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BCjobs Blog

MichaelHoward

Posts by MichaelHoward:

November 2nd, 2011

How to Build Trust with Your Resume

How to Build Trust with Your Resume

Most job-seekers like to list skills on their resume. In fact, most experts suggest listing skills on your resume. The problem with simply including a skill set is that the reader has no reason to believe you. You could say that you’re an expert in hiring, training, sales management, payroll control, visual presentation, and loss prevention, but that doesn’t mean the reader will trust you just because you say it. That’s why it’s important to back up those statements with proof in the way of accomplishments.

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July 20th, 2011

How to show temp work on a resume

How to show temp work on a resume

Temporary jobs have become very common in today’s world. Some people work temp jobs in between permanent ones, while others choose temp work for the long-term because they enjoy the flexibility and diversity it can offer. Either way, there are two important reasons to showcase these positions effectively on your resume – you want potential employers to see how valuable that experience was, but you don’t want to be seen as a job-hopper.

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April 12th, 2011

How to Apply in Person

How to Apply in Person

Although applying for entry-level jobs online through email or company websites is becoming more common, many employers still allow you to apply in person. This may include such businesses as retail stores, restaurants, movie theatres, and gas stations. If you do apply in person, consider the following list of DOs and DON’Ts.

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February 17th, 2011

Why now is a great time to find a job

Why now is a great time to find a job

It has been a tough couple of years for BC job seekers. The downturn resulted in an unstable job market with many wishful workers unemployed or underemployed in part time or temporary roles. The past year has seen moderate growth and employers are hopeful that this trend will continue through 2011. So why is now a good time to find a job you might ask?

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February 16th, 2011

Resume profile/summary/objective: what to include?

Resume profile/summary/objective: what to include?

Resume writing has finally reached the point where almost all professional resume writers, and many job-seekers, realize the futility of old-fashioned objective statements like the following:
OBJECTIVE: To secure a full-time position with opportunities for advancement in a nonprofit organization that prides itself on excellent public service.
Telling the reader what you want instead of what you have to offer was a failed formula from the start. Now common practice is to use a headline at the top of your resume followed by a profile paragraph.

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January 5th, 2011

Don’t forget the big picture

Don't forget the big picture

Past employment experience is usually the most significant section of a resume, and therefore it’s important not to leave the reader guessing. Most job-seekers like to “zoom in” by describing duties and responsibilities, highlighting achievements, and listing awards and formal recognition. There is nothing wrong with that (achievements are particularly essential on a resume). However, it’s equally important to “zoom out” and look at the big picture of each position.

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November 30th, 2010

Know your key selling features

Know your key selling features

If you are applying for an advertised job, what important qualifications are they looking for? If you meet those requirements, those will be your key selling features. However, if you are targeting employers that haven’t advertised any positions, then you have to decide what you think will be most important to them.

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November 3rd, 2010

Cover letters – are they necessary?

Cover letters - are they necessary?

I’ve been following a recent discussion on an email list about the need for cover letters, and it’s caused me to think about the evolution of cover letters and resumes. Here is what I see. Most resumes are at least 2 pages long (although I believe 95% of them should be shorter than they are), and so we are accustomed to seeing a summary section in the top half of the first page. This profile usually highlights the candidate’s key qualifications for the job they are targeting.

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