Employment Tips

What do you do for fun?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:42 -0500

When interviewers ask you about hobbies it's because they want to know that you've got a life outside of work and are a person not a robot. Think of a bunch of interesting things that make you you and don't worry if you're not into more traditional hobbying like knitting or fly-fishing (though those are awesome, too!). Most employers look for well-rounded employees and nothing kills enthusiasm faster than finding out that a candidate has the personality of a slug.

Rules about follow-ups

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:13:51 -0500

Interview done and still dying to impress? Email is easy and quick but sending a card thanking the interviewer for her/his time shows more effort and will make you stand out. This is why you should also pay attention to the names of people interviewing you (ask at the reception desk if you're not sure) so that you can thank the appropriate parties. Keep things simple -- thank people for their time and say you're hoping to hear from them. Don't be sneaky and try to include a short version of your resumé -- they've got that part already.

Impressing with the dressing

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:43:50 -0500

Dressing up for an interview is still in. If you're not sure what to wear, keep things traditional and professional to be on the safe side. At the same time, don't be afraid to be more daring -- if you're applying to a more urban hip place (like an online business). Remember, what works in the advertising agency, may not necessarily work in a bank so it's best to call ahead and ask the receptionist to suggest proper attire. Bottom line -- keep things clean (clothes) and polished (shoes), no matter where you apply.

Get best references

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:10:52 -0500

Before you type "references on request" at the end of your resumé, make sure that this is indeed the case. Make a list of all your possible references and contact them to ask if they're still willing and available to vouch for you. Also, don't be afraid to step outside of the traditional box -- a new way of dealing with references is to ask former colleagues and bosses for testimonials on LinkedIn and to include a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resumé.

Do you have weaknesses? Yes you do!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:21:40 -0500

You might be a perfectionist but please don't tell the employer that when asked about a weakness – it's too phony and sounds like a cliché. Same with working too hard -- we all work too hard in these uncertain times. Instead, name a challenge that you've dealt with and tell a story about how you overcame it instead. You can try using the S.T.A.R. model -- Situation or Task, Action you took, Result -- to present something negative (a weakness) in a more positive light.

What to ask?

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:17:22 -0500

There is such a thing as stupid questions but what's worse is no questions at all. Don't let your shyness kill your chances when the interviewer suggests you ask him/her something about the position. Prepare for this before the interview and show your knowledge by asking about new developments, special projects, and anything that isn’t too common knowledge (so, yeah, research). Scratch the close-ended questions and avoid asking about salary.

Vacation Time

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:09:50 -0500

It would be nice to be able to just get up and get away from it all -- but don't count on getting the time off if you haven't booked ahead. Most workplaces will remind you to hand in your vacation requests early, but reminder or not: don't expect your boss to accommodate you just because you got a great deal on an all-inclusive. When booking vacations, keep your workplace's busy seasons in mind, and don't forget about departmental deadlines -- your thoughtfulness will probably be noticed and appreciated.

Safety First!

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Are you being asked to do something unsafe at work? Guess what? You can always say no. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board advises you to report hazardous conditions and avoid taking risks on the job. That includes refusing work that you feel is unsafe. When performing potentially dangerous tasks, take all necessary precautions -- wear a hardhat, put on those steel toe boots, bend your legs before heavy lifting, and remember to wear sunscreen when working outdoors. Doing your job shouldn't be a risky business.

Private Person

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:19:57 -0400

In most jobs the concept of privacy is adjusted to suit the workplace rules and culture. Be aware of the degree to which your personal life is welcomed at your job. For example, using your work email to convey personal correspondence is rarely okay. Using Facebook, emailing a friend on your private account, or making private phone calls at your desk may be fine in some workplaces, but not permitted in others. If you're not sure, ask your employer for workplace policies to see what is okay and what's not.

Too Good to Be True

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:13:12 -0400

Sometimes you're more than they can handle -- overqualified for the position, with too much experience and/or education. Rather than downplaying your work experience, focus on other areas that make you a more desirable candidate than the new and overeager competition. Your advantage lies not just in your job knowledge but in your understanding of the work world. The key to convincing people to hire you is to emphasize that you are a loyal, stable worker with a solid history of excellent performance who is looking for long-term employment.

Review Your Interview

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:13:11 -0400

Looking for a way to improve your interview skills? Be your own critic! Once you finish an interview, give yourself a performance review. Go over the interview and write down surprise questions, successful responses, alternate answers to difficult questions and any other thoughts that might help you the next time around. Use these notes to prepare for your next interview -- you’ll be guaranteed to do better having had this experience under your belt.

Big, Sweet Lies

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:44:03 -0400

Do you really know how to speak four languages fluently? Can you actually build and design websites, fly airplanes and assist in surgery? No? It's never a good idea to say that you are good at something when in reality your experience is limited or nonexistent. When it comes to resumés and cover letters list the skills that you have and feel confident in. Mention your language proficiency but be honest about your skill level and you won't have to panic when the time comes -- and it will -- to back up your claim.

Ask for Feedback

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

You just got a call back from that company you had the interview with and…you didn't get the job. Although you may be bummed out, transform this rejection into an opportunity for self-improvement. Politely ask the caller for feedback on your application and interview skills and the overall impression you made. Many employers will be happy to (briefly) discuss your strengths, weaknesses and suitability for the position. Use that feedback to make changes to your resumé, cover letter and interview behaviour so the next time you answer the phone, it's to say "yes" to a job offer.

Right Fit, Right On

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:09:44 -0400

You're applying to everything and anything and going nowhere fast. Instead of giving up the game in defeat, consider switching gears instead. Focusing your search on jobs that match your interests and values can more quickly move you along the path to employment. Look for companies whose philosophy is similar to your own and have products or services you feel passionate about. Even if you lack experience, showing enthusiasm and fitting in with a company could give you the winning edge you need.

I Thought That Was Private!

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:27:42 -0400

Even though we all know that our work-assigned email addresses are supposed to be used for business purposes only, it's not uncommon for personal emails about cute cats to make the rounds. While you may think that your inbox is private, you should never write anything that you'd be embarrassed to discuss with everyone at work, including your boss. Most companies retain the right to read employees' emails if they wish -- so keep those messages clean and avoid landing yourself in a sticky situation.