A Guide for New Job Seekers - ALIS - Government of Alberta
A Guide for New Job Seekers - ALIS - Government of Alberta
A Guide for New Job Seekers - ALIS - Government of Alberta
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A <strong>Guide</strong><strong>for</strong>NEW JOB SEEKERSFor youth andnewcomers to theworkplace
Catalogue Item # 755290This publication is available to view or order online atalis.alberta.ca/publications. Copies can also be orderedfrom the Learning Resources Centre by telephone at780-427-5775 or by fax at 780-422-9750.Career PractitionersA <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Job</strong> <strong>Seekers</strong> (<strong>for</strong>merly the <strong>Job</strong> Seeker’sHandbook) is <strong>for</strong> people who are looking <strong>for</strong> their firstjob or who have been away from the work<strong>for</strong>ce <strong>for</strong> a longtime. It provides job seekers the basics about finding ajob and helps them to:• identify their employability skills• explore the tools used to find work — job applications,resumés, cover letters and portfolios• explore the skills used to find work — networking,in<strong>for</strong>mation interviewing and interview skills• identify ways to stay positive and handle rejection• connect with further in<strong>for</strong>mation and resources.Check out the publication Advanced Techniques <strong>for</strong> WorkSearch <strong>for</strong> job seekers with experience and/or postsecondaryeducation. This publication providesin<strong>for</strong>mation and exercises on identifying skills, using theInternet <strong>for</strong> job search, resumé development,in<strong>for</strong>mation interviewing and preparing <strong>for</strong> an interview.Also, check out the many job search tip articles on the<strong>ALIS</strong> website at alis.alberta.ca. Here you will find articlescovering topics such as portfolios, resumés and coverletters, job application <strong>for</strong>ms, preparing <strong>for</strong> an interviewand much more.For copyright in<strong>for</strong>mation, contact:<strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and ImmigrationCareer and Workplace ResourcesTelephone: 780-422-1794Fax: 780-422-5319Email: info@alis.gov.ab.ca© 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>,<strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and ImmigrationThis material may be used, reproduced, stored ortransmitted <strong>for</strong> non-commercial purposes. However,Crown copyright is to be acknowledged. It is not to beused, reproduced, stored or transmitted <strong>for</strong> commercialpurposes without written permission from the<strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment andImmigration. This publication is not <strong>for</strong> resale unlesslicensed with <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong>Employment and Immigration. Every reasonable ef<strong>for</strong>thas been made to identify the owners <strong>of</strong> copyrightmaterial reproduced in this publication and to complywith Canadian copyright law. The publisher wouldwelcome any in<strong>for</strong>mation regarding errors or omissions.<strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment andImmigration publications may contain or referencepublications, trademark, patent or copyright held by thirdparties (“third party material”), identified with a credit tothe source. This does not grant the user a licence or rightto that third party material. Users who wish to reproduceany third party material in this publication should seekpermission from that third party.In<strong>for</strong>mation in this publication was accurate, to thebest <strong>of</strong> our knowledge, at the time <strong>of</strong> printing. However,legislation, labour market in<strong>for</strong>mation, websites andprograms are subject to change, and we encourageyou to confirm with additional sources <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mationwhen making career, education, employment andbusiness decisions.The Province <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong> is working in partnership with the<strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> Canada to provide employment supportprograms and services. These benefits and measures arefunded, in whole or in part, by the <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> Canadafrom the Employment Insurance Account.ISBN 978-0-7785-7318-002/2002 - 75M01/2003 - 75M07/2004 - 75M12/2005 - 75M07/2007 - 75M01/2010 - 110MAll photos in this booklet are <strong>for</strong> illustrative purposesonly. They are not actual photos <strong>of</strong> any individualsmentioned.
Table <strong>of</strong> ContentsRead This First 21. Getting Started 3Getting Organized 3What Employers Want and You Have 4Finding Out Where Your Skills Are Needed 92. Finding Work 12Ways to Find Work 12Networking and In<strong>for</strong>mation Interviewing 13Contacting Employers Directly 15Your Personal Work Search Plan 193. Marketing Your Skills 20Portfolios 20Resumés 22Cover Letters 31Examples: Tracey, Brad and Ann 32Application Forms 47Interviews 504. Going The Distance 57Handling Rejection 57Staying Positive 58Looking Ahead 60Where To Get More Help 61© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration1
READ THIS FIRSTIS THIS THE BOOK FOR YOU?A <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Job</strong> <strong>Seekers</strong> is a basic, step-by-stepguide to help you find entry-level work. It will answeryour questions about the complete job search process.If you are looking <strong>for</strong> your first job, your first job in along time or your first job in Canada, this guide willshow you how to assess your skills, target your worksearch, write resumés and cover letters and practiceinterview skills.But, if you have already been in the work<strong>for</strong>ce <strong>for</strong> along time or have post-secondary education or trainingin your desired field, you may be more interested inAdvanced Techniques <strong>for</strong> Work Search. It is a guidedesigned to help you improve your work searchstrategies and is available at places listed under WhereTo Get More Help at the end <strong>of</strong> this book.A FEW WORDS ON THE JOB MARKETMore and more employers are hiring temporary, parttimeand contract workers, and using computers toscreen applicants. You’ll have greater success findingwork if you keep two things in mind while you’relooking — be current and be flexible.• Use current work search methods. The most effectivework search methods take time, organization andhard work. The answer-a-few-ads-and-see-whathappensapproach generally doesn’t work very well,if at all. To find work, you have to be willing to workas hard at findingwork as you wouldon the job. If you Nowadays, work comesare currentlyin many <strong>for</strong>ms. It mayunemployed andlooking <strong>for</strong> full-time not always be packagedwork, that meansin neat little bundlesyou should bespending 40 hours a called “jobs”, so theweek on your work words, “work” and “jobs”search.are used interchangeablythroughout this book.The best jobs don’tnecessarily go to the mostqualified applicants; they goto the best job seekers.• Consider the possibility <strong>of</strong> accepting temporary orpart-time work, or doing project work on a contractbasis. It will give you a chance to show employerswhat you can do. Later, if your employer creates apermanent position, you will have a big advantageover other applicants because the employer alreadyknows you. (Unless, by then you have decided tocontinue working on a project basis because youenjoy the variety and challenge <strong>of</strong> working <strong>for</strong>several employers at the same time and/or changingprojects frequently.)Building a successful job search is like building ahouse. If the foundation is poor, the whole structureis weak. To build a strong work search foundation,follow these steps:1. Get started by getting organized, identifying yourskills, and deciding what types <strong>of</strong> work you arelooking <strong>for</strong> (Chapter 1).2. Find suitable work opportunities by using worksearch methods that fit your circumstances and thekind <strong>of</strong> work you want (Chapter 2).3. Market your skills by presenting them effectively viaportfolios, resumés, cover letters and application<strong>for</strong>ms, and by talking to employers (Chapter 3).4. Maintain a positive attitude (Chapter 4) by:• making sure your expectations are realistic• learning from your experiences• taking good care <strong>of</strong> yourself• wrapping up your work search properly• keeping your eyes open and planning ahead.If you have been looking <strong>for</strong> work <strong>for</strong> some timealready and are feeling discouraged, you may want toread Chapter 4: Going the Distance first.Learning how to look <strong>for</strong> work is much the same aslearning any other skill. First you learn the basics, thenyou practice. The best way to use this guide is to readit once, and then review each section more carefully asyou put work search strategies into practice.2 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
GETTING STARTEDA job search is like any other kind <strong>of</strong> search. If youknow what you are looking <strong>for</strong> and where to look, youare more likely to find it. If your search is wellorganized, your chances are even better. So, it makessense to get started by:1. getting organized2. finding out what employers want and what youcan provide3. finding out where someone like you is needed.Getting OrganizedGetting organized means more than making sure youhave all the things you will need to find and start workas soon as possible. It also means using your time andenergy efficiently and effectively.Equipment and suppliesIf possible, find a place where you can keep all thethings you’ll need together:• a desk or table with good lighting• <strong>of</strong>fice supplies such as pens, paper, envelopes, stapler• a telephone and answering machine(or voice mail service)• a computer with a laser printer and access tothe Internet• this book.If you don’t have easy access to a computer or answeringmachine, rent one or find out where related services are<strong>of</strong>fered in your community. Most communities in<strong>Alberta</strong> have at least one public access computer locatedin an educational institution (e.g. a high school orcollege), a public library, an <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment andImmigration service centre (see“Where To Get More Help” at theback <strong>of</strong> this book <strong>for</strong> a list <strong>of</strong> phonenumbers) and/or other serviceagencies. Ask around — someagencies will also take messages <strong>for</strong>Looking <strong>for</strong> workis a full-time job.Writing a resumé shouldnot be your first step.Be<strong>for</strong>e you can write areally effective resumé, youneed to know what skillsjob seekers whodo not haveemployers are looking <strong>for</strong>,access to voice which ones you have andmail messagingor an answering where they are needed.machine. Ifnecessary,arrange <strong>for</strong> atrusted friend to take messages <strong>for</strong> you when you areaway from a phone.Whether it is a whole room or a tabletop, try to keepyour work search area as organized and pleasant toreturn to as possible.Social Insurance NumberTo work in Canada, you must have a Social InsuranceNumber (SIN). If you don’t already have one, go to aService Canada <strong>of</strong>fice and apply in writing. You willneed to provide one original document that provesyour identity and status in Canada, such as a BirthCertificate or Certificate <strong>of</strong> Canadian Citizenship.If the name on this document is different from thename you currently use, you will also need to provideone original supporting document, such as a Certificate<strong>of</strong> Marriage or Change-<strong>of</strong>-name Certificate.For more in<strong>for</strong>mation:• Call 1-800-206-7218 and press 3 <strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mationabout Social Insurance Numbers.• Go to the Service Canada website atservicecanada.gc.ca. Click on Find a ServiceCanada Centre Near You.• Go to servicecanada.gc.ca. Using the A to ZServices Index, choose Social Insurance Number.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration3
Putting <strong>of</strong>f getting started? If so, start small.Make a list <strong>of</strong> the things you have to do. If youcan’t do anything on the list in less than a halfhour, break down the tasks on your list intosmaller “bite-size” things to do. For example,if one <strong>of</strong> the tasks on your list is to get a SocialInsurance Number (SIN), you might break thework involved down as follows:• Find the nearest Service Canada Centre underGoernment <strong>of</strong> Canada in the phone book.• Call to find out about <strong>of</strong>fice hours andprocedures <strong>for</strong> applying <strong>for</strong> a SIN.• Figure out how to get there.• Go and fill out the <strong>for</strong>ms.Time managementIf you are unemployed, you owe it to yourself to putas much time and energy into your job search as youwould into working. If you are employed, your worksearch may take longer because you have less timeavailable to devote to your job search on a daily basis.Either way, drawing up a work search schedule will helpto keep you motivated and on track.You will use your time most efficiently if you:• schedule short breaks as <strong>of</strong>ten as you need them torefresh yourself and keep up a steady pace• make lists <strong>of</strong> things you have to do and check tasks<strong>of</strong>f as you complete them• do similar things at the same time (e.g. make all <strong>of</strong>your telephone calls at one time instead <strong>of</strong> returningto the phone to make calls several times a day)• change from one type <strong>of</strong> activity to another at regularintervals (e.g. spend an hour making telephone calls,then go to the library to do some research be<strong>for</strong>ereturning home to work on your resumé).If people expect you to be available to do other thingswhen you should be looking <strong>for</strong> work, talk to themabout your plans and describe your schedule. Ask <strong>for</strong>their understanding and co-operation.If your friends and family are willing to help you withyour job search, let them! They can be a big help inidentifying your skills, targeting your job search andfinding employment opportunities.What EmployersWant and You HaveEmployers are looking <strong>for</strong> people who:• are honest, positive, responsible, adaptable,willing to learn and safety-conscious• work productively in a team environment• can solve problems (in particular, problems theemployer is currently facing or willface in the near future).The problems employers need solved may be relativelysimple (e.g. we need someone to stuff envelopes) orextremely complex (e.g. we need a team <strong>of</strong> people todesign a space station).Even if you have little or no paid work experience, youalready have some <strong>of</strong> the skills employers need. The key towork search success is to identify your strongest skills andwhere they are needed. The following exercises will helpyou get started.What do you have to <strong>of</strong>fer?Make a few photocopies <strong>of</strong> the following checklist <strong>of</strong>employability skills and show it to people who knowyou well and will be honest with you (family members,friends, teachers, <strong>for</strong>mer co-workers or employers).Ask them to check <strong>of</strong>f the statements they think applyto you. At the same time, do the exercise yourself. Thencompare what you checked <strong>of</strong>f to what they checked <strong>of</strong>f,and talk about why you/they checked <strong>of</strong>f some itemsand not others.When you are doing this exercise, check <strong>of</strong>f the skillsat which you are competent. Competent means you areable to per<strong>for</strong>m the activity as well as most people(e.g., check <strong>of</strong>f “plan and manage time” if you do that aswell as most people). You don’t have to be an expert at itto check <strong>of</strong>f a skill.When you talk to others about this exercise, ask them tocheck <strong>of</strong>f things you do as well as most people.4 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
PERSONAL SKILLSPositive attitudes and behaviours❏ feeling good about yourself – confident that youcan make a positive contribution in work, school,family and leisure situations❏ maintaining high ethical standards – dealing withpeople, problems and situations honestly❏ giving credit where credit is due – recognizingyour own and other people’s good ef<strong>for</strong>ts❏ taking care <strong>of</strong> your health – eating a balanceddiet, getting enough rest and exercise, etc.❏ managing addictions – admitting to anyaddictions you have, and getting help or treatment❏ showing interest and initiative by getting involvedin existing activities or starting new onesResponsible❏ organizing your work site – keeping your workarea neat and clean; taking care <strong>of</strong> tools, materialsand equipment❏ planning and managing your time to achieve goals❏ anticipating future financial needs, settingfinancial goals and deciding how you will manageyour money (e.g. paying <strong>of</strong>f credit cards at theend <strong>of</strong> each month; saving/investing)❏ setting goals and priorities to balance your workand personal life❏ following through with time and financial plans,and making adjustments when necessary❏ risking, when appropriate – assessing, weighing andmanaging physical, emotional and financial risk❏ accepting responsibility <strong>for</strong> your actions and theactions <strong>of</strong> your group❏ being socially responsible and contributing toyour community (e.g. obeying laws, volunteering)Adaptable❏ working alone or as part <strong>of</strong> a team❏ working on several tasks or projects at thesame timeAsk your references to helpyou with this exercise.❏ being innovative and resourceful (identifyingand suggesting different ways to get work done)❏ accepting change and using it to your advantage❏ accepting feedback and learning from your mistakes❏ coping with uncertainty (making decisions whenyou are not sure what the outcome will be)Learn continuously❏ always learning and growing❏ being aware <strong>of</strong> your personal strengths, and areasthat need improvement or development❏ setting your own learning goals instead <strong>of</strong> waiting<strong>for</strong> someone else to tell you what you should learn❏ identifying and using learning opportunities andsources <strong>of</strong> learning❏ planning <strong>for</strong> and achieving learning goalsWork safely❏ being aware <strong>of</strong> personal and group health andsafety practices and procedures, and actingaccordingly❏ managing stress – knowing the causes <strong>of</strong> personaland pr<strong>of</strong>essional stress, and coping with demandsand pressuresTEAMWORK SKILLSWork with others❏ getting along – demonstrating respect and caringabout the feelings <strong>of</strong> others; being considerate❏ using tact – being discrete and diplomatic,particularly when dealing with sensitive issues❏ supporting – helping others with their problems;supporting others’ decisions and initiatives❏ accepting authority – being able to work undersupervision❏ respecting differences – appreciating diversity;accepting the uniqueness <strong>of</strong> individuals❏ co-operating with others to accomplish shared goals© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration5
❏ clarifying the group’s goals and objectiveswhen necessary❏ being flexible – respecting and being open toothers’ opinions and contributions❏ stating opinions – having the confidence andassertiveness to say what you think❏ accepting feedback without becoming angryor overly defensive❏ contributing by sharing in<strong>for</strong>mation and expertise❏ leading, or supporting when appropriate, bymotivating others to per<strong>for</strong>m well❏ confronting – telling others things they may notwant to hear about their behaviour, habits, etc.Participate in projects and tasks❏ doing your part – working to acceptable standards❏ being timely – completing work on time to meetproject deadlines; arriving at meetings on time;responding to messages reasonably quickly❏ determining priorities – deciding what is mostimportant and doing that first❏ scheduling – predicting how much time tasks willtake; setting time frames <strong>for</strong> activities❏ initiating – taking the first step; getting things started❏ planning – developing projects or ideas throughsystematic preparation, and deciding in whichorder and at what time events will occur❏ organizing – co-ordinating the people andresources necessary to put a plan into effect❏ coaching – providing one-to-one or small groupassistance to help others achieve a goal❏ providing feedback – accurately describing anindividual’s work, behaviour, appearance, etc. ina helpful and considerate way❏ making decisions – choosing a course <strong>of</strong> actionand accepting responsibility <strong>for</strong> the consequences❏ carrying out projects/tasks from start to finishwith a clear idea <strong>of</strong> what you want to achieve❏ selecting and using appropriate tools and technology❏ reviewing how time has been used and makingchanges that will increase efficiency❏ adapting to changing requirements andin<strong>for</strong>mation❏ keeping track <strong>of</strong> how well projects/tasks areprogressing and looking <strong>for</strong> ways to improveFUNDAMENTAL SKILLSCommunication skills❏ reading – getting in<strong>for</strong>mation from writtenmaterials; following written instructions❏ reading and understanding in<strong>for</strong>mationpresented in nonverbal <strong>for</strong>mats (e.g. graphs,charts, diagrams)❏ writing – using good grammar to write clearsentences and paragraphs; being able to expressyourself/explain things in writing❏ talking – being able to provide in<strong>for</strong>mationeffectively in ordinary settings❏ public speaking – being able to keep theaudience’s attention while delivering a speech❏ listening – paying attention to what other peoplesay to understand and appreciate their points <strong>of</strong>view, and responding appropriately❏ questioning – asking the right questions to obtainuseful in<strong>for</strong>mation, or to help others gain insight❏ explaining – being careful and clear in what youtell people, so they understand quickly and easily❏ resolving conflicts – bringing conflicts tosuccessful conclusions❏ persuading – convincing others to do whatyou want❏ negotiating – bargaining with others to solve aproblem or reach an agreement❏ teaching – understanding group dynamics andinstructing othersThe skills checklist is based on TheConference Board <strong>of</strong> Canada pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong>Employability Skills 2000+. For morein<strong>for</strong>mation, check out their website atwww.conferenceboard.ca/education6 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
❏ chairing meetings – presiding over a group <strong>of</strong>people who come together <strong>for</strong> a purpose;listening, speaking, encouraging discussion, andfollowing an agenda❏ sharing in<strong>for</strong>mation by using in<strong>for</strong>mation andcommunications technologies (e.g. email, voice mail)In<strong>for</strong>mation management skills❏ following directions – completing tasks as directed❏ maintaining records <strong>of</strong> inventory, budgets orother in<strong>for</strong>mation❏ recording – using planners such as calendars andappointment books to keep track <strong>of</strong> activities❏ organizing in<strong>for</strong>mation – keeping orderly records(e.g. files, binders <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation)❏ filing – sorting in<strong>for</strong>mation into an organized system❏ scheduling – keeping track <strong>of</strong> projects,timetables, itineraries, etc.❏ researching – locating and gathering in<strong>for</strong>mation,using appropriate technology and in<strong>for</strong>mationsystems (e.g. computers, library classificationsystems, Internet search engines)❏ analyzing in<strong>for</strong>mation – breaking it down tobasic elements❏ applying knowledge and skills from one or moredisciplines (e.g. arts, languages, science,technology, math, social sciences, humanities)Numerical Skills❏ deciding what needs to be measured or calculated❏ observing and recording data, using appropriatemethods, tools and technologyThinking and problem-solving skills❏ assessing situations and identifying problems❏ seeking different points <strong>of</strong> view and evaluatingthem based on facts❏ recognizing that there are <strong>of</strong>ten several aspectsto problems (e.g. human, technical, scientific)❏ investigating – gathering in<strong>for</strong>mation in anorganized way to determine facts or principles❏ analyzing – breaking concepts/problems intoparts so each part can be examined❏ being creative and innovative in exploringpossible solutions❏ using scientific, technological and mathematicalways <strong>of</strong> thinking to gain and share knowledge,solve problems and make decisions❏ evaluating solutions to make recommendationsor decisions❏ synthesizing – putting facts and ideas together innew and creative ways; finding new ways to lookat problems and do things❏ acting on your conclusions❏ checking to see if a solution works, and takingopportunities to improve on it❏ counting – determining how many items thereare in a group❏ calculating – using basic arithmetic: adding,subtracting, multiplying and dividing❏ measuring – using tools or equipment todetermine length, angle, volume or weight❏ estimating – judging the cost or size <strong>of</strong> things;predicting the outcome <strong>of</strong> an arithmetic problembe<strong>for</strong>e it is calculated; <strong>for</strong>ecasting the cost <strong>of</strong>products and services❏ budgeting – planning how you will spend money;deciding what to buy and how much to spend, orhow to get work done the most cost-effectively© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration7
If you ask your references to help you with thisexercise, they will be better prepared to answerquestions about you. Keep in mind that yourreferences should be people in positions <strong>of</strong> authority(e.g. supervisors, teachers, group leaders) who canconfirm that you did what you say you did.If you ask others to complete this exercise too, you mayfind that they think you have more employability skillsthan you give yourself credit <strong>for</strong>. Or, you may find thatthey do not see you as having some <strong>of</strong> the skills youthink you have. In either case, don't argue. Listen to theirreasons as objectively as you can – what you learn abouthow you are perceived by others could greatly improveyour chances <strong>of</strong> finding work and staying employed.Which personal management, teamwork andfundamental employability skills are your strongestskills? Which ones do you want to use and develop?These are the skills you should focus on in thenext exercise.Where and when have youused your skills?One <strong>of</strong> the most effective ways to let employers knowthat you have the skills they are looking <strong>for</strong> is todescribe situations in which you have used those skills.For example, describing situations in which you haveshown you can work well with others is much moreconvincing than simply calling yourself a “team player.”Employers will be even more impressed if youdescribe the positive results you have achieved. Forexample, describe what happened after you tookresponsibility <strong>for</strong> a task, or how other people’sbehaviour changed as a result <strong>of</strong> your ef<strong>for</strong>ts tomotivate them. Or, tell employers about an award youreceived <strong>for</strong> good attendance or a good safety record.Better yet, show them the award or other evidence.Did you check <strong>of</strong>f “feeling good aboutyourself”? If not, employers will pick up onyour lack <strong>of</strong> confidence and doubt yourabilities too. Read Chapter 4: Going theDistance, and talk to someone you trust.Career advisors and employment counsellorsare available to help with your work search byphone and in person (see “Where To Get MoreHelp” at the back <strong>of</strong> this book).1. At the top <strong>of</strong> separate pages (paper or electronic), listeach <strong>of</strong> the employability skills you identified in the“What do you have to <strong>of</strong>fer?” exercise.2. Under each skill, briefly describe three situations inwhich you have used the skill.Be specific. What needed doing and why? What didyou do? How did you contribute if it was a teamworksituation? Where did you do it and when? How? Namethe tools you used (e.g. computer programs), describethe types <strong>of</strong> people you consulted (e.g. teachers,co-workers, experts), the tasks/steps involved, theproblems you encountered and how you dealt withthem, and what happened as a result.If you need more help identifying and describingyour skills:• Talk to someone at one <strong>of</strong> the places listed under“Where to Get More Help” at the end <strong>of</strong> this bookand ask <strong>for</strong> a copy <strong>of</strong> Advanced Techniques <strong>for</strong>Work Search.• Visit your local public library or book store andcheck out some <strong>of</strong> their career planning and jobsearch lists.8 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Finding Out WhereYour Skills Are NeededIf the types <strong>of</strong> employers who need your skills areobvious (e.g. you just graduated from a trainingprogram <strong>for</strong> a particular type <strong>of</strong> work), you can skipto the “Researching Work Options” section. If not,the following exercises will help you decide where youare most likely to find employers who need someonelike you.You’d be good at…1. As quickly as you can, list all <strong>of</strong> the kinds <strong>of</strong> workyou can think <strong>of</strong> that you could do well now orcould learn on the job.2. Ask your family and friends to think <strong>of</strong> differenttypes <strong>of</strong> work you would be good at, and add anynew ideas to your list.Don’t argue if someone suggests something youthink is out <strong>of</strong> the question. Sometimes, ideas thatdon’t seem to have much merit at first can sparkmore interesting ideas later on.Have fun — get a group <strong>of</strong> people together andbrainstorm ideas. If you have friends who arelooking <strong>for</strong> work too, you can bounce some ideasaround about what they would be good at.3. Group the ideas you have gathered by employmentfield or industry.Knowing you have skills to <strong>of</strong>ferhelps build confidence.Telephone directory exercise1. Glance through the yellow pages index <strong>of</strong> yourtelephone directory to get an overview <strong>of</strong> thecategories. The index is usually located at the front orback <strong>of</strong> the directory. If the index is quite long, divideit into sections and work on one section at a time.If you are interested in government work, use thegovernment <strong>of</strong>fice listings that are <strong>of</strong>ten in a “bluepages” section. The blue pages list federal,provincial and municipal government <strong>of</strong>fices.2. Go through the listings title by title. Ask yourselfthe following question(s) <strong>for</strong> each title.Am I interested in this field?If not, move on to the next title.If so, ask yourself the next question.Do I need special knowledge or experience toqualify <strong>for</strong> work in this field?If not, check <strong>of</strong>f the title.If you don’t know, check <strong>of</strong>f the title —you can find out <strong>for</strong> sure later.If so, ask yourself the next question.Do I have the necessary knowledge or experience,or would I be willing to get it?If not, move on to the next title.If so, check <strong>of</strong>f the title.3. From the ones you checked <strong>of</strong>f, choose theemployment fields that look the most interestingto you. For a list <strong>of</strong> local employers in each field,simply turn to the page number beside the title inthe index.As you go through the yellow pages index or the bluepages <strong>of</strong> your directory, you may find that you arechecking <strong>of</strong>f too many titles (more than 30). If so, youcan af<strong>for</strong>d to be more selective. If you are checking <strong>of</strong>fvery few titles and are not willing to move to another© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration9
community to seek work, you may have to be lessselective.If you are having other difficulties with this exercise,talk to a trusted friend or counsellor about yourexpectations and the local employment situation.Researching work optionsThere are basically three ways to learn about workoptions: read print materials, search the Internet, andtalk to people who have first-hand knowledge.READ ABOUT EMPLOYMENT FIELDSA lot <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation about employment fields can befound in the reference, periodicals and non-fictionsections <strong>of</strong> your local library. Business magazines,newspaper articles, occupational pr<strong>of</strong>iles and industrydirectories contain a wealth <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>for</strong> jobseekers.If you know very little about an industry oremployment field, look <strong>for</strong> basic in<strong>for</strong>mation about:• primary products or services• how products or services are marketed and thelevel <strong>of</strong> competition in the industry• research and development activities• the challenges employers are facing• which companies are growing.Introduce yourself to the reference librarian andexplain what you are looking <strong>for</strong>. Librarians canbe very helpful if you clearly describe the types<strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation you need.<strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration service centresare another good source <strong>of</strong> work search in<strong>for</strong>mation(see Where To Get More Help at the back <strong>of</strong> this book).SEARCH THE INTERNETMuch in<strong>for</strong>mation on careers and employment isavailable on the Internet. If you don’t have easy accessto the Internet, use the public access computers inpublic libraries, cyber cafes, and <strong>Alberta</strong> Employmentand Immigration service centres.The <strong>Alberta</strong> Learning In<strong>for</strong>mation Service (<strong>ALIS</strong>)website (alis.alberta.ca) is an Internet gateway to allsorts <strong>of</strong> career, learning and employment in<strong>for</strong>mation.• Click on the Career Explorers tab to get toOCCinfo, a database <strong>of</strong> Occupational Pr<strong>of</strong>iles thatdescribes more than 500 different types <strong>of</strong> work.• Click on the <strong>Job</strong> <strong>Seekers</strong> tab to get to <strong>Alberta</strong> WorkSearch Online, a guide to finding workon the Internet.TALK TO PEOPLE WHO KNOWPeople employed in a specific employment field orindustry can give you in<strong>for</strong>mation you may not beable to find in print or on the Internet. For example,they can tell you:• what job titles are usually used in their industry<strong>for</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> work you want• where people who do that type <strong>of</strong> work areemployed• how most people find work in the industry.They can confirm what you learn from reading, andanswer any questions your library and Internetresearch left unanswered.If you know people who work in some <strong>of</strong> the fieldsthat interest you, ask them if they would be willing tospend some time with you discussing their industry.Talk to more than one person — you are more likelyto get a balanced picture that way.10 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
If you don’t know anyone workingin fields that interest you, ask yourfriends, relatives and acquaintancesto introduce you to people theyknow in those fields. You may alsobe able to obtain in<strong>for</strong>mation andreferrals from related pr<strong>of</strong>essionalassociations or unions.Tell the people you talk to that you are looking<strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation. Describe the types <strong>of</strong> jobs andemployment fields that interest you. Ask <strong>for</strong>referrals to people who may have additionalin<strong>for</strong>mation.If you research several different fields <strong>of</strong>employment be<strong>for</strong>e you start looking <strong>for</strong> specificjob opportunities, you will be much betterprepared to follow up suitable job leads whenyou find them.Do any <strong>of</strong> the following statementsreflect your thinking right now?I don’t like to bother other people.People like to help. It makes them feel goodabout themselves. Let people know thatthey can help by simply taking a fewminutes to talk about their employment field.Most people wouldn’t consider it a“bother” at all!I don’t know many people.You don’t have to know many people. If youknow one or two people, ask them to referyou to people they know who work in theemployment fields that interest you. Theymay even be willing to introduce you tothese people.I don’t like to admit thatI am unemployed.Many valuable workers find themselvestemporarily out <strong>of</strong> work through no fault<strong>of</strong> their own. Don’t shut yourself <strong>of</strong>f frompeople who can help provide in<strong>for</strong>mationand support!© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration11
Recipe <strong>for</strong> job search success:FINDING WORKwork hard, work smart, and use avariety <strong>of</strong> work search methods.Finding work opportunities takes detective work.You are looking <strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation about potentialemployers, and who is hiring now or might be hiringin the near future.Finding work would be much easier if the term “jobmarket” actually referred to a place where employersand job seekers meet and make mutually beneficialdeals. Un<strong>for</strong>tunately, no such marketplace exists. Bothjob seekers and employers must use a variety <strong>of</strong>methods to find one another.Ways to Find WorkThere are many ways to find employers who need yourskills. From the following list, choose the two methodsyou think are the most effective in mostcircumstances.❏ Attending workshops and taking other learningopportunities.❏ Registering with private employment/placementagencies.❏ Frequently checking job postings at Canada-<strong>Alberta</strong><strong>Job</strong> Order Bank Services (JOBS) kiosks, visitingtheir website at www.jobbank.gc.ca.❏ Hearing about work opportunities through friendsand acquaintances.❏ Contacting executive search firms.❏ Posting your resumé on employment-relatedwebsites.❏ Reading the advertisements in the Classified andCareer sections <strong>of</strong> local newspapers.❏ Using the services <strong>of</strong> the placement <strong>of</strong>fice at a postsecondaryeducation institution you have attended.❏ Watching <strong>for</strong> “job available” signs in the windows<strong>of</strong> local businesses.❏ Approaching employers directly and asking aboutjob openings.❏ Attending career and job fairs❏ Paying attention to news reports about newprojects, and thinking about the types <strong>of</strong> work thatwill be generated and where.❏ Reading the job ads in trade magazines.❏ Meeting people in fields that interest you by doingvolunteer work.❏ Placing “employment wanted” ads in newspapers,trade magazines or on the Internet.❏ Searching career sites, bulletin boards, andcompanies’ home pages on the Internet.❏ Consulting a career or employment consultant.If you chose “hearing about work opportunitiesthrough friends and acquaintances” as generally themost effective method and “approaching employersdirectly” as the second most effective method, youare right.Although different methods <strong>of</strong> finding work are moreeffective in different circumstances, more successfuljob seekers find work through personal contacts(networking) and approaching employers directlythan through all other job search methods combined!That’s because most employment opportunities arenever advertised or posted electronically. They are inthe “hidden job market.”Also, many new types <strong>of</strong> work are constantly emerging.If you have some <strong>of</strong> the required skills, you might beable to learn the rest on the job. If not, you might beable to acquire the necessary technical skills throughshort training programs. However, if you do not realizethat you are qualified to apply, these opportunities arealso hidden from you.So how do you find out which employers are looking<strong>for</strong> workers, and which new work opportunities youmight qualify <strong>for</strong>? By using a combination <strong>of</strong> the worksearch methods listed previously, but concentrating onnetworking and contacting employers directly.12 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Networking andIn<strong>for</strong>mation InterviewingNETWORKING is an organized way to make linksfrom the people you know to the people they know.It is a process <strong>of</strong> linking contacts together to <strong>for</strong>m a“net” <strong>of</strong> personal contacts who can provide supportand in<strong>for</strong>mation.INFORMATION INTERVIEWING is talking topeople who work in fields that interest you about howthey found work and where they suggest you shouldlook <strong>for</strong> work. It is not asking people <strong>for</strong> a job! You arelooking <strong>for</strong> advice, not putting people on the spot byasking them to hire you. If they do happen to have a jobopening and are in a position to hire you, they willprobably tell you. Then you can decide whether topursue the opportunity right away or not. If you don’thave a good overview <strong>of</strong> opportunities and hiringpractices in your target employment fields yet, it mightbe a good idea not to apply right away.Why are most workopportunities never advertised?Put yourself in the shoes <strong>of</strong> a busy employer.If you advertise a position, you willhave to spend a lot <strong>of</strong> time readingapplications and interviewing people.It is much easier to:• wait <strong>for</strong> a motivated job seekerto come to you• ask your employees and colleaguesif they know <strong>of</strong> a qualified, reliableperson who is looking <strong>for</strong> work.If you can find someone suitablethis way, why bother advertisingthe position?Writing a resumé should not be your first step.Be<strong>for</strong>e you can write a really effective resumé, youneed to know what skills employers are looking <strong>for</strong>,which ones you have and where they are needed.Through friends, acquaintances and advice-givers, youcan eventually reach just about anyone you would liketo interview. One person can put you in contact withseveral others, who can put you in contact with manymore people.Who should you talk to?Everyone! Your hairstylist’s brother may work in anindustry that interests you. Or your neighbour mayknow someone you should talk to. You’ll never knowuntil you ask.People whose work involves a lot <strong>of</strong> contact with otherpeople can be particularly helpful. If you know anyteachers, social workers, religious leaders orcommunity leaders, <strong>for</strong> example, be sure to talk tothem about your skills and work search targets.Start networking by making a list <strong>of</strong> people you know,and deciding which ones to contact first.SHOULD YOU HAVE A BUSINESS CARD,EVEN IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED?Yes. The people you talk to may ask <strong>for</strong> your telephonenumber or email address, so they can let you knowwhen they hear about work opportunities.You can print businesscards quite cheaply oncomputers by usingIf you are looking <strong>for</strong> computerrelatedwork, it makes sense to surf available from <strong>of</strong>ficespecial card stockthe Internet to find work supply stores. Or, youcan pay a printer toopportunities. But don’t spend allmake moreyour time surfing! Networking and pr<strong>of</strong>essional-lookingcards with your namecontacting employers directly areand telephone number,still more effective work search and a fax number ormethods than posting your resumé email address if youhave one. If you wish,on the Internet.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration13
you can also includeyour occupation orfield <strong>of</strong> work underyour name and up tothree bullets thathighlight your bestqualifications.Here’s an example.Jessica JonesWeb Page DesignerTelephone: 780-000-0000email: jjones@email.address• Graduate <strong>of</strong> Multi-Media Institute• Innovative, custom designs• Technical expertiseWhen you are telephoningpeople you have never met, planyour call so you will be as briefand to the point as possible.Your goal is to set up a meeting with theperson, and get answers to some <strong>of</strong> your questions (orat least get another referral).1. Introduce yourself.2. Explain who referred you, ifHow should youBeing assertive means appropriate, and why you arecontact people?calling. (Remember, you areexpressing yourself in aTalk to the people you meet in the course <strong>of</strong>looking <strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation, notyour daily routine about your job search. straight<strong>for</strong>ward way that asking <strong>for</strong> a job.)Telephone or arrange to meet people you have shows self-respect and 3. Ask <strong>for</strong> a short meeting or, ifmet be<strong>for</strong>e. Depending on how confident yourespect <strong>for</strong> others.appropriate, ask your questions.feel and how much time you have, you mayWhen people agree to meet witharrange to be introduced to the people you areyou, arrange a time and placereferred to, or you can call them yourself.that is convenient <strong>for</strong> them.If people refuse your request,What should you saypolitely ask if there is someone else you should talk to.when you contact people?Be assertive, not aggressive.When you are talking to people you know personally: Sometimes, the people you call may be willing to• Tell them about your work search plan and describe answer a few questions on the phone, but not meetthe types <strong>of</strong> work you are looking <strong>for</strong>.with you in person. Briefly describe your backgroundand work search targets, and ask if the person knows• Tell them how your training and experience relate any employers looking <strong>for</strong> someone like you. If you doto the type <strong>of</strong> work you want. If appropriate, <strong>of</strong>fer get a job lead, ask <strong>for</strong> the name and position title <strong>of</strong>to give them a copy <strong>of</strong> your resumé.the person you should contact about it.• Ask if they are aware <strong>of</strong> suitable employmentRemember, your purpose in networking is to meetopportunities.people who can give you valuable advice and• Ask them to refer you to others who might know in<strong>for</strong>mation. Some <strong>of</strong> the people you meet may beabout work opportunities.employers. Interview them in the same way you wouldinterview anyone else. If they have a job opening and• Ask if they would be willing to introduce you toyou make a favourable impression, they may decide tothese people, or ask <strong>for</strong> permission to mention their turn your in<strong>for</strong>mation interview into a job interview.name when you contact the people they refer you If they don’t have any openings and you make ato. Strangers will probably be more helpful if you favourable impression, they may tell you aboutstart out by saying that someone you both knowsuitable opportunities with other employers and/orsuggested you call.keep you in mind <strong>for</strong> future job openings.14 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Look your best whenever you go out.Be polite and treat everyone you meetWhat should you ask whenyou meet with people?Be<strong>for</strong>e you meet with anyone, do some library orInternet research. Then you will be better preparedto get the most out <strong>of</strong> your in<strong>for</strong>mation interviews.Prepare <strong>for</strong> each interview by listing the questions youwant to ask. The more you learn about work in yourfields <strong>of</strong> interest, the more specific your questions willbecome.Most people will have a limited amount <strong>of</strong> time to talkwith you. Plan to ask your most important questionsfirst, and make your questions as brief as possible. Bebusinesslike and don’t take more than 15 to 20 minutes<strong>of</strong> a stranger’s time.In general, ask:• How people found work in their employment field.People love to talk about themselves, so this isusually a good conversation opener. However, don’tspend too much time on this or you won’t havetime to ask other questions.• How people are usually recruited and the work searchmethods that work best. For example, should youcontact employers directly by dropping in, phoning,sending an email message, or writing a letter?• About key issues and challenges. What is mostrewarding/challenging about their employmentfield? What are the current hot topics in their field?• Where a person with your background and skillsmight fit in. When appropriate, ask <strong>for</strong> detailsabout the types <strong>of</strong> work mentioned.• If there is someone else the person wouldrecommend you talk to.with respect.Take notes. When you have conducted a number<strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation interviews, it is hard to rememberspecifics like names and telephone numbers. Duringor immediately after each interview, write down thefollowing in<strong>for</strong>mation:• name <strong>of</strong> the person you talked to• date• what you learned from the person• the names and telephone numbers <strong>of</strong> any referrals.Within a day or two, write a brief note thanking theperson <strong>for</strong> his or her time and help.Follow up each in<strong>for</strong>mation interview by phoning twoto three weeks later. A contact may have heard aboutwork opportunities in the meantime, or thought <strong>of</strong>something else that might help you.ContactingEmployers DirectlyThere are five basic steps involved in contactingemployers directly:1. Identify potential employers.2. Choose appropriate ways to contact them.3. Identify the specific person you should contact.4. Make contact.5. Follow up.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration15
Contacting employers to get a job interviewis not the same thing as in<strong>for</strong>mation interviewing.This time, your objective is to convince employersthat they should hire you.1. Identify potential employersThe yellow pages list local employers, but there are otherresources that may contain more in<strong>for</strong>mation about them.For example, most medium-size and large employers havewebsites that describe their products and services. Thesewebsites may also include in<strong>for</strong>mation about companystructure and hiring practices.Business directories provide overviews <strong>of</strong> companyactivities as well as addresses and phone numbers.Regional and national directories may be available in thereference section <strong>of</strong> your local library, Labour MarketIn<strong>for</strong>mation Centre (located in <strong>Alberta</strong> Employmentand Immigration service centres), or provincialeconomic development <strong>of</strong>fice.If you are interested in working in the public sector,detailed directories may be available <strong>for</strong> different levels<strong>of</strong> government in your area.2. Choose appropriateways to contact employersYou can contact employers in person, over the phone,by mail or email. There are several factors to considerwhen you are deciding which method(s) to use:THE TYPE OF WORK YOU WANTEmployers use different hiring practices <strong>for</strong> differenttypes <strong>of</strong> work. For example, they may use employmentor placement agencies or campus placement <strong>of</strong>fices t<strong>of</strong>ill some positions, but not others.To find work as quickly as possible, you need to knowhow most employers hire people <strong>for</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> work youwant. You can find out by reading about the occupationand industry, and by in<strong>for</strong>mation interviewing.YOUR PERSONALITY AND SKILLSIf any method <strong>of</strong> contacting employers is generallyacceptable <strong>for</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> work you want, choose themethods that will work best <strong>for</strong>you. For example, if you usuallymake a good first impressionwhen you meet people, contactemployers in person. If yousound pleasant and confidenton the telephone (or couldwith practice), phoneemployers. If you canwrite a dynamitebusiness letter or emailmessage, contactemployers in writing.YOUR WORK HISTORYIf your work history hasgaps in it that are difficult toexplain briefly or in a positiveway, contacting employers inperson or by phone is probably a better approachthan sending letters or emails. On the otherhand, if your qualifications look really good onpaper, a wellwrittencoverletter andTailor your work search plan to fitresumé (oryour particular circumstances. The email) may getbetter results.better the fit, the more likely you areto find suitable employment.YOUR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCESIf you are applying <strong>for</strong> work in a community somedistance away from where you live, you may not be ableto drop in on employers or make lots <strong>of</strong> telephone calls.You may have to rely primarily on a letter campaignor email.16 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Method <strong>of</strong> Contacting Employers — Advantages and DisadvantagesMethodAdvantagesDisadvantagesin person • most effective <strong>for</strong> unskilled, somesemi-skilled and some sales-related work• impresses employers who are looking <strong>for</strong>outgoing people• favourable first impressions can be createdby your appearance and manner, regardless<strong>of</strong> your qualifications• requires self-confidence• time-consuming• may require spending money ontransportation• some employers might resent peoplewalking in and taking up their timeby phone • can contact many employers in a short time• harder to ignore than a letter• can be effective <strong>for</strong> most types <strong>of</strong> work• requires good telephone skills• you have less than a minute toconvince an employer to talk to youby mail • emphasizes good qualifications• may be the most practical method if youare currently employed• not many employers will respond(five to 10 per cent)• not as effective in competitive fields• time-consuming• waste <strong>of</strong> time if not well written• cost <strong>of</strong> supplies and postageby email • demonstrates your computer skills• faster and doesn’t cost as much as mail orlong distance calls• requires a personal email address• waste <strong>of</strong> time if not well written• requires re<strong>for</strong>matting your resumé3. Identifythe person to contact“Dear Sir/Madam” and “To whom it may concern” types<strong>of</strong> approaches are not very effective. No matter whatmethod <strong>of</strong> contact you use, address a specific person.• If you are contacting employers in person, call ahead<strong>of</strong> your visit and ask who has hiring authority <strong>for</strong>the type <strong>of</strong> work you want. Find out when thisperson may be available to speak to applicants.When you walk in, ask <strong>for</strong> the person by name.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration17
• If you are contacting employersby phone, ask the person whoanswers the phone <strong>for</strong> the name<strong>of</strong> the person who has hiringauthority. Then, if that person isreluctant to put your call throughto the appropriate person, callback another day and ask <strong>for</strong> thehiring authority by name.• If you are contacting employersby letter or email, it is absolutelyessential to address your messagesto specific people. You may beable to find the names andaddresses <strong>of</strong> company executivesby checking company websites or local businessdirectories, or by networking (if calling theorganization is not practical).Record names and contact in<strong>for</strong>mation in anorganized way that gives you room <strong>for</strong> notes aboutwhen you contacted people and how they responded.You will need this in<strong>for</strong>mation to follow up later.4. Make contactVisit, phone, send letters and emails. The moreexperienced you become at contacting employers,the easier it gets. (Yes, really!)If you are not com<strong>for</strong>table meeting employers ortalking to them on the phone, practice ahead <strong>of</strong> time.Write a short script that takes less than one minute tosay and sounds upbeat. State your name, describe yourbackground and the type <strong>of</strong> position you are looking<strong>for</strong>, and ask <strong>for</strong> a job interview.If you still feel uncom<strong>for</strong>table, try role-playing yourscript with a friend. Then contact the employers thatinterest you the least. That way, you’ll be moreexperienced and confident by the time you get tomore interesting employers.Your request <strong>for</strong> a jobinterview will be turneddown many times. But, ifyou persist, you will get anumber <strong>of</strong> interviews thisway. Don’t give up! Keeprefining your script, andcontacting moreemployers.Don’t overlookorganizations with fewerthan 20 employees. Smallany other way.businesses create more newjobs than large businesses.Another advantage incontacting small businesses is that it may be easier toget through to the person who has hiring authority.In fact, it may be the boss who answers the phone.If the thought <strong>of</strong> contacting employersdirectly scares you, ask yourself, “Whatis the worst/best that could happen?”If an employer does not have a currentopening, you are no worse <strong>of</strong>f than youwould be if you had not asked. If theemployer does have a job opening, youhave a lead you might not have found5. Follow upFollow up your contact with an employer after areasonable length <strong>of</strong> time (about two weeks).Be gently persistent.If you meet employers in person and they have noopenings, leave a resumé or your business cardanyway. Ask if and when it would be appropriate tocheck in with them again.On the phone, your objective is to get a job interview.After a meeting, leave a resumé (if appropriate) andask if it would be acceptable to call back in a couple<strong>of</strong> weeks.When you contact employers by mail or email, ask <strong>for</strong>an interview in your closing paragraph. If possible,give a date and time when you will phone to arrangea convenient time. Then be sure to call when you saidyou would!18 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Your PersonalWork Search PlanMost work opportunities are not advertised, so yourjob search plan should include networking and sometype <strong>of</strong> direct contact with employers. Your choice <strong>of</strong>other work search methods should be based on yourknowledge <strong>of</strong> how most employers hire people <strong>for</strong> thetype <strong>of</strong> work you want.Which work searchmethods will you use?Check <strong>of</strong>f the methods that will be the most effective<strong>for</strong> you.❏ Networking and in<strong>for</strong>mation interviewing.❏ Contacting employers in person.❏ Contacting employers by telephone.❏ Contacting employers by mail.❏ Contacting employers by email.❏ Answering job ads in the newspaper and/oron the Internet.❏ Using the services <strong>of</strong> the placement <strong>of</strong>fice at apost-secondary institution you have attended.❏ Joining a “job club” or some other support network<strong>for</strong> job seekers.❏ Registering with employment/placement agencies.❏ Frequently checking job postings onCanada-<strong>Alberta</strong> JOBS kiosks or on the Internet(www.jobbank.gc.ca).❏ Using creative methods <strong>of</strong> attracting attention suchas designing your resumé to look like a brochure.Other method(s) listed below.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Which work search method will you spend most timeon? Put a #1 beside that method.Which one is next important? Put a #2 next to it.Assign a priority to each <strong>of</strong> the methods youhave chosen.The amount <strong>of</strong> time you spend on work searchactivities should reflect your priorities. For example,if networking is your number one method, then most<strong>of</strong> your job search day should be spent networking.❏ Attending career and job fairs.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration19
MARKETING YOUR SKILLSMarketing your skills is much the sameas marketing any other type <strong>of</strong> product.You have to:• be familiar with your product(your skills – see Chapter 1)• identify potential buyers(employers – see Chapter 2)• present your skills in a way thatwill attract attention and makea good impression.Portfolios, resumés, cover letters, emailmessages, application <strong>for</strong>ms and interviewsare marketing tools. They shouldpresent the benefits that hiring youwould bring to an employer.Both content and “packaging” are important. If yourresumé, cover letter and email look well-organized andinteresting, employers will probably start to read them.Quality content is required to keep their attention.Your marketing tools should reflect both the type<strong>of</strong> work you are applying <strong>for</strong> and your personality.If you are applying <strong>for</strong> work in a conservative industrylike banking, your application should follow all thestandard guidelines <strong>for</strong> application <strong>for</strong>ms, cover lettersand resumés. However, if you are applying <strong>for</strong> work ina creative industry like advertising, your marketingtools will be more effective if their <strong>for</strong>mats demonstrateyour creative abilities.A resumé you write yourself is bound to reflect yourpersonality better than a resumé written <strong>for</strong> you by afriend or resumé service. Most employers see a lot <strong>of</strong>standard-looking resumés. If you can create a uniquestyle that is in<strong>for</strong>mative, interesting and drawsattention to your strongest skills, your resumé willcertainly stand out.As your work search progresses, keep improvingyour tools. Take note <strong>of</strong> what seems to impressemployers and what does not, and use this knowledgeto refine your marketing strategies.PortfoliosFor years, people in creativeoccupations have used portfoliosto show the quality <strong>of</strong> their work.Employers have come to expectphotographers, graphic artists,writers, crafters, broadcasters andothers in creative fields to submitcopies <strong>of</strong> their best work whenthey apply <strong>for</strong> work.People in other types <strong>of</strong>occupations areA portfolio is a collection beginning to discover<strong>of</strong> items that shows what the advantages <strong>of</strong>having a portfolio too.you have done.For example, teachersmight show prospectiveemployers copies <strong>of</strong>items that illustratetheir teaching style, philosophy and ability (e.g.photographs <strong>of</strong> creative classroom displays or studentsworking on an innovative project, sample lesson plans,practicum evaluations or letters from supervisingteachers, students and parents). Applicants who bringportfolios <strong>of</strong> such items to interviews are <strong>of</strong>ten muchmore impressive than applicants who do not.Creating a portfolio will help you market your skills by:• reminding you <strong>of</strong> things you have done well• providing evidence <strong>of</strong> your skills• helping you write a much more effective resumé• helping you prepare <strong>for</strong> job interviews.You can also use your portfolio <strong>for</strong>:A skill is a learned abilityto do something well.Communicating effectively isa skill, just as operating apiece <strong>of</strong> equipment is a skill.PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT PLANNINGIf your portfolio does not include evidence that youhave all <strong>of</strong> the skills employers in your field are looking<strong>for</strong> (e.g. communication skills, computer skills,20 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
No matter what type <strong>of</strong> work you are looking<strong>for</strong>, creating a portfolio can give you acompetitive edge.teamwork skills), look <strong>for</strong> ways to develop ordemonstrate the skills that are missing.PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENTSPost-secondary institutions sometimes admitapplicants who do not meet standard admissionrequirements (e.g. the applicant does not have arequired credential). When appropriate, institutionsconduct prior learning assessments to evaluateapplicants’ abilities to succeed in a program. If yourportfolio includes evidence that you have succeeded insimilar learning situations, it can be a great asset.SCHOLARSHIP, AWARD ANDCERTIFICATION/LICENSING APPLICATIONSWhen you are applying <strong>for</strong> certification, licensing,scholarships or other awards, use your portfolio inmuch the same you would when applying <strong>for</strong> work.You probably already have the beginnings <strong>of</strong> aportfolio in a folder or shoebox somewhere. If youdon’t, it is never too late to start. Here’s how.Go through your papers,photographs, closets, etc.Gather together evidence <strong>of</strong> everything you have doneon the job, at school and during your leisure time thatrequired work-related skills (see Chapter 1). Yourcollection might include:• projects you completed on your own or with others(e.g. school assignments, work reports, volunteeractivities)• photographs or models <strong>of</strong> project activities• documents from previous jobs (e.g. records <strong>of</strong>employment, job per<strong>for</strong>mance evaluations, letters<strong>of</strong> recommendation, letters <strong>of</strong> reference)• thank-you cards from people who appreciatedsomething you did• items that show the results you have achieved or thequality <strong>of</strong> your work (e.g. certificates, awards, awardnomination papers, safety records, sales figures,marketing plans, technical drawings)• copies <strong>of</strong> computer documents or programsyou have developed• posters or brochures about events you haveworked on• newspaper or magazine articles about you orquoting you, or about projects you have beeninvolved with.The possibilities are endless. The important thing is tostart collecting, keep these items together, and add toyour collection as you acquire more experience. Overtime, it is easy to <strong>for</strong>get some <strong>of</strong> the things you havedone, especially if you work many temporaryassignments or on contract.Organize your collectionOrganizing your collection makes selecting appropriateitems much easier when you are contacting employersin person and getting ready <strong>for</strong> job interviews.The best way to organize your collection depends onyour skills and the types <strong>of</strong> items you have gathered. Usewhatever methods and categories make sense to you.• If most <strong>of</strong> your items are paper-based (e.g. letters,photographs), you can organize them in a threeringbinder with dividers to separate evidence <strong>of</strong>different types <strong>of</strong> skills or work. Or, you can copy,enlarge, shrink and laminate documents andphotographs, and put them in a scrapbook.• If you are looking <strong>for</strong> computer-related work, scandocuments and create an electronic portfolio.Be creative in the way you display, organize and storeyour collection. But make sure you can easily takeyour portfolio apart to add new items or take thingsout to show employers.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration21
Employers want to know if you are honest,positive, responsible, adaptable, willing to learn,safety-conscious, and can work productivelyin a team environment.Decide what to showto which employersWhen you are getting ready to approach an employerin person or go to a scheduled interview, try to figureout which skills will interest the employer most. Thenselect items from your portfolio that show you havethose skills. If you have any education documents(certificates, diplomas, degrees) that relate to jobrequirements, put them at the front.For example, if you know the work you areapplying <strong>for</strong> involves creating pr<strong>of</strong>essionallookingdocuments, take along a copy <strong>of</strong> areport you produced by inserting graphicsor charts in a word-processed document.It doesn’t matter if you created the reportat work, <strong>for</strong> a schoolassignment or as avolunteer activity – itis concrete evidence<strong>of</strong> your ability to usea word processingEffective resumés take time toprogram effectively.develop … but get results.Quality is important!The whole point is toimpress employerswith the quality <strong>of</strong>your work, yourorganizational skills and your presentation. If youdon’t have time to do a good job, leave your portfolioat home. Even when you are sure you have done agood job, ask someone else to review it and pro<strong>of</strong>readdocuments <strong>for</strong> mistakes.How to use your portfolioReview your portfolio be<strong>for</strong>e meeting with anemployer. It will remind you <strong>of</strong> stories you can tellthat illustrate your skills.Employers may not want to look through your wholeportfolio, but they will be impressed with the quality<strong>of</strong> the samples you select and the time, energyand skill that went into creating your portfolio.Here are some tips about using your portfolio inan interview.• Present only samples that are relevant to thequestions employers ask.• Don’t just read the material. Talk about what you did.People are more likely toremember what they haveseen and heard, than whatthey have only heard.• Practice your stories be<strong>for</strong>eyou go. Friends and relativescan provide useful feedback.• Never complain aboutproblems you had with aproject. Talk about how yousolved problems and workedwith others.• Take copies <strong>of</strong> items tointerviews, not originals. Ifemployers don’t have time tolook through your portfolio while you arethere, <strong>of</strong>fer to leave it <strong>for</strong> them to look at later.ResumésMost employers will expect you to have aresumé (a one-page or two-page summary <strong>of</strong>your qualifications). Some employers may askyou to fill out an application <strong>for</strong>m as well. When thathappens, all you have to do is copy in<strong>for</strong>mation fromyour resumé on to the <strong>for</strong>m.The purpose <strong>of</strong> a resumé is to quickly draw anemployer’s attention to your most relevant skills andaccomplishments. It is a marketing tool designed toget you invited <strong>for</strong> an interview. It should be short,interesting to look at and easy to read.Many books have been written about how to write aneffective resumé. Un<strong>for</strong>tunately, they don’t always agree.22 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
ReferencesMost employers check references, so make sureyour references are able to speak clearly andenthusiastically about you.• Some authors emphasize the need <strong>for</strong> a “jobobjective” statement near the beginning <strong>of</strong> aresumé. A job objective statement very briefly statesthe type <strong>of</strong> work you want and your strongestqualification(s) <strong>for</strong> that type <strong>of</strong> work. Otherauthors argue that you don’t need to include a jobobjective statement, especially if your goal isobvious or can be stated in a cover letter.• Some authors recommend listing your referencesand their contact in<strong>for</strong>mation at the end <strong>of</strong> yourresumé. Others suggest ending your resumé with astatement such as “References available uponrequest” or “References available from supervisorslisted above.” Still others suggest not mentioningreferences at all because employers generallyassume that you will bring a list <strong>of</strong> references withyou to an interview.You have to decide what will market your skills mosteffectively <strong>for</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> work you want. If you are notsure, write a draft resumé. Then show it to people whowork in your target industry, and an employmentcounsellor or two. Ask them to suggest improvementsand accept their comments without argument. Chancesare, you will get a variety <strong>of</strong> opinions. Do what youthink will work best.Despite varied opinions about some aspects <strong>of</strong> resuméwriting, most experts agree on the following steps:1. Gather together in<strong>for</strong>mation about your skills, workhistory, education and training.2. Decide what in<strong>for</strong>mation to include in your resumé.3. Choose a <strong>for</strong>mat or combination <strong>of</strong> <strong>for</strong>mats.4. Write a draft.5. Get feedback on your draft and keep editing it untilit is as impressive as you can make it.6. Tailor your resumé to fit the needs <strong>of</strong> specific workopportunities.7. Choose the most effective method(s) <strong>of</strong> deliveringyour resumé.Always ask your references <strong>for</strong> permission to usetheir names and ask if they feel com<strong>for</strong>table aboutrecommending your work. If they don’t, theywon’t give you a strong recommendation.Give your references a copy <strong>of</strong> your resumé andpoint out how your qualifications relate to yourwork search targets. Tell them about the type <strong>of</strong>work you will be applying <strong>for</strong> and the skills youwant to emphasize. The better in<strong>for</strong>med yourreferences are, the better prepared they will bewhen employers call them.If you decide not to list your references on yourresumé, list them on a separate sheet <strong>of</strong> paperand take it with you when you meet employers.Remember to put your own name somewhere onyour list <strong>of</strong> references, in case it gets separatedfrom your resumé.1. Gather in<strong>for</strong>mationtogetherThe first step is to gather facts about your employmentand education history, and do some work on identifyingyour skills and accomplishments. If you have alreadycompleted the exercises in Chapter 1, or collected itemstogether <strong>for</strong> a portfolio, you are well on your way.Create a “fact sheet” by listing the followingin<strong>for</strong>mation:• work history including dates <strong>of</strong> employment, jobtitles and descriptions, names, addresses andtelephone numbers <strong>of</strong> <strong>for</strong>mer employers, names <strong>of</strong>supervisors, your skills and situations in which youhave demonstrated those skills• education/training history including names andaddresses <strong>of</strong> education/training institutions,programs completed, dates, major areas <strong>of</strong> studyor training, and any awards or recognitions youreceived• volunteer experience, hobbies, other activities andmemberships that show you have knowledge orexperience related to the type <strong>of</strong> work you want, or© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration23
show you have positive characteristics (e.g. you arehonest, positive, responsible, adaptable, willing tolearn, safety-conscious)• the names, addresses and telephone numbers <strong>of</strong>your references, preferably people who havesupervised your activities in the past, whether onthe job, at school or <strong>for</strong> volunteer activities. Makesure their contact in<strong>for</strong>mation is up to date!2. Decide what to includeThe second step is to sort through the facts you havegathered and compare your qualifications to therequirements <strong>of</strong> the work you want. Decide which areyour strongest qualifications and list them near thebeginning <strong>of</strong> your resumé, so employers see them first.• If you have lots <strong>of</strong> work experience that is related tothe type <strong>of</strong> work you are applying <strong>for</strong>, in<strong>for</strong>mationabout your work history should appear be<strong>for</strong>e youreducation/training history.• If you have more related education than workexperience, in<strong>for</strong>mation about youreducation/training should be near the beginning.• If you have strong qualifications in severalcategories, briefly list them in a “QualificationsSummary” section at the beginning and providemore in<strong>for</strong>mation later in your resumé.The first thing employers want to know is whether ornot you have the required qualifications. If you do, thenext thing they want to know is how well you would“fit” in their work environment. You never know whatclues will indicate to a particular employer that youwould fit in. So, if you have room (your resuméshould be one page if you don’t have much educationor experience; two, at most, if you do), include somein<strong>for</strong>mation about your interests and leisure activities.3. Choose a <strong>for</strong>mat orcombination <strong>of</strong> <strong>for</strong>matsThe third step is to decide how to organize andpresent your in<strong>for</strong>mation. Different resumé <strong>for</strong>matsare appropriate in different circumstances.CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMÉSIf you have had a series <strong>of</strong> work assignments withincreasing levels <strong>of</strong> responsibility and your experienceis directly related to your work search target, use achronological <strong>for</strong>mat. In other words, list your workand education/training history in chronological orderfrom most recent to least recent.Chronological resumés highlight a steady employmentrecord and emphasize career growth and development.Employers are most familiar with this <strong>for</strong>mat, and achronological resumé is easier to write than other types<strong>of</strong> resumés.FUNCTIONAL RESUMÉSIf you don’t have directly related work experience, orhave changed jobs frequently or been unemployed <strong>for</strong>long periods <strong>of</strong> time, you can use a functional resumé<strong>for</strong>mat to minimize these drawbacks. Organizein<strong>for</strong>mation about things you have done (on the job, atschool, as a volunteer) in skill categories that are directlyrelated to the requirements <strong>of</strong> the work you want.Functional resumés highlight skills, not work history,but generally are not recommended. Many employersview functional resumés with suspicion because theydo not include specific “where and when” in<strong>for</strong>mation.For more in<strong>for</strong>mation on functional resumés, see thetip sheet The Functional Resumé–Focus on What YouCan Do, available at alis.alberta.ca/tips.COMBINATION RESUMÉSIf you want to highlight your skills but do not want totake the risk <strong>of</strong> making employers suspicious,use a combination resumé. Organize in<strong>for</strong>mation aboutthings you have done in skill categories and brieflyoutline your work history near the end <strong>of</strong> your resumé.24© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Tracey KozuchowskiBox 359Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>T9A 2G6tkozuchowski@email.ca780-555-4266Combinationresumés drawattention to whatyou can do, andprovide “where andwhen” in<strong>for</strong>mationas well. Theyminimize drawbackssuch as gaps inemployment and lack<strong>of</strong> directly relatedexperience, but must bewell written to beeffective.SCANNABLE RESUMÉSTracey KozuchowskiBox 359Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>T9A 2G6tkozuchowski@email.ca780-555-4266EDUCATION2007 – 2009 Police and Security DiplomaCommunity College, Edmonton• courses included Securing a Crime Scene, Traffic En<strong>for</strong>cement, Forensic Science,En<strong>for</strong>cement Techniques, and Young Persons in Conflict with the Law.• refined my observation, communication, en<strong>for</strong>cement and report writing skillsduring six months (16 hours/week) <strong>of</strong> field placement experience with the City <strong>of</strong>Edmonton Police Service.2004 – 2007 High School DiplomaAlexander Composite High School, WetaskiwinWORK EXPERIENCE2006 – 2009 Corporal, 15th Field Battery R.C.A., EdmontonSummer and Part-time • completed basic training, artillery trades training, and junior leadership trainingin the militia.• demonstrated an ability to work with a variety <strong>of</strong> people at all levels, take charge whenrequired, handle weapons, and deal with emergencies.• achieved rank <strong>of</strong> Corporal.Summer 2005 Customer Service, Vivid Video Shop, Wetaskiwin• monitored in-house goods and facilities security system.• served customers with courtesy and respect, accepted payments and operated cashregister, stocked shelves, and took inventory.2004 – 2004 Part-time Parking Attendant, Wetaskiwin General Hospital• supervised hospital parking lot.• en<strong>for</strong>ced safety and hospital regulations, issued time cards and accepted customerpayments.• reported incidents <strong>of</strong> theft, property damage and vehicle abandonment.Captain <strong>of</strong> my high school basketball team.Coach little league baseball.PERSONAL Excellent health, bondable, valid <strong>Alberta</strong> Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean driving record.REFERENCES Available upon request.If you will be applying <strong>for</strong> work in organizations thatprobably receive hundreds <strong>of</strong> resumés each year, use ascannable resumé <strong>for</strong>mat. More and more organizationsare using electronic resumé tracking systems to selectresumés <strong>for</strong> consideration. Managers list keywordsrelated to the skills and knowledge required <strong>for</strong> theposition, and a computer selects resumés that containthose keywords.Scannable resumés are chronological, functional orcombination resumés that increase the chances <strong>of</strong> yourresumé being electronically selected. They may or maynot include a keyword list near the beginning or end <strong>of</strong>the resumé. Keywords are nouns that are not the same,but mean the same thing, as words used in other parts<strong>of</strong> the resumé. For example, if you want to becomea salesperson, your keyword list should include“salesperson” (if that word is not already used in a jobobjective statement or <strong>for</strong>mer job title) as well assynonyms such as “sales associate”, “sales representative”and “marketer”. Then, your resumé will pop upwhenever employers search <strong>for</strong> resumés containing any<strong>of</strong> those words.EDUCATION2007 – 2009 Police and Security DiplomaCommunity College, Edmonton• courses included Securing a Crime Scene, Traffic En<strong>for</strong>cement, Forensic Science,En<strong>for</strong>cement Techniques, and Young Persons in Conflict with the Law.• refined my observation, communication, en<strong>for</strong>cement and report writing skillsduring six months (16 hours/week) <strong>of</strong> field placement experience with the City <strong>of</strong>Edmonton Police Service.2004 – 2007 High School DiplomaAlexander Composite High School, WetaskiwinWORK EXPERIENCE2006 – 2009 Corporal, 15th Field Battery R.C.A., EdmontonSummer and Part-time • completed basic training, artillery trades training, and junior leadership trainingin the militia.• demonstrated an ability to work with a variety <strong>of</strong> people at all levels, take charge whenrequired, handle weapons, and deal with emergencies.• achieved rank <strong>of</strong> Corporal.Summer 2005Customer Service, Vivid Video Shop, Wetaskiwin• monitored in-house goods and facilities security system.• served customers with courtesy and respect, accepted payments and operated cashregister, stocked shelves, and took inventory.2004 – 2004 Part-time Parking Attendant, Wetaskiwin General Hospital• supervised hospital parking lot.• en<strong>for</strong>ced safety and hospital regulations, issued time cards and accepted customerpayments.• reported incidents <strong>of</strong> theft, property damage and vehicle abandonment.PERSONALREFERENCESExcellent health, bondable, valid <strong>Alberta</strong> Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean driving record.Captain <strong>of</strong> my high school basketball team.Coach little league baseball.Available upon request.Tracey KozuchowskiBox 359Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>T9A 2G6tkozuchowski@email.ca780-555-4266EDUCATION2007 – 2009 Police and Security DiplomaCommunity College, Edmonton• courses included Securing a Crime Scene, Traffic En<strong>for</strong>cement, Forensic Science,En<strong>for</strong>cement Techniques, and Young Persons in Conflict with the Law.• refined my observation, communication, en<strong>for</strong>cement and report writing skillsduring six months (16 hours/week) <strong>of</strong> field placement experience with the City <strong>of</strong>Edmonton Police Service.2004 – 2007 High School DiplomaAlexander Composite High School, WetaskiwinWORK EXPERIENCE2006 – 2009 Corporal, 15th Field Battery R.C.A., EdmontonSummer and Part-time • completed basic training, artillery trades training, and junior leadership trainingin the militia.• demonstrated an ability to work with a variety <strong>of</strong> people at all levels, take charge whenrequired, handle weapons, and deal with emergencies.• achieved rank <strong>of</strong> Corporal.Summer 2005 Customer Service, Vivid Video Shop, Wetaskiwin• monitored in-house goods and facilities security system.• served customers with courtesy and respect, accepted payments and operated cashregister, stocked shelves, and took inventory.2004 – 2004 Part-time Parking Attendant, Wetaskiwin General Hospital• supervised hospital parking lot.• en<strong>for</strong>ced safety and hospital regulations, issued time cards and accepted customerpayments.• reported incidents <strong>of</strong> theft, property damage and vehicle abandonment.PERSONAL Excellent health, bondable, valid <strong>Alberta</strong> Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean driving record.Captain <strong>of</strong> my high school basketball team.Coach little league baseball.REFERENCES Available upon request.PLAIN TEXTRESUMÉSWhen you submityour resumé byemail, you may wantto use a plain textversion and include itin the body <strong>of</strong> yourmessage. Occasionally,employers are unableto open a <strong>for</strong>mattedresumé if sent as anattachment.Plain text resumés arechronological, functionalor combination resumésthat have little or no<strong>for</strong>matting. They are not asinteresting to look at, but can be sent to employersvery quickly and inexpensively.ILLUSTRATIONS OF RESUMÉ FORMATSIn the following illustrations, some items are optional.You can choose to include them or not, depending onyour particular circumstances. For example, list job titlesif they tell readers that your experience is directly relatedto your work search targets. If they don’t highlight theskills you want to emphasize, leave them out.Likewise, if employers may not be familiar with thelocation <strong>of</strong> your previous employers, include the name<strong>of</strong> the community and province. If they are probablyfamiliar with the employers on your list, you can leaveaddresses out.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration25
ILLUSTRATION OF SCANNABLE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMÉYour Full NameYour Street Address or Box NumberCommunity, ProvincePostal CodeEmail address(Area code) Telephone numberObjective:Describe the type <strong>of</strong> work you are seeking and your most relevant qualifications(optional section).Experience:20XX – 20XX20XX – 20XX20XX- 20XXPosition Title (optional)Company Name <strong>of</strong> Your Most Recent EmployerName <strong>of</strong> Community, Province (optional)• what you did in this job that required skills similar to those needed <strong>for</strong> the type<strong>of</strong> work you are applying <strong>for</strong>.• your accomplishments (e.g. consistently met or exceeded sales targets orservice standards; received good feedback from clients or customers).• start each item with active words. For example, “participated in establishing...”instead <strong>of</strong> “responsible <strong>for</strong> helping to set up...”Position Title (optional)Company Name <strong>of</strong> Your Second-Last EmployerName <strong>of</strong> Community, Province (optional)• use expressive nouns to describe responsibilities, duties and accomplishmentsthat are relevant to your objective.• list other duties and responsibilities very briefly.Position Title (optional)Company Name <strong>of</strong> Your Third-Last EmployerName <strong>of</strong> community, Province (optional)• skills, duties, responsibilities and accomplishments.• shorter descriptions <strong>of</strong> experience that is less relevant to your objective.26 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Education:19XX- 20XXSummer 19XXName <strong>of</strong> Educational InstitutionCommunity, Province (optional)Diploma, certificate or degree earned; major and minor fields <strong>of</strong> study or training.Also list short education, training and pr<strong>of</strong>essional development courses thatrelate to the type <strong>of</strong> work you are applying <strong>for</strong>.ActivitiesChoose a title <strong>for</strong> this section that reflects the additional in<strong>for</strong>mation you want toinclude. This section could include:Skills • volunteer experience and hobbies, particularly those that relate to the type <strong>of</strong>work you are applying <strong>for</strong>.Interests • recognitions or awards you have received that provide evidence <strong>of</strong> strongpersonal skills and/or good citizenship.Community Involvement • interests you have in common with many people in the type <strong>of</strong> work you areapplying <strong>for</strong>.• skills not already mentioned that relate to the job (<strong>for</strong> example, your ability tocommunicate in a second language).• memberships in pr<strong>of</strong>essional organizations.If this in<strong>for</strong>mation includes some <strong>of</strong> your strongest qualifications <strong>for</strong> the position,call this section “Skills” or “Highlights <strong>of</strong> Qualifications” or something elseappropriate and put it at the beginning <strong>of</strong> your resumé.Keywords ListList alternate names and abbreviations <strong>for</strong> position titles, education programs,tools, skills and other key in<strong>for</strong>mation that employers might scan <strong>for</strong> and you havenot used elsewhere in your resumé. Use commas or periods to separate wordsand phrases.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration27
ILLUSTRATION OF A SCANNABLE COMBINATION RESUMÉYOUR NAMEStreet Address or Box NumberCommunity, Province, Postal CodeEmail Address(Area Code) Telephone Number(s)OBJECTIVEEXPERIENCESkill TitleSkill TitleSkill TitleWORK HISTORYEDUCATIONDescribe the type <strong>of</strong> work you are seeking and your most relevant qualification(optional section).Group your skills under two or three (no more than five) skill titles (e.g. Customer Service,Community Relations, Project Management).The skill titles you use should reflect the types <strong>of</strong> skills required <strong>for</strong> your objective.Concisely describe how you have demonstrated each type <strong>of</strong> skill and where.Under Organizational Skills, <strong>for</strong> example, say what you have organized and how,and the results you have achieved.Use expressive words and nouns that employers will probably use to scan and selectappropriate resumés.Avoid self-evaluations. For example, under “Customer Service Skills” replace “providedexcellent service” with “improved customer satisfaction ratings.” Even better, state howmuch customer satisfaction ratings improved, or any recognitions you received(e.g. employee <strong>of</strong> the week).Position title (or a phrase describing the type <strong>of</strong> work you did), name <strong>of</strong> employer, address(optional), and dates <strong>of</strong> employment.List the name <strong>of</strong> your employer first if it is more impressive than your position title.Or, put the dates <strong>of</strong> employment in the left margin as you would in a chronological resumé.List your high school or post-secondary education, the names and locations <strong>of</strong> theinstitutions you attended, and the dates you attended.Highlight diplomas, licenses, etc. and any awards or recognitions.Include other relevant training (e.g. seminars, short courses, training <strong>for</strong> volunteer work).INTERESTS/ACTIVITIES/MEMBERSHIPSThe title <strong>of</strong> this section should fit your circumstances. Include in<strong>for</strong>mation that gives thereader an idea <strong>of</strong> your personal strengths and involvements.If you are applying <strong>for</strong> work that has physical requirements, include in<strong>for</strong>mation such as“excellent health” under the title “Personal” or “Personal Data.”Or, you can leave this section out altogether.KEYWORDSList alternate names and abbreviations <strong>for</strong> position titles, education programs, tools, skillsand other key in<strong>for</strong>mation that employers might scan <strong>for</strong> and you have not usedelsewhere in your resumé. Use punctuation to separate words and phrases.28 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
ILLUSTRATION OF A PLAIN TEXT RESUMÉYOUR NAMEStreet Address or Box NumberCommunity, Province, Postal Code(Area Code) Telephone Number(s)Email AddressOBJECTIVE:Create a plain text resumé by saving a copy <strong>of</strong> your chronological orcombination resumé as a text (.txt) file. This will remove any <strong>for</strong>matting(e.g. bold, font sizes, bullets, indenting) you have used to make your resumélook pr<strong>of</strong>essional.EDUCATION:* Highlight and separate titles and subtitles by using the Enter key andSpace Bar to create white space. Do not use the Tab key.* Start each new item in a list with an asterisk (*),hyphen (-) or plus sign(+).* If you have a choice <strong>of</strong> fonts, choose a fixed-width font such as this one(Courier) so your resumé will scan better.EXPERIENCE:* Make sure each line is less than 65 characters long and ends with a hardreturn (use “Enter”).* If you allow lines to wrap the way they do automatically in your emailprogram, employers’ systems will wrap them differently, <strong>of</strong>ten withunattractive results.* Check to see how your email will look on other systems by copying yourplain text resumé into the body <strong>of</strong> an email message, and sending it toseveral friends. Ask your friends to send the message back to you so youcan see how their systems display it.KEYWORDS:Employers who ask applicants to apply by email may use electronic resumé trackingsystems, so make sure you include as many relevant keywords as you can.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration29
4. Write a draftThe fourth step is to write a draft (or two if you arenot sure which <strong>for</strong>mat will work better <strong>for</strong> you).• Keep it simple and clear — two pages at most.• List a telephone number where you can be reachedduring the day. Or, list two telephone numbers, onewhere messages can be left during the day and anevening number.• Emphasize your accomplishments andachievements. Wherever possible, describe howyour work helped employers solve problems andachieve their goals.• Use active, expressive words to describe what youhave done. You can use a thesaurus to finddescriptive words, or check out books that have lots<strong>of</strong> sample resumés at your local library or bookstore.Don’t use “I” and inexpressive words such as “I wasresponsible <strong>for</strong>...” or “My duties involved...”• Be honest. Don’t exaggerate or misrepresentyourself — most employers check. On the otherhand, don’t sell yourself short by being humble.• Use good quality, white or <strong>of</strong>f-white, 8 1/2" x 11"paper and a laser printer that produces clean, clearcopy. Add to the pr<strong>of</strong>essional look <strong>of</strong> your resuméby using wide margins and using point <strong>for</strong>m tocreate lots <strong>of</strong> “white space” on the page. Use boldto highlight in<strong>for</strong>mation.• Make sure there are no errors in spelling, grammaror typing. Check and double-check!• Don’t sign or date your resumé, put the title“resumé” at the top, attach a photograph <strong>of</strong>yourself, or include personal in<strong>for</strong>mation such asage, sex, height, weight or ethnic background.If your resumé should be scannable, follow theseguidelines as well.• Use a standard font type (letters should not touchone another, so a fixed-width or sans serif font issafest) and font size (anywhere from 11 point to 14point size). Don’t use italics or underline text.• Use a simple layout — no columns, lines (verticalor horizontal), or graphic elements such as boxesor shading.• Put only your name on the first line, and use astandard address <strong>for</strong>mat on the next line.• State your qualifications in as many different waysas you can.• Use lots <strong>of</strong> descriptive nouns (name your field <strong>of</strong>work, your strongest skills, the types <strong>of</strong> equipmentand computer programs you know how to use). Youcan use industry jargon and abbreviations if you aresure everyone reading your resumé will understandthem (including Human Resources people who donot have a technical background). If you useabbreviations, write the words out at least once,preferably near the beginning <strong>of</strong> your resumé.• If you have not used all <strong>of</strong> the keywords andabbreviations that might be used to describe yourfield and skills, list the ones you have not used in a“Keyword Summary” section near the beginning orend <strong>of</strong> your resumé.Check out the resumés on the following pages to seehow Tracey, Brad and Ann have written theirscannable chronological and combination resumés.Then develop your own style and content — yourresumé won’t attract much attention if it looks exactlythe same as a lot <strong>of</strong> other people’s resumés!5. Keep rewriting your resuméThe fifth step is to get some feedback on your draft(s),and edit until your skills are presented as conciselyand impressively as possible. This is much easier if youuse a computer to create and edit your draft. Keep acopy on a disk so you can edit and revise your resuméas necessary in the future.Be<strong>for</strong>e you start sending your resumé to employers,ask as many people as possible to give you feedbackon your most recent draft(s). You need to find out ifyour resumé gives a clear and appealing picture <strong>of</strong>your best qualifications.30 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
When you have foundKeep copies <strong>of</strong> your resumédrafts <strong>for</strong> future reference.work, continue to updateyour portfolio and resuméregularly.After you have started using your resumé, review itfrom time to time. Keep refining it as your worksearch progresses and you learn more aboutemployers’ needs and expectations.After completing each draft, ask yourself (and others)the following questions:• Is it attractive and easy to read?• Do key points and headings stand out?• Is it concise (no unnecessary words or sentences)?• Is all the in<strong>for</strong>mation relevant and positive?• Does every statement emphasize a skill or ability?• Are there any errors in spelling or grammar?Show employers your resumé only when you canconfidently answer “Yes” to all <strong>of</strong> these questions.6. Tailor your resuméIf you are applying <strong>for</strong> different types <strong>of</strong> work, youwill probably need more than one version <strong>of</strong> yourresumé. For example, <strong>for</strong> work requiring specificcredentials, the “Education” section should be near thebeginning <strong>of</strong> your resumé. For other types <strong>of</strong> work, itmay be to your advantage to highlight otherqualifications by putting them first.Every time you apply <strong>for</strong> work, analyse the jobrequirements be<strong>for</strong>e you submit a resumé. If necessary,reorganize or rewrite your resumé in a way that clearlyshows you can satisfy job requirements.7. Deliver your resuméThe last step is to get your resumé and cover letterto employers. You have several options:• deliver your resumé in person• mail it• fax it• email it.However you choose to deliver your resumé, it is a goodidea to follow up to make sure it has been received. Forexample, send aclean paper copyby regular mail if you have faxed or emailed yourresumé unless the employer has indicated otherwise. Itdoesn’t hurt <strong>for</strong> employers to see your resumé more thanonce, and a paper copy will make better photocopies <strong>for</strong>a review panel.Cover LettersA cover letter is a businesslike way to introduce yourresumé or application <strong>for</strong>m. It creates an importantfirst impression <strong>of</strong> your qualifications. Someemployers automatically discard any applications theyreceive that do not include a cover letter.To be most effective, your letter must:• get the employer’s attention by appealing to theemployer’s interests and needs• highlight your skills and accomplishments• provide in<strong>for</strong>mation that is relevant to theparticular job you are applying <strong>for</strong>• convince the employer to read your resumé orapplication <strong>for</strong>m.Checklist <strong>for</strong> writinga cover letter❏ Make it brief and to the point. Your letter shouldbe short, and typewritten on good quality paper —a standard business-style letter. Use simple anddirect language.❏ Link yourself to the employer by naming your referralif possible (<strong>for</strong> example, Joe Davis, your Manager <strong>of</strong>Customer Service, suggested I write to you). If you areresponding to a newspaper advertisement, refer to thead. Show your awareness <strong>of</strong> the types <strong>of</strong> things thecompany is doing and its objectives.❏ “Personalize” your letter. It should reflect yourpersonality. However, be careful to avoid appearingpushy, overbearing or too familiar. This is a businessletter so humour is generally out <strong>of</strong> place here.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration31
TRACEY’S COMBINATION RESUMÉTracey KozuchowskiBox 359Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>T9A 2G6tkozuchowski@email.ca780-555-4266OBJECTIVEA loss prevention position related to my training in security and safety/first aid.EDUCATIONPolice and Security DiplomaCommunity College, 2009High School DiplomaAlexander Composite High School, Wetaskiwin, 2007• Courses included Security Survey, Security Emergency Planning, Computers,Young Persons in Conflict with the Law, and Securing Crime Scenes.• Achieved an overall 3.1 grade point average (out <strong>of</strong> 4).EXPERIENCESecuritySafety and First AidWorking With PeopleReport Writing• En<strong>for</strong>ced safety and hospital regulations with tact and courtesy while employed as aparking lot attendant.• Monitored in-house goods and facilities security system in a retail outlet.• Learned self-defense and weapons handling techniques while in the militia.• Observed law en<strong>for</strong>cement and courtroom activities <strong>of</strong> Edmonton police <strong>of</strong>ficersduring six-month field placement (16 hours/week).• Followed safety procedures and administered first aid as required in the militia.• Instructed artillerymen in weapons handling and safety procedures.• Hold a valid Standard First Aid Certificate.• Commended by employer <strong>for</strong> serving customers well and maintaining productivework relationships while employed in a video store.• Worked co-operatively with a variety <strong>of</strong> people, dealt with mock emergencysituations, and assumed a leadership role as required while in the militia.• Captain <strong>of</strong> my high school basketball team and coach <strong>for</strong> community league baseball.• Used word processing s<strong>of</strong>tware to write reports both in the militia and during fieldplacement with the City <strong>of</strong> Edmonton Police Service.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration35
Tracey Kozuchowski 780-555-4266 Page 2 <strong>of</strong> 2WORK HISTORYCorporal, 15th Field Battery R.C.A., Edmonton, summer/part-time from 2006 to 2009Customer Service, Vivid Video Shop, Wetaskiwin, summer 2005Parking Attendant, Wetaskiwin General Hospital, summer 2004 and part-time 2004-2005PERSONAL INFORMATION• Excellent health• Bondable• Valid <strong>Alberta</strong> Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean driving record• Captain <strong>of</strong> my high school basketball team• Coach little league baseballREFERENCESBryan Lee, InstructorSgt. Gordon KimballPolice and Security Program15th Field Battery R.C.A.Community College Box 526Edmonton, <strong>Alberta</strong>Edmonton, <strong>Alberta</strong>T5P 2P7T5K 5Z4780-555-1234 780-555-1794Ms. Mona MottersheadMrs. E. Rudyk, PrincipalVivid Video ShopAlexander Composite High School509 Main Street Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>T9A 7N3T9A 5X2 780-555-5319780-555-528336 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
TRACEY’S SCANNABLE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMÉTracey KozuchowskiBox 359Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>T9A 2G6780-555-4266tkozuchowski@email.caEDUCATION2007 – 2009 Police and Security DiplomaCommunity College, Edmonton• courses included Securing a Crime Scene, Traffic En<strong>for</strong>cement, Forensic Science,En<strong>for</strong>cement Techniques, and Young Persons in Conflict with the Law.• refined my observation, communication, en<strong>for</strong>cement and report writing skills during six months(16 hours per week) <strong>of</strong> field placement experience with the City <strong>of</strong> Edmonton Police Force.• achieved an overall 3.1 grade point average (out <strong>of</strong> 4).2004 – 2007 High School DiplomaAlexander Composite High School, WetaskiwinWORK EXPERIENCE2006 – 2009Summer and Part-timeSummer 20052004 – 2005Part-timePERSONALKEYWORDSCorporal, 15th Field Battery R.C.A., Edmonton• completed basic training, artillery trades training, and junior leadership training in the militia.• demonstrated an ability to work with a variety <strong>of</strong> people at all levels, take charge whenrequired, handle weapons, and deal with emergencies.• achieved rank <strong>of</strong> Corporal.Customer Service, Vivid Video Shop, Wetaskiwin• monitored in-house goods and facilities security system.• served customers with courtesy and respect, accepted payments and operated cashregister, stocked shelves, and took inventory.Parking Attendant, Wetaskiwin General Hospital• supervised hospital parking lot.• en<strong>for</strong>ced safety and hospital regulations, issued time cards and accepted customer payments.• reported incidents <strong>of</strong> theft, property damage and vehicle abandonment.Excellent health, bondable, valid <strong>Alberta</strong> Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean driving record.Captain <strong>of</strong> my high school basketball team.Coach little league baseball.Law en<strong>for</strong>cement, electronic security systems, surveillance, retail, military, self-defense,emergency procedures, crime prevention, conflict resolution, customer service, safetyprocedures, firearms, weapon handling, marksman, instructor, clean abstract, own vehicle, FirstAid Certificate, leader, MS Word.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration37
TRACEY’S COVER LETTERBox 359Wetaskiwin, <strong>Alberta</strong>T9A 2G6June 28, 2009Mr. William Dickson, SupervisorLoss PreventionBig B Department StoreRed Deer, <strong>Alberta</strong>T4N 3K2Dear Mr. Dickson:As a recent graduate <strong>of</strong> the Police and Security Diploma program at a community college in Edmonton, I was veryinterested in reading a recent article about your firm in the En<strong>for</strong>cement newsletter. Your approach to loss preventionsounds both innovative and practical.I am writing to ask <strong>for</strong> your advice and assistance in my search <strong>for</strong> a full-time position in the loss prevention field. If you areaware <strong>of</strong> positions that are currently available or may become available in the near future, I would certainly appreciatehearing about them. Central <strong>Alberta</strong> would be my preferred location, but I am willing to relocate anywhere in <strong>Alberta</strong>.My training included an extensive field placement with the City <strong>of</strong> Edmonton Police Service. My work experience includestwo and half years in the militia where I learned to work effectively with a variety <strong>of</strong> people, to defend myself, and to dealwith emergency situations and administer first aid. I have enclosed my resumé to give you a more complete picture <strong>of</strong> mybackground.I will be in Red Deer in two weeks time and will call you then. Any in<strong>for</strong>mation you can provide about current or future jobopenings would be greatly appreciated!Thank you <strong>for</strong> your consideration.Sincerely,Tracey KozuchowskiEncl.38 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
BRADBrad has had threeunskilled and semiskilledjobs since hegraduated from highschool. He enjoyedworking as aconstruction labourerand has decided hewants to become awelder. That means heneeds to convince aqualified employer tohire and train him as anapprentice.Brad found a short description<strong>of</strong> what welders do and the<strong>Alberta</strong> apprenticeshiprequirements on the Internet(alis.alberta.ca/occinfo).He has also talked to somewelders at work. From thisin<strong>for</strong>mation, he has gatheredthat employers are looking <strong>for</strong>prospective apprentices who:• are hard workers• have a positive attitude• are interested in welding and able to learn• are safety-conscious• have good eye-hand co-ordination and manualdexterity• have good vision• are able to concentrate on detailed work• are patient• work well with others• are productive with little supervision• have the strength required to work all day withheavy metal components• are willing to work outdoors on construction sitesor in oil fields.Brad has all <strong>of</strong> these qualifications. His workexperience is not directly related to welding, so heknows a chronological <strong>for</strong>mat probably won’t be thebest <strong>for</strong>mat <strong>for</strong> him. However, he has decided to startby organizing in<strong>for</strong>mation about his work history inthe <strong>for</strong>m <strong>of</strong> a standard chronological resumé.To develop a more impressive combination resumé,Brad asked himself the following questions:• Which <strong>of</strong> the required qualifications haveI demonstrated in my previous jobs?• Where else have I demonstrated those qualities?• What other employability skills do I have thatemployers might be looking <strong>for</strong>? (See Chapter 1)Brad will be applying <strong>for</strong> work in companies<strong>of</strong> all sizes, so he chose to use a scannablecombination <strong>for</strong>mat.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration39
BRAD’S CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMÉBradley Roy16532 – 101 StreetGrande Prairie, <strong>Alberta</strong>T8V 4M7780-555-8778Objective:Apprentice welder position.Experience:2006 – 2009 LabourerM & M Construction, Grande Prairie• loaded, unloaded and moved construction materials, tools and equipment.• shovelled and raked earth to excavate and backfill.• shovelled cement and other materials into cement mixers, and mixed,poured and spread concrete.• assembled and dismantled scaffolding, ramps, catwalks, shoring andbarricades.• demolished buildings, sorted and removed debris, cleaned and piledsalvaged materials.Summer 2006Landscaping AssistantCity Turf, Grande Prairie• mowed, power-raked, edged and fertilized lawns.• laid sod and planted trees.• helped install brick patios, walkways, tree rings and fire pits.2005 – 2006 Gas Station AttendantBonaventure Gas, Grande Prairie• served customers and accepted payments.• pumped gas, checked automotive fluids, checked tire pressure.• filled propane vehicles and cylinders.• closed store at end <strong>of</strong> shift.Education:2002 – 2005 Completed Grade 12 at Allendale High SchoolActivities/Interests:• Hockey, baseball and skateboarding• Making and flying model airplanes40 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
BRAD’S SCANNABLE COMBINATION RESUMÉBRADLEY ROY16532 – 101 StreetGrande Prairie, <strong>Alberta</strong>T8V 4M7780-555-8778OBJECTIVEApprentice welder positionSUMMARYHard worker, fast learner, safety-conscious, strong and physically fit, good vision,eye-hand co-ordination and manual dexterity, enjoy detailed work requiring patience,enjoy working outdoors, require little supervision.EXPERIENCEConstructing • assembled and dismantled scaffolding, ramps, catwalks, shoring and barricadesworking <strong>for</strong> M & M Construction <strong>for</strong> the past three years.• helped build brick patios, walkways, tree rings and fire pits while employed byCity Turf.• build and fly model airplanes, requiring attention to detail, precision, a steadyhand and good co-ordination.Heavy Lifting • helped load, unload and move construction materials, tools and equipment; shoveland rake earth to excavate and backfill; shovel cement and other materials intocement mixers, and mix, pour and spread concrete; and demolish buildings, sortand remove debris, clean and pile salvaged materials <strong>for</strong> M & M Construction.• broke up existing walkways, laid sod and planted trees <strong>for</strong> City Turf.Working with Others • have worked co-operatively and safely with journeymen and others on M & Mconstruction sites <strong>for</strong> the past three years.• worked with a team <strong>of</strong> landscape workers <strong>for</strong> City Turf.• play hockey and baseball in Grande Prairie men’s leagues.WORK HISTORY Labourer, 2006 – 2009M & M Construction, Grande PrairieLandscaping Helper, Summer 2006City Turf, Grande PrairieGas Station Attendant, 2005 – 2006Bonaventure Gas, Grande PrairieEDUCATION High School Diploma, 2005Allendale High School, Grande PrairieConstruction Site Safety 2006Standard First Aid 2008© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration41
BRAD’S LETTERTO A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER16532 – 101 StreetGrande Prairie, <strong>Alberta</strong>T5V 4M7July 4, 2009R.C. JacobsonConstruction SuperintendentAllied ConstructionBox 2323Grande Prairie, <strong>Alberta</strong>T5V 4Z3Dear Mr. Jacobson:Are you looking <strong>for</strong> a responsible young person <strong>for</strong> a welder apprentice position? If so, I would like to be considered <strong>for</strong> theposition.I have enjoyed working on a variety <strong>of</strong> construction sites over the past three years, and would like to begin workingtowards journeyman certification. Welding particularly interests me because I enjoy building things to precisespecifications.My resumé is enclosed. I will call you next week to find out when it would be convenient to meet and discuss myqualifications.Sincerely,Bradley RoyEncl.42 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
ANNAfter the birth <strong>of</strong> her first child, Ann took a part-timejob as a food and beverage server in a local diner.It worked out well because she enjoyed servingcustomers, her husband could usually care <strong>for</strong> thebaby while she worked evenings and weekends, andshe <strong>of</strong>ten earned a fair amount in tips.Just be<strong>for</strong>e her oldest started school, Ann’s husbandgot a new job and they moved from Calgary toLethbridge. Ann applied <strong>for</strong> and got a part-time job ata day care, so she could work during the day and benear her younger children at the same time.Now, Ann’s children are all in school during the dayand she wants to earn more money. She knows thatshe enjoys serving people and is good at it.A friend who works at a local supermarket told herthat the manager is looking <strong>for</strong> a full-time cashier towork weekdays when most <strong>of</strong> the part-time personnelare not available. Ann has begun preparing to apply bytaking stock <strong>of</strong> her skills. She has listed her workrelatedexperiences, both paid and unpaid, andidentified the skills she used and developed througheach experience. Following is a list <strong>of</strong> the skills sheidentified <strong>for</strong> two <strong>of</strong> her experiences.Ann knows from experience buying groceries thatcashiers in supermarkets must be able to serve thepublic courteously and work efficiently at the sametime. These are skills she has and there<strong>for</strong>e wants tohighlight.Paid Employment as a ServerActivitiesGreeting, assisting andbeing courteous tocustomersTaking food ordersServing food andbeveragesPlacing orders andworking with otheremployeesAccepting paymentsand making changeSkills and Knowledgeresponsibleadaptable and flexiblework co-operatively withothersshow interest in customersread body language welltactfulattend to detailsmemorize ordersfollow proceduresrememberco-ordinate tasksattend to detailsserve customerswork well under pressureenergetic/alertefficientwork co-operativelyorganizedfollow procedurescalculate in my headaccuratedemonstrate integrityWorking as a HomemakerActivitiesSetting up andmanaging thefamily budgetPlanning andpreparing mealsDoing routinecleaning and laundryPlanning familyactivitiesGeneral homemaintenanceHome decoratingSkills and Knowledgekeep records/calculateestimateplaninvestigate/researchbudgetplanfollow proceduresimproviseexperimentadaptbe efficientsortorganizeper<strong>for</strong>m repetitive taskspersistentnegotiateplanorganizebuild/constructoperateadjustfix/repairplanvisualize/imaginedesign/display© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration43
ANN’S CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMÉAnn McKinney1458 Taylor DriveLethbridge, <strong>Alberta</strong>TIK 4X7Telephone: 403-555-9393OBJECTIVESupermarket cashier position.WORK EXPERIENCE2006 – PresentPart-timePart-time2001 – 2006 Good Fortune Cafe, CalgaryDay Care WorkerAlicia’s Day Care, Lethbridge• Greet children and parents as they arrive, supervise free play, serve lunch andsnacks, and clean up.• Plan, organize and supervise games, crafts and other learning activities as part <strong>of</strong>a team responsible <strong>for</strong> 40 children ages 2 to 4.Food and Beverage Server• Greeted customers and presented menus, helped customers select menu items,and placed orders with the kitchen.• Served food and beverages <strong>for</strong> up to 12 tables at a time.• Prepared itemized bills and accepted payment.1998 – 2001 Dietary AideGeneral Hospital, Calgary• Assembled patient food trays, delivered trays to wards, and operated dishwasher.SummerServer1997 B&G Fast Food, Calgary• Entered customer food orders on computerized cash register, assembled foodorders, accepted payment and made change.EDUCATIONHigh school diplomaCoronation High School, Calgary, 1998• Courses included English 33, Typing 20 and Business Procedures 10.PERSONALExcellent health, available to work flexible hours.Active member <strong>of</strong> the Hillcrest Community League and the Southside Bowling Club.44 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
ANN’S COMBINATION RESUMÉAnn McKinney1458 Taylor Drive, Lethbridge, <strong>Alberta</strong>, T1K 4X7Phone: 403-555-9393HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS• Five years <strong>of</strong> experience serving food and beverages in a busy restaurant.Efficiently and courteously served up to 12 tables at a time.• Six years <strong>of</strong> experience supervising children and responding to parental concernsin a day care setting.• Grade 12 education, including Typing 20 and Business Procedures 10.• Volunteer experience tabulating monies at community bingos and operatingconcession booths <strong>for</strong> various charitable organizations.WORK HISTORYDay Care Worker,Alicia’s Day Care, Lethbridge2006 to the present, part-time• Greet children and parents as they arrive, supervise free play, serve lunch andsnacks, and clean up.• Plan, organize and supervise games, crafts and other learning activities as part<strong>of</strong> a team responsible <strong>for</strong> 40 children ages 2 to 4.Food and Beverage Server,Good Fortune Cafe, Calgary2001 – 2006, part-time• Greeted customers and presented menus, helped customers select menu items,and placed orders with the kitchen.• Served food and beverages.• Prepared itemized bills and accepted payment.Dietary Aid,General Hospital, Calgary1998 – 2001Server,B&G Fast Food, CalgarySummer 1997• Assembled patient food trays, delivered trays to wards, and operated dishwasher.• Entered customer food orders on computerized cash register, assembled foodorders, accepted payment and made change.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration45
ANN’S COVER LETTER1458 Taylor DriveLethbridge, <strong>Alberta</strong>TIK 4X7May 13, 2009Mr. Don Cameron, ManagerRiteway Foods456 Main StreetLethbridge, <strong>Alberta</strong>TIK 7G4Dear Mr. Cameron:Rita Stobbe, my neighbour, suggested that I contact you. I would like to be considered <strong>for</strong> afull-time cashier position.My experience as a food and beverage server has taught me how to deal pleasantly andefficiently with customers, even when working under pressure. I take pride in being able toremember items and prices, and handle cash with a high degree <strong>of</strong> accuracy. The enclosedresumé briefly describes my experience and education.I will call you on May 22 to arrange a meeting, if I have not heard from you by then.Sincerely,Ann McKinneyEncl.Ann chose to send hercombination resumé with thisletter because it highlights herqualifications <strong>for</strong> this job betterthan her chronological resumé.46 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Application FormsSome employers require applicants tocomplete an application <strong>for</strong>m instead<strong>of</strong> submitting a resumé. They find it easier to compareapplicants’ qualifications if everyone has completedthe same <strong>for</strong>m.Tips <strong>for</strong> CompletingApplication FormsTake copies <strong>of</strong> your resumé and list <strong>of</strong> references withyou when you are applying <strong>for</strong> work. When you haveto fill out an application <strong>for</strong>m, you can copy names,addresses, telephone numbers, and start/finish datesinstead <strong>of</strong> relying on your memory.Ask <strong>for</strong> two copies <strong>of</strong> the application <strong>for</strong>m and, ifpossible, take them home. Then you can take as muchtime as you need to fill out the <strong>for</strong>m neatly andcorrectly. Use the second copy if you need to redo theapplication to improve it.Bring your own good quality pens in case you can’ttake <strong>for</strong>ms home. Using erasable pens makescorrecting errors much easier and neater.Read the instructions on application <strong>for</strong>ms carefully.If a question does not apply to you put a dash in theblank or write N/A <strong>for</strong> “not applicable.” Don’t useshort cuts like “see resumé.”Be honest. It is almost impossible to repair thedamage if you are caught in a lie. If your response to aquestion might be seen as a reason not to interviewyou, you can write, “will explain in the interview” orcounterbalance the negative aspects <strong>of</strong> your answerwith more positive in<strong>for</strong>mation. You can attach a sheet<strong>of</strong> paper if you need more room.Be specific about the type <strong>of</strong> job you are applying <strong>for</strong>.Ask the person who gives you the application <strong>for</strong>mabout the correct position title <strong>for</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> workyou want.Fill out every application<strong>for</strong>m as carefully andcompletely as you do thefirst one.List your most recent employer firstand work back when you arecompleting the work experiencesection <strong>of</strong> the <strong>for</strong>m. Include start and finish dates,names <strong>of</strong> companies, job titles and duties, and thepositive contributions you made while you worked<strong>for</strong> that employer.Write something positive such as “left to pursueother opportunities” in a “Reason For Leaving PastEmployment” section. If you say something negativeabout a <strong>for</strong>mer employer or something like “personalreasons,” recruiters may get the impression that youhave a poor attitude or are not reliable.In the education and training area <strong>of</strong> the <strong>for</strong>m,provide specific in<strong>for</strong>mation such as dates youattended, names <strong>of</strong> schools, certificates or diplomasyou earned. If you have taken training courses or haveearned special awards that relate to the work you areapplying <strong>for</strong>, list them as well.Fill in the “Additional Comments” section if there isone. It is the one place on the <strong>for</strong>m where you canexpand on the unique combination <strong>of</strong> skills andinterests you would bring to the work environment.Don’t put down an expected salary figure unless youare sure <strong>of</strong> the standard salary range <strong>for</strong> this type <strong>of</strong>work. State that you are “open to negotiation.”Deliver a clean, crisp-looking <strong>for</strong>m. Do not fold theapplication <strong>for</strong>m many times or let it get dog-eared.If you can show samples <strong>of</strong> your work, bring aportfolio with you. However, don’t attach copies <strong>of</strong>your marks, per<strong>for</strong>mance appraisals or letters <strong>of</strong>recommendation to your application <strong>for</strong>m unless youare asked to do so. All <strong>of</strong> your important qualificationsshould be outlined on the application <strong>for</strong>m — don’texpect employers to read attachments to find them.Make personal contact with the employer, if possible,when you deliver the application <strong>for</strong>m. Be businesslikeand ready to answer any questions the employermay have.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration47
ATYPICAL APPLICATION FORMPersonal DataName (last) (first) (middle)Phone No. HomePhone No. MessageAddress (street)(city) (province) (postal code)Date AvailablePosition Applied ForSalary ExpectationAre you legally entitled to work in Canada? Yes NoWould you be willing to work? Full Time Part Time Shifts Weekends On-CallAre you willing to relocate? Yes No Are you bondable? Yes NoWork HistoryPresent or Last Employer From To SalaryAddressTelephoneSupervisor’s NamePosition HeldSupervisor’s TitleDutiesReason <strong>for</strong> LeavingMay we contact the employer? Yes NoPresent or Last Employer From To SalaryAddressTelephoneSupervisor’s NamePosition HeldSupervisor’s TitleDutiesReason <strong>for</strong> LeavingMay we contact the employer? Yes NoPresent or Last Employer From To SalaryAddressTelephoneSupervisor’s NamePosition HeldSupervisor’s Title48 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
DutiesReason <strong>for</strong> LeavingMay we contact the employer? Yes NoEducationName and Location Course/Program Credits Diploma/Degree DatesElementarySecondaryVocational/TradeCollege/UniversityPost Graduate/OtherSpecial CoursesSkill Pr<strong>of</strong>ileTyping wpm Data Entry Shorthand Speedwriting OtherDo you have a valid driver’s license? Yes No ClassOther In<strong>for</strong>mationGive names <strong>of</strong> three persons not related to you.ReferencesName Phone Number Occupation/Business AddressI hereby declare that the <strong>for</strong>egoing in<strong>for</strong>mation is true and complete to my knowledge. I understand that a false statement maydisqualify me from employment, or cause dismissal.SignatureDate© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration49
Your RightsIn <strong>Alberta</strong>, the Human Rights, Citizenshipand Multiculturalism Act makes it illegal<strong>for</strong> employers to ask you:• <strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation specific to gender or maritalstatus (e.g. your plans <strong>for</strong> marriage or child care)• <strong>for</strong> your maiden name, “Christian” nameor the origin <strong>of</strong> your name• <strong>for</strong> age or date <strong>of</strong> birth• <strong>for</strong> place <strong>of</strong> birth, or racial origin• <strong>for</strong> height or weight• <strong>for</strong> a photograph (it would reveal race,gender, etc.)• about memberships that would indicate race,religious beliefs, ancestry or place <strong>of</strong> origin• about present or previous health problems,Workers’ Compensation claims, or any absencedue to stress or mental illness• about citizenship other than Canadian, orlanguages not required <strong>for</strong> the position• about military service outside <strong>of</strong> Canada• <strong>for</strong> previous addresses outside <strong>of</strong> Canada.Employers are allowed to ask applicants abouttheir ability to satisfy work-related requirements(e.g. ability to work shifts, travel or lift heavyitems if the job requires it). Employers can alsoask <strong>for</strong> the name used in previousemployment or education to do reference checks.When an application <strong>for</strong>m has an inappropriatequestion or an employer asks an inappropriatequestion in an interview, you can respond in anumber <strong>of</strong> ways.• If you are willing to supply the in<strong>for</strong>mationand don’t mind working in an environmentwhere this type <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation is consideredimportant, answer the question. Once youare hired and have established a goodworking relationship with the employer,look <strong>for</strong> opportunities to talk to the employerabout <strong>Alberta</strong>’s Human Rights, Citizenship andMulticulturalism Act.• If you are willing to risk putting yourself out <strong>of</strong>the running <strong>for</strong> the job, put a dash in the blankor write N/A (<strong>for</strong> “not applicable”). Or, tactfullylet the employer know that the question isinappropriate.• If you think the employer might simply beunaware <strong>of</strong> the law and you really want the job(but would be uncom<strong>for</strong>table working in anenvironment where this type <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation isconsidered important), you may decide toanswer the question but bring the issue upwhen you are <strong>of</strong>fered the position.If you point out that a question is inappropriateand are not satisfied with an employer’s response,you can make a complaint with the <strong>Alberta</strong>Human Rights and Citizenship Commission.InterviewsA job interview is a business meeting. Bothparties want to make a deal: you have skills andthe employer has work. Your first task is toshow you have the skills the employer needs toget the job done. Your second task is to find outif you are interested in the work. In other words, youshould be prepared to ask questions as well as answerquestions.Some employers are better at interviewing than others.Skilled interviewers are good at putting you at ease, andgetting down to the business <strong>of</strong> discovering what youhave to <strong>of</strong>fer each other. Not-so-skilled interviewers mayramble or bluster. If that happens, you may have toguide the conversation yourself to ensure that theTreat each job interviewas an opportunity to learnsomething and improve yourinterview skills.interviewer gets a clearpicture <strong>of</strong> how your skills fitthe requirements <strong>of</strong> the job.Be<strong>for</strong>einterviewsWhen an employer or a receptionist calls to set up aninterview, politely find out as much as you can.• Ask <strong>for</strong> the names and position titles <strong>of</strong> the peoplewho will be conducting the interview.• Try to find out what you should expect. Forexample, will the interview be an initial screeninginterview (to determine whether you will beinterviewed more seriously later) or a selectioninterview (to make a hiring decision)? Will there be50 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Realistic expectations andthorough preparation are the keysto reducing anxiety and doing1. Reviewone interviewer orseveral?• The caller will tell youwhere and when theinterview will be held. Ifyou are not familiar with theinterview location, it might bea good idea to ask about nearbybus stops or parking areas.• Ask if the caller would be willing to faxor email a job description to you so youcan prepare <strong>for</strong> the interview.If you are applying <strong>for</strong> a job in another community, anemployer may want to interview you by telephone.Arrange to receive the call where you can speakcom<strong>for</strong>tably. Then have your resumé and portfolio (ifyou have one), a pen and some paper, and your list <strong>of</strong>questions with you when you answer the phone.<strong>Job</strong> interviewpreparation checklist2. Anticipate3. Prepare4. Ensure5. Allow❏ Review your resumé and the in<strong>for</strong>mation you havegathered about the employer and the work. If you havenot already researched the job and the employer, doso! For help, see Chapter 2.Put yourself in the employer’s shoes: whatqualifications would you be looking <strong>for</strong>? Look <strong>for</strong>clues in the wording <strong>of</strong> the work description or thejob advertisement. Then identify things you havedone that show you have those skills.❏ Anticipate potential interview questions andprepare answers.This is particularly important <strong>for</strong> questions you hopethe employer won’t ask! If negative things havehappened in your past, be ready to answer questionsabout them in a positive way. For example, if youmade a mistake, briefly admit it and quickly move onto explaining what you have learned from it.well in a job interview.Interviewers may be reluctant to askabout sensitive areas. Mention themyourself if you think the employermay see something as a potentialproblem (e.g. a disability,qualifications, gaps in your workhistory, appearance, etc.). Explain why itwould not be a problem, so the employer isnot left in doubt.Review the sample interview questions in thefollowing section. Prepare answers that respond tothe underlying question as well as the stated question.Practice your answers in front <strong>of</strong> a mirror or recordyourself and play it back, or get a friend to role-playan interview situation with you. Then you canimprove both your verbal and nonverbalcommunication skills. Your posture, facialexpressions and gestures should communicate apositive attitude, not fear or frustration.If you don’t know the typical salary range <strong>for</strong> thetype <strong>of</strong> work you want, check out occupationaldescriptions on the Internet such as the OccupationalPr<strong>of</strong>iles on the <strong>Alberta</strong> Learning In<strong>for</strong>mation Servicewebsite (alis.alberta.ca/occinfo).❏ Prepare your questions.What do you want to know about the job and theorganization? You may want to ask questions aboutthe company’s goals and objectives, the workingconditions, the people you would be working with,or how much travel would be involved.Be sure to word your questions tactfully, and leavequestions about pay and benefits until after youhave been <strong>of</strong>fered the job.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration51
<strong>of</strong> the question.❏ Ensure a goodfirst impression bydeciding what youwill wear andplanning ahead soyou will get to the interview ten to fifteen minutesearly. You must look neat, clean and well groomed.Dress the way you expect the interviewer to dress.If you are not sure how long it will take to get fromyour home to the interview location, make a testrun. When you are there, take note <strong>of</strong> how thepeople working there are dressed.❏ Allow plenty <strong>of</strong> time <strong>for</strong> the interview.For anynumber <strong>of</strong> reasons, the interview may take longerthan you expect it to. Don’t box yourself in byplanning to meet someone in an hour or by paying<strong>for</strong> limited parking time.Interview questionsThe key to effectivelyanswering a question isto understand the purposeNo matter how irrelevant or ridiculous an interviewquestion may sound, it generally has a purpose. Forexample, when interviewers ask questions like “If youcould be any vegetable, which vegetable would youchoose to be?” they aren’t really interested in thecontent <strong>of</strong> your answer. They want to see how youhandle the unexpected.Although no two interviewers will ask the exactlysame questions, most interview questions fall into one<strong>of</strong> four categories:1. questions about you and your skills2. “what if” and “what did you do when” questions3. questions about your interest in thejob/organization4. questions about your expectations and plans.Each type <strong>of</strong> question has a different purpose.QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR SKILLSPurposeEmployers want to know what you can do <strong>for</strong> them,what kind <strong>of</strong> person you are, and what makes youdifferent from other applicants.Typical QuestionsTell me about yourself.What is your greatest strength? your greatestweakness?What five words would you say describe you best?What kind <strong>of</strong> working environment do you prefer?Do you like … ?Can you … ?Why should we hire you?These questions are much easier to answer if you haveidentified your skills (see Chapter 1) and learned as muchas you can about the job/employer (see Chapter 2).Briefly describe your strongest qualifications. If youare asked to describe a personal weakness, choose onethat will not prevent you from doing a good job.Talk about your skills and characteristics, and whereyou have demonstrated them. For example, if youknow the job requires patience (to deal withdissatisfied customers) or persistence (to solveproblems), focus on situations in which you havedemonstrated those characteristics.Be tactful but honest. When interviewers ask aboutyour preferences or ability to cope with certain types <strong>of</strong>situations, the job probably involves those situations.Say you are willing to fulfill job requirements (e.g.work shifts, relocate, retrain) if that’s true.But ifyouwouldn’t accept shift work, or would not be willing torelocate or retrain, say so. There is no point in being<strong>of</strong>fered work you would not accept.52 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Stay positive and upbeat. If there is somethingnegative about your work history, acknowledge thefacts and briefly describe any circumstances that werebeyond your control. Then quickly move on tosomething positive. For example, if you have beenfired, describe the positive things you learned from theexperience. Avoid saying anything negative aboutprevious jobs (e.g. salary, working conditions,supervisors, co-workers). If you must say somethingnegative, back it up with facts that can be checked.Otherwise, employers may see you as a potentialtroublemaker.Avoid getting emotional. Take a deep breath to calmyourself, if necessary (sometimes, interviewers saynasty things just to find out how you will handle thesituation, especially if the job involves dealing withdifficult people). Smile and keep your head up, evenif you think the interview is not going well.“WHAT IF” AND “WHAT DID YOU DOWHEN” QUESTIONS.PurposeEmployers want to know how you will handlesituations that may arise on the job.Typical QuestionsWhat if a customer started yelling at you. What wouldyou do?What would you do if you saw a co-worker doingsomething unsafe?Tell me about a time when someone criticized you inpublic. What did you do?Describe a time when a teacher or boss did somethingyou didn’t like.Think <strong>of</strong> a time when you had a problem workingwith someone on a project. What did you do?“What if” questions are sometimes easier to answerthan “what did you do when” questions, but they canboth be challenging. Skilled interviewers won’t giveyou any clues to let you know what they think youranswer to a “what if” should be. Be honest and brieflydescribe what you think would be the best way tohandle the situation.Don’t blurt out the first answer that comes to mind.Take a reasonable amount <strong>of</strong> time to think throughyour answer. Interviewers will usually follow up“describe a time when you had to deal with a problem”questions with more detailed questions about exactlywhat you did and what happened as a result. Sodescribe real situations that you dealt with effectively.Don’t make up answers or try to gloss over havinghandled a situation badly by describing how you wouldhandle a similar situation in the future. Interviewerswho ask behaviour-based questions believe that howyou reacted in the past is the best predictor <strong>of</strong> how youwill react in the future. They may ignore “how I woulddo it differently next time” types <strong>of</strong> answers.QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR INTEREST INTHE JOB/ORGANIZATIONPurposeEmployers want to know if you are really interested inthe job and understand the goals and needs <strong>of</strong> theorganization.Typical QuestionsWhat interests you about our services/products?What is your understanding <strong>of</strong> the nature <strong>of</strong> the joband the company?What do you know about our company? ourproducts?Why do you want to work here?Why did you apply <strong>for</strong> this position?© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration53
You will certainly stand out from other applicants ifyou can answer this type <strong>of</strong> question well! This iswhere it really pays <strong>of</strong>f to have done some researchbe<strong>for</strong>e the interview.Summarize what you know about the company and itsgoals, operations and products. Then ask any questionsyou may have about the organization’s goals andchallenges. Show interest in helping the organizationovercome its challenges and achieve its goals.QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PLANSAND EXPECTATIONSPurposeEmployers want to know if your expectations arerealistic, and you will stick around long enough tomake it worthwhile to train you.Sample QuestionsWhat are your long range goals? Are you thinking <strong>of</strong>going back to school or college?Why have you changed jobs so many times? Don’t youthink you are overqualified <strong>for</strong> this job?What salary and benefits do you expect?Let the employer know you won’t quit after a shorttime. Talk about how the job fits into your careerplans, but be brief. Interviewers are more interested inhearing about what you can do <strong>for</strong> the organization,than what the organization can do <strong>for</strong> you.If you have changed jobs many times, explain why youfelt it was necessary and emphasize that you expect tostay longer in this job (if that’s true).If you are overqualified <strong>for</strong> the position, stress youradaptability and flexibility, and your willingness toassume more responsibility.Body LanguageYour mannerisms, gestures, body movements,posture, tone <strong>of</strong> voice, and expressionscommunicate just as much as your words do.For example, the position <strong>of</strong> your body whileyou are speaking and listening says a lot abouthow interested you are. Slouching or being toolaid back destroys a positive image, so sit upstraight or lean <strong>for</strong>ward slightly.Cultural background determines how bodylanguage is interpreted.Eye contact is a good example. In some cultures,making eye contact is considered disrespectful.However, most Canadian interviewers will thinkyou are trying to hide something if you don’tmake eye contact in a job interview.Watch the interviewer’s body language <strong>for</strong>clues about how well you are doing.If the interviewer appears confused, ask if he orshe would like you to explain something further.If the interviewer looks bored, change gearsand show more energy, or take the hint thatthe interview is near an end.Avoid discussing salary and benefits until after a job<strong>of</strong>fer has been made. Understandably, employers wantto find out what hiring you will cost them. However,if you state a figure they consider too high, you willnot be seriously considered <strong>for</strong> the position. If yourfigure is low, that’s all you will be <strong>of</strong>fered.If the interviewer persists, state the typical salary range <strong>for</strong>the type <strong>of</strong> work you are discussing and that you expect areasonable salary <strong>for</strong> someone with your qualifications. Ifappropriate, let the employer know you are open tonegotiation depending on the benefits <strong>of</strong>fered.If you don’t know the typical salary range, say that youwould like to research the pay and benefits <strong>for</strong> similarjobs be<strong>for</strong>e you commit yourself.54 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
HandlinginterviewsHaving a general idea <strong>of</strong> what toexpect in an interview goes along way to improving yourconfidence. Well-run interviewshave three stages:1. a short introduction2. an exchange <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation (both you and theinterviewer ask and answer questions)3. a closing that wraps up the interview.Most interviewers “size up” applicants in the firstminute or two. If their first impression is negative, youhave an uphill battle to turn that impression around.There<strong>for</strong>e, pay attention to how you appear and whatyou do when you first arrive. You want to do your bestto create a good first impression.• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, and briefly let thereceptionist know you have arrived.• If you have to wait a few minutes, use the time totake a few deep breaths and try to look confident.Don’t be afraid to look at people and smile.• If other job applicants are waiting in the receptionarea too, and you imagine that they all have betterqualifications than you do, DON’T GIVE UP.Remember that employers are looking <strong>for</strong> personalteamwork and fundamental skills as well astechnical (specialized) skills. You may have just thecombination the employer is looking <strong>for</strong>.• Don’t smoke, chew gum or drink c<strong>of</strong>fee, and try notto fidget.• Be pleasant, honest and sincere with everyone inthe <strong>of</strong>fice. Interviewers may ask other staffmembers <strong>for</strong> their opinions.• When you first meet the interviewer(s), introduceyourself, shake hands firmly and make eye contact.• Remain standing untilyou are <strong>of</strong>fered a chair,then sit up straight.• Follow theinterviewer’s lead. Theinterviewer may spend a few momentsmaking small talk. If so, say something positiveabout the weather, traffic or whatever, but beprepared to move quickly into the main part <strong>of</strong> theinterview when the interviewer is ready to do so.When you get to the main part <strong>of</strong> an interview, takeevery opportunity you are given to talk about yourskills, knowledge and achievements. Emphasize whatyou can contribute to the organization. Avoidmentioning your needs until after a job <strong>of</strong>fer is made.• Point out connections between your capabilitiesand the employer’s needs, even if they seem obviousto you.• Avoid “yes” and “no” answers. Answer the employer’sunderlying question as well as the stated question.• Follow the interviewer’s lead. If the interview seemsquite “structured” (each applicant is asked the samequestions in the same order regardless <strong>of</strong> theiranswers), it is generally best to save your questionsuntil the end.• If the interviewer asks more “open” questions (<strong>for</strong>example, “Why are you interested in this position?”)and bases the next question on your answer, youwill have more opportunities to ask questions andlead the conversation toward a discussion <strong>of</strong> yourstrongest qualifications.• Show your interest in the job by looking interested(posture, facial expressions and other bodylanguage), by asking in<strong>for</strong>med questions, and bylistening carefully to the answers.• If you don’t understand a question, politely ask theinterviewer to rephrase the question. If you don’tknow the answer, say so.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration55
• Take the time you need to think about difficultquestions. Don’t think out loud.• Cheerfully agree with appropriate requests (e.g. t<strong>of</strong>ill out application <strong>for</strong>ms or supply references).• If the employer raises an issue such as “you’ve beenout <strong>of</strong> the work<strong>for</strong>ce a long time” or “you’ve alwaysworked in the same type <strong>of</strong> environment,” deal withthe employer’s concern directly. Explain why itwould not be a problem. For example, tell theemployer how you have kept up to date, or drawthe employer’s attention to how the skills youdeveloped in your previous jobs relate to this job.Near the end <strong>of</strong> the interview, the interviewer shouldtell you about how and when the successful candidatewill be selected. Summarize your skills, state that youare very interested in the position (if you still are),and ask any remaining questions you may have aboutthe work.If you are com<strong>for</strong>table doing so, ask if it would beacceptable <strong>for</strong> you to follow up by calling theinterviewer and, if so, when you should call.Thank the interviewer(s), give the interviewer a firmhandshake if the interviewer <strong>of</strong>fers a hand, and leavepromptly in a positive manner.After interviewsRegardless <strong>of</strong> the outcome <strong>of</strong> an interview, it is a goodidea to write a brief letter <strong>of</strong> thanks <strong>for</strong> the interviewer’stime and consideration. It sets you apart from otherapplicants, and may remind the interviewer about youand your strongest qualifications. You can also use yourletter to briefly supply additional in<strong>for</strong>mation.A handwritten letter or note is acceptable if yourwriting is easy to read. Write the letter while theinterview is still fresh in your mind.Learn from each interview by asking yourself thefollowing questions.Don’t be too hardon yourself.You will get betterwith practice!• Did the interviewerask questions that Iwas not prepared<strong>for</strong>? If so, how can Iprepare better <strong>for</strong> future interviews?• Did I <strong>for</strong>get to ask anything about thejob/organization?• Did I emphasize the connection between my skillsand the skills required <strong>for</strong> the job?• Was I pleasant, honest and sincere?• Did I answer the interviewer’s underlying concernsas well as the questions asked?• Did I address the employer’s concerns in apositive way?• Did I sum up my skills, then leave promptly andpolitely at the end <strong>of</strong> the interview?Take note <strong>of</strong> what you want to do differently next time.Briefly record your impressions <strong>of</strong> the interview andrecommendations <strong>for</strong> improvement in futureinterviews. Include names, what was discussed, salaryfigures and anything else you might need to rememberif you are <strong>of</strong>fered the job.If you promised to call the interviewer on a certaindate, make sure to put a reminder on your calendar. Ifthe employer said you should expect a call by a certaindate, note the date on your calendar and call if youhave not heard anything by then.Don’t assume you have a job until an employer tellsyou when to start. Keep looking and following upother opportunities, even after several interviews havegone very well. If a job you thought was going to comethrough does not, you won’t be so disappointed orhave wasted time waiting.If you receive several job <strong>of</strong>fers, you can choose thejob you like best. You may want to ask your employer<strong>of</strong> choice <strong>for</strong> a written <strong>of</strong>fer letter so you know it issafe to turn down the others.56 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
GOING THE DISTANCERejection letters and other disappointments happen inany job search. Realistic expectations about how longthe search will take, a willingness to learn from yourexperiences, and a healthy, balanced lifestyle will helpyou stay positive and handle rejection constructively.When you receive a rejection letter, read it carefully tosee if it contains any clues about why you didn’t getthe job. If it does, you can learn from it. Everyone getsrejected sometime. It is what you do with the rejection— how you handle it and use it to your advantage —that makes all the difference.Handling RejectionIf you are feeling rejected, check the statements thatdescribe your thoughts right now.❏ You hoped you would find work a lot faster, andwithout doing the preparatory work described inChapters 1 and 2.If you have found work relatively easily in the past,your expectations <strong>for</strong> this job search may beunrealistic. Fortunately, it is never too late to putsome serious ef<strong>for</strong>t into identifying your skills(Chapter 1) and finding suitable workopportunities (Chapter 2).❏ Your applications usually don’t make it past the“paper screening” stage — you have not beeninvited <strong>for</strong> many interviews.There are a number <strong>of</strong> possible reasons you haven’tbeen invited <strong>for</strong> an interview. For example, you maynot have the required skills or education, your skillsmay be out <strong>of</strong> date, other applicants may have betterqualifications, or your application did not clearlycommunicate that you are qualified.If there is a good chance you haven’t communicatedyour qualifications very well on paper, take anotherlook at your resumé. Does it tell employers clearlyEvery mistake presents and conciselywhat you can doan opportunity to learn.and what sort <strong>of</strong>person you are? Ifnot, rewrite it.The most directway to find outwhy you haven’t been invited <strong>for</strong> an interview is toask. Call employers and explain that you are tryingto improve your job search skills and would likesome feedback on your application. You havenothing to lose and you could get some veryvaluable advice.If an employer seems to think you don’t have thequalifications required, don’t argue. Show yourresumés and cover letters to people you respect,including at least one employment counsellor(see Where To Get More Help at the end <strong>of</strong> thischapter). Ask <strong>for</strong> suggestions about how you cancommunicate your qualifications more effectively.❏ You have not found many suitable job openings.There are two possibilities you should consider:1. There are very few jobs that satisfy your workobjective.2. You need to put more ef<strong>for</strong>t into findingsuitable opportunities.Be<strong>for</strong>e you assume that the first possibility is thecase, be honest with yourself about how much timeand ef<strong>for</strong>t you have put into networking, contactingemployers and other methods <strong>of</strong> finding workopportunities. If you can honestly say you haveresearched the possibilities well, you may have tobroaden your work search targets or be willing tomove. Discuss your situation with a career oremployment counsellor, or someone whosejudgement you respect.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration57
❏ You really thought you had a job in the bagso you stopped looking <strong>for</strong> other leads.No matter how sure you are, don’t stoplooking <strong>for</strong> other possibilities until youhave an <strong>of</strong>fer on paper. There are toomany things that can go wrongbetween a tentative verbal <strong>of</strong>fer andan <strong>of</strong>ficial written <strong>of</strong>fer.If you have learned this toughlesson the hard way, don’t wasteany more <strong>of</strong> your precious time. Getback to work looking <strong>for</strong> work as quickly asyou can.❏ You got an interview, it seemed to go well, and youhave no idea why someone else got the job.When there are a number <strong>of</strong> well-qualifiedapplicants applying <strong>for</strong> the same job, employershave to make some very difficult decisions. Thedifferences between successful applicants andunsuccessful ones may be hard to identify.Un<strong>for</strong>tunately, all the preparation in the worldwon’t get you a job if the “chemistry” between youand the interviewer just isn’t right. When thishappens, talk to an understanding friend about it.Expressing your frustration can help you to put theexperience behind you, and move on.❏ You just had an interview, and it didn’t go very well.If you were not well prepared, decide what you willdo differently to be better prepared next time. Ifyou don’t have the required skills, you may need torethink your work search targets or do moreresearch about specific work opportunities be<strong>for</strong>eyou apply <strong>for</strong> them. Otherwise, chalk it up toexperience and move on.❏ You are fed up andready to give up.Frustration anddiscouragement will sabotageany work search. Read thefollowing section on stayingpositive. If you are still feelingdiscouraged and can’t seem toshake the feeling, talk to apr<strong>of</strong>essional counsellor. Contactthe nearest <strong>Alberta</strong> Employmentand Immigration service centre(see Where To Get More Help) orCanadian Mental Health Association<strong>of</strong>fice. Or, look in the yellow pages under“Employment Counselling” to find other agenciesthat may be able to help you.Staying PositiveThere are a variety <strong>of</strong> things you can do to cope withthe ups and downs that everyone experiences during awork search. Learning to handle rejection constructivelyis one. Several other strategies are outlined below. If youcan think <strong>of</strong> other methods <strong>of</strong> coping that have helpedyou through stressful times in the past, add them to thelist and use them this time too.Tips <strong>for</strong> staying positiveTake good care <strong>of</strong> yourself. Eat well-balanced mealsregularly, and get plenty <strong>of</strong> rest. Exercise and enjoy theoutdoors. Ten minutes on the move can make a world<strong>of</strong> difference to how you feel.Schedule regular breaks in your day and take them.Make your breaks short, but get away from worksearch activities completely.Seek out people who can give you emotional support.Tell family members and friends about what you aredoing and how things are going. They may be worriedabout how the changes in your life will affect them.58 © <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
Keeping lines <strong>of</strong> communicationopen will help them too.If your family members or friendsare interested, let them help youby brainstorming ideas with you,networking <strong>for</strong> you, and reviewingdraft applications and resumés.You may have to cut back on yourexpenses, but try to keep yoursocial life as normal as you can.Contact the nearest <strong>Alberta</strong>Employment and Immigrationservice centre. Ask about workshops and job clubsoperating in your area. Or, make an appointment tospeak with a career and employment consultant.Set realistic short-term goals, and reward yourselfwhen you achieve them. For example, decide howmany direct contacts (in person, over the telephone,by mail) you should be able to make each day.Make a list <strong>of</strong> things that make you feel good, but don’tcost too much in time or preparation (<strong>for</strong> example, alonger walk than usual). Use these activities as rewardswhen you have achieved the day’s objectives.Set a time limit on how long you will allow yourself t<strong>of</strong>eel “down,” preferably no more than a few hours.Then start working your way back up again.Keep growing. Do lots <strong>of</strong> reading on currenttechnological trends, and subjects related to your workor areas <strong>of</strong> interest. Take short courses, and attendconferences and seminars. If they might be helpful toyou, read books or attend workshops on timemanagement, problem-solving, communication, selfesteem,relaxation, or positive thinking.Help others. Get a better perspective on your owntroubles by reaching out to help others. Do volunteerwork that will make use <strong>of</strong> your skills, give you neededexperience, or allowyou to meet peoplewho could behelpful in your jobsearch.Take temporaryor part-time workto help keep yourspirits up, as wellas provide shorttermincome. Ifyour employers areimpressed with your per<strong>for</strong>mance, they may <strong>of</strong>fer youfull-time work or pass on in<strong>for</strong>mation about workopportunities they hear about.A major disadvantage to taking temporary or parttimework is that it decreases the amount <strong>of</strong> time andenergy you can devote to your job search. Only youcan decide if the advantages outweigh thisdisadvantage in your case.Be kind to yourself. Watch out <strong>for</strong> negative thoughts.If you catch yourself thinking “I can’t...,” “I’m no goodat...,” “It’s impossible...,” STOP. Try to reframe andthink in more positive terms. For example, “I can learnfrom this mistake” instead <strong>of</strong> “I’m such a fool.”Read every flattering thing (letter <strong>of</strong> praise,recommendation, per<strong>for</strong>mance appraisal) you haveever received. Keep them handy and read themwhenever you are feeling down.Make a list <strong>of</strong> the things that worry you andbrainstorm solutions with a friend or counsellor.Don’t lose your sense <strong>of</strong> humour. What makes youlaugh? Cartoons? Recordings <strong>of</strong> comedians? Certaintypes <strong>of</strong> television shows? Being with certain friends?Laughter is a wonderful emotional release, so use it as<strong>of</strong>ten as you can.We all need a little help from our friendsfrom time to time — looking<strong>for</strong> work is <strong>of</strong>ten one <strong>of</strong> those times.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration59
Looking AheadBe ready to:• negotiate when employers <strong>of</strong>fer you work• wrap up your work search in a way that will makeyour next one easier.When you have been looking <strong>for</strong> work <strong>for</strong> some timeand you finally get a job <strong>of</strong>fer, it is tempting to jumpand shout YES. But hold on.Take some time to consider the advantages anddisadvantages <strong>of</strong> accepting the job, and negotiate thebest possible terms <strong>of</strong> employment (hours, salary,benefits). Did you like the feel <strong>of</strong> the place when youwent <strong>for</strong> an interview? Can you af<strong>for</strong>d to wait <strong>for</strong> abetter opportunity? Will you be satisfied with thesalary and benefits the employer is <strong>of</strong>fering?If you have questions or concerns about the terms <strong>of</strong>employment, talk them over with the employer be<strong>for</strong>eyou accept the position. (You have no bargainingpower if you have already accepted the job.) Make itclear you are interested in the job, then ask if there isany room to negotiate salary and/or benefits. Forexample, if the salary <strong>of</strong>fer is lower than you expected,you may be able to negotiate an increase in pay(starting now or in a few months), health and/ordental insurance coverage, an extra week <strong>of</strong> holidaytime, a parking stall, or whatever else you want(within reason, <strong>of</strong> course!).If you decide to turn a job <strong>of</strong>fer down, be tactful andexpress your appreciation <strong>for</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fer.If you decide to accept, show your enthusiasm. If youhave negotiated any special terms <strong>of</strong> employment,make sure they are included in the written job <strong>of</strong>ferand confirm them in your letter <strong>of</strong> acceptance.Wrap up your work search by letting others know youhave a new job.• If you are currently employed, submit a tactfullyworded letter <strong>of</strong> resignation that gives youremployer reasonable notice (at least two weeks).You may need a letter <strong>of</strong> reference in the future, sodon’t burn any bridges behind you!• Let your references and contacts know that you haveaccepted a position, and thank them <strong>for</strong> their help.• Withdraw any other applications you have in theworks by letting employers know you have accepteda position.Make your next worksearch easierOdds are, you will change jobs a number <strong>of</strong> times overthe course <strong>of</strong> your career. Make your next transitioneasier by:• creating and maintaining a work-related portfolio.Keep adding notes and things like letters <strong>of</strong>appreciation and per<strong>for</strong>mance appraisals, soupdating your resumé will be much easier next time• staying in touch with people who have beensupportive and helpful• keeping in<strong>for</strong>med about new developments in yourfield/industry, reading/watching news articles aboutchanges in the labour market, and anticipating howchanges are likely to affect your work• paying attention to your feelings and looking <strong>for</strong>ways to make your work life as meaningful andrewarding as possible.Taking charge <strong>of</strong> your career by looking ahead willgive you a sense <strong>of</strong> confidence and freedom that goeswell beyond ordinary job security.60© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
WHERE TO GET MORE HELPResourcesALBERTA LEARNING INFORMATION SERVICE(<strong>ALIS</strong>) WEBSITEalis.alberta.ca<strong>Alberta</strong>’s leading online source <strong>for</strong> career, learning andemployment in<strong>for</strong>mation. Here you will find theresources you need <strong>for</strong> making the most <strong>of</strong> your future.CAREER AND WORKPLACE RESOURCESYou can obtain the following print resources onlinethrough the <strong>ALIS</strong> website at alis.alberta.ca/publications, or view copies at any <strong>Alberta</strong>Employment and Immigration service centre.Publications are available free <strong>of</strong> charge to <strong>Alberta</strong>,Northwest Territories and Nunavut residents.Creating a <strong>New</strong> Future: The job-loss workbookPositive Works IIAbout changing negative attitudes and beliefsinto positive ones.Time to Choose…a post-secondaryeducation programTraining <strong>for</strong> WorkAbout alternatives to traditional full-timeclassroom training.Workability: What you need to get & keep a jobAbout the skills and attitudes you need to findand keep work.Adult Back to School PlannerAdvanced Techniques <strong>for</strong> Work SearchAssessing You: The first step in career planningChange and Transitions: The path from A to BHelp <strong>for</strong> people making changes.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration61
ServicesALBERTA CAREER INFORMATION HOTLINEPhone: 780-422-4266 in EdmontonToll-free: 1-800-661-3753 in <strong>Alberta</strong>Website: alis.alberta.ca/hotlineHours: 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to FridayCall the Hotline <strong>for</strong> answers to your questions about:• career planning• job search skills• educational options• occupational descriptions• educational funding• referrals• resumé review serviceALBERTA EMPLOYMENT AND IMMIGRATION<strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration service centresare located throughout the province. They havein<strong>for</strong>mation on occupations, career options, educationprograms and funding, and finding work. Many<strong>of</strong>fices have a career resource centre with books,newspapers, magazines, s<strong>of</strong>tware and audiovisualmaterials. They also may have computers <strong>for</strong> Internetuse and word processing, and phones, photocopiersand fax machines to use with your work search. Youcan also talk to a career and employment consultant.These services may be <strong>of</strong>fered by other agencies inyour community. Call the <strong>Alberta</strong> Career In<strong>for</strong>mationHotline <strong>for</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fice closest to you.ALBERTA ADULT AND CHILDHEALTH BENEFITSPhone: 780-427-6848 in EdmontonToll-free: 1-877-469-5437 in <strong>Alberta</strong>Website: employmentalberta.ca(click on Family Supports, then Health Benefits)<strong>Alberta</strong> Adult and Child Health Benefits helps withhealth care needs <strong>of</strong> families with limited incomes.ALBERTA CHILD SUPPORT SERVICESToll-free: 310-0000 in <strong>Alberta</strong>. Ask to be connectedto the local Child Support Services <strong>of</strong>fice in your area.Website: employment.alberta.ca/css<strong>Alberta</strong> parents with low incomes can contact <strong>Alberta</strong>Child Support Services <strong>for</strong> help to arrange court ordersand family maintenance.EMPLOYMENT STANDARDSPhone: 780-427-3731 in EdmontonToll-free: 1-877-427-3731 in <strong>Alberta</strong>.Website: employment.alberta.ca/employmentstandardsEmployment standards are minimum standards <strong>of</strong>employment <strong>for</strong> employers and employees in theworkplace. You can get a free copy <strong>of</strong> the EmploymentStandards <strong>Guide</strong> by phoning the <strong>of</strong>fice ordownloading it from the website.62© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETYPhone: 780-415-8690 in EdmontonToll-free: 1-866-415-8690 in <strong>Alberta</strong>Deaf and hard <strong>of</strong> hearing callers with TTY unitscall 780-427-9999 in Edmonton or 1-800-232-7215in other <strong>Alberta</strong> locations.Website: employment.alberta.ca/whsCall the Workplace Health and Safety Contact Centre<strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation about:• the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulationand Code• unsafe work practices and workplaces• workplace hazards, including chemicalcontaminants, noise, asbestos, machinery, and fallprotection• publications and resources to assist your health andsafety planning.There is a 24-hour access <strong>for</strong> reporting seriousincidents and workplace fatalities.YOUTH CONNECTIONSYouth Connections <strong>of</strong>fices provide career andemployment service <strong>for</strong> people between the ages <strong>of</strong>16 and 24. Offices are located in communities across<strong>Alberta</strong>. Contact the Career In<strong>for</strong>mation Hotline <strong>for</strong>the location nearest you. You can also check out theYouth Connections web link atemployment.alberta.ca/youthconnections.© <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong>, <strong>Alberta</strong> Employment and Immigration63
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A <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>for</strong><strong>New</strong> <strong>Job</strong> <strong>Seekers</strong>For youth and newcomers to the workplaceIf you are looking <strong>for</strong> your first job or you’ve been awayfrom the work<strong>for</strong>ce <strong>for</strong> a long time then this book can help you !• identify your skills• complete job applications• develop effectiveresumé, cover lettersand portfolioYou’ll discover how to:• network and doin<strong>for</strong>mation interviews• prepare <strong>for</strong> aninterview• stay positive!