Hot Tip -- by Kristi Kerford

Do you want to work in the printing industry? With any job search the first thing you want to do is research that particular industry to get an idea as to what type of job search will be most effective. Targeting your resume and job search approach is an important first step for all job seekers.

How do you target your search? If it's an industry you are familiar with it is quite simple. For example, if I was looking for work in the restaurant industry, going door to door with a resume would be a good approach. On the other hand, if I was looking for a babysitting position, going door to door would probably scare people. I would be better off to read the job ads and use word of mouth in my community to let people know what I was looking for.

Things get a little more difficult when you are trying to break into an industry that you are less familiar with, in this case, the printing industry. If the printing industry interests you, research and knowledge should be your first step. Today is your lucky day, as nextSteps did some independent research and is now prepared to share it with you. Information like what skills and education are required for the job, and how employers like to receive resumes and applications will give you an edge in your search.

Acquiring the necessary skills for a job will definitely increase your chances of success. Entering the printing industry has two main routes: formal and informal education. Check out Jump Start for some details on formal training available in Canada. While formal education will give you the necessary skills to enter the industry, depending on the company, there may be an opportunity for on-the-job training. Some companies are willing to hire people with some basic skills and start them in an entry-level position. Some of those key skills and attributes include:

• Effective team player
• Basic computer skills
• Quick learner
• Creative ability
• Able to pay careful attention to detail
• Ability to work under the pressure of deadlines
• Tact and discretion when dealing with customers' material
• Organizational skills

So now you know a little about some of the qualifications for the job, our next step is to determine how to approach the employers. As with any job search, you will want to look at both the advertised and unadvertised job markets. For more information on advertised and unadvertised jobs, check out our job search section.

Advertised jobs, are any job that is posted, and as a job searcher you will be keeping a close eye on the papers, employment journals and relevant job boards. Advertised jobs tend to be highly competitive, as everyone sees them, but it is still always a good idea to apply. With a targeted resume, and some follow up, your resume has a better chance of standing out in the pile. The unadvertised job market is where you may spend more of your energy. That simply means searching out jobs through friends and employer contacts before they are posted.

The feedback we've received seems to be quite consistent. The printing industry is very busy and therefore the preference from employers is to receive resumes either by fax or mail. Once again your targeted resume and clear cover letter, outlining your interest in the field and that particular company, will go a long way. Busy companies stated that you will want to resubmit your resume every month or so, as they are sorted and filed under "13" on a regular basis. While most employers recommended faxing and mailing resumes, it is always worth mentioning in your cover letter that you would like the opportunity to come down to the shop. Meeting in person is a very effective way to ensure you are remembered when it comes time to hiring.

Hopefully, this gives you a head start on how to organize your job search in the printing industry. Research, knowledge of skills, and a targeted resume and job search will only help you to find success. Now it's up to you to check out the individual companies you may be applying for as everyone has their own hiring policies.

Best of luck searching!!!

(Krisit Kerford is a youth employment counsellor at the Calgary Youth Employment Centre.)