Canadians Overwhelmingly Agree: Need to Stand Out to Land Job
Workopolis poll reveals special efforts required to get attention of employer
Today’s competitive job market can make it hard for candidates to land their dream job. In a recent poll conducted by Workopolis, 88 per cent of Canadians agree that special efforts are needed to get the attention of a hiring manager. This is even more apparent in Alberta, with 96 per cent of Albertans saying that just sending through a resume isn’t enough to get noticed. But Ontarians seem to be less likely to stand out – only six in ten (61 per cent) agree.
“Getting the attention of an employer is a critical part of the interview process for candidates seeking to land a job in today’s labour market,” said Peter Harris, Content Manager at Workopolis. “And while differentiating yourself from the pack is important, candidates need to ensure their efforts are not attracting the wrong kind of attention.”
Meet George – like many Canadians he’s looking for work. And while his journey to landing his dream job is a bit over-the-top, it also reminds Canadians of some important do’s and don’ts when searching for a job.
A survey of more than 850 people on the Workopolis homepage reveals what Canadians are doing to stand out from the crowd:
- Networking their way into the job - 43%
- Following up with a hand-written thank-you note - 27%
- Building a strong online presence - 21%
- Creating a video resume - 9%
Peter Harris is available to provide his insightful analysis of the labour market and comment on the poll findings.
Ask him:
- Ways Canadians can get the attention of an employer of choice
- Tips on things to avoid
- Some of the strangest things people have done to stand out from the crowd
- Regional and generational differences
To see footage of what Canadians have to say on the matter, visit youtube.com/workopolis
You can follow along and see more of George’s adventures here: workopolis.com/thecandidate
About the Poll:
The Harris/Decima study was conducted via teleVox, the company’s national telephone omnibus survey, with a representative sample of 1,001 Canadians between July 28th and July 31, 2011. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent, 19 times out of 20.
To arrange an interview or for more information, contact:
Kristen Marano or Sebastian Gatica
Environics Communications
416-920-9000