February 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

Information Interviews in Canada – Frequently Asked Questions

Information interviews are one-on-one meetings you can request (in person or online) to learn more about another person’s job, organization, sector and industry. This can be used as an effective tool for networking and part of a Canadian job search strategy.

Canada InfoNet program offers insightful e-Learning modules that cover topics like Information Interviews, Online Networking, Canadian Resume and Cover Letter.

CanPrep recently organized a webinar on the topic “How-to Guide: Information Interviews.” In this blog post, we are responding to some of your frequently asked questions.

What kind of questions can I ask during information interviews?

Information interviews can have both long term and short term impact on your job search process. It’s one of the most effective networking tools. So being prepared with all the relevant information on the company and the employer’s program and position is vital. The key is to get the other person talking. Here are some sample questions that you can use to conduct an information interview:

Are there any specific training / education requirements to get into your line of work?
What do you like most/ least about your work?
What is a typical day (or week) like for you?
How did you become interested in this field?
What kind of problems do you typically deal with at work?
What related fields do you think I should consider looking into?
Can you think of anyone else you can connect me to for additional information?

As suggested in this Monster.ca article, the right questions can also open up opportunities you might not have thought of before. For example, you might learn about an internship opportunity at the company that can help you get your foot in the door, or it might open your eyes to a new skill you should learn in order to make yourself more marketable in that specific industry.

What should I wear for the meeting (online or in person)?

Research what outfit works for the specific industry. For example, if it is Banking industry – formal attire like a formal dress or tie and suit is the norm; dress code may be more casual in the information technology industry – so wear something more casual, jeans might even be acceptable! Be cognizant of the attire even if you are connecting with the employer online.

Should I take my Resume to the information interview?

The simple answer is – Yes! Although the intention of information interview is information gathering, go prepared. Introduce yourself with your elevator pitch and have your resume handy in case it comes up during the conversation. Remember you are also trying to make an impression here so do not ask for a job directly. You can always include a line like “I’ll be happy if you consider me for any future job opportunities in your organization.” – in the thank you email after you meet with the person.

Are there any don’ts that I should keep in mind?

Don’t ramble on about yourself! Let the other person do the talking – engage them. What people remember is how you made them feel during a conversation, not what you said. Be strategic, ask relevant questions about their personal experiences.

Research basic information. Don’t waste their time asking simple things that you can easily Google. Make sure you ask the right questions to the right individuals. For example, do not ask someone from Human Resources questions about Marketing. It will be a waste of their time and they’ll end up having a bad impression of you.

Stick to the agreed upon time limit. If you asked them for a 20 minutes coffee, try not to exceed that time. Canadians are usually very polite and may not point out anything directly so be mindful of the person’s body language. If they are fidgeting / looking at their watch, at the end of the stipulated time, it usually means they are busy.

I am an introvert. How do I handle information interviews?

You don’t have to be an extrovert to network or conduct information interviews. You are not expected to be outgoing – but definitely polite and professional.

If you are an introvert, being prepared and conducting research can work to your advantage. Make a list of your questions – use research to help make your questions interesting.

Be genuine – it’s ok to mention to the other person that you are an introvert or shy during the conversation. You can also figure out a way to communicate this to the person you are interviewing prior to the meeting. They may also be introverts and might appreciate your honesty! Enjoy the interaction / experience.

How do I keep in touch after an information interview?

Networking is a long term investment. Make sure you follow-up after the meeting. A good thank you email can take you a long way. In the email, cover what your take away from the meeting was, reinforce what the person had committed to you (if they had agreed to send you information or connect you to someone). Ask if you can connect with them on LinkedIn. Once you connect with them on LinkedIn, stay in touch.

Do I have to be present in-person for information interviews?

No – you don’t have to be. Information interviews can be done via email, LinkedIn, Skype and other connectivity tools even before you arrive in Canada. Remember, when you are trying to connect on Skype, you may have to find a time convenient for an employer in a different time zone – within their work hours.

February 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

YOFI: The beauty of empowering isolated teens

YOFI Teen Mentoring event
Social isolation is difficult to face at any age. It’s particularly damaging for teenagers. Language, cultural and socio-economic barriers limit access to extracurricular activities, community affiliation, meeting new people and making friends. The teen years for some can be unbearable.

“In children, it [loneliness] leads to all kinds of problems. Failure to be socially connected to peers is the real reason behind most school dropouts,” wrote Hara Estroff Marano in the Psychology Today article, The Dangers of Loneliness.

Feeling connected is a lot like food. We need it to survive.

Empowering isolated teens is a recent issue that the Miriam & Larry Robbins 1 Open Door is tackling through its unique partnership model of shared Jewish services. JVS Toronto leads this project with its partner agencies – JIAS Toronto, Circle of Care and Jewish Family & Child – to bring career expertise to help newcomer youth plan a future in Canada. The result is a program called Youth – Our Future Initiative (YOFI) that improves the social, educational and vocational needs of isolated teens living in York Region, the fastest growing Jewish community in the Greater Toronto Area.

Privately funded, YOFI reaches out to Jewish youth ages 13 to 19 years and welcomes them in to make meaningful connections within the Jewish and greater community. Since many of the participants are recent immigrants and newcomers, YOFI provides exposure to Canadian life, social interactions with each other, intergenerational activities with Holocaust survivors, volunteering and assistance to determine future career options.

Activities are multifaceted to build relationships and remove the effects of isolation for the young participants. Career exploration workshops give youth a unique opportunity to realize their strengths, values and interests in relation to potential careers. Mentoring events introduce participants to young professionals in the UJA Genesis initiative. Embracing the winter season is instilled through private ski lessons and outdoor activities. Seminars bring Holocaust survivors together with the teens to understand the challenges that come with age. Engaging discussions about Jewish identity take place from multigenerational perspectives. An abundance of social occasions bring young and old together for celebrations, food and fun events.

With 87% of participants to date between the ages of 13 and 16 years, YOFI is playing an important part bridging the years between childhood and adulthood with positive role models, unique experiences, resources for education and career options, and instilling a connection to the Jewish community that will last a lifetime. And it all started with one open door.

January 25, 2017 Leave a Comment

CanPrep Webinar: How-to Guide to Information Interviews

Information interviews are one-on-one meetings you can request (in person / online) to learn more about another person’s job, organization, sector and industry. This can be used as an effective tool in your Canadian job search process.

When you’re a newcomer to Canada, building professional connections and conducting information interviews is a great way to find opportunities that could lead to employment. Having conversations with professionals in your field for information and career growth should be part of your job search and is an effective way to network and build your personal brand.

CanPrep program offers insightful e-Learning modules that cover topics like Information Interviews, Online Networking, Canadian Resume and Cover Letter.

This interactive webinar presented by the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) in partnership with JVS Toronto (CanPrep), shares insights from employers on how to network and build social capital through information interviews focusing on what you can do prior to your arrival in Canada.

After viewing the webinar, you will:

Identify how to use information interviews to enhance your job search before coming to Canada
Learn about approaches you can take to arrange and conduct information interviews prior to arriving
Understand the value of information interviews from the perspective of employers

Click on the “Play” button to view the webinar. Watch out for our follow-up blog post on this topic where we respond to some Frequently Asked Questions on Information Interviews in Canada.

Our Panelists:

Anna Kostecka, Manager, Learning Initiatives, TRIEC
Melissa Magder, Senior Manager, Inclusion, Scotiabank
Peter Hawkins, Owner, MELLOHAWK Logistics

Facilitator:

Irene Vaksman, Director, Newcomer Services, JVS Toronto

December 12, 2016 3 Comments

Success story: Mark found a job 3 days before arriving in Canada!

JVS Toronto’s Canada InfoNet program is designed to guide internationally trained professionals through the challenging aspects of the Canadian job market. Many Canada InfoNet participants find jobs in their field shortly after they arrive, and sometimes even before they have left their home country!

Mark is a Test Automation Engineer from Philippines who was able to secure a job offer in a similar position, 3 days before he arrived in Canada!

He believes a strong resume helped him find employment faster. He was able to build this resume with the help of personalized employment counseling, online learning modules and tools offered by the Canada InfoNet program.

We asked Mark to tell us how Canada InfoNet helped and to share some tips. This is what he had to say:

How has pre-arrival program helped ease your transition into Canada?
Canada InfoNet pre-arrival program has helped me gain better understanding of the Canadian job market.

What aspects of the program did you find particularly helpful?
Resume building is one of the best aspects of the program. Without it, I would not have been able to get a job because my earlier resume wasn’t tailored to the Canadian job market.

What did you think would be your biggest challenges before arriving in Canada?
Finding a job, a place to live in and other settlement things to do during the first few weeks of arriving were certainly things I worried about.

What do you feel about the challenges post arrival?
Good research and preparing well for these challenges helped us settle much faster.

What are the various strategies you used that helped you find your job?
I did 3 main things which helped me find employment:

Tailored my resume to suit the Canadian job market with help from Canada InfoNet program
Targeted jobs that match my skill set
Persistent in my job search

Any pre-arrival job search tips that you would like to share with other Canada InfoNet participants who are looking to immigrate to Canada soon?
Prepare early, tailor your resume to the Canadian job market and specific to the industry as well. Apply to jobs even if only one or two of your major skills match.

Would you recommend Canada InfoNet program to others, why?
Definitely! I feel that 70% of my success in landing a job before landing in Canada is because of the Canada InfoNet program. Remaining 30% is on individuals to research companies, look for jobs and prepare and perform well in interviews.

Has Mark’s story motivated you? Are you ready to enrol in the Canada InfoNet program? Register here!

November 29, 2016 2 Comments

What is the difference between Volunteering, Co-op placement and Internship in Canada?

This is a continuation to our previous article on Volunteering titled Why volunteering is essential to job search in Canada. This article attempts to clarify the difference between Volunteering, Co-op placement and Internship in Canada.

Volunteering is described as an unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help an organization or a cause. It is of benefit for both parties involved and does not involve financial payment. Volunteering is usually done on a part-time basis depending on the availability of the volunteer and the organization need.

When deciding where to volunteer think about these aspects:

environment– creative, philanthropic, medical, people focused, technical, financial, media, etc.
location
time commitment
what do you bring to the organization and the role
what do you want out of the experience
what kind of people do you like to work with
is this strictly for fun or charity, or is it to further your career growth

Co-op or Co-operative placement is usually associated with a course or certification offered by an education institution or employment centre offering a job related program. Co-op allows you to apply concepts learned in class during paid work terms. At the end of the placement, you will have not only a certification that indicates you participated in a CO-OP program but also work experience in your field of study and a network of valuable contacts. All of these factors will contribute to helping you find a job more easily after the course completion. You can find more information on this topic on Settlement.org

An Internship is a professional working position that is typically offered to students or inexperienced workers. It enables the intern to gain valuable work experience and on-the-job training, while providing the employer with an enthusiastic worker.

Some internships are paid positions, while others are unpaid. Both allow you to work within an organization to gain first-hand experience about a particular industry or field of work. Internships help inexperienced workers get involved in the workplace, and can sometimes lead to permanent positions.

Since internships are full-time positions, watch out for unpaid internships. While they vary from province to province, there are sets of rules governing how internships must be run. These rules are designed to protect interns, ensuring their internship helps spur their career. Most provinces ask that any unpaid internship be a requirement for a formal education program, offering practical learning experiences.

Whether it’s Co-op placement or paid internship or volunteering work – any of these can be excellent means for a newcomer to show that they have the skills necessary for potential job opportunities in their field.

Resources to find Volunteering opportunities in Canada:

volunteer.ca

charityvillage.com

LinkedIn volunteer board

Canadian Volunteer Directory

United Nations Association in Canada

United Nations Volunteers

Idealist.org

Environmental volunteering: goodwork.ca

British Columbia & Alberta: govolunteer.ca

Ontario: Ontario Volunteer Centre Network

Paid Internships: careeredge.ca