How To: Apply for a Job Via Email

How to Write a Job Application Via Email

Some employers accept job applications through email, mostly seen on the Canadian Job Bank website. In this blog post we will share how to professionally apply for a job via email.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED

When composing your email application, you should ensure the following are included:

  • A detailed subject line.
  • A professional greeting and closing.
  • The employer’s name.
  • The position you are applying for (match the job post).
  • The reason you are writing, and highlight your related experience and qualifications.
  • Your full name and contact information.
  • Attach your resume, cover letter, and any other requested documents.

The subject line should be detailed and precise. Hiring departments receive a lot of emails in a day, make sure yours stands out and makes it easy to filter applications. Clearly state your name and the exact job title you are applying for.

The greeting should be welcoming, for example: “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear *Name of Contact*” or just “Greetings”. The greeting should not be: “Dear Sir/Ma’am” or one or the other, or “Hi” or “Hey”.

In the first paragraph, address the employer, the position you are applying for, and where you found the job post. When you reference the position being applied for, make sure to match the job posting exactly. If there is no job title in your email, the employer will likely not spend time reading your application to find out. If the job title does not match the post, they will assume you did not take the time to read the post, which can negatively effect your search.

The next paragraph, should include why you are writing the application. The rest of the paragraph depends on whether a cover letter was required or not. If the cover letter was required in the application, then this can be a brief overview of your experience and qualifications. If a cover letter was not required, then you can provide details on your related experiences and what you can bring to the organization.

Lastly, close the email by thanking them for reading and considering your email, mention your attachments (resume, cover letter, anything else), and state how to reach you best. Then use a polite and professional closing statement such as “Sincerely” or “Regards” or “Cordially”.

TIPS
  • Read through the email a few times before sending. Check for grammar, spelling, correct employer and job information. All too common job seekers copy paste their applications and forget to change the information.
  • Make sure your resume and other attachments are included. Your files should be either PDF or Word format, and should all match. Ie. if your resume is PDF so should the other attachments.
  • Keep it professional and personal, make sure to include information from the job description to show that you read and understand what the employer is looking for.
  • Avoid repeating sentences or phrases in the attached resume or cover letter. Sometimes job seekers get lazy and use the same information from their cover letters in the email. Make it different so that the employer can better grasp your qualifications.
  • Avoid personal closings such as “Best Wishes” or “Always” or “Take Care”.
  • Avoid slang and religious greetings/closings (ie. “God Bless”).

How To: Write a Job Post

How to Write an Effective Job Post

An appealing job post is vital in the recruitment process. If there is too much text, no spaces, and no titles, a job seeker will likely not spend time reading it. An effective job post has an introduction to the company and the position available, has clear titles for Job Duties / Responsibilities and Job Requirements. This way the job seeker can check their qualifications easily.

INTRODUCTION

A small introductory paragraph at the top of the job post can be used to introduce the company as well as the key information regarding the role. Write a short introduction to the company and give any details you want about the company ie. leader in industry, company culture, mission, vision, location, etc. Next, provide a summary of the position and give an overview of the responsibilities.

Make sure to include the work location, hours, schedule, and any work environment details. Wage is not required, but it is recommended to include. Additionally, adding the benefits available for the position can attract job seekers.

Do not have a lengthy introduction paragraph as the job seeker may become overwhelmed. Be specific when summarizing the position and target the reader, ie. “You will provide customer service and serve as the first impression for our office.”

JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Next, have a heading to clearly state this section, after have bullet points on the responsibilities. If it is a block of text, job seekers are less likely to take the time to read it. For an example of both refer below. As you can see, the first example is clear and easy to read for the job seeker to see their fit.

Job Duties:

  • Provide excellent customer service.
  • Serve as the first impression for the office.
  • Answer phone calls and emails, relay information.

vs.

In this position, you will provide excellent customer service, serve as the first impression for the office, and answer phone calls and emails, then relay information to the appropriate party.

It is good practice to be thorough, but it is not necessary to list duties that are not essential to the job. Try to keep points summarized and not ramble on. Outlining the important day-to-day activities of the role can help the job seeker understand the expected work activities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

The next part of a good job post is to outline the key requirements and qualifications that a job seeker should have. This can be requirements such as education, related work experience, personality traits, job specific experience (ie. software, certificates, etc.). A list similar to the one described above for Job Duties can be used here again. It is important to start off by listing the key requirements first, then you can mention personality and preferred skills. See the example below.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (or similar field).
  • 2 years of experience in an office environment.
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent writing and analytical skills.
  • Ability to multitask and adapt to a changing environment.

At the end of the job post you can share details of where to apply and what to include (ie. resume and cover letter). If you have an application deadline, state it here along with details on the next steps for your hiring process.

How To: Prepare for Interview

How To: Prepare for Interview

A job interview can be nerve-wracking for most people. We have created this blog post to help those job seekers be at ease and crush that job interview. In this blog post we will go over the prep work that should be done prior to your job interview.

PREP WORK

A job interview is something that you need to prepare for in advance. You need to set time to review the job description, research the company and their goals, understand the role that you applied for, reflect on your motivations, and prepare answers and questions.

The first step is to review the job description of the job you applied for. Remind yourself of what the company is looking for and how you fit in. Make sure you understand the duties and requirements to be able to explain how you can fulfill their needs and meet / exceed their expectations.

 

The next step is to research the company. Most employers will expect that you have done this and ask specific questions such as “Why did you choose to apply with us?” or “What do you know about us?” or “What interested you about this position and working with us?”. It is important to be specific in your answer. If you did not research and have a broad answer like “I am passionate about helping others and this jobs really connected with me.” It is likely you will not get the job. Employers are looking for specific answers like what about their culture, services, etc. excited you and made you want to apply.

 

Once you have researched the company and understand what they are looking for,  now you can prepare answers to common questions. Although it is impossible to know exactly what the employer will ask, you can research most common interview questions. For some examples, see below:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
  • What interests you about this role?
  • How do you handle stress in the workplace?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • How would your previous employer describe you?
  • Tell me about a time where you had a bad experience working in a team. How did you address the problems? How were the issues overcome?
  • Provide an example of a time where you showed leadership.

It is also common to have job-specific questions. For instance, interview questions would be vastly different when applying for an Early Childhood Educator compared to a Systems Administrator. You can conduct another search on interview questions for your role. You will find more specific questions related to your experiences and qualifications.

 

The last bit of prep work that a job seeker needs to do is to prepare three to five questions for the employer. Try to stay away from “What is the salary?” or “What are your benefits?” Although those are important, it is best not to ask in the first interview. Try to ask more specific questions like the following:

  • What are some qualities you look for in a successful employee?
  • What is your training program like?
  • Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?
  • What is your favourite thing about working with the company?
  • What are the biggest challenges someone in this position may face?

Once you have asked your three to five questions, it is nice to ask “What are the next steps?” That way you know what to expect following the interview.

We hope this can help you with your next job interview. If you need further assistance, contact us.

Good luck!

How To: Write a Cover Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter

A cover letter can assist you in your job search. A cover letter is used to introduce yourself and provide additional information on your qualifications to support your resume. The cover letter provides the opportunity for you to connect your resume to the job you are applying for. Unlike a resume, you can address yourself in first person because you are writing about yourself and what makes you the best fit for the job.

Cover letters should not be generic and should be altered to fit with every position you are applying for. Read the job description a few times to really understand what the company is looking for. Make sure to include some of the language and requirements in your cover letter to show that you have the qualifications for the position.

WHAT TO INCLUDE

There are seven things that should be included in your cover letter:

  • The date of applying
  • Your name and contact information 
  • The employer’s contact information
  • Introduction of yourself and your interest in the position
  • Your background and qualifications
  • How you think you are the best candidate, what sets you apart
  • Your signature
TOP OF COVER LETTER

The header of the cover letter should include your first and last name and contact information (phone number and email address). Below that should be the date you are applying in full text (ie. July 8th, 2022). After the date is where the information of the company you are applying to, this includes the name of the contact (if known), full company name, address, and phone number.

Once you have that set up, it is time to start writing your cover letter.

MAIN SECTION

The first thing you have to do is greet the reader, ie. Dear “Contact Name”, or Dear Hiring Manager, or To Whom it May Concern. Do not write Dear Sir/Madam or assume it is one of them. In Canada, it is not common to address someone by Sir or Madam/Ma’am.

Once you have included a greeting, you should write a short paragraph on introducing yourself and your interest in the position. It is common to also mention the exact job title and where you found the posting in this paragraph. Make sure to be enthusiastic about applying for the position and the possibility to work for that company.

The next paragraph can be longer which is a description of your relevant experience, achievements, and expertise. In this paragraph you can brag about yourself and what you have accomplished in your career so far. This is where reading the job description will come in handy. Mention the keywords and requirements in this section showing that you have the qualifications to do the job.

The last paragraph is short where you reiterate why you are best suited for the role. As well, you can state your interest in moving forward for an interview to discuss the role in more detail. Make sure to leave space after this paragraph for a salutation, ie. Sincerely, or All the Best, or Cheers. After the salutation put your signature then type your name below.

THINGS TO REMEMBER & TIPS
  • If your resume has a design and header, the cover letter should use the same formatting.
  • Lead with a strong opening sentence about your qualifications and what excites you about the position.
  • Focus on the future.
  • Share accomplishments that showcase your abilities.
  • Always proofread your documents before submitting.
  • Keep the text brief, a cover letter should not be longer than one page.
  • Never use casual text like “Hey” or contractions like “don’t” or “shouldn’t”.
  • Avoid general information, be specific about the position.
  • Avoid trying to be funny, it will not translate well.

How To: ECE Portfolio

How To: Create a Portfolio for Early Childhood Educators

A portfolio is a great way to distinguish yourself from other applicants when looking for a job as an Early Childhood Educator. In this blog post, I will outline best practices and what to include in your ECE Portfolio to help you get that job! The portfolio is a way to showcase your experience and abilities in addition to your resume. This provides visual evidence of your past work and how you interact with children.

DESIGN

It is a good idea to use colours and tabs to differentiate sections as well as add to the experience of looking at the portfolio. A blank white portfolio is boring, but also using too many patterns and colours can be overwhelming. There needs to be a balance of colour and space so the portfolio flows and is easy to look at. Consider the size of the portfolio to ensure that it is not too long. Make sure that the portfolio suitably represents yourself and your personality.

Clearly state on the first page that it is your portfolio, ie. Jessie’s Portfolio and include a picture of you in the classroom. Make sure that the picture focuses on you so that the employer knows what you look like.

On the second page, add a Table of Contents with either the corresponding colour tab or page number so an employer can directly see what they want to focus on.

INTRODUCTION TO YOURSELF

The first things that should be included in your portfolio are your resume and cover letter. Your resume should not be longer than 2 pages and your cover letter should only be 1 page. Make sure to address your cover letter to the organization you are applying for and add details in there that relate to the specific job you are applying for. It is good practice to reference the job posting and mention how you are the perfect fit for the job.

CERTIFICATES

Next, you should attach copies of your relevant certificates such as your BC Early Childhood Educator Certificate, Emergency Child First Aid and CPR Certificate, and your Food Safe Certificate. This will make it clear that you are certified and qualified for the job. It will also let the employer know when you got certified and when your certificate needs renewing.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

In this section, you should introduce any academic assignments, teaching aids, or proof of experience. During your studies, if you had any assignments you were proud of, you can attach them here. In addition, if you have any teaching aids like a felt story board or arts and crafts activities, you can attach pictures here. If in any of your previous work experiences, you had the opportunity to take pictures of the kids you worked with or someone took photos of you with the children, here would be a great spot to put them. Try not to have more than 4 pictures per page as otherwise it gets crowded. It is a good idea to put a description with the pictures to describe the name of the workplace as well as the activity happening in the photos.

VIDEOS

Most employers enjoy having videos of applicants interacting with children. It is not required to have children in the video with you, but you will need to be energetic and enthusiastic as if there were children. The videos would be separate from a paper portfolio but if you create a slide deck, then videos can be inserted. A good idea is to have at least one video of you singing a song ie. Welcome or If You’re Happy and You Know It. Another video that is good to make is you reading a short story ie. 5 Little Monkeys. The videos should be approximately 3-5 minutes in length to showcase how you would do that activity with children. 

I hope this can help you find the perfect job in a daycare centre! If you need assistance or further information, contact us.
Happy Portfolio-ing!

How To: Resume Building

How To: Resume Building

A resume is a document that is required when applying for a job in Canada. Another name for a resume is a Curriculum Vitae (CV). A resume showcases your education, work experience, skills, and other qualifications. It is important to be detailed and provide information on each related work experience to the job you are applying for. However, a resume should not exceed two pages, if there are lots of spaces between text or an abundance of details, an employer will not be interested in reading it. A resume may be altered depending on what job is being applied to. There is no one way to format and organize a resume, but a resume MUST include:

  • Candidate’s name, phone number, and email address
  • Education
  • Work Experience
  • Certificates (if applicable to job)

In addition to these, it is common to see a Summary / Highlight of Qualifications, Objective, or a Skills section. These are not required, but it is nice to have in many circumstances. If you lack work experience, they are a good way to emphasize your skills and show what you can bring to the organization.

TOP OF RESUME

The top of the resume should have your First and Last Name with your phone number and email address. It is not necessary to include a picture or your home address. In addition, it is important to not include personal information such as religion, age, marital status, and so on.

SUMMARY / HIGHLIGHT OF QUALIFICATIONS OR OBJECTIVE

At the top of a resume after your name and contact information, it is optional to have a section to provide an overview of your skillsets. There are many names that are used but all are used for the same purpose. This section should be around 5 sentences and should make a nice block of text to introduce yourself before the rest of the resume. An important thing to note that is commonly done is never use I to describe your qualifications; it should not be direct. To help get you started, see a sample below:

Recent graduate looking for a job in computer science to apply knowledge and expertise. Strong knowledge of computer based languages like C++, HTML, Java Script.

EDUCATION

In the education section, it is vital that all relevant education is listed. Each education experience should include:

  • Degree or Diploma received with Specialization
    • ie. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science
  • Name of Institution
  • Period of study including Month, Year for start and end
  • Location (optional)

Education should be listed from most recent or current to oldest. Any education before secondary school does not need to be included. If you have multiple post-secondary education certificates, then you do not need to include your secondary school information.

WORK EXPERIENCE

In the work experience section, it is important to provide details on each relevant work experience. This means providing full details of the work done. Each work experience should contain the following information:

  • Job Title
  • Employer
  • Period of employment including Month, Year for start and end
  • Location (optional)
  • Four to Five bullet points of detailed duties describing what you did in that job

This is the most important part of a resume. The detailed bullet points for each work experience showcases your abilities and experiences in a clear manner for employers to understand your qualifications. Work experience should be listed from most recent or current to oldest.

CERTIFICATES AND SKILLS

If you have any relevant certificates that can support you in the job that you are applying for, you will need to provide information. The certificate section should either be combined with education or be separate, immediately after education. There are different ways you can state the information regarding a certificate. You must include the name of the certificate such as Serving it Right Certificate. Here is where the options come in, there are three ways to mention dates and validity:

  1. One way is you can just mention when the certificate was issued. For example: Issued: May 2022.
  2. Another way is to do the opposite and only mention when it expires. Example: Expiry: November 2023.
  3. The third option is to combine the two. For example: Valid: May 2022 – November 2023.

A skills section is good to add if you have little to no relevant work experience. Or, if you have extra space and want to fill it then skills are a nice way to fill empty areas. In most circumstances, it is best to keep points to 1-3 words. For instances where that does not apply is mentioning languages or if you want to include Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) as a skill. Try to keep the skills section direct and related to the job you are applying for. Things such as hobbies or things you like to do in your spare time are not necessary to be included on your resume.

I hope this helps you create an outstanding resume to achieve your career goals!
If you need assistance, contact us!