Job searching is almost like having a full-time job in and of itself! It can be especially difficult if you are juggling taking care of a family, or if you still have a full-time job to keep up with while on the hunt.

Searching for a job can be tough and may feel like you are hitting a wall at times, especially if you are not hearing back from any potential employers. Not to mention the job market is a constantly changing landscape that can be hard to navigate for those who haven’t been in it for a while.

With all that being said, the worst thing you can do is give up.

There are many common mistakes people make when they are searching for a job, but the good news is they are all easy to fix. Read on to find out how and increase your chances at finding your next dream job.

There Is Something Wrong With Your Resume Or Cover Letter

Your resume is the first thing employers will see when they review your application, so you want to make sure that it makes a good impression. Not using the proper keywords and phrases that match the job you are looking for is a common mistake. Most resumes are scanned using software that looks for specific keywords, so be sure to do your research to find out what best fits the career you are seeking. A good place to look is in the job listing itself.

You Are Only Using One Source To Find A Job

If you are only conducting your job search via job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, it is simply not enough. While it can be a good place to start, job boards are saturated with many other applicants, so being visible to your employer is hard.

Another option is recruiting an employment agency to help connect you with employers and basically conduct the hard legwork for you. Try signing up to do some temporary or contract jobs through TLC and see what opportunities arise from showcasing your skills and work ethic with their great partners.

You’re Not Networking

Networking regularly is one of the most useful things you can do for your career. You shouldn’t just network when you need a job, as that can make it look less genuine. We know you’ve heard

the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and it is true to an extent. Creating connections with professionals in your industry can help you greatly when you are looking for a job.

Not Selling Yourself

Many people don’t know how to sell themselves, or struggle when coming up with an elevator pitch. Being good at something and learning how to showcase it to others are two different things. Being clear about your achievements and problem-solving skills is important when you are speaking with a hiring manager. They want to see how you can benefit them, not the other way around.

If you want to find your next job and fast, you should take a step back and evaluate your efforts. Are you making these common mistakes? If so, take the time to correct yourself so you can put your best foot forward in your future job search efforts. Contact us today if you want to know more about jobs hiring in the Auburn, Seattle, Surrey, Vancouver, Alberta, Saskatoon and Winnipeg areas.

Hiring a temporary labour agency is a great idea because it will provide your company with a number of benefits, including the elimination of recruitment and payroll, which are often a hassle to deal with. This will allow you to focus on projects that matter but in order for the agency to be helpful, you must choose the right one so that your organization runs smoothly and the following tips will help ensure you make the right choice:

Ask about their area of focus

Some agencies focus on general staffing, which is useful for companies that have a range of different positions but if you need to fill a specific one, you need to ensure you choose a field-specific employment agency. This will allow them to find employees with a specialization and will generally focus on one area. If you are in the construction industry, for example, you need to work with a firm that has an understanding of the processes involved in this field so that they can hire the right person with the skills you require to satisfy your company’s requirements.

Focus on their reputation

This is an aspect you need to research because it will say a lot about their professionalism and abilities. Examining their client base is ideal because you will be able to see whether or not the agency has long-standing clients, which is a great indication of a good reputation. Ask about the kinds of projects or companies they have provided the labour supply for so that you can see whether or not their skills would apply to you.

Look into their hiring practice and their recruitment process

Agencies have different hiring processes and some may use a computer-based screening method while others complete in-person interviews, so check to see if their practices align with your needs. The process can indicate how well a temporary employee will fit in your company and for this reason, it is important to consider this aspect.

Communication

This is a key aspect of your selection process, so make sure you look into this before hiring an agency. You don’t have to be informed of every little step regarding the hiring process but you should also not be left out of it completely, so ask questions during the consultation phase to see how well the agency responds. Transparency is very important and the way they answer your questions will indicate the type of service you will receive, so if you feel as though their communication skills are lacking, that agency may not be the best choice.

Trades Labour Corporation is one of the top employment agencies and can help you find or fill whatever position you are after. We have access to all of the jobs that are hiring in the Auburn, Seattle, Surrey, Vancouver, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg areas. If you want to team up with a recruiting agency you can trust, give us a call now!

Generally speaking, you’re not going to be applying to only one or two jobs at a time unless you feel absolutely certain that you are going to be successful in those applications, which will rarely ever happen for most positions. As a result, you’re going to have a lot of jobs to keep track of, and it might feel overwhelming remembering where you applied and when. We’re only human, we shouldn’t be expected to keep all of that knowledge in our heads on top of everything else we need to keep track of on a daily basis. It simply won’t happen, and you will forget to do things if you don’t get organized, which will result in lost opportunities.

Here are five good ways to ensure you are on top of your job searches, and following up with each potential employer in a swift and logical manner.

1. Keep an Application Log

There are a wide variety of digital tools available to keep track of information. Having a record of all your applications and their statuses can be very helpful to ensure you are on top of them. If you haven’t heard from a company for a while, your spreadsheet should allow you to reference when you applied, what website it was on, the job title, and a link to the job description. Extra points for copying the descriptions to secure them in case they get taken down.

These logs are not just useful for keeping track of your in-progress applications. If you get to the interview stage and more information becomes available (ie: the hiring manager’s name and contact information, salary, important dates, etc.), you can also introduce these into the spreadsheet.

While there are a lot of tools that allow you to organize your information, Google Drive and the Google suite of programs allow you to take your information with you. This can prove to be a very useful tool, especially if you get a call on the road.

2. Organize Your Inbox and Files

It’s great that you have started organizing your applications in your new files and spreadsheets, but you still have to keep them organized. You may have different resumes, portfolios, or cover letters for different jobs that you are applying to, which are easier to keep track of in their own folders. It is usually recommended to tailor your resume to each job description, so you may have a resume for each job you apply to. A system that keeps the resumes, cover letters and portfolios together for each job will let you see at a glance what was sent for each position.

Your email inbox is also important to keep track of, as you will likely have receipts and responses for several of your applications. Keeping them in multiple folders like “Applications” or “Interviews” can be very helpful for keeping track of your prospects.

3. Apply Through Company Career Pages

It is a good idea to apply directly to a company through its website, as it will frequently receive less traffic. Some larger companies opt not to post in generic search sites, as they wish to reduce the number of applicants to the select few who are actively seeking them out. This can work to your advantage, as you have fewer applicants vying for the position, while also opening up the possibility of an angle where you express your particular interest in their company.

4. Simplify Your Search

Sometimes you think you want to get any and all jobs out there, but it’s not about how many applications you can send out. Spending more time on fewer applications means that you get some higher quality exposure and make yourself much more marketable in the process.

5. Subscribe to Job Alerts on Job Search Sites and Recruitment Agencies

Job search sites and recruitment agencies are tailor-made to find you available positions that are relevant to you and what you are looking for. With a few simple keywords and filters, you can see every job on the website that fits the criteria.

However, these boards have more to offer than just providing you with a wealth of relevant applications whenever you may want them. You want to know the instant a job goes up so you can apply for it immediately. That’s why job sites have the option to alert you when a new job gets posted under your search criteria, so you can be sure that you are the first one applying to the position.

Trades Labour Corporation is one of these excellent recruitment agencies, allowing you to market yourself to a wide variety of potential employers in the trades who are looking for someone with your talents. We offer employment services in places like Auburn, Seattle, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and many more great locations. Create a profile today and find your employer match today!

Staffing is always a challenge, especially when it comes to annual or semi-annual events. These might include a traditional staff holiday party at the end of the year, or a client appreciation event to give back to your valued patrons. Specialty-trained staff is required to ensure the event runs smoothly, sometimes requiring skill sets that your company is not set up to train. Having a dedicated hospitality department may not make sense for a business with infrequent events, and it can just be a hassle to go through the process of finding qualified candidates using typical traditional hiring methods.

Temporary agencies like Trades Labour Corporation are specifically designed to match the right skill sets with the proper expectations for employers in need. They take much of the added pressure away from finding the right candidates for the job by providing a pool of qualified candidates from which you can choose. These workers have already been trained in their respective fields, not only in terms of their job expertise but in all the health and safety requirements associated with the position. This means you can hit the ground running without the need for potentially lengthy and costly training programs.

In a candidate profile, they can list their expectations for length of employment, anywhere from a single event to an opportunity for longer-term employment. If single events are your focus, this does much of the pre-screening for you and saves you a large amount of time by avoiding going through a lengthy staffing process. Of course, this isn’t limited just to the expected length of employment, there are a large number of filters you can choose from to narrow down your list of candidates to find those who are the right fit for you.

Time is money in the business world, and being able to cut costs on staffing processes can also keep your event budget on track. Using temporary staff not only allows you to save on the process and training but may also save you on salary expectations, as you wouldn’t be hiring someone who may be coming on for a potential “special favour” who might want more for the trouble of being hired for a single-event service. Staffing agencies allow for few surprises, minimal negotiations, and expectations laid out from the get-go on both sides of the offer table.

Since we have established how temporary staff can make any event easy, you can now be much more flexible when planning your events. This method can shave off several months in the planning phase, which might allow for more spontaneous pop-up events that could allow you to address a relevant topic that appears in the news.

For any of your pressing staff requirements, Trades Labour Corporation can help you find the talents you need for all of your events. We connect employees and employers across North America, in prime locations like Auburn, Seattle, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and many more. Register your business today, and see what temporary staffing can do for you!

Salaries, benefits and holidays are all important in attracting candidates for new job positions; however, there is more to the process these days. Candidates that are in-demand will also look into the culture of the company and will be interested to learn about positive employee experiences. Your employee hiring process will be your first opportunity to make a good impression, so you need to focus on elevating the candidates’ experience to get them to want to join your team and your company.

It’s very important that you create a positive experience during your hiring process because this will convince a top candidate that your company is the one they should join because it is the right fit. A negative experience will do the opposite and turn them away, which will push them into accepting another offer.

In order not to lose top candidates, you need to improve and elevate their experience during the hiring process and the following tips will help:

Communicate

This is a very important aspect because clear communication is key and it is an essential component to a positive hiring experience. You need to provide the candidate with as much information as possible so that they understand how the process works and the elements that set you apart from other companies they may be considering.

Make sure you’re flexible

A lot of applicants continue working while going to interviews and attending multiple interviews may be hard. Showing the candidate that you value their time will be greatly appreciated and you can demonstrate this by being flexible and working with them to accommodate their schedule. This will show that you care and will also provide insight regarding how you treat your employees. It is a great way of demonstrating your willingness to work with employees to resolve conflicts.

Act fast

If there is a candidate that stands out and you are interested in extending them an offer, do not wait. Hesitation will cost you because it is a competitive market out there and time always matters. Remember that a verbal offer does not count and a physical offer is what will actually seal the deal.

Be honest

Some candidates may not be right for the job at the moment but may be perfect for another role down the line. Decline candidates in a timely manner and provide your feedback so that they understand why the position is not being offered to them. Your honesty will ensure that their impression of your company and hiring process is a positive one, which is very important because word spreads fast.

Trades Labour Corporation is an employment agency that can help you find your dream job. If you are looking for employment and searching through jobs in the Northwestern USA, near Seattle, Auburn and Tacoma we can help. We can also help you get working near most Canadian major cities, including Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto and more.

If you are planning on applying for a job, you should know that recruiters spend an average of about six seconds per resume the first time they pass through them. This information may affect your motivation; however, it’s important to understand that the skim test is only the first round of cuts and your goal should be to make it into the pile of resumes that earn a pass. These are the resumes that hiring managers are going to look at in more detail and it is at this stage that the real evaluation of your qualifications will start.

Passing the skim test is the most challenging part, but the following tips will help your resume pass the initial elimination round:

Separate information using bullets and headers

Large paragraphs are often harder to read because the human eye cannot process them as quickly, so make sure you separate sections on your resume with clear headers that communicate the information that will follow. Use bulleted lists wherever possible to highlight your skills and other important information.

List your strongest qualifications on the first half of the page

Optimize this space by listing the information that will make recruiters want to continue reading your resume. Whether it’s your last role or a list of certifications, make sure you list your best skills first because this will grab the recruiter’s attention.

Don’t include unnecessary information

If there is information that is not relevant, eliminate it from your resume. It’s important to show off your experience and qualifications but if the roles are not relevant to the job you’re applying for, it is a waste to include it and will make your resume unnecessarily long. Outdated volunteering or community experience and achievements dating back to high school should be eliminated, for example.

Make sure your resume is one page

It can be two pages if it’s absolutely necessary but anything more is not a good sign and will indicate that you have included a lot of outdated and unnecessary information. If your resume is longer than two pages, review it thoroughly to see where you can make some cuts.

Make sure you stick to a format that is simple and clean

Being creative will not set your resume apart and a font that is easy to read is always preferred. Handwriting and cursive fonts should be avoided at all costs and only use one or two accent colours at most so that your resume is easy to read. Do not include images and include white space so that your resume is not overcrowded.

Trades Labour Corporation is one of the leading recruiting agencies and knows about all of the jobs that are hiring in the Auburn, Seattle, Vancouver, Surrey, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg areas. If you are looking for employment in these areas and want to land your dream role, our agency can help, so contact us today!

The job search can often be a complicated, extensive journey. Although the ultimate objective is to be hired, just being invited to a job interview is a significant feat. Transitioning from being a job applicant to a job candidate can be both exciting and overwhelming. That is often why some job candidates accidentally besmirch themselves and both their job interviews altogether. Don’t fall into that category of the candidate! Once you score a job interview, it’s important to do everything you can to prepare yourself. That includes learning about which interview mistakes to avoid and what you can do to ensure a successful interview.

Here are some of the three common interview mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Appearing Uninterested and Unprofessional

This one seems like a no-brainer, however, many job candidates make the mistake of appearing dull, spiritless and uninterested, even if that is not the case. Employers have no patience or time for interviewees that express their disinterest in the process, even if you do so unintentionally. Always demonstrate your interest in the business and the job. This requires you to do your research on the company and understand why you want the job. Dress appropriately and presentably, ensure your cell phone is switched off and focus your attention and respect on the interviewer. Ensure you get enough sleep the night before so that you are alert and attentive throughout the interview.

2. Coming Unprepared

It’s no secret that arriving unprepared and late to an interview will likely crush your opportunity of getting hired. Preparation is vital to demonstrate your interest in the job and leave a positive impression on the interviewer. You will also be able to answer questions and ask them more professionally when you are better prepared. Coming prepared to an interview involves the following:

• Research and Understand Job: Ensure you analyze the job description, including each requirement and how you meet these qualifications. Reflect and write down situations in which you have demonstrated, met and exceeded these job requirements in the event an employer asks you to reflect on your experience. 
• Have Answers Ready: You can easily Google commonly asked interview questions, especially for the job you’re being interviewed for, and have the answers ready in your head. Take notes of the company’s history, product, services and information, especially if they ask you, which they likely will.

3. Forgetting To Ask For Next Steps

You should never leave the interview with questions about what to expect, how the employer will follow up and the hiring process. Ensure you have answers to these questions as well as the contact information of the employer. Find out who the post-interview contact individual is and how to get in contact with them.

Trades Labour Corporation employment agency servicing most of Canada, Seattle, Auburn and Tacoma makes the job searching process easy and rewarding. We’ve successfully placed thousands of job seekers in full-time positions with some of the country’s top trades employers. Let us help you find the right employment for you! Fill out our employment application here to get started: https://www.tradeslabour.com/resources/TLC_Employment_Application.pdf.

The impact of COVID-19 is still being felt by individuals and businesses across the globe. In these extraordinary times, it is heartening to witness the ways we’re coming together as a local and global community to flatten the curve of the virus and protect those at the most risk among us. Let’s all continue to do our part.

With that said, we wanted to provide you with some updates on TLCs latest response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety remains our top priority, and we are taking the situation extremely seriously by updating proactive measures to safeguard our employees, their families, you – our valued partners, and our communities.

We continue to modify branch hours, access, limit traffic and so much more. We evaluate the safety of each placement of our workers in all jobs while updating daily our policies based on the latest information available from health and government authorities. Trust that TLC is taking the best courses of action daily that we can to help protect our community, partners, and staff – you have our commitment to maintaining that standard.

We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to ramping up operations when its safe to do so to meet your needs – lets all hope that is sooner than later. Should you require more information on our response and policies on COVID 19, please contact your local TLC branch for details.

TLC is Staying Connected

TLC’s staff continue to be available for our clients and partners. Despite limiting traffic in our locations, we are still accessible by phone. For less urgent responses, we encourage you to reach your local branch via email.
We wish everyone good health at this time.