You asked us
Whether you’re in a job and thinking about getting a new one, or have been looking for a little while, no one needs to tell you that it’s tough out there. Time was, you checked the job ads, sent out a resume and got an interview – in many cases, if you presented well, you even got the job. These days, you can find yourself wandering in a wilderness of social media, overpopulated job boards and steep competition from people with double your experience or those willing to work for minimum wage.
This wilderness is terrifying for many people and so, at the wise suggestion of the editors of Hi-Rise, I’m going to answer some of your questions and hopefully give you a bit of a guidemap. If your question is not answered here, please email me at: ellen@cuddy.ca.
Q – What should I wear when going to a job interview? I’ve been told the company is ‘laid back’ and their dress code is casual. I’m in a quandary, can you help?
A – Be aware that no matter how casual the dress code is, you will always be under closer scrutiny when you go for an interview. Forget the jeans, sweats, scuffed up shoes and sloppy jackets – they’re always out. A lot depends on the job you’re applying for – if it’s in the finance department, you should be wearing more business-like attire; if the job is as a web developer, neat and stylish is more appropriate. A good rule of thumb is, always dress a bit better than you think you’ll need to dress if you actually get the job.
Q – I took time away from the workforce to raise my family and I was also caring for an aging parent recuperating from a serious injury. How can I talk about this time on my resume in a way that will still pique the interest of a prospective employer?
A – Many of us have to leave jobs at some point in our career and sometimes that stretch of time goes on for longer than we anticipate. Lately, I’ve met several moms who have been out of the workforce for 10-14 years and say they would be completely intimidated by the job search process. It’s scary for sure, but the longer you wait, the harder it gets. There are two ways to deal with this gap:
1) Be truthful about it on your resume and lead off with a summary of the skills you have developed while off work. For example, volunteering at a school, helping an older adult negotiate through the health care system, sitting on a board or committee, taking courses, assisting in a political campaign or volunteering with a charity or community organization. In this age of diversity, knowledge of a second language is very relevant, so don’t forget to mention that.
2) Don’t just send in resumes hoping for the best – get busy. Take a course to help you brush up on your skills or develop new ones (put the fact that you’re taking courses on your resume), volunteer for an organization where you’ll form contacts and get experience, network with former colleagues or with people who you think could connect you with jobs in your field, and most important, develop an online presence through LinkedIn and Facebook. These sites will boost your knowledge of the online world and will connect you to a variety of different people and online communities.
Finally, go shopping. After a break from work, your wardrobe as a mom or caregiver might be filled with clothes that are either outdated or inappropriate for job interviews.
Q – You have talked about doing research and learning about a prospective company. How would I go about getting this information?
A – Fortunately, we’re living in the Internet age and that information is readily available. When you look at the website of a prospective company, check out pages that describe the history of the company (often called ‘About’ or ‘Our company’), look at the org chart or executive team so you can learn who runs various divisions, read about their products, and if they have one, check out the careers page. One place I always look is the news or media page. This page is usually kept up to date and is treasure-trove of information about new products, recent events and media coverage.
Q – How should I answer a question about my salary expectations?
A – This is always a difficult question, but on the upside, it’s usually asked when you’re being seriously considered for the job. As one career counsellor once told me, get it off the table as quickly as possible. You can throw the question back at them, asking what the salary range for that position is and say you’re confident that at the right time (i.e., when serious negotiations begin), things can be worked out to your mutual benefit. Remember, salary discussions are as important to you as they are to the company, and you should know what range is acceptable to you.
Q – If I am applying to a job that is below my educational and business experience, do I leave those jobs off my resume?
A – Absolutely not. In these times, many people are accepting positions that are lower on the career ladder (with lower pay) than they might have once considered. The important thing to stress (and the best place to do this is in your cover letter and in a face-to-face interview), why this position interests you and how your background experience would be an asset. Be prepared for questions if you are very senior for the position, and ask yourself if you would be satisfied doing a job that is way below your skill level. The most important thing employers want to know is, how can you help them now, and are you prepared to commit to them for the foreseeable future.