GREAT NEWS: Statistics Canada reports Employment is finally seeing an Upward Trend in September – How to be Prepared for Interview Call-Backs
By TorontoJobs.ca

According to Statistics Canada, employment increased for the second consecutive month, up 31,000 in September, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points to 8.4%. This improvement was primarily fuelled by an increase of 92,000 in full-time jobs, the largest since May, 2006.

With employment on the rise, it’s time to brush up on those job search skills that have been practiced since the economic downturn and finally put them to use. With the competition stronger than ever, there is one chance to make a remarkable first impression on a potential employer. Interviews are the key component that will make or break a chance for landing a position.

We at TorontoJobs.ca receive 100’s of comments from employers in regards to interviews conducted from job seekers on our website. We have taken their feedback and tossed in some advice from our Recruitment Managers and have compiled a list below of the top five things to keep in mind during and before the interview process.

Branding – In Many Cases You are the Product
By Donna Messer

In the 21st Century, everyone’s a freelancer.  Your value in the marketplace is going to be based entirely on what a prospective employer or client perceives as the value you bring to the table.
The best and most productive way to bring perceived value to the table is to brand yourself – to be as distinct and as memorable as McDonald’s golden arches.  If you follow the directions below, you will watch your income rise along with a demand for your services.

HAVE A GREAT WEBSITE
The first and most important way to brand yourself is to have a really fabulous website. It is mandatory. At the very least, you need a personal page where you post your resume and interests. Show the world you’re with the program. And there are ways to make your Website more valuable – have a message board and/or discussion list that keeps people coming back to the website to discuss relevant issues and get resources that you are willing to share. Write articles, become an “expert”. Share what you know; you will be surprised at the return you get on your invested time and effort. My website gets over 6,000 hits a week and it generates additional income for me.

HAVE AN EFFECTIVE NETWORK
The second must have is having a strong network. It doesn’t matter how distinctive you are as a person or a professional if no one knows you. Meet new people every chance you get. Become known for something that sets you apart from your competition. Visit my website and fill in a Mind-Map – this will tell you what makes you special and will give you a little insight into what you can do to your website. Do your homework – check out the types of networking events that will add value to you and your company. Find out your communication style; look for associations and organizations that have common interests. It is easier to build a professional network when you have something in common.

Five Keys to Creating a Powerful Résumé Profile
By Sharon Graham, Canada's Career Strategist

When you submit your résumé in application for a position, it is likely to be quickly scanned by recruiters to determine if the document is worthy of an in-depth review. For this reason, the introductory section of your résumé is crucial. These first few lines will persuade recruiters do one of two things – either to read on or to bypass your résumé completely. The good news is that you are in control of how you introduce yourself by incorporating a compelling profile that readers cannot resist.

In the résumé writing business, we often call the profile a “power statement.” Since your profile is the first thing that recruiters see, it is also the first impression that you will give. So, the statement you make is critical and it must be powerful to ensure that it captures the reader’s attention and interest. If you can impress the recruiter with an effective power statement, you have done a great part of the job.

This introduction “hooks” the reader and drives him through the document in anticipation of what is coming next. In the same way, your power statement is the hook that will capture the recruiter’s attention and the doorway to ensuring that the rest of your résumé is read.