This page offers links to a variety of job search websites and information on improving your job search. Additional information on building your career can be found in our Resource Binder.
IAAP Toronto Chapter does NOT endorse any particular company or recommend any particular method or guarantee that these suggestions will ensure you a successful job hunt. We offer this information as "one more tool in your kit" and recommend that you utilize all care and due diligence in following any of the information provided by the authors.
The Interview:
Dressing for an interview
Dressing for Success
Examples of Good and Bad Interview Dress
Dress Codes for Interviews
Dress according to the industry
Interview DO's and DON'Ts
Simple Rules
Do's and Don'ts and "lowlights"
Videos
Must Know Interview Mistakes
Top 10 Interview Mistakes
How to present yourself well:
One of the best ways to feel very comfortable in an interview is to really "know" your material - what you have done, how you did it and why it was successful. Many of us, however, find we leave an interview feeling that we did not provide the interviewer with the "important" information. We get nervous, ramble on a bit, provide answers that are either too long or too short, or forget to mention a relevant bit of experience.
One way to ensure that you really know you is to practice your stories. Below you will find a list of the "10 Most Common Interview Questions" as well as a list of "109 Additonal Questions" that can be asked in an interview. BEFORE you go on an interview, review the questions and then take a couple evenings to sit down and write your response to each question. Take the time to respond to each question thoughtfully, showing yourself in the very best light but also remembering to give full credit to anyone who worked with you on any particular project - employers are very interested to see "how well you play with others".
The next part is practice - you will need to rehearse your stories so that when you are in the interview, each story will flow easily and smoothly, without struggling to remember important details or stumbling in your delivery. You want to come across as confident and sure of your experience and skills. Every night for 2 weeks, read your list of questions and answers twice.
The next step is to write each story on an index card - in bullet points. Then take the cards with you where ever you go - keep them in your pocket or bag and when you have a moment (on the bus or train), take them out and read them. Continue to do this until you actually land that job.
The 10 Most Common Interview Questions
109 Additional Questions
When you land an interview, it is equally important that you ask questions of the interviewer. This shows that you are a participant in the process and that you are also concerned that this job will be a good fit.
Questions to Ask in an Interview
Your Resume
"Functional" Sample Resume
"Chronological" Sample Resume
Government of Ontario information on Resume Writing
Resume Tips for Recent Immigrants
Your Portfolio
A Portfolio is a portable collection of papers and/or artifacts presented in a variety of formats. This is a place to assemble your records of your skills, education, and work to allow an interviewer an opportunity to gain insight into you.
Why use a Portfolio?
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Offers a process for career development
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Demonstrates concrete proof of skills and learning
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Provides and opportunity for creative self-expression
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Essential tool for the New Economy worker
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As a marketing and self-promotional tool for job seekers to use in interviews or for the self-employed to present to a prospective client
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As a career planning tool for workers in transition, for self-discovery and self-evaluation to assist in identifying transferable skills
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As a performance appraisal and promotional tool for workers employed within an organization
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As a prior learning assessment tool for assisting people to gain credit and recognition for their non-formal learning experiences
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As a tool for students to track and record their learning experiences, to identify transferable skills, and to use for job search while in school and after graduation
A Portfolio Can Help You Answer These Questions
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What do I want to do next?
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Why should we keep or promote you?
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Tell me about yourself?
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Why do you think you are qualified for this job?
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Why should we grant you credit for your prior learning experience?
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Why should we grant you a scholarship/award?
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Why should we give you a business loan?
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Why should I contract with you for these goods/services?
Putting together your Portfolio
Contents
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Table of Contents
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Work history
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Resumes
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Copies of cover letters
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Letters of recommendation/references
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Certificates, diplomas, degrees and awards
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Records of community service/volunteer work (brochures, letters of recognition, etc.)
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Transcripts
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Professional memberships and service
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Samples of your work (ie: documents you have created, snap shops of websites you created, publications, etc.)
Work term reports
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Newspaper clippings featuring you
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Letters of appreciation
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Photographs or other relevant media