Job Search Strategies

We provide:• Resume, cover letter, interview workshops• Information on workplace• Information on government programs• One on one client service

SUCCESS

Resumes

What is it and why? What? A summary of your previous work experience

Why? The purpose of a resume is not to get you a

job, but to get you an interview

A Great Resume is…

Concise Powerful

Persuasive Well-written

Step 1: Contact Information

JESSICA SMITH5540 Clark Drive • Vancouver, BC • V5R 4J2 • 604-458-6421 • jessicasmith@hotmail.com

Step 2: Job Objective

What positions are you applying for?

Why are you going to submit this resume?

Example:

To obtain a full-time position as a Supervisor at Superstore.

Step 3: Skills and Abilities

What type of skills and abilities are you bringing to this job?

Write the skills you have that match the job you are applying for

Do not forget to tell the employer how your skills can benefit the company

Step 4: Education Please specify everything including:

Your program The year you graduated or expected graduation date The courses you studied that are relevant to the job

you are applying

Step 5: Relevant Work Experience

Only include previous work experience that is relevant to the job you are applying

Do not list your duties randomly

List the work experiences starting from the most recent one at the top and the rest in reverse chronological order

Watch for your action verbs!

Guidelines to Writing a Good

Resume Action Verbs and Key Words Action Verbs = Verbs that match the position Key Words = Important words and statements from the job posting

Guidelines to Writing a Good

Resume (cont’d) Sell your job accomplishments and achievements

DO NOT just list your duties Action Verb + Task = Result

Step 6: Hobbies and Interests

ONLY if your interests are related to the job

It is optional. If you want to keep your resume concise and less distracting, do not include it

Step 7: References Do not provide your references, simply write

“References available upon request” on the bottom

Only give it to the employer if they specifically ask for it during interview

Ask at least 2-3 people you have worked or volunteered for to be your references

Designing and Formatting Traditional yet Innovative

Need to grab the employer’s attention Stand out from the competition Be original and comply to the rules of resume writing

Cover Letters

What is a Cover Letter?

A document that details your relevant experience and skills, in the form of a letter

It goes more in depth than a resume

Shows the employer your interest in the position

Steps Towards a Successful Cover

Letter Attention Interest Desire Action

Step 1: Attention Name and contact information should be at the top of the

cover letter

Business letter style

Address it to someone by name

Formatting Clear layout Standard font No more than 3-4 paragraphs No spelling mistakes and no grammar mistakes! Sign letter with blue or black ink

Step 1: Attention (cont’d)

Step 2: Interest Show the employer how much you want this job

DO YOUR RESEARCH! Try adding an interesting fact you have learned about

the company

Be clear as to what position you are applying for

Sell your merits What are some VERY relevant work experiences? What did you learn and what skills did you gain?

Mention your accomplishments Awards, scholarships Any major highlights in your career

Step 2: Interest (cont’d)

Step 3: Desire Show the employer that you are willing to learn

DO YOUR RESEARCH! Always know a few facts about the company You are trying to find the right fit for yourself too!

Let them know you want to grow with the company

Step 4: Action In the last paragraph:

BE PROACTIVE! Let the employer know when YOU are going to call

them to set up an interview Close the letter with:

Sincerely, Best regards, Warmest regards,

Additional Tips! DO NOT regurgitate your resume! Always have a cover letter template ready

Then, tailor your cover letter to the company Watch out for grammar and spelling mistakes Use formal language Use matching stationary Make sure you follow through with your ACTION!

JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

Looking For A Job?

High Opportunity Occupations in BC

0911 Manufacturing Managers 6261 Police Officers (Except

Commissioned) 0013 Senior Managers–Financial,

Communications Carriers and Other Business Services

2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants

2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers

0713 Transportation Managers 7242 Industrial Electricians 0015 Senior Managers–Trade,

Broadcasting and Other Services 0314 Managers In Social, Community and

Correctional Services 2122 Forestry Professionals

3131 Pharmacists 7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy

Construction Equipment Crews 4163 Economic Development Officers and

Marketing Researchers and Consultants 2173 Software Engineers 0311 Managers In Health Care 7351 Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary

Equipment Operators 1212 Supervisors, Finance and Insurance

Clerks 6462 Correctional Service Officers 3152 Registered Nurses 7215 Contractors and Supervisors,

Carpentry Trades 1441 Administrative Clerks 2147 Computer Engineers

Skills Connect The Skills Connect for Immigrants program is an individualized

employment bridging program that helps skilled immigrants connect to jobs in BC that build on their pre-arrival skills, training, knowledge, and experience.

This is achieved through providing services and supports to: effectively assess recent immigrants’ skills, qualifications and

experiences; provide career counselling and planning; skill upgrading and other enhancements, including workplace language

support to meet BC labour standards; Individual client services are delivered for a period of up to one year (two

years for health sector occupations).

www.skillsconnect.ca

Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre

The Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre is a free service to help immigrants with information and referrals they need to find a job in their field of education and experience.

Staff will help you identify: Information on obtaining employment in your field Agencies and organizations that can assist in your job search Relevant professional associations and other organizations in

your field Employers and employer organizations in your field

Located on Level 4 in the Central branch of Vancouver Public Library at 350 West Georgia Street and is open during regular Central library hours.

Credential Recognition This is the process of verifying that the education,

training, and job experience you obtained in another country are equivalent to the standards established for Canadian workers.

Takes time and money It’s not always guaranteed, so please do your

research!

For more information:

http://www.credentials.gc.ca/http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/

Credential Evaluation The British Columbia Institute of Technology

(BCIT) operates the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

They will assess foreign secondary and post-secondary certificates for employment

For more information:

604-432-8800

www.bcit.ca/ices

www.workingincanada.gc.ca

www.workbc.ca

Want more information?

The Hidden Job Market

How do I find the jobs that are NOT advertised?

Networking The Internet Employer Visits Cold Calling Newspapers and Other

Classifieds

What is Networking?

The active pursuit of finding jobs

80 % of available jobs are NOT advertised

You can ask: Family Friends Neighbours Other employers

Networking

There are great websites where you can plan your career and find job postings

www.jobbank.gc.cawww.workingincanada.gc.ca

www.monster.cawww.craigslist.org

The Internet

What are employer visits? When you go store to store, fill in an

application, and give your resume/cover letter

What should do? Plan where you are going to apply Bring tailored resumes and cover letters Dress professionally Ask for the hiring manager and give a firm

handshake!

Employer Visits

Cold CallingMake a list of the employers you want to call Contact the hiring manager of the interested

company Prepare questions

about the position Let them know when you

will drop off your resume

Newspapers and Other Classifieds

Very few job postings

Not many employers are paying for the advertising space

Many shady employers!

Not very successful job search method for youth

Interview Skills

Interviewing for Success…

What is an Interview?

An interview is a meeting with your potential employer

This is where you MUST market yourself in order to get hired

Before the Interview

Educate Yourself! Often employers will ask:

Why do you want to work here? What can you tell me about this company?

Be prepared! Go to the company’s website and learn more about the

company Mission statement Company goals

Dress to Impress! It is important to look presentable for an interview

Always dress “one-up” for the job you are seeking

Your outfit could make the difference in whether or not you get the position

What to Wear! Here are some examples:

A Few Tips… Things to bring

Resume References

Arrive early! 10-15 minutes

Turn off your cell phone

During the Interview

Stages of the Interview

1. Opening

2. Questions about credentials, skills, and knowledge

3. Situational and behavioural questions

4. Closing

Opening Introduce yourself, stand up and greet your interviewer

“Hi, I’m Jessica. Nice to meet you!” Firm handshake

Clasp, pump, pump, break Don’t be afraid to initiate the handshake A good handshake also helps with the employer’s

impression of you Don’t forget to smile!

Credentials, Skills, and Knowledge

On your resume, you listed the transferable skills you gain from past work experience

The employer will now ask you to elaborate on your resume Make sure to prepare for this!

How to Handle Questions

C.O.R.E C = Clarify the Question O = Organize the Answer R = Respond to the Question E = Examples

General Questions

Tell me about yourself. Describe your personality. What are some of your hobbies and interests? Which three words describe you the best?

How to Answer General Questions P.A.W.S

P = Personal A = Academic W = Work Experience S = Skills

Work Experience/Skills Related Questions

Tell me about your last job. What did you like the most/least about your last job? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Don’t give “deal-breakers”!

How to Answer Work Experience/Skills Related

Questions Don’t talk about your last job in a negative way

Think of the transferable skills you learned from your last position

Be ready with 3 strengths Give examples of when and how you use them Stay away from saying you’re reliable and responsible

Tell the truth about your weakness Let them know how you are improving on it

Situational & Behavioural Questions

Give an example of a time you took meaningful action to solve a problem.

How do you tackle comprehensive projects? Describe an episode of exceptional customer service. How do you function in a high pressure situation?

How to Handle Behavioural & Situational

Questions? S.T.A.R.R

S = Situation T = Task A = Action R = Result R = Relevance

Summary Questions C.O.R.E General Questions P.A.W.S Situational & Behavioural Questions S.T.A.R.R.

After Interview

Thank You Letter Once you get home from the interview…

Write a thank you note, e-mail or card to the person that interviewed you

Ensure that you address the person by name Let them know that you appreciate that they took the

time to meet with you Reaffirm your interest in the position!

Thank You Note SampleDear Mr. Rogers,

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your schedule to meet with me. I am still very interested in the Sales Associate position because I have a passion for customer service and I believe that my communication skills will be an asset to your company. If any additional opportunities arise, please feel free to contact me at jessicasmith@gmail.com or call me at 604-658-3521.

Best regards,

Jessica Smith

Follow Up If a week has passed since the interview… Take the initiative to call the person that interviewed

you Ask them if they have made a decision on your

candidacy for the position If you did not get the job, ask the employer how you

could have improved

Success!