Throughout this series, we have gone through, step by step, several stages to finding a job:
- Organize yourself.
- Assess your skills.
- Research.
- Network.
- Find a Mentor.
- Volunteer.
The final step in the series is “Apply.” Of course, in order to get a job, you must first apply for it!
Whether you are applying in response to a job posting you found on the internet, a job through a career placement agency or one you heard about through a friend or networking connection, what you must provide the employer is pretty much the same: a cover letter and resumé (and, in some industries, a portfolio of work).
Your resumé should be a maximum of two pages in length. Anymore than that and recruiters are likely to pass you by. Remember, HR staff or hiring managers review hundreds of resumés for one position, so the more concise your resumé, the better chance you have of having it reviewed.
Also, any small detail that makes your resumé appear strange or unprofessional often means it ends up in the reject pile — for example, if it’s too long, has typos and bad grammar, or has a photo or other information not required in Canadian applications, etc.
If you’re not sure how to create a Canadian resumé, get help from a career adviser. As an immigrant with mostly international experience, you will want to construct the resumé in a way that emphasizes your skills and achievements on the first page, rather than the locations you have worked.
A one-page cover letter is also required, and should be seen as an opportunity to really market yourself and your skills. Don’t just repeat what your resumé says about your past work experience. Take the time to craft a thoughtful letter telling the employer why you want to work for that company, what benefits you can bring to the company and what your skills are — with examples!
In other words, you’ll have to tailor your cover letter to each company and position you’re applying for. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it, as recruiters often make decisions solely based on thecover letter, as it allows them to quickly scan your qualifications and determine whether they match the position available.
For both resumé and cover letter, ensure that the English is perfect. Hire an editor or a career adviser or, at the very least, have a Canadian friend proofread it for you.
They should also look clean and crisp, on white paper with blank ink for most industries. There is more leeway perhaps for creative jobs, such as in advertising or design, but don’t go overboard; rather, let your creativity stand out in your submitted work samples.
While some employers still want hard copies of your resumé and cover letter mailed, delivered or faxed, nowadays the most popular method of applying for a job is online. Some company websites have special online forms, in which you can cut and paste your resumé. Others just ask you to email your resumé.
In the latter case, you can cut and paste your cover letter right into the email message and attach your resumé. While most companies can open Microsoft Word, a PDF file looks more professional. If you’re uncertain, you can always save your resumé in “rich text format,” but test it to ensure it still looks the same after saving it this way. The employer will likely print it off, so you want to make sure it prints properly on the maximum two pages (and put your name on both pages, in case the employer mixes the resumés up).
If you are called in for an interview, make sure you are prepared: research the organization, review potential questions, bring samples of your work if appropriate, come up with questions that you can ask the employer, wear appropriate interview attire, such as a suit, and practise appropriate Canadian interview etiquette. For example, shake hands firmly, look people in the eye, speak clearly, give specific examples, do not allow gender to alter the way you treat the employer, and act confidently and friendly, without appearing superior.
And don’t be late for the interview; ensure you know how to get to the interview location, keeping traffic and transit unpredictabilities in mind. Better to arrive 10 minutes and have time to freshen up in the bathroom and collect your thoughts, than to be racing in at the last minute.
After the interview, consider sending the interviewer a thank-you note or email, restating your interest in the position.
Where the jobs are
The point of networking, volunteering and so on, as described in the previous steps in this jobs series, is to hear about all those openings that don’t get listed in job postings. But, of course, you can’t just wait around doing nothing.
Signing up with a career placement or management agency can lead you to many opportunities. In this case, an adviser at the agency will try to match you with positions at the companies that have outsourced the hiring process to them.
You should also, of course, take your job search into your own hands. You can check out the local career classifieds and visit job sites like monster.ca or workopolis.com for a wide variety of listings. You can visit specific companies’ websites to find out about openings or try to find industry-specific job listings through trade and professional associations.
Read any posting carefully before sending off your resumé. Address it to the correct person, follow the instructions on what to include and how to submit, and send it in by the stated deadline. If the posting says “no phone calls please,” don’t call. Recruiters often receive so many resumés that it would be difficult to verify receipt of one. At this point, your resumé and cover letter must speak for themselves.
If your education and skills match what the organization is looking for, you will be shortlisted and asked to come in for an interview. If you don’t receive a call within a few weeks, that doesn’t necessarily mean you are out of the running; it could mean that the recruitment process is taking longer than expected. Be patient.
Good luck!
