Job-hunting in the 21st century
Time to go beyond newspaper ads
Gone are the days of blindly sending out your generic cover letter and resume to a list of companies you blithely Googled.
It's the twenty-first century — time to get creative.
Ron McGowan, author of How to Find Work in the 21st Century, says students, graduates and general job-hunters need to get over their fears of self-promotion and put in a little grunt work to get the positions they want.
First, students should stop focusing so much on advertised jobs — like the ones in the paper or online because the reality is that 80 per cent of employment opportunities are not advertised, said McGowan. Furthermore, as much as a full-time job would be ideal, job-seekers should not discount the advantages of part-time or contract work as a great way to get your foot in the door of a company.
Secondly, throw tradition out the window.
“There's too much emphasis on resumes,” he said.
“There are new tools.”
New tools don't mean things like Youtube videos, however. “Right now a lot of employers won't even look at things like Youtube videos,” said McGowan, adding that most of the videos seem “amateur-ish.”
It is time for the twenty-first century resume — one that's all about tailoring, to the employer.
“Get over being uncomfortable marketing yourself,” he explained. “Approach employers in a way that sends a message (that shows) something about you, (your) skill set and here's how I can help you (the employer).”
Here's where the tailoring comes in. Your one page — McGowan recommends this length regardless of how much experience you have — resume should almost be more about the company you're applying to than you. Research their style, figure out what they've done that you like — whether it's a product or service — and include that in your resume along with how you can help with these aspects of the company and their overall goals. And don't forget to seem passionate.
“Never discount the power of being enthusiastic ... but not coming across as phony,” said McGowan.
He adds that besides finding companies online, networking is obviously another way to find leads on jobs. But beware the traditional method.
“Most so-called networking events are a waste of time,” said McGowan. “Most of the people there are looking for work.”
He recommends getting involved in a professional association related to your field of work, volunteer for events for them or get involved at an executive level. “That's what networking is about.”
Another piece of advice when surveying the job market? Don't discount the little guy.
“Most of the opportunities are with small companies (and) when I say small, I mean small,” he said.
Finally, don't get discouraged if you don't have the same kind of stable job your parents may have, said McGowan.
“Most workers in Canada today don't have a traditional job,” he said.
For more information on McGowan and his book, check out http://howtofindwork.ca.
So now you have to consider a 21st century-style resume
But what goes on it? We break down McGowan's tips:
Cover Letter:
- “One of the first things you talk about is what you can offer to help the company with,” said McGowan.
- This shows that you know about the company, you've clearly done research and you can show you have something to offer them.
Resume:
Profile
No “Career Objective” here which McGowan said is unnecessary.
Instead include a snappy paragraph (a few sentences) explaining who you are, your education, and sum up your skills to demonstrate what you have to offer.
Ex: “I am proficient in areas pertaining to communication through writing many press releases, setting up interviews with the media, which will help with your clients so-and-so ...”
Examples of Skills — Give concrete examples of where your skills have been applied successfully. Maybe you handled a big situation at an internship, or even a class project that received a lot of kudos from your department — as long as it pertains to the company's mandate.
Brief summary of work experience — Include companies websites.
Education — Can include anything outside formal education as well.
Get creative in your presentation.
McGowan recommends doing a brochure where on one side you ask rhetorical questions pertaining to the company and on the flipside you answer them giving examples of your experiences and skills.
Gone are the days of blindly sending out your generic cover letter and resume to a list of companies you blithely Googled.
It's the twenty-first century — time to get creative.
Ron McGowan, author of How to Find Work in the 21st Century, says students, graduates and general job-hunters need to get over their fears of self-promotion and put in a little grunt work to get the positions they want.
First, students should stop focusing so much on advertised jobs — like the ones in the paper or online because the reality is that 80 per cent of employment opportunities are not advertised, said McGowan. Furthermore, as much as a full-time job would be ideal, job-seekers should not discount the advantages of part-time or contract work as a great way to get your foot in the door of a company.
Secondly, throw tradition out the window.
“There's too much emphasis on resumes,” he said.
“There are new tools.”
New tools don't mean things like Youtube videos, however. “Right now a lot of employers won't even look at things like Youtube videos,” said McGowan, adding that most of the videos seem “amateur-ish.”
It is time for the twenty-first century resume — one that's all about tailoring, to the employer.
“Get over being uncomfortable marketing yourself,” he explained. “Approach employers in a way that sends a message (that shows) something about you, (your) skill set and here's how I can help you (the employer).”
Here's where the tailoring comes in. Your one page — McGowan recommends this length regardless of how much experience you have — resume should almost be more about the company you're applying to than you. Research their style, figure out what they've done that you like — whether it's a product or service — and include that in your resume along with how you can help with these aspects of the company and their overall goals. And don't forget to seem passionate.
“Never discount the power of being enthusiastic ... but not coming across as phony,” said McGowan.
He adds that besides finding companies online, networking is obviously another way to find leads on jobs. But beware the traditional method.
“Most so-called networking events are a waste of time,” said McGowan. “Most of the people there are looking for work.”
He recommends getting involved in a professional association related to your field of work, volunteer for events for them or get involved at an executive level. “That's what networking is about.”
Another piece of advice when surveying the job market? Don't discount the little guy.
“Most of the opportunities are with small companies (and) when I say small, I mean small,” he said.
Finally, don't get discouraged if you don't have the same kind of stable job your parents may have, said McGowan.
“Most workers in Canada today don't have a traditional job,” he said.
For more information on McGowan and his book, check out http://howtofindwork.ca.
So now you have to consider a 21st century-style resume
But what goes on it? We break down McGowan's tips:
Cover Letter:
- “One of the first things you talk about is what you can offer to help the company with,” said McGowan.
- This shows that you know about the company, you've clearly done research and you can show you have something to offer them.
Resume:
Profile
No “Career Objective” here which McGowan said is unnecessary.
Instead include a snappy paragraph (a few sentences) explaining who you are, your education, and sum up your skills to demonstrate what you have to offer.
Ex: “I am proficient in areas pertaining to communication through writing many press releases, setting up interviews with the media, which will help with your clients so-and-so ...”
Examples of Skills — Give concrete examples of where your skills have been applied successfully. Maybe you handled a big situation at an internship, or even a class project that received a lot of kudos from your department — as long as it pertains to the company's mandate.
Brief summary of work experience — Include companies websites.
Education — Can include anything outside formal education as well.
Get creative in your presentation.
McGowan recommends doing a brochure where on one side you ask rhetorical questions pertaining to the company and on the flipside you answer them giving examples of your experiences and skills.
