Career Assistance

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation’s Career Development Officer works with clients to achieve their career, education and employment goals through many different initiatives. Some of these include:

  • Career Planning
  • Resume and Cover Letter Development Support
  • Interview Preparation
  • Mock Interviews
  • Educational and Training Planning
  • Guidance to overcome barriers to employment (social, financial)

Resume Tips

  1. Plan ahead. If you wait until the last minute to hand in your resume, you could miss the deadline and risk not being considered for the job.
  2. Tailor your resume. Include information on your resume associated with the job you are applying for.
  3. Chunk it out. If there is a lot of information, break it into separate sections with specific headings.
  4. Use action words such as: achieved, developed, organized, managed, upgraded and produced.
  5. Focus on things you have accomplished, and avoid starting every sentence with “I”.
  6. Proofread. Never rely on spell check.
  7. Repeat Tip 6. Seriously, even one misspelled word could put you in the “do not consider” pile.
  8. Make it presentable. Make sure your resume looks clean and organized. Use white, letter-sized paper (8.5 x 11-inch) and a font that’s easy to read, like Times New Roman or Arial.
  9. Keep it concise. Try to keep your resume as short as possible—ideally one or two pages.
  10. Be honest. Lying on your resume is never a good idea. Many people who lie on their applications end up losing their jobs when their employers find out the truth.
  11. Be professional. Remember, this is a business document, so don’t include embellishments like flashy paper or a picture of yourself, and have a professional personal email address.

Learn more tips on writing a resume

Cover Letter Tips

  1. Do your research. Learn what you can about the company or organization you’re applying to, so you can tailor your cover letter and really show the employer that you could be a good fit.
  2. Follow instructions. Be sure to include any information that was requested in the job posting. If the posting asked for the amount of hours a week you are available to work, be sure to answer that question in the cover letter.
  3. Don’t restate your resume. Use your letter as an opportunity to make a great first impression. Most employers read the cover letter first, so you want to catch their attention by describing your impressive skills. That way, they are more likely to read your full resume.
  4. Personalize your letter. When possible, address your cover letter to a specific person. Use their name and title, and make sure the spelling of the name is correct.
  5. Tailor your letter to the job. Make sure the skills and experience you highlight in your cover letter are clearly connected to the job you’re applying for.
  6. Presentation counts. Use the same font on your resume. One that’s easy to read, like 12-point Times New Roman or Arial. Using 8.5 x 11-inch white paper is usually a smart choice.
  7. Break it down. Make your cover letter easier to read by breaking the text down into short paragraphs.
  8. Use a professional tone. Be sure to use professional and respectful language when writing your cover letter.
  9. Be brief. Your cover letter should be no more than one page long—the best strategy is to keep it short and to the point.
  10. Proofread. Review your cover letter several times; don’t just rely on spell-check. Ask someone else to proofread it as well.

Learn more tips on writing a cover letter

Interview Tips

  1. Dress for success. Professional business clothes are always appropriate, regardless of the type of job you are interviewing for. Proper hygiene and a tidy appearance are important. Iron your clothes if you can, and avoid strong perfumes or colognes.
  2. Be there on time. Try to arrive 5 or 10 minutes early to be safe. Find out ahead of time where you’re going and how long it will take to get there. Drive or travel the route a day or two ahead, at the same time of day as you will on the day of the interview. Confirm how often the buses run. Have a back-up plan.
  3. Let your personality shine. If you’re excited about the job, don’t be afraid to show it. Employers want passionate employees, so be yourself. Just remember to always keep it professional.
  4. Be confident. Feeling nervous in an interview is perfectly normal; just don’t let your nerves overpower your interview. Eye contact and a calm, clear speaking voice are excellent ways to show your confidence.
  5. Watch your body language. During your interview, relax and sit naturally, but don’t slouch in your chair or lean on the interviewer’s desk. Avoid chewing gum, or fidgeting with jewelry or your hair.
  6. Be professional. This begins with a smile and a firm handshake. Remember, this is your first introduction to the organization, so be polite to everyone you meet and turn off your cell phone.
  7. Listen and ask for clarification, if you need it. Remember to listen carefully to the interview questions so that you actually answer the question, and never interrupt. If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
  8. Let them know what you have to offer. When answering the questions, let the employer see what you have to offer their organization. Talk about your past experiences and accomplishments without bragging, and tie those experiences to how they can help you contribute to their organization.
  9. Think before you speak. Although you want to be open and honest in your interview, avoid talking about your personal or financial problems.
  10. Don’t linger. Leave as soon as the interview is over, making sure you don’t linger. Shake the interviewer’s hand again, restate your interest in working for the organization, and thank them for the interview.

Learn more tips for a job interview

If you have questions regarding Career Assistance services at IRC, please contact:

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

Education and Training

107 Mackenzie Road

Bag Service #7

Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0

Tel: (867) 777-7095

Fax: (877) 289-2389

Send an email