by Stacy Dunn
The New York Times cited a Monster.com report that says while the pandemic changed many aspects of the world of work, but the resumé has stayed the same.
Employment Counsellor Sabrina Milligan with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI agrees.
“My advice to clients about writing a resumé has always been to carefully read through the job description and highlight your skills, education, and experience that are relevant to the job,” Sabrina says.
In the last few years, Sabrina has seen some changes related to technology. “More of my clients are emailing resumés to employers and are doing interviews over the phone or through Zoom.”
References
Sabrina says the generic resumé should include three references. “It’s good to have a handful of references to pick from because some references may be more tailored to the industry you are applying to.”
Encouragement to apply to job postings
Sabrina encourages her clients to apply to job postings even if they don’t have all the requirements listed. “Most employers have a high demand for workers and may consider somebody who doesn’t have all the requirements they are looking for.
“I encourage my clients to include as much information in their resumé as possible. If they are concerned about employment gaps, sometimes we will do an informational resumé that doesn’t focus on dates so much. When applicants get to the interview, they can speak more about their skills.”
The Monster.com report says post-pandemic, employers may be less concerned with gaps in work history than they might have been a few years ago. “Their gaps should not deter them from working in a field of interest,” Sabrina says. “Help is available for people to work towards their goal.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
About Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI Employment Services, visit www.mcpei.ca
