At UBC, we understand that moving to a new city can be an exciting yet challenging experience for the entire family, particularly for the spouse of a newly-hired faculty member. Recognizing the challenges that come with relocation, we are committed to helping your partner find employment opportunities and connect with resources in Vancouver. We offer resources and guidance to help your partner explore local employment opportunities, ensuring they can successfully settle into their new life in Vancouver alongside you. Let us help ease the transition with practical support for your spouse’s career journey.
Cover letter guide
A cover letter is a one-page document that provides your prospective employer with an overview of your qualifications, showcasing specific work experiences that make you a strong candidate for the role you are applying for. It’s your chance to demonstrate how your background aligns with the specific needs of the employer, and to highlight the transferable skills that make you an asset to the organization. While a cover letter is not always required, if a job posting asks for or recommends it, be sure to include one. It is essential to customize your cover letter for every application to effectively address the company’s unique requirements.
Header
Your header should include your first and last name, home address, phone number, email address, and website/linkedin (left-justified).
Date
Place the date below the header (left-justified).
Subject line
Include a subject line that states the title of the position you are applying for.
Greeting
If possible, avoid using a generic greeting; do your research and find the hiring manager’s name if you can. If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, ‘To whom it may concern’ is acceptable.
Paragraph 1
Your first paragraph should be concise, focused, and engaging. Clearly state the position you are applying for, and highlight why you are excited about the role. State why you believe you would be a good fit for the position, connecting 2 or 3 specific job requirements to your own skills and experience.
Paragraph 2
In this paragraph, provide specific examples and stories that expand on the skills you mentioned in the first paragraph. Use these examples to demonstrate your strengths, and explain how these experiences will allow you to contribute to the company’s goals and success.
Closing paragraph
In this paragraph, briefly summarize why you are a good fit for the role. Reaffirm your interest in the position and include your contact information.
Other considerations
- Take the time to thoroughly review the job posting and note examples where you’ve applied the required skills.
- Research the company to understand its culture, voice and values.
- Proofread your draft cover letter carefully to ensure there are no grammatical or formatting errors.
Resume guide
A resume is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences in a way that demonstrates you can succeed in the role. Keep in mind that employers typically spend a very short time reviewing each resume, so it’s essential to make yours clear, concise, and focused on your most transferable skills. To stand out, tailor your resume to the specific industry and role you’re applying for, emphasizing the experiences that best match the job requirements. Ideally, your resume should be a one or two page document that includes the following sections:
Header
Your header should include your first and last name, phone number, email address, and website/linkedin (if you have one).
Skills
Tailor this section to the job description, listing all relevant skills. Consider dividing your skills into categories such as: technical skills, soft skills, or industry-specific expertise.
Education
Include degrees, diplomas, certificates, or other relevant training you may have. For each, list the the institution name, degree obtained, graduation date (right-justified), and any honors or distinctions to showcase your educational background. You do not need to include secondary school details in this section.
Work experience
List relevant work experiences in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top. For each role, include the company name, position title, dates of employment (right-justified), and location. Add 2-4 accomplishment statements for each experience to highlight your key achievements. An accomplishment statement should describe what you did, how you did it, why it was important, and highlights the result or impact of your actions, demonstrating the value you brought to the organization.
Professional affiliations
List relevant professional affiliations, including the organization name, your role or membership status, and any notable contributions to show your industry involvement and commitment to growth.
Interests and/or volunteer experience
If space permits, consider adding a section for relevant interests or volunteer experiences.
Personalize your resume
To help your resume stand out, feel free to personalize it by adding a colourful header, a unique layout, or other design elements. However, ensure your resume remains well-organized and easy to read. We don’t recommend adding photos or graphics to a resume.
Interview guide
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can stand out as a top candidate. Here are some key strategies to help you succeed:
Research the company
Take some time to review the company’s website to understand the company’s values, culture, and products. This will help you tailor your responses and show how your goals align with their. Ideally, prepare a few insightful questions to ask the interviewer, demonstrating your genuine interest.
Review the job description
Familiarize yourself with the role’s responsibilities and qualifications. Be prepared to highlight your skills that match the job requirements, showcasing why you’re the right fit.
Practice with common interview questions
Look up common interview questions, and practice your responses. Focus on delivering concise, focused answers that reflect both your enthusiasm and qualifications.
Provide specific examples
When answering interview questions, use concrete examples that demonstrate your skills. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can be a helpful framework for answering behavioral questions clearly and effectively. Using this method, you will break down your response into four parts:
- Situation: describe the context or background of the scenario.
- Task: explain the responsibility or challenge you faced.
- Action: outline the steps you took to address the situation.
- Result: share the outcome of your actions, ideally with measurable success.
Ask questions
At the end of the interview, ask thoughtful questions about the company, team, or role. This shows that you are engaged and interested in the position. Examples of questions you can ask include:
- What are some key priorities for someone in this role during the first six months?
- How would you describe the culture of this company?
Follow up
Send a brief thank-you email after your interview within 24 hours of the interview to express your gratitude and reinforce your interest in the role.
Other considerations
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your interview, and take a moment to introduce yourself with a smile while maintaining eye contact with the interviewer(s).
- Dress in professional attire that suits the industry and company culture.
- Listen carefully to each question and taking a few seconds to gather your thoughts before responding.
Career opportunities at UBC
UBC Careers: Explore opportunities available in the areas of clerical/secretarial, technical, trades, management and professional positions, and for faculty positions.
UBC Hiring Solutions: gain experience working at UBC through temporary short term placements.
Dual Career Programs: assist partners in exploring faculty and staff job possibilities at UBC, as well as other career options in the Greater Vancouver area.
Job search boards
The search boards are a great tool, however, it is recommended to apply directly on the said company's websites, through their careers page.