Build Your Skills

• Keep content to 1 page maximum
• Make your cover letter brief
• Highlight a few key points about yourself, the rest will be covered in your resume and interview
• Include your interest in the position and/or knowledge of company
• When possible, include the name of the manager or supervisor when addressing the cover letter

Writing an effective resume is a seriously important skill. It can make or break your chance at getting an interview for a job you really want, no matter how perfect you are for the role.

• Keep content to 2 pages maximum
• Include bullet points to keep content easy to skim
• Don’t use a generic resume for several employers – include the specific skills they are looking for
• Only list relevant information to the job – don’t include your DZ drivers licence for an office role
• Spell check!

Still unsure about what to do next? We have teamed up with resume.com to make resume writing easier. Check out different industry resumes, formatting and layouts to find the best option for you, by following this link https://www.resume.com/nipissing

A video resume is a short video created by you and uploaded to the internet or emailed to a hiring manager.  You share detailed information about your skills and experiences for employment purposes.

• There are different styles: candidate talking to the camera, animated, whiteboard, stop-motion, etc.
• Keep it professional, as this is a marketing tool.
• Prepare what you want to say.  You are pitching yourself, what you can bring to the organization, your goals, skills, work history and accomplishments.
• Be creative.  Think outside of the box, be unique and be yourself.
• Keep the video between 30-90 seconds.  Remember attention spans are short and this is your elevator pitch.
• Seek feedback from those you trust and make edits accordingly.

This is an optional tool for you.  For those folks looking to break into visual or creative fields, this can be a valuable tool to highlight your skills and personality.  This can include, but is not limited to acting, teaching, presenting, client facing roles, etc.

If the role you are applying to is not overly visual, then really think about if this would be beneficial or not. 

• Always include a cover letter, even if they don’t ask for one
• Use the job title or reference number in your email subject line, and in the body of your email, include your name and what documents you have attached
• Follow the instructions exactly
• Send applications electronically in a format that can be universally opened

• Prepare for an interview by doing some practice questions with a friend or family
• Arrive no more than 15 minutes early for an interview
• Always dress professionally
• Research the organization and role expectations
• Prepare a few questions of your own for the employer
• Do not bring up salary in the first interview