Clément SanMiquel explained how before 2019, the job market was stable for both employers and candidates. However, COVID-19 changed this, causing a decrease in opportunities due to closed borders and the pandemic. In 2022, there was a shortage of candidates, but as of 2023, there was a return to stability in the job market, with a balance between job openings and applicants. SanMiquel explored the details of the North American job market, emphasizing its differences from the European market. Specifically, he gave helpful tips to students looking to improve their resumes for international job opportunities, with a focus on applying in the U.S. and Canada.
“Your CV is a way to advertise yourself“, stressed SanMiquel, “and in a market flooded with applicants, standing out is crucial”. He revealed that Talent Acquisition Managers go through dozens of CVs daily, spending not more than 15-20 seconds on each one, so to capture attention, your resume should be clear, precise, and strategically formatted.
According to SanMiquel, when applying to larger companies where recruiters manage applications for multiple positions, naming your file with the specific job position is crucial. For example, “Junior Product Manager_John Smith” simplifies the organization of files and the search process for talent acquisition managers when looking for applicants of that specific job position. Additionally, using only the PDF format is recommended, avoiding PNGs, JPEGs, or other formats.
The structure of your CV is essential, begin with a concise summary highlighting your experience, skills, and competencies, since these are the information that a recruiter typically reviews first. Follow this with your work experience, if you don’t have much experience yet you can emphasize relevant skills gained from summer jobs, extracurricular activities, volunteering, workshops, or internships.
In presenting your professional history, use action verbs and provide specific details about your responsibilities, such as “analyse budgets, financial reports and projections for accurate reporting of financial standing” or “create detail client tracking reports to monitor progress and development”.
Ensure you include your interests in your resume, as they offer potential recruiters insights into your personality and transferable skills. For instance, participating in a team sport demonstrates teamwork, which can work to your advantage. Don’t overlook seemingly basic or obvious skills, such as computer proficiency and familiarity with specific software programs, these details can set you apart from candidates with similar resumes.
However, it’s crucial to avoid listing skills you don’t possess. Honesty is key, especially considering that background checks with past employers may uncover any inaccuracies, and it is a standard practice in North America, so avoid fabricating tasks or responsibilities, as the truth tends to come out. Additionally, always have a list of reliable references prepared, as it’s a common request during the hiring process.
Spend minimal time on graphics, images and colors, a text-based resume is sufficient. Prioritize a tidy, easy-to-read black and white format, and avoid including specific infographics to explain language levels and soft skills Keep it concise, especially considering a recruiter’s limited time and if your profession values visual skills, include a portfolio link to showcase your talents, there’s no need to demonstrate in your own CV.
When applying in North America, refrain from adding a photo due to legal restrictions and potential bias and avoid explicitly stating personal details like ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, or gender unless required, as it may be perceived as an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.
Avoid investing time in a cover letter unless specifically requested, as recruiters often skip them due to time constraints. In the education section, focus on relevant degrees, and if your high school diploma is a standard one obtained years ago, consider excluding it.
You don’t need to explicitly mention any career breaks on your resume. Simply focus on detailing your most recent professional experience. Avoid emphasizing the duration of any employment gaps, as this might inadvertently place you at a disadvantage compared to candidates who didn’t have breaks. If potential employers are curious about any time off, they can inquire during the interview process. Be prepared to answer questions and provide explanations if needed. SanMiquel noted that “Post-COVID, breaks in employment are more widely accepted due to the economic impact and job losses experienced by many individuals”.
Leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT can optimize your CV, by uploading your resume and job description, you can receive tailored suggestions to emphasize relevant skills, try asking “redo my experienced linked to this job description highlighting my revelant skills and experiences”. Similarly, preparing for interviews is made easier by pasting the job description and ask “I’ll have a call with a recruiter for this position, what kind of questions could they ask me?”.
Lastly, post-interview etiquette matters. Sending a thank-you email expressing gratitude for the time and insights shared can leave a positive impression on recruiters since not many candidate usually do it, some ideas are thanking them for their time, for listening to you, or for sharing their experience with you.
In the dynamic landscape of the international job market, the insights provided by Clément SanMiquel, Talent Acquisition Manager at PwC Canada, offer a valuable roadmap for success from optimizing your resume to navigating the intricacies of the hiring process, this comprehensive guide shows the importance of strategic choices, positioning you for success in the competitive world of international job hunting.
