Resume

COVID-19 Resources For Workers and Employers

March 26, 2020

The Work Place continues to assist clients through a revised service delivery model as the Provincial Government has directed us not to provide in-person service. However, our staff can assist you in several ways.

We can work with you via phone, email or video technology to provide assistance to develop/fine tune your job search skills: resume, cover letter, interview skills (including digital interviewing), LinkedIn Profile, and networking capabilities.

Give us a call at 780-539-5477 or send an enquiry to info@gpworkplace.ca.

Our website is www.gpworkplace.ca

We will also continue to share other relevant resources and information to workers and employers as it becomes available.

Resources

This link provides essential information on financial relief for Alberta families as well as other updates on property taxes, utility payment deferrals and banking. There is also information on Federal Government programs: https://bit.ly/3ala3sB

This Alberta Government link also provides key information. Here, you will find details regarding COVID-19 related leaves as well as other resources such as Business Continuity Planning and Fact sheets for employers and employees from the Workers Compensation Board: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-support-for-employers.aspx

This Alberta Health Services page provides overall COVID-19 information, including how to adjust your home and workplace to address the pandemic: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16997.aspx

This Government of Canada link directs readers to essential Employment Insurance information related to COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

The City of Edmonton has developed an excellent guide for employees. While some of the information is focused on that specific workplace, there is good general health and safety: https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/employee_experience/covid-19.aspx

If you’re an employer/entrepreneur, you will want to consider tuning into a webinar presented on Friday, March 27 by the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce on business resilience: https://www.grandeprairiechamber.com/covid-19-business-resiliency/

Regardless of whether you’re a worker or an employer, it’s important to stay informed and take steps to ensure the safety of those around you.

Best wishes as you navigate through these trying times.

Changing Your Resume During COVID-19

March 24, 2020

The global pandemic is thrusting everything in society into chaos, including the workplace.

Many people have been laid off. Others are concerned their jobs are in jeopardy. Some had been seeking a job change prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 either through job loss or to advance their careers.

While there have been job losses related to COVID-19, hiring continues in other areas, particularly in industries that have ramped up to meet the needs of the marketplace.

In either scenario, your resume needs to reflect your situation and how you can adapt. Perhaps you have a background that fits perfectly with an employer in the recruitment mode.

Staff at The Work Place continue to offer service via a revised delivery model. The Province of Alberta has directed us not to meet clients in-person during the pandemic.

However, we can guide eligible unemployed or underemployed clients (visit www.gpworkplace.ca for details) on how to update their resume and cover letters. We can be reached at 780-539-5477 or info@gpworkplace.ca

Meetings can be arranged via technologies such as Zoom and Skype.

Our staff can also assist you with your other job search tools and ensure you’re using all the resources available to you, including accessing potential training opportunities. Your strategies may include updating or acquiring new skills online via webinars.

Kamara Toffolo is an Ottawa-based resume writer, LinkedIn consultant, job search strategist and speaker. In this video, she provides guidance on how to adjust your resume if you’ve been laid off because of COVID-19: https://bit.ly/2WHvOii

Kamara creates videos directed at job seekers and shares them regularly on LinkedIn. Consider following her or subscribing to her videos.

Adrienne Tom, an award-winning resume writer, interview coach and job search strategist in Calgary, started a discussion on LinkedIn this week about the importance of having your resume ready in this volatile job market.

“If you are feeling uncertain about your current employment status, *now* is the time to get your resume ready.

Here are some of my top tips to help:

Ensure your resume meets modern standards. A format that worked for you a few years ago could need an update in both content and design.
Review your last year of work and take an inventory of new skill sets or accomplishments. If you feel you don’t have anything stellar to share – think again. Everyone is a producer, even on a small scale.
Create a ‘starter’ file — a resume that you can build off of and tailor for unique applications. It is important to customize the resume for each audience (employer).
Focus heavily on sharing results in the file, not job tasks. You need to provide the employer with proof of your abilities and these lie within your results.
Only list related and relevant content. Ask: does this point add value to THIS application? If not, remove or replace.”

Adrienne added some links on resume writing from her website:

https://careerimpressions.ca/executive-resume-trends-for-2020-part-1

https://careerimpressions.ca/does-your-resume-have-a-red-flag/

https://careerimpressions.ca/how-to-add-achievements-into-your-resume

Several other job search experts added comments on Adrienne’s post.

Erin Kennedy, Founder & CEO, Professional Resume Services, Inc. in Detroit, contributed this advice: “Add a “rave” or testimonial from someone you worked with or a supervisor. These are proof of your expertise and they also add interest to the resume, kind of like a real-time reference.”

Shelley Piedmont, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Career Coach, Resume Writer, Interviewing Expert, LinkedIn Profile Builder, in Charleston, South Carolina commented: “If you are stuck on what to highlight think about your workplace and what do you do that is different from others. Do you do things more efficiently? Are you more innovative? A great problem-solver? Emphasize these strengths in your resume. What were your accomplishments that used those skills? Put that on your resume.”

Adrienne responded: “All good prompts and questions to ponder, Shelley, thank you! Some of the questions that I ask my clients when they are struggling to identify top resume content are: What are you most proud of? What distinguishes you from other similar candidates? What have you been regularly or recently complimented for by colleagues/peers?”

Adrienne added she likes the CAR – Challenge, Action, Result – approach to making resume statements.

Virginia Franco, Executive Storyteller, Resume and LinkedIn Writer in Charlotte, North Carolina, added: “Be sure to include a headline at the top that is customizable — so the reader immediately has a sense for what role you are targeting.”

Meg Applegate, Certified Resume Writer, Job Search Coach, Personal Branding Strategist, in Indianapolis, Indiana, commented: “Give a brief snapshot of your unique value proposition in the top third of your resume. If the reader reads no further, they should have a good idea of who you are and the value you bring.”

Ultimately, it’s more important than ever that your resume helps you stand out from other candidates.

And, remember, unless you’re advised not to, add a cover letter, even a brief one. This tells employers that you’re willing to invest extra time and effort to tell your story. And some managers won’t look at applications that don’t have them.

Best wishes in your job search.

Job Seeking During COVID-19

March 23, 2020

“Should I keep looking for a new job with all of this going on?”

If this thought has crossed your mind at some point since the coronavirus pandemic began, you’re not alone. In the midst of all the economic uncertainty, it is normal to wonder if you should put your job search on hold or keep looking.

Now is not the time to stop. We do not have a crystal ball to predict how things will change in the next few months. However, we can provide career and employment supports so that you can develop more skills, confidence, and direction regarding your career path.

What The Work Place can help with:

Assistance to develop/fine tune your job search skills: resume, cover letter, interview skills (including digital interviewing), LinkedIn Profile, and networking.

Resources/assessments to identify and/or develop your work-related skills.

Career planning

Website links to updated government and community information.

The Government of Alberta has directed us to cease in-person services; therefore, our office doors are closed until further notice. The Work Place will continue to provide employment support services to job seekers by phone and/or other technologies.

For more information about Transition to Employment Services, contact Joyce Black, Transition to Employment Services Employment Consultant at 780-539-5477 or email joyce.black@gpworkplace.ca

If you would like information about Job Placement Services, please phone 780-539-5477 or email info@gpworkplace.ca

Our website is www.gpworkplace.ca

The Alberta Health Services webpage provides overall COVID-19 information, including how to adjust your home and workplace to address the pandemic:

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16997.aspx

The Work Place is privileged to serve you and is committed to providing employment supports during this time of uncertainty. We will continue to keep you updated with information regarding our services.

Denise Carlson and The Work Place team

Service Delivery Adjusted During COVID-19

March 20, 2020

The Work Place continues to offer services to job seekers and employers.

While countries across the world continue to navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19, The Work Place is committed to supporting your job search needs and provide continuity of service. We want you to know that the health and safety of job seekers, staff and our community is of utmost importance.

The Government of Alberta has ordered us from providing in-person services; therefore, our office doors are closed.

The Work Place will continue to provide employment support services to job seekers by phone and/or other technologies.

For more information about Transition to Employment Services, contact Joyce Black, Transition to Employment Services Employment Consultant at 780-539-5477 or email joyce.black@gpworkplace.ca

If you would like information about Job Placement Services, please phone 780-539-5477 or email info@gpworkplace.ca

Upcoming Phone Interview?

February 26, 2020

Preparing for an upcoming job interview can be daunting enough without any variation in the expected format.

Most meetings with a prospective employer occur in-person, usually with two to three people asking questions. However, in today’s ever-mobile workforce and fast-paced business environments, you may be asked to participate in interviews that are not in-person.

In our August 29 blog, we provided advice on how to prepare for a video/Skype/Zoom interview: https://bit.ly/2SWZUf6. Here, we will provide some guidance on how to succeed with a phone interview.

Jessica Hernandez, CPBS, CSBA, Executive Resume Writer, in the Jacksonville, Florida area, is a great resource for job search and career advancement advice.

In a recent LinkedIn post, she provided the following guidance and related infographic:

“One of my favorite tips to help with phone interviews is to create a “talking points” outline.

These are key points you want to cover in the interview. This can include: – Position and industry-specific accomplishments. – Unique assets you possess as an employee. – Information about the company that you learned from your research that ties into your skills, abilities, and qualifications.

Here are a few other tips to help you with your phone interview:

Anticipate the conversation — think about the questions you might be asked and the key points to include in your answers.
Prepare a list of questions to practice for the phone interview.
Prepare questions ahead of time that you will ask in the interview.
Tape record the practice call so you can identify areas to improve. Practice speaking concisely and clearly. Many people are surprised to hear how they sound on the phone.
Convey your enthusiasm during the phone interview — which can be done through your voice pitch, tone, and volume.”

Here’s a great article on preparing for a phone interview: https://globalnews.ca/news/4048287/phone-interview-job-tips/

And here’s more great advice: https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/mastering-the-phone-interview-canada

https://www.randstad.ca/job-seeker/career-resources/job-interviews/tips-for-telephone-interviews/

https://www.bcjobs.ca/blog/8-things-remember-your-phone-interview/

Staff at The Work Place in Grande Prairie can guide eligible unemployed or underemployed clients (visit www.gpworkplace.ca for details) on how to update their resume and cover letters and participate in an interview of any kind.

They can also assist you with your other job search tools and ensure you’re using all the resources available to you, including accessing potential training opportunities (see contact details below). Your strategies may include updating or acquiring new skills.

Although phone interviews have their own nuances, the basics are the same. In addition to doing your research and having your own questions prepared, though, you’ll want to be sure you have a quiet space and a charged phone – ideally you’ll have a landline to avoid distractions.

Essentially, you want to treat this interview just as you would an in-person meeting. Make sure your personality comes through and that you’re ready to wow your prospective next employer.

If you want more help with your job search at no cost, contact us at 780-539-5477. You can send enquiries to info@gpworkplace.ca. Our office is located at #105, 9840-97^th Ave., Grande Prairie.

We also help employers find qualified candidates.

Explaining A Job Loss

February 24, 2020

Becoming unemployed either through termination or a layoff can be difficult enough without your job status being raised in an interview with a prospective employer.

In this blog we discuss how to respond to questions about why you were dismissed from your previous position.

In either case, you want to remain positive while demonstrating your value and interest in being successful in a new workplace. Long gone are the days where people stay in a position for a lifetime; job upheaval is expected.

However, it’s also important to be up front about your situation without getting into any unnecessary details. A lack of honesty is likely to come back to haunt you.

If a mistake caused your dismissal, own it and recognize what you’d do differently next time. If there was a conflict with a supervisor, your tact should be about your interest in finding a good fit. Don’t badmouth a previous employer.

If you were laid off or restructured, you will likely have a document from your former employer that explains this.

Even before getting to the interview stage, don’t leave your previous employer cited on your resume as if you are still employed there.

This article discusses how to deal with questions of why you were terminated. As well, it outlines proactive steps employees can take to help them if they’re let go suddenly (for additional advice be sure to see the comments at the bottom of the article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/explaining-you-were-let-go-andrew-seaman/

Here’s advice on how to deal with scenarios of an employee being fired or laid off:

https://www.fastcompany.com/90221526/fired-or-laid-off-heres-how-to-talk-about-it-in-your-next-interview

https://www.best-job-interview.com/answer-job-interview-questions.html

https://www.zsa.ca/dealing-with-past-terminations-in-your-job-search/

Here’s advice specifically related to an employee being fired and how to respond to questions: http://careerbuilder.ca/blog/2018/11/19/how-to-explain-being-fired-to-potential-employers/

This article addresses how to deal with job termination on your resume and cover letter https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/job-termination-and-your-resume-canada

Regardless of the circumstance surrounding leaving your last job, your focus needs to be on finding a suitable new position. This can be challenging, particularly if you were blindsided by a layoff or dismissal beyond your control.

Take any steps necessary to help you cope with any lingering stress so that you’re ready to take on that next great position. Then be ready to put your best foot forward for that next great job.

If you want more help with your job search at no cost, contact us at 780-539-5477. You can send enquiries to info@gpworkplace.ca. Our office is located at #105, 9840-97^th Ave., Grande Prairie.

We also help employers find qualified candidates.

Pregnant And In The Job Market?

February 14, 2020

If you’re about to take on the job of a mom, should you be seeking new employment at the same time? There’s a lot to consider, but there is no reason not to if there’s a position you really want.

In this blog, we explore the topic of applying for jobs while pregnant – things to consider and some of the legislation related to looking for a new position while carrying a baby.

Many of the same issues that would come into play for any job seeker remain valid at this time.

For example, are you considering a career move for greater learning opportunities, more responsibility or additional training possibilities? Is better pay motivating your job search? Have you found you are stuck in a rut or in a challenging or toxic work environment?

A good question to ask yourself is whether you are looking for another job or is it a career move? If it’s the latter, is now the time to be taking on a new challenge or is it too good an opportunity to pass up?

The place you are in your career may also play a factor in your thinking. Do you already have children? Where does being a parent fit into your career plans? How soon would you want to return to the workplace after giving birth? Do you have a strong family support system?

Staff at The Work Place in Grande Prairie can guide eligible unemployed or underemployed clients (visit www.gpworkplace.ca for details) on how to address your job search while pregnant.

This video discusses how to address applying for jobs while showing and what to do: https://bit.ly/2GIiUYc

Here’s a Workopolis article discussing seeking work while pregnant:

https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-to-look-for-a-job-when-youre-pregnant/

In this Monster.ca piece, you’ll find some considerations to consider, including whether to reveal your situation: https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/job-search-while-pregnant-ca

Here’s a feature focused on interviewing while pregnant: https://www.cleverism.com/unofficial-rules-of-job-hunting-while-youre-pregnant/

Here’s an article regarding pregnancy rights in Canada: https://www.babycenter.ca/a537568/your-pregnancy-rights-in-canada

As always, consider the bottom line of why you’re in a job search and how it fits into your career goal. If this is your dream job and part of your career plan and you have everything in order, go for it. Good luck.

If you want more help with your job search at no cost, contact us at 780-539-5477. You can send enquiries to info@gpworkplace.ca. Our office is located at #105, 9840-97^th Ave., Grande Prairie.

We also help employers find qualified candidates.

Have 2020 Foresight In This Year’s Job Search

February 10, 2020

The Christmas tree and decorations have been put away. You’re working to reduce those extra pounds and bills that built up over the holiday season. How’s that New Year’s Resolution to make a career advancement in 2020 coming along?

Early in the year is a great time to get your job search back on track. Many companies operate on annual budgets so hiring often happens in January and February.

It’s also a great time to pull out the calendar and look at what networking opportunities are coming up. Are there any job fairs or Chamber of Commerce mixers to attend? Speaking of networking, is your LinkedIn profile up to date? Do you have a current resume? Have you spoken to your references lately?

Now that the reality of a new year has set in, it’s also important to review your goals for the year and beyond. Has anything changed since you last examined your career path? Are there training opportunities to consider? Have there been changes in your workplace that have created new possibilities for advancement?

This video discusses the importance of a fast start early in the year if you’ve got a career advancement in mind for 2020: https://bit.ly/2ObLo0s

This link provides tactics to assist your 2020 job search: https://prepcan.ca/6-tips-to-kick-start-your-job-search-in-2020/

Here are some websites that will help your research: https://careersherpa.net/best-websites-for-2020-job-search/

This link offers some great resume tips for 2020: https://careerimpressions.ca/20-resume-tips-for-2020/

Here is some generic career advancement advice, keeping in mind some of it has an American context: https://thevoiceofjobseekers.com/20-job-search-tips-to-navigate-2020-to-get-more-money/

Staff at The Work Place in Grande Prairie can guide eligible unemployed or underemployed clients (visit www.gpworkplace.ca for details) on how to launch a successful job search.

Ultimately, a job search requires commitment and consistency. It’s a job in itself. It’s important to develop a schedule and to be accountable to yourself. If what you’ve done in the past to find new employment hasn’t worked for you, examine new tactics to add to your toolkit.

If you’re ready to make a move in 2020, you can do this!

If you want more help with your job search at no cost, contact us at 780-539-5477. You can send enquiries to info@gpworkplace.ca. Our office is located at #105, 9840-97^th Ave., Grande Prairie.

We also help employers find qualified candidates.

Transition to Employment Services Information Sessions Resume

December 20, 2019

The start of a new year is an excellent time to bolster your job search skills.

If you’re unemployed, check out an upcoming Transition to Employment Services information session at The Work Place in Grande Prairie as part of your plans.

Transition to Employment Services offers supports to assist unemployed individuals find job opportunities.

Information sessions are every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m., resuming Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 at #105, 9840-97 Avenue, Grande Prairie, Alberta.

The focus is on those who are:

Unemployed and looking to gain a competitive edge with their job search;
Lacking workplace and occupational-related skills to find their next job; and
Thinking about making a change from one occupational field to another.

Components include:

Employment and job search support, access to funding for short-term training, employment supports and referrals to employers/opportunities.

For more information, contact The Work Place at 780-539-5477. You can make enquiries at info@gpworkplace.ca.

How Often Do You Change Jobs?

December 2, 2019

Should I stay or should I go?

It was a question posed by the rock band The Clash in the 1980s. It’s also one people contemplating their current job situation ask.

In this blog, we explore job turnover, average employment tenures and things to consider in determining when it’s time to change jobs.

A March 15, 2018 article in the Canadian HR Reporter quoted a LinkedIn study which showed annual turnover rate in Canada is 16 per cent, fourth highest in the world behind France (21 per cent), the United Kingdom (17.6 per cent) and Australia (17.5 per cent). The United States was 13 per cent.

In 2014, Workopolis examined 7,000,000 resumes in their resume database and determined that working-aged Canadians would work an average of 15 jobs in their careers: https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-many-jobs-do-canadians-hold-in-a-lifetime/

According to Statista, a statistics portal for market data, market research and market studies, the average tenure for employees in Canada is 8.5 years.

This ranges from management occupations at (12.6 years) to sales and service jobs (6.2 years) to health positions (9.5 years) to trades, and transportation and equipment operators and related occupations (8.2 years). See full 2018 analysis here: https://www.statista.com/statistics/439028/multiple-jobholders-canada/

The statistics in Alberta vary from these, according to the March 2018 issue of the Alberta Government’s Labour Market Insights newsletter: “The average job tenure in Alberta has increased in the last three years, from 88.2 weeks in 2014 to 91.4 weeks in 2017 (essentially 1.5 to almost two years). The increase has been concentrated in young (those aged 15 to 24) and prime-age (aged 25 to 44) workers.

“Since 2014, job tenure among young workers and prime-aged workers has risen in Alberta 2.2 weeks and 5.4 weeks, respectively, while tenure for older workers (aged 45 and over) has been virtually unchanged.”

These are interesting figures. For all of us, the question is how often should you change jobs? There’s always that thought of the dream job awaiting us. On the other hand, you don’t want to be seen as randomly hopping jobs by prospective employers.

When considering a career move, are you doing so for greater learning opportunities, more responsibility or additional training possibilities? Is better pay motivating your job search? Have you found you are stuck in a rut or in a challenging or toxic work environment?

Having several jobs over a short amount of time does not send up the same red flags it once did. Employers recognize that we have an increasingly mobile workforce that may involve one member of a couple being transferred or being attracted to a job in another community. Layoffs, restructuring or downsizing can all lead to more frequent job changes.

While job hopping may not have the same stigma attached to it, we encourage you to consider how a new position fits into your overall career strategy.

Here are some resources discussing the pros and cons of job searching and how to address career gaps on your resume.

https://www.randstad.ca/job-seeker/career-resources/job-search-tips/evaluating-your-career-should-you-stay-or-should-you-go/

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/does-job-hopping-help-or-hurt-your-career-678856113.html

https://www.hcamag.com/ca/specialization/recruitment/employers-reveal-how-they-really-feel-about-job-hopping/130262

https://talentegg.ca/incubator/2018/12/18/job-hopping/

https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/resume-writing-tips-for-jobhoppers-canada

Staff at The Work Place in Grande Prairie can guide eligible unemployed or underemployed clients (visit www.gpworkplace.ca for details) on how to address career gaps in your resume.

Adrienne Tom, an award-winning resume writer, interview coach and job search strategist in Calgary also covered the top of job hopping in a recent blog: https://careerimpressions.ca/job-hopping/

The blog links to a discussion on LinkedIn. Here are a few of the responses:

“I think it completely depends on the generational perspective you’re coming from. I have found that many folks in the older generation still view job hopping as a risk, but millennials align with the idea that changing roles can result in higher negotiations. At the end of the day, there’s no one RIGHT answer, but something that my Dad said when I was first starting my career has stayed with me: “A company will only be as loyal to you as what makes financial sense for them.” So yes, be loyal to an extent – but ultimately, you have to look out for your career. Because if you won’t, who will?” – Jena Viviano, Career Coach & Strategist, Franklin Tennessee.

Adrienne responded: “I think you’ve nailed it Jena Viviano – a person needs to look out for themselves. A successful career isn’t up to an employer, it is up to each individual. For some, this may mean staying with a right-fit employer who rewards and compensates accordingly. For others, this may mean exploring new roles that offer new opportunities, skill sets, or challenges.”

Jeanine McNulty, an HR executive in Houston Texas added, “I think there are many factors related to job hoppers that not all recruiters or hiring managers take into consideration (and I am a hiring manager, so I like to have the conversation with the applicant). Often times, the job hopping is out of their control: layoffs, closures, relocation due to spouse or other family circumstances as has been the case in my own career.

“I also see employees leaving not just because of pay but because organizations fail to promote their value within the organization through providing educational opportunities, advancement within the organization, mentoring programs, providing recognition and respect-it’s often times not about leaving for more money it’s about new challenges and opportunities for growth and being valued.”

Amir Muradali, a career and leadership coach, trainer, author and speaker, in Calgary, responded: “This is a complex topic because yes, some companies still value loyalty, and also yes, companies can see your job changes as a positive sign of ambition. Further yes, changing jobs can mean you earn higher – although that isn’t a guarantee. And yes we are in a new volatile environment with a lot more frequent layoffs, so that candidate who appears to be a job hopper from their resume isn’t by choice.”

Ana Lokotkova, Career Advisor, LinkedIn Personal Branding, Interview Coach in Calgary, commented: “Very interesting topic! I think a lot depends on the specific situation. Employers do value loyalty, but, as you mentioned, times are changing. Someone who may have been labeled as a job hopper in the past wouldn’t be labeled so today, because there is more and more project-based work, and people don’t always have a linear career progression.”

Ultimately, there are many factors to consider as you consider various job opportunities. A good question to ask yourself is whether you are looking for another job or is it a career move?

If you want more help with your job search at no cost, contact us at 780-539-5477. You can send enquiries to info@gpworkplace.ca. Our office is located at #105, 9840-97^th Ave., Grande Prairie.

We also help employers find qualified candidates.

All posts in Resume

COVID-19 Resources For Workers and Employers

Changing Your Resume During COVID-19

Job Seeking During COVID-19

Service Delivery Adjusted During COVID-19

Upcoming Phone Interview?

Explaining A Job Loss

Pregnant And In The Job Market?

Have 2020 Foresight In This Year’s Job Search

Transition to Employment Services Information Sessions Resume

How Often Do You Change Jobs?

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