February 15, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Team Work Skills

Multiracial male and female colleagues having discussion at team — Multiracial male and female colleagues discussing document at team meeting or corporate office briefing, diverse friedly african and caucasian partners talking about contract at group negotiations

Dear Joanna,

One of the biggest challenges that I am facing today at my workplace is working in a team. As a Business Analyst, I am constantly involved in complicated projects working with different types of employees from various professionals and departments.

How can I become a great team player yet be able to do my work and meet my deadlines?

Signed: Becoming a team player

Dear BTP

According to Michelle Edmunds, Founder and Job Search/Industry Coach at Focus Industry Consulting as well as Employer Outreach and Placement Coordinator at Ryerson University, The Chang School (Middle-level Managers program), employers value staff who are helpful and easy to get along (i.e. good team players) over and above those with better technical skills.

Here are some suggestions for becoming a “great team player” as you requested:

[Read more…]

February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Resume Gaps

Dear Joanna,

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and out of the workforce for about 15 years. Now I need a job for financial reasons. Do you have any suggestions as to how to overcome this gap in my work history?

Signed: Returning To Work (RTW)

Dear RTW

Let’s start with your resume. According to JVS Employment Counsellors, if your gap covers two or more calendar years, you need to explain this absence from the workforce.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider volunteer work as relevant experience.

If you volunteered in the community and/or at your kid’s school, this should be included in your resume and social media profiles. This experience is valid and you can add this in your resume under “Professional Experience” or “Experience”. Articulate the skills and qualifications that you learned and acquired in volunteering. For example, I am sure that you have been managing your home and multiple projects (programs) that involved your kids over the past few years. This could be translated into program or project management skills.

2. Volunteering.

It is always a great idea to continue volunteering in a position (if possible) or in an organization that is related to your ultimate job goal. This is a great way to keep your resume and experience fresh as well as build your professional network.

3. Gap coverage.

Create a section in your resume and LinkedIn profile entitled “Other Experience” after your “Relevant Professional Experience”. In your case, you might include phrases with the dates such as “Full-Time Parent”, “Home Management”, “Family Management”, and “Family Financial Management”.

4. Build your professional network.

Most jobs are found through contacts. Use social media and information interviews to meet successful leaders in your field. Identify the professional associations, conferences, trade magazines, organizations and events relevant to your career goal. Participate in these activities. You may even find your long lost colleagues. Try to reconnect with them on LinkedIn (or even Facebook might work for your situation).

5. Research the labour market.

You are in the same boat as a new graduate or newcomer to Canada, in the sense that you are starting a new career. Learn as much as you can about your field and profession as well as its leaders, the requirements, the shortages and the education required. You may need to requalify, recertify or learn new technical skills. Target companies where you would like to work, visit their websites, analyze the job openings and speak to as many professionals in your field as possible.

Joanna

January 27, 2016 2 Comments

Getting a job as a professional accountant in Canada

Accounting is a regulated profession in Canada. You will need to learn the process of how to achieve the same status and work as an accountant here in your new home. However, you bring with you a wealth of transferable skills to the labour market here in accounting and bookkeeping.

Here are 5 suggestions to start learning as much as you can about the accounting profession here in Canada before you arrive.

[Read more…]

January 25, 2016 1 Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Tattoos and body piercings at the job interview

Dear Joanna,

I have tattoos on my arms and body piercings on my left eye brow. I’ve started my job search as a help desk or customer service representative at a telecom company. Do you think that my tattoos, and body piercings would affect the hiring? Should I hide them in the interview?

Signed: Proudly Tattooed (PT)

Dear PT

The statistics speak for themselves. Research from a survey conducted with 2700 managers and coworkers on a popular salary survey site reported that 76 percent of respondents felt that tattoos and piercings hurt an applicant’s chances of being hired during a job interview; over 39 percent of those surveyed believe employees with tattoos and piercings reflect poorly on their employers. Overall, 42 percent of those surveyed felt that any and all visible tattoos are inappropriate at work, and 55 percent felt that way about body piercings.
Age plays a significant role in how tattoos and piercings are perceived at work. Regarding your upcoming interviews, I refer you to the following four suggestions from Monster and Money:

1. Consider the industry and position you are applying to.

Generally, I would recommend covering your tattoos and removing the piercing for the first interview, especially in conservative industries such as accounting or banking. That tattoo or piercing is more likely to worry employers if you’re applying for a customer-facing position, such as a salesperson, customer service representative or a health care provider.

Even if the interviewer is fine with tattoos, they have to consider that their customers, clients and patients may not feel the same way. For more jobs in media, IT and creative industries, these employers might be more lenient.

2. Research the workplace/company culture.

You can use social media to find this out. Examine the photos and profiles of employees at the company you are pursuing. If this doesn’t work, then join some of their groups that are relevant to your career goal and ask this question. Use Twitter to follow the company and employees and again, find out what they recommend.

As a last resort, call the receptionists to ask about the dress code for the interview.

3. Disclose that you have tattoos or piercings, if you hide them for the interview.

If the tattoo is inked in a spot that would probably be exposed in day-to-day work – your arms, for example – bring this up when the interviewer asks if you have any questions. Wells suggests saying something like: “I have tattoos on my arm. What are your thoughts about needing to have those covered up, or is it OK to wear a short-sleeved shirt where they might be exposed?”

4. Don’t let tattoos or piercings distract your interviewers.

Job interviews are stressful enough, so I wouldn’t recommend doing anything to distract from your skills and value. As Gottsman says, “You want to be remembered for your skills and your value, not for what you wear or have on your body.” Wear a proper suit. Accessories like rings and watches can hide certain tattoos, but make sure they don’t shake when you move.

For another perspective, check out Kate Parkinson’s on the matter post in this blog.

Joanna

January 11, 2016 3 Comments

Ask the Employment Specialist: Expert job search tips for the new graduate

Dear Joanna,

I have recently graduated, and am now having trouble getting a job in my field of study. I have submitted my resume to hundreds of entry level positions that fit my degree, but have yet to receive a single interview. My friends reviewed my resume. I also took it to campus career centre. So, I know my resume is good. I’d really like to know if you have any advice on what I may be doing wrong.

Signed: Waiting for my first break (WFMFB)

Dear WFMFB:

Tailor, prioritize quality over quantity, and leverage your network are the keys to the advice that Mentor Coach, Luki Danukarjanto of FOCUS.inspired provided when I interviewed him recently to address your question. A former expert recruiter and business consultant with Deloitte, Luki had some excellent insights to share:

1. Tailoring.

“Part of what I look for as a recruiter is ‘did the person even try?’ Often I receive a cover letter that is a cut and paste of the job role and company into the body of a note that generically describes their qualifications.”

A resume should be specific, not a general summary. Resumes should have your responsibilities and accomplishments adjusted to reflect the role. Incorporate some of the messages you learned from your information gathering into your tailoring

2. Show how you add value.

Take some time and understand what value you would provide to the role and the company. Showcase this experience, skills and qualifications as well as education in your application, then to have that come out in your application.

3. Cover letters.

This is nothing more than a document that is worded in a way as to show that you understand the nature of the challenges facing the company, and describes how you would benefit them, if you were hired into the role.

4. Quality versus quantity.

“Some people complain that tailoring takes too much time”.

If you aren’t willing to spend that time on something you want, how effective would you be in the role for which you are applying? Make the effort to apply properly to fewer jobs, rather than applying on mass without making an effort.

5. Focus on the job you really want.

If you really want to a role as a store manager, for example, why would you apply to a project manager or other unrelated roles? Spending more time on finding the roles that fit you and your experience are better served than just randomly applying for similar roles that might not fit you.

6. Leverage your existing network.

Secure informational interviews, create a LinkedIn profile, reach out to friends, family, professors, teaching assistants, past employers, co-workers, and anyone you connected with at your school and from your past. See who they are connected with; see who and what you know. Connect.

Luki had a lot more advice when you get to the interview stage, and eventually when you start the job, but we’ll save that advice for a later time.

Good luck on your job hunt!

Ask the Employment Specialist: Team Work Skills

Ask the Employment Specialist: Resume Gaps

1. Consider volunteer work as relevant experience.

2. Volunteering.

3. Gap coverage.

4. Build your professional network.

5. Research the labour market.

Joanna

Getting a job as a professional accountant in Canada

Ask the Employment Specialist: Tattoos and body piercings at the job interview

1. Consider the industry and position you are applying to.

2. Research the workplace/company culture.

3. Disclose that you have tattoos or piercings, if you hide them for the interview.

4. Don’t let tattoos or piercings distract your interviewers.

Joanna

Ask the Employment Specialist: Expert job search tips for the new graduate

1. Tailoring.

2. Show how you add value.

3. Cover letters.

4. Quality versus quantity.

5. Focus on the job you really want.

6. Leverage your existing network.

Joanna

Resumes & Cover Letters

Interview Skills

Professional Branding

Career Exploration Opportunities