Self-Reflection and Job Searching - July 2011

The first step for any job searcher should be self-reflection, which is simply a process by which you learn more about yourself. This could be as simple as making a list of what you like, what you are good at, what you do not enjoy and your areas of weakness. Having a solid understanding of yourself is instrumental in finding work that is best suited for you. That in turn will provide you with a better chance of success and satisfaction in the long run. I often hear people say, “I want a job that I enjoy”, or “I don’t want to dread going to work everyday.”

But how can you know what you would enjoy or dislike doing without some knowledge about who you really are? This section is the foundation of your job search and skipping this will most likely result in a job that is a poor fit and major dissatisfaction in your working life. There are many great tools out there to help with the task of understanding yourself better, many of which can be found online. Some are listed below:

• http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/instruments2.aspx?partid=0
  The Keirsey Temperament Sorter is the most widely used personality instrument in the world. It is a powerful 70 question personality instrument that helps individuals discover their personality type, which is extremely useful in the job search process.
• https://emanual.uwaterloo.ca
  The University of Waterloo has created the Career Development eManual, which breaks the job search process into six sections and has step-by-step instructions on how to complete the exercises provided. The first step focuses on self-assessment and covers personality, interests, values, skills and more.
• http://quintcareers.testingroom.com
  This site requires you to sign up, although it is free and all you need is an email address. You can take the assessments online and an overview of the results will be generated for free. If you would like a more in-depth explanation of your results there is a fee.
• http://www.quintcareers.com/career_assessment.html
  Here you will find links to other assessment tools as well as helpful information on how to use them and the limitations they may have.

There are also many books that can help with self-exploration and can be found at your local library. One book that I really like and would recommend is “What Color is your Parachute -A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers” written by Richard Bolles. This book also has a website that has a ton of useful information and can be found at http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/index.php.

Warning – Assessments are not crystal balls: When doing any kind of self-assessment exercise remember that it is merely a tool for you to explore and if you do not agree with the results don’t worry about it. You are the expert on yourself and these tools are merely meant to guide the introspective process. Job Skills offers many great tools to help with the task of understanding yourself better. Register today for one of the Career Exploration Workshops available and get one step closer to a job you love!

What are Green Jobs? - June 2011

Green Jobs contribute to conserving and enhancing environmental quality and awareness. To join the green workforce, workers and job-seekers need specialized or re-directed skills that fit green-oriented fields. For example, a roof installer may become a solar installer or an electrician may become a building retrofitter.

Now is a great time for job-seekers to transition into new green jobs. They can build a sustainable career future, earn a decent living and save the planet. Here is list of resources for finding and learning about green employment opportunities in Canada:

WorkCabin.ca
Find environmentally friendly jobs or environmentally conscious employers. The listings cover many positions including coordinators, program managers, journalists, directors, engineers, biologists, educators, and social marketers. Users can post their resumes, connect with prospective employers, register for green job alerts and receive a wealth of information about the new trends in green work.

GoodWorkCanada.com
Employment in the growing Canadian green economy. The site also lists green events for those interested in networking with employers and workers in various industries. The site has job search tips for landing an environmentally-friendly job or creating a green oriented self-employment opportunity.

Eco.ca
From the Environmental Careers Organization for those interested in green career development in Canada. The site provides with links to educational opportunities, schools with environmental programs and information on new trends in the green job market. Job-seekers can search a large listing of current jobs available, post a resume and find information for networking events across Canada. This site also offers a unique email service for career advisors and educators to receive relevant information on green career development.

Green-jobs.ca
Assists people to build their dream jobs in the growing Canadian green economy. There links to job search strategies, listings for green jobs and subscribe for e-mail notification about new jobs.

Eco Canada Environmental Careers Organization develops programs that help individuals find and build meaningful environmental careers  through employment and career development resources; Provides employers with resources and tools to find and keep the best environmental professionals; Informs educators and government of employment trends to ensure the ongoing prosperity of this growing sector.

The green economy offers hope and opportunity for job-seekers who have lost employment.  The constant increase in demand for workers indicates the need to invest time and effort in integrating a green focus and support a green shift. By doing so we not only help people and regenerate economies, but also help our planet.

As governments, groups and individuals around the world work to ease the impact of climate
change on lives and planet, new environment-friendly policies, products and lifestyles are emerging.  This worldwide environmental awareness is accelerating demand for new jobs, new practices and new skills. In fact, it is creating a new economy driven by an emerging workforce and green technologies.

The growing green economy has many sectors including green construction, renewable energy, recycling, and sustainability education, which are responding to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products and services.

How to Find a Summer Job - April 2011
Summer jobs are more than just earning a few dollars and keeping busy over the summer.  They are the foundation of your resume once you graduate and seek your first full time job.  They are also a great way to “test drive” potential careers and can sometimes be a key factor in getting selected in the post-secondary program of your choice. 

Decide what you want from your summer job.  Is your focus money for post-secondary education etc.  or to gain valuable experience that will help you in your future career?  If your primary focus is money, consider labour jobs such as landscaping, roofing and construction.  If your focus is experience or test driving a particular career, target the companies that you want to work for and show your interest in that organization.

You face a lot of competition when looking for a summer job.  Here are some tips to help:

• Don’t wait till you are out of school, look now!  Many companies start their hiring as early as February. If you wait till June to look, it may be too late!
• Decide what you want. It is easier if you are focused on one or two types of jobs.
• 80 % of jobs are never advertised. Take your resume to the companies you want to work for.
• Network with friends, their parents, teachers and volunteer.  Always sound eager and ready to work.
• A great resume makes the difference.  Focus your resume on the type of work you want.  Register with an Employment Ontario Employment Service Centre (find the nearest one here:   http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/search.asp ), where experts and a great resource centre can assist in your job search
• Sign up for the Summer Jobs Service: 905-898-6199 and the Canada Summer Jobs Program 1-800-935-5555.
• Think about starting your own summer company with the Summer Company program at http://www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/1medt/smallbiz/en/sb_ye_summerco_en.jsp

Above all, be aware of your skills, abilities and sell yourself! 

What’s it like to be self employed? - March 2011

Entrepreneurs are the first to tell you it’s an endeavour for self starters only. Although there are benefits to setting their own hours, making decisions and acquiring business, they usually put more time into their work week than anyone else. It’s often an exciting, rewarding and satisfying experience for those who want a challenge and strive for achievement.

Using your own creativity and ideas, as well as learning from a few mistakes along the way are often interesting aspects of self-employment. Getting that first few clients is, for most, a great adrenalin rush.  Figuring out which marketing avenue works and trying to understand why it works is one of the mysterious and exciting aspects of business. Using social skills and networking are so important and often the most fun for young entrepreneurs. However, polishing that winning approach with friends and business associates is necessary, requiring an open mind and tolerance for criticism that not everyone is prepared to accept. Knowing when to “speak” and when to “listen” is critical! Being aware of your limitations and having a sense of humour can take you a long way in developing rapport with others including clients who usually appreciate candour.

It’s also necessary to recognize that input and feedback from others is a requirement when getting started in business. Finding trusted people to advise you will be key in getting your business off the ground. There is a process to opening your business and certain steps are required by the government in order for you to operate legally. Registering your business and determining if someone else is using the name you want, are a couple of areas that you must investigate before you move ahead with making sales.

Should you advertise in newspapers, magazines, on billboards, radio? How do you find the most cost-effective way to get your name out there? Should you hire someone to help when you have a period of brisk sales? What is involved in hiring someone? Guidance from experienced professionals will help you feel confident you’re on the right track and help you answer the many questions that sometimes stall progress in the early months of self-employment.

Being self-motivated, goal-oriented and disciplined are necessary, but sometimes these skills can be developed with guidance and persistence. Individuals with drive and inspiration can become successful when getting the right encouragement and information. Don’t forget to explore opportunities for assistance—government-funded Self-Employment Programs, mentoring support from local Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade and Community Futures programs are some of the many valuable resources that can help you get started on your way to great things!

Starting the Year Off Right with an Effective and Successful Job Search! - February 2011
Spring is vast approaching and now is the time to critique your resume, interviewing and networking skills.  Employers are now gearing up for their hiring needs for 2011.  Many companies have completed their 2011 budgets and have determined their vacant and newly created positions.  Therefore, they are in a hiring mode to staff their employment needs to ensure the success of their company.  If you had sent your resume to employers over the holiday season, now is the time to start following up with them.  Another good strategy is to start revisiting the employer’s career sections for job postings on their company websites.    
Effective Job Search Techniques

1. Tips on Writing a Targeted Resume
   • Look for keywords in job ads, notice the commonalities between common job titles.  Usually the first couple of keywords early in a job description are the most important
   • Include credentials, certifications and training that pertain to the job. 
   • Always use industry specific words, for example if you are applying for a position as an administrative assistant, use words like: compiled, coordinated, administrated and filed.
   • Include soft skills as well, for example: teambuilding, problems solving and customer service.
   • Go to company websites and identify some of the key values, look at the mission statement.
   • Don’t include phrases such as, responsible for; this takes up unnecessary space and should be avoided. 
     
     
2. Tips on preparing for an effective interviewing
   • Get enough sleep.  Be alert at all times.
   • Arrive early.  Try out your travel route the day before.
   • Look professional.  Regardless of the job, it’s always easier to dress down than to dress up.
   • Avoid heavy perfumes/colognes.  When it comes to fragrances…’less is best’!
   • Ask questions. If you don’t understand…ask.  This shows interest in the position.
     
     
3. Tips on Creative Networking
   • Be creative and reconnect with your contacts - former co-workers, customers, clients, vendors and other business associates.  Remember that the purpose of these contacts is to build relationships, not to ask for a job or share your job-hunting woes.
   • Send your business calling cards to all your contacts with whom you have recently been interviewed. Write a personal note, mentioning something you enjoyed about your last meeting with your contact.
   • Many organizations need volunteers throughout the year, especially to cover ongoing vacations.  If you are interested in working for a particular organization, volunteering is a great way to get an "inside look" at the organization and to meet people who work there. This option will give you the opportunity to meet many business people in your community or industry.

Schedule at least one job search activity each day.  Accessing the services and advice of a professional can always enhance your present job search techniques and your employment opportunities.  Visit one of the Job Skills Employment Ontario Employment Services sites in Markham, 4961 Highway 7, Ph: 905-948-9996; Keswick, 155 Riverglen Drive, Unit 7, Ph: 905-476-8088 or Brampton, 50 Sunnyvale Gate, Unit 12, Ph: 905-453-7896.  to find an Employment Ontario Employment Services site near you, check http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/search.html

Changes to Employment Ontario Employment Services - January 2011
Job Skills is a non-profit community-based employment and training agency.  It has been offering employment services and training in northern York Region since 1988.

Today, the Agency provides Employment, Newcomer and Business Services and Programs in York Region, Bradford West Gwillimbury, East Gwillimbury, Dufferin, Halton, Peel and Toronto and is part of the Employment Ontario Service Delivery Network.  Each year the Agency serves more than 25,000 individuals through offices located in Keswick, Newmarket, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, North York and Scarborough. 

In August 2010, Employment Ontario changed the way it does business making it easier for Ontarians to find the employment and training programs and services they need in a one-stop shop. Employment Ontario Employment Service Centres are now located in communities across the province offering residents access to local community information, employment services and Employment Ontario-funded programs including Ontario Second Career and the Ontario Self-Employment Benefit program.  This Employment Ontario service is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

Job Skills has three Employment Service Centres located in Brampton, Keswick and Markham.  These Employment Service Centres are available to assist individuals with:

• job search (customized one on one or self directed)
• career planning
• job matching and placements
• retraining
• self-employment options

In addition the Keswick Employment Service Centre provides itinerate services in East Gwillimbury.  Effective February, 2011 Job Skills will be present at the Holland Landing Library weekly offering workshops and individualized job search assistance. 

Each Employment Service Centre also provides access to computer workstations with Internet access, job boards, daily newspapers, telephones, fax machines, photocopiers and a wide variety of onsite workshops and information sessions.  The workshops and information sessions are available to assist individuals moving forward with their employment goals. Services are provided free of charge.
Some of the workshops* and Information Sessions* available are:

• job search tools
• resume writing
• cover letters
• Interviewing
• the hidden job market, and
• a series of Career Exploration workshops designed to help job seekers find direction for their job search

Specialized workshops are also available to provide information on:

• Ontario Second Career
• Ontario Self Employment Benefit
• Apprenticeship

*Pre-registration is required for Workshops and Information Sessions.  Monthly calendars are available by visiting www.jobskills.org.  Further individualized assistance is available to job seekers through one-on-one Employment Counseling and Job Development.  More information can be obtained by contacting Job Skills or by visiting www.jobskills.org.

Each Employment Service Centre also has Job Developers who will work with Employers to provide:

• Recruitment Services
• Human Resources and Workforce Planning
• Labour Market Information
• Training Plan Development and Support
• Facilities for Job Fairs
• On-site Interview Space
• Apprenticeship Information and Support
• Possible Financial Incentives

 For more information you can contact Job Skills' Employment Services Centres at:

Or visit Job Skills website at www.jobskills.org
For more information or to locate other Employment Ontario Service Providers visit the Employment Ontario website at: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/search.html or call 1-800-387-5656