December 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask Our Employment Specialist: Resigning from your job with grace

This is Joanna Samuels’ final post in the “Dear Employment Specialist” series. Joanna has taken on a new opportunity. We wish her the very best in her new endeavour. JVS Toronto’s Karin Lewis will be advising you as our new Employment Specialist. We look forward to her sound advice and expertise.

Dear Joanna,

After 11 years at my organization, I have been offered and accepted a fantastic career opportunity. I would like to resign from my current employer in the most diplomatic way. I am having a hard time because I am leaving a job and work friends that I love.

Please help me with this challenge.

Signed: Saying Goodbye is Hard (SGH)

Dear SGH

The best advice for resigning with dignity and diplomatically is presented by Dr. Randall S. Hansen, who the recommends the following strategies for a “graceful departure”:

Leave on good terms. Never burn your bridges. Don’t brag to your coworkers about your great new opportunity. Job hunting is an unpredictable process, and you never know when you will run into your former supervisor, co-worker, or a former employer in another situation.

Giving notice. Legally, you are required to give a minimum of two weeks. Consult your employer’s policies and/or the Collective Agreement if you are in a union. If you can, I would suggest giving extra notice as a special favour to your team and employer. Keep this in mind when discuss the job offer with your new employer.

Salary. Make sure you are paid for any outstanding salary, vacation, sick, personal days, commission payments or other compensation due to you.

Help with the transition. Offer to help your current employer find your replacement. Offer to train or work with your replacement to show them the ropes.

Remain an active employee. Don’t disappear during your last weeks on the job. Stay an active member of the team and avoid taking a short-timer’s attitude or aligning yourself with any discontented coworkers. Complete all open assignments and leave detailed progress reports for your supervisor and coworkers.

Keep networking. Keep in touch with your (soon to be former) colleagues and supervisors, especially those who you want to keep as network contacts. Make sure you are connected with them on Linkedin, Twitter and any other social media venues.

Joanna

December 5, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Are Calling Cards Helpful?

Dear Joanna,

I’m going to a career and job fair next week. It promises to be a fantastic event with lots of employers looking to hire. I am an experienced building maintenance manager with over 10 years experience in managing the operations of different properties for a mid-sized company.

Do I need to prepare and bring with me calling / business networking card?

Signed: Calling Card Case (CCC)

Dear CCC

I’ve observed how calling cards as a critical networking tool seem to be less important now that using social media, especially Linkedin, has become the more popular networking technique and as we move towards a paperless society.

However, JVS Toronto Employment Counsellors agree that calling cards still have some of the following benefits as a networking and branding tool:

It’s a portable marketing device.

You never know when you will meet someone who can help you with your job search. These cards allows you to leave your details with potential contacts whom you did not expect to meet. People will accept a card under almost any circumstances, whereas they may not accept your resume.

Attach it to an application form.

This technique could set you apart from other candidates. Attach it to a thank you letter after an interview as a reminder of your skills, or to a cover letter to introduce yourself. Post it on bulletin boards to market your services. It will encourage people to give you job leads, summarize your skills for your references and give out to businesses you may spot in passing. It will point out to others how to pronounce or spell your name.

Design and print networking cards.

It is an inexpensive tool. You can make your own calling cards using a publishing program, MS Office or on the web. Or, you can buy the card stock at a local print or office supply store, and print your cards off on your printer. Networking/calling cards are the same as business cards: they have your key contact information the way business cards do, but instead of listing a company and job title, a networking card focuses on your career or professional goal and highlights your skills and expertise.

Here is a sample:

Joanna

Joanna Samuels B.Ed. (Adult Education), M.Ed., CMF, CTDP, RRP is a certified Life Skills Coach and Personality Dimensions Facilitator who works as a Job Developer/Job Coach/Workshop Facilitator, as well as a part-time instructor of employment counselling with people with disabilities at George Brown College.

November 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

What not to bring to an interview

Dear Joanna,

I am beyond scared and nervous about my very first ever job interview that I will be attending for a Financial Analyst position, which is my dream position. It would really help me if I bring my friend with me to alleviate my stress. Is this acceptable etiquette at an interview?

Signed: A little help from my friend (ALHF)

Dear ALHF

The only items that are acceptable to bring with you to the job interview are copies of your resume (one for each interviewer), a portfolio (if it’s relevant), a pen, pad of paper, and a list of your references (to be provided only when asked), as well as any other documents as requested by the interviewers.

Elizabeth Bromstein wrote a fantastic blog on What not to bring in the interview. She suggests that any of these eight items can ruin your chances of getting the job offer by either annoying the potential employer, or undermining their ability to take you seriously:

1. Your parents or friends.
Employers expect to be dealing with an independent, self sufficient person. Don’t give them any cause to think otherwise. You are not a child. Don’t act like one.

2. Your pets.
Again, if you want to be taken seriously, behave professionally.

3. Your phone.
Make sure to turn it off and put it away, out of sight. It is disrespectful and rude to have it ringing in the interview. It is important to show complete full attention to the interviewer(s). Carry as little with you as possible to make the best impression.

4. Drinks.
Coffee and water can become a distraction and an inconvenience. If they offer you a drink, it may be simpler to not accept it. Remember, the interview is about what you can do for the employer, and not what the employer can do for you. Don’t show up carrying a cup of coffee, not only in case you spill it but again, it could be interpreted as rude.

5. A competitor’s product.
Do your homework. Research the products sold by the company and don’t make the mistake of showing up with a product from the competition “… for an interview at Starbucks while carrying a Tim Horton’s cup, unless your plan is to discuss the competition”.

6. Inappropriate personal materials (Fifty Shades of Grey, for example).
Think about how the material you are bringing with you reflects on your professional image. Bromstein recommends that you  “Don’t bring any reading material that makes you look anything less than serious, intelligent, and professional.”

7. Your shopping.
This presents the absolute wrong message. It makes it look like the interview is just something you’re fitting in between other things, not the most important focus of your day. If you want to look like you really care about the job, do your shopping later.

8. Food.
Eat your meal before the interview, whether it’s in person, virtual or on the phone. In all formats, it’s a serious interview. You must be professional and prepared.

If in doubt, don’t bring it. Keep your interview professional, if you want to be taken seriously.

Joanna

Joanna Samuels B.Ed. (Adult Education), M.Ed., CMF, CTDP, RRP is a certified Life Skills Coach and Personality Dimensions Facilitator who works at JVS Toronto as a Job Developer/Job Coach/Workshop Facilitator. Also, Joanna is a part-time instructor of employment counselling with people with disabilities at George Brown College.

November 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

Use Project Management skills in your job search

Dear Joanna,

How can I boost my job search so that I finally receive a job offer as a project manager in the telecom industry? I’ve heard that it is so competitive that all job seekers would need is to have connections to secure employment in this field.

Do you have any advice for me?

Signed: Frustrated PMP (F-PMP)

Dear F-PMP

To respond to your great question, I have consulted with expert coach and facilitator Miguel Abascal, Project Manager, M.Fin, PMP at TD Canada Trust, who also volunteers to support newcomers as a TRIEC Mentor.

He presents eight project management tips that can be incorporated into a job search:

Initiate.

Using the mindset of a consultant or entrepreneur when looking for work is critical. Building your career and securing employment is a project that you are managing from beginning to end: you set the tone, the deadlines, the plan and the process. Set up a workplace at your home or in a local coffee shop until you find your new employer. Don’t forget that relationship building is everything.

Adapt To Change.

Flexibility, expecting the unexpected and identifying change opportunities are hallmarks of an effective Project Manager. They are always considering the possibility of changing plans, adapting documentation and thinking about how this impacts on a project. Job seekers can learn from that: evaluate your options and re-evaluate them again, if they are not attainable. Look at your resume and LinkedIn profile: are they working? If not, change. Listen to advice and be open to adapting what you do.

Know What You Don’t Know.

An openness to learn something new, a love of learning, an understanding your strengths and weaknesses and always looking to improve is fundamental to a project’s success Never be complacent; always strive to find better solutions to the problems in your job search. For example, if you keep applying to jobs and are not getting any interviews, it’s an opportunity to learn new techniques for your job search, such as updating your social media skills.

Lead With Purpose and Passion.

Follow the mantra of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®): “people will follow those who know what they are doing and who can generate results”. Nothing feels better than accomplishment. Make decisive, confident decisions, and demonstrate that in your job search.

Plan.

Create a detailed and thorough project plan. Identify the milestones you wish to achieve. As mentioned above, be prepared to change and adjust. Knowing where you are and creating a plan to reach your destination is 50% of the work. Your plan will be like a Blueprint or a Map that will help you see if you need to make any adjustments.

Execute.

Act on your goals, with an expectation of success. Keep practicing and preparing for job interview. Utilize approaches such as Information Interviews, which are the secret for networking success. Engage in targeted research of the companies, the industry and hiring managers that are relevant to achieving your job goal.

Monitor and Control.

Be very organized and keep meticulous records of your activities including job postings, applications, interviews, networking activities and any other relevant action. Organizational skills are important in the job search. Use tools such as Google Spreadsheets and Calendar, and keep a schedule of your interviews and any engagement with people.

Make sure that people experience you as organized and in control. As Maya Angelou said: “People will forget what you said, even what you did but they will never forget how you made them feel .”

Close

Before you say “yes” to the job offer, make sure you’re asking the right questions. Understand your value proposition, how you will help the company succeed, get to know the workplace culture, evaluate the offer including salary, benefits, hours, company holidays and start date.

Don’t forget: Treat the job offer like a business deal, in which, you, my friend are very valuable, because there is none like you!

Joanna

November 14, 2016 Leave a Comment

Tips from an Employment Counsellor: What to do if you have started a job and found that it is not a suitable workplace

We asked our staff to share examples of the kinds of questions that clients sometimes ask, and the answers they offer. This question from a client came to Cindy Chen, an Employment Counsellor at JVS Toronto Employment Source Scarborough.

Clients often worry about what would happen if, when they start a new job, they discover that it isn’t what they imagined. What can they do?

Sometimes when you start a new job, things don’t turn out as you had hoped or imagined. This, combined with the stress of starting a new job, can make the new workplace seem intolerable.

It’s important to figure out objectively why you don’t like the job: what makes it so difficult: the tasks, the people, or both?

If it is the tasks, keep in mind that, on average, it takes about 3-6 months for new employees to really feel comfortable with the tasks or responsibilities of a new position. If it is the people, try to get to know your new colleagues better and work on giving them benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the atmosphere or work culture is different and it requires some time for you to adjust and find your own place within it. Try introducing yourself to colleagues and get to know them; small talk is sometimes very important and beneficial. Join lunches and other social opportunities. If you can find one person who is helpful and open to sharing, perhaps turn to them for support.

Once you have determined that you have tried your best and done all you can to fit in, but it still seems like a bad fit for you, start looking for a more suitable job. Try not to leave your current job until you have secured a new one. Do your best to schedule interviews at the beginning or at the end of the day, so you don’t disrupt your current work schedule.

Now that you know more of what is not suitable for you in a workplace, use that knowledge to find a more suitable workplace. Be sure to ask questions at the interview to find out what it would be like to work at that place, such as: how would you describe the work atmosphere here, how would you describe the management style at this organization? What’s a typical day like here? What aspects do you think will help an individual excel here or at this job?

When a new job seems to not be working out, it is important to be patient, yet decisive. Sometimes, once you have been there for a while, you might get used to, or find ways of dealing with aspects of the job that you initially found to be challenging. Hang in there, do what you can to make it work, but once you decide it is not for you, begin to look for something else. Use what you have learnt to secure a better suited job next time around.

Cindy Chen is an Employment Counsellor at JVS Toronto Markham Employment Source. She is trained as a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW), and describes herself as an advocate of inclusion who is passionate about helping others.

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