Career and Job Search Help Blog

So, we've all heard the saying "finding a job is a job in itself" – and it is. One of the most important aspects of this 'job' is your resume. The library has many many online resources which are great for research, but did you know that some of these databases can help you with career planning? Here are some of my favourites:

The Learning Express Library – this database  includes tests, courses and e-books and has a section called Job Search & Workplace Skills. There you can find 4 job resources:

1. Creating a Great Resume – during this course you will:
   • learn all about the 3 types of resumes; chronological, functional, combination and choose which one is best for you
   • compile all the information you need together to create your resume
   • at the end you can download your resume in PDF format which is then yours to print and potentially send to an employer
2. Creating Great Cover Letters – during this course you will:
   • learn every element of a cover letter
   • compile your own information to include in a cover letter
   • learn how to format your cover letter into a professional, well-written document and at the end you can download a copy for employers
3. Goof Proof Resumes and Cover Letters – in this e-book you will explore:
   • Current cover letter and resume formats, with samples
   • Instructions on how to best express your skills and assets.
   • Accurate and Up to Date on Electronic Resume submission
   • A fill in the blank practice session to allow you to practice
4. Resumes that Get You Hired– in this e-book you will explore:
   • vocabulary lists of power words and phrases
   • tips for selecting the correct layout; paper, format, font etc.
   • online career website directory and print resources
   • tips for preparing your resume so it doesn't scan with glitches

Business Writing – This database has interactive exercises which allow you to practice making your job application look tidy as well as practicing writing letters to ultimately polish up your own resume/cover letter  

Career Cruising – This is another interactive database which is specifically geared towards careers (the databases mentioned above have resources for other subjects as well). There is a Portfolio & Resume Builder, here any content you add to your Portfolio is updated in the Resume Builder. The content includes:

• Education
• Awards & Certificates
• Extracurricular Activities
• Skills and Abilities
• Career Objectives etc.

Your resume is one of the most useful networking tools you that you have as a job seeker. It is your first opportunity to showcase your wonderful skills, abilities and strengths. In fact, an effective resume should grab your reader's attention in the first 10-15 lines – which includes your resume objective. As you can see in the comic above, there is a fine line between showcasing talents and bragging about how great you are. Here are some key points to consider when a potential employer reads your resume.

• Will hiring you help the company in the long term/short term?
• Does your resume objective highlight the skills the employer is looking for?
• Is your resume in the correct format? It depends what the employer is looking for – unfortunately if the format is wrong your resume will be ignored or tossed. Remember if you're applying to a job online – all the lovely formatting from Microsoft Word (or whichever word processor you use – I like Open Office and Google Docs) will be destroyed; bullets morphed into strange characters, spacing goes wonky – I've seen it happen before. The Riley Guide recommends 4 formats:

1. Print Version
2. Scannable version
3. Plain Text version
4. E-mail version

• What sets you apart from the other applicants?
• What work experience do you have which directly relates to the job you're applying for?

Remember, to find the databases mentioned above from the Toronto Public Library homepage you can search in the grey search box at the top of the screen. Then, log in with your library card and pin and away you go.

All the best – and have a Happy Holiday!!!