Resumes Kingston

Resumes Kingston Jane Lambert of Resumes Kingston is skilled resume writer and Career Counsellor. She uses practical There is no charge for the initial meeting.

As a Certified Life Skills Coach, Jane Lambert uses practical methods to help people navigate the Labour Market; to set goals and find the work that they want. She specializes in creating highly effective resumes and cover letters designed get the employer's attention and and interview for the client. Jane offers an opportunity to meet to discuss your needs so that she can determine how she can help you. Call to set up an appointment to meet with Jane: (613) 531-3632.

Interview preparation can make the difference between getting the job or not.
08/31/2022

Interview preparation can make the difference between getting the job or not.

06/03/2021

JOBS IN THE TIME OF COVID (AND BEYOND)

As most people know by now, the COVID virus took a heavy toll on jobs worldwide. Many jobs came to an end almost as soon as the pandemic arrived and many people had their hours reduced, only to lose their job later. Things looked bleak for job seekers, and they were.

At the time, I thought it might be a long time before some jobs returned. However, I innately knew that eventually jobs would be created BECAUSE of COVID. I didn’t know what, but I knew they would come. And as I suspected, I started to receive requests for help with job applications that reflected the new Labour Market. I assisted with applications to both the pharmaceutical industry and COVID vaccine programs and nursing. Clearly, these jobs are a direct result of the impact of COVID.

However, for those who are not able to fill COVID related jobs it is a different story. Many people have found that the jobs that they aspire to are not available right now. And, of course, there are a lot of qualified people seeking the jobs that are available, so the competition if strong.

If you had very clear plans of what type of job you would like to get, or what kind of place you might be working, you may have to re-think this. To those people, I recommend that they take a second look at jobs that are available right now. Depending on how badly you need a job, you may need to look at jobs that are not your first choice. Open up your search and see what else is out there. You may need to consider taking a job that pays less or that is not aligned with your long term goals. You can continue to look for jobs more suited to your needs and apply when the time comes.

If there is a lesson in here for all of us, it is that the Labour Market is directly affected by events in the world and other trends. It’s a hard lesson to learn. The key to career survival during this time is openness and flexibility. You never know where the road may lead. Keep your focus on the road ahead and what opportunities may arise in the future.

10/16/2017

To Apply or Not To Apply, That is the Question!

I am always happy to help someone move on with their career. In fact, I consider it an honour to be allowed to help others achieve their career goals by writing cover letters and resumes to market them to employers.

Recently I have encountered several people who have asked me to help them apply for jobs. On reading the job posting I discovered that they were lacking one or more of the qualifications or credentials required to qualify for the job. In many cases the person wishing to apply could very likely do the job, with a little training. However, without the actual qualifications their chances of getting an interview are slim to none. In these instances, I usually suggest that the person NOT apply for the job.

The current Labour Market is already very challenging and difficult to maneuver. Competition for jobs is fierce. For some positions the number of applicants can be in the hundreds, many of whom will possess the needed qualifications to meet the requirements as stated in the job posting.

We know that some employers use scanning software to “read” resumes and cover letters. These programs are designed to search for words and phrases that reflect employers’ needs. If these words or phrases are not picked up by the scanning software, no human ever reads the application.
This means that it is really important to make sure that you have most of the skills, qualifications and credentials that the employer is looking for and that they be well represented in your cover letter and your resume. My rule of thumb is that an applicant should have at least 75% - 80% of the qualifications, and if they do, it is worth taking a chance and applying.

I can’t overstate the importance of addressing the employer’s needs in both your cover letter and your resume. Some people seem to think that only the resume needs to demonstrate the necessary skills and qualifications. Others assume that employers read the cover letter first and so it must have the relevant information. From my first-hand research, I have discovered that many people in Human Resources prefer to read either the resume or the cover letter first. If they don’t like the first document, they often don’t read the other. What this means is that both the cover letter and the resume must offer the employer something to peak their interest.

If you are considering applying for a job, my advice is to read the job posting VERY carefully, almost word for word. Determine if you meet most of the requirements of the position as outlined by the job posting. Once you have determined that you meet a very high percentage of the requirements, then, go for it!

By that I mean that you should write a resume and cover letter designed to meet as many of the criteria outlined in the job posting as possible. Make sure that you demonstrate what skills you have, how you have used them, what results you have achieved and how you have made a difference to your current or past employers. Leave no stone unturned in your effort to get noticed.
I tend to think of the resume and cover letter as real estate. Use as much of your paper real estate to clearly demonstrate why the employer should give you an interview.

For me, there is no middle ground in job applications. Either make a comprehensive, well thought out application, or save your time, energy and effort and DON’T APPLY!

04/27/2017

The Wisdom of Eddie the Eagle

I recently watched the movie Eddie the Eagle on Netflix, the story of Michael "Eddie" Edwards, a ski jumper who represented Great Britain at the 1988 winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. He was the first ski jumping competitor to represent Great Britain in the Olympics since 1929 and the only member of his team. Eddie finished 73rd out of 73 competitors in both the 70 metre and 90 metre jumps. So, why would anybody make a movie about someone who finished last?

I remember Eddie and his appearance at the Olympics. Although he did not win he became a symbol for doing your best and having a positive attitude. He became a beacon of positivity and a joy to watch. In the end, he was possibly the most revered participant at the Olympics that year.

According to the movie, Eddie wore leg brace as a child and also endured and overcame many barriers on his way to the Olympics. Almost everyone told Eddie to give up on his dream of going to the Olympics.

When people told him he couldn’t do it, he kept going. When people told him he couldn’t go, he just kept saying that he was going. When the British Olympic committee raised the distance necessary to qualify for the Olympics, in hopes of eliminating him, Eddie tried harder. In spite of all odds, and in the face of all obstacles, Eddie persevered.

Obviously, Eddie will not go down in history as a great ski jumper, but he will be remembered for his tenacity, his willingness to keep trying and his undeniable positive attitude. When Eddie did what others considered a terrible jump, Eddie chose to focus on the fact that he had set a new British record.

In my mind, we can all learn something from Eddie the Eagle. Too many people put forward the least amount of effort possible and then bemoan the fact that they have failed. Sometimes people only try once and then determine that the world is against them. Instead of listening to their inner voice and their own self-knowledge, they listen to the voices of those who tell them that they can’t.

I have seen this many times, mostly in people’s approach to their life and their career. They put forth a half hearted effort. They can’t be bothered to update their skills to stay competitive. They can’t be bothered to make a resume specifically for the job they want. They can’t be bothered to go out and talk to people and find out how to move themselves and their career forward. Then when they fail, they see themselves as victims of the system or the Labour Market.

Recently, Eddie returned to Calgary to mark the 25th anniversary of his Olympic glory. Waiting for him were some children who had seen the movie and knew Eddie’s reputation. They saw him as an inspiration and a role model. To them, Eddie was a hero.

What would happen if we all put forth our best effort and just kept trying to do our best? What would happen if we had a positive attitude and projected a positive attitude out into the world? What would happen if we kept going towards a goal, towards a job, towards a life? You may only find out if you follow the wisdom of Eddie. Just jump!

02/25/2016

Job Interviews for Introverts

I was recently asked to coach a self-professed introvert to prepare for a job interview. She had been very successful at getting interviews, but spectacularly unsuccessful at answering interview questions. Job interviews can be a formidable challenge for introverts.

I use the theories of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to help introverts understand the challenges that they face in interviews and how to overcome them. According to Myers-Briggs theory, introverts prefer to think things over before answering questions. In fact, they sometimes need quite a long time to think things over before they feel comfortable speaking. This preference can put an introvert at a great disadvantage for job interviews.

So, what can introverts do to be successful at job interviews?

The key to successful interviewing for introverts is research and preparation. That is true for everyone, but it’s particularly important for introverts. Introverts must do some research to try to determine the kinds of questions they might be asked in an interview. Once they have some idea what kind of questions there might be, they can take their time to think about them and prepare their answers.

One way to research is to read the mission and vision statements of the company. These may provide insight into the culture of the organization which is a clue to what they are looking for. Reading the job posting very carefully will also help in determining the kinds of questions that may be asked. Obviously the potential employer will want to know how the applicant will perform in the job and will ask questions accordingly.

What the employer is hoping to find out is how your past experience provides you with the ability to do the job. Your task in the interview is to communicate how your past experience, your knowledge and your skills will be a benefit for the job and the company.

Think back to events in your work and life where you have overcome some challenges, made the work simpler or had a positive impact. Think of as many of these situations as possible. Then for each scenario, construct a short story to demonstrate what you did and how you did it and, most importantly the successful outcome that you achieved. For some, it might be helpful to first write their answers to the questions and then practice saying them out loud. It is sometimes helpful to do this in front of a mirror to see how you look when you are speaking. Body language and non-verbal communication are almost as important as the answer you give.

Thankfully, there is a structure that is helpful for those wanting to convey their success by telling a story. It’s the STAR method. If you use this method, you will be able to communicate not only what you did, but also how successful you were. Remember, employers are interested in success.

Here’s how the STAR method works.

The STAR Technique for Answering Interview Questions
S/T- Situation/ Task
A-Action
R- Result/ Relevance

This technique will ensure you answer all aspects of the question you've been asked.
Interview Question: Tell me about a time when you had to explain detailed information to someone.

STEP 1: Think of a story you can tell to illustrate the example.

STEP 2: Start by describing the situation and the task you were assigned ~ Situation and Task
Situation/Task – Working in Laboratory Services at the University of Guelph, there were often visiting researchers who needed to have detailed protocols explained before they were allowed into the labs. In the past, the researchers were given a 10-minute tour.
STEP 3 - Talk about the action you took that illustrates the skill you've been asked about ~ Action
Action – To ensure consistency, I developed a comprehensive one-page document that was reviewed with each researcher in addition to the tour. They had to read and sign the document before being allowed into the labs.
STEP 4 - Explain how it turned out and how it relates to the job ~ Result ~ Relevance
Result – Since implementing the system the information that needed to be communicated was always available, and we thereby decreased safety violations by 20%. As well, the system was made more efficient because now anyone working in the lab can administer the procedure to visiting researchers.
Relevance – I found a way to ensure detailed information was more clearly understood, and lab safety was increased. If I am the successful candidate, I would assess current communication procedures to determine if more efficient methods could be implemented.________________________________________Tips
• Think about stories that illustrate your competence and skill.
• Don’t try to “wing it” during the interview, be prepared with examples.
• Be specific and use STAR.
• Don’t give the employer an “I usually ...” answer. Give them a specific example of a situation where you can demonstrate the skill.
• Talk about your role in the story – what action did YOU take. The story should focus around you – not your supervisor or co-workers.
• The bulk of the answer should focus on the results and relevance to the position.

JL

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03/25/2015

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Why not take a risk? Staying the course is not always the best strategy.
02/03/2015

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01/05/2015

The trend for 2015 - TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT!

It's a new year. Is it time for a new job?

11/25/2014

If you’re a good (or even just halfway decent) manager or leader then you probably already know most of this, but it is worthwhile to remind ourselves of them now and again. Enough with the

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