Cheat sheet

Sample steps only. Use the browser print dialog to save a PDF.

Lesson 1. Plan your search — take-home steps

Write the hours, travel, and kind of work you can honestly take
Use a personal email and a phone number with clear voicemail
Keep a master list of employers, dates, copies of postings, and what you sent
Name files clearly so you do not attach the wrong letter
Job Bank and alis are official starting places; Alberta Supports is 1-877-644-9992 (listed on alis, 10 November 2026)
This course does not promise a job and does not give legal, immigration, or EI advice

Start with Job Bank: job title or skill + a place you can reach
Use filters such as hours of work, benefits, or salary if the list is long
Read the full posting; write the closing date and how to apply
Save a copy — postings can disappear
Job Alerts and the Job Bank app are optional extras (accounts come later)
Use alis Look for Work for official how-to articles; Alberta Supports 1-877-644-9992 (listed 10 November 2026)

Read title, place, hours, duties, requirements, assets, how to apply, and the closing date
Research what the organization does (posting, website, safe questions)
Compare the posting with your Lesson 1 plan and your real skills
An asset is not always a reason to skip; a hard requirement might be
Follow the how-to-apply instructions exactly
Stop if a posting asks for a fee or a password to “guarantee” work

Collect contact details, education, work (newest first), skills, results, volunteer work, awards, and possible references
Keep the long list for yourself; send a shorter tailored resume later
Use a personal email and voicemail; never add a SIN or password
Describe results, not only tasks
Ask references before you list them; avoid relying only on family
Update the list when your work or training changes

Tailor the resume to one posting; do not send a generic page
Use the employer’s keywords only when they are true
Keep it to 1–2 pages; simple font; point form; avoid tables and columns
Choose chronological, functional, or combination to match your history
Job Bank Resume Builder (as of 10 November 2026) offers a traditional template and a youth or recent-graduate template
Proofread out loud; watch cheque/check and other spell-check misses
Submit .doc or .docx if the posting allows it; follow the posting if it asks for PDF

Read whether the posting asks for a letter or email
Name the job title; use the person’s name only if the posting gives it and you spell it correctly
Opening + matching skills with one or two examples + polite close
Do not repeat the whole resume
Use a clear subject and attach the correctly named resume
Write a new note for each job; this sample is not a real application

Follow the posting’s method (email, form, or in person) exactly
Keep copies and dates on your master list
A Standard Job Bank account starts with an email address
Some extras ask for a SIN; Job Bank says it will not keep the SIN, and you can opt out
Never type a SIN, password, or bank number into this course
Stop if someone asks for a fee or a password to guarantee a job

Research the organization and reread your resume
Plan STAR (and STARS) examples that match the posting
Practise out loud; bring resume copies and a permitted reference list
Be neat, on time, and ready to listen; turn off your phone
Prepare polite questions about the work; alis suggests leaving pay until there is an offer
This course is not legal advice about interview questions
Do not assume you have the job until you are told when to start

An offer is more than one number: hours, travel, benefits, and fit matter too
Ask whether the offer is in writing
Write questions down; do not rush a yes you do not understand
This course does not give legal, immigration, EI, or wage-law advice
Ask council staff or Alberta Supports (1-877-644-9992, listed on alis 10 November 2026)
Keep looking until you have a start date; a thank-you is not an offer