8 TIPS TO ELEVATE YOUR JOB SEARCH

June 29, 2025

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Say goodbye to traditional job search strategies and embrace the future! Leveraging the latest trends in resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and cutting-edge AI tools can help you stand out in today's competitive job market.

Here are some tips on how to get started:


1)   Keep your Resume Concise

Aim for one page if you have under 10 years of experience and extend to two pages for longer careers. Prioritize the last 15 years, emphasizing essential details and achievements that align with your target role.


2)   Pass the 6-Second Test

Statistics indicate that recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds per resume, focusing on the top 1/3 of the page. Utilize this critical space wisely. Skip the Objective Statement; instead, captivate hiring managers with a Profile Statement—a brief, compelling branding pitch that highlights your unique value. Ensure your most impactful bullet points feature prominently in the first job listed to prompt further reading.


3)   Quantify Your Achievements

Your resume should be more than a list of everyday tasks. To stand out, demonstrate your contributions and highlight results achieved so potential employers can understand your potential impact on their organization. Start each bullet point with strong Action Verbs like 'directed,' 'assessed,' ‘streamlined', or 'designed.' Provide context to showcase the purpose of your work and wherever possible, quantify your achievements. Did you reduce customer complaints, implement processes, boost sales, or enhance productivity? If so, what was the impact? At least 2-3 of your bullet points under each job should Include metrics that quantify your contributions.


For help building impactful bullet points, I suggest using a tool like Resume Worded. This AI-powered platform lets you upload your resume and instantly provides a score out of 100 with suggested areas of improvement. They offer a free version, and for just $49, you can unlock one month of access to their Pro version – a worthwhile investment.


4)   Leave Out the Fluff

Try to refrain from using unnecessary words that not only take up space but add no value. Anyone can say they are a “passionate and motivated team player” or that they are “detail-oriented” “innovative”, “strategic”, or “creative”. Focus on accomplishments rather than clichés, and if you use buzzwords, make sure they are tied directly to demonstrated achievements in your bullet points.


5)   Leverage Keywords for Maximum Impact

AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be used for keyword integration in resumes. Copy the job description into the AI chat field with the following prompt: "Identify the most important keywords for this role." Take it a step further by adding in your resume and instruct the AI to "strategically integrate these keywords into my resume to help me stand out.” Using job-specific keywords is important if your resume is scanned by an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), which is software used by recruiters and employers to rank job applications received.


6)   Say Yes to Cover Letters

Craft a well-thought-out cover letter that tells your unique connection story to the role you’re applying for. Keep it concise and impactful for a better chance at an interview. Structure the cover letter with an engaging opening paragraph followed by 3 to 4 bullet points specifically addressing the key job requirements. End with a closing paragraph that confidently requests an interview.


7)   Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence

Make sure you have a professional profile picture. Save your vacation shots, selfies, and formal event pictures for Facebook. It is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Make sure yours says, “professional”, “approachable”, and “confident”. If you don’t have a professional picture, try an AI tool like HeadshotPro to create a profile picture for you. For under $30, you will receive 40 headshots to choose from.


8)   Let Recruiters Find You

Privately signal to recruiters that you are open to new job opportunities on LinkedIn. To enable this feature, go to the Jobs tab on the top menu, click on Preferences, and then turn ‘Open to Work’ to the On position. This makes your profile visible to recruiters ONLY. Next, fill out your job preferences and then Save.


Resume Worded is also a good tool to fine-tune your LinkedIn profile. It can expertly review your LinkedIn PDF, offering valuable suggestions for improvement.


In 2024, the job market is expected to be more balanced compared to the overheated conditions of early 2023. However, competition for jobs will remain significant. Enhancing your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to showcase you in the best possible way improves your chances of securing your next career opportunity.


You're Hired!

Land Your Next Job: Master Interviews, Research Employers, and Secure Your Best Offer

By looka_production_150570109 • June 29, 2025
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YOUR STORY; The missing piece in your hiring strategy

June 29, 2025
Why Employer Branding Can't Be an Afterthought in Today's Talent Market When it comes to selling capabilities, turnaround times, and quality - the print industry knows how to show up. Printing and packaging companies are proud to share their new press investments, facility upgrades, and customer wins. But when it comes to attracting talent? Most are still relying on hiring processes that feel like they were written in 2005. Here's the reality: the best candidates are doing their research before they ever apply to your open roles. If your online presence doesn't tell them why they should want to work for you, you're losing them before the conversation even starts. And in a tight talent market - especially one where skilled workers and manufacturing experience are in short supply - that's not a risk you can afford to take. What Candidates Are Looking For (That You Might Not Be Showing Them) Today's job seekers want more than just a pay cheque. They're looking for: A sense of purpose - Who are you as a company? What do you stand for? How does your work make a difference? A culture that fits - Will I be respected? Supported? Included? Do you actually walk the talk? Opportunities to grow - Will I be stuck in a role, or can I build a career here? Are you investing in my future? Work-life balance - Does your leadership team "get it," or are they stuck in the old-school "work till you drop" mentality? Which by the way is not sustainable! You might be offering all of this - but if it's not visible, it doesn't count. Period. Here's What You Can Do (Without Hiring a Branding Agency) Refresh your job postings Cut the generic "competitive salary and benefits" lines. In 2025, salary transparency isn't just preferred, it's expected. Post your actual salary ranges. Tell candidates what makes your company different. Speak to the real people reading your ad instead of trying to check a bunch of HR boxes. Update your careers page Include photos of your actual team (not stock photos!). Add a short message from leadership. Share a quote or two about why people stay. Real, human content builds trust. Get visible on LinkedIn Not just for your company page but through your leaders. A quick post about a team win, an employee anniversary, or how you're growing the business gives people a glimpse behind the curtain. And please, stop with the corporate-speak. Talk like a human! Showcase your flexibility options The 2025 workforce expects some form of flexibility. Even in production environments, are you offering creative scheduling, compressed workweeks, or other options that acknowledge people have lives outside work? Make sure candidates know. Train your hiring managers The interview is no longer just about candidates proving themselves - it's about your team showing candidates why they should say yes. Make sure your managers are equipped to sell the opportunity, not just evaluate talent. And for goodness sake, get back to candidates quickly! Ghosting applicants is the fastest way to trash your employer brand. You Don't Have to Be Trendy - Just Transparent Not every company is a startup with ping pong tables and kombucha taps (and most people in print would roll their eyes at that anyway). But candidates are craving authenticity. They want to know what it's really like to work with you. So talk about your values. Share what a day on the floor looks like. Highlight the people who make your business run. Own up to your challenges and how you're addressing them. That's what sells today. In an industry that's literally built on communication, your hiring approach should communicate just as effectively as your marketing materials. Otherwise, don't be surprised when top talent keeps passing you by for companies that get it. Need help making your employer brand work harder for you? I work with companies across Canada to help them hire smarter - and build teams people want to be part of.  Let's chat!

3 LinkedIn Job Search Tools You Should Be Using

June 28, 2025
(Free Features, Premium Perks, and What's Coming Soon) LinkedIn has evolved beyond just a place to post your resume. Whether you're actively searching or casually browsing, there are built-in tools to help you get noticed and stay ahead. Many of these are free, and some come with extra perks if you have Premium. Plus, for those of us in Canada, there are exciting features on the horizon. 1. Job Match Insights This feature provides a quick snapshot of how your profile aligns with a job posting, highlighting your title, skills, and education. How to use it: • Navigate to the Jobs tab • Select a job of interest • Scroll to the “How you match” section Free users see: Basic comparisons between your profile and the job description. Premium users get: Detailed feedback, suggestions to enhance your profile, and insights into how you compare with other applicants. Why it helps: It quickly shows if you're a strong fit and where you might need to tweak your profile or resume. 2. Job Alerts and Saved Searches Set alerts for roles you're interested in, so new postings come directly to you. How to use it: • Go to the Jobs tab • Use filters to search by title, location, or company • Click “Set alert” at the top of the results Free for everyone Premium users get: Additional filters and the ability to see who viewed their profile. Why it helps: Being among the first applicants can improve your chances. 3. Profile Suggestions and Edits LinkedIn prompts you to make small profile improvements, especially if you've marked yourself as “Open to Work.” How to use it: • Visit your profile • Look for suggestions like “Improve your headline” or “Add a skill” Free users get: Basic improvement suggestions based on your activity and goals. Premium users get: Deeper AI-generated rewrites and keyword suggestions based on current hiring trends. Why it helps: Even minor updates can boost your visibility in recruiter searches. Coming Soon to Canada: New LinkedIn Tools LinkedIn is testing several new features in the U.S., with plans to expand to Canada later this year. AI Career Coach - AI assistant that helps with resume content, cover letters, and career planning. Currently available to select Premium users in the U.S., with a full rollout expected by the end of 2025. AI-Enhanced Job Matching - An advanced version of “How you match” that uses AI to recommend changes to your profile and offers deeper insight into your fit for a role. Currently live in some U.S. accounts, with international rollout in progress. Profile Video (Cover Story) - Allows you to record or upload a short video introduction tied to your profile photo. Still in limited release, with wider availability expected this year. These updates aim to help job seekers get noticed faster and tell their story more clearly. I'll share more when they're available in Canada. Final Thought If you're actively looking or even just exploring what's next, there's a lot you can do to get noticed without spending a thing. LinkedIn’s free tools can help you show up in more searches, attract the right kind of attention, and make it easier for recruiters like me to find you! Need a second opinion on your profile or assistance with these features? I'm always happy to take a look.  Oh, and one last thing! If you see a print or packaging job that grabs your attention, reach out to me before applying. If it’s a match and you haven’t already applied, I might be able to get your name in front of the right person. A warm intro beats the black hole of online applications any day!