Combing through job boards, searching for valuable connections in your existing network, and fine tuning your social profiles can make hunting for a new job feel like a grind. But after hours of slugging away, you’re bound to see a role so perfect you can already picture yourself at your new desk drinking coffee with a collection of grade-A industry pros. When the thrill of the discovery settles, and the daydream fog lifts, reality sets in. To nab an interview, you’re going to need a standout resume.

Natalya Smith is a Human Resources Generalist at WalterFedy and spearheads the bulk of our recruitment efforts. Every week she reviews hundreds of resumes, looking for the next great addition to our team. What makes an application stand out from the stacks? Natalya offered us some insight into five things you can do to help bring your CV to the top of the pile. 

1. Pay close attention to the organization and editing of your resume 
   Resumes that stand out are clearly organized with consistent spacing and text styles. Overcrowded text can be challenging to read, while too much white space can leave your application looking sparse. When a page is clearly organized, it’s easier to spot the keywords relevant to the position (make sure you add them!). Before you submit anything to a hiring manager, be sure to give your document a thorough edit for typos and clarity; for some hiring managers, glaring mistakes may take you out of the running. 

2. Show us why your experience is relevant 
   We want to see you have the skills and experience needed to excel in this role. Tailor your resume to complement the expectations of the position. We can tell when you’ve put in the effort to draw parallels and it goes a long way. If you are trying to break into the field, show us experience that is relatable and take the time to explain why.  

3. Education and training are important 
   Whether you are a new grad or an experienced applicant, we are interested to learn about your academic qualifications and personal commitment to continuous improvement. Don’t be afraid to point to a couple of courses that are relevant or distinguish you as a strong leader. This section is particularly useful for applicants coming right out of school who may not have industry experience.

4. Call out any special skills
   No, we don’t mean your aptitude in Microsoft Word—these days that’s a given. Show us that you are familiar with the special applications, tools, technologies, and emerging platforms that are sought after in your role. Sometimes we look for these skills first.   

5. Take some time to write a cover letter 
   Do you ever wonder if people actually read your cover letter? Natalya does. A cover letter is your opportunity to tell your story. It doesn’t have to be long, but it should be tailored to the position. We should know within the first few sentences what you are applying for and why you will be a great fit. While a cover letter is not mandatory, it is one additional way to show us you are truly interested in the position. 

Bonus tip: We love to see a commitment to our core values 

Quality, Integrity, Client Focus, Community Building, and Environmental Sustainability are important values at WalterFedy and demonstrating how you live out these values will go a long way. For example, because we care about giving back to our community, we would be happy to hear about your volunteer experience. While this is not a deal breaker, it certainly shows us that you share one of the values we hold dear.   

If there is one key takeaway, it is this: if the opportunity feels right, take a little extra time. Not only will it help elevate your application, it also goes a long way with hiring managers, who can spot when you have invested your time and care.  

If you are interested in a career at WalterFedy, check out our current opportunities at walterfedy.com/careers/.  

(CINCINNATI, OH and KITCHENER, ONTARIO; November 28, 2018) – Cincinnati-based Hixson Architecture & Engineering and Ontario-based WalterFedy announced today that they are working together to create a new $660 million value-added fresh poultry facility in London, Ontario for Maple Leaf Foods.  Hixson is serving as the lead firm to design and engineer the 640,000 square foot facility, with WalterFedy collaborating to provide architecture and engineering services in Canada. The plant is expected to be one of the most technologically advanced poultry-processing plants in the world, incorporating leading-edge food safety, environmental, and animal welfare processes and technologies.  Construction at the London site is expected to begin in the spring of 2019, with start-up planned for the second quarter of 2021.

According to Michael H. McCain, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, the new, world-class facility “will enable Maple Leaf to meet the steadily growing consumer demand for premium, value-added poultry products, and strengthen Canada's food system." In addition, said McCain, this will be “the largest single-site investment ever made in the Canadian food sector.”

Greg Hammond, President and CEO of Hixson, also offered his thoughts on the project. “For 70 years, Hixson has been working with companies throughout North America to design and engineer facilities that can stand the test of time while meeting our clients’ needs for food safety, employee safety, and productivity,” said Hammond. “We are proud to have been selected by Maple Leaf Foods to design this historic project.”

“We are excited to be partnering with an organization like Hixson,” said Paul Reitzel, CEO of WalterFedy. “They have a long history of doing excellent work in the food industry. Our firms have the same commitment to values and talented professionals that deliver meaningful and functional projects to our clients.”

Read more about this project, including its economic impacts. 

ABOUT HIXSON

Hixson is an architecture, engineering and interior design firm specializing in projects for corporate office environments, retail projects and industrial processing facilities. Listed as one of the top firms in North America, Hixson delivers insight and advocacy leading to intelligent project execution through 16 integrated technical disciplines. To learn more, please visit www.hixson-inc.com.

ABOUT WALTERFEDY

WalterFedy is a dynamic, integrated design firm of architects, engineers and construction management professionals. With over 65 years of experience, WalterFedy excels at delivering creative solutions and practical built environments that enrich communities.

On September 4, Janet Metcalfe Public School officially opened its doors to students. Located in southwest Kitchener the school is the City’s newest and largest public elementary school, currently accommodating over 550 students.

Equipped with new technology and innovative spaces, the space offers a variety of ways to address students’ unique needs. Children can find work spaces that best facilitate their learning within every classroom, whether that be individual work stations, collaborative tables, standing desks, or ‘comfy corners’. The site also includes a 6,800 SF day care facility and 5,100 SF family centre.

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Waterloo Region District School Board on this key space in our community.

For more information about the school opening, please see this article from CTV Kitchener News.

For over three years, the site of the former Mayfair Hotel has sat empty. This spring, the site will finally see a new development.

After receiving a total of 30 design proposals from various architects, Bernie Nimer, the developer behind the project, decided, “It was WalterFedy who delivered.”

The One Young Street development will stand in the heart of downtown Kitchener. The new structure will function as an office building with a highly-anticipated rooftop restaurant and retail outlets on the ground floor.

Congratulations to Ben Gregory, Fei Wei, and Victor Poon for bringing the design to life! We are excited for this great addition to the downtown core.

To read more about new development, see the original article featured in the Record.