Archive for the ‘Career Guide’ Category

How many times have you found yourself in the midst of writing your resume when you realized that there were some questions you simply had to have answered before you could move forward? Everyone has probably been in this predicament at least once during a resume-writing experience.

Of course, there are some questions that are more frequently asked than others. So before you put your fingers back on the keyboard, let’s take a moment to explore some of the more commonly asked questions regarding resumes.

How Do I Write a Great Objective?

For many, the objective is the most abstract and challenging portion of the resume to write. You may find yourself asking questions like “what does the employer want to know?” and “how can I describe myself in just one sentence?” during the process. But don’t let these issues deter you from continuing on, because in actuality, it is not hard to create a succinct objective that will entice the employer to read on.

First, take note that objectives can be more than one sentence long. Depending on your level of experience, you may want to include up to three sentences describing who you are and what career plans you have that fall neatly in line with the employer’s goals. Within the 1-3 sentences, you want to express your strengths, abilities and qualifications in your field, and how they match the specific employer’s goals. However, try to avoid using the word “I” in this section as it creates a self-centered image, something that can quickly result in your resume hitting the bottom of the stack.

What if I Haven’t Worked in a While?

If you haven’t worked for several years, or even several months, you may feel a little bit nervous about explaining your employment gap. But don’t worry; if you truly feel you’re qualified for the job, you can express this in a number of ways.

One is by using a functional resume style (as opposed to chronological) that focuses less on timelines and more on skills. Also, you can roll up all of your non-work experience, including volunteering, community involvement, consulting, or even your continuing education, to highlight the skills you’ve acquired over the years. If your gaps are a little smaller, you can make them less obvious by not noting months on your resume. In the end, you want to showcase your knowledge of industry trends, so be creative in explaining how this knowledge can enhance the position you’re applying for.

Should I Include References?

Typically, the rule for references is this: if they don’t ask for them, don’t provide them. However, if they do it’s a good idea to create a separate sheet just for them. On that sheet, you can include the references’ names, phone numbers, and their locations, as well as your personal/professional relationships. But before you add references be sure to contact them so they are prepared to offer information about you.

Writing a resume can be an exciting process if you remember that your hard work can result in a great job. So take the time to ask more questions about the writing process. You’ll find that the more you ask, the more likely you are to create a standout resume that may just secure the job you want.

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Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Compare the top resume writing services in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com.

Here it comes… again. Every 6 or 8 years, it happens. But what about the labour shortage? What about the Baby Boomers retiring? What about our strong economy? Those are all true, but if the rest of the world doesn’t want what we have to sell, we’re going to suffer too. So take your favourite colleagues out for lunch now - there’s a chance they won’t be working with you for long. You, on the other hand, have a plan…

When your boss needs to lay people off, he’ll generally use a few rules of thumb to determine who goes first. Is it the newest employee that goes first? Sometimes, but not always. Is it the most expensive employee? Sometimes, but not always. Its always the people who contribute LEAST to the bottom line of the company, and the people who are least productive. Here are three easy tips to make sure you’re seen as a productive member of the company.

1. Actually be Productive
   Ok, maybe I’m being a little flippant about this point. But take it to heart: When the economy is in a rough patch, you can’t fake it for long. Find ways to do a little extra; go beyond your usual responsibilities; pick up the slack where others are leaving work behind, or stay late when others are watching the clock. When times are tough, those who stay late will notice that their bosses have been preparing for tougher times ahead by burning the midnight oil themselves. If you’re lucky, they’ll notice you too.
2. Get Connected
   Be sure to be seen around the office as a helpful and keen employee. Know the executive, say hello to people at every level of the organization, offer to help recruit new employees, volunteer for a social committee, start a recycling program, or find new ways to become known as a valued team player. The key here is simple, and underutilized: get connected, noticed, and useful to as many people as possible. Don’t be afraid to engage management and senior executive. When times are toughest, they want only the strongest work horses by their side to help them weather the storm ahead. Take a look around you - you might notice that the energy and morale isn’t quite as high as it was when the economy was on a high. This is your chance to infuse some positive energy into your job, and shine some light on your value.
3. Start Today
   Changing your diet AFTER the heart attack isn’t very useful. And neither is making these changes AFTER the layoffs have started. If your objective is to survive the coming economic slowdown and keep your job, make these changes BEFORE things get bad. Your boss will see right through your effort if you wait until the layoffs have started.

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Steve Baldwin is CEO of Officejobs.com. With dual head offices in Canada, Officejobs.com serves reputable employers nationally. Expert recruiters provide insight and advice to employers and job seekers alike, combining advanced online recruitment technologies with old fashioned wisdom.

The job interview is incredibly intimidating. There’s a job you really want, or need, and getting the job or not will affect your career, your financial future, your emotional well-being…

You dress up in your best clothes (please… dress up in your best clothes), practice all of the potential questions you may be asked, so on and so on.

And there’s an interviewer looking to find all of the worst parts about you: your inexperience, your poor work habits, the brother-in-law in jail (well, no, I’m making that up) - anything they can find so that they won’t hire you. This evil nasty person is standing in your way.

Actually, most interviewers aren’t looking for excuses not to hire you - if you made it to the interview, they’re looking for reasons to hire you. They aren’t going to waste their time in an interview if you don’t have something they’re looking for.

So, what are interviewers looking for? Here are a few things:

• Your personality. Having an employee fit into the organization is very important. Each company has it’s own in-office personality, and they want to see how you would fit that personality. Since you can’t know this before, just be yourself. You can also pick up clues to this office vibe by watching and listening to the interviewers.
• Your experience. Each job has its own requirements, and you can say only so much on your resume. The interviewer needs a more complete picture of your experience, and this is a big aspect of the interview.
• Your own needs. Salary and work type are a part of this, but good companies that care about their employees (there are more of these than you think) also need to know if the work will fit your life. For example, if the hours are incompatible (often not your fault), the job might not be a good match.

For both the employer and the potential employee, a job interview is like a blind date; you getting to know each other. Go in with a positive attitude, and show them what you can do!

Anthony Balderrama at CareerBuilder.ca writes about the big and little lies we all tell at work:

I hate to break it to you, but you’re a liar. We all are.

Little lies - and the occasional big ones - are part of workplace culture, just like boring meetings and gabby co-workers. A workday that’s 100 percent fib-free is a rarity.

1. “My alarm didn’t go off.”
2. “I’d be happy to.”

Read the rest of the lies at CareerBuilder.ca

You have a beautifully formatted resume on nice paper. You dress professionally for the interview. And the email address on your resume is pornstar69@(whatever).com.

Email nicknames that do not project a professional image:

• sexxxygirl
• sacktiger
• devotedtoChrist (it says too much about your personal beliefs - inappropriate for many workplaces)
• goody2shoes
• johnnybravo (if your name isn’t Johnny Bravo. A great cartoon, but not appropriate for the workplace)

It’s small details like this that can place you second or third in the job competition.

A cute, corny or, in some people’s minds, offensive email address can take away from the professional image you are trying to create in the hiring manager’s mind. Your email nickname can reveal quite a lot about you, and too much personal information is never a good thing when you are trying to get hired.

Advice: get a second email address based on your name. Email addresses and accounts are free; use a second account for professional correspondence. Check out Hotmail, gmail or Yahoo Mail for free accounts.

Use a variation on your name like:

• sarahsmith
• sarah.smith
• s.smith
• ssmith

and so on. It may be difficult to find a variation on a popular name, so try mixing a number in with it. Please avoid the number 69.

• sarahsmith23
• ssmith42

When you are job hunting, professionalism is very, very important. Make sure every element of your presentation, including your email address, lives up to the image.

Top Canadian CEO Hank Swartout: $74,824,335

Oprah Winfrey: $225,000,000

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper: $280,000

Best Paid Profession: Surgeons and CEOs, over $145,000

Worst Paid Profession: Waiter/Waitress/Fast Food Worker/Dishwasher and Casino Dealer: less than $16,000

Administrative Assistant, Calgary’s median: $40,000

Administrative Assistant, Toronto: $43,500

Where do you fit in?

If your dream job has eluded you so far, you’re not alone. Let’s face it, most of us don’t always know what we really want to do. But if you’ve been able to figure out what your true career-love is, you’re one of the lucky ones, and you’re about to get a whole lot luckier. Now that you’re ahead of the game, here’s the easy part - these 3 things will get the attention of any employer:

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Written by Marta Orlowska

Leaving a job can be like ending a relationship. Telling your boss you’re walking away can often feel like betrayal but it’s an integral party of moving up the career ladder. Here’s how to leave with your head high and your reputation still intact.

The Spark’s Gone - You both know the relationship is no longer working. Perhaps you’ve felt badly treated or overlooked. Be mature and succinct with your words. While your boss may not be supprised you’re handing in your notice, they may still be bitter.

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It can be a real Rat-race out there in the working world. If you’re stressed at work, there are good reasons to take time off and there are TERRIBLE excuses for not showing up. Here are a few of the worst (which by default, makes them the “best”) excuses we’ve ever heard!

According to Careerbuilder, 27% (in 2006) of Managers fired someone for having illegitimate excuses for their absenteeism. It looks like your perpetual search for an alibi might land you some permanent time off!

Top 5 worst excuses (drum roll please)…

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Written by Guy Green

The business world is virtually exploded with bitter employees who hate their job and yearn for the day when they find better alternative.

But why should it be this way?

What leads to such hostility towards your workplace?

Here’s why lots of people can’t stand their job:

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