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Job Application Resources

Job Application Resources There are several steps involved in applying for jobs. This section includes information on résumés, cover letters and preparing for an interview.

Everyone who wants to work in Canada needs a Social Isurance Number (SIN). A SIN is a nine-digit number used to access Canadian government programs. Newcomers can apply for a SIN when they arrive in Canada. To apply, visit the Getting a Social Insurance Number section. The Canadian SIN card is often compared the Green Card in the United States.

Develop a Résumé

In Canada, a résumé is an important tool in the job search process. A résumé tells an employer who you are, what you have done in the past, what your qualifications are, and why you want the job. Understanding Canadian-style résumés can help you prepare a great résumé.

Canadian-style résumés include information under headings like Personal Information, Job Goal, Related Skills, Education, Work Experience, Duties, Additional Experience, Interests/Activities, References. Below are details about what each section should include:

Personal Information

name - your full name, typed in a larger font;
address - your address, written out in full;
telephone - your home phone number with area code, and a contact number for messages if you don't have an answering machine.

Job Goal

In one sentence, describe your job goal. This tells the employer exactly what type of work you're looking for. Try to link your job goal to the job you're applying for.

Related Skills

List the special abilities and skills that relate to the job you're applying for. You can use skills from paid or unpaid work, volunteer experience, and even hobbies. You likely have more skills than you think, even if you've never worked at a job like the one you're applying for.

Education

List your education, starting with the most recent diploma or training course. Include the name and city or town of each school you attended (secondary and beyond), the type of programs you took, your areas of interest, and the years you completed. List your certificates or diplomas, including those for mini-courses like a computer or software course, first-aid, small engine repair, or any other training that might be useful to the job you want.

Work Experience

List the companies or organizations where you worked or volunteered. Be sure to include where they are located (cities and provinces), and the dates (month, year) you worked.

Duties

Outline the type of tasks you carried out, starting from the one that took most of your time, or involved the most responsibility. List no more than five duties for each job.

Additional Experience and Skills

Use this section to include information about languages you speak, software programs you know, and other abilities that relate to the job. If there is a lot of information, break it into separate sections with specific headings. The point is to get everything into your résumé so that it shows why you are the right person for the job.

Interests/Activities

Briefly outline a few of your interests and activities that demonstrate something about you. Be sure to mention achievements or awards you may have received. If you have volunteer experience, make sure you put it in.

References

Do not include the names of referenced people in your résumé, but you should have them ready. Think carefully about who can act as references, and ask them if it's okay to give their names. Type the names, addresses, and phone numbers of up to three references on a separate piece of paper that matches your résumé.

Keep your reference list up to date, so that you will be fresh in the minds of the people on it. If you can, give your references an idea of the type of job you are applying for and, whenever possible, let them know when you think an employer will be calling them, so they can be available and will have some time to think about what to say.

If you want assistance on writing your résumé, visit Service Canada's Jobs and Careers

Web site.

Writing a Cover Letter

A cover letter acts as your introduction with a potential employer. A cover letter complements a résumé. A concise, well-written cover letter can make a good first impression.

It pays to take time to learn about the company or organization you are applying to. If your cover letter is tailored to the company and the job, you will show the employer how interested you are.

Cover Letter - Helpful Hints

Refer to the job that you are interested in. If there is a competition number, write it down.
Address your letter to the appropriate contact person, either the employer or a human resources officer. Use their name and title. Double-check the spelling. If the ad doesn't supply a contact, phone and get the right name. Never assume a person is male or female based on a first name – check it out!
Mention how you heard about the job (job posting, newspaper article, or word of mouth).
Refer to what the company does and how your skills, abilities and experience can be a valuable addition to their team.
Make sure the employer knows what action to take: will you call the employer or should the employer call you, and when?
Provide your name, phone number and address.
Keep your letter to one page. Type or print it on good-quality, standard letter paper.
Proofread your letter, and ask someone else to read it as well. Correct the errors, and print a clean copy.
E-mail, mail or hand-deliver your cover letter and résumé. Keep a copy for your files, and note the date that it was sent out.
Allow plenty of time for delivery. Don't wait until the day before a deadline.

You can learn more about writing cover letters by visiting Service Canada's Jobs and Careers

Web site.

Prepare for Interviews

An employer will often interview several qualified applicants for a job. An interview can be a simple, informal meeting between you and your potential employer, or it can be a formal interview with set questions and answers. Learn about, and prepare for, the Canadian interview process.

Getting ready is a big part of your interview. Preparing includes getting to know more about the company and the job, and being able to explain how you are qualified and why you should be hired. To help you study, be sure you have a “statement of qualifications” or a basic job description. If you do not have one from when you first applied for the job, ask the person who is arranging your interview for a copy.

Preparing for the interview... know the job and the organization

When you wrote your cover letter and résumé, you likely did some research about the company and the job. Review it now. Answer these questions in your research:

What does the employer or company do?
What's involved in the position you're applying for?
What qualifications do you need for the position?
What skills is the employer looking for?
Who are the customers or clients?
What kind of reputation does the employer have?

You will be more comfortable in the interview if you are familiar with the company and the position you are applying for.

Think ahead – planning is essential

When you are contacted about an interview, you can ask about the following:

if there will be any test or written assignment as part of the interview process
how many people will be present during the interview

In preparing for your interview, plan and rehearse answers to potential interview questions. It may be useful to memorize your training, skills and experience, and be ready to answer questions on what you did and how you did it.

Confirm the scheduled interview time and arrive early. Find out ahead of time where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Drive or travel the route a day or two ahead, at the same time of day as you will on the day of the interview. Set aside at least an hour for the interview.

What to take to the interview

Carry a folder or envelope containing:

a copy of your résumé for each interviewer (this is why you asked ahead how many people would be present);
copies of your reference list;
paper and a pen, so you can jot down the interviewer's name, the time of any future interview, or other information you might need later;
copies of letters of recommendation, if you have any.

Before the interview begins

Here are some suggestions to help succeed in an interview before it starts.

Greet the interviewer or panel members. Introduce yourself, and shake hands firmly, without crushing anyone's fingers. Smile. A sincere smile will help to put you, and the interviewer, at ease. Stand until you're invited to sit down.
Let the interviewer or panel members take the lead and set the tone. Make eye contact, and answer the questions in a firm, clear, confident voice. Relax and sit naturally, but don't slouch in your chair or lean on the interviewer's desk. Be prepared to tell the interviewer more about your education, training and skills, work experience, and the personality traits that make you right for the job.
ask for more explanation if you don't understand a question. It's better to ask for clarification if you are unsure than to answer inappropriately. Keep a positive attitude.
At some point in the interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. This is where your research and preparation pays off. Have a couple of questions prepared that show you are interested and informed about the company, or ask for more detailed information about the position you're applying for.

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression

After the interview

After an interview, you may have to wait days or weeks to hear if you were successful. What can you do in the meantime? First, write a letter to the interviewers thanking them for taking the time to interview you. Restate your interest in the job and remind them of your qualifications. This gives you yet another opportunity to sell yourself and make a good impression. If possible, mail the letter the same day as your interview.

Next, spend some time going over the interview in your mind. Consider what you feel worked and what did not. What would you say or do differently the next time? This will help you learn from each interview experience.

If the employer is supposed to call you on a certain day, be available to take the call. If you are not called at the specified time, make a follow-up call. If you have agreed to call the employer back, be sure to do it on the agreed-upon day. If you did not make any arrangements, and you have not heard from the employer in about two weeks, call to find out the status of the hiring process. If you find out you did not get the job, you can ask why. "Can you tell me what would have made me a better candidate for the position?" Ask if the employer knows of any other job openings in your line of work. Always thank the employer or personnel manager for considering you. Be professional and polite. Even if you don't get this job, you never know when the employer may be hiring again.

You can learn more about interviews by visiting Service Canada's Jobs and Careers

Web site.

Source: Service Canada (2007). Looking for a Job Guide retrieved August 2007 from http://www.youth.gc.ca

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