Lara Tai
Reporter-Editor

We spoke to Career Advisor Stacey Mauger at the Casa Loma Campus about the importance of tailoring your résumé to your specific job as one of the key components to having employers interested in meeting you for the first interview for your dream job.

The résumé is a communication tool to the prospective employer and this piece of paper is the key to
whether or not you will get an interview. “That piece of paper is what is introducing you and that is all
they have. They don’t have you in front of them. There are some tips like your content must be error free,
relevant and should include transferable skills and technical skills.” Employers find it surprising how many résumés come to them and
basic spelling is neglected.

Employers are looking to hire individuals that are personally invested in their company and it is
demonstrated in the résumé. Stacey suggests to focus on the requirements of the job call you are
responding to and match it with skills that you listed. In the last couple of years, résumés are fed through a computer scanner that looks for certain words based on their job description. When they see the words that fit their job description it’s called a hit. The more “hits” on a resume guarantees the first job interview as they will only call in applicant with the highest “hits.”

It’s important to show proof of how you have done a task that employer has stated in the job call. They
are looking directly for this even in your volunteer experiences. This area is where employers will get a sense of your character. They want to hire trustworthy individuals; therefore, dedicating yourself to a volunteer position for a period of time demonstrates those inner soft skills of dependability and honesty to an agency which shows selflessness. These are skills that apply to the job position. “Your volunteer experience is huge. You took initiative. You did something that you didn’t have to do. You are helping”. They are looking for what skills you are developing. The employer might find you share similar
interests.
Last thing to think about is employer references.References are a list of people you have worked with previously in the work experience. Stacey suggests finding three reliable references to have on call at any time for your employer. References should be people you have worked with in the last year and a half they you know can say positive things about your work performance. It is always best to call them first and ask what they can say about your work performance and field them out before you ever list them as a work reference. “All this takes time, so search out your references well before you get an interview. You will be glad you did.”

For more employment tips and help please check out the employment centers located at the St James,
Waterfront and Casa Loma Campuses. You do not have to do this alone. Book an appointment, and the
career advisors are happy to help you tailor your resume.