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BCjobs Blog

Job Search Advice

October 26th, 2011

10 Steps To a Smooth Start in a New Job

10 Steps To a Smooth Start in a New Job

It’s scary starting a new job. For some, the first day is preceded by a pitiful night’s sleep leaving the
apprehensive newbie groggy rather than laser-focused. And then there are those who leap in in a blaze of
glory to prove themselves worthy … and step on toes along the way, which leads to the need for damage
control! Is there a better way to start a new job?

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October 20th, 2011

Does Your Resume Sell Your Key Skills?

Does Your Resume Sell Your Key Skills?

Does your resume or online profile tell the world all about you? Does it sell your skills? Are you using key words that help it stand out in a search? Have you defined your brand? If not, now is the time to do it.
I put my website into a tool called Wordle, which creates word pictures based on key words.

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October 5th, 2011

Staying Motivated Even During the Downtime

Staying Motivated Even During the Downtime

How do you handle rejection in the job search? Do you need some down-time so that you can recoup your energy in order to refocus your job hunt? Staying motivated to push past the WALL of rejection is hard, but as long distance runners know, a lot of the motivation is mind over matter.

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September 27th, 2011

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. Underwhelming for some, unnecessary hyperbole for others, but what does it really mean for the BC economy and job creation? Will it be enough to protect the province from the downward slope plaguing our southern neighbours or the Eurozone crisis and rumours of another recession?
Last week Christy Clark toured the province sharing her plans for job creation as BC looks to cope with and even possibly grow in today’s economic environment. She has been criticized for proposing mild measures, some would say incapable of firmly steering the province in the right direction as well as missing some sectors and regions. Clark has labeled BC a ‘safe port in an unsettled economic storm’, but what does this really mean? Let’s look at the key areas of the Plan.

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September 21st, 2011

Resume Language

Resume Language

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”- Philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein

So very true. Isn’t it remarkable how so few words capture so much meaning?
As is my way, I can absolutely relate this quote to career management. How (the question begs to be asked) is the language of your resume working for you?
If you’ve saturated your resume with “provided, assisted, or even managed,” might I suggest that you have some work to do?

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September 14th, 2011

Be Interview Savvy: How to Ask Critical Interview Questions

Be Interview Savvy: How to Ask Critical Interview Questions

You just landed an interview. You’re excited. You’re nervous. And, your head is full of questions about how to come across as the perfect candidate: What should I wear? What should I say? What are the frequently asked interview questions are they may throw at me?
Most of these first questions revolve around marketing yourself to the company and answering the question, “What does an employer expect in an interview?” But, hang on a second. Take a moment and remember, it’s also important to use the interview process to answer the most important question of all: Is this the job I want?

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September 1st, 2011

Employment Resource Centres: Helping you with your job search

Employment Resource Centres: Helping you with your job search

Are you looking for work? If you are like thousands of people across B.C., your local Employment Resource Centre offers tools and resources that can help you succeed in your job search. Employment Resource Centres are funded by the Province of British Columbia, and services are provided at no cost to you.

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August 31st, 2011

Time to Replace Your Objective Statement

Time to Replace Your Objective Statement

With increasing regularity, job seekers draft a résumé with an opening “objective statement” section without realizing this can be a turn-off to employers. Objective statements, by definition, are a declaration of what you want out of your next position. Think, “A stable position with room for advancement”. However, employers rarely hire an applicant based on what the applicant wants, but rather based on what the applicant offers.

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August 24th, 2011

Apply the Scientific Method to Your Job Search

Apply the Scientific Method to Your Job Search

When was the last time you heard someone whine “I’ve sent out 200 resumes and I haven’t gotten one call.” Probably yesterday just before that person started sending out the next 200.
It’s odd how people resist analyzing an unproductive job search with hard questions. If you are sending out resumes by the dozens and checking your phone to see if the battery has died, try applying a few questions. Science would be nowhere if scientists insisted on redoing the same experiment 200 times, wishing for a particular result.

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July 27th, 2011

The 5 Ws of Online Portfolios and How to Do It!

The 5 Ws of Online Portfolios and How to Do It!

Who: While portfolios have traditionally been used by creative professionals — artists, photographers, marketers, advertisers and designers — the rise of web communication and social media has brought online portfolios into the mainstream. For those looking for their first break or simply aiming to stand out from the crowd, upping the ante on your job search toolbox may make the difference.

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