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On Today’s Menu
It’s another Saturday, and another issue of JSG is here. This week, I’ll be covering:
Job market and remote work stats for the U.S. and Canada
What to expect during a first round interview
Previous issues of JSG you may have missed
Estimated read time: 5 minutes
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Job Market Statistics for 2023
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s happening in the Canadian and U.S. job markets as of August 2023, according to Statistics Canada and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Canada:
Employment rose by 40,000 (+0.2%).
The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5%.
Employment increased in professional, scientific and technical services (+52,000; +2.8%) and construction (+34,000; +2.2%) and declined in educational services (-44,000; -2.9%) and manufacturing (-30,000; -1.6%).
Employment rose in Alberta (+18,000; +0.7%), British Columbia (+12,000; +0.4%), and Prince Edward Island (+1,800; +2.0%) in August, while it declined in Nova Scotia (-3,600; -0.7%).
US:
The unemployment rate rose to 3.8%, with an additional 514,000 people becoming unemployed, bringing the total to 6.4 million.
Health care, leisure and hospitality, social assistance, and construction industries saw a rise in demand for workers.
Average hourly earnings grew at a monthly pace of just 0.2%, or 4.3% annually. In July, those numbers were 0.4% and 4.4%, respectively.
Remote work statistic for 2023
Canada:
An estimated 40% of all Canadian jobs can be effectively completed from home.
Around 90% of Canadians feel as productive or more productive working from home.
Eighty percent of new teleworkers would prefer to continue working remotely at least half of the time.
On Indeed, 11.2% of jobs posted in Canada mention remote work (up from three percent before the pandemic) and 4.2% of job seekers’ searches mention remote work.
United States:
As of 2023, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home, while 28.2% work a hybrid model.
By 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, which equates to about 22% of the workforce.
A staggering 98% of workers expressed the desire to work remotely, at least part of the time.
A remarkable 93% of employers plan to continue conducting job interviews remotely.
16% of U.S. companies are fully remote.
What to expect during a first round interview
Welcome to another edition of The Job Seeker’s Gazette. This week, we delve into the critical phase of your job-seeking journey: the first round interview.
This is a stage where first impressions are formed and the foundation for subsequent interactions is laid. Understanding the dynamics of this round can significantly enhance your preparation and performance.
Identifying Your Interviewer
Typically, in the first round, you’ll find yourself interacting with the hiring manager or an individual knowledgeable about the role—possibly a peer or someone who has previously held the position. Recognizing who you are interviewing with will help set the right context for the interaction, and will most certainly affect:
What kind of information to focus on (i.e., technical expertise vs. bottomline impacts)
What kind of questions you should ask at the end of the interview
Duration of the First Round Interview
First round interviews are structured to garner the most amount of info within a short amount of time. Generally, they last between 30 minutes to 1 hour, so prepare accordingly.
Venue of the Interview
These days, video conferencing has become the norm for first-round interviews. However, in-person interviews are still common, especially for on-site positions.
Understanding how/where the interview will be conducted will help you prepare accordingly, ensuring that technology or location doesn’t become a barrier in your communication.
Tip: Test out your computer and connection beforehand. Having problems with these stemming from your end shows you’re unprepared, and is especially a bad look if you’re going for remote roles.
Typical First Round Interview Format
A typical first round interview can be segmented as follows:
Introduction: A brief period allowing both parties to introduce themselves.
Interviewer Questions: The core segment where your skills, experiences, and fit for the role are evaluated.
Your Questions: Your opportunity to learn more about the role, team, and organization.
In a 45-minute interview scenario, this format translates to approximately:
Introduction: 3-5 minutes
Interviewer Questions: 35 minutes
Candidate Questions: 5-7 minutes
Anticipated Questions and Assessment Areas
Prepare to discuss your resume and digital presence on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter.
Expect questions surrounding core competencies related to the role. Behavioral questions, aiming to assess your soft skills and cultural fit, will also feature prominently. Your responses, body language, and interactions during the interview will provide insights into your alignment with the company’s culture and values.
By understanding the structure and expectations of a first round interview, you can better prepare and position yourself for success. Each interaction within the interview process is a stepping stone towards your target role. Approach it with preparation and confidence!
In case you missed it…
Some older issues of the Job Seeker’s Gazette you may have missed.
Resumes
Job Search Tips
What I’m reading this week…
Written by Brian Heger, an authority in the talent management field and current Global Head of Strategic Talent and Workforce Planning at Bristol-Myers Squibb, this newsletter is a must-read and covers topics centred on the world of work, the workplace, and the workforce.
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About the Author
I’m James, Cofounder of Final Draft Resumes. I’ve been in the career consulting space for 13 years, and before that, I was a recruiter for AECOM.
I’ve helped thousands of job seekers, from industries like software engineering, IT, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and more generate job opportunities through well-written resumes that translate unique backgrounds into coherent narratives.
If you’re struggling with your resume for whatever reason, reach out - I just might be able to help!
If you’re more of a DIY person, then check out Resumatic, my free-to-try resume builder.