Resume and Cover Letter Consistency

From the Employment and Learning Computer Lab:

Last time we discussed how when it comes to cover letters and resumes, two important and overlooked techniques in looking for a job are simplicity and consistency.  Since we covered simplicity, let’s talk about consistency.

Much like colors that can either blend or contrast, the same is true for the look of your resume and cover letter.  It is important to keep the letter and resume in the same typeface, or, font. Mixing up various fonts is both hard on the eyes and shows a possible lack of focus on the potential employee. 

Have everything in a row. If you are using bullet points, make sure all the points line up on the page.  Similarly, keep the previous job’s dates written consistently. For example, do not have some of them say just the years (2010-2011) and others more detailed dates (July 2010-May 2011). This is especially true if you mix them up (2010-May 2011). This could give the impression that you are not detail-oriented. If you know all the months you started a job, than use the July 2010-May 2011 format. If there is even one you are not sure of, use the simpler 2010-2011 on all of them.

It is important to keep the page looking as realistically symmetrical as possible, so it looks like a complete document, rather than a hodgepodge of information.

Cover Letters and Resumes: Simplicity

From the Employment and Learning Computer Lab:

When it comes to cover letters and resumes, two important and overlooked techniques in looking for a job are simplicity and consistency.

For now, let’s focus on simplicity:

Try not to cram too much information into either the resume or cover letter, but rather overlap your job history data in both the letter and the resume.

For example, if you worked at Company A, you may list your main job functions in bulleted form on the resume, and then on the cover letter explain a little about some of your other duties that are not necessarily in the job description.

Let’s say you were an assistant whose job was to make appointments, arrange travel and maintain the stockroom. In the cover letter, you can elaborate and add that you know modern copiers, faxing, dealing with vendors, and other extra functions that help make the office run smoother and present yourself more desirable as an employee.

Another case could be if you were looking for a job in construction. In the relevant bullet points in the resume, you may say you drove a particular kind of vehicle, or know a specific kind of equipment mentioned in the want ad, and then in the cover letter, you could add that you also know how to drive other kinds of trucks, or are familiar with, say, plumbing or electrical. Even if these are not relevant to the specific job, it shows that you are a motivated learner, and can add value to the position.

JOBS Saskatoon Airport

I recently had to pick someone up at the Saskatoon Airport (Diefenbaker international Airport). 

While on the Saskatoon Airport Authority’s website, I discovered an alternative method of researching employment opportunities.

If you live in Saskatoon and area and are interested in working in the transportation industry you may wish to check out the following link: http://www.yxe.ca/jobopps.php .  Another option is to directly to the Saskatoon Airport Authority’s website, look to the bottom left and click on the button:   AIRPORT JOB OPPORTUNITIES.  Either way you will find a link to ten employer’s websites, all with career sections.

There are lots of paying jobs at the airport, ranging from executive positions to retail.  You will also find volunteer jobs at the airport.  If your dream is to work in the transportation industry check out Saskatoon Airport Authority’s website.

Holiday Shopping... Holiday Jobs

With the festive season quickly approaching (I'm writing this in June and its +21 Celsius out) now is a great time to be thinking about a seasonal job.  I don't care if you are 15 or 55 you might be able to take advantage of the frenzy of shopping, buying and eating that comes every December.  There are opportunities in the hospitality industry, in retail and all over town.
I encourage you to shine up your resume and get out there.  Don't wait until December.  They are hiring now.
Get to the Mall, Restaurant, Club, Grocery Store, Post Office, Courier Office, Banquet Hall.
Can you think of any where else they hire seasonal workers.  Let me know.....

SASKBUSINESS TOP 100

Every year, Saskatchewan Business Magazine (published by Sunrise Publishing), researches and develops a list of the top 100 companies doing business in Saskatchewan.  The SASKBUSINESS TOP 100, which can be found in their magazine or online at www.sasktop100.com is an excellent research tool for the job seeker.

The website provides the job seeker with the company’s name, ranking from (from 1 to 100), location, Chief Executive Officer’s name, number of employees and the company’s major shareholder.  In addition you can click on the company name and immediately be linked to the company website.

From there you can continue to do your research on the company, including its mission, vision and values.  Companies use their websites to highlight their company by offering information including: profile, history, employee directories, annual reports, locations, news, community involvement and information on how to contact them.  And perhaps most important to the job seeker, companies often advertise for staff on their websites and the may not advertise anywhere else.

While vising company websites make sure you search out their ‘careers’ button (often not easy to find) and click on it.  You may find a host of opportunities you might never see on mainstream job search websites and job banks.

FOUND YOU!!

The internet is a wonderful tool for job seekers. Numerous job postings can be found within minutes and you don’t have to run all around town. However, be careful of how much of your personal information you put online. Unfortunately, there are people who will use this information to harm or just plain annoy you.

If you are posting your resume online for display make sure to check the privacy settings to determine who has access to your information. Is your information open to the everyone, or limited to employers only? This is especially important for contact information. Do not post your full address and phone number online unless you are prepared for junk mail, prank phone calls and possibly worse. This applies to posting your resume online as well as social media.

I recommend putting your own name into Google. This can be an eye opening experience. Is your Facebook page at the top of the listings? Do you want it to be? Facebook, Linked-In and other social media pages can be found through a simple internet search. Please use this to your advantage. If employers viewing your page is damaging to your job search than change your privacy settings to limit who can view your information. If on the other hand, you find social media a valuable network tool make sure to include lots of keywords which will bring your page to the top of the search listing.

Hidden Job Market

The Hidden Job Market is not well hidden; you just need to know where to look for it.  You won’t find the hidden job market on job search websites and job banks, nor will you find it in the newspaper or the other places you’ve been looking.

And if you are ignoring the hidden job market you are ignoring most of the jobs out there.  And they are ignoring you.  Information about available work is often circulated through a manager's network of co-workers, business associates, friends, relatives, acquaintances and you by asking about job vacancies through cold calls.  As often as not, employers do not have to advertise for new staff, because they do not have to or do not want to.

 If you had the choice ploughing through a pile of 100 or so resumes,  responding to an ad on a job search from strangers or if could choose from a select group (recommended by people you know and trust or someone you may have met through a cold call), what would you do?  You would probably choose to hire from the hidden job market, as most employers do.

So how do you access the hidden job market?  First you have to be pro-active and put yourself out there (versus being reactive by reacting or responding to job ads).  You need to:

• Do cold calls
• Visit employers
• Network
• Conduct informational interviews
• Attend job fairs
• Write letters and send emails.

When it comes to job searching, there are no guarantees. 

But I can guarantee you that the hidden job market does exist. 

If you do not find ways of accessing the hidden job market, you are missing out on opportunities.