Job HuntingI've compiled a list that will improve your chances in landing your first job in Canada. I learned most of these when I worked as a staffing consultant in an employment agency . In my years of writing resumes, I have observed that there is no one correct way or format that works. However there are general guidelines that will improve your chances. A resume is like a brochure. You need to grab the employer's attention within the first 10 seconds. If the person screening your resume can see the key words that are critical to the job, then you will earn yourself additional time for further consideration. The goal is to be able to capture the attention of the employer and show a great match to the skills, experience and qualifications that the employer is looking for.
DO
- Put as much detail about each and every skill requirement that is described in the job qualification. Use Google to search for additional ideas and words to provide more details about a particular skill. For example, if the job requires writing correspondences, don't just say that you are fluent in English. Describe your writing skills and how you communicate in written text.
- Keep it within 2 pages.
- Check for grammar and spelling.
- Remove details about your job history that do not support or add to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a bookkeeping job, don't include details about how good a sales person you were. However, pay attention to job continuity. Your career experience speaks a story about where you came from, and gives an indication to the employer of where you want to go.
- Quantify the work where it makes sense. For example, don't just say that you processed invoices. You can say that you processed 1000 invoices every month.
- Include accomplishments and achievements. However, don't overstate in areas that do not directly apply to the job you are applying to. Going back to the bookkeeping example, don't say you were the number 1 sales person for the past 5 years. You may want to state this as receiving recognition for excellence in the past 5 years.
- Volunteer. You gain real life experience, and you get more exposure to working in the new environment. This can differentiate yourself when you include volunteer work in your resume. If you want to be bold, you can approach an employer within the same industry that you have worked in, and offer to work for free. Two good things can come out of this. First, you can now add local Canadian experience to your portfolio. Second, the employer will realize your value as an employee, and you can be offered a full-time position in the company.
- Network. While this is not directly related to resume writing, this is probably more important than the resume itself. If someone you meet tells you to send him or her your resume, ask as much detail about the company and the job position qualifications. This will help you in revising your resume to keep the employer interested in considering you.
DON'T
- Don't put personal details such as your age, sex, birthday, ethnicity. Likewise, don't attach your photo!
- Don't put Tagalog as a language skill, unless this is an advantage to the job you are applying for.
- Don't overstate your qualification, and your title. For example, if you are applying for a junior level position, do not indicate that you were a manager or an executive. Similarly, if the job requires a designation, don't try and claim to have one, as this type of information can be verified and used against you if you don't. In some cases, if you are working towards a designation, then make sure to highlight this fact in your resume. You can state that you are currently enrolled in ABC School working towards your CGA designation.
This is it for now. If you have questions or would like some assistance with your resume, send me a note on the contact us page.
