Week In Review:

Toronto - PPC Manager (Internet) Details / Apply
Toronto - Ad Sales Coordinator (Internet) Details / Apply
Toronto - Sales Representative (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Toronto - Software Developer (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Toronto - Social Media Marketer (Internet) Details / Apply
Montreal - Program Compliance and Fraud Analyst (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Montreal - Senior Marketing Analyst (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Vancouver - Project Coordinator (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Vancouver - Business Development Associate, HSU (Internet) Details / Apply
Ottawa - Senior Integration Developer (Computer Software) Details / Apply

For the full rundown, log-in to Vestiigo.com

Some weekend reading
Career Savvy: Why Luck Is Dependent On Your Actions
Career Savvy: Attention To Detail Or Lack Thereof?
TED Talk: Tali Sharot: The optimism bias

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While browsing my networks today, I came across a post which was quite particular. Though it made me chuckle a bit, it had me a bit worried once the initial amusement wore off. The post:

“So I’ve posted two jobs at work, and asked applicants to include the job title + your degree in the e-mail subject line…... and I have actually gotten back responses where people literally wrote “job title + your degree”

HR uses some creative ways to weed out those who use the shotgun approach (copying and pasting a stock e-mail for every job possible). Though in the above example was a simple request to help her to do her job more efficiently. This illustrates two things: first, thinking for yourself or common sense as we know it are lacking with certain with individuals. Secondly, the “tricks” HR uses as a screening process are becoming more rampant than ever.

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With recruiting having shifted almost entirely to the online space, it’s not surprising that every company, young and old is scrambling to find out how to best utilize the web to help them land the best candidates.

Lately, one of the biggest tools of choice has been social media, and while more and more people are entering that space, many of them are stumbling hard along the way.  Sourecon’s, Steven Ehrlich has identified 4 mistakes, in particular, that seem to be common foils for employers. 

You pretend you’re in “Field of Dreams”

Social media isn’t like baseball.  If you build it, they won’t come unless you drive them there somehow.  Successful social media is all about sustainable engagement, and that means providing a regular stream of updated content.  People aren’t going to want to talk with or about you if they don’t see you talking to begin with.   

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Nothing is worse than putting in the time to find your next role, and realizing too late that the organization is not a cultural fit. Each step of your job search process gives you the opportunity to confirm your goals, and how your next role can fulfil them. With so much of your daily life spent at work, finding a team that will best support your success is key.

To make sure you choose the right culture, keep these simple checklists in mind in each stage of your hunt:

1. Before you look

It’s important to ask yourself some tough questions as a first step so you have clear answers to guide your search. Have a clear understanding of:
• How do you work best?
• What are your values?
• What do you want out of this role?
• How will a specific type of team/company structure/manager help you achieve that?

2. Reaching out to your network

Once you have a clear understanding of what you want, reach out to your network to let them know you’re looking for new opportunities. While it’s important not to recycle your same message over and over, you should try to:

•  Have a consistent message. Don’t be tempted to change your values just because a different opportunity comes up
•  Contact people who understand your vision; their network will probably reflect their values.
•  Show your value through actions, not words. Comment on relevant articles, attend events and share or create content that shows your expertise. Don’t just tell people you’re an expert – be one.
•  Do unto others; Treat referrals like a favour, not a right. Show that you can be trusted to represent your referee well by being helpful, considerate to all of your contacts.

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Week In Review:

Toronto - Insights Analyst (Internet) Details / Apply
Toronto - Design Director (Internet) Details / Apply
Toronto - Community Manager (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Toronto - Junior/Intermediate QA Analyst (Market Research) Details / Apply
Toronto - Junior Technical Writer (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Montreal - Senior Marketing Analyst (Computer Games) Details / Apply
Montreal - Mgr., Strategic Development & Innovation (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Vancouver - Intermediate Graphic Designer (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Victoria - Data Architect (Information Technology & Services) Details / Apply
Ottawa - Accounts Receivable Specialist (Computer Software) Details / Apply

For the full rundown, log-in to Vestiigo.com

Some weekend reading
Career Savvy: The Wisdom of Crowds
Career Savvy: 4 Characteristics To Look For In A Top Intern
TED Talk: Jay Walker on the world’s English mania

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With the amount of applicants for a single job, the hiring manager often enlists the help of a certain person to screen out what seems be an endless pile of resumes for unqualified candidates, or those that don’t have the right fit. That person is the HR manager.

Let’s assume for a second that you spent the time to write a stellar resume and caught the eye of the HR manager. You have arrived at the gate keeper’s front door. The next step would usually be a phone interview to go over what you have done, and more importantly to see if you are a good “fit”.

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Summer time is here, and for some, that means shorts and bikini tops, while for others, it means the start of intern season.  Students and recent grads are sending out applications in droves, and companies often find themselves swamped with applications. 

How do you tell the great from the good?  Here’s a couple things to look out for:

1) A healthy bit of OCD

Attention to detail is key, especially if the role entails doing repetitive tasks like data entry.  No, that doesn’t mean you need to nitpick every missing comma on a cover letter, but people who sweat the small stuff tend to be a lot more trustworthy when it comes to dealing with the big fish. 

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Week In Review:

Toronto - Manager, Strategy and Intelligence (Internet) Details / Apply
Toronto - Ad Sales Account Executive (Internet) Details / Apply
Toronto - Manager, Public Relations (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Toronto - Interactive Marketing Designer (Market Research) Details / Apply
Toronto - Junior Financial Business Analyst (Consulting) Details / Apply
Montreal - International Brand Manager (Computer Games) Details / Apply
Montreal - Systems Integration Analyst (Internet) Details / Apply
Vancouver - Accounts Receivable Supervisor (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Victoria - Technical Project Manager (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Ottawa - Product Marketing Associate (Computer Software) Details / Apply

For the full rundown, log-in to Vestiigo.com

Some weekend reading
Career Savvy: Why You Should Embrace Sales, Not Avoid It
Career Savvy: Corporate Social Responsibility As A Recruitment Tool
TED Talk: Derek Sivers: How to start a movement

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This week in our #CareerSavvy tweet chat (Tuesday’s 12pm-1pm) the chat topic revolved heavily around retention. To sum it up; competent management, variety of work, reasonable pay, personal development - are keys to retention.

However, if you find yourself unsatisfied with your current situation, consider internal options first. There may be internal opportunities to keep you happy and buzzing. This could come in the form on reshaping your job, moving to another team, or taking on a special project. If there are no such opportunities at your current employer, then it may be time to look outside.

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At its most basic level, companies exist to sell more of a certain product or service. So, chances are when they hire you they’re hoping you can help them do just that.

However, most people hate selling. As a result, they tend to avoid it at all cost. Yet, the reality is that everyone is in sales whether you like it or not. You either choose to embrace it or you don’t.

Those that don’t are foregoing a massive opportunity when it comes to their career advancement and continuing education.

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A recent poll conducted by nonprofit, NetImpact, shows that 35-58% of people would be willing to take a 15% paycut to work for an organization that was either expressly committed to greater corporate social responsibility (CSR) or shared values similar to theirs.

There’s a lot of talk these days about how companies can attract and retain great talent, and a study like this should, if nothing else, provide one window of insight into addressing that dilemma. 

So how can you turn your CSR practices into best practices for recruiting?  Forbes contributor, Jeanne Meister, has a few ideas.

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Week In Review:

Toronto - Business Analyst (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Toronto - Digital Messaging Specialist (Internet) Details / Apply
Toronto - Product Specialist (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Toronto - Project Manager (Market Research) Details / Apply
Toronto - Email Marketing Specialist (Consulting) Details / Apply
Montreal - Strategic Account Manager (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Montreal - Community Manager (Computer Games) Details / Apply
Vancouver - Product Marketing Manager (Computer Software) Details / Apply
Vancouver - Project Manager (Marketing & Advertising) Details / Apply
Ottawa - Software Developer, Intern (Computer Software) Details / Apply

For the full rundown, log-in to Vestiigo.com

Some weekend reading
Career Savvy: Top 6 Interview Mistakes
Career Savvy: Are You Keeping Track
TED Talk: Oliver Sacks: What hallucination reveals about our minds

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The concept of record keeping goes about as far back as the written word, even further when you consider the Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics.

Keeping a living record is more than a communication tool, but a way to assemble and organize important milestones, ideas, and collaborations. The benefits are far reaching too – it helps with memory recall, proof of your own original work, and even provides a useful blue-print for your own thought process.

Seth Godin, in his eponymous blog, recently asked “What are you leaving behind?” and questioned what we could potentially assemble if we took ten minutes of coffee break downtime every day to produce an online artifact of thoughts, projects, and whatever else we’re working on.

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With the way most companies have their social media policies set up, you’d think most employees were regularly overstepping the mark.  It’s understandable to a degree.  Companies want to protect their image, and employees are essentially the stewards for that image on the foothills of the online space. 

But is it really worth all the time and effort it takes to maintain a draconian social media policy?  The HR Examiner would argue no.

First off, it creates bad blood between employers and employees.  By instituting strict controls on a worker’s personal communications or demanding access to their social media profiles, the message being directed to employees is a very clear “we don’t trust you.”  Trust is a two-way street, and it’s a lot easier to retain good hires when they feel like they’re a valued and respected part of the company.

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Professional development is an important aspect of your career for advancement and growing as a person. However, it’s often overlooked as we enter the workforce. We finish school, get a job and then we keep our head down in our jobs. This recession has compounded that effect.

We’ve talked about the importance of networking and why you need to refine your skills. I’d argue that growing as a person and honing your skills in your job and industry is the other half of the coin in building a successful career. Professional development can come in many forms:

Mentoring: Finding someone in your industry that you look up to and can help you by sharing advice related to your career and even life.

Continuing Education: Taking more classes at college or university. Also many industry associations offer classes you can take.

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