Functional Résumé

Functional Resume

A functional resume attempts to bring relevant skills and experience to the forefront of the resume document, with no explanation regarding where and when these skills and responsibilities took place.
Typical headings in a functional resume can include: Sales; Management; Project Leadership, Marketing; etc., with priority given to those headings that are most relevant to the position being targeted.
Following the functional headings, an employment history follows, but with little or no detail.

Example:
MANAGEMENT
Management skill, responsibility and/or achievement…
Management skill, responsibility and/or achievement…
Management skill, responsibility and/or achievement…
SALES & MARKETING
Sales and marketing skills, responsibilities and/or achievements…
Sales and marketing skills, responsibilities and/or achievements…
Sales and marketing skills, responsibilities and/or achievements…
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Project leadership: responsibility and/or achievement…
Project leadership: responsibility and/or achievement…
Project leadership: responsibility and/or achievement…
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Name of Company, City, State
Month Year – Month Year
Name of Company, City, State
Month Year – Month Year
Name of Company, City, State
Month Year – Month Year
Name of Company, City, State
Month Year – Month Year

Within the functional headings above, the responsibilities and achievements listed could have taken place this year or ten years ago. It will be up to the interviewer to determine where and when these responsibilities took place.
The basic order of information in a functional resume:
NameContact InformationObjective Statement (optional)Functional Headings (Marketing, Management, Project Leadership, etc.) in order of their value and relevance to the positions being targetedEmployment History (in reverse chronological format, with little or no detail)EducationRelevant Professional Associations (optional)

Chronological Résumé

For job seekers with solid experience and a logical job history, the chronological resume is the most effective. Career changers and those who lack formal on-the-job experience (like new graduates) find this resume the most difficult to write.

Men and Women: Equally likely to quit jobs! ~ Article

Women no more likely to quit jobs than men: study
Updated Fri. Feb. 23 2007 11:04 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

Women are no more likely to quit their jobs than men since the early 1990s, according to a new study, which discredits a frequent justification for wage gaps.
"Female workers are traditionally considered more likely than men to quit their jobs, to be absent or to take more days off for family reasons," Statistics Canada said in the report released Friday.
"In the past, this gender difference has been offered as an explanation for the wage gap between men and women," the government agency said.
But the new study that documents gender differences in resignations and absenteeism shows that disparities between the sexes have been shrinking since 1994 to the point where gaps have virtually disappeared.
For example, 5.5 per cent of men quit their jobs in 1984, compared with 7 per cent of women.
But by 1994, 5.5 per cent of men left their jobs, and the rate of women was almost identical at 5.6 per cent.
Eight years later, in 2002, 7.6 per cent of men quit their jobs, while 7.7 of women left their jobs.
Among workers aged 25 to 34, however, men became increasingly more likely to quit than women.
In 1984, 6.3 per cent of men left their jobs while 7.2 per cent of women did the same.
In 1994, 6.8 per cent of men left their jobs while 6.4 per cent of women quit.
But by 2002, 9.4 per cent of men aged 25 to 34 quit while 8.9 of women resigned.
The gap was narrower among the 35 to 44 age group.
In 1984, 3.9 per cent of men quit while 4.8 per cent of women left their jobs.
Ten years later, in 1994, 3.9 per cent of both men and women resigned.
Then in 2002, 5.8 per cent of men left their jobs while 5.6 per cent of women did the same.
The study also found that 4.2 per cent of Canadian women took temporary leaves due to pregnancy and maternity in 2002.
It found, on average, men took two days of paid sick absence, while women took about four days of paid sick absence per year.
"Half of this gender difference in paid sick absence can be explained by factors such as age, wages and union status," Statistics Canada said in its report.
However, there were no gender differences in most other paid and unpaid absences.
The only exception was women with young children. On average, they took two more days of unpaid absences than women who did not have young children.
The study defined workers who quit their jobs as those who did not return to the previous employer in the same year or the year following their resignation.
The study used data from the 1983 to 2003 Longitudinal Worker File to examine the gender differences in quits. It also investigated gender differences in absenteeism with data from the 1999 and 2001 Workplace and Employee Surveys.

New to Canada and looking for a job

What is different about Canada
Canada has a reputation for being a humane, caring and tolerant country. And, it is. That doesn't mean that problems don't exist. However, it is also why many people choose Canada as their new home.
Immigrants to Canada have changed the face of the country and the culture, but still share some common beliefs and values. For example, most Canadians assume that their neighbours are a lot like them - law abiding, want to make a good life for themselves and their family and want to be friendly without getting very involved in each others life. Some of these beliefs can be seen in the way we do business.
That being said, you may still find some differences from how business and work is done in Canada, compared to what you have been used to. These differences will vary for different people, for different reasons. No one can tell you exactly how things will be different. You need to work to find out how your working style may be different and how you can convince an employer that you are what they are looking for and can fit into their company.

Canadian experience
What is Canadian experience? For more employers, it means what it says - you do not have work experience in Canada. But it can also mean that an employer doesn't know how to evaluate the work you did outside of Canada with the way it is done here. It can also mean that an employer doesn't think you'll fit into their corporate culture. Or, it can mean that the employer is discriminating against you.
It may seem very unfair for employers to insist on Canadian experience but here are a few reasons why it is not. Any new employee needs time to 'learn the ropes' (that is, learn how things work). Organizations have rules, policies and common practices that take you time to learn. When you come from a different country, these practices are even more unknown. For instance, health and safety standards may be different and unless you are aware of them, mistakes could be very costly.
That is why gaining some practical experience as a volunteer, an intern or a temporary employee is helpful.
Top 10 Ways to Get Canadian Experience
by Shawn Mintz
Are you Internationally Educated? If so you should congratulate yourself. You are brave and courageous. It takes a very special person who can leave their country and start over in Canada. The following are the top ten ways to get Canadian experience:

1. A good way to learn about your occupation in Canada is to have information interviews with people who are working in your field, associations and licensing bodies. An information interview is when you meet with someone and ask them questions about what they like about their job, dislike and the future potential to name a few.
This will help you become better informed about the industry. There are other ways to find out about your field such as websites and printed reports. However, talking to an expert or someone already employed will give you a greater insight.

2. Certain terminology in your occupation may be different in Canada. You may want to go to the library and the Internet to learn the language your industry uses.

3. Start to reformat your résumé to a Canadian style. Information that may have been relevant in your own country may not be relevant in Canada. In some other countries it’s normal to write your marital status, age and religion. In Canada this should not be mentioned. We have the Ontario Human Rights Code, which protects us against discrimination. Also, have someone look over your résumé before you send it out. You can go to a non-profit employment service and have your résumé critiqued for free.

4. 80% of the jobs are unadvertised and in the ‘Hidden Job Market’. Tapping into the ‘Hidden Job Market’ involves a lot of networking and making cold calls. These two methods may seem a little intimidating but they are worth trying. 20% of the job market consists of jobs that are advertised on the internet, newspapers and trade magazines. I recommend using these methods a little bit during your job search. However, if you focus on the ‘Hidden Job Market’, there’s less competition.

5. In your own country you probably had a big network of contacts, however in Canada your network may be small. I have a challenge for you. It’s time to re-build your network in Canada. Socialize with people, attend job search workshops offered by your community, volunteer, attend job fairs and join associations. Talk to everyone! Your family doctor, your children’s teacher or a priest may be able to help connect you to people. Remember that people like to help other people.

6. Unfortunately you may not be able to have the same job in Canada right away. Try to find a job that’s related to your field of expertise. If you are an engineer find a job as a technician or technologist. Research the positions that are related to your occupation and apply to them. Getting your foot in the door of a company is a great start. Once in, you will probably be able to apply to internal openings.

7. Through volunteering, co-op, on-the-job programs and job trials you will be able to prove your skills and abilities to a Canadian employer, learn about the Canadian workplace culture, gain ‘Canadian Experience’ and build your network. Use your availability to volunteer. If a company doesn’t have current openings say, “I understand that you do not have current openings but I would love to volunteer for you company.”

8. When asked ‘Do you have Canadian Experience?’ don’t just say no and feel that you have been rejected and that all employers are looking for this so called ‘Canadian Experience’. Tell the employer how your skills are similar to the skills that they are looking for. Also tell them how your international experience will help to benefit the company.

9. Prepare yourself for an interview by researching the company, position and yourself. Sell your skills to the employer by telling them stories of your accomplishments and achievements. You are a small company selling your most valuable product – yourself.

10. Stay positive, be persistent, proactive, follow-up with all contacts and maintain your motivation level. If you keep trying, good things will come. You can do it and you will do it. Good Luck.

SOURCE: http://www.cnmag.ca/iss_2_top_10_ways.html

Your Cover Letter! ~ Be Specific!

Cover Letter Samples for Résumés

When applying for a job a cover letter should be sent or posted with your resume. If you are not sure what to write, review these cover letter samples. Your cover letter should be specific to the position you are applying for, relating your skills and experience to those noted in the job posting. Your cover letter is your first (and best) chance to make a good impression!
An effective cover letter should explain the reasons for your interest in the organization and in the job you are applying for. Take the time to review sample cover letters, then make sure that your letter explains how your skills relate to the criteria listed in the job posting.


All cover letters should:

Explain why you are sending a resume. Don't send a resume without a cover letter. Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?

Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.

Convince the reader to look at your resume. The cover letter will be seen first. Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.

Call attention to elements of your background — education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.

Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.

Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.

Indicate what you will do to follow-up.

•
In a letter of application — applying for an advertised opening — applicants often say something like "I look forward to hearing from you." However, if you have further contact info (e.g. phone number) and if the employer hasn't said "no phone calls," it's better to take the initiative to follow-up, saying something like, "I will contact you in the next two weeks to see if you require any additional information regarding my qualifications."

•
In a letter of inquiry — asking about the possibility of an opening — don't assume the employer will contact you. You should say something like, "I will contact you in two weeks to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities with (name of organization)." Then mark your calendar to make the call.

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

February 1, 2007

General Minimum Wage (Regular employees)!
$8.00per hour
Student under 18 and working not more than 28 hours per week
$7.50per hour
Liquor server
$6.95per hour
Hunting and Fishing guides
$40.00: paid this minimum rate for less than five consecutive hours in a day;
$80.00: for five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive
Homeworkers(defined as people doing paid work in their home for an employer)
110% of the general minimum wage

FYI: ALL MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS ARE ENTITLED TO THIS INCREASE!!

Your "LOOK" is important

Many of us hate that society pressures us to: look a certain way, dress a certain way and maintain our own personal hygeine by societal standards.

Having said this, it's important to know that there are expectations by employers and the best way to figure out what they are is to OBSERVE the place where you would like to be employed. Observe how employees are dressed, how they do their hair and make-up, their shoes... everything. People are JUDGEMENTAL and unfortunately, PEOPLE are the ones deciding whether or not to hire you.

From the very start of your job hunt I recommend that you do the following (men/women):
1. Get a stylish haircut, outline or trim
2. Look in your closet for an outfit that makes you LOOK put together: black pants and dress shirt/sweater and dress shoes are a generally accepted application pick-up look and interview look.
3. Always look your BEST.
4. Smell your best: shower, wash yourself, put on a little bit of cologne or perfume BUT DO NOT PUT ON ALOT. Too much scent can be over-powering.
5. Don't shew gum when you speak to people
6. Brush your teeth.
7. Take any animal hair off of your clothing
8. Make sure your nails are clean and kept at a reasonable length
9. BE CONFIDENT. You're probably wondering why this is in the APPEARANCE discussion, but you can appear confident or not confident by the way you carry yourself.
* Keep your head up
* Make eye contact
* Walk with a medium stride
* Walk directly to where you hand in your résumé; don't pretend to shop or look around
* Speak up! When you speak to people, don't whisper use your NORMAL voice.
If it's normally quietand soft, find a way to speak up! It's important.

**GOOD LUCK!**