Whether you're a newly graduated student or about to graduate, building a strong resume, writing a compelling cover letter, and preparing for interviews are essential skills for your Job Search. In this Newsletter, we'll share some tips and resources to help you get started. Without wasting your time, let’s dive into it.

A Resume is a critical tool for showcasing your skills and experience to potential employers. Here are some tips to help you build a strong resume:

• Include relevant keywords and Industry-Specific terms

  As most employer uses ATS (Application Tracking System), your resume should have the relevant keywords and terms that the hiring managers are looking for. If not, the system will simply discard your resume and it will never be seen by the hiring manager. To avoid this, go through the job description multiple times to get a better understanding of what the employer & job is demanding for and create your resume accordingly.

• Modify your resume to the specific job you're applying for

  This means adjusting the details in your resume as per the job requirements. There is no ‘one size fits all’ type of resume

• Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and responsibilities

  For every job experience you mention in the resume, make sure you do not exceed three bullet points. This shows professionalism to the hiring manager and helps you avoid unnecessary information.

• Keep your resume concise and easy to read (Not a hard & fast rule)

  Try to keep your resume only one page long. Regardless of how much experience you have (or even if you don’t), all the information should fit into one page. If you have had multiple jobs in the past, only include the two most relevant experiences here. Take your best guess!

Moreover, from our personal experience, hiring managers do not like seeing resumes that exceeds one page. Also, DO NOT include your photograph on the resume. Instead, it’s a good idea to create a LinkedIn profile and include your profile link in the resume. For more information and resources on building a strong resume, check out the following websites:

• The Balance Careers: How to Build a Resume (https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-build-a-resume-2063237)

• Resume Genius: Resume Writing Guides (https://resumegenius.com/resume-writing-guide)

Writing a Cover Letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself and explain why you're the best fit for a job. Here are some tips to help you write a compelling cover letter:

• Address the hiring manager by name, if possible

  Let’s say you were referred by a friend or, by researching on LinkedIn, you get to know the name of the hiring manager, it is recommended to start the cover letter by addressing the manager by their name. As you might know it is a norm to address people by their first name in Canada.

• Highlight your relevant skills and experiences

  Cover letter is the first thing the manager will look at, even before your resume. This is your best chance to introduce yourself and highlight why you are applying for the job. The secret here is to mention your skills and experiences that align with your resume. This means if you mention skills such as team player or detail oriented person, explain how you have used those skills in your past experiences. Even if you have no corporate experience, you can still show these skills as a part-time/full-time student jobs. The managers want to know how good are you at showcasing your talents.

• Use a friendly and professional tone

  Avoid using sentences that are unrelated and look like bullet points that are joint together in a document. Your cover letter should look like a story that fits different pieces of your experiences together to show a complete picture, just like a puzzle!

• Customize your cover letter to the specific job you're applying for

  Now you know that you need to customize your resume, but what about cover letter? Well your cover letter needs to be customized just like your resume. In resume, you will be customizing your skills and experiences as per the job you’re applying for. In cover letter, you need to customize how you have used those skills at your previous jobs. Remember, you’re telling a story.

For more information and resources on writing a cover letter, check out the following websites:

• Find 3 free Cover letter templates here: (https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/free-cover-letter-template)

• Create your cover letter: (https://www.cover-letter-now.com/build-letter?doctypecode=LETR)

You have applied for a job and received an interview, CONGRATS! Now starts the most difficult part of the job process. How to do well in an Interview? Interviews can be scary, but with preparation, you can feel confident and ready to impress your potential employer. Here are some tips to help you prepare for interviews:

• Research the company and the position you're applying for

  This is a very important step. During the interview the manager will try understand how much you know about the company’s history and the their operations. This will also help you prepare for the scary question: “Why do you want to work for us?” You can answer this best if you know what does the company do exactly

• Practice answering common interview questions

  Head over to YouTube to find out how to answer the most commonly asked questions. You want to find out how to answer a question with the right body language and confidence, simply answering a question is not enough. My personal recommendation is to check this one out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJTEZnTT5A

• Dress professionally and arrive on time

  If your interview is in-person, remember that the managers will notice more than just your shirt (or blazer!). You will have to wear the right clothes, all the way to your shoes. Simple and minimal is always the right choice.

• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer

  The company needs a good employee just as much as you need a job. The managers like it when the candidate asks some questions at the last, this shows that you are genuinely interested in working there and are trying to get a better picture. Some of these questions can include:

  - Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this position?

  - Can you describe the company culture and work environment?

  - How does the company measure success in this position?

For more information and resources on preparing for interviews, check out the following websites:

• TopResume: How to Prepare for a Job Interview (https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/how-to-prepare-for-a-job-interview)

• Sign up for free and prepare beforehand: (https://hire.toggl.com/admin/signup)

We hope these tips and resources help you build a strong resume, building a story telling cover letter, and get ready for the Interviews. As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Additionally, as you start to explore career opportunities, it's important to create and maintain a strong LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool that can help you connect with professionals in your desired field and showcase your skills and experiences to potential employers. Be sure to regularly update your profile with your latest achievements and connect with others in your industry. You can also join LinkedIn groups related to your field of interest to stay up-to-date on industry news and connect with like-minded professionals. Click on the link below to connect with us and to view how to design your profile.

Neeraj’s LinkedIn Profile & Kalpit’s Linked Profile

All the best as you start or move forward in your journey towards a successful career!

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To find out more click the link here: Discovery Trail

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