President Henry Goldbeck joined CKNW host Rob Fai to share some actionable advice for those struggling to land their desired position.
Why is it so difficult to find a job right now? That was the question posed to Goldbeck Recruiting President Henry Goldbeck by radio host Rob Fai when he was interviewed on CKNW this past Saturday morning.
While Goldbeck said the market remains strong for experienced specialists, he acknowledged that it can be tough for generalists, those entering a new field, and new Canadians.
Goldbeck offered listeners of the show some solid feedback, which can be summarized into four pieces of job-seeking advice.
1. Be Active on LinkedIn
Not only does LinkedIn offer a great way to connect with other professionals, it also presents a useful tool for learning about companies of interest. Goldbeck recommends that job seekers research current employees in order to gain clues about the company and the role.
“Find people who work there and see what their background is,” he advises. “If they talk about using a certain type of approach, software, or equipment, look for ways to emphasize this in your own background.”
2. Customize Your Resume for Each Application
After you’ve done your research on the role and the company, it’s time to tailor your application accordingly.
“The summary in your resume should be specific to every position you’re applying to,” says Goldbeck.
No two positions are exactly the same, so it’s important to emphasize the experiences and achievements that most closely align with each position in order to stand out.
3. Don’t Tell Them You’re a Good Learner, Show Them
“Everybody says they’re a good learner, so it’s worth nothing,” says Goldbeck, bluntly.
If you don’t have firsthand experience in one of the requirements, a better approach is to be honest,tell them that you intend to learn, and how.
“If you know what you don’t know, tell them that a course is available and you’re willing to take it at your own expense or that you’ve begun studying it online already,” advises Goldbeck. “This shows that you’re a serious applicant.”
4. Experience is More Important Than Education
While education is important, Goldbeck says that experience is often more so, particularly in specialized fields.
“The further you are from your education, the less important it becomes,” he says. “If you’ve had 20 years of experience selling submersible pumping equipment to mining companies across the country and you know all the clients, no one is going to care one shred what your education is.”
