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( based off another thread) I've been job hunting for a good amount of time now, and I seem to just hit road blocks. Maybe it's my resume? I need some pointers. I haven't been in canada longer than a few years, so my work experience here isn't extravagant, but i have been working my current job for over 2 1/2 years now.. I really enjoy hard work, I'm punctual, speak English fluently, follow instructions to the T, etc..etc.. But I can't seem to budge anywhere, and it's starting to get to me. I know I can do better then where I'm at, so I need help portraying my desire to work hard, to my possible employer... Tips, suggestion, pointers!!? Anything is welcome! Thanks in advance..

My advice is to change your resume for each job you apply for. Take out things that aren't relevant, change the descriptions of the jobs you had previously to reflect experience you gained that will help you in this new job. If they look at your resume and see a bunch of experience in a different field that is not relevant, they will feel like you didn't actually mean to apply to that job.  
 
A lot of people say to stop by places and ask for the manager, but the places where I have worked, that is a turn off, it's like you're forcing a interview and are not considerate that the manager doesn't have time for that right now.  
 
Be sure to send resumes to companies that aren't hiring though, but still make sure your resume is tailored to that company.

As I used to work there (at a smaller rural facility), I strongly suggest going to Employment Manitoba. They aren't there to do your resume but to help you create one and give the best advice for different types. They also help with interviews etc. My advice is that your resume and cover letter is you selling yourself to a company hoping to get an interview. Make an outline for a job description or add and then pertain your skills/education/volunteering etc to answer each requested job trait/skill that is in the advertisement. Make sure you tweak your resume for each different job, and cover letter. Other things that will file your resume/cover letter in g - spelling mistakes (HATE THEM), stupid or silly email addresses (Please get a gmail address with just your name to look professional, honestly employers really do judge you by something like this). If you are dropping your resume off somewhere, please dress professionally. I have heard some slob just dropped off a resume. Another thing is to have something in your cover letter that shows you can adapt to change or willing to learn new ideas and are a fast learner. This day and age every industry changes because of technology etc., so showing that you are willing to learn new ideas, programs etc., fast makes a good impression.

What do you think about the email content being the cover letter? (with the resume attached) Right now I decide whether to attach a separate cover letter based on what kind of job it is, how professional the company looks, and who is receiving the email.  
i.e. If I was applying to be an electrician apprentice to small company where the email is going directly to the employer, I wouldn't create a separate cover letter, the email would be the cover letter, and would be less formal.

-Research the organization/business  
-research the occupation try using HRDC website to know the essential and desired qualifications, experience, skills and common job duties.  
-research the specific job duties and organizational needs that the position will meet  
-create a cover page that concisely outlines the organizations needs and demonstrate you have the skills and qualifications to meet those needs. NEVER use more than a single page for your cover page.  
-Find a good skills based resume. Never use a chronological resume they can convey a lack of effort and often demonstrates you lack some the very skills you are supposed to have. A good template will allow you to create skill categories which you base off your earlier research. About 70% of the resume should be focused on skill areas but should include a simple relevant work history, and a concise outline of training/certification/education.  
The right template and cover letter strategy is almost as important as the content when it comes to getting an interview. When all else fails hire me to develop your resume. I have 15 years experience and given the occupation applied for is semi skilled or skilled and you meet the essential qualifications I have at least an 80% success rate with clients obtaining interviews.

I've heard the skills list thing a lot, but I've never felt comfortable doing it. Instead my certificates list is featured first.  
 
For example, say I put Microsoft Excel as a skill I have. What does that mean? That I have used Microsoft Excel before and know how to make a simple spreadsheet? Or am I saying that I know more of the ins and outs of excel and can utilize more of the advanced features?  
 
I have seen a resumed where someone rated their level of proficiency with different programs/technology and I thought that it didn't look like a good idea.

You could most certainly place your certificates first. However I personally would not put any qualifiers or qualitative information in the certificates section. Perhaps your only computer application skill/qualification is an excel course. A whole category for Computer/IT/Software skills would not be appropriate and outlining excel under general certificates would be the best choice. However, if you have skills/experience and training in various software applications, specialized industry specific databases, etc a skill category would be the way to go. A good resume and use of wording can concisely portray the degree of proficiency/skill level without subjectively "rating" your abilities per say.  
Using a skills category approach I would say the adjectives used conveys the information needed. For example a working knowledge of excel, proficient in the use of excel, extensive knowledge/experience in all applications of excel software. One conveys minimal rudimentary basic tinkering, proficiency implies formal training or a good working knowledge, while the last conveys training or potentially advanced training with significant experience using the software to its potential. It would also depend on the degree of importance or emphasis placed on the use of excel. If it was not a fundamental and integral part of the duties and execution of the job in question I would potentially list it under certificates with no des:cription whatsoever.  
 
Edited by chatzy717, 2016-06-29 16:19:12

having someone look at your resume and give you job hunting an interview pointers would be a great place to start, remember tho that our economy is down a bit so your competition is higher, lots of times your resume experience or whatever isnt bad its just not enough to be selected  
 
if a business gets lots of resumes then the little things do matter, you may be great but getting that piece of paper noticed can be hard in a large stack. Hard thing is every hiring manager will like or not like different things  
 
traditional lay out may attract older managers or maybe they really like the freshness of a skills type layout, hard to know and hard to know who will even read it, some will get turned off at certain language or style of print, others will look at content first ect ..  
 
so really all you can do is try your best to gauge the type of company and tailor the language and style to what you think they will respond to best, that is the real trick, some things you can never go wrong with tho are professionalism, good easy to read layout and good grammar, friendly enthusiastic responses and please READ and FOLLOW the instructions as they are set out, if it says no calls DONT CALL, if it says text then text, if they dont give an address dont show up asking around, they left that out for a reason, probably because they are busy thus why they are hiring lol look at those types of things and really really pay attention to details, it can help you not be eliminated before you even get to talk to them  
 
 
good luck

Sent you a pm.

tre86 said "What do you think about the email content being the cover letter? (with the resume attached) Right now I decide whether to attach a separate cover letter based on what kind of job it is, how professional the company looks, and who is receiving the email.   i.e. If I was applying to be an electrician apprentice to small company where the email is going directly to the employer, I wouldn't create a separate cover letter, the email would be the cover letter, and would be less formal. "

I would think that depending on the business an email attaching the resume would be okay. But make sure you still do it professionally. Reference key skills and education. The cover letter or in the case of email sells your resume and makes the employer want to read more. This and your resume sells your skills and education and makes the employer want to meet with you.  
Also too many people rely on spell check. Please read your documents over very very carefully because spell check doesn't catch everything. And if possible get someone else to read them over. Sometimes a second eye notices things (like using the same words over and over for describing things). In creating resumes and cover letters I have found using a thesaurus a great tool.  
Another little pointer is if you get an interview and they give you a choice of times, take the earliest one available. This shows that you are a go getter and you are setting the bar for the rest of the interviews.

However I would challenge you on saying to take the first interview. The last interview is always the one remembered the most because it is the freshest in the minds of the interviewers.

as a vehicle or tool to win an interview. When I was in technical college studying we took a technical writing course and one of the units was resume writing and preparing for/experiencing interviews. See if you can find the book "Technically Write" by Ron Blicq. This might help. It is a little textbook like. It helped me a lot.....looking back on it! I was at Red River College. Not sure if ACC would have a similar course? You can have all the skills in the world but it is how you portray it!