In Canada and around the world, we are experiencing a rocky economic situation which might change the way you approach your job search. Unfortunately even oil-rich Alberta is not immune. So, while Sherwood Park is flooded with laid off oil workers and newspapers report an imminent recession, what can you do to make sure you don’t find yourself unemployed for an extended period?

Get back to basics

Make sure your resume is head and shoulders above the rest. The stakes are higher so you have to stand out. When you list as a job seeker on Sherwood Park Jobs, you have the opportunity to enter your details into our system which formats them into a well-organized, visually pleasing resume template for employers to view. You can also copy & paste this template once it’s finished into your favourite word processor and make changes or print if you are applying for jobs outside of the site. Try to keep your resume short and to the point but make sure you provide all necessary information. It is frustrating for employers to be interested in you and then find you haven’t taken the time to prepare a good resume

Network

Chances are, you’ve been hired before because you knew someone who worked for the company. You likely have people around you now that can help with your search. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or contacts. If you can work up the guts to talk to people about your search, they’ll know you are serious and be more willing to recommend you to colleagues and friends. Networking can be a huge help to your job search but it can also be nerve-wracking. Keep in mind that everyone has to start somewhere and it won’t be so scary. Make a good impression on everyone you meet; you never know who might be the key to your next great job.

Keep your expectations in check

That dream salary that might have been available to you this time last year might not be on the cards now. Many companies are tightening the purse strings, and for the next little while, this will have an effect on the kind of wage you can expect. Be realistic and fair, and know that the lower your salary requirements, the more opportunities open to you

Be open to alternatives

You may be looking for employment in a field that’s just not viable right now. Be open-minded and aware of other related industries or positions with companies which could lead to your ideal position down the road. Just because you have been doing the same type of work for a number of years doesn’t mean you have to continue. Think creatively - what skills and experience could you adapt to other positions? You may find a job you never realized you would enjoy.

Do your research

When you apply to work with a company, make sure you know who they are and what they do. A search on Google can give you some information to go on so that when you get an interview, you can show the employer that you are genuinely interested in the job and are serious about the position. You could also set up a Google Alert for your chosen company or industry, so that you can keep up to date with the latest news.

Volunteer

Non-Profits and charity organizations are always looking for extra helping hands. Help out a cause you care about and it could open doors for you. Volunteer positions look great on your resume too

Follow up

Most job seekers miss this step in their job hunt. If you apply for a job, follow up a couple of weeks later with a phone call to make sure your application was received. Don’t be pushy, just check in and see if they need any more information from you. That way, they will be reminded of you and likely make a point to have a look at your application.

Stay positive

It might take a while but your job search will pay off. Be patient and stay positive. Go into every interview with your head high and a friendly personality and you’ll have a great job in no time!

When you use Sherwood Park Jobs, your job posting will be viewable by any of our nearly 10,000 page viewers every month. Visitors can view postings even before they sign up on the site, but if your posting doesn’t appeal to them, you won’t keep their attention for long. If you want to attract the right job seeker, here are some things to keep in mind:

There’s no word limit!

Take advantage of the fact that you have the space to explain exactly what you’re looking for. We’ve all seen job descriptions that have nothing but a name and a phone number, and we’ve all passed them by. Give job seekers a reason to take the time to respond to you.

• Write an attention-grabbing job title so that your post sticks out. Think about what would make you want to read on.

• Tell a little about your organization - Why should a job seeker want to work for you? What perks are there to the job (flex hours, relaxed environment, telecommuting etc.)

• Describe the job. Help them imagine themselves in the position. What will their duties be? What is their role as part of your team?

• Outline the qualifications that you require. What is absolutely imperative, and what is nice-to-have? How much experience is necessary? Be as specific about skills as you can so that you can avoid getting applications from unqualified candidates.

The internet allows interactivity - use it!

Put a link to your website in the posting, and any other links you think will help the candidate learn about your company and the position.

Consider the medium

Writing for the web is very different from writing in print, so don’t just re-hash your last newspaper ad. Write in list format or use another method that will help job seekers can scan your post quickly. Make sure that everything you are asking them to read is relevant.

Use keywords

Consider the words a job seeker would put into a search engine like Google to find your job and use them in your description. Search engines and our internal site search will check titles as well as wording in the posts so give details that make it easy for the job seeker to find the posting. The more directly a job seeker can get to it, the more likely they’ll take the time to apply

Avoid jargon

Consider that you are targeting someone outside of your workplace. Stay away from complex language and insider slang. To make sure that your wording is clear, have someone outside of your office read through it.

Indicate a salary range

Give applicants an idea of what they’re getting in for, and weed out the ones who aren’t interested in that pay scale in the process. If you are offering benefits, state that too. Job seekers are more likely to skip over your post if you don’t include these details.

Post a logo

It’s easy to include a logo on our site. Doing so will establish credibility, especially if your brand is a recognizable one.

Check, and re-check!

Your post is likely the job seeker’s first impression of your organization so check spelling, punctuation and grammar. Don’t write the post in all capital letters, it makes for very difficult onscreen reading.

Include contact details

Your details will appear in the job description, but let potential employees know who they should respond to and by what means. If you’d like them to apply straight away on the site, they can do so, but if you’d like to meet them in person, ask them to stop in with a resume, or give you a call. It’s up to you!

Remember, the more targeted your description is, the more likely you are to get the right person applying for your position. Taking a moment to post the job well will save your time in the future by making sure the applications you receive are relevant and that the applicants are motivated and suited to you.