A lot of people ask me what is the point of writing a cover letter anymore? Do they even get read? Can’t I just send a resume? …and be done with it? Well, short answer is yes, you can just send a resume. But why miss out on the chance to show them that, not only do your skills match the job description (…making you short-listable – scroll down to earlier blog: “Are You Short-listable”) but also show them that your career aspirations and intentions are also a match.
You owe it to yourself to own what you actually want (…not what you think the world wants of you). You’ll be amazed if you just sit down and get centered with yourself, and make some notes on what you might like to pursue for the next year, or handful of years, for your life. You have to give it just the time it takes to write it up (an hour?) and you’ll be off to a strong start …because the minute you start writing them down, you are starting to deliver a much more targeted message.
Where do you stand with your career life cycle?
Every career has a life cycle. Every industry has a life cycle. Every company has a life cycle.
Whatever your career plan, you first need to get an understanding of where you stand on the continuum. Are you entry level (1-5 years)? Are you mid-management level (5-10 yrs)? Senior management (10-15)? Executive level (15-20 years)? It’s really good to do a quick self-assessment and know how your skills and experience stack up.
To become a subject matter expert in any topic, you must spend 10K hours in it. Like, I have well over 10K hours in coaching, after having done it for 15 years.
Careers are an “arc”. Know where you stand on it. That’s the first step.
…read on… and tag your friends! Everyone needs career support these days!
Are you are a new grad trying to get a foot in the door? A millennial looking to move up the ladder? Are you a Gen-Xer seeking to reinvent? Or, a new immigrant trying to get a handle on the Canadian employment markets? …
Careers AF! 2nd Edition & its’ accompanying workbooks are ALL that you need for career success in 2025.
“A Lifeline!” “An Absolute Game Changer” “Speaks to the Heart” “Eye-Opening” “A First-Rate Fail-Proof Career Strategy” “The WorkBook is simply amazing“
– Karen Young, Program Coordinator & Professor, Humber Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
“Careers AF! should be your go-to gift for anyone graduating university/college to use as reference to navigate their career path.” -– Craig Colby, ColbyVision
– Craig Colby, Executive Producer, ColbyVision
✔️ Valuable information you will use to assess specifically which jobs are a fit for you so you don’t waste time applying for a job you can’t get (or actually don’t want)
✔️ Easy Guidelines for writing up concrete goals, resumes, cover letters, bios, references, and even recommendations (in case someone is willing to recommend you but wants you to draft the actual letter)
✔️ Completely current intel on how to effectively make platforms like LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & Facebook really work for you
✔️ Insightful techniques for preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for job search
✔️ Insider insights into how to “master the interview” (along with “the biggest mistakes people make in interviews” — so you can avoid them!)
✔️ Clear advice on how to ask for the salary you want and negotiate a solid $ deal
✔️ Real inspiration “Killer APP Alerts” and real-time encouragement “Mindset Alerts” to actually do the things that will position you at the top of the list when you apply
If you’re in the job market, max out your efforts and avoid potential discouragement: In other words, set yourself up for success with the knowledge and experience, tips and insider secrets imparted in every page of CAREERS AF!
Special thanks to Alisyn Camerota, Anchor, CNN, and journalist role-model par excellence!
This is the book for creating the career YOU want, on YOUR terms!
Get your copy today!
– Chelsea Grewar, Business Affairs Specialist
Ideal for self-motivators who can benefit from guidance in how to create a career action plan, and develop the tools to execute that plan! Investing $20 in yourself, and reading Careers AF! 2nd Edition will substantially change your mindset, and how you approach your career.
The book is full of intel on WHAT you need to know to successfully manage the post-pandemic gig-economy. To accompany the book, priced at $20, the 2025 DIY WorkBook offers 22 pages of templates that show you exactly how to create AI-friendly resumes and cover email/letters, how to write your own Bio, how to write up (and leverage!) your references, etc. The book & workbook are all self-starters need to take it from there! (Click on Workbook link above for full menu.)
Mission critical resources to manage your career, c2025!
RESUME & COVER LETTER REVIEWS | EDITS | FEEDBACK
Recruiters and AI/ATS systems are designed specifically to “screen candidates OUT.” That is their purpose. Our best practices show you how to get yourself “screened IN” — and just how easy it can be, when you know how to do it!
Job seekers at all levels can get one-on-one coaching support to enhance your personal brand by reviewing your resume and cover email/letter, and provide substantive feedback to help you get past AI/ATS systems, and get yourself screened INTO a hiring process. $150/hour. Request a resume/cover letter review here via email.
– Robyn Laliberté, Producer | Professor
*GOLD STANDARD INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED CAREER COACHING PACKAGE
We also provide end-to-end personalized coaching that virtually guarantees you get to the place you’ve probably only dreamed about until now. We help you identify exactly what you want, and how to address “your positioning.”
We’ll help you develop a practical plan and schedule for achieving your goals. Then, we strengthen your marketing — AKA “your packaging.” Together, we’ll develop a bonafide strategy to put you in control of the entire job search process so you can meet every situation along the way with calm, cool confidence. We provide individualized, tailored strategic advice for each job search scenario to compel the favourable attention of decision-makers, and teach you how to make your “business case” — at the right times, for the right reasons.
Finally, we prep you with best practices for mastering the interview & hire negotiations to help you stand out from your peers. This puts you on solid footing for your employment negotiations. We also help you manage your on-boarding successfully in a new job, so that you strategically earn that first year salary increase!
CONCLUSION
Consider how a few hours of your life can prevent months (and even years) of experimentation! The gold standard package includes a total of 3 x 1.5 hour sessions, $175 each, and includes a free copy of Careers AF! 2nd Edition, and the DIY 2025 Careers AF WorkBook. Request your personalized coaching package here.
CONTACT US FOR CAREER COUNSELLING… Best decision ever!
Check out our Career Planning Program to help you plan and navigate career moves in the post-pandemic world! Get the latest industry intel, develop a strong personal brand, and learn how to get access to the hidden job market!
+1.416.533.6788 EST
nadon@mediaintelligence.ca
Special thanks… We are grateful to our Canadian media clients for your patronage these past 21! years, and for turning to mI to help you source media-savvy talent.
Most importantly,, our clients have facilitated the rescue and rehabilitation of dozens (…and dozens…AND DOZENS!) of animals…Because animals are our fave charity! For this, we are especially grateful!
Proudly recruiting and developing Canadian media talent for 21 years!
Privacy and confidentiality are paramount: we will not give your information to anyone.
Pro-actively planning and managing your career puts you in the position where you are no longer at the mercy of your industry or the job market. Think about that for a minute! Planning and scheduling your goals puts you in charge, instead of external factors being in charge of you!
Write up your new career goals/career wish-list every year on your birthday … you owe it to yourself!
How cool would it be if you actually could manage your career with confidence? Wouldn’t it be great to reduce the uncertainty of the gig economy? Even better…what if you spent less days and weeks throwing everything at the wall hoping something sticks, but came in with a clear, targeted message to hiring managers instead?
Imagine having a real plan, that has teeth… As a career coach, I help you identify the career goals that support your professional and personal values and aspirations.
The following career planning exercise will help you figure out the career path you want to pursue at this stage of your life. All you need is your wish-list!
Challenge yourself to make a wish-list of 12 goals you’d like to realize. Each statement should reflect your dream job or professional wish-list — things you’d really like to do at this particular stage of your life. Then, add in some personal goals. Work/balance goals. Health goals. Spirituality goals. Relationship goals. Financial goals. All of it!
Think of it this way: If money were no object, what would you really like to do?
When you’re done, send your list in and book a complimentary phone / Zoom call with me. I’ll show you how to prioritize each of your goals into short- mid- and long-term themes, and help you identify any professional development you need to get there. Then, we’ll help you build an easy, effective timeline to help you reach those goals!
As a result of identifying your career goals, I can easily guide you to realize them!
Careers AF! 2nd Edition tells you everything you need to know to manage your career c2025. The Workbooks provide templates on exactly HOW to do it!
We’ll teach you how to “Shepherd” your career!
About M. Michelle Nadon – Recruiting Specialist & Executive Career Coach
Michelle Nadon is known for her comprehensive knowledge of the media and entertainment industries. Since 2004, she has been the leading provider of recruitment and cutting-edge career coaching resources for the Canadian media and cultural sectors.
mediaINTELLIGENCE (mI) is renown for continuously evolving its career coaching resources and services to meet — and surpass — industry standards. Now in its 21st year, mI has undertaken recruiting assignments with all major Canadian networks. We’ve also worked with dozens of independent production houses and cultural organizations, and delivered proprietary career development training at many Canadian colleges and universities.
– Bruce Glawson, Co-Chair of It Gets Better Canada
Prior to founding mI, Michelle’s portfolio included managing policy and regulatory compliance with Bell Media. She served as General & Operations Manager in two post-production houses. For five years, she worked in production with TVOntario’s English & French public broadcasting networks. Earlier in her career, she worked with industry leader Nelvana on award-winning 2D and 3D animated series.
Michelle is fluently bilingual. She holds certificates in Advanced Blogging, Social Media Marketing, The Alliance Atlantis Banff Television Executive Program, and Queens’ University’s Executive Marketing Program. She also has certification from Ashworth College, GA, USA as a veterinary assistant (2015). Michelle lives north of Toronto and spends all of her spare time, goodwill and company profits on animal rescue and animal advocacy through C4P Animal Rescue.
Where Canadian media meets animal advocacy!