· Web viewSet realistic daily, weekly and long-term goals. Review your achievements nightly and...
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Job Search Advice (provided by the Cooperative Education and Career Services at the University of Guelph)
Transcript of · Web viewSet realistic daily, weekly and long-term goals. Review your achievements nightly and...
Job Search Advice(provided by the Cooperative Education and Career Services
at the University of Guelph)
Tips to Stay Motivated in your Job Search:• Plan ahead for being unemployed, this will help you to manage stress. Save
in advance for a period of unemployment and take a part time or contract job.
• Build job search time into the week so that your other commitments such as a part-time job don't take precedence.
• A 6-12 month job search is the norm, so don’t be discouraged and quit after a few months. Keep networking, keep researching, and keep applying for jobs!
• Accept that you won't be able to control all aspects of your job search.• Frame your unemployment as "self-employment" during your job search.
You are the product you are marketing to employers. Self employment requires structure, specific working hours and an office.
• Review your skills and strengths, positive attributes and achievements daily. • Keep a daily journal. Note especially the positive and upbeat things that
have happened in your life or your job search. Read it when you are feeling down.
• Change discouragement into positive action and determination to get moving with your job search again. Don’t give up readily. Recognize your personal excuses to avoid looking for work.
• Associate with people who are positive and encouraging. Avoid, if at all possible, those with a negative view of the world.
• Keep up your diet, appearance and exercise routine. Dress for your job search as you would in the office.
• Ensure your activity in job search is productive. Networking is the most successful job search technique so give it the greater portion of your time.
• Use your strengths in job search to build up your weaknesses. Introverts are good at planning and research, but need more preparation time for the face to face, people activities. Extroverts are more comfortable in face to face meetings but need to learn to listen well, to allow enough time for planning and research and to keep their answers concise.
• Set realistic daily, weekly and long-term goals. Review your achievements nightly and prepare the next day’s job search goal. If you achieve the daily goal, you may decide to work ahead or reward yourself with a more pleasurable activity. In either event, you have been successful and are
moving ahead toward your job objective.• Evaluate what you have done regularly; correct it (if needed) and go on from
there.• Develop a support network of family, friends and mentors. Join a job search
club or support group. Ask for help.• Volunteer! It gives you an opportunity to use and improve your skills, as well
as to keep your spirits up. It can also be an important part of the job search and lead to new contacts.
• Reward yourself. Find ways to relax and rewards that do not require a lot of money
• Keep your sense of humour during the job search. People who have been turned down for jobs can easily develop a negative frame of mind which is likely to come through in interviews and decrease your chances of getting a job.
ResumesResume Styles
WHEN TO USE IT TYPE OF RESUME
CHRONOLOGICAL• Items are listed in reverse
chronological order• You’ve used headings like: work
experience, volunteer experience, education
• Focus on job titles, descriptions, dates.
• This style is preferred by employers
• You have relevant experience to highlight
• You want to connect your skills to your experiences
• You want to “name drop” employers and job titles
FUNCTIONAL• Items are divided into skill areas:
communication skills, technical skills, laboratory skills etc.
• List work experiences without descriptions.
• You have lots of skills, but not much work experience, or not much relevant work experience
• You have many skills from education (ex. laboratory, computer)
• You're changing career paths.• This style is not as common, and
does not show progression.COMBINATION• This style is a mix of chronological
and functional styles.• You may have headings such as
Education, Work Experience, Laboratory Skills
• You have some relevant work experience to highlight.
• You have relevant skills from educational experiences.
Contact Information
TIPS• Include: name, address (including postal code), telephone
number(s), email address• Your contact information should be at the top of the page and be
clearly visible.• Your name should be 2-4 font sizes larger than the body of your
text.JANE DOE
50 Stone Road EGuelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
Make it Professional
If your email address is "[email protected]" then consider setting up a new account or using your university address for job searching purposes. Also ensure that your voice mail message is professional sounding. If your primary phone is your cell make sure that you set it to either go directly to voice mail or turn it off when you are not in a position to talk. Remember, professionalism also goes for any information that you have posted on social networking sites such as Facebook or Myspace. Make sure to keep your settings private and ensure that your profile picture is professional looking.
Moving? Make sure to include both your current contact information and your future contact information as well. If you do not know where you will be, add the permanent address of someone that will know how to get in touch with you.
Choose Your HeadingsMake sure the headings you choose reflect the most relevant skills and experiences you have to offer.
Chronological Style Headings:
• Highlight of Qualifications• Highlight of Skills• Education• Training• Certifications• Education & Training• Work Experience• Related Experience• Employment• Recent Experience• Work and Volunteer History• Work History• Academic Projects• Research Experience• Volunteer Experience• Other Experience• Extracurricular• Awards and Accomplishm
Functional Style Skill Headings:
• Analytical• Communication• Computer• Creativity• Enterprising• Financial• Innovation• Interpersonal• Laboratory• Leadership• Management• Numerical• Organizational• Planning• Presentations• Problem Solving• Supervision• Teaching/Instructing• Teamwork• Technical
Education SectionWHAT IS IT?
This section must be included as it outlines your educational accomplishments.
Include your high school diploma, university degrees, college diplomas, training programs, certifications, apprenticeships. As a University student you should only include your high school information during the first 2 years of your undergraduate program. If you have a Masters or PhD, then you should continue to include all undergraduate information.
TIPS• Include: Name of the degree, institution attended, location (city
and province). Also include the country if you graduated from a school outside of Canada.
• If you are currently working toward a degree include the range of dates (2009 – present). If you have graduated from your program, just list the end date (2008).
• Include information related to your degree to emphasize specific knowledge. This information may be your thesis topic, special projects/designs, relevant courses etc.
• Include awards or achievements related to your education here, however, if the list is lengthy, consider having a separate section for these.
• The emphasis should be on your degree and specific knowedge you have gained, rather than the institution you attended.
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology 2008University of Guelph, Guelph, OntarioMinor: Economics• Awarded Dean's Honour List from 2004-2008 for achieving an 80%
cumulative average.
Experience SectionsWHAT IS IT?
These sections outline your work, volunteer, and extracurricular experiences and the skills you developed in each. could have many different titles depending on the experience that you would like to highlight to an employer. See Chronological Style Headings above.
TIPS• Highlight relevant information first.• Include full-time, part-time, temporary, summer or volunteer
work.• List the job title, organization's name, location (city and
province) and years of employment.• Include 2-6 bullet points for each item.• Bullet points should: describe the skills gained, responsibilities,
accomplishments, and duties that were part of each experience.
• If you worked for the same organization on and off for a number of years, state the organization once with the range of dates and responsibilities.
• If you held more than one position with the same organization, you may list all the job titles under one employer with bullet points for each.
• Do not add supervisor names or telephone numbers.• If you didn't have a formal job title, create a reasonable title
that explains what you did.• All items should be listed in reverse chronological order (most
recent to least recent)• Focus on the positions that are most recent and/or relevant to
the position you are applying for.• Work history should include only the last 5 years (for a typical
student). If you are a mature student then you may go back as far as 10 years.
• In some cases it may be useful to give some context to your experience by writing a brief statement about what the company does, or in which industry they work.
Interior Park Ranger Summer 2009Ministry of Natural Resources, Algonquin Park, ON• Created new campsites according to management plans; included
surveying, clearing brush, and designating fire-pit areas.• Maintained interior trails and portages in a team of 3 Interior Rangers.• Cared for native species; included trimming and observing for pests and
signs disease and taking steps to control any outbreaks.• Kept statistics tracking threats to native species; recognized for having
identified an invasive species early enough to prevent its spread.• Reported about project progression through weekly written updates and
submitted recommendations regarding trail maintenance based on observations.
Skills SectionsWHAT IS IT?Each Skill Section should highlight a single skill by illustrating with experiences that demonstrate that skill. Use this if you have chosen a Functional Style or a Combination Style resume.
TIPS• For each skill heading include 2-6 bullet points to demonstrate
this skill and/or how you developed it.• Write about an accomplishment you are proud of that shows you
have this skill.• A problem you solved using this skill, and the results.• A time when you used this skill to positively affect the
organization, the bottom line, your boss, your clients.• Quantifiable results that point to your skill.• Recognition you've received (awards, publications, etc) that relate
to your skill.
Laboratory Skills• Experienced in chromatography (thin layer, ion exchange, gel filtration)• Practiced in gravimetric and volumetric analysis
• Skilled in acid/base titrations• Familiar with spectrophotometry,organic synthesis and pH meter• Trained in proper laboratory safety: WHIMIS and Material Safety Data
Sheet• Wrote organized technical laboratory reports
Other SectionsWHAT IS IT?In addition to the mandatory sections of your resume (contact information, education, experience) there are a number of other sections that you may include depending on your experiences and what you would like to highlight to the employer.
Some other sections to consider using:
• Volunteer Experience• Awards/Achievements• Languages• Special Skills/Projects• Professional Memberships• Certifications• Extracurricular Activities
Interests - Be careful using an Interests section. Include only interests that relate to the position you are applying for. Avoid using this section to include irrelevant information. If you're applying for a job in Real Estate you might mention your interest in public speaking and involvement in Toastmasters, but don't write about your love of Guitar Hero and scrapbooking.
TIPS• Always follow the same formatting as you did for your Experience
and Education Sections.• Include accomplishment statements.
Position/Role datesTeam/Club/Group, City, Prov• Accomplishment statements about the group, your role, your skills.
Award Name dates Awarding Organization, City, Prov
• Accomplishment statement about why you received the award.
Bullet Points: Accomplishment StatementsWHAT IS IT?Once you have your experiences listed on your resume it's time to write the bullet points beneath each item.
The bullet points are called "accomplishment statements" because they refer to what you did, and what you accomplished during each of those experiences.
The purpose of the accomplishment statements is to prove to the employer that:
• You have relevant skills• You are capable of learning new skills• You can apply your current skills to a new situation
Here are some questions to ask yourself about past experiences to help write your accomplishment statements:
What did I do?
Where was I?Who else was there?What were my duties/responsibilities?How long did I do it for?What role did I play on the team?What were the results of the project/activity?
What new things did I learn?
About myself?About others?Techniques?Knowledge?Ideas?Skills?Concepts?
What did I contribute?
Did the company ever use an idea I suggested?When did people come to me for advice?Did I train anybody in a particular skill?Personal traits/knowledge/ideas/skills?When did I take initiative?Did I work with someone important?
What did others commend me for, or say I did well?
What can I do better than others?Was I promoted? How often?Did I win any awards (Employee of the Month, Academic Scholarships)?What was said on my performance reviews?Was I recognized for excellent attendance?Did I do routine parts of my job on schedule so there was no backlog?Did I provide exceptional customer service?
What did I achieve, accomplish, produce, or succeed in doing?
Did I produce a product or publication?Did I finish a major project on time?Did I meet budget targets?Did projects I was responsible for come in under budget?Did I start a system that improved efficiency?What are the 10 greatest accomplishments of my life, and what skills did I use to achieve them?What tasks did I complete in less time than expected?
How to Write an Accomplishment StatementWhen writing accomplishment statements always focus on the action, what you accomplished in your job, and relate it to a skill when possible. These statements make the bullet points on your resume.
Use the CAR method to arrange your sentences:
• Challenge: a problem or opportunity• Action: what steps you took to meet the challenge
• Results: what happened (using dollars, time, percentages or amounts)
STEPS:
1. Start with a verb in the past tense. Click here to see a list of resume action words. You can also start with a standard list of duties from your job description, or from the National Occupational Classification which gives a list of duties for every job imaginable (http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/SearchIndex.aspx).
• Interviewed people by phone.
Good: Starts with a verb.
Poor: Boring and short.
2. Challenge: a problem or opportunity. Give more detail to explain what you did.
• Interviewed clients to establish consumer useage of green products.
Good: gives more detail.
Poor: Focuses on duties, not skills.
3. Action: what steps you took. Add a point to show a skill you demonstrated or what you did.
• Effectively interviewed clients to establish consumer useage of green products.
• Tabulated results according to specifications
Good: Second point added to show skill.
Poor: Points need to be more specific.
4. Results: what happened (using dollars, time, percentages or amounts). Show a result to quantify what you said. Include accomplishments when possible.
• Effectively interviewed clients to establish consumer useage of green products; achieved a 70% response rate.
• Accurately tabulated results and analyzed data; presented a final report on the findings.
Good: Result is quantified. Accomplishment included.
Poor: Too many adverbs.
5. Use your own words: Keep the language simple. Don't use too many adverbs or it sounds fake. (Ex. Enthusiastically watered plants with great care.)
• Interviewed clients to establish consumer useage of green products; achieved a 70% response rate.
• Accurately tabulated results and analyzed data; presented a final report on the findings.
Good: Removed the first adverb. Only use adverbs to highlight the most important items.
TIPS• Write in bullet point format. Bullet points are easier to read
because they are easy to scan for the most important information.
• 2-6 bullet points for each item on your resume. Never exceed 2 lines of text per bullet point.
• Be very specific and write concisely. Highlight information that complements and supports the job you're applying for and demonstrates your transferable (soft) skills such as communication, leadership and organization.
• Use few words.
• Focus on the duties/skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Remove lesser duties from your resume.
• Use numbers to quantify when possible. Writing “Provided daily care to two children aged 6 months and 2 years including creative play, outings, feeding and hygiene” is much more informative than "Worked with children." It gives the reader more information about your skills and how you would use them in a new context.
• Be objective. Removing “I’s, “my’s” etc., will help with this aspect of writing accomplishment statements. Never stretch the truth or lie on your resume.
• Write in past tense. Past tense language is much stronger language than present tense. “I developed” shows skills that you have obtained. “I am currently developing” denotes skills that you are still working on.
• Be consistent in your language and formatting. Don’t change fonts, section headings, indents, tabs, bullet styles etc.
• If a job description asks for 2 years experience and you only have 1 year; still apply, especially if you have other skills and qualities that are asked for in the ad. The job description is an employer’s ideal candidate, and you might just be the most qualified person who applies.
EXAMPLE OF STEPS:
CHALLENGE: A problem or opportunity, start with a verb.
• Served customers.• Handled cash.ACTION: What steps you took to meet the challenge, add detail and skill.
• Filled customer orders in a timely and effective manner.• Balanced cash by ensuring accurate transactions.
RESULTS: What happened, add accomplishments and quantifiers ($, time, % etc.)
• Filled customer orders in a timely and effective manner.• Promoted to a larger section and recognized as Employee of the Month
after 2 months.• Balanced cash by ensuring accurate transactions.• Verified others' balances as a result of achieving 100% accuracy over a
3-month period.
Job Title datesCompany Name, City, Province• Your job duties and responsibilities: Assisted credit manager in account
collection by phone and mail, increasing accounts receivables by 20%.
• An accomplishment you are proud of that shows you're good at your profession: Developed a new employee orientation program that 100% of company locations adopted.
• A problem you solved and the results: Co-chaired a series of blood drives in the local area, netting over 1200 units of usable blood.
• A time when you positively affected the organization, the bottom line, your boss, your co-workers, your clients: Responded to over 85 customer calls daily and solved 90% of their concerns.
• A project you are proud of that supports your job objective: Created a multi-media campaign that increased enrollment by 700 students in eight years.
• An occasion someone "sat up and took notice" of your skill: Served customers in a positive way, receiving two customer service awards in the past year.
• Awards, commendations, publications you achieved that related to the job you want next: Submitted over 500 construction bids annually and was awarded 90% of the contracts.
Writing Tips
Ask yourself the following questions to make sure your resume will meet employer's expectations:
• Is my resume less than 2 pages?• Is the language easy to read?• Have I written in the past tense throughout?• Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?• Did I use a verb to start most bullet points? (Do this so the employer can
easily scan for desired skills)• Do the examples reflect my skills and abilities?• Have I highlighted skills that relate to the job I'm applying to?• Did I avoid exaggerating?• Do I like the format I chose?• Does the format make it readable? Is it easy to find important information?• Have I used consistent fonts and formatting?• Is there anything that would be better suited in a cover letter than on my
resume?• Does it make a good first impression?
TIPS• Use clear, concise language (no acronyms, jargon, or pretentious
language).• Use headings and titles to make it easy for the employer to read.• Be positive and sell yourself. Highlight what you can offer an
employer.• Use a standard font size 10-12pt font that is neat and easy to
read.• Use white or cream coloured paper. Don't use coloured fonts or
decorations.• Limit yourself to 2 pages. Your resume should be 1 page, 1.5
pages, or 2 pages in length.• Avoid using "I", "my", or "we" on your resume. Ex. "Awarded an
Entrance Scholarship based on an 80% academic average" is more professional than "I was awarded an Entrance Scholarship based on my 80% average."
• Do not add pictures, personal information, your previous salary, or discuss personal issues.
Cover LettersWHAT IS A COVER LETTER?
The cover letter is an introduction to you and your unique combination of skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to the job. It gives you a chance to emphasize the qualities you possess and the experiences you have had which make you the ideal candidate for the position to which you are applying.
WHEN DO I USE A COVER LETTER?
Every time you apply for a job! Your cover letter and resume together constitute your application.
WHY DO I NEED A COVER LETTER?
The cover letter is critical in that it makes the connection between the skills, education, and experiences shown on your resume and the requirements of the position to which you are applying. The main purpose of the resume and cover letter together is to get an interview.
Basics of Writing a Cover Letter• Format your letter like a formal business letter.• Do research before you write. Research the organization, the job,
and your own skills.• Decipher the Job Ad so you can target your letter to the job.• Show your intent and enthusiasm, and highlight how the company
will benefit from hiring you.
• Ensure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. Follow the rules of good English writing.
Research the CompanyDo research about the company before you start writing so that you can sound knowledgeable about the industry in your cover letter and in your interview. It is important to show that you're sincerely interested in working for an organization.
TIPS• Do research online: the company's website, newspaper articles,
industry reviews• Talk to people in the industry in-person or by phone.
FIND OUT:
• What are the industry trends and changes?• Where does the company stand relative to their competitors?• What is the organization’s financial position? Are they growing?
Declining? Stable?• How is the organization structured?• What are the values and missions of the company?• What is the corporate culture? Is it a high-stress and competitive
environment or not?
• To whom will you address your cover letter? (Get the correct title and spelling!)
Research the JobBefore you start writing it's important that you understand the job you're applying for so you can target your resume and cover letter.
TIPS• Read the job posting carefully.• Network with people in the field.
FIND OUT:
• What skills and abilities are required to do the work?• What personal characteristics are required to do the work? Are
they looking for a leader? A team-player?• What tasks and responsibilities are involved in the work?• What is the work? What projects are currently on the go?• How much supervision is there? Will you be working
independently, or will you be highly supervised?
Decipher the Job PostingThe job posting is developed with the ideal candidate in mind. You should match your experience and training to the key qualifications listed in the job ad, this will help you once you start to write.
Identify key experiences you've had that match the desired skills
Use a table to match the duty, the skill, and your experience.Just choose the duties you think are most important; you'll only have space to address 2-4 in your cover letter.
• In the left column identify 3-4 specific tasks related to the job or qualifications that the employer lists in the job description.
• In the middle column identify the related skill.• In the right column list an experience you have that shows that
you have the skill. Once you have the right column completed, you can build the pieces together as the content for the middle paragraph(s).
Start Writing!
Now you can tie-together the the examples in the right column to build your middle paragraphs.
How to Write Each ParagraphThere isn't a formula for writing a cover letter. It is important to make a great first impression. To do this use business letter format, write clearly, and make sure you don't have any spelling or grammar mistakes.
If you need some structure to get started, here are some
suggestions:
Introductory Paragraph
• The first paragraph should be interesting and grab the reader's attention. Show enthusiasm for the job opportunity!
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the organization and why you're interested in becoming part of their team.
• Outline how your educational background fits with the requirements.
• You may wish to indicate where you learned of the position. If someone referred you to the position this is where to mention it!
Middle Paragraphs
• You may write in traditional paragraph format, in bullet point format or use a 2 column format.
• These paragraphs should demonstrate what key skills and abilities you possess that make you an ideal candidate for the job.
• Document your relevant qualifications by using examples (ex. education, jobs, volunteer positions, etc.). Be sure to match the job posting.
• Mirror language that is used in the job description. This will reinforce the idea that you have the skills required of the position and will allow the employer to easily see your fit.
Closing Paragraph
• The closing paragraph is another opportunity where you can sell yourself by summarizing the main points of your cover letter.
• Demonstrate action, if possible (ie. “I will follow-up in two weeks...”).
• Indicate appreciation by thanking them for their consideration.• If you are going to be moving at the end of the semester and
changing phone numbers, indicate how best to contact you, and when.
TIPS• Your address - Ensure that your full address is at the top of the
of the letter, along with your telephone number.• Date - Place the date a few lines underneath the return
adddress.• Their address - You must include a contact person’s
name, the company's name and address .All should be spelled correctly.
• Salutation - Address your letter using the contact's full name. Don't use a title unless you're certain: Mr.,Miss, Ms., Mrs., Doctor etc. If you are responding toa blind ad address it with “Dear Selection Committee” or “Dear Members of the Hiring Committee” insteadof "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern".
• Length – Cover letters should be no more than one pagein length. Just to highlight a few important skills or
experiences to get them to offer you an interview.• Sign Off – Use an appropriate sign off term like
“Sincerely”, leave 4 – 5 lines and type your name. Inbetween these two lines, sign your name. If you aresending your cover letter electronically, just type your name.
• Paper – use the same paper for your cover letter thatyou use for your resume.
Writing TipsMake it Personal
• Figure out why the company appeals to you, don't just repeat a boring citation from their website.
• Use the research you did to show your enthusiasm and make a personal link between the company and something you've done.
• Good background research about the job and company will help you speak to the qualities and attributes that the employer may be looking for.
• Use relevant examples.Poor personal link:
"Campbell Soup Company has a long history of providing
consumers with high quality products at an affordable cost."
Good personal link:
“Campbell Soup Company has a long history of demonstrating a
strong social conscience through such outreach programs such as
“Labels for Education” and “Stamp out Hunger”. I too am involved
in my community through the local food bank and would take great
pride in working for an organization that strives to assist members
of its community.”
Go for Clarity
• Get to the point and clearly establish why you're writing.• Be specific.• Use simple business language. Use common action words and
short sentences. Don't use cliches.• Minimize "I" statements.• Read your letter out loud to yourself. If it is hard to read out loud,
it's probably too wordy and needs to be edited.•Poor example:
With the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs committing
to cases such as the Growing Forward Agreement and the Ontario
Ethanol Growth Fund, they are helping to expand various agricultural
programs and facilities. As a result, OMAFRA helps to strengthen
the agricultural food sector of Ontario, as well as improve food
safety in its rural communities. As a Bachelor of Commerce
Marketing Management Co-op student I am interested in the
Junior Project Analyst position that was posted on the University
of Guelph Recruit website. I would take great pride in tackling the
challenges provided to me and using my knowledge of verbal and
written communication skills to contribute to this opportunity.
Improved example:
As a Bachelor of Commerce Marketing Management Co-op student I
am interested in the Junior Project Analyst position with OMAFRA. I
would take great pride in working for the Ministry, and look forward
to using my communication skills to make a significant contribution.
I am especially interested in the new sustainability project which
was launched in September, 2009 and would value the opportunity
to play a part in its development.
Be Professional
• No spelling or grammar errors.• Follow business letter formatting, sign your letter, use the same
font as your resume.• Maintain a balance between professionalism and friendliness.• Vary sentence structure.• Talk about what you can do for them, not what they can do for
you.• Don't try to be funny.• Be careful not to come across as arrogant
Poor Example Problem Suggestion for Improvement
“In my position, I was required to be courteous, conscientious and energetic."
Remove the term “required”. Saying you were “required to be courteous” indicates that you were forced to do it, rather than it being natural.
“In my positionas cashier, I was commended formy ongoingcourteous, conscientiousand energeticattitude”
Name the position rather than being vague.
“Although I am not familiar with SAS, I am familiar with other statistical programs”
Never talk about the skills you don’t have. Speak only in positive terms about what you can bring to the employer.
“I am quitefamiliar with anumber ofstatisticalprograms, andamcurrentlydeveloping myexpertise in SAS.”
“I did a design plan as part of a class project.”
The term “did” is vague. It does not describe your skills or abilities.
“As part of a2nd yearEngineeringproject, Icreated a design plan that…”
“This position is exactly what I’ve been looking for and I know that I’ll really enjoy it!”
Too writer centered.
Your cover letter should focus on what you can bring to the employer and how you will be an asset to them. Focus on what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.
“I look forwardto meeting withyou to furtherdiscuss how Ican contributeto the ongoingsuccess ofMacintoshEnterprises.”
“I have many skills in research, design, development, etc.”
The word "many" is ambiguous.
Don't use "etc." in your cover letter. Clearly
“I am skilled inresearch,design anddevelopmentand will bring
outline the skills and abilities you have.
four yearsexperience toyourorganization.”
“I’ve got a lot of experience working in the hospitality establishment”
This is not specific enough about your areas of expertise. Add quantifiers to showing how much experience or skills you have.
“With my twoyearsexperienceworking in bothhotels andrestaurants,I bringexperienceworking withcustomers,dealing withcashtransactions…”
Interview PreparationWHAT IS THE POINT OF AN INTERVIEW?
An interview will give you the chance to have a conversation with the employer to share information. Your objective is to share information regarding your skills, experience, personality and interests and to gain further information about the position and
your fit within the organization.
WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE?
Keep reading for loads of tips to help you get ready. The main thing to keep in mind is that the subject of the interview is you. You must know your abilities, interests, skills, goals, experience and personality and you must know how to present this information in the interview.
Interview BasicsAll interview questions are related to four key issues:
• Why are you here? What brings you to our company? i.e. What do you know about this organization?
• What kind of person are you? i.e. What are your goals, values, personality traits?
• What can you do for our company? What can you do for me? i.e. What are your skills, special knowledge and aspirations?
• How much are you going to cost? i.e. What are your salary expectations? What will you cost in training? etc.
Prepare answers in those four areas, plus:
• “Have you any questions?”
Interview PreparationRESEARCH: Know Yourself
Know your abilities, interests, skills, experience and personality. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses in each of these areas.
Think about short stories from work, school and volunteer experiences that you can tell to illustrate your skills in a variety of areas. Each story should be about 3 - 4 sentences in length and
tell something about you that is of value to the interviewer.
TIPS• What have I gained from past work experiences, academic
programs and other activities?• What are my strong and weak points?• What are my short term and long term career goals?• What do I have to offer the employer?• What kind of supervisor do I like and why?• Use relevant stories to illustrate your answers.• Book a career assessment to determine your skills and
interests and how they relate to the world of work.• Ask friends and family members to help identify your top
strengths and challenges.
RESEARCH: The Job
Know about the job you're applying for. This includes the specific job, and generally about the industry and field.
TIPS• Understand the job posting.• Check if your interests and abilities compare to the
requirements of the position.• Read articles written by people who are in the field.• Inform yourself about future trends in the industry.• Find out the average income earned by people in the
occupation.• Conduct informational interviews – talk to people in the
field and those who do the job to get the scoop.• Search through the
National Occupational Classification Index for mainduties, educational requirements and occupationsclassified similarly.
• Talk to friends and relatives.
RESEARCH: The OrganizationIt’s easier to convince an employer that you would be of benefit to the organization if you are knowledgeable about it. Also, researching an organization can help you decide whether you want to work there.
TIPS• How old is the organization, and what is its history of
development?• What are its products or services?• If the organization sells, what are its markets? Retailers?
Wholesalers?• Is it a public or non-profit organization? What purpose
does it serve? How is it funded? Whom does it serve?What functions does it perform?
• How does this organization rank in the industry?• What is the financial status of the company? Last year’s sales?
Growth record?• Are there any plans for expansion?• What is the organizational structure?• What problems does the organization need to overcome?
(By identifying the problems that the organization faces, you can match your abilities to these ends during theinterview.)
• Where to look online: the Organization's website, annualreports, newsgroups, professional associations,newspaper articles, local Chamber of Commerce.
• Who to talk to: attend Career Nights, information sessionsand job fairs to speak to people currently working in
the organization.
Practice and EvaluationReview and practice sample interview questions to increase your confidence level and competence in answering effectively. Following each interview, evaluate what went well and how you
may be able to improve – this is a very useful strategy in preparing for subsequent interviews.
TIPS• Practice answering out loud. It will help you master your
answer better than just thinking about how you wouldanswer.
Answering Interview Questions - STARRQuestions that start with "Tell me about a time when..." are popular because they show how you've handled difficult situations in the past - which is a good indicator of how you will deal with similar situations in the future.
Spend time thinking about your strengths, skills and stories that would illustrate these skills to an employer. Your research on the employer/occupation will tell you the skills required for a particular job. Be specific.
All good stories have a beginning (setting up the situation/task), a middle (where the action takes place) and an end (the result or relevance of your behaviour). Remember, you want to discuss what you did or accomplished in the story. Some Typical Behaviour-Based Questions:
• Describe your most disappointing and frustrating experience in gaining the support of others for an idea or proposal.
• Tell me about a time when you had to work hard in order to fully
understand what another person was saying to you.• Describe the last time you did something at school/work that
went well beyond expectations.• Give me an example of a time in which you felt you were able to
motivate your co-workers in school/work.• Tell me about a time when you dealt effectively with conflict.• Describe the most significant written document, report or
presentation that you have completed.The STARR Technique for Answering Interview Questions
S - SituationT - TaskA - ActionR - ResultR - Relevance
This technique will ensure you answer all aspects of the question you've been asked.
Interview Question: Tell me about a time when you had to explain
detailed information to someone.
STEP 1: Think of a story you can tell to illustrate the example.
STEP 2: Start by describing the situation and the task you were assigned ~ Situation and Task
Situation/Task – Working in Laboratory Services at the University ofGuelph, there were often visiting researchers who needed to havedetailed protocols explained before they were allowed into the labs. In the past, the researchers were given a 10-minute tour.
STEP 3 - Talk about the action you took that illustrates the skill
you've been asked about ~ Action
Action – To ensure consistency, I developed a comprehensiveone-page document that was reviewed with each researcher inaddition to the tour. They had to read and sign the documentbefore being allowed into the labs.
STEP 4 - Explain how it turned out ~ Result
Result – Since implementing the system the protocols theinformation that needed to be communicated was always available,and we thereby decreased safety violations by 20%. As well, thesystem was made more efficient because now anyone working inthe lab can administer the procedure to visiting researchers.
STEP 5 - Describe what your story illustrated and how it relates to the job ~ Relevance
Relevance – I found a way to ensure detailed information was moreclearly understood, and lab safety was increased. If I am thesuccessful candidate, I would assess current communicationprocedures to determine if more efficient methods could beimplemented.
TIPS
• Think about stories that illustrate your competence andskill.
• Don’t try to “wing it” during the interview, be preparedwith examples.
• Be specific and use STARR.• Don’t give the employer a “I usually ...” answer.
Give them a specific example of a situation where youcan demonstrate the skill.
• Talk about your role in the story – what action did YOUtake. The story should focus around you – not your supervisor or co-workers.
Common Job Interview MistakesLack of Preparation - Failure to research the company and the job before the interview makes a very poor impression on recruiters.
Arriving too early - Don't arrive more than 10-15 minutes early. Being too early puts pressure on the interviewer, and may actually work to your disadvantage.
Wearing your coat and hat - Remove outdoor clothing before you go into an interview.
Non-verbal communication - Make eye contact. Listen intently when the interviewer is speaking. Give a firm handshake. Don't fidget.
Poor attitude - Overbearing or self-centred behavior (a “what’s in it for me” attitude) is very poorly received. The employer will want to hire you if you can demonstrate what you can contribute to the company, and what skills and experience bring to the job.
Short, long, directionless, pushy answers - “Yes” or “No” is not enough. Provide detail and cite examples from personal experience whenever possible. Don't ramble. If you don't understand a question, ask for it to be re-stated. Don't be pushy or demanding.
Over-sharing - Even if you feel comfortable do not reveal too much about your personal life. Stick to answering only the questions asked.
Bad-mouthing or revealing confidential information about another employer - Even if you are interviewing with the competition, interviewer dont' want to hear bad-mouthing about their competitors.
Not preparing any questions - Be prepared! Asking questions demonstrates that you are interested in the company, and you have done your homework.
Exaggerating accomplishments - Do not exaggerate your experience or skills when answering interview questions. Remember that employers may follow-up on your assertions during reference checks.
Asking about salary, vacation time, or promotions early in the interviewing process - Questions about money and benefits too soon in the process are a real turnoff to employers. The employer typically outlines salary and benefits at a final interview stage or when they offer you a position.
Making A Positive First ImpressionYou have one chance to make a positive first impression. Although there may be some things out of your control, there are a number of things that you can do to ensure that you are putting your best foot forward:
TIPS• Arrive 10-15 minutes early.• Turn off your cell phone before you arrive.• Dress neatly and cleanly in a business-like fashion.
• Avoid using too much cologne or perfume, but don't forget deodorant.
• Pleasantly introduce yourself to everyone you meet andoffer a firm handshake.
• Take job-related documents with you in a portfolio as wellas a pen and paper in case notes are required/allowed.
• Maintain regular eye contact with interviewers withoutstaring them down.
• Keep your head up, eyes open, and show a smile.• Posture and movement: upright with good posture, both
standing and seated. Avoid restlessness and excessive movement.
• Speech: use a moderate pitch and volume. Some variationadds interest and shows enthusiasm. Avoid mumbling,
nervous laughter and using the same phrase or wordrepeatedly.
Interview Thank You LetterIt is always appropriate to thank an interviewer after the interview, and a well crafted thank you letter can tip the scales in your favour.
TIPS
• Be concise – don’t reiterate everything that happened in the interview.
• Send within 24 hours.• Write to the lead person you met during the interview process.
Make sure to mention others that wereinvolved in the interview process.
• Be professional, yet personal – express your desire for theposition, yet avoid being overzealous.
• Reiterate your suitability for the position – brieflysummarize your qualifications. If there was something
that was missed in the interview, here might be a good opportunity to make mention of it.
• Check spelling and grammar – ensure perfection.
