Navigating the Applicant Tracking System
November 19, 2020
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software that employers use to find the most suitable candidate for a specific role. According to Jobscan, 95 per cent of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS to streamline their hiring process. ATS reviews resumes and qualifies candidates that match the job criteria. As a candidate, it is important for you to optimize your resume and learn how to navigate the ATS.
Consider these these best practices to get your resume past the ATS and into the hands of hiring managers:
1. Apply the Right Format
Most applications fail to make it through an ATS because of poor formatting. Newer tracking systems… Learn More
In Demand Soft Skills of 2020
November 05, 2020
When hiring managers assess candidates for fit, they focus on soft skills, behaviours and aptitudes that show them how well you’ll mesh with others at the company. Qualities such as being a good communicator or having a strong work ethic are obvious requirements and often what candidates aim to prove when interviewing for a job. But what other qualities are important to employers in 2020?
We did some digging (and asking) and here are the top 3 in-demand soft skills of the year:
Creativity
Both LinkedIn and the World Economic Forum cited creativity in their findings of top qualities that employers seek in ideal candidates. This is something we hear a lot from our clients too:… Learn More
Do’s and Don’ts of F&A Resume Writing
October 22, 2020
Hiring managers skim through a ton of resumes daily and need to identify quickly which ones make the cut and which ones don’t. It is tough to summarize your career on a single document –skillfully articulating positions you’ve held, certifications you’ve earned and companies you’ve worked for.
Whether you’re creating a new resume from scratch or updating a current one, here are some of our do’s and don’ts to help you to put together a purposeful career document that brings you closer to your next job.
Do’s
1. Choose a Functional Resume Format
Most finance resumes use a chronological approach to display work experience. Experiment with a functional format that follows the… Learn More
Top Certifications for Accounting Professionals
October 01, 2020
Accounting is one of the most important languages of business. Advances in technology are also changing the business landscape for accounting professionals. In 2020, accountants must not only possess technical knowledge about accounting principles but should also embrace data science and analytics to improve a company’s performance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects accounting careers to grow at a pace of 13%, with more than 1.4 million jobs by 2022.
If you are looking to embark on a number-crunching career path, here’s our list of top accounting certifications that you can consider pursuing:
1. Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
CPA is a globally recognized and respected designation for accounting professionals…. Learn More
Top Certifications for Finance Professionals
September 24, 2020
Certifications in the finance and accounting industry matter. They make you more desirable to employers and open the door to new opportunities. The Canadian financial sector has witnessed a proliferation of designations and credentials, making the need for specialized financial professionals rampant. Getting certified, even later in your career, shows your commitment to continued education, a growth mindset, and that you are serious about a finance profession.
In the spirit of back-to-school season, here’s our list of top finance certifications for aspiring and existing F&A professionals wanting to take their careers one step ahead:
1. Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA)
CFAs work with investments, institutional money… Learn More
3 Key Questions to Ask Remote Candidates
September 17, 2020
Remote work, while being recognized as more mainstream, especially now, is not suitable for everyone. It takes a certain type of person to work effectively away from an office setting. Independence, good time management skills, resourcefulness, and trustworthiness are some qualities an employer should seek in a candidate applying for a remote role.
So how can you determine whether a candidate will succeed at teleworking? Consider asking these 3 key questions during an interview to help assess for remote suitability.
How do you prioritize tasks?
It’s important to know that the candidate can distinguish between important and less important tasks and make the… Learn More
Key Questions To Ask Remote Employers
September 10, 2020
As we recover from the pandemic and some companies make the move towards establishing remote work on a permanent basis, candidates will likely see a lot more opportunities for teleworking roles. While it may not be an ideal fit for everyone, remote jobs provide greater flexibility, less constraints around location, and a more technology dependent working environment.
In order to assess whether the remote role you’re applying for is well supported by the organization that’s offering it, consider asking these 3 questions at the interview:
1. Can you describe your company’s remote culture?
Some companies might have an established remote workforce while others might be new to this. Because… Learn More
Return to Work Anxiety: How to Help Your Employees
August 27, 2020
As governments loosen restrictions, many employers have begun developing plans to ensure that employees are brought back to an office setting safely. This includes operational and logistical considerations, setting up employee schedules, elevator usage policies and much more. But it’s important to also address and plan for how to deal with feelings of stress and anxiety around the return to work.
These uncertain times have taken a toll on the mental health of many employees, affecting future productivity and engagement levels. According to a survey conducted by KRC Research and Weber Shandwick, 45 per cent of employees are afraid that their employer will bring them back to the office before it… Learn More
How to Market Company Culture on Social Media
August 20, 2020
There aren’t too many companies today that don’t have a social media presence. Social media is a mainstream marketing tool, highly effective at growing brand awareness, cultivating relationships with your customers, and promoting your products or services. But do you ever use this all-star tool to highlight your company culture? If the answer is no, you’re missing out on an important opportunity to attract talent.
Passive and active job seekers will inevitably explore your company pages across different social channels and will even look at profiles of your existing employees. Which is why it’s so important to regularly post social content that paints a genuine portrait of your company’s… Learn More
How to Avoid Job Search Burnout
August 13, 2020
Looking for work is like a job itself. It involves a lot of strategic planning, hard work and patience. Whether it is the pandemic that has forced you to look for new employment opportunities, or you have been on the hunt for a while now, don’t let job searching burn you out.
Here are some best practices to help you:
1. Develop a Strategy: Build a daily routine with specific goals and work your way through them. Start your job search process by determining your career aspirations and evaluating any skills gaps. Update your resume with latest work experience, certifications and expertise. Use your time effectively by brainstorming ideal companies you would like… Learn More
4 Ways to Boost Employee Morale While Working Remotely
August 06, 2020
Retaining employee morale is a struggle point for many employers right now. The Society for Human Resource Management states that 65% of employers find maintaining employee morale during COVID-19 to be a problem.
It’s not surprising that decreased productivity and disengagement are the result of our current working conditions: working from home, often feeling isolated and anxious about COVID19, having to parent children while focusing on work tasks, unable to make meaningful connections with your coworkers virtually, and feeling burned out with limited outlets to relieve stress.
We have all heard the statistics before and know that happy employees make for a successful business. Disengaged workers can cost anywhere between $483-605 billion… Learn More
Career In Cannabis: Common Misconceptions Dismissed
July 30, 2020
In October 2018, Canada approved to legally regulate cannabis for recreational use, making it the first major G7 economy to do so. The Cannabis production industry has proved to be the fastest growing market in Canada. According to IBISWorld estimates, the industry revenue increased by an annualized 116.3% from 2015 to 2020, earning an anticipated $3.5 billion this year.
The cannabis industry offers many opportunities for career advancement but yet many candidates still think of it as stigmatic and are guided by common misconceptions.
Here’s our list of top 3 myths, dispelled:
1. Cannabis employers will hire anybody.
Wrong. Employers look for candidates with passion, skills and, yes, experience. Because… Learn More
How to Avoid Burnout in The Age of Remote Work?
July 23, 2020
From significant cost savings to increased employee engagement and productivity, working remotely, this new normal of employment, is definitely becoming a growing business necessity. However, for some employees, the ease of working from anywhere and anytime can backfire leading to stress and burnout. According to Monster’s “State of Candidate” survey, nearly half of the telecommuting respondents stated that they are experiencing burnout. Additionally, 52% of those polled claimed that they do not have plans to take vacation or time off.
Remote employees have different challenges than in-office workers. Some might not be able to strike the right balance between their personal and professional lives, while some might find themselves working longer hours… Learn More
Dispelling The Myths Around Contract Employment
July 16, 2020
The number of contract workers in Canada increased by 50 per cent in the last 20 years – growing at a faster rate than the number of permanent opportunities – according to Statistics Canada. As per the Labour Force Survey, 1.4 million people worked temporary jobs in 1998, whereas in 2018, 2.1 million workers were engaged in temp and freelance roles. Contract employment involves hiring an employee for a pre-determined period of time. This type of employment is ideal for candidates that seek work-life balance and to those who are looking to add another feather to their resume while hunting for a full-time opportunity. The… Learn More
5 Ways to Power Your Professional Development
July 09, 2020
Life-long learning is no longer an aspiration of select few but a widespread necessity of our fast-paced, technology driven, ever-changing economies, no matter what industry you work in. Employees that cultivate a growth mindset are more likely to succeed professionally and attain those coveted leadership roles. The good news is that professional development is easy to achieve with the digitization of information. Anyone can now go on the internet and learn something new in minutes.
According to a 2019 study conducted by IBM, as many as 120 million workers in the world’s 12 largest economies may need upskilling in the next three years as a result of AI. While some skills will… Learn More