Unemployment Rate Increases to 7.3% for July: Job Seekers must Stand-Out in their Job Search

The release of this morning’s Labour Force Survey shows that following two months of little change, employment in July declined by 30,000, the result of losses in part-time work. The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points to 7.3%. With employment experiencing slow growth, it’s time for job seekers to get job search ready. With the competition growing stronger than ever, job seekers need to be prepared to make a lasting impression on employers.

With limited chances to get in front of potential organizations and stand out amongst the competition, jobseekers need to polish their job search skills.
According to a recent survey, organizations do their largest percentage of hiring, 36 per cent, in the last portion of the year; with that in mind, TorontoJobs.ca has compiled a list to help get jobseekers resume ready and interview perfect!

Top Tips to Get Job Search Ready:

1. Trash the Template and Distinguish Your Resume. Template resumes will never compete effectively when vying for a prime opportunity because they stunt creativity and make the job search appear as if they can’t think outside of the box. Also, templates don’t account for strategy. Obstacles in a jobseeker's history, such as career gaps or anomalies in a career path, can’t be address effectively in pre-fabricated resumes.

2. Unemployed for a While? Overcome this Obstacle! Regardless for the reason of unemployment, raising a family or retirement included, it can be addressed in the resume. The key is to re-write the resume thinking strategically – and not by falsifying the resume by changing dates. These days, reputable organizations do background checks and will uncover any unethical moves. Completely eliminating dates of employment on the resume are not a good option either. Recruiters know that missing dates can only mean two things – either the candidate is trying to hide a poor career history or they were careless.

3. Don’t Fall Prey to the Extensive Vocabulary Gimmick. Using big words and lengthy sentences will not help a jobseeker sound important, especially if they are used incorrectly. Don’t hide behind vocabulary – a resume should be easy to read. When a resume is not concise and direct, the reader becomes uncomfortable. Use common words and clear sentences to put the focus on background and ability.

4. Don’t Copy the Job Description. Jobseekers often think that copying directly from their current job description is a quick and easy way to get all their duties on their resume. Resumes should be a marketing document that focuses on achievements rather than duties, so highlight the best of the best.

5. Be Prepared! Get to know the company before an interview and be prepared to link personal qualities and experiences to their corporate culture. Companies often look for a “good fit” for their team – so make sure to research how the company operates and bring up key points in the interview to show interest/eagerness.

TorontoJobs.ca is a full-service recruitment organization, including TorontoJobs.ca Website, Recruitment Division and Outplacement Services. The local focus and advanced features make TorontoJobs.ca a vital asset for both job seekers and employers within the Greater Toronto Area.