Listed below are hints to help you work effectively on assignment, sharpen your interview skills, and make your resume stand out!
1. Tips to be Successful on Assignment
Make a great first impression! Dress in a neat, professional manner. Be 10 –15 minutes early for your assignment.Ensure that you fully understand the duties and time frame associated with the assignment before choosing to accept it.
Show initiative! Ask for extra tasks when your work is completed. Take on whatever duties are asked of you.
Don’t get involved in disputes/conflicts among employees. Remain neutral.
Keep communication lines with your job site supervisors open. If you do not fully understand instructions, ask for clarification.
Keep in touch with your consultant at Select. If you encounter difficulties, have questions, or are unable to make it to work, please let your consultant know as soon as possible.
Remember, you’re a valuable addition to the client’s staff, never refer to yourself as "just a temp".
When your assignment is almost finished, let your consultant know you are available should another assignment arise.
Ensure that your timecard is fully completed and submitted no later than Monday by 4:30pm each week.
Have fun! Temping is an effective way to gain experience and make contacts in many types of businesses in the area.
Your feedback is important. Let your consultant know what you thought of the assignment, including aspects such as the duties and the atmosphere.
2. Interview Tips:
"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression!"
Preparing for the interview:
Research the employer -- what do they do, etc.
Find out if you should anticipate a one-on-one interview or a panel session
Confirm the location of the interview and the name of the person(s) who will be conducting it
Ensure that you are aware of and comfortable discussing the information presented on your resume
Anticipate the types of questions you may be asked and prepare potential answers
Have 1 or 2 questions ready to ask the interviewer(s) in case you are given the opportunity
Make a positive first impression:
Dress professionally
Arrive 10-15 minutes before the interview
Do NOT chew gum, bring a cell phone, or bring someone else with you to the interview - even if they will just be waiting outside for you
Smile, look confident and greet the interviewer(s) with a firm handshake
Answer all questions honestly, and with more than a 'yes' or 'no' answer
Be prepared to give examples of situations you have encountered in your past work experiences
At the conclusion of the interview:
Thank the interviewer(s) for their time and inquire as to when you may be hearing from them
Send the interviewer(s) a thank you note/letter
Follow up with the interviewer(s) if you haven't heard from them
3. Resume Tips:
An effective resume is your key to a great job! It is your opportunity to communicate your employment value to a potential employer. Therefore, it is essential that your resume fully represents all of the skills that you have to offer. Listed below are some tips to assist you in fine tuning your resume. If you feel you would like further assistance, please contact a career consultant at Teamworks Career & Employment Centre (http://www.teamworktraining.ca/).
DO:
Keep your resume to 2-3 pages (including references)
Target your resume toward your career goal
Choose the resume style that will best represent your history
Emphasize your transferable skills and group them together in a category, ie. "Communication", "Customer Service"
Use powerful statements with action words to clearly define what you have done and the results you've achieved
Make it look professional and eye appealing -- balance it on the page, seperate different sections
Have your resume saved in MS Word format for sending via email
Attach a cover letter specialized for the job you're applying for
PROOFREAD!
DON'T:
Include personal data such as marital/family status, age, date of birth, Social Insurance Number, etc.
Use a "one size fits all" generic resume and cover letter
Use paragraph format
Outline your reasons for leaving your past jobs
Use a title for the resume ie. "Resume of" or "Confidential Resume Of"
Have any spelling or grammatical errors
Misrepresent your skills or qualifications. Chances are the truth will eventually come out in an interview
Types of Resumes
1. Chronological
Displays your employment and educational history in reverse chronological order (most recent position first)
Effectively shows the employer your career progression
Appropriate if you are seeking a position in the same field as previous experiences
2. Functional
Effectively highlights your transferable skills, but with less detail about where you gained the experience
Appropriate for those without a steady work pattern--if you are going through a career change, have gaps in employment, are re-entering workforce, etc.
3. Combination
Contains aspects from a chronological and a functional resume
Allows you to highlight your most marketable skills, while providing adequate detail about past work and education experience
