It's competitive out there!

Oil is up, the Canadian dollar is up, real estate is up, which means jobs are up! But, right now the candidate competition level is up too. For the last nine months or so there were a multitude of layoffs and hiring freezes, and the Want Ads were empty. Now, the job market is creeping up, slowly mind you, but going in the right direction at least. The candidate pool is up also, as those laid off in the past nine months are now looking for work, along with all the recent graduates.

The candidates today must be able to differentiate themselves from the stack of competitors. Finding work will take some planning and thought. Job Seekers should think like a boss, and try to determine what the employer would want in a candidate, on paper and in person.

On a resume and cover letter, an employer will want simple, error-free, and personal information. There will be a stack of resumes on the hiring manager’s desk, so they will want the important information quickly. The paperwork must be perfect; no mistakes of any kind. The information must also be truthful; employers are finding out when someone is lying. On the cover letter, personal information that is relevant to the job opportunity and the employer is crucial. This is where a candidate with the same credentials as others can stand out. If possible, include proof of what is stated on paper such as education, reference letters, or samples of work done, to make it easy for the hiring manager to see your qualifications. Do not list birth date, marital status, or social insurance information, but do put something unique which will be of benefit to the company.

If an interview is granted, the basic rules still stand, which actually does differentiate candidates. Being on time, remembering the name of the person doing the interview, and dressing appropriately for the job are all important. Smile, make good eye contact, be confident, and know what the company and job opportunity are all about. Take notes in the interview and ask some questions. Notice the environment and pay attention to the interviewer. Then, follow up in some way. Send an email, drop off a note, or make a call to thank the interviewer and remind him or her why you should be remembered. All this will help to differentiate one candidate from another. Simple, perfect, and personal!