Why Purple Pear Staffing?

We listen and take an interest in your career goals.

Finding the right fit is our priority.

Our goal is to have a long term relationship with you.

We ensure that your information is kept confidential.

Resume Writing Tips

  • Submit your resume before the deadline
  • Keeping track of important dates allows you to plan
    out your time
  • Research the company you are applying to beforehand in order to tailor your
    resume
  • Make your skills and experience relevant to the job, by using key words used in the job
    description
  • If your resume has a lot of information, section it out using specific headings to make it
    easier to read
  •  Use action words such as: Developed, Effective, Proficient, Ability to, and Demonstrate
  •  Highlight your accomplishments in your resume and what it has provided you with
  •  Avoid starting sentences with personal pronouns such as “I” to keep it professional
  • Do not rely on spellcheck. Carefully proofread all your documents before applying to
    ensure it is free of spelling and grammar errors
  •  Make sure your resume presents well on social media and can format well on mobile
    phones
  • Try to keep your resume as short and concise as possible, an ideal resume is one to two
    pages maximum
  •  Remember, this is a business document
  • Don’t include unnecessary embellishments
    such as flashy paper, decals, or a picture of yourself
  • When submitting a resume electronically, convert to a PDF document

Job Interview Tips

  • Practice makes perfect. Practice responding to common interview questions employers
    may ask
  •  Think of real-life examples where you have demonstrated your skills and knowledge
  •  Prepare a list of your own questions to ask the employer
  •  Research common questions employers in your specific field might ask you
  •  Find challenges and problems in your field that you have the skills to solve
  • Make sure to dress accordingly. Being well-dressed shows the employer you are keeping
    a professional manner
  •  If you are doing an online interview:
    o Remove any clutter from your background
    o Make sure you won’t be distracted and in a quit space
    o Ensure you are in a well-lit area
    o Before joining the call, make sure your webcam and microphone are working
  • Be on time for the interview
  •  During your interview, remain calm and relaxed by focusing on what is being asked
    Remember to remain eye contact with the employer to show confidence
  •  Relate to the company when asked about your experience and knowledge. Stay relevant
    by also specifying how your career accomplishments are what they are looking for

Video interview tips

  • Have your webcam positioned at eye level to create the illusion of a face-to-face contact
  • If you’re using a laptop that typically displays your image from a low angle, place your laptop on a stack of magazine or books in order to have your laptop’s camera at eye level
  • Make sure that your camera is about an arm length away from you to build on that face-to-face contact illusion
  • Make sure you have the correct software for your video interview and ensure that you have a strong internet connection to stream a video
  •  Ensure you have the same video calling application your interviewer has
    • Google Meets
    • Zoom
    • Skype or Skype for Business etc.
  • You will need to download some of these applications from the internet
  • Sound is the most overlooked yet important aspect of a video interview
  • Before your video interview make sure you’re in a quiet location that’s free from background noises
  • Test your microphone before the interview and make sure to mute notifications to prevent unwanted distractions
  • Being seen clearly is an important aspect to your video interview
  • Conducting the interview in a well-lit room is key for a high-quality picture.
  • Before the interview, try recording in a room with a window that has adjustable shades to test your lighting options
  • If you’re in a dark space that doesn’t have a window, introduce a new light source a few feet in front of you at eye level
  • An employer can ask for a video interview at any time or anywhere
  • However, you have to make sure that you conduct your interview in a professional environment
  • Find a setting where you’ll be alone that’s not distracting with people in the background
  • Do your best to conduct the interview with an interesting background and make sure that the location is clean
  • If you cannot conduct the interview at that moment, kindly ask to reschedule at a better time
  • Just like any interview, it’s important to keep a professional appearance
  • Wearing business professional attire with solid neutral tones like navy blue or grey are more camera-friendly
  • White or bright clothing can clash with skin tones or your background as the camera may auto focus to brighter subjects

Telephone interview tips

  • Have a copy of your resume in front of you in order to refer to it during your call
  • Relate questions to your resume, to keep it consistent
  •  If you have specific subjects you want to cover, make a list and keep track of what has
    been answered
  • Silent notifications on your mobile phone during the call. Alerts, notifications and
    vibration are distracting to the interviewer and may affect your professionalism
  • Ensure your location is free of noise. Not only will a quiet location help you focus, but
    also benefits the interviewer as well 
  •  If you are at home and have pets. Make sure they are in another room; this will help you
    focus and reduce the noise if they start barking or meowing
  • Avoiding all forms of distraction, whether it is a loud noise or physical disturbance
  • It can increase your chances of moving forward in the interview process
  • Being on time for a phone interview is a great first impression and also good business
    practice
  •  Have everything you need at your location before your call, allocate 10 minutes before
    in case the interviewer calls you early. This is sometimes done by hiring agents to test
    their candidates
 
  • A great tip for increasing your enthusiasm and eagerness, is to smile while you are
    talking. This shows your interest just by hearing your voice
  • Have the company’s web page and an internet tab open in front of you for a quick reference/search.
  •  Being honest is very important during your interview. Whether it’s a distraction that
    makes you lose your train of thought or having the interviewer elaborate on the subject
    matter. Honesty goes a long way and is appreciated
  •  To demonstrate good business practice, send a thank you note after the interview. This
    closes the loop and also shows how interested you are in meeting the interviewer in
    person
  •  DO allow ample time to complete the interview, and the possibility of the interviewer
    calling late
  •  DON’T schedule a phone interview during your break at work unless you are flexible
    with time. If the conversation exceeds the time limit, you may feel pressured and rush
    the call
  •  DO, have a safe place to conduct your phone interview with a charger nearby
  •  DON’T do a phone interview while driving, your focus should be on the interview and
    not on other tasks that may put you and others in danger
  •  DO research on average salary for the position and only discuss pay when you are asked
  •  DON’T bring up the question yourself
  •  DO state that you’re “negotiable” or “willing to talk in person”
  •  DON’T force the question and demand a specific salary
  • To end off the interview, convince the employer that having you come into the office for
    an in-person meeting will not waste their time
    o Reiterate you experience, interest and desire to meet in person
    o Show that you make a great candidate for this position

  •  After the employer has answered your questions, ask what to expect in the future
    o A follow up email, another interview, an in-person meeting
    o Be sure to look out for any emails or calls