Why you aren’t getting hired

If you are searching for a job, you know how tough things are right now.  While you keep hearing that there are jobs out there, you still haven’t gotten a job offer, or maybe you haven’t even gotten an interview.  You have no idea why this is happening, as you think you are qualified for every job you have been applying for.  You could be sending out red flags without even realizing it.  If you have been applying for jobs that you are qualified for, but still not getting interviews, go through this list of red flags (from careerbuilder.com) to see if any of these are hindering your job search.

• Your resume lacks contact information.  If they can’t get a hold of you, you won’t be getting an interview.  I have mentioned this before, but you would be surprised how many people still forget to include a phone number.
• Long gaps on your resume. While often times this cannot be avoided, if you have a legitimate reason, such as travelling, maternity/paternity leave or sick leave,  explain it on your cover letter.  This lets the hiring manager know that you out of work for a legitimate reason and doesn’t keep them guessing.
• You aren’t prepared for the interview. If you show up unprepared, you might as well kiss you chances good-bye.  It is easy to look the company information up on the internet, prepare answers to commonly asked questions and prepare your own questions, so there is no excuse.  Coming unprepared shows lack of interest, and you will be passed over for someone who came prepared.
• You didn’t provide references. It is common to not supply references upon application unless specified in the job posting. However, if you don’t provide them upon application, you NEED to bring them to your interview.  While hiring managers don’t always check references, they at least need to see that there are people that can vouch for you.
• You speak negatively about previous employers. At an interview, NEVER speak negatively about a previous employer.  Even if your job bored you to tears and you had the boss from hell, do not disclose this, as you may give the impression that you are difficult to work with.  Try to spin negative experiences into a positive.  Instead of saying your job was boring, you could say “I am looking for a job that is more challenging and better utilizes my skills and experience.”
• You are a chronic job hopper. While Gen X & Y are known to switch jobs more frequently than our older counterparts, too many jobs in a short period of time definitely send out red flags.  It will make the hiring manager wonder why you have moved so often, and usually their guesses aren’t good ones.
• Your interview answers are inconsistent. As you know, lying is NEVER a good idea.  Sometimes hiring managers will ask similar questions, or the same questions worded differently in order to see if you answer the same way.  Your lies will catch up with you, so DON’T DO IT!
• You lack flexibility. If you have entered the negotiation stages, be prepared to be flexible. Chances are you are going to have to give a little to get a little.  If you are being difficult, you may be finding yourself starting from square one again.
• Laziness. If you are using the same cover letter and resume for all applications, not properly proof reading and editing, and only supplying the bare minimum, you are showing your laziness, and this will result in no job offers.
• You aren’t following up. If you are one of the lucky ones to get an interview, be sure to follow up with the interviewer.  This is your chance to stand apart from the competition and keep your application and interview on the minds of the hiring managers.

We all know times are tough and the job market is slim pickin’s.  You have to prove yourself worthy just to get an interview.  So, work hard, and eventually you will be rewarded!

10 ways to get that job offer

It doesn’t matter what point you are in your job hunt, times are tough, and while there are jobs out there, the competition is fierce.  Scoring a job offer is more than just matching the skill set required, as often times the person who ends up getting the job isn’t the most qualified.  You need to show passion for the position and appear to fit in with the overall company goals and culture.  MSN Careers offers 10 ways to help you on your way to getting the job you desire.

1. Sell yourself. You have worked hard over the years, either in school or at your previous jobs, so be proud of your accomplishments.  You need to showcase these accomplishments in a professional, non-braggart type of way.  This can be very tricky and may take a while to perfect, but showing confidence is key.  This is initially done on your cover letter, and again at the interview.
2. Know your goals. Know where you want to end up.  Once you have that goal, it will be easier to see what companies and positions will help you get there.
3. Put a figure to it. How much are you worth?  Always know what kind of salary range this type of job should pay.  You will be better prepared to enter negotiations once the job has been offered.
4. Include testimonials in your resume. Not only are you saying that you have certain experiences or qualifications, but you are backing these up with evidence.
5. Do your research. Know as much about the company as you can.  Look at the company website, newspaper articles, annual reports, etc.
6. Be prepared. If offered an interview, show up prepared.  Have at least one copy of your resume, a reference list and a portfolio. Practice the interview beforehand, show up early and relax!
7. Use an angle. If you know someone at the company, or know someone who knows the hiring manager, don’t be afraid to use that to your advantage.
8. Think for the employer. You have to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job.  Don’t expect your resume to speak for itself.  Showcase your skills through specific examples (both visual and verbal).
9. Give employers a reason to hire you. Show the employer you really want the job from the application to the follow-up letter.  Also be sure to include something that demonstrates why you are the perfect fit for the job on your thank you letter.
10. Plan ahead. Always have an updated version of your resume available.  You never know when your dream job will come along, or when you might get laid off.

Just remember that at an interview, it is up to you to prove why you should get the job.  Having a great personality, confident attitude, and proof of your accomplishments will go along way and eventually lead you to that job you have been vying for.

Putting your education on your resume

As a recent grad, you usually have little to no work experience.  While part time gigs and internships should be included, your most important asset is your education.  You spent 4 (or more) years working hard to get that degree, and need to showcase your accomplishments on your resume.  Monster.ca offers some tips for incorporating your education into your resume and making the biggest impact.

• Placement. If you have less than 5 years experience in your field, put your education first.  If you have more than 5 years experience, your education comes second, as the hiring manager will be more interested in your job accomplishments.
• GPA? If you have a GPA over 3.0 (80%) feel free to include it on your resume.  While this is not always important, if you have a high GPA in a challenging program, it shows your hard work and determination.  It is no longer necessary to include your GPA if you have been in the work force for a year or two.
• Honours? If you have achieved an honours degree, don’t forget to include it, as this is a great accomplishment that not all graduates achieve.
• Relevant courses/projects. If you have projects or courses that directly relate to your future career path, be sure to include them.  This type of experience generally translates over to the “real world” and lets the employer know what kinds of tasks you are capable of handling.  Also, these projects are a great starting point for your career portfolio.
• Incomplete education. There are a couple ways to handle this.  Some suggest putting the number of credits you have attained, but I would suggest simply putting the name of the school and program, as well as the dates attended.  Instead of saying “Graduated in Spring 2008″, you could simply say “Attended 2005-2008″.   DO NOT say you have a degree or diploma if you have not completed it, as the employer will find out, and it will come back to haunt you.
• Ongoing education? If you don’t have a degree, but are continuing your education (online, correspondence, night, weekend classes, etc), be sure to include it on your resume.  This shows your dedication to bettering yourself.  Include a separate category entitled “Professional Development” if you have taken seminars, courses or attended conferences.  Sometimes these are more impressive than formal education.

If you are in your last semester of school, you need to visit your school’s career centre.  The counsellors will be able to help you write a fantastic resume that will incorporate your education, experience and skills.

2009 Grads…Keep your head up!

Attention graduating students!  While finding a job after graduation isn’t going to be as easy as it has in past years, it is not going to be impossible.  There are jobs out there, and employers are still hiring, and believe it or not, being entry level can give you an advantage over more experienced competition.  Continuing your education is always an option, but remember that it is not the only option. Here are some reasons why recent grads are still able to find work during these uncertain times:

• Lower starting salary. Senior positions require a much higher starting salary than entry level.  Entry level workers are usually willing to put in extra or longer hours, in order to prove themselves.
• Technologically up to date. Having been exposed to it your entire life, you can breeze through almost all computer applications, programs, etc.  Older hires may need to be trained or brought up to speed, which costs time and money.
• The increasing number of baby-boomers. Many companies know that once this recession is over, there are going to be MANY baby boomers retiring, meaning MANY vacant spots available.  To prepare for this, employers are recruiting for entry level now.
• Fresh faces, fresh ideas. Believe it or not, you have a lot to offer at a new position.  Being fresh out of school, you bring a fresh perspective to projects.

If you are not graduating this year, it is  important to start your job search early.  Secure co-op, internship and volunteer opportunities in order to get experience in your field of study.  Begin networking and attending career fairs.  Do your research to see what kinds of companies hire for the type of job you are looking for.

The job search may take a little longer and you may not get your dream job right off the bat, but remember that things are going to turn around, and we will most likely see another hiring boom.  Remember to start early, prepare yourself for information sessions & job fairs and use the many resources available to you!  For more tips, see “Help for the 2009 Grad.”

Resume Basics

It is probably time for a quick refresher in resume writing.  Maybe you are a student who is going to graduate in the Spring, or perhaps you are recently laid off, or are just looking to update your exiting resume.  Here are some great, straight forward tips to help you get your resume noticed, which will hopefully turn into a job offer.

• Start with an objective. Keep it short, about 10-15 words.  Include your most important skills, closely matching those required.  However, try to avoid specific job titles, as this allows you to be considered for other positions. For more pointers on writing a job objective, see “How to write a good job objective.”
• Don’t forget your contact information. Sounds simple enough, but sometimes you get so caught up making sure everything else is perfect, you forget the small stuff.  Also, be sure that your contact info is up to date.  If you are a student, consider putting your home or permanent address.
• Be sure to have voicemail on your number(s) listed. Chances are if you are called for an interview and don’t have voicemail, you probably won’t be called again.  Be sure that your inbox isn’t full, and that you have a professional sounding greeting, which includes your name.
• Avoid slang and jargon. While we do live in an internet age, you cannot correspond with a hiring manager like you do your friends.  You need to remain professional at all times.
• Include results, not just actions. It’s not good enough to say “Worked with new and existing clients.”  You need to go above and beyond, saying something like  “Generated new business clients with a combined sales increase of $45,000.”
• SPELL CHECK! I can’t stress this enough.  Read your resume out loud and be sure to have someone else read it over as well.
• Make sure your resume is e-friendly. The majority of resumes are uploaded or emailed now, so make sure that your resume is in a font that is legible on a computer monitor.  Also watch your spacing, bullets and margins.  Try emailing it to yourself, as well as someone else to see how it looks on different screens in different formats.
• Watch your style. There are three types of resumes: functional, chronoloigcal and combined.  Many employers prefer a chronological resume, but a functional often works best for the new grad.  Whatever style you chose, be consistant throughout your entire resume.

Of all the resumes I have seen, the majority of them appear to be rushed, not edited well, and focus on actions rather than results.  If you are unsure about your resume, ask for help!  If you are a student, your career centre is able to help you free of charge, and if you are out of school, consider seeking out a career counsellor…they can help you write or re-write your resume for a small fee (worth it in the long run!)

Success strategies for tough times

Let’s face it, we are in a recession.  While the latest predictions claim it won’t last through the whole year, right now, times are tough.  There is uncertainty in almost every work place, employees wondering if the next round of layoffs will affect them or their department. With help from MSN Careers, here are some tips for success during these tough economic times.

• Be open to change. While change isn’t always the most comfortable thing to accept, it is something you need to adapt to.  You may be asked to take on new tasks, or report to a new department.  While it may be difficult, do your best and you will succeed. Think of evolution…those who don’t adapt don’t survive.
• Look for new opportunities. You could be asked to take on new responsibilities.  Don’t freak out, use these to your advantage.  You can show your manager that you are able to do more than you currently are, which could bring more opportunities, or an advancement in the future.
• Don’t bite off more than you can chew. While you should be volunteering for new projects, don’t over do it.  You will end up burning yourself out and producing unsatisfactory results.  If you feel overworked, let your manager know.  They may be able to push back deadlines, give the task to someone else, or even help out.
• Don’t worry. While it is natural to worry, over-doing it will end up affecting your performance.  Pay attention to what is going on around you and in the industry.  If layoffs are actually coming, you need to put your best foot forward in order to show your managers how indispensable you are.
• Upgrade. Constantly look to better yourself.  Whether it is a class, seminar, or even attending more networking functions, you need to continually better yourself.  This will increase your chances of being noticed in the workplace, and if you do get a pink slip, you can better situate yourself in the job market.
• Take your blinders off. Keep your eyes open for other opportunities.  There are jobs out there, and if you see a better opportunity, go for it.  Be sure your resume is up to date, keep in touch with your network and search the job boards every once in a while.

Times may be tough now, but they will get better. Your hard work will pay off, and will lead to further opportunities once things turn around, either within your company or with a new one.

Productivity Killers

There are numerous things during the day that hinder your productivity on the job.   BCjobs.ca offers a list of productivity killers that you may not even notice during your work day…some of them may surprise you!

• Email SPAM. If you are like more office workers, you get notification when you receive a new message in your inbox and jump as soon as an email comes through.    You probably get many emails during the day and the time it takes to weed through them, assess and delete the SPAM is said to cost the average business $1934 per employee per year in lost productivity.  Even if your office has firewalls and other filters in place, SPAM still gets through.
• Stress. Being stressed on the job means that you will most likely put off projects and assignments you deem to be the most stressful until the end of the day(in turn making your day even more stressful).  The added stress means that you aren’t concentrating and working to the best of your ability.  This could in turn mean more hours put in, incomplete tasks or a sub-par performance.
• Clutter. Every office has one…someone’s desk that is so filled with clutter, you wonder how they can function.  Truthfully, they are probably not functioning at 100%.  Being unorganized costs time and money, as messy people tend to spend more time searching for documents and other resources.  All it takes is the last 10-15 minutes of the day tidying up your space to maintain a clean, professional workspace.  Also, daily calendars and To-Do lists will help you remember what needs to be done and when.
• Conflict. Conflict with coworkers is pretty much inevitable…people don’t always get along.  If you are at odds with a coworker, be proactive and set a meeting to resolve the issue.  The sooner the issue is resolved, the sooner you can focus your energy on your work as opposed to focusing on the issue.

No one is entirely focused and productive 100% of the time at work.  As mentioned, there are many different reasons why productivity can be hindered, but acknowledging these and working through them will help you get back on track.

International Internships

Instead of working the typical summer job at the pool or waiting tables, why not consider finding an international job or internship.  Not only will it look great on a resume, but it could end up being an experience of a lifetime.  There are literally hundreds of websites out there that offer advice and placements, but the first place you should always start is your school’s career centre.  Some schools, such as York University, offer international internship placements, but if your school doesn’t, your career counsellors should be able to point you in the right direction.

Choosing the country you want to be work in could prove to be difficult.  Be sure to do your research.  Know as much as you can about the country, the language, customs and culture.  Are you willing to learn a new language, or do you know at least the basics in another language (here in Canada, you should have SOME knowledge of French).  Once you have a list, begin to research the types of organizations you can intern at.  Find out what they do, what kind of role you will be taking on, and if international students have worked there before. It is also a good idea to speak with others who have worked internationally in the past.  They will be able to give you real insight into what it’s like to live and work in a foreign country.

The Government of Canada offers an International Youth Internship Program, for post-secondary graduates between the ages of 19 and 30.  There are many different countries to choose from, as well as many different fields.  Check it out at www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/internships.

SWAP Working Holidays, available at www.SWAP.ca, is another great service to take advantage of.    SWAP takes the hassle out of getting your work visa, finding accommodations, as well as providing leads for employment.  While you may not find a job in your field, you could be doing anything from serving in a restaurant to working at the front desk of a hotel in one of thirteen different countries.  Also, some countries, such as Brazil and Thailand offer teaching positions.

Once you are in another country, it is important to make the most of it.  Of course things are going to be different, but that is why you chose to work internationally to begin with, right?  It is very important to build relationships, ask questions, get involved and above all be open minded.  Go out and explore, see what makes the country what it is.  Above all, have fun!

The long distance job search

Depending on where you live and what kind of job you are looking for, you may have to look in another city, province or even another country.  A long distance job search is certainly harder than searching close to home, as there are a number of different factors you need to consider.  Are you going to be able to afford living in a new city?  How quickly can you find a place to live?  Do you know anyone in that city (to room with until you find a place to live)?  Are you able to travel for an interview?  These questions, as well as many others will be on your mind, as well as the hiring manager’s.  While it is difficult, a recent article on careerbuilder.com offers help with your long distance job search.

• Focus your search. Do your research before you begin applying for jobs and ask yourself the following questions: How far are you willing to move?  What is the cost of living in the new city?  Which cities have the best job prospects?  Speak to friends and family in the area to help you out with any questions you may have.  Also be sure that if and when you go for an interview, that  you scope out the area to get a better feel for it.
• Consult your network. See if you know anyone in the city you are looking in.  Even if it’s your friend’s cousin’s hairdresser’s sister,  knowing someone will get you the inside scoop of living in the city, as well as possible jobs in that coveted “hidden job market.”
• Be up front. Let the hiring manager know why you are looking for a job in another area.  Also, if you are already planning to relocate, let them know your intended moving date.  This avoids your resume being passed over due to location.
• Prepare for a phone interview. Chances are if you are a fair distance away, your first interview will be over the phone.  This ensures that you are a good fit before you travel for a face-to-face interview.  Be cautious however…treat the phone interview just as you would treat a face-to-face interview.  For some great tips, check out “How to handle a phone interview.”
• Be flexible. Remember that the market is tough, and there are usually hundreds of people that apply for every job posted.  This means that you need to be flexible with meeting times.  You also need to remember that you will be responsible for travel expenses should you be selected for an interview, as well as moving expenses should you get the position.
• Register with a large staffing firm. Often times large staffing firms have other locations in major cities across the country.  When you are registering with them, be sure to let them know that you are open to relocation.  They can then let their other offices know and the job opportunities will be passed along to you.

Often times the job you desire just isn’t available in your city, meaning you need to look outside of your immediate area.  While a long distance job search is tough, it opens the doors to many opportunities you may have otherwise not seen.

Negotiation No-No’s

Negotiation really is an art, and some people are simply better at it than others.  If you are one of the lucky ones who can negotiate like a pro, then congrats!  However, if you are like the other 95% of the population, then here are some things to avoid during the negotiations, with help from Monster.ca.

• Initiating negotiations too soon. When you have been offered a new job, you need to stave off the negotiation stage until you have been given a formal offer.  Also remember that you don’t need to negotiate just for the sake of negotiating.  If the offer looks good, then take it!
• Only negotiating salary. Remember that there is more to your compensation than just money. You need to look at vacation time, benefits, bonuses, other paid time off, etc.  Look at the big picture, and remember that all the extra perks are of value and need to be considered as well.
• Lack of trust. Many new employees go into negotiations thinking that the employer is trying to lowball them.  While this may be true of some employers, this is not the general case across the board.   If you think that you deserve more, than give GOOD reasons why you think so, but remember that some positions have a built in salary range that cannot be exceeded.
• Assuming a degree = a higher salary. Remember that there are hundreds of other candidates that have the same or similar degree as you.  I hate to say it, but a degree doesn’t account for much anymore.  If, however, you have a degree coupled with a few years experience, you will be more likely to negotiate a higher starting salary.
• Believing that negotiations will always end in your favour. Negotiations are a compromise, meaning you may have to give a little to get a little.  Work with the employer to come to an agreement, and offer to revisit things at a set time.  If your performance is exceptional, you have proof that you deserve what you are asking for.

After accepting a job offer, remember that there are hundreds of other qualified candidates who have been turned down for this position.  Should you become too demanding, you may find yourself joining them again in the job search.