April 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: How to “decrypt” a job posting

Dear Joanna,

I found my dream job online. It is a job posting for a Sharepoint Developer. The job description is complicated, although I am positive that I meet at least 90 percent of the qualifications. How do I prepare a resume that will stand out and help me to get that interview?

Signed: Stand Out (SO)

Dear SO,

Before submitting your application, the first step in the process is to delve into a deep analysis of the job description. The best advice comes from Michelle Edmunds, founder/job search coach from Focus Industry Inc., and Employment/Outreach Coordinator at Ryerson University’s The Chang School, who recommends the following:

1. Understand the job posting.

Job seekers need to analyze the job description in detail, in order to grasp what the employer is looking for, and to prepare a resume and social media profile that could land them an interview. Read the posting like you would an assignment given to you by your boss. Remember, the more you understand something, the more confident you feel, the better you sound.

2. Break down the role.

Read and analyze the posting beyond just the qualifications and requirements. Highlight key words and responsibilities (especially the ones you are not sure about). Job postings usually tell the applicant what you will be doing in a specific role. If you send a general resume that does not directly address the posting, the employer will not be able to understand how you fit the role.

3. Fierce competition.

Applying for most jobs is like entering into a competition. Job seekers must create an outstanding resume that is customized to the job posting, so the employer who is reading the document feels confident that they could be a match.

You can do this by demonstrating your relevant skills, experience and education (if required) in a clear, articulate way in the “highlights” of the resume. It will be evident to the employer, after a two-second glance at the resume, if there is a potential fit for the position or not.

4. The Match Percentage.

Some counsellors suggest that you need to meet 70 percent of the qualifications; others argue 90 percent. Edmunds suggests that a 90% match isn’t necessarily good thing if you lack 10 percent of the requirements either, because this is impossible to learn quickly or at all.

It all depends on which skills you lack. For example, maybe you match 90% of the skills the posting asks for, but you don’t have the latest software knowledge, this might mean the employer will have to train you, which might not be feasible.

5. Research.

Before considering writing a resume, research the company. Read other job postings on the company’s web site and the “About Us” section, to get a better idea of the company’s work, accomplishments and projects. Research what you don’t know (acronyms, industry terminologies, software).

The bottom line is that you need to keep in mind that you simply cannot produce a customized resume without a full understanding of the job posting.

Joanna

February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Resume Gaps

Dear Joanna,

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and out of the workforce for about 15 years. Now I need a job for financial reasons. Do you have any suggestions as to how to overcome this gap in my work history?

Signed: Returning To Work (RTW)

Dear RTW

Let’s start with your resume. According to JVS Employment Counsellors, if your gap covers two or more calendar years, you need to explain this absence from the workforce.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider volunteer work as relevant experience.

If you volunteered in the community and/or at your kid’s school, this should be included in your resume and social media profiles. This experience is valid and you can add this in your resume under “Professional Experience” or “Experience”. Articulate the skills and qualifications that you learned and acquired in volunteering. For example, I am sure that you have been managing your home and multiple projects (programs) that involved your kids over the past few years. This could be translated into program or project management skills.

2. Volunteering.

It is always a great idea to continue volunteering in a position (if possible) or in an organization that is related to your ultimate job goal. This is a great way to keep your resume and experience fresh as well as build your professional network.

3. Gap coverage.

Create a section in your resume and LinkedIn profile entitled “Other Experience” after your “Relevant Professional Experience”. In your case, you might include phrases with the dates such as “Full-Time Parent”, “Home Management”, “Family Management”, and “Family Financial Management”.

4. Build your professional network.

Most jobs are found through contacts. Use social media and information interviews to meet successful leaders in your field. Identify the professional associations, conferences, trade magazines, organizations and events relevant to your career goal. Participate in these activities. You may even find your long lost colleagues. Try to reconnect with them on LinkedIn (or even Facebook might work for your situation).

5. Research the labour market.

You are in the same boat as a new graduate or newcomer to Canada, in the sense that you are starting a new career. Learn as much as you can about your field and profession as well as its leaders, the requirements, the shortages and the education required. You may need to requalify, recertify or learn new technical skills. Target companies where you would like to work, visit their websites, analyze the job openings and speak to as many professionals in your field as possible.

Joanna

January 11, 2016 3 Comments

Ask the Employment Specialist: Expert job search tips for the new graduate

Dear Joanna,

I have recently graduated, and am now having trouble getting a job in my field of study. I have submitted my resume to hundreds of entry level positions that fit my degree, but have yet to receive a single interview. My friends reviewed my resume. I also took it to campus career centre. So, I know my resume is good. I’d really like to know if you have any advice on what I may be doing wrong.

Signed: Waiting for my first break (WFMFB)

Dear WFMFB:

Tailor, prioritize quality over quantity, and leverage your network are the keys to the advice that Mentor Coach, Luki Danukarjanto of FOCUS.inspired provided when I interviewed him recently to address your question. A former expert recruiter and business consultant with Deloitte, Luki had some excellent insights to share:

1. Tailoring.

“Part of what I look for as a recruiter is ‘did the person even try?’ Often I receive a cover letter that is a cut and paste of the job role and company into the body of a note that generically describes their qualifications.”

A resume should be specific, not a general summary. Resumes should have your responsibilities and accomplishments adjusted to reflect the role. Incorporate some of the messages you learned from your information gathering into your tailoring

2. Show how you add value.

Take some time and understand what value you would provide to the role and the company. Showcase this experience, skills and qualifications as well as education in your application, then to have that come out in your application.

3. Cover letters.

This is nothing more than a document that is worded in a way as to show that you understand the nature of the challenges facing the company, and describes how you would benefit them, if you were hired into the role.

4. Quality versus quantity.

“Some people complain that tailoring takes too much time”.

If you aren’t willing to spend that time on something you want, how effective would you be in the role for which you are applying? Make the effort to apply properly to fewer jobs, rather than applying on mass without making an effort.

5. Focus on the job you really want.

If you really want to a role as a store manager, for example, why would you apply to a project manager or other unrelated roles? Spending more time on finding the roles that fit you and your experience are better served than just randomly applying for similar roles that might not fit you.

6. Leverage your existing network.

Secure informational interviews, create a LinkedIn profile, reach out to friends, family, professors, teaching assistants, past employers, co-workers, and anyone you connected with at your school and from your past. See who they are connected with; see who and what you know. Connect.

Luki had a lot more advice when you get to the interview stage, and eventually when you start the job, but we’ll save that advice for a later time.

Good luck on your job hunt!

Joanna

October 26, 2015 Leave a Comment

Not-to-be-missed Resume Tips from a Top Recruiter

An excellent article caught my eye recently. Written by a top recruiter who has worked with a range of sectors, it focuses on the mistakes that job seekers make on resumes which most get noticed by recruiters. It’s well worth reading the entire article — especially if you are looking for work in the IT sector — however, I would like to point out a few key points which, from my experience, are particularly true and somewhat universal for all job seekers.

1. Don’t bother with paper.

The recruiter plainly says “I hate paper. I do everything online.” She later suggests that resumes should be emailed, not faxed, nor hand-delivered. Stay away from using an outdated approach that inconveniences the recruiter — insisting on handing a paper copy of your resume to the employer in person might make you stand out, but not in a good way.

2. Make sure to include all the important keywords.

Besides the convenience of not having to deal with paper, the recruiter’s main reason for insisting on electronic resumes, is that she searches the resumes electronically for certain keywords. Keep in mind, though, that it isn’t enough to simply list the keywords — make sure that the words are included in the relevant work experience, so the recruiter can understand how and when those skills were used.

3. The recruiter will focus on your recent work experience

Expect the recruiter to be curious about why the last job ended and whether your recent experience is relevant to the job to which you have applied. She also will focus on career progression — have you moved upwards in your career? Is it clear how the job to which you are applying fits into your career path?

Interestingly, while she is interested in what you have done over the years, she mentions that she doesn’t mind a gap in your resume. It’s all in how and whether you explain yourself:

I don’t mind gaps so long as there’s a sufficient explanation. Oh you took three years off to raise your children? Fine by me, and might I add: #respect. You tried your hand at starting your own company and failed miserably? Very impressive! Gap sufficiently explained. Whatever it is, just say it. It’s the absence of an explanation that makes me wonder.

4. Share your online profile

The recruiter mentions that she particularly enjoys reading up on candidates online, if you share links to your personal websites or social media profiles. So make sure to include your LinkedIn URL, blog, Twitter handle or other relevant (and appropriate, of course) on your resume.

5. Try not to be too boring

If you have something to share that makes you more interesting and perhaps helps the recruiter better understand who you are, share links to them. Try to be a little creative on your LinkedIn profile — share some personality together with all that valuable information. Remember to stay professional in your tone, though — for example, she warns against writing in first person, recommending that you:

…eliminate pronouns (e.g. my, I, she, he) from your resume altogether. Instead of writing “I helped increase overall sales by 300% by breeding rabbits in my garage,” eliminate the “I” in that sentence. Go through your resume and remove all the pronouns and rewrite the sentence to make it sound like a bullet point. By “past tense” I mean that your resume should always be voiced from the perspective of something you already did, not something you’re currently doing.

Bottom line: “recruiters move quickly”

When prescreening candidates, recruiters rush through resumes.

Total time it takes me to do all of above: < 25 seconds.

September 3, 2015 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: How to win at the online application screening game

Dear Joanna,

I keep applying for teller/customer service positions at the banks. As recommended, I register on their website, post my resume and cover letter and apply for job opportunities as they come up. I have never received a phone call for an interview. What am I doing wrong?

Signed: Online

Dear Online,

Did you know that many of the larger companies like the banks use an online software that is automated for screening of online applications. It is known as the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). For your resume/cover letter to be flagged by the recruiter or hiring manager in the ATS, I recommend the following tips by Resume Help.

1. Category matching.

Did you notice how job descriptions have become more creative, and many job titles, departments and roles have never been seen before? Functions and roles contain fewer tasks and there is a bigger focus on outcomes. Companies are looking for specialists, not generalist. Create a separate section in the top 1/3 of your online resume that captures your relevant category expertise. For example, Client Relationship Management, Communications and Financial Analysis.

2. Resume keyword matching.

Focus on the priority keywords within the job description. Use the exact words and language in the posting. Do not use your own words. Avoid synonyms or acronyms. For example, if you are applying for a “Customer Service Representative”, and phrases such as “relationship management”, “analytical skills” and a “bachelors degree”, appear in the job description, these are mandatory qualifications. Keyword matching shows the system that you understand the job requirements and that you “speak their language”.

3. Include your accomplishments.

This is your strategy to market yourself in both the online application and interview. It is how you can stand out from the crowd. Your accomplishments should be unique, valuable and strategic. The phrases need to be personal and real. Using the keywords in the job description, prepare these statements. These statements are well-received by these outcome based job lists. Based on the STAR method (situation, task, action and result), you can prepare these statements for the resume as well as to respond to the behavioural questions in the interview.

4. Don’t rely only on online applications.

Build your professional network, meet as many people as possible in your field, engage in information interviews, use social media to research and network. Most people get jobs through people they know.

Joanna

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