This is part two of FoodGrads' three-part HR miniseries, built for students entering the food and beverage industry with support from De Lacy Executive Recruitment.

In this episode, we get into what hiring managers actually do when they open your resume - and what happens in those first five to seven seconds that determines whether you make the pile or not.

Steve McIntyre is the Vice President of People and Culture at Fine Choice Foods, a Richmond, BC-based manufacturer of spring rolls, gyoza, bao buns, and other premium dim sum products.

Steve started his career as a maintenance electrician.

He did not plan to end up in HR - but food manufacturing has a way of creating lateral opportunities for people who stay curious, and that is exactly what happened to him.

In this conversation, Steve shares what hiring managers are really looking for, why your education section is not doing the work you think it is, and how to make yourself visible in a market where four hundred people are applying for the same role.

If you are a student or new grad trying to figure out your next move, this one is worth your time.

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Shownotes

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De Lacy Executive Recruitment offers professional recruitment services for employers and candidates in agriculture and food. As a candidate, De Lacy will provide career development advice, career consulting, as well as preparation for interview success. Open communication, confidentiality, and complete transparency are a priority for De Lacy consultants — check out De Lacy Executive Recruitment for more information on exciting opportunities!

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro 01:30 - Steve's Role at Fine Choice Foods 04:00 - About Fine Choice Foods 07:30 - Steve's Path into HR 13:00 - How Students Get Hired 17:00 - Reading Entry-Level Resumes 22:00 - Personal Summaries That Stand Out 26:00 - Are Cover Letters Worth It? 29:00 - Extracurriculars on Your Resume 32:00 - Showing Technical Skills 34:00 - What Impresses in an Interview 38:00 - Managing Interview Nerves 41:00 - Common Interview Mistakes 44:00 - How to Research Company Culture 48:00 - What Hiring Managers Actually Ask 52:00 - Job Searching in a Tough Market 56:00 - Final Advice for Students

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