December 31, 2018 Leave a Comment

5 New Year Resolutions to Help You Find Work in 2019

Image of 2019 with a clock and confetti. Celebrating a New Year.

If your plans for 2019 include a new job, now is a perfect time to prepare a new, carefully-planned job search strategy. While it is true that there are many job seekers out on the hunt for a new job, most of them do not conduct their job search in the best way possible, so your challenge for the new year is to conduct the best possible job search. We put together some useful advice to help improve your search and make sure you get noticed by employers.

Job Search Resolutions:

RESOLUTION #1: I will update my 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A resume that appears outdated or incompatible with today’s technology may give an employer the impression that you might not be ready for a new job. New Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) demand that resumes are formatted to be processed and selected by a computer before ever being read by a hiring professional. A poorly formatted resume might never be picked no matter how qualified you may be.

To help you write the best resume possible, I surveyed the highly experienced employment staff at JVS Toronto, and put together a list of the ultimate tips for writing an excellent resume. It includes tips for layout and format, such as style, bullet points, spelling and punctuation, font, margins and alignment, as well as resume content, language, and grammar.

For those who are struggling with gaps in their employment history, we also put together these tips on overcoming resume gaps.

If you would like to write a resume from scratch, or review your resume in detail, check out our free online resume writing clinic.

RESOLUTION #2: I will improve my online presence

As a job seeker, it is important to ensure that you are easily found online, where potential employers are most likely to look for you. More importantly, employers have to like what they learn about you. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and updated. Updating your skills on LinkedIn will attract the right employers. In addition to LinkedIn, consider using Twitter to gather information, networking and tips.

RESOLUTION #3: I will enhance my skills

In today’s tech-savvy world, the pressure to have up-to-date skills grows. Even if you think your skills are up to par, in 2019 your skills and experience will appear a year old (at least on your resume). Consider it a challenge to engage in an activity which will enable you to add “2019” to your resume.

It might be a course (such as updating your computer skills or CPR certification). Courses can be found at your local community centre, community college (look for the continuing education courses, for part-time options). Another possibility is to volunteer in a meaningful role. If you live in Toronto, there are many opportunities to volunteer; Canada-wide, you will find your local volunteer centre here.

Make sure to add your newly acquired skills and experience your resume and LinkedIn profile.

RESOLUTION #4: I will grow my network

This goes back to that old truth about finding work — it’s not only about what you know, but who you know. You already have a network – put the people you know to work for you and leverage your network to get job referrals. It’s a great time to reconnect with old contacts and make new ones. LinkedIn might be the best way to start the process — see who you know, and figure out who you would like to get to know by asking for an information interview.

Go out and meet with people face-to-face; ask questions, get support and guidance and make sure they know that you are looking for a new opportunity.

RESOLUTION #5: I will find new sources of job information

Many job search sites allow users to set up job alerts, which will send them emails with jobs that match their specific criteria. We have a detailed list of job boards, where you can search by keyword and location, and save an Email Alert or RSS Feed.

In 2018, Google set up a job alert system, which probably offers the broadest coverage of online job opportunities.

2019 could be the year that you secure that job you always wanted. Follow through on these 5 resolutions and watch it happen.

Happy new year from all of us at JVS Toronto!

September 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

Are Cover Letters Really Needed?

Job seekers often tell me that writing a cover letter is the most tedious aspect of the entire job search process. Maybe writing letters just doesn’t come easily for people, because it isn’t something we often do anymore. Even worse, employment professionals such as myself keep telling job seekers to write individualized (non generic) letters, so it takes extra time and effort to prepare one.

But I think it is still needed. First impressions do count. Employers often get a huge number of applications to the jobs they post, so they have to be picky and quick to exclude applicants that haven’t made a proper effort to apply.

As employers sort through applications, they are hoping to find those candidates that appear well qualified, likable and competent enough to be invited for an interview. Cover letters give employers a chance to gather that information and learn more about the personality, writing style, language and grammar of the applicant. A candidate who can show that they have carefully read the job posting, and express how they meet the requirements outlined, is also showing employers how well they pay attention to detail and follow instructions.

How to write an effective cover letter?

A cover letter is a brief, one-page document that accompanies a resume, introduces the candidate, and motivates the employer to read the resume and consider the candidate for a position. It should help employers see how their needs (their described “qualifications” on the posting) are matched by the candidate. In effect, it’s a way of saying to the employer: I have the skills, experience and personality that you are looking for.

You can do that by indicating that you have read the job posting and understand the expectations of the employer:

show your interest and enthusiasm
introduce your resume — identify what parts of your resume are most relevant to the job
show off your excellent writing skills, grammar, and spelling
indicate to the employer that you can and will follow instructions by applying exactly the way the employer requested in the job ad/posting

Cover letters should accompany almost any resume, whether it is in response to a posting, is solicited (i.e. the employer asked you to send them a resume), or even unsolicited (i.e. you are sending the resume to employers, in case they are hiring).

Check your cover letter against this checklist of “do’s” and “don’ts”:

Follow the instructions in the posting, making sure to submit it in time and to the specific person outlined in the advertisement
Keep the letter short, simple and easy to read
Don’t use a generic cover letter; write a unique and personalized letter for each employer
Use a formal tone, but show the level of enthusiasm that is suitable to the type of position to which you are applying
Match the format of the letter to your resume, in terms of the font and “letterhead” (i.e. the format you use for your name and address)
Don’t forget to include the specific job title as identified in the job posting, including any reference numbers provided by the employer
Make sure to mention where you found the job posting
Describe yourself to the employer; reference the specific qualifications requested in the posting; don’t assume that the employer will read your resume unless they find what they need in the cover letter
Before sending it, always check your spelling and grammar very carefully
Don’t depend on spell-check — it will only pick up some errors, not all (it won’t pick up a mistake if it is a real word — for example, it won’t pick up using “form” instead of “from”)

For samples of cover letters, check out some of my favourite websites such as Workbloom, Monster.ca and The Balance — Careers.

It is worth investing time and effort to write a high quality letter which conveys your enthusiasm and shows the employer the exact reasons they should consider you for the position. Capturing the interest of the employer can be a deal breaker — if your cover letter does not impress, the employer will probably not read your resume or call you for an interview, whereas a well-worded, thoughtful letter can go a long way toward helping you get that next great opportunity.

August 20, 2018 2 Comments

A reader asks: How do I re-enter the workforce after a long gap?

Dear Employment Specialist:

14 years ago, I left my job as a Medical Office Administrator to take care of my newborn son with special needs. After years of caring for him, I have finally found him a full time program, where he is happy and stable. Now, for the first time I feel like I can start planning for my own career, but I am really worried how I could do that after being away for so long.

I am really worried about the fourteen year gap in my resume. I did do some volunteering at his school and at a local community program, but until now, I needed to be available all day to go to his school when there were problems.

How do I explain what I have been doing all this time without sharing too much personal information? Do I have to tell employers everything? How do you think they’ll react to my resume? Please help me think through what I need to do to get back to work.

Thank you,

Signed: Returning Mom

____________________________________________________________________

Dear Returning Mom,

It sounds like you have had a busy and demanding fourteen years since the birth of your son. Congratulations for getting to the point where you can now start planning for yourself and your own future.

In terms of the challenges that you face, there are many things that you can do to help employers understand your situation without compromising your privacy too much. Remember – many parents face and successfully overcome the challenges of going back to work after taking time to raise children. It’s a matter of figuring out for yourself what you want to share and how to tell your story in a way with which you are comfortable.

Here are some of the issues to consider:

1. Seek some job search support.

I recommend that you get some professional employment support to help you sort through all the challenges you will face. An agency such as JVS Toronto is well positioned to help you navigate the demands of a job search. Most Canadians will be able to fund publicly funded services such as ours near where they live (such as our partners on the Employment Ontario site).

2. Your resume will need to be updated.

It is better to find a way to explain what happened in the last 14 years, rather than to just leave a gap in the resume. There is always a big debate about whether parents who have taken time off to care for children should tell employers. In my experience, different people deal with it differently and it is important to do what works for you. Some of my clients have decided to simply update their work history on the resume with term “family responsibilities’, coupled with the dates. Some have also added a mention of it in the Profile Summary, as well as in the cover letter, stating something such as “Experienced Medical Office Administrator, with over 10 years’ of working in a busy medical practice. Presently enthusiastically re-entering the workforce after taking time to deal with family responsibilities. Skills include advanced Microsoft Office (…and so on…)”. Note that the time away from work is not the first thing mentioned on the resume – it is simply mentioned in a matter-of-fact, confident way later on. Also, using the work “enthusiastically” is meant to reassure employers that you are not ambivalent about going back to work.

Also, include your volunteer work under the employment section of the resume — it will help to fill the gap. Of course, you should mention that it was volunteer work, in brackets (no need to mention that it was your son’s school that you volunteered at, though – simply name the school and detail what you did there). Don’t forget to include anything else you might have done, including training or courses you might have taken.

Obviously, you do not need to mention your son or his special needs. You simply need to communicate confidently that you chose to take time off work for family and that you are now pleased to return. Remember – there are many more women in the workplace now than ever before – many of them have probably faced similar concerns.

3. Prepare for your interviews.

Write out the script for how you would like to answer the inevitable “what have you been doing for the last 14 years?” question that will arise. Work with an employment professional to find a way to explain what happened without disclosing the information you don’t want to share. Remember that you are not legally obligated to share anything about your personal situation that does not impact on your ability to do the job. Find the wording that makes you comfortable and practice saying it. You will be asked this question often – in job interviews, and when you network; make sure you are comfortable answering the question with confidence.

Put yourself in the employer’s position and think about what concerns they might have about you as a candidate. That will help you prepare what you need to tell an employer about yourself.

Employers concerns might include questions such as:

Are you really ready to return to work?
Can you be relied on to have your childcare arrangements set up, or will you need to take a lot of time off at short notice? (You might want to say something like: “I can assure you that I have made the necessary arrangements, and I don’t expect to have any difficulties coming to work every day”)
Have you got the up-to-date skills needed to do the job? In your case, it may include skills such as updated software knowledge.

Make sure to pre-empt these concerns when you talk about yourself to employers.

To help you update your knowledge about the job market, consider signing up for Google Job Alerts for jobs in your field – start reading through the job postings in your field and learning about what employers are looking for.

4. Network, network, network.

In my experience as an Employment Counsellor, the best way to make these difficult transitions back into the workplace is through networks. Update your LinkedIn profile and start reaching out to former colleagues and employers. Take them out to coffee if you can, and share your enthusiasm about going back to work; ask for advice and tips, as well as ask them to keep an eye out for any job leads they might have.

Consider volunteering with an employer in your sector. Maybe a local hospital or community health centre could use a medical office volunteer. Offer to spend a day per week and make sure to get to know the staff. Show them what you can do, tell them about yourself and make sure they’re looking out for jobs for you, as well.

5. Update your skills.
It may be well worth upgrading your skills through continuing education courses, such as those offered at your local community college, community centre or adult education. Many colleges offer online courses, as well. You might also be able to teach yourself software when you volunteer.

Make sure that employers know that you just updated your CPR or software courses by adding it to your resume and mentioning it in interviews. This will go a long way to reassure employers about your ability and motivation to make the transition back into the workforce.

Best of luck with your next big challenge. I am sure you will find your way back into the world of work.

August 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

Is it Worthwhile to Job Search During the Summer?

Summer is here. The days are long, the city is buzzing with events, and laid back chatter flows from outdoor patios. It’s getting harder to focus on the job search, even more so when employers seem to be posting less jobs and taking longer to reply to applications. It’s tempting to take a break and restart your job search in September. But is that a good idea?

Not necessarily.

One reason to continue job seeking is precisely because job seekers often opt out of the job search in summer: competition for jobs is reduced and you might be able to snag a good opportunities.

Another reason is that jobs do continue to be posted. Some employers simply need to hire regardless of the season. Often hiring is urgent and employers are quick to grab the next available candidate.

Sometimes, employers are even beginning to line up opportunities for the December holidays.

Another advantage of job searching in summer is that employers are often more relaxed and receptive to chatting about what the next year may bring. Use this opportunity to connect with your targeted employers to gather information about the company, upcoming job requirements. and their hiring process. Having this information before jobs are posted gives you an edge over other job seekers. You will know what jobs are coming up, when they are accepting applications, the hiring process, and who is doing the hiring. If you are lucky and resourceful, you may even secure someone on the inside who can pass your resume on for you. People have a little more time to chat and may be open to longer discussions on potential opportunities.

However, you don’t necessarily have to continue job search at the same pace. Everyone needs some time off to relax, regroup, and recharge. Just don’t stop. You may miss out on some great opportunities. So, use this time of year to your advantage. After all, this is your job search and you will get out of it what you put in.

July 9, 2018 2 Comments

Dealing with change and stress in an uncertain world

While some people might claim to enjoy unpredictability, many (probably most) of us find it exhausting, stressful and even overwhelming. The old expression that says that “there are two certainties in life: death and taxes” leaves out the most frequent, unpredictable and arguably most stress-inducing inevitability in life: change. As with death and taxes, the challenge isn’t so much that we will have to face inevitable transitions in our lives, as much as how we deal with them.

Change is a consistent challenge throughout our working lives, whether we are dealing with job loss, making career decisions, looking for work, starting a new job or career, or just dealing with changes in the workplace (a new boss, different duties or a new software program to master). Mostly, when changes happen, most of us somehow find strength and keep going, facing and handling the new challenges. But every now and then, the stress overwhelms and we begin to doubt our ability to face life’s demands and move forward effectively.

The world of work has become an increasingly stressful place, with an increasing number of people working in less secure positions, often for lower pay. Many people are handling multiple responsibilities on the job and are often expected to work long hours, for which they are not always properly paid or recognized. Job search also seems more challenging, with candidates competing with a large number of talented potential hires. Of course, having 24/7 access to news and opinions in social and other media, many of which seem to thrive on drama and gloom, does not help stress either. It is hard to keep a sense of perspective when you are surrounded by negative reports on the economy and job market, inevitably making you feel that you are not competitive enough: too old, too young, insufficiently skilled or experienced, having too much experience, facing discrimination for your ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, country of origin, language, and so many other factors.

Over my 25 years of counselling and coaching people as they face job and career changes, I have discovered that there isn’t one way that works for everyone to handle such stress. If you have ever sought support online, from friends or even professionals, you might have found that even though people have lots of advice, there often isn’t much that applies to you specifically. You might have even started to wonder whether there is something terribly wrong with you, since everyone else seems to be coping better than you. Judging from others’ Facebook updates and what you observe, most people you know seem might seem happier, more confident and satisfied with their lives. The thing is that appearances often hide the truth: no one is coping quite as well as it seems on the surface — everyone has their moments of weakness, terror and doubt, often much more commonly than it appears.

The question, then, is what might work to help you move forward past the stress that comes with life’s changes. Here are some of the more successful techniques that my clients have tried:

Get support.

Reach out for supports from others, whether they are friends or family. Don’t be shy about asking for help from those around you who are willing and able to provide an ear, some support, guidance or even more. Call people up and invite them out for a cup of coffee. Sometimes just the act of sharing your concerns and saying them out loud will give you a new perspective or motivate you to move forward. By reaching out to others, you may be gifting someone with an opportunity to take on a helpful role that they always wanted.

Get advice and help from professionals.

Remember that organisations such as JVS Toronto exist to provide services and expertise that might help you achieve your career or work goals. There are also many online resources that might help you tweak a resume or find a new way of looking for work (subscribe to the JVS Blog for a guide with resume writing and other tips). If stress is beginning to overwhelm you and is affecting your ability to function day-to-day, go see your Doctor — they might have some resources that could help, and could refer you as needed. Some physicians even offer psychotherapy as part of their publicly funded services (such as OHIP in Ontario).

Change things up.

Mark Twain was right when he said that “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got.” Perhaps you need a new routine or a different way of meeting your goals. If job search is your challenge, try volunteering, taking a course to update your skills, or seeking out new strategies to find work. If you’ve been staying home a lot, make an effort to get out – join an interest group, or if you’re not spending enough time focusing on job search, set aside a few times a week to go the library or local resource centre to do some focused work without the distractions of home.

Take care of your physical health.

Consider taking up some simple activities, such as a brisk walk around your neighbourhood with a friend, swimming or joining a class in the local community centre. The benefits of exercise go well beyond simple physical fitness – there is evidence that exercise is an effective way to handle stress or depression, with Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Michael Craig Miller recommending that it’s helpful to even “start with five minutes a day of walking or any activity you enjoy. Soon, five minutes of activity will become 10, and 10 will become 15.”

Give yourself a break.

Your mental health also requires attention; borrow a good book from the library, watch a favourite movie or just allow yourself some “me” time. Don’t do it guiltily, otherwise you won’t reap the relaxation benefits. Think of self-care as part of what you have to do to be able to move forward in your life. Make sure to get enough sleep, which is key for focus and stress management.

As Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are (which is a very good source of advice on handling stress – look for it at your local library) makes an important point: “There are always waves on the water. Sometimes they are big, sometimes they are small, and sometimes they are almost imperceptible. The water’s waves are churned up by the winds, which come and go and vary in direction and intensity, just as do the winds of stress and change in our lives, which stir up the waves in our minds. (…) You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
Simply put: change happens and you can’t always control that; but you can influence how you respond to it.

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