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46 OAKVILLE BEAVER, Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Ten Tacky Résumé Tricks to Avoid By Sharon Graham, CRS, CIS, CPRW, CEIP As a Certified Professional Résumé Writer, over the years I have come across many tacky résumé tricks that candidates use in a misguided effort to stand out. Most recruiters are on to these gimmicks. When you use these tricks, you may appear desperate, or worse yet, dishonest. Avoid them because they do not work and are bound to fail. er's needs. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow, an environment of trust and an immediate impact, you've considered the right place. Sears offers all of those things and more. Sears Burlington is now Recruiting... ...if you are: Customer Focussed, Self Motivated, A Team Player We encourage you to apply (Inquire at our Catalogue Department for the Human Resources Department or complete an application today and submit to Human Resources). We are looking for associates wih a passion to grow Sears Canada Inc. and succeed... 900 Maple Ave., Burlington, Ontario L7S 2J8 associates who (905) 632-4111 are committed to for information on our Company visit our website at our customers. If www.sears.ca you demonstrate Sears Canada is an equal opportunity employer, offering a these values, we are waiting for you! competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Opportunities are NOW AVAILABLE for: Sales Associates (Fashion & Hardlines) Commission Sales Logistics (Shipping & Receiving) Customer Service Desk Associates 4- Cutting and Pasting Job Requirements from the Posting On the surface, copying directly from a posting may sound like a great idea. You'll have some of the keywords that your prospective employer is looking for. The problem with copying the content word for word is that you may be telegraphing a lack of ideas and initia1- The Extensive Vocabulary Gimmick tive. You may be saying "I am not able to write a creative sentence Using big words and lengthy sentences will not help you sound on my own, so I'll just cut and paste your wording." Try crafting origimportant, especially if they are used incorrectly. Don't hide behind inal wording using keywords and phrases that your employer will be your vocabulary. Your résumé should be an easy read. When your looking for so that your résumé can stand out from the stack. résumé is not concise and direct, the reader gets uncomfortable. Use common words and clear sentences to put the focus on your back- 5- Copying From Your Job Description ground and abilities. Make sure to include effective keywords and This sounds like a quick and easy way to get all your duties on the phrases that you know the reader will be looking for, but stay away résumé. Great idea, if you are trying to create a job description. Your from industry-specific buzzwords that may get lost on your recruiter. résumé should be a marketing document that focuses on your achievements, rather than your job duties. If an employer is posting 2- The Case of the Missing Employment Dates a job, they already know the basic duties. Your résumé should highEliminating your dates of employment to disguise career gaps will not light the best of the best. Make it accomplishment rich to show what work. Recruiters know that missing dates can only mean one of two distinguishes you from the rest of the candidates. things, either you are trying to hide a poor career history or you are just plain careless. Always include employment dates to pass the detailed 6- Copying Someone Else's Résumé résumé review. To extend the longevity of your résumé and minimize Now that's a simple plan. It is also plagiarism. Your résumé is a gaps, consider listing the year only, instead of month and year. strategic marketing document. In a job search scenario, every person has something different to offer. Create your own professional 3- Hiding Behind a Functional Résumé brand. You are an individual with personal accomplishments that The functional, or `skills based' résumé is designed so that your the recruiter should know. You may also have some career issues skills and relevant accomplishments are separated from your to minimize. Put on your prospective employer's hat and strategiemployment list and placed upfront. Many job seekers trying to min- cally design your résumé to show that what you have to offer is imize career issues such as gaps in employment use the functional what they need to buy. format. If you use this technique, you can be sure a perceptive recruiter will go directly to your career history to try to find what you 7- The Fancy Paper Trick are hiding. In addition, these résumés tend to be disliked by many A résumé printed on fluorescent pink or bright blue paper is guarrecruiters because it is difficult to connect where you did what you anteed to stand out long enough to be dumped in the trash. This did. Avoid the functional format if you can. Whenever possible, use strategy was outdated years ago and for good reason. Intense a reverse chronological format to keep your responsibilities and colors are not suitable for a professional business document. accomplishments under their respective job titles. If you must, use a Select a high-quality paper in brilliant white, watermarked, or offcombination of functional and reverse chronological that will strate- white résumé stock. gically minimize your obstacles and meet your prospective employ- Maple Leaf Consumer Foods is a world leader in the processing of fresh and frozen pork supplying customers on a global basis. TERRA Greenhouses is North America's most innovative retail garden centre. We have built our success with talented people and are always loooking to expand the Terra Team with the right players! Currently Seeking: NOW HIRING PRODUCTION WORKERS LaserNetworks Inc. www.lasernetworks.com has a history of steady growth and is an industry leader in providing office equipment sales, supplies and service across Canada. We are now seeking: Floral Designers 10 positions Showcase your creativity with designer flair! Our Production Team needs artistic talent to create arrangements for our upcoming holiday season. Cartridge Technicians to join the LaserNetworks team at Oakville head office. Consideration will be given only to candidates who have a proven track record and a minimum of 2 years manufacturing experience. A very competitive salary, full benefits plan, 3 weeks vacation to start, profit sharing and on the job training are provided. If you are interested and wish to join a highly motivated and skilled team, Please send your resume via email in very strict confidence to: Our pork processing plant in Burlington is currently seeking enthusiastic, motivated and energetic individuals to join the Maple Leaf family. With positions available in all departments, for all shifts including Cut Floor, Dressing Floor, Packaging, Shipping and Sanitation, there are positions ready to suit all potential employees. Are you motivated, ready to be challenged and are driven to succeed? Get a fresh start with Maple Leaf Consumer Foods. Qualifications: · Must be committed to safe work practices · Ability to work in, and as part of a team · Must possess good communication and interpersonal skills · Ability to work in a fast-paced environment · Focused on quality and continuous improvement · Previous industrial / manufacturing plant experience would be considered an asset If you believe that you are willing to step into a new and exciting career, please Fax your resume to 905-333-2948 or drop by the Burlington location to fill out an application. for more details visit www.terragreenhouses.com Maple Leaf Consumer Foods 821 Appleby Line Burlington, Ontario L7L 4W9 (Located on the southeast corner Appleby Line & Harvester Rd.) hrdepartment@lasernetworks.com or drop off at 2823 Bristol Circle, Oakville.