Free Career and Job Search Advice

Proj_Lead · Newbie Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hello

I have long career path, over 12 years, till the recession began in 2008. Since then for last nine months I could not find job in Canada. Meanwhile I completed continuing education related to my field in a known university and I am still searching for job. I have masters degree, +12 years of national and international experience and certifications/skills.

Embarassed

Can any one please, advice what to do when education, experience and skills do not work?

Confused

Any links to true job postings or web site?

stormbind · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:05 am Post subject:

Your situation is similar to mine, although my gap is four years (two degrees).

To address the danger of misunderstandings, I have used the heading professional experience and combined my education roles with earlier job roles - all of which represent professional experience. Furthermore, I display the course tasks in the same manner as job tasks. The education will therefore fill the gap.

To my mind this is morally acceptable precisely because you were working on your career development. Furthermore, and you are performing professional tasks such as honing your research skills; building collaborations; honing specialist knowledge; writing reports and so forth (details depending on your course).

Having said that, none of my strategies have yet to win me an interview!!

Jennifer107 · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject:

One of the best places to explain a gap in your career is in the cover letter. If you explain that you have been learning new skills, taking classes, etc., during your unemployment period, the hiring manager will know you are serious about your job search.

I added a link to an article on this very issue. Hope it helps!

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/125/-so-about-this-gap-in-your-resume-.cfm

"Everyone has a resume gap at some point. A potential employer's chief concern is that hiring you won't turn out to be a mistake. Help them along by showing that you were productive during your downtime, learned new skills, and are now 100% ready to go."

outstanding · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:56 am Post subject:

I would have someone take an in-depth look at your resume. Something is off if you are not receiving any initial contacts for even a follow-up HR interview. I suspect you could change-up your presentation and see an increase in results. Remember, in this tough economy sometimes you have to "decrease" certain skills on your resume as you do not want to look to aggressive. You may be seen as overqualified. You can definitely leverage your experience and certs,etc. but you need to do it in a way that you don't look like your shoving it in the employers face.

Presentation is also very important. I can't stress that enough.

Kara May · Newbie Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

I see that you have a very extensive experience & good educational background. I could not see any problem why you could not find a perfect job…. It might be, because of your resume. If your resume couldn’t catch the attention of the employer, and make him/her read it, not even your extensive experience or educational background would help you. Try to find some website that would help and give you resume tips and interviewing techniques. It may let you think the other way around c”,). I suggest you visit www.interviewmastermind.com. This site can help you.

sendintomyid · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:22 am Post subject:

Yeah..Kara May has mentioned a good and strong point. It may be some weak points in your resume. May be your resume does not contain enough information which an employer may be looking for, or you are fail to convince them due to lack of sufficiency in revealing your abilities. You should arrange your experience in good order in a professional looking resume and highlight your expertise. Functional order for resume is good for you.
wish you good luck!

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