10 Tips for Your Job Search, Writing a Résumé and Cover Letter
- thephssa
- Nov 14, 2022
- 2 min read
Job Search
1. Where would you work?
Make a list of 40 prospective employers. It’s no easy task. You probably know a few different companies off the top of your head, but developing the list takes research and time to curate. Use various resources to help develop your list. For example, where your teachers, mentors, or peers have worked. Government bodies, or NGOs at all levels (international, national, provincial, local). Organizations you cite in your schoolwork or research. Find people on LinkedIn with the job you want and see where their connections work. Following organizations gives you an idea of what jobs they post externally, and how often they are available.
2. Who works there?
Identify people who work for the organizations, or the jobs you’d like to understand better Use LinkedIn and alumni search tools to identify people.
3. Network, network, network.
Have conversations with people who do things you want to do (20-30 minutes). Value their work/experience. prepare and ask directional questions. Ask questions about degree specifics, what are skillsets/experiences that are most valuable. How has getting started changed vs their experience. This builds a connection and might get you an internal reference if the organization posts a job in the future.
4. Job postings are generic.
Consider contacting the poster to learn more about the job. Asking questions may require the HR representative put you in touch with the hiring manager. It can help your name stand out among the pile of resumes. Questions to ask could include: Why the vacancy? What are current company challenges that need to be addressed? Etc.
Writing a Résumé
5. Look like where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
Employers want to hire the candidate who fit the role best. Curate your resume for the job you want, not the job you have. This requires you to:
6. Do the Research.
Use the job ad to find important information about what the employer is looking for: company values, responsibilities, work/team environment, qualifications, required skills. Gather information from the employer website, recruiting events, social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), industry websites. Tailor your resume based on the information you have learned.
7. Use the Experience Formula. Verb + Task + Result
Does your experience answer the question(s): How many/how much? Why did I/we do this? What was the result of doing this? What happened after it was done? Why was this important?
Writing a Cover Letter
8. Match your experience with organizational needs.
Connect your experience with your research about the organization. Identify your unique skills and accomplishments and provide evidence using the CAR technique: Context, Action, Results. Use specific examples.
9. Utilize personal stories and voice.
This is your chance to demonstrate you communication skills. Identify your passion and motivation for the organization.
Career Resources:
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