Job Hunting Tips & Tricks

The Inside Scoop on Job Hunting Today
Tips & Tricks from Human Resources

Stephanie Andrews
5 Years Hospitality at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (retail, spa, concierge, tour desk, royal service - management)
4 Years at the Town of Banff (communications and marketing, human resources)
Completing Business Management – HR from the University of Calgary
Hello My Name Is:

Cosmic Noodles Life from the Cabin to the Universewww.cosmicnoodles.blogspot.com
Noodle
Cosmo

Where was technology when you last left it?
How were people looking for jobs?
How has the workforce changed?
Upgrade Your Skills

Cosmic Noodles Inc.
March 10, 2011
To whom it may concern,
Attached is my resume, please get back to me as soon as possible because I’m very keen to start work.

Sincerely,
Joe Shmo
The Cover Letter
My only concern is to recycle this application.
If that’s sincerity I don’t want to see sarcasm.
Why should I hurry to get back to you at all?

Address your cover letter
Find out who the department manager is
Personalize your letter and add in points about how you can directly benefit the company.
Triple check for spelling and grammar!
Research is Your Friend

Cover Letter Hint: Leave Banff out of it.
I am so excited to see this opportunity at your company. I feel that living and working in Banff is the ultimate dream and I am ready to live that dream. I love to camp, hike, bike, snowboard, climb, kayak, trapeze and snowshoe. I think that I would fit in well with your company because I’m a true mountain person.
Sigh, this is a waste of time. I wonder what I’ll have for lunch?

Add new skills?
Bring related experience?
Bring new experiences?
Save me money?
Make me money?
Where’s my money?
In the Cover Letter, tell me if you’re going to...

When in doubt:

Questions to ask yourself:
Have you been out of the work force for a long time?
Are you applying for something that you don’t have direct experience in?
Watch for gaps in time lines
Non-work related experience counts too!
Experience vs Chronological Resumes

What is Your Online Presence?

Job is Posted
Review Resumes
Pre-Screen Candidates
Schedule Interviews
Reference Checks
Make the Offer
The Steps of Recruitment

The Job Is Posted

Reviewing Resumes

Pre-Screening
Treats? Um yes sometimes we have muffins at meetings. Is that important to you?
Oh yes very much so. I also require 4 hour naps mid-day and someone to

Confirm
Date
Time
Where to park
Who you’ll be meeting with
Bring 2 additional copies of your resume, and references
Be 5-10 minutes early
Take a deep breath and have some water!
The Interview

Do your research!
Prepare yourself with answers to potential questions
Don’t bash previous employers
Ask questions at the end – show initiative
Interview Tips

Tell me about yourself
Why do you want to work here
What do you know about our company
Why did you leave your last job
Tell me about your experience at your last job
What experience do you have at (fill in the tasks)
Tell me about your strengths
Tell me about a time when...
What is your salary expectations
What questions do you have for me
From www.askamanager.org
Top 10 Questions You’ll Most Likely Be Asked:

‘Thinking back to people who have been in this position previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great?’
This shows that you’re thinking beyond the interview, and that you want to be great in this job, not just fill a void.
From www.askamanager.org
The Ultimate End-Of Interview Question:

Dress for the environment
Office?
Outdoors?
Corporate vs Casual
Clean and pressed
Pulled together
Simple & appropriate
Always err on the side of over-dressed rather than under
What To Wear (and what not to!)

Present a list of references to call (2-3)
Previous supervisors/managers
Members of committees
Phone & email if available
Follow up with a ‘thank you’ email:
‘Thank you Stephanie for taking the time to interview me for the administrative position yesterday. I look forward to speaking with you further about this opportunity. Kind regards,
-Stephanie’
Post-Interview

Trust that you WILL get a job!
Employers want to put you in a position where you will succeed.
If you don’t get the job – ask questions. What can you do to improve your chances? Feedback, like research, is your friend.
Confidence is key – fake it until you make it baby!
Lastly...

Questions?

Stephanie Andrews
Contact Me:
Stephanie.m.andrews@hotmail.com
www.cosmicnoodles.blogspot.com
Favourite HR Blogs:
www.askamanager.org
www.thecynicalgirl.com
www.womenofhr.com
Resources
Thanks for having me!

Job Hunting Tips & Tricks

by Stephanie Andrews on Mar 16, 2011

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Job Hunting Tips & Tricks — Presentation Transcript