There are many different ways to stand out from the pack when you apply for a job. “Once, I received a shoe box that contained artifacts,” said Paule Bellegarde, human resources manager at Hill & Knowlton Canada. “It included a letter explaining that these were all qualities — it got the person an interview.”
Sandra Upeslacis, manager of talent retention and acquisition for National Public Relations, said: “I got a few resumés submitted by email that included links to videos on YouTube. The best videos were about two to three minutes and had testimonials from professors (and) previous employers, and the person came on at the end and explained why they’d be a great addition to the company.”
While Bellegarde and Upeslacis admired the unique efforts, both said it wasn’t enough to land the candidates a job.
Most important: a cover letter and resumé that are clear, concise and a perfect match to the job description. Here’s a checklist. Your cover letter and resumé should include:
Perfect spelling and grammar
“The worst thing is when they spell my name wrong, or the company’s name wrong. I’m in the communications business and you need to be able to express yourself well,” said Upeslacis.
Organized structure
Bellegarde said that it’s important to list chronology. “You should be able to see the person’s history. If you have a degree, put the date you graduated. And under each position, there should be three or four bullets of accomplishments.”
Clarity of information
“If something was a summer job, say so. Don’t call yourself a seasoned professional if you have one internship under your belt,” said Upeslacis.
TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s online career resource for students and recent grads.
