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Accountemps Research Examines Current Job Search Trends

• 77 per cent of managers prefer a single page for staff-level resumes
• 40 per cent of human resources managers eliminated a candidate for being too pushy after an interview

TORONTO, Jan. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Workers may be thinking "new year, new job," according to a survey from staffing firm Accountemps. More than one-third (36 per cent) of Canadian professionals plan to look for a new position in the next 12 months.

Here are some additional findings from recent Accountemps job search surveys:

• Resume length is less important. More than three-quarters (77 per cent) of senior managers prefer a one-page resume for staff-level candidates, while 20 per cent believe two pages is an ideal length. For executive roles, more than half of managers (58 per cent) cited one page as most acceptable, while 32 per cent were most receptive to two pages.
• The resume isn't the only thing employers consider when evaluating potential hires.  Twenty-one per cent of managers said the candidate's online profile is equally important.
• Follow-up is expected and appreciated. All HR managers surveyed encourage candidates to check in after submitting a job application. Forty-two per cent of respondents said they take thank-you messages into account when deciding who to hire, but HR managers reported receiving notes from only 28 per cent of applicants. The survey also found email is the most common way to stay in touch and send thank-you's. While following up is key, 40 per cent of HR managers said they have removed a candidate from consideration because they were too pushy after an interview.

"Successful job seekers stand out for their ability to articulate the value of their expertise to an organization," said David King, Canadian president of Accountemps. "By relating their professional accomplishments back to the role and potential employer, candidates demonstrate familiarity with the company and where they fit within it, while establishing reference points to use when following up with hiring managers."

Accountemps offers the following job search tips:

• Take stock of your successes. List your accomplishments to help you update your resume and prepare for interviews. Be ready to explain your most important career achievements with specific examples.
• Check your online presence. Review your social media accounts to ensure they cast you in a favourable light. Keep your online profile up to date, noting key accomplishments at your current and previous jobs.
• Tailor the resume to the position and employer. Describe your skills and experience in relation to the job opportunity. Detail significant contributions you've made at your current or former employer and how they impacted the department or company's bottom line.
• Follow up throughout the application process. Always follow up with a thank-you note immediately after the interview. It's also okay to send a quick email to the hiring manager one to two weeks after submitting your resume or interviewing if you have not heard anything, but keep follow-up communication to a minimum. You don't want to be perceived as pushy.
• Know what you're worth. Many companies are wooing in-demand candidates with higher pay and other benefits. Use resources like the Robert Half Salary Guides to determine a starting compensation range for your desired position in your local market.
• Partner with a specialized recruiter. Work with a staffing firm to uncover opportunities that match your skill set. Consider temporary work to learn which industries and work environments suit you or get your foot in the door at a company that interests you.

More tips about conducting a job search can be found on the Robert Half blog.

About the Surveys
The surveys of workers, senior managers and HR managers were developed by Accountemps. They were conducted by independent research firms and include responses from more than 400 workers in Canada, and more than 300 senior managers and 300 HR managers at companies with 20 or more employees in Canada.

About Accountemps
Accountemps, a Robert Half company, is the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The staffing firm has 300 locations worldwide. More resources, including job search services and the company's blog, can be found at roberthalf.ca/en/work-with-us/our-services/accountemps. Follow us at @RobertHalf_CAN for additional workplace news and hiring trends.

SOURCE Accountemps