Step two: Depending on the client, I change the spelling from English (US) to English (Canada). This could easily help you avoid a costly spelling error from appearing on your resume. Over 1000 words in Canada are spelled differently than in the US (i.e. – labour, counsellor, enrolment, focused etc.) and some words have different spelling in the UK and Australia. So before you start writing, make sure you know where you plan to send your document and set your spell check to your target audience. This in NO WAY eliminates the necessity of reviewing, editing, and proofing your document at the end, but it will help notify you of any inconsistencies within your document. 

Step three: If you are using a previous version of your resume to get started, I suggest you cut & paste the content from your old resume to your new resume. In my blog post about “paste special” there are some time-saving suggestions about how to keep your formatting consistent. 

Step four: Once you have your old content re-formatted to your new resume fonts and designs, you’ll want to go in and remove any meaningless content you know you will not use again. Here are some easy things to do to update your resume. 

Out with the Old & In with the New

 For example: 

1.       Objective statements: Most objective statements are all about the person writing them. i.e) I am looking for a job where I can use my awesomeness to develop as an awesome human being. 

Instead: Consider using a profile statement. A profile statement outlines the value you bring to an organization and essentially answers the question: “Why should we hire you?” What is it that you have to offer that makes you the right person for the company to where you are applying? i.e) Strategic and resourceful engineering professional with demonstrated achievements in research and development (R&D). 

Next, remove this redundant phrase once and for all 

2.       References available upon request.

Instead: Ask one of those available references to write you a testimonial and feature it in the very space where you might otherwise have placed this out-of-date text? Why not use a testimonial from a reference or a customer?

No matter what you do when writing your resume – remember to keep your reader in mind. What does he/she want to know about a candidate? What will help your reader to select YOU as someone they want to invite to an interview and meet in person.

With these small suggestions, you can update your resume and improve your chances of finding the employment you seek.

Good luck!

Over the last few months, Janet Barclay has shared some great ways to keep your job search information organized, whether you prefer

Job Diary

With this app, you create an entry each time you contact an employer, recording basic data such as contact information, job title and description, and interview details. Once the entry is saved, it can be sent by email. There does not appear to be any way of editing or searching the entries, so I don’t really see much value in this app, even for free.

Job Search Manager

This simple app allows you to track two types of information: applications and interviews.

When you submit an application, enter the job title (or other identifying information), date, company, and contact name, phone number and email address. Enter any other details you wish to record, then save it.

When an interview is scheduled, assign it to the relevant application and enter the date, time, address and the interviewer’s name, phone number and email address. Once again, there is a field where you can record any other details you wish. The app connects to Google Maps, so you can easily get directions and determine how much time you’ll need to allow to arrive on time.

The chart feature generates bar graphs to show the number of applications or interviews for each date.

It’s not terribly powerful, but could be a useful for keeping key information at your fingertips.

There is a free version, with ads, and a paid version, with no ads.

My Jobs

Of the three apps I reviewed, My Jobs is the most powerful and probably the most useful. It is essentially a contact manager specifically for jobseekers.

Create a database of employers, and for each one, create a record of any jobs you apply for, including the job title, the type of position (contract, permanent, temporary, casual, or voluntary), the reference number, salary, and link to the posting.

There’s also a section to enter agencies and agency staff you may be working with, and each job application can be linked to a particular agent.

In addition, there are a multitude of other fields for tracking dates of various activities, the progress of your application, and much more.

At any time, you can go to the main dashboard to view your active opportunities, jobs that will be closing soon, jobs to follow up, and jobs with interviews.

If you find it easier to type on your computer, you can set up an account on the My Jobs website and sync your data with your mobile device.

Some additional features are available if you upgrade to My Jobs Pro, and at the time of writing, this app was also free due to a malfunction with a feature not related to the database.

Other Apps

While researching this post, I came upon two other paid apps for organizing job search information:

Job Search Tracker is a very simple tool for keeping track of resumes you’ve submitted.

Job O is an electronic notebook that stores uploaded copies of your job search documents and allows you to keep track of the positions you are pursuing.

Before you part with your money, take note that the websites for both of these apps have been taken down, so if you have any problems, you’ll probably be out of luck.

It’s been a real pleasure doing this series of posts for Maureen, and I hope you’ve found them useful. If you have a favourite tool for organizing a job search, please leave a comment!

About the Author

Janet Barclay is a virtual assistant and former employment counsellor who has supported career professionals and other small business clients since 2003. She can be reached through her website www.organizedassistant.com.

Fast forward to today, when our kids are 6 & 3, and you can imagine how pleased we are to announce:

We’re moving to Belgium this summer!

Many people have commented about how lucky we are to be posted to Europe, but it wasn’t luck. It was focus. John positioned himself for the posting years in advance. In 2007, he volunteered to go to Afghanistan when our oldest was just 18 months. He spent months beforehand away, training for the mission and sacrificing time spent with his new family.

In the past 12 months I have seen my incredibly humble and introverted husband carve out a strategy to secure the Belgian posting and implement that strategy with perseverance and determination.

When he was approached by a senior officer and asked to take a leadership position on the east coast, John didn’t flinch. He immediately passed on the opportunity stating, “I’ve got my eye on Belgium. That’s where I want to be, and I’m focused on securing that posting.”

With a plan, determination, and persistence, John got exactly what he wanted. And yes, it took a lot of patience and planning – however, if he had not taken the time to develop a career plan who knows where we would be today.

In your own career, think about what you want to accomplish; long term – then devise a strategy that focuses your ambitions. When you define what you want with certainty, pursue it with determination and focus. This will prevent you from mis-stepping and ensure you achieve results aligned with your purpose.

1. Define what you want
2. Devise a long-term strategy
3. Pursue your goals with determination and focus.

As for John – he is busy getting ready to take his young family off to Europe. We cannot wait for our new adventure to begin!

Our discussion centred-around a couple of points, one I want to share with you today.

Applicant Tracking Systems

Wikipedia describes ATS as “a software application that enables the electronic handling of recruitment needs… Nearly all major corporations use some form of applicant tracking system to handle job applications and to manage resume data.” Job seekers are facing these systems (often without knowing it) and finding it challenging to get past the initial screening.

As a job seeker, you need to understand how these systems operate in order to ensure you are screened-in to the hiring pool.

In June, I will be hosting Career Professionals of Canada’s tele-networking call on this very topic. In the meantime, here are some interesting resources I have collected on the subject that may help you understand ATS better.

Resources discussing ATS (and use of keywords):

• Navigating the “Keyword Search” (CPC LinkedIn discussion)
• If You Don’t Use These Keywords, Recruiters Will Never Even See Your Resume
• 10 tips to Beat ATS
• Be Proud of your Accomplishments
• Insider Secrets for Beating ATS

Maybe it was because I had made a conscious decision to be open to learn new things, or because I tend to notice things that I can apply directly to career development I was fortunate to enjoy my very own “aha” moment.

After a long wait in line, we found our seats, somewhere in the middle of the audience. After a few moments to get ourselves settled, we started to chat up the people around us. That is when it happened:

The people beside us were commenting about our seats.

“When you look back, you’re really happy…”

said one woman about our seats. We were ahead of so many people…they were great seats with a view of the stage. I was thrilled! Then, another woman said

“…yes, but when you look forward, all you see are the people who have better seats than you.”

Wow, I thought; there is a lesson here that can be applied to career development.

When you look back at your career – Make note of what you have accomplished, all the obstacles you’ve overcome, all the success you have achieved – you’re happy to have succeeded, to have progressed further than those that are coming up behind you. Feel good about what you have accomplished.

When you look forward in your career – It can be overwhelming and frustrating. How do you move forward without the right ticket? How much time do you have to invest at a shot for a better “seat”? What if there are no more seats available and you are stuck where you are (even worse, if you do not like where you are). What if you love where you are, but don’t like the people around you? Moving towards the best seats takes timing, determination, and motivation.

While many career professionals advise that you focus on moving forward (and I am one of them), it is equally important that you celebrate where you have been. You can get to where you want to go but often the best first step is to take stock of where you are and where you have come from. You need the momentum, the empowerment, and the confidence of experiences, accomplishments, and successes to propel you towards your future ambitions.

Focus on moving forward, absolutely, but remember, recognize and celebrate what got you to where you are!

There will always be better seats. Be grateful because there are those who wanted to be there but did not even get into the building.

What proficiency level should my skills be categorized under in order to match the Federal government standards?

When applying to the Federal government, many candidates apply through www.jobs.gc.ca where candidates apply online to jobs posted by the Government of Canada.

When applying online to one of these jobs, candidates will often face questions about their skill level, number of years of experience, and frequency of use of that particular ability. Here are a few example of the type of questions a candidate may face when applying to an online job poster. 

When selecting a proficiency level, the higher the level, the more likely you will be selected for an interview. EXPERT is the level to select, provided that you are completely truthful and accurate with your response. You will need to support your answer in the interview and further demonstrate your abilities during any testing that may come up.

Let’s pause for a moment here and put ourselves in the role of the hiring committee. If you were hiring a candidate for a position, would you prefer to hire someone who is, or who is not confident in their skills? Would you hire someone who self identifies as having only “light” knowledge of a skill, or would you hire someone who has “expert” knowledge of the skill? It’s fairly obvious that you would select someone with “expert” knowledge over someone with “light” knowledge, isn’t it?

Whether you are applying to a public or private organization, honesty is always the best policy. You will need to show that you can do the job when you are hired. Empower yourself to complete the application and show them what you can do.

Remember, you want to make a remarkable first impression, so don’t be shy…stand proud in your skill set and let your confidence in your abilities shine through.

Whether you are sending your resume to a recruiter or a specific employer, it is important to target your application and your resume to the needs of the intended reader.

If you send your portfolio to an entire list of recruiters you might be doing yourself a disservice. In an effort to deliver a quantity of resumes, you may be missing the crucial quality aspect of an online resume submission.

Instead, research a number of recruiters and select two or three recruiting firms who specialize in hiring for your targeted position or within your specific industry. For example, there are firms who specialize in pharmaceutical, information technology, or accounting industries when placing professionals. There are also firms who specialize in placing executive clients, government contracts, or administrative assistants. Before you submit your online application to a recruiter or recruiting firm be sure to conduct your due diligence and find a firm that specializes in placing people like you! This will not only cut out a lot of agony on your part, but it will increase the likelihood of being selected. (Which of course, increases your confidence, and your chances of being hired!)

When you are sending information to a recruiter, put yourselves in their shoes. They are likely receiving hundreds of resumes each day.

What is it about your email that is going to make a recruiter:

 1) open your message?

2)  read your document?

3) contact you for an interview?

Provided you have an answer to all three questions, you are ready to proceed. If not, you may want to brush up on your value proposition. I can help.

Be careful not to overwhelm them with information, at the same time, you don’t want to underwhelm them either, so make sure whatever you send demonstrates the value of them calling you in for an interview.

Before you send your resume to any recruiting agency or firm be sure to:

1. Research the recruiting firms to identify which firms specialize in your sector and/or hire professionals in your position/at your level.
2. Personalize your email so it is customized to the needs of the agency and the person reading your email (likely, but not always the recruiter you’ll be working with).
3. Demonstrate in your email that you have done your homework and that you understand the business of the recruiting firm.

There is no exact formula, or combination with regards to the documents you send, when you send them, and no guarantee about  whether or not you will get a response. Here are a few documents I recommend clients use to start, engage, or re-start conversations with executive recruiters (not all at the same time, by the way; staggered throughout the hiring process): 

Resume | Professional Profile | Key Accomplishments List | PowerPoint Presentation | Linkedin Profile 

Whether or not you decide to work with a recruiter is really up to you. If you do choose to work with a recruiter, keep in mind what motivates the recruiter. With this in mind, you’re sure to develop a mutually beneficial relationship.

This May, with my friend and colleague Wayne Pagani we are co-facilitating the Job Coach Club course through Life Strategies. This course offers professionals the opportunity to enhance their group facilitation skills with a focus on specific work search strategies including job clubs, resumes, and interviews.

The Job Coach Club provides a rich online learning environment where practitioners with diverse backgrounds learn by engaging each other in stimulating discussions online.

The program is an excellent introduction to the Certified Resume Strategist and Certified Interview Strategist certificates offered through Career Professionals of Canada, and offers a deeply reduced fee to apply for the credentials.

If you are a career professional looking to work more effectively with clients, develop stronger facilitation skills, and support clients to develop their resumes, cover letters, and interview skills, you are welcome to join our next class: starting May 2, 2012. To register for this course, please go to Life Strategies’ online store.

There are many people who might ignore the message and some who welcome the message. What do you do?

Linkedin Open Networkers (commonly referred to as LIONs) are people, who, through Linkedin, welcome the opportunity to connect with as many people as possible; even if that means connecting with a complete stranger. While this approach has never been my strategy, I understand the value for a LION to connect with as many people as possible. Perhaps they are expanding their network, or growing their business.

My philosophy, however, is that I want to be able to refer individuals in my network to one another. In order to do that, I need to know the people in my network and feel comfortable referring them to one another. In other words, I want to share resources and referrals within my professional connections on Linkedin.

So how do I greet a stranger’s request to join my network (especially when they use the generic email template provided by linkedin “I’d like to add you to my professional network or Linkedin”); easy! Here is the exact message you’ll receive from me if you ask me to connect and I don’t know who you are…

“Hi [Name], Thanks for your interest in connecting with me here. I don’t know that you and I have met before. If so, can you remind me where we met? If not, I would be happy to learn more about you and why you’d like to connect with me here.”

There are no hard feelings here. I am simply looking for more information about this person.

Sometimes I’ll even add a little personal note depending on whether the person lives in my city, or knows someone to whom I am already connected. It may go a little something like this:

 “I see that you are located in Ottawa. Does it make sense for us to meet by phone? Perhaps we can schedule something a little later next week. Let me know…Maureen McCann, Career Strategist.”

Usually one of two things will happen:

1. I’ll get a much more detailed invitation and message from the person within two to three business days, explaining why they would like to connect with me and we will begin to establish and develop a mutually beneficial relationship.
2. I’ll never hear from them again (which suits me fine)

So don’t be afraid to connect with new people on Linkedin. Just think it through before you start collecting connections. Does this person add value to your network? If the answer is yes, then start developing a connection and fostering a relationship. You can take it from there. 

If it suits your purposes, feel free to connect with me here, and don’t be shy to mention that you’ve read this post.