8 Horcruxes of Job Hunting in Canada.
Part 5.
Horcrux #8.
Flexibility and Systematic Approach.
Throughout my job search in Canada, I received countless recommendations — both solicited and unsolicited. There were so many that I’ve probably forgotten half of them.
But the key stages of this journey can be summed up as a transformation of my mindset. I describe it as a process of moving FROM one perspective TO another:
FROM | TO |
I’m an HR professional. I know how to search for a job. It’s the same everywhere. | Canada has its own cultural nuances, and they need to be taken into account. |
I’ll make my resume and cover letter stand out with bold designs and flashy phrases. | It’s the content and specific results that should make my application stand out —not the design. |
Rewriting my resume and cover letter for every job is ridiculous. I won’t do it. | Not tailoring my applications leads to more rejections and fewer interviews. So, I’ll tailor them every time |
It’s impossible to build a network or social presence quickly. I won’t even try. | Let me at least try posting something on LinkedIn. |
I don’t need anyone’s advice on how to search for a job. | I’ll listen to every recommendation from the people I trust, run it through the filter of common sense, and apply it immediately. |
A quick glance at the company’s website is enough to understand what they do. | I need to thoroughly research the company— know the CEO’s name, the year it was founded, its product, industry, and memorize the job requirements. That’s must-have. |
On multiple interviews, I was directly asked:
"What do you know about our company?"
"Why do you think we need you?"
"What competencies do you have that match our position responsibilities?"
The essence of this horcrux ties together all the previous ones: when you change one piece of the puzzle, it affects the entire system and requires adjustments in other areas.
For example, if you update your resume to include specific numbers and measurable results, you must also revise your cover letter and LinkedIn profile accordingly.
If your LinkedIn profile photo makes you look like a supermodel, you shouldn’t show up on Zoom looking like you just crawled out of bed — even if you’ve had a sleepless night crying into your pillow. Nobody cares, nor should they.
Always prepare thoroughly for new connections, even if it’s not an interview. Research the person’s LinkedIn profile, learn about their company, and think about how you can add value to them. Show this in the conversation and offer any potential avenues for collaboration.
In my case, this approach led to several freelance gigs writing articles and blogs for Canadian bloggers and podcasters. I even received an offer to teach English to immigrants from India, though I had to decline due to the all-consuming demands of my full-time job search.
But the connections remained.
Of course, your social media profiles need to be alive. "Alive" doesn’t mean perfectly polished photos and flawless text — it means letting your personality, character, and way of thinking shine through. People notice this.
I hope these 8 Horcruxes help you unlock your own secret knowledge about job hunting in Canada — or anywhere else — and guide you toward finding your dream job, even without the comfort of your home soil, air, and light, which for us will always be our beloved Ukraine.
September 5, 2022.