Rebecca

12Aug 2021 by Rebecca No Comments

It’s All In the Details

Writing

I can truly say I’m a “details” type of person and firmly believe in that old saying: “It’s all in the details.” In contrast, I know some people consider themselves to be “big picture” types. Nevertheless, I find that sometimes the big picture can come across as rather fuzzy or vague or even unrealistic. However, a big picture person could point out that a details person can flounder in so many details that they lose sight of the big picture. That’s why it’s important that these two types work together, to balance each other out. Some job seekers tackle job hunting like a big picture problem. Their end goal is to find a job that fits their lifestyle, gives them more opportunities, pays more, or is in a healthier working…

08Jul 2021 by Rebecca No Comments

Three Reasons Why to Include a Cover Letter

Writing

You may be asking yourself, “What’s the point of a cover letter? Why do I need to include one?” I am aware that there are differences of opinion regarding whether or not a cover letter is essential when applying for a job. We’re told that some employers expect one, while others are much more interested in examining your resume. That being said, personally, I have impressed more than one potential employer in my own past work experience with a well-written cover letter. Plus, when I’ve arrived at the job interview, my cover letter is usually placed front and centre, alongside my resume. I am definitely on the side of those who believe a cover letter should be included with a resume. If anything it seems that more than 50% of…

05Jul 2021 by Rebecca No Comments

Taking Notes the Old-Fashioned Way

Writing

When doing research for various projects in university, I loved to sit cross-legged on the floor of a secluded library aisle, selecting books off of the shelf and browsing through each one. Researching was my jam, whether with actual books in hand or perusing articles online. What I never enjoyed was the actual note-taking part. I desperately wanted to store what I read into a photographic brain. Except I wasn’t born with one . . . With a sigh, I’d lug that giant stack of books home with me or sit with my laptop at a library desk, typing out a gazillion notes of paraphrases, summaries, and quotes. I did that for all of my seven years of university researching. It wasn’t until two years ago that I discovered the art…

19Jun 2021 by Rebecca No Comments

Avoiding Generalizations When Writing Your Resume

Writing

[caption id="attachment_619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Resume writing[/caption] Do these lines look familiar? Results-oriented attitude that exceeded expectations Excellent customer service skills Able to work under pressure and on multiple tasks simultaneously Able to adapt to a variety of work environments Can work independently or as a team member You may have seen these phrases on a sample resume or have written them in your own resume. First of all, these are not wrong lines to insert into a resume. However, they are what we call generalizations. I can guarantee that an HR manager or job recruiter has read those lines repeatedly, as they sift through numerous resumes. If this is basically all you write in your resume, it will contain little recruiting appeal. Second, these lines don’t say much about who…

09Jun 2021 by Rebecca No Comments

Standing Out From the Rest

Writing

An online presence is more important than ever these days! Especially for small businesses. I'm currently helping a small business owner write the content for her soon-to-be launched website. As much as you may be tempted to simply slap some text onto a web page, and call it a "website," there is so much more to developing a good site for your startup or small business. It takes time, energy, and commitment to produce a quality site, even if it falls into the category of being simple or basic. Always brainstorm first before beginning and jot down your thoughts. Here are some questions to ask yourself when setting up a website: 1. What's the purpose of my site? What message am I trying to present to my potential customers? 2.…

08Jun 2021 by Rebecca No Comments

Q&A about Resumes

Writing

Oftentimes, when sitting down to write their resume, job seekers struggle to know how and what to write for their resume. As someone who has written a fair number of resumes, I know that this is no small task. Here are some common questions people ask, along with my answers to them. Your QUESTIONS . . . How long should my resume be? One page? Two pages? Three, even? Should I write a summary statement, or is that even necessary? Should I list all my jobs or just a few? What about a template? Should it be fancy with lots of colour or simply black and white? Should I always include a cover letter with my resume, or do HR managers even bother reading it? My ANSWERS . . .…

01Jun 2021 by Rebecca No Comments

Why Hire an Editor

Editing

Having had many conversations about what I do for a living, I thought it's time to answer a very important two-part question: "What does an editor actually do? Why hire one?" Your initial answer to this question may be that an editor fixes grammar. You think to yourself: "An editor is someone who puts periods at the end of sentences and corrects the spelling of misspelled words." Well, you are right . . . to some extent. However, with our advanced technology, a grammar check will correct most basic grammatical errors. Yes, all those red squiggly lines are there for a reason. Right click, and voila, the change is made! Wait a minute. You may still be asking: “What is the point of an editor then?” Editors don’t just fix…

Author: Rebecca