Intra

Working remotely or between jobs? Don’t lock yourself away at home alone. Vancouver has a huge constellation of coffee shops to choose from, most offering teas, coffees, snacks, and atmospheres for any hankering.

We’ve just started getting serious about exploring the city’s coffee shops, and will share some suggestions here. It’s a great way to get out of the house, people watch, and to feel like you’re a part of something bigger.

**Actual footage of my partner during lockdown, at a time when we would have given anything to go exploring Vancouver!

🚀 Resume tip: let you skills tell a story

Did you know that less than 10% of resumes truly make their skills section shine? Don't fall into the trap of using overused words and phrases that don't tell your story.

🙅‍♂️WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOFT AND HARD SKILLS?

😃Soft skills are hard to prove, which is why it’s a good idea to avoid listing skills like teamwork, communication, or time management. Instead, create an impact by demonstrating these skills in your work experience section. If you do prefer listing key soft skills related to a specific job, elaborate on the skill. Examples:

Influential communicator, candidate advocate
Strong negotiator with great presentation skills

💡 Hard skills (technical skills, certifications) can be proven easily. Group these under a dedicated Skills section. Keep it focused. Listing more than 5-10 skills might raise questions about your expertise in each. ⚠️ Examples:

Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Agile
Programming: SQL, Java, Python

🙅‍♂️ HOW DO I DEMONSTRATE MY SKILLS IN MY EXPERIENCE SECTION?

Use the formula below to effectively demonstrate hard or soft skills.

✅ Action Verb + Task (Project) + Result (Metric)

Examples:
- Created a streamlined admin system [Google Docs], enhancing productivity and inter-departmental communication.
- Revamped recruitment process, boosting candidate and client activity with improved communication.

"So, tell me about yourself."

Here are some quick tips on how to answer one of the most common questions you are likely to receive during your next interview.

Your resume, if put together correctly, can create a great first impression - putting you miles ahead of your competition.

Recruiters and employers see hundreds of resumes for each of their job postings (that leaves them with mere seconds to scan through each application), so expressing your value and making it easy to find the information they want to see, is crucial if you want to stand out.

Here are a few tips on how to improve your resume right now.

Remote and hybrid roles may be on the decline, and offices may be moving back to in-person office settings, but virtual interviews are not going anywhere anytime soon. And that's why it's important for you to stay at the top of your virtual game!

Here are 5 tips to stand out in your next virtual interview.

We are a platform for new arrivals to Vancouver and surrounds, helping you prepare for, and navigate the local job market. We were new immigrants, too, and I remember vividly how challenging it was finding resources that gave me all the information I wanted (and that I never even knew I needed).

As an immigrant to Vancouver, and as someone who has worked locally in the recruitment industry, I wanted to extend my knowledge and guidance to those who need it.

I do not promise to have all the answers, but I will share some valuable tools and insights that will save you time and hard lessons, and that will get you there faster. I’m offering resume reviews, LinkedIn profile overviews, interview advice and practice, and tips and tricks when it comes to salary negotiations. Importantly, I have many contacts in the local recruitment and job markets.

So please join Intra by simply ‘Liking’ and ‘Following’ this page. I encourage you to share your story, experiences, and ask your questions in this forum. I’d also love it if you’d introduce yourself and let me know a little bit about what you’re looking for, and I’ll personally respond.