1. Understanding What Employers Seek How to Become Their Ideal Candidate Donna Gray Human Resources Manager Casino Nova Scotia September 30, 2006

2. It’s tough out there… Unemployment rate in Halifax and vicinity – very low! Unemployment rate in Halifax and vicinity – very low! In some industries: Many qualified people – few available positions. In some industries: Many qualified people – few available positions. In other industries: Lots of positions – no one to fill them. In other industries: Lots of positions – no one to fill them. Many employers are still not willing to lower their standards despite tight job market! Many employers are still not willing to lower their standards despite tight job market! Seven Rules for Success. Seven Rules for Success.

3. Rule #1 - Know yourself What kind of work do you like to do? What kind of work do you like to do? What are you capable of doing? Qualified to do? Experienced at doing? What are you capable of doing? Qualified to do? Experienced at doing? What kind of work will keep you engaged and motivated? What kind of work will keep you engaged and motivated? What are you looking for in an employer? What are you looking for in an employer? If you don’t know what you are looking for, how will you ever find it? If you don’t know what you are looking for, how will you ever find it?

4. Rule #2 – Search with purpose Remain patient. Remain patient. Search for jobs from a variety of sources. Search for jobs from a variety of sources. Your networks – get them working for you! Your networks – get them working for you! Cold call with confidence. Cold call with confidence. Treat your job search like a job. Treat your job search like a job. Evaluate every open position against your criteria for ideal employment. Evaluate every open position against your criteria for ideal employment. Before applying: Envision yourself working at the organization…can you? Before applying: Envision yourself working at the organization…can you?

5. Rule #3 – Look good on paper First contact with potential employers. First contact with potential employers. Your resume and/or application form says. more about you than you think. Your resume and/or application form says. more about you than you think. Tailor make every cover letter you send out. Tailor make every cover letter you send out. Proof-read, proof-read, proof-read! Proof-read, proof-read, proof-read! Prepare a portfolio of your work. Prepare a portfolio of your work. Prepare yourself for contact from potential employers. Prepare yourself for contact from potential employers.

6. Rule #4 – Prepare to sell, sell, sell Go into interviews with a plan. Go into interviews with a plan. Most important question to get right: Why are you interested in working here? Most important question to get right: Why are you interested in working here? Next most important question: What are you bringing to the organization? Next most important question: What are you bringing to the organization? What other questions might you be asked? What other questions might you be asked? Rehearse your answers. Rehearse your answers.

7. Rule #5 - Show pride in your personal presentation Lots of articles written on this topic. Lots of articles written on this topic. General Rule: Look and dress your best for interviews. General Rule: Look and dress your best for interviews. Pride in grooming and appearance – not just for ‘pretty people’. Pride in grooming and appearance – not just for ‘pretty people’. Visit workplace beforehand to get a feel for the culture and standards. Visit workplace beforehand to get a feel for the culture and standards. Modified Rule: Dress one level above the culture for interviews. Modified Rule: Dress one level above the culture for interviews. Lateness? Never acceptable! Lateness? Never acceptable!

8. Rule #6 – Sell, sell, sell Be prepared to work your plan. Be prepared to work your plan. Expect to be nervous. Expect to be nervous. Have resume in front of you and refer to it. Have resume in front of you and refer to it. Caught off guard? Allow yourself time to think. Caught off guard? Allow yourself time to think. Close interview with insightful questions. Close interview with insightful questions.

9. Rule #7 – Follow up How you do this will really set you apart from your competition. How you do this will really set you apart from your competition. Be prompt in following up with requests. Be prompt in following up with requests. Be patient, but interested. Be patient, but interested. Not interested after the interview? Don’t leave employer hanging! Not interested after the interview? Don’t leave employer hanging!

10. Final Thoughts… Getting yourself in front of the right employers takes effort. Getting yourself in front of the right employers takes effort. Don’t get easily discouraged. Don’t get easily discouraged. Your people…support networks can help you through the tough times. Your people…support networks can help you through the tough times. You’ve found an ideal job? Celebrate your success…and keep your positive impressions alive with your new employer. You’ve found an ideal job? Celebrate your success…and keep your positive impressions alive with your new employer.

11. Thank you… …and best of luck in your search for the ideal employer!