October 10, 2016 Leave a Comment

How to be noticed on online job application systems

Increasingly, employers are turning to electronic methods to standardize recruitment and make resume screening more efficient. You may have noticed that when you apply to a job online, you are often redirected to a website that requires you to sign up, create an online profile, answer a long series of questions and then upload a resume before you are able to apply for the job. The goal of the employer is to gather more information from you, to allow them to pre-screen candidates, using keyword searches and make more objective decisions about whom they will call to an interview.

The programs used by employers to gather the data and sort through it are called ATS programs – Applicant Tracking Systems. They are online sites where job seekers can create an profile and apply directly to all the suitable jobs with a particular company. Candidates can upload a resume and cover letter, as well as give employers access to other online information about themselves (such as LinkedIn, blogs) as well as additional documents (such as proof of professional registration) as required by employers.

The advantages of ATS for candidates is that it enables them to set up profiles with each of their employers of choice, get notifications (or ‘alerts’) when jobs are posted, and — once the profile is completely set up — apply easily. It also enables candidates to share more information than the conventional emailing of a resume and cover letter.

But as most job seekers would testify, online job application sites are frustratingly difficult to navigate and full of technical bugs. They also can take a lot of time to set up. Many job seekers also find that despite setting up a profile and applying to many jobs to which they seem perfectly suitable, they are still not getting called for interviews.

To make sure that you maximize the odds of getting being noticed on an ATS system, here are some tips for using it:

Prepare an ATS optimized resume

The ATS will extract the relevant data from your resume to compare to other candidates. So while some employers might print out your resume before the interview, many admit to never looking at the document itself, which makes resume writing for ATS difficult for job seekers.

While it’s still important to prepare a resume that looks readable visually, it is even more vital to ensure that it is coherent and targeted resume, in terms of:

Spelling – make sure that the resume is error free; remember: misspelled words will not be picked up by the system

Keywords – edit the resume to use the keywords that the employer uses in their posting

Layout – keep the resume simple and cleanly laid out:

no tables, columns or text boxes, or formatting such as underlining
no fancy text, tabs or fancy spacing between letters
no graphics or unusual symbols — you can use a simple bullet (●), dash (-) or line ( | ) to separate items
no abbreviations or unexplained acronyms
don’t use creatively worded headings, or rely on bold or underline– rather stick to the standard headings (in capital letters, if you want it to be obvious that they are headings) such as PROFILE, PROFESSIONAL HISTORY, EDUCATION, etc
don’t use headers or footers
no need to number pages or title them
unless otherwise instructed, create a resume in Word format, not PDF (which often cannot be read on ATS)

Save the resume under a name that identifies you and the job (e.g. KarinLewisEmploymentCounsellor.doc).

Complete the online profile in full detail

Don’t take any short cuts when completing the profile. Complete all fields in the profile, even those marked as optional. Include your cover letter, resume and any other relevant documentation. When asked to explain an item, do so in full detail. Write full, clear and suitably detailed replies to all questions. Use proper punctuation and capitalisation in your sentence. Don’t rush through it — make sure it is as good as you can make it.

Check the profile carefully before submitting it

Don’t just upload a resume and assume it will fill the right fields – often the system misreads the resume. Check your profile carefully to ensure that all the resume details are properly captured.

The bottom line is to keep in mind that ATS is an increasingly commonly used method of prescreening candidates. Take some time and make sure you prepare your profile in such a way that you increase your chances of being noticed and contacted for an interview.

FINAL TIP: Don’t rely only on ATS to secure your next position. While it is true that many companies require applicants to apply online, that does not mean that candidates won’t benefit from networking with potential employers online on LinkedIn and in person. Do both — create a strong ATS profile and find ways to reach out to potential employers as well. Ideally, your target employers should be aware of your candidacy before they even set out to post a job, or call candidates for an interview.

Karin Lewis is the Blog Editor and a contributing writer. A senior Employment Counsellor at JVS Toronto, she presently balances the roles of Case Manager, Consultant to Toronto’s Jewish Family and Child, as well as Communications and Marketing (Social Media) Specialist.

October 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

How online mentoring (CanPrep) can help you find a job in Canada

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”
– John C. Crosby

Potential new immigrants who are in the process of immigrating to Canada soon have many things on their mind – A new life, new work environment, new world. They have all these questions they want answers to – What kind of job opportunities should I be applying to? Do I have a resume that is right for the Canadian job market? How do I write an effective cover letter that can get me results? What are the expectations from me in my new Canadian work place? Our program participants have shared with us that they just want someone to listen to them, direct them and validate them. They need a mentor.

A ‘mentor’ is usually a more knowledgeable or experienced person who guides the less knowledgeable or experience person often referred to as the ‘mentee’.

At CanPrep, we offer online mentoring as part of our pre-arrival employment services to Canada. Our mentoring program – Canada InfoNet connects Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) to experienced professionals in Canada who act as mentors.

Who are our mentors?

Our mentors are passionate and motivated professionals who understand the challenges of immigration, many from personal experiences. They are investing their time to give mentees a better understanding of their industry in Canada. They want to help build their confidence which is essential to setting and achieving personal goals.

The primary motivation of Mentors of our online program is to provide guidance and support. They share their knowledge of industry standards and practices, certifications, training and education, and the job search itself through a safe and easy online format. This has helped mentees formulate strong job search strategies which has a huge impact on how soon they can find employment.

Why online mentoring?

There are many ways that a Mentor’s time and effort can have an impact. Mentees will:

Gain insight into Canadian work and values
Understand current workplace and industry trends
Receive critical feedback on resumes and interview techniques
Get help with self-marketing techniques and confidence building
Identify skills required by market demands, and guidance on licensing processes in their province of landing
Gain access to professional networks
Understand how to present themselves in the best possible light to potential employers

What is the impact of mentoring on program participants?

Nitesh is a professional who is in the process of immigrating to Canada. He applied to CanPrep and started working with his Employment Counsellor on the different components of the program. Since he had optimal time for a 10 week partnership with an online mentor, his Counsellor connected him to Rick who has been a star mentor with Canada InfoNet for many years now. Nitesh (mentee) and Rick (mentor) used the online mentoring system to discuss various topics that Nitesh had concerns about. Towards the end of the partnership, Nitesh felt:

It was a wonderful experience to interact with a working professional who has been living in Canada for many years and who knows the complete ins and outs of the labor market there. For a new immigrant like me, the most important part is to get guidance on how I can get a job in a competitive market. I am glad that I was connected to an experienced and knowledgeable mentor through CanPrep and I really got a very good insight on how things work in the Canadian job market.

His online mentor had contributed to building his confidence to start a new phase of life for him and his family.

How does online mentoring work?

Mentors and mentees are usually signed up on Canada InfoNet which is an online, interactive, mentoring platform. Each mentoring partnership lasts for 10 weeks long. The partnership goes through 5 different stages of Orientation – Relationship building – Learning Conversations – Building Networks – Moving On.

The online discussions occur on a secure private discussion board at a time of convenience for the mentor and the mentee. The program requires at least a weekly 1 hour communication in total. This gives enough opportunity to build a relationship between the two and also to move through the various phases of the program.

How to sign up for online mentoring?

Internationally Educated Professionals with a permanent resident visa, still living in their home country and planning to arrive in Canada in the next 3 to 6 months are eligible for online mentoring. To begin with, they can sign up for the CanPrep program here. Once their eligibility has been established, a CanPrep Employment Counsellor will get in touch with them for the next steps.

September 20, 2016 Leave a Comment

CanPrep in the spotlight on New Canadians web show

JVS Toronto‘s pre-arrival employment program CanPrep – is a free specialized employment program. This online program is designed for internationally trained individuals relocating to anywhere in Canada. CanPrep was recently in the spotlight when New Canadians interviewed our very own – Irene Vaksman (Director of Newcomer Services) for their web show. New Canadians is a rich and informative web and TV show portraying stories of recent immigrants making Canada their home.

Click on the “Play” button to view the full interview.

September 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask Our Employment Specialist: How do I handle a bad interviewer?

Dear Employment Specialist,

I am very upset about my interview today. I was so prepared, dressed professionally and was ready for any question with a perfect handshake! Unfortunately, I got the feeling that the person interviewing me was the opposite. He seemed unprepared and inexperienced.

How do I handle such an interviewer?

Signed: Perfect Handshake (PH)

Dear PH,

As Will Kerr states in his blog, sometimes a bad job interview doesn’t mean you were a bad job interviewee. It is a good idea to recognize the traits of a bad interview, suggests Kerr, so that “you can take action to make sure that, in spite of them, you still manage to give the best possible account of yours.”

Kerr presents the following three traits of a poor interviewer and tips for handling them:

1. An interviewer who does all the talking.

This could be a sign of an experienced interviewers who know exactly what are looking for and are trying to weed out those candidates who cannot speak up, when hiring, for example, for a sales position. On the other hand, an inexperienced interviewers could be talking endlessly because of nervousness, not being prepared, or a lack of understanding of their role. Your responsibility, as an interviewee is, even if your interviewer doesn’t seem interested in your skills, make sure that they have the necessary evidence to make an informed choice  when making a job offer.

2. An under-prepared interviewer.

I agree that it is upsetting to go into an interview when the interviewer is not clear on who you are, and isn’t particularly familiar with your resume. In some cases, where a department is trying to fill multiple vacancies simultaneously, it’s not uncommon for an interviewer to be confused as to which role the candidate in front of them is actually applying. In this case, interviewers may be distracted by many other concerns, and recruitment might not be their primary responsibility. In some cases remember that, in giving your answers, you cannot assume the level of knowledge from your interviewer that you may have expected, so if you give information regarding something listed on your resume, make sure they actually know what you’re talking about. If you really feel the situation is hopeless, do not be afraid to ask if they would prefer to reschedule — make sure to pose the question in a polite manner. If it has come to that, you don’t really have anything to lose.

3. An overly-aggressive interviewer.

This is a trait of people who are placed in an uncomfortable situation – Kerr suggests that they respond by “bluffing bravado”. Inexperienced interviewers could definitely fall into this behaviour. If you are feeling that your interviewer is on the attack and keeps interrupting you through your response or openly contradicts you, you should (as the British say) keep calm and carry on. Even if it’s a deliberate ploy, or a sign or nerves. One great way of doing this is to have a glass of water to hand. Even if you’re not thirsty, taking a sip is a great way to give yourself a little time to keep your cool and order your thoughts.

Good luck on those interviews!

Joanna Samuels B.Ed. (Adult Education), M.Ed., CMF, CTDP, RRP is a certified Life Skills Coach, and certified Personality Dimensions Facilitator who works at JVS Toronto as a Job Developer/Job Coach/Workshop Facilitator. Also, Joanna is a part-time instructor of employment counselling with people with disabilities at George Brown College.

September 2, 2016 2 Comments

Success story: Canada InfoNet helped Yana secure her dream job before arriving in Canada!

JVS Toronto’s Canada InfoNet program is designed to guide internationally trained professionals through the challenging aspects of the Canadian job market. Many Canada InfoNet participants find jobs in their field shortly after they arrive, and sometimes even before they have left their home country!

Yana is an internationally trained Software Developer who was able to secure her dream job before arriving in Canada. She attributes her success to the support of the Canada InfoNet program and her Employment Counsellor. We asked Yana to share her amazing success story and advice for other soon-to-be Canadian immigrants:

How long after starting the Canada InfoNet program did you secure the job?

Two months!

How has the Canada InfoNet pre-arrival program helped ease your transition into Canada?

I was able to secure a job before arrival and avoid the risks and worries of being unemployed for months. It provided much-needed safety and reassurance of smooth transition. Not to mention that the job itself is my dream job! I hope everyone will have such a rewarding job search.

What aspects of the program did you find most helpful?

The one-on-one communication with a professional Counsellor is the best part of program. In the pre-arrival flurry it is easy to skip the consultations and lectures offered, but when the help is so personally directed at you it’s your responsibility to do your very best.

The personal touch also offers unparalleled credibility to the advice given: the internet (while mostly providing you with accurate information) is known to offer skewed or outdated opinions from time to time. Encouragement and moral support from the Counsellor is a big deal as well!

What did you think would be your biggest challenges before arriving in Canada?

I assumed it would be difficult to start speaking English since I’ve never used it for daily communication. Passing the trial period while taking care of post-arrival affairs seemed challenging as well. Mostly I was worried I would feel alone after all the warm goodbyes at home.

What do you feel about the challenges post-arrival?

Finding a permanent place to stay in Toronto turned out to be a much more involved process than I had thought. If I could, I would allow more time for it; a full month instead of two weeks in a temporary place. As for the anticipated challenges, speaking a foreign language feels more tiresome than difficult now.

My first month in Canada would have been impossible without my family taking care of home tasks while I was in the office, but it all worked well enough in the end. I also miss my friends and family but we try to keep in touch.

What are the strategies you used that helped you find your job?

I had tried sending out as many resumes with “templated” cover letters as I could prepare. I had made some critical mistakes, like focusing too much on past jobs instead of what benefits I would bring to new employers, and got mostly silence or rejection letters in response. I considered carefully what I wanted my job to look like, and spent a fair amount of time studying job search techniques during the Canada InfoNet program. After my research I made just two applications, focusing on my cover letter and making it as persuasive as I could. One was a rejection, but another one (my favourite) became my current job! I was certainly very lucky.

When hiring a software developer personality is an important point to consider, which makes candidate’s message very relevant. My letter was found impressive enough for an interview, and while I was showing more general experience, drive and levelheadedness than skills with the exact technologies being used, I got an offer in a matter of days. The program helped me to have faith and put a lot of work upfront to make a well-prepared and precisely targeted application instead of hurriedly sending out lots of un-useful ones.

Any pre-arrival job search tips that you would like to share with other soon-to-be Canadian immigrants?

Rejection is a not a bad thing and may happen for a number of reasons. No-one would like a job where they do not fit in – if your best resume and honest cover letter was sent without a reply, the place may not be a good match for you!

A hand-crafted cover letter makes all the difference, giving an opportunity to connect to people on the other side; generic letters kill your chances – no one will notice the human being behind the text.

Ask yourself: if you honestly think you fit the job, what should you share about yourself to the recruiter/hiring manager to send her running to your future boss with your resume?

Would you recommend Canada InfoNet to others?

I would certainly recommend it! The program offers comprehensive guidance through the process of finding a job in Canada, from the early steps to the completion. The highlight for me was the support and motivation from my Employment Counsellor to do better and keep trying.

Has Yana’s story motivated you to enroll yourself or someone you know in our program? Click here to register.