn more about the company and any upcoming job opportunities

The holiday season is also a chance to reconnect with your network. Reach out to existing contacts to wish them happy holidays. It can spark a fresh conversation and remind them that you are searching for work. If you haven’t done so already, ask for a reference.

Tip: This is also a perfect time to thank those people who have been particularly supportive or helpful during your job search. No need to buy gifts –– a personalized greeting message will show your gratitude and help them keep you in mind for next year’s opportunities.

Fewer Job Seekers Means Less Competition

At this very moment, some employers are planning to start the new year off with new hires. And with many job seekers opting to take a holiday break, there will be less competition for those new positions. Applying early, just as new positions are posted, might give you a big advantage –– hiring managers will take notice of an enthusiastic job seeker applying when most are not. So get those cover letters ready!

The Year-End Wrap-Up

While some companies are planning next year’s job openings, others are will want to wrap-up their hiring before the year-end. Now is a good time to follow-up on past interviews where a decision has not yet been made. Don’t go into the new year thinking what if…  Find out now and start January with a clean slate.

Your Own Wish List
Use this time of year to consider your options and do what serves you best. If you need a break, take it — without guilt or doubt. After all, everyone needs a chance to relax sometimes, and you can come back to your job search in January rested and reinvigorated. If you do decide to extend your job search into December, do it knowing it’s a worthwhile endeavour.

Happy holidays from all of us at JVS Toronto!

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Could Failure be the Secret to a Successful Job Search?

Worried guy covering mouth by hand while looking at laptop display and understanding that dangerous virus attacked his computer

Failure isn’t just a bump on the road to success — it can be a prerequisite. A recent study followed professionals over the course of decades and found that those who experienced setbacks early on in their careers were not only successful later, but they were actually more successful than those who had an easier time: “early career setback appears to cause a performance improvement among those who persevere.”

What factors make some successful while others struggle?

Of course, not every failure will automatically lead to success. The study found that simply trying again isn’t going to make you better at the task: “what matters is how people fail, how they respond to failure and where those failures lead.” Trying again only works if you learn from your previous mistakes. Successful people are able to critically review their failures, learn from them, and quickly change their actions accordingly.

The ability to act swiftly was identified as a key predictor of future success. People who wait too long between attempts at a task were less likely to be successful at achieving their goal. The faster you fail and move on, the better your chances of success.

What can job seekers learn from this?

We know that for every job posting, only one candidate will be hired and those who apply and are rejected may experience a sense of failure. Every job seeker knows that the search for employment can be challenging and finding a new job rarely happens quickly. Unfortunately, disappointment is inevitable but there are things you can do to build your resiliency.

Expect to fail.
Don’t expect to find your next job immediately. Recognizing that it is a process that can take time might allow you to bounce back more quickly when setbacks happen. Be prepared to reevaluate and adjust your job search as needed.

Be ready to learn from it.
If you are sending out multiple resumes and not getting responses or are struggling to get past the first interview, ask yourself the following questions:

There are many opportunities to get feedback on your resume, LinkedIn profile, or job search strategy. An organization such as JVS Toronto, which offers a range of job search support, can give you objective and knowledgeable feedback on all aspects of your job search.

You may also consider asking someone in your network — especially professionals in your field — about what you could be doing better or ask an employer for feedback on your performance after an interview. The goal is to be able to reflect on and evaluate your job search. Be open to new ways of doing things and be ready to pivot quickly if you are unsuccessful.  

Don’t take it personally.
An unanswered email or a rejected job application does not reflect your worth as a person or a professional. Think of these setbacks to be stepping stones to better things. Be willing to talk about your struggles openly… even in job interviews. Remember employers want to know more than just your career history. They want to know who you are as a person. Don’t avoid talking about the struggles you might have had. If you can frame it in terms of what you learned from failure and how you adapted, you might be able to make a positive impression.

Remember, failure isn’t just something to overcome. It is actually a necessary step on the road to success. So confidently face your failures, learn from them, and being willing to try a different approach. Practice makes perfect.

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How to Write Emails That Get Noticed

Laptop displaying an enlarged New Email notification

For job seekers, email is still the most popular way to sent a resume for a job opening, ask for an information interview, or network with a potential employer. According to researchers at Carleton University, working people send and receive an average of 111 work-related emails a day. It’s no surprise that job seekers struggle to get their emails noticed amongst the volume of messages in an employers’ inbox.

What can you do to increase the chance that prospective employers read your email?  Here are a few tips from our experts.

Consider each part of your message.

Subject line: Pay attention to what you write in the subject line. It should clearly summarize the main point of the email, such as, Application for Accounting Manager – Jane Smith or, Seeking information about real estate industry. 

Most importantly, Hello is not a helpful subject heading!

Opening: Get to the point quickly. Introduce yourself by telling the reader only what they really need to know such as mentioning who referred you to the employer. Ensure you have an email signature set up to avoid the need to mention your name.  More about that below.

Body: Be clear about why you are writing to the recipient up front. Keep it simple and focused. The reader is much more likely to respond if they know, at a glance, why you’re reaching out to them.

Closing: End with the details of what you are asking for such as dates, deadlines or the next steps.  Make sure the reader knows exactly what’s they need to do.

Sign Off: Your closing line can vary depending on the formality of the email and the relationship between the sender and recipient:

  • Sincerely is formal and used in the business world, especially when communicating with new contacts.
  • Best regards/Regards is less formal and implies that the sender and recipient know each other in a business context.
  • Warm Regards/All the best/Have a good day is less formal, but might still suitable for a more casual/familiar business relationship.

Signature: Create a professional signature for your emails. Include your name, occupation, phone number and a link to your LinkedIn profile or your online portfolio/website, if applicable.

Email Dos and Don’ts.

Do keep the email short.

Focus the key points and convey key information. Each paragraph should be no more than three to five sentences. Don’t make the reader work too hard trying to figure out what you want.

Avoid phrases such as, I am writing this email to inform you that…, or In response to your job posting of January 15th… Use the subject line is for this.

Do keep your resume easy-to-read.

Use italics, bold or highlighting sparingly. It can look messy and not all email applications are set up to read such complex formats.

Do watch your grammar.

Emails may be more conversational than other forms of correspondence, but try to maintain a professional tone. It is acceptable to use contractions such as I’ll, it’ll, we’ll, but avoid common “text” abbreviations such as plz, lol, thx, etc. And don’t use ALL CAPS or excessive exclamation marks!!!!!!

Don’t make jokes.

Jokes are don’t always read as intended. Written correspondence doesn’t convey sarcasm or tone well, so you might be misunderstood and end up looking unprofessional.

Do be polite.

If you are asking for assistance with your job search, remember to be courteous. Here are some terms you can use to make a request in a professional manner:

  • I am writing to request…
  • I wonder if I could…
  • I was wondering if…
  • Would it be possible to…

Remember to say thank you and express your appreciation. Never underestimate the power of gratitude!

Proof read your email before you send it.

Never send an email too hastily. Take time to proofread your message keeping the above tips in mind. Make sure that any relevant documentation is attached to your message before sending.

A well-written email that is thoughtful, spell-checked, and professional can go a long way when presenting yourself to a potential employer.

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Dealing with Age Discrimination

Mature male employee on the job
Flickr: Scott Lewis

With unemployment levels at a “40-year low” in Canada, employers are under increasing pressure to find suitable candidates from a diminishing pool of job seekers. However, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario states that of the discrimination in employment claims received in 2012 to 2013, 15% were for age discrimination.

What does age discrimination look like?

The Human Rights Code safeguards against discrimination in employment noting that,

“Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.”

Discrimination in employment can occur at any time during the employee-employer relationship.   During the recruitment process, for example, age discrimination could occur through the tools used during recruitment. Jobs advertisements posted on social media targeting a specific age demographic – the topic of this CBC article –potentially violate Canadian Human Rights laws.  The article explains that the wording in advertisements do not mention age but the digital settings target who sees them.  This could eliminate the mature worker age range.

According to this New York Times article, recruitment practices affect a wide-range of ages, sometimes discriminating against job seekers in their 40s and 50s. The article reports that older job seekers receive fewer responses to their applications, especially when applying to positions such as janitors, administrative assistants, and retail sales clerks. Notably, there are more women in many of these roles and research reveals that older women experience discrimination at an even higher rate than older men do.

Once an older worker has lost their job, getting back into the job market can be very challenging. Interviewers can be much younger and may see older candidates as lacking in technical skills and ability to adapt to the culture of today’s companies.

Mature job seekers have received feedback that they are overqualified, not a cultural fit for the company, or that their experience commands a higher rate of pay than the company can afford.

So what can the more seasoned job seeker do?

It is important to remember that older workers are often hired. The key is to focus on your strengths and present yourself as the skilled, sharp, professional expert you are.

Update your Skills

Make sure your skills are up-to-date especially in-demand tech skills. There are many resources offering courses online, such as Lynda.com with courses in software development, business, design, websites and more. The Toronto Public Library is a great place to free Internet access for this type of web-based learning. Be sure to highlight your updated skill set on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Tailor your Resume

Highlight your most important and in-demand skills and experience. It’s not necessary to go back too far. Ten years is the standard length for Employment History. However, if you have impressive experience that goes back further. Consider listing it without the dates under the headline Previous Relevant Experience.

Tip – Describe your experience in your profile summary as “extensive” rather than quantifying it with “X number of years”.

Establish an Online Presence

Make sure your resume is Applicant Tracking System-friendly. (Applicant Tracking Systems are online computer software used by hiring managers to sort resumes.) Use common key words and phrases found in the employer’s job description, keeping the formatting simple, and clean. Then establish a professional up-to-date LinkedIn profile using these tips.

Network, Network, Network

Your extensive work history and professional reputation give you an advantage that younger workers do not have — a network of former colleagues, employers, and clients who know and respect your work. Reach out to them. Take key people out for a cup of coffee and share your journey with them. Ask for tips and leads.

Consider your Career Options

Some older worker take their years of experience and leverage it into a consulting business providing start-up companies with leadership, advice and expertise.

Bottom line:

If you feel that ageism is affecting your job search, you are not alone. The evidence is clear that younger employers do prefer candidates in their own age bracket. However, you have some unique assets. Be sure to leverage and display them proudly. Remember, the employer who eventually hires you will be the one who truly appreciates everything you have to offer.

JVS Toronto

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E: services@jvstoronto.org

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