Job search advice, interview tips, resume best practices and more, we have the information you need in order to be successful at work!
For questions, comments about the blog, or to submit a question for the Ask an Employment Specialist column, email the Editor, at klewis@jvstoronto.org.
Whether you are looking for a new job, networking with colleagues, or giving a presentation, there will be many times throughout your professional life where you’ll be asked to “briefly introduce yourself.” However, finding those few words to describe yourself isn’t an easy task. The challenge is to describe your professional skills, accomplishments, and personality in simple, yet compelling terms that will catch the attention of those who might be in a position to help you with your career goals. Your bio shouldn’t be just be a list of job experiences; that’s what your resume is for. Instead, it should show the person behind the accomplishments. Keeping your skills up-to-date is vital to every job seeker. Whether you are a newcomer to Canada, recently lost your job, a mature worker, trying to overcome a gap in your resume, or changing careers, enhancing your skills is a worthwhile investment of your time. You may want to brush up on your programming or computer knowledge, language skills, management or any number of other skills that could improve your chances of being selected for an interview. Finding training courses that are credible, affordable, and accessible isn’t an easy task. While Googling “courses in Toronto” will give you pages and pages of results, it can be difficult to determine which of these courses are worth your time (and money). The City’s workshops and training programs are available to all Toronto residents – many at little or no cost. Recipients of Ontario Works benefits may qualify for a variety of employment-related training programs in areas such as: The City also offers a training series for Community Frontline Workers who work with vulnerable youth. Workshops include Employment for Youth with Criminal Records, Conflict Resolution & De-escalation, and Outreach with MVP Youth. Tip: Not in Toronto? Check your own city’s website for training courses and other educational opportunities. Many public school boards offer adult education opportunities including Literacy and Language Training, Computer Skills, Personal Support Worker training, and other workshops for licensed professionals: Across all locations, the Toronto Public Library offers training classes that can be accessed either in person or online: TPL also offers free to access lynda.com – a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Tip: Markham residents can find JVS Toronto Employment Skills workshops at a variety of library locations. Check out our online calendar for more information. Many Private Colleges offer a wide range of Continuing Education opportunities. However, for some job seekers, these classes can be prohibitively expensive. And for those who work full-time or have family obligations, attending in-person classes can be next to impossible. Fortunately, there are a growing number of opportunities to study online which allows for greater flexibility and often lower (or no) costs. Some excellent online training sources include: Publicly funded post-secondary schools also offer a wide range of Continuing Education opportunities both in-person and online; many of which are quite affordable. In addition, through Continuing Education departments at colleges and universities, job seekers can earn certificates in their area of study that will demonstrate their expertise when applying to jobs. Whether you are looking for a certificate or just a few specific courses, check out the websites of Toronto’s colleges or universities for their continuing education course listings: Tip: Whatever education or training you choose to pursue, remember to add your new skills to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Happy learning! For job seekers, email is still the most popular way to sent a resume for a job opening, ask for an information interview, or network with a potential employer. According to researchers at Carleton University, working people send and receive an average of 111 work-related emails a day. It’s no surprise that job seekers struggle to get their emails noticed amongst the volume of messages in an employers’ inbox. What can you do to increase the chance that prospective employers read your email? Here are a few tips from our experts. Subject line: Pay attention to what you write in the subject line. It should clearly summarize the main point of the email, such as, Application for Accounting Manager – Jane Smith or, Seeking information about real estate industry. Most importantly, Hello is not a helpful subject heading! Opening: Get to the point quickly. Introduce yourself by telling the reader only what they really need to know such as mentioning who referred you to the employer. Ensure you have an email signature set up to avoid the need to mention your name. More about that below. Body: Be clear about why you are writing to the recipient up front. Keep it simple and focused. The reader is much more likely to respond if they know, at a glance, why you’re reaching out to them. Closing: End with the details of what you are asking for such as dates, deadlines or the next steps. Make sure the reader knows exactly what’s they need to do. Sign Off: Your closing line can vary depending on the formality of the email and the relationship between the sender and recipient: Signature: Create a professional signature for your emails. Include your name, occupation, phone number and a link to your LinkedIn profile or your online portfolio/website, if applicable. Do keep the email short. Focus the key points and convey key information. Each paragraph should be no more than three to five sentences. Don’t make the reader work too hard trying to figure out what you want. Avoid phrases such as, I am writing this email to inform you that…, or In response to your job posting of January 15th… Use the subject line is for this. Do keep your resume easy-to-read. Use italics, bold or highlighting sparingly. It can look messy and not all email applications are set up to read such complex formats. Do watch your grammar. Emails may be more conversational than other forms of correspondence, but try to maintain a professional tone. It is acceptable to use contractions such as I’ll, it’ll, we’ll, but avoid common “text” abbreviations such as plz, lol, thx, etc. And don’t use ALL CAPS or excessive exclamation marks!!!!!! Don’t make jokes. Jokes are don’t always read as intended. Written correspondence doesn’t convey sarcasm or tone well, so you might be misunderstood and end up looking unprofessional. Do be polite. If you are asking for assistance with your job search, remember to be courteous. Here are some terms you can use to make a request in a professional manner: Remember to say thank you and express your appreciation. Never underestimate the power of gratitude! Never send an email too hastily. Take time to proofread your message keeping the above tips in mind. Make sure that any relevant documentation is attached to your message before sending. A well-written email that is thoughtful, spell-checked, and professional can go a long way when presenting yourself to a potential employer. Finding yourself out of work can be a devastating experience. Unemployment is widely acknowledged as a significant stressor that directly affects physical and mental health. The Canadian Association for Mental Health states, “Unemployment can be, and often is, a shock to your whole system. You can experience some of the same feelings and stresses that you would if you were seriously injured, going through a divorce, or mourning the loss of a loved one.” As with other traumatic events, we rarely expect to be out of work and are often unprepared and overwhelmed by the road ahead. Common reactions when facing unemployment vary. You may find yourself struggling with denial, anger, and sadness, which can lead to avoidance and a sense of isolation. Preparation will help you to overcome these emotions and return to the workforce as soon as possible. Take stock of your finances. Figure out how long you can afford to go without a new source of income and develop a plan. Many job seekers have had to compromise their choice of jobs when they found themselves strapped for cash. Ask yourself, “What can I do if I don’t have a job by my target date?” Consider what compromises you can make to speed up landing a job. This can include adjusting your job search to include a few types of positions, locations, and salary range. Once you receive your Record of Employment, apply for Employment Insurance as soon as possible. Service Canada states, “If you delay filing your claim for benefits for more than four weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.” When applying for Employment Insurance using the online service, you will need your employment start and end dates. Keep in mind that finding a job often takes longer than expected. Establish your goals. Though you may not have been expecting it, this is an opportunity to reassess your employment goals. You may want to learn about other industries, consider a career change, or potentially go back to school. If you wish to stay in your current industry, make a list of companies you would be interested in working at. Start with a minimum of five and focus your efforts there. LinkedIn company pages are a great tool that provides job seekers with access to detailed in-depth information about potential employers. Revise your resume. Update your resume with your work history details, and highlight the skills and experience most relevant to your employment goals. Search job postings online for the keywords and skills employers are looking for and include them in your resume. For those with long careers, include the last 10 years of employment with focus on key responsibilities and accomplishments. Seek out free employment centres, such as JVS Toronto Employment Source, to help you with resume preparation, interview techniques and other job search tools. If you’re resume updating skills are rusty, try our free online resume writing clinic. Update or learn new skills. After updating your resume and looking at job postings, you may find that your skills are out of date, or you’ve come across a software program you don’t know that would open up other opportunities. You may want to brush up on your product or service knowledge, presentation skills or any number of other skills that could improve your chances of being selected for an interview. Adding or enhancing skills is a worthwhile investment of your time. There are many resources offered online, such as Lynda.com with courses in software development, business, design, websites and more. Also check out the Continuing Education programs offered at your college or looks for classes at your local community centre or library that are low cost or free. Reconnect with your network. Job loss is something more and more people are facing in today’s economic climate. You are not alone in needing to find work. Reach out to your social and professional circles for job search tips and leads. Use social media to reconnect with friends, former colleagues or classmates during your job search. Not only will you gain information, identify skills you may need to improve and other resources, these connections will help with feelings of isolation often associated to those facing unemployment. Consider making new connections by volunteering or attending industry or professional association events. You’ll meet people, hear about opportunities, and if volunteering, gain references and new work experiences to add to your resume. Use social media to make these connections. Keep in mind that most jobs aren’t formally advertised. Employers use their trusted networks to find candidates for vacant positions. Don’t do it alone. All Employment Ontario-funded employment centres have free resource areas that provide those looking for work with computers, telephones, faxes and photocopiers, including JVS Toronto’s nine Employment Source locations. Conducting your job search in an employment centre like this reduces loneliness and provides you with direct access to various employment specialists, workshops and other services, all for free! A little planning and effort can go a long way towards making the best of your situation and staying in control of a process, which can otherwise be daunting. For those readers living in Toronto or York Region who need job search support, contact JVS Toronto at 416-787-1151 or at services@jvstoronto.org to access our free job search workshops, hiring events, and career exploration programs. With unemployment levels at a “40-year low” in Canada, employers are under increasing pressure to find suitable candidates from a diminishing pool of job seekers. However, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario states that of the discrimination in employment claims received in 2012 to 2013, 15% were for age discrimination. The Human Rights Code safeguards against discrimination in employment noting that, “Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.” Discrimination in employment can occur at any time during the employee-employer relationship. During the recruitment process, for example, age discrimination could occur through the tools used during recruitment. Jobs advertisements posted on social media targeting a specific age demographic – the topic of this CBC article –potentially violate Canadian Human Rights laws. The article explains that the wording in advertisements do not mention age but the digital settings target who sees them. This could eliminate the mature worker age range. According to this New York Times article, recruitment practices affect a wide-range of ages, sometimes discriminating against job seekers in their 40s and 50s. The article reports that older job seekers receive fewer responses to their applications, especially when applying to positions such as janitors, administrative assistants, and retail sales clerks. Notably, there are more women in many of these roles and research reveals that older women experience discrimination at an even higher rate than older men do. Once an older worker has lost their job, getting back into the job market can be very challenging. Interviewers can be much younger and may see older candidates as lacking in technical skills and ability to adapt to the culture of today's companies. Mature job seekers have received feedback that they are overqualified, not a cultural fit for the company, or that their experience commands a higher rate of pay than the company can afford. It is important to remember that older workers are often hired. The key is to focus on your strengths and present yourself as the skilled, sharp, professional expert you are. Update your Skills Make sure your skills are up-to-date especially in-demand tech skills. There are many resources offering courses online, such as Lynda.com with courses in software development, business, design, websites and more. The Toronto Public Library is a great place to free Internet access for this type of web-based learning. Be sure to highlight your updated skill set on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Tailor your Resume Highlight your most important and in-demand skills and experience. It’s not necessary to go back too far. Ten years is the standard length for Employment History. However, if you have impressive experience that goes back further. Consider listing it without the dates under the headline Previous Relevant Experience. Tip - Describe your experience in your profile summary as “extensive” rather than quantifying it with “X number of years”. Establish an Online Presence Make sure your resume is Applicant Tracking System-friendly. (Applicant Tracking Systems are online computer software used by hiring managers to sort resumes.) Use common key words and phrases found in the employer’s job description, keeping the formatting simple, and clean. Then establish a professional up-to-date LinkedIn profile using these tips. Network, Network, Network Your extensive work history and professional reputation give you an advantage that younger workers do not have -- a network of former colleagues, employers, and clients who know and respect your work. Reach out to them. Take key people out for a cup of coffee and share your journey with them. Ask for tips and leads. Consider your Career Options Some older worker take their years of experience and leverage it into a consulting business providing start-up companies with leadership, advice and expertise. If you feel that ageism is affecting your job search, you are not alone. The evidence is clear that younger employers do prefer candidates in their own age bracket. However, you have some unique assets. Be sure to leverage and display them proudly. Remember, the employer who eventually hires you will be the one who truly appreciates everything you have to offer. When reading job search blogs, it’s easy to think that employers are no longer using resumes; that resumes are being replaced by platforms such as LinkedIn and Applicant Tracking Systems. So, do job seekers still need resumes? Employers tend to regard your resume as a simple and clear summary of your most important skills and experience. They assume that more information will be available about you on sites such as LinkedIn. So think of your resume as a brochure, a self-promotional tool. It should be brief (no more than two pages) and written in concise, formal language (without first person pronouns). It’s expected. The majority of employers still ask for resumes to be sent via email or uploaded to the company’s web site even when using LinkedIn to promote job openings. Resumes are easily shared. Potential employers can read your resume on a computer screen, email it to colleagues and hiring managers, and print it out to refer to at a later point in time. Resumes are adaptable. Job seekers can tailor their resume to highlight those qualifications that best match the employer’s needs. Update your profile summary and work history using keywords found in the job posting. This will increase your chances of getting your resume past any Applicant Tracking System and get it in front of the hiring manager. A LinkedIn profile is quite different. It is a living, dynamic record of you and your career. LinkedIn provides you with a chance to tell your story using a range of media such as text, slideshows, photos, work samples, websites and video. The summary portion of your profile is an opportunity to introduce yourself, explain your history and let potential employers know what makes you unique. It can be less formal than a resume profile -- just make sure that the tone is appropriate for your industry. LinkedIn allows for longer, more detailed work history than the standard 10 year span of a resume. If you have worthwhile professional experience that goes back more than 10 years, share it on LinkedIn. It’s popular. We know from surveys conducted that 87% of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn to review potential candidates. It is a secure way of sharing information. Resumes typically include your email address, phone number and street address, whereas LinkedIn does not require you to share such information without your permission. Unlike a resume, LinkedIn provides space to list your interests. Choose what you share carefully. Consider listing interests that relevant to your industry and reflect the values and culture of the companies you are engaging with. The goal of LinkedIn is to make you stand out to employers as not just well-qualified, but as an interesting, accomplished and impressive person. It’s a tie! Resumes and LinkedIn serve very different purposes. Resumes function best as internal documents that employers and hiring managers will use to determine if you have the right qualifications for the position you applied for. Whereas LinkedIn is a promotional tool that job seekers can use to market their personalities and highlight experience and skills that traditional resumes don’t allow. Tip: As a job seeker sending out resumes to potential employers, make sure that your LinkedIn profile reveals something new about you. You want them to be impressed by who you are and your personality, as well as your expertise and professional background. It’s job fair time once again! Every spring, employers and crowds of job seekers congregate to discuss job opportunities. Job fair events feature a maze of employer stalls with long line-ups and lots of noisy chatter. Presenting your best self at a job fair can be stressful, and there is no guarantee of being hired. So what is the point of a job fair? A job fair as a way to build a professional network of employers in your field, learn about job openings, workplace culture, and the nature of sector. The few minutes that you interact with an employer gives you a great opportunity to “look” and “sound” like a potential employee. Usually only your resume speaks for you when you apply for jobs. A job fair gives you a rare chance to sell yourself before any formal interviews take place. Some employers even have an on-the-spot interview for certain positions. While job offers don’t typically happen at a job fair, you can make progress towards that offer, or be considered for other opportunities. For employers, job fairs are a chance to meet face-to-face with candidates before any formal interview. Think of it as an in-person screening process. Candidates can sell their hard and soft skills and employers can quickly evaluate fit. The goal is for employers to identify candidates for interviews. Use Google to search for job fairs in your area. Find job fairs notices on websites such as Eventbrite, Peter’s New Jobs and Jobs Canada Fair. Register for the event. Sign-up on job fair organizer websites so you receive notices for upcoming events. Look for registration instructions and register, or obtain an entry ticket. Note that some job fairs ask you to submit your resume when you register. Not every job fair requires registration and just show up. Find the companies attending. Job fair advertisements include participating companies and the types of positions they are promoting. Visit company websites to understand more about them, who they hire and available positions. Search online for company news and check out their social media posts. Follow the companies you’re most interested in. Take notes about their mission statement, products and services. Consider applying for positions listed on their website and bring a record of the application to show the employer at the job fair. Be ready to market yourself. Prepare your elevator pitch to introduce yourself and the skills that would benefit the company. Have an idea of what you would like to emphasize to each company based on your research and the positions they are filling. Think about what you want to tell the employer about your last job, how it ended (stay positive!), and what you have been doing since. Find a way to tell them how your journey brought you to this company and their jobs. Make sure you have suitable clothes to wear at the event. Think of it like dressing for an interview, with the exception of wearing comfortable shoes that are still suitable for an interview. You can get a sense of each company’s attire from the photos used on their website. Make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile is up-to-date. Expect employers to look your profile up. Include your LinkedIn profile address on your resume as well. Have multiple copies of your resume to hand out. Think of questions to ask. Prepare specific and open-ended questions to understand or clarify details about the company, positions, sector news, etc. Company representatives will remember your conversation if they feel engaged. Job fairs are very busy, so be concise, professional, friendly and mindful of those waiting in line. Present yourself professionally. Arrive early, neatly dressed, with resume copies, notepaper and questions in a folder. Make sure you have a pen. Speak and act professionally. Offer a firm handshake when you meet company representatives and make eye contact. Silence your cell phone. Avoid asking about salary or benefits at this stage. Job fairs are busy, noisy and fast paced so don’t go into too much detail and be aware of time restrictions. Take care of yourself while you’re at the event. Bring water and snacks. Take short breaks. Stay focused and calm. Schedule a follow-up appointment, if possible. Some companies prefer making an appointment following the job fair; this is an opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with the employer, which is difficult to do at larger events. If the conversations went well, considering asking to meet with the employer after the event to continue the discussion. If they refuse, this may not be their protocol during job fairs. Gather business cards of employers. Write a brief email to the employers you met to show appreciation for their time and emphasize your interest in the company. Lastly, job fairs are an extraordinary opportunity to meet employers who can offer you your next career move. Taking the best effort you can during a job fair will increase your professional network and lead to positive opportunities in the future. Addressing the salary question isn’t easy for a job seeker. If the salary you ask for is too high, the employer might choose a more affordable candidate. If it’s too low, you might be selling yourself short or be seen as less qualified or valuable. So, what is a job seeker to do? Before tackling this question, it helps to do some research. Take a careful look at your budget and identify the minimum that you can afford to earn. Of course, you will try to do better than the minimum, but there are reasons to take a job that are not financial, such as an opportunity to start a new career, fill a gap on your resume, or perhaps the job is an opportunity to start at a company you really want to work for. Do you know how much employers are willing to pay you, given your particular skills and experience, and their given salary structure? It isn’t easy to figure out the going rate for a specific job. There are many variables to consider, including: Resources are available online to help calculate your potential salary, but be cautious; it doesn’t always give an accurate estimate of how much you might be able to be paid, considering your unique skills, experience and circumstances: The current job market is also the best source of salary information: Salary negotiations do not need to be adversarial or aggressive. If you are clear about how much you need and have a sense of what is being paid in the market, then you are in a good position to ask for what is realistic. Some salary negotiation tips: Job seekers may underestimate the power of sending a simple, well-written thank you letter after a job interview. Some think that employers don’t expect or appreciate a thank you and wonder whether it is worth the effort. Apparently, employers disagree. A recent survey of 300 employers shows that 80 percent describe the thank you messages they received after an interview as either somewhat or very helpful; yet, only 24 percent of candidates bother sending a letter. Some people embrace the practice of expressing gratitude with a few well chosen words whether by letter, email, by LinkedIn message or endorsement. It can be an effective way of making a lasting positive impression and reminding people of your thoughtfulness and likability. During the job search process, there are many opportunities to express gratitude. Acknowledging a helpful administrative assistant, a resourceful network contact, a referral to a job, or even your employment counsellor can be a valuable way of solidifying a relationship that may serve you for a long time into your career. Thank you notes are almost always a good idea. Whether the interview went well or not, whether you got the job, or even whether you don’t want the job, that should not impact your decision to write a thank you note. If a person has dedicated time and effort to help you with information or spent time considering you for position, send them a note. That includes the person who conducts the pre-screening interview on the phone. Think of it as paying it forward; feeling appreciated is a powerful force that strengthens your ties to others in your network. For more tips on writing thank you letters, as well as links to samples, check out this blog post. I recently came across an interesting opinion on networking that might make many job seekers happy; Networking, as many employment professionals describe it, might not work for most. Networking is the process of reaching out to professionals in your industry, that you may not know personally, in order to make connections and gain job referrals. And when I describe it to job seekers, I can see the concern on their faces – not everyone feels comfortable marketing themselves so directly to potential employers. Many candidates worry they are not qualified enough and are concerned their self-promotion may appear desperate. The question is whether networking is worth the effort and time required to make it work. For many job seekers, it is well worth it. For others, the anxiety it provokes and its lack of short-term returns might turn a job search into a stressful process that causes avoidance and frustration. The good news is that there isn’t just one way to find work. Keep in mind that the often-quoted “hidden job market” isn’t so hidden anymore. The vast majority of jobs are easily found online on job boards, social media and on company websites. Of course, having good network contacts can help a candidate stand out, but that often isn’t enough – candidates have to be able to compete equally with a highly talented pool of job seekers. Having a strong network cannot replace qualifications, experience and competitive skills. Sustainability matters. Connections have to be meaningful, not just plentiful. Networking works much better if you already have recognizable achievements. Networking cannot replace achievements. Access and opportunity do give certain people an unfair advantage. It is key to work on recognizing and publicizing your achievements. It's not all about making connections. Focus on making an impact through interesting, innovative and impressive activities. Technology offers new and inventive ways for employers to find qualified candidates. The latest innovation is a virtual (or online) job fair where job seekers have the opportunity to apply for job postings and speak directly with multiple employers from anywhere in the world. Virtual job fairs allow job seekers and employers to meet online and discuss employment opportunities. Just like in-person job fairs, these events are scheduled at a particular date and time. They utilize a range of technologies, including written chat or messaging, and may include video or teleconferencing tools. Online job fairs require job seekers to register for the event in advance. Registration may require submission of a resume and a series of qualifying and information questions that will help employers decide on the suitability of the candidate. Once registered, job seekers will receive a username and password to log into the event. They may even have an opportunity to review the positions advertised by each company before the event, and decide which positions they would like to apply for. Preparation for a virtual job fair isn’t that different from an in-person one. Prior to “meeting” with employers, job seekers can research companies and learn about their values and the work that they do. Just as with in-person interviews, job seekers need to be ready to talk about themselves with the employer, to demonstrate their strengths and accomplishments. Here are some sample interview questions and answers to help you prepare. At the designated start time, log in with your username and password. The website will direct you to chat rooms or booths where you can talk to the employers of your choice. Depending on the sophistication of the platform's software, some job fairs look like a live in-person fair complete with booths. Other simpler virtual fairs might just include a list of companies which you can click on to review and start a chat. Thank the interviewers, express your enthusiasm about the job, and ask about next steps in the process. Ask for contact information from your interviewer so you can send a thank you note and follow up if you don’t hear back. Remember, everyone is learning how to use these new technologies and everyone is bound to make mistakes. If you make a mistake, apologize, correct yourself, and keep going. Don’t let the technology intimidate you. By using it, you are showing the employer that you are adaptable and able to learn new skills. Now that you're ready, put your new skills to use at JVS Toronto's Virtual Employment Connections Fair happening tomorrow! Register online at jvstoronto.vfairs.com At this time of year, when the sidewalks are covered in ice and snow, it’s hard now that summer is just around the corner and will arrive sooner than you think! Recruitment job postings has begun. Summer are offered across various sectors, including seasonal positions for amusement parks, summer camps, resorts, campgrounds, as well as landscaping, tourism, and agriculture. Municipal, provincial and federal governments also post jobs summer jobs in a range of departments. Retailers also offer summer hiring programs. Where to find summer jobs Start with the obvious Connect with companies on social media Job Boards The government is hiring Government of Canada Also visit the websites for each city within a region for their summer jobs. Through the Government of Canada Summer Jobs program, a range of employers, including small businesses, not-for-profit employers, and faith-based organizations, can apply for funding for summer positions. Funding priorities are listed here and will give you an idea of organizations to research. There are also specialized government-funded programs that support youth such as: Check out classifieds listings such as Kijiji, who offer a Summer Job search. Traditional job boards such as Workopolis have summer student searches. Similarly, the vertical job boards such as Indeed.ca have specific summer searches. Think of which employers are busiest in summer. For jobs in camps, check out Ontario Camps. local camps. Remember that you can also create your own business and offer pet sitting, gardening, babysitting, elder care, housesitting services, for a fee, to friends and family. The provincial government offers support for summer companies, offered through JVS Toronto, through our Youth Services. Keep in mind that temporary agencies might be ramping up their hiring to fill positions of employees away for summer. You will find a list of job boards compiled by our employment experts. Besides an opportunity to build your resume and earn an income, summer work can have a lasting effect. Hard work and a good attitude can get you invited back for multiple summers, or turn into on-going part-time work. We sometimes forget that even the highest-ranking executives have gone through job interviews. Recently, CNBC posted an interesting article with the provocative title, 15 years ago, Google’s CEO had a brilliant response to a tricky interview question – and it helped him get hired, which offered insights into the questions that leading companies such as Google sometimes ask and what they hope to hear from candidates. At an interview for a Vice President position at Google, Sundar Pichai was asked an unexpected question which he could not answer; his response provides a useful strategy for job seekers: early on in the interview process, Pichai was asked about his thoughts on a Google product that was launched earlier that day. A little confused, he answered honestly that he hadn’t yet seen it yet. Undeterred, he proceeded through multiple interviews where he was repeatedly asked that question, and continued to explain that he had not seen it yet. Eventually, at the fourth interview, the interviewer took the opportunity to demonstrate the product, which allowed Pichai -- at the fifth interview -- to finally share his viewpoint of the product. Not only was Pichai hired for that position, but he went on to become Google’s CEO. The article goes on to highlight the impact of Pichai’s decision to be honest and direct when faced with a question about a product about which he had no knowledge. This approach kept him as a contender throughout the lengthy interview process. Pichai’s honesty and directness in answering this seemingly impossible question was the key to his success. He remained focused and continued calmly during the interview. The article describes this as “intellectual humility” -- the value of honesty and curiosity in an interview, rather than pretending to be knowledgeable and perfectly skilled. Job seekers sometimes underestimate employers’ interest in character and soft skills, such as the ability to handle an unexpected question with grace. Employers know that employees can learn a new skill or gain new knowledge, such as the recently launched Google product in Pichai’s case, whereas honesty, willingness to learn and humility cannot be learned. Laszlo Bock, former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google is quoted in the article saying that, “Successful, bright people rarely experience failure, and so they don’t learn how to learn from that failure. They instead commit the fundamental attribution error, which is if something good happens, it’s because I’m a genius. If something bad happens, it’s because someone’s an idiot or I didn’t get the resources or the market moved.” Job seekers need to remember that during an interview, there’s no need to rush into answering every question quickly. When presented with a difficult question, take a moment to consider your reply. Ask a clarifying question that may show a willingness to learn or thoughtful analysis. Keep in mind that getting to the interview stage means the employer has read your resume and decided that you have a lot to offer. In addition to demonstrating your skills and knowledge, an interview also provides the opportunity to show personal integrity, honesty and confidence. Respectful, curious and genuine employees make much better colleagues and contribute to a positive company culture. To impress interviewers, not only should you prepare your knowledge of the job, the company, and of yourself, make sure to rehearse honest and clear responses to questions. This will allow employers to get know you as a thoughtful, critically self-aware candidate, who is open to new learning -- which are highly valued characteristics. Large companies continue to modernize their recruiting processes to screen candidates faster. Traditionally, face-to-face and panel interviews were the standard. In recent years, telephone, online video, and group interviews have become more commonplace. Now employers are using speed interviews to sort through many qualified candidates quickly. What is a speed interview? Speed interviewing gives employers the ability to meet with multiple candidates briefly in an organized and controlled way. Ten to 15 candidates attend a speed interview. One person interviews each candidate individually anywhere from five to 15 minutes. This pre-screens candidates for selection for in-depth full interviews. The article, Need to hire quickly? Try speed interviewing, describes how one startup company used speed interviewing to hire an account manager. This company publicized this hiring event on social media then reached out to qualified candidates to attend a speed interview event. During a five-minute interview, the interviewer asked four or five typical interview questions. Each candidate then moved on to three other rounds with different individuals. After the interviews were all completed, candidates had a tour of the office. The interviewers met shortly afterwards to discuss their impressions and identify those candidates they regarded as “most promising”. The selected candidates had an in-depth second interview. This enabled the company to make a quick decision, resulting in hiring a new account manager within 48 hours of the speed-interviewing event. This example gives you an idea of how speed interviews work. Depending on the employer and the sector, the format and character of speed interviews will vary. Small companies and startups seem to favour this technique. You may also run across speed interviewing when recruiters or retail companies, for example, need to pre-screening candidates for multiple positions. Speed interviews give employers a chance to compare candidates and watch how they perform under pressure. Preparing for a speed interview If you have ever had a pre-screening interview, or answered employer questions at a job fair, then you’ve had a taste of what a speed interview has in store. Preparing for a speed interview is similar to preparing for any other interview. The difference is being able to respond quickly and succinctly. The more prepared you are, the better you will perform. Preparation and practice makes perfect Prepare, then practice with a friend, or in front of a mirror. During the speed interview After the interview Remember, this is just another type of interview. The only difference is that you need to make a great first impression quickly with each interviewer. Good preparation and organization will give you confidence and that will lead to a great first impression! Recently, a former client of mine anxiously called me. Her present employer of two years had begun restructuring. Some staff and a manager had already been laid-off. The company rumour mill said that her job was next. Understandably, she asked my advice on how to handle the rumours. Unfortunately, job security is an on-going concern in today's labour market regardless of any imminent threat. Taking these important steps will give you a plan and a sense of control in your career. My first suggestion to my client was to reach out to her supervisor and address the issue directly. This private conversation allows you to ask if changes are coming? How would those changes affect my position? What can I do to protect my job? In situations like this, be prepared for vague responses. Management are often asked to keep such details confidential, or have not been provided with the details. It may be that various manager positions will also be affected. In my client’s case, her manager did not deny the rumours but did not have any details. However, my client was reassured that her performance was not an issue and was encouraged to continue to do her best. Opening up communication with your manager will put the rumours into context and reinforce your commitment to your company. If you work in a unionized position, in addition to your manager, you can also approach your union representative about the rumours. Your goal at this stage is to understand the nature of what may be happening. If you find that rumours of company restructuring are true, consider this advanced notice as an advantage. While you still don’t know if your position will be affected, you can take positive action with a back up plan. I advised my client to update her resume, review and update her LinkedIn profile, and discreetly gather references. At this point, you may want to invest in upgrading any outdated skills. For example, my client discovered that her software skills are outdated and she decided to pursue a Salesforce training course in the evenings. During times of uncertainty, and while you're still working, take these proactive steps: You may consider starting a job search to see how competitive the job market is. This will give you a sense of job vacancies earning potential, and what updated skills you will need to be more employable. Of course, employers prefer employed candidates, so if you feel you are at risk during a company restructuring, you can take this opportunity to look for work while you are still working. Taking action will ease your mind during uncertainty in the workplace. Examine your financial situation. Figure out whether you be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) if you were laid off, how much you might be able to collect, and whether you could live on that income. That will help you decide when to start a job search. Keep in mind that if you find a new job while you are working, even if you have received a lay-off notice, resign the job, you will not be eligible for EI or a severance package. During a lay-off, you will be given notice, usually through a meeting and a letter, outlining your termination notice. This is outlined in the Employment Standards Act of Ontario, and for unionized positions, in the Collective Agreement between the union and the company. This will outline what you are eligible for in terms of notice, pay in lieu, vacation pay and other benefits. Your employer will issue you a Record of Employment, that will indicate the reason you left the company. You will need this to apply for Employment Insurance. This is also the time to gather reference letters from your current employer. Importantly, work as hard as you can to end your job on positive terms. The benefits of this are especially important for your job search by informing the next employer that, despite being laid off, you have a positive relationship with your former team members.How to Write Your Professional Bio
Top 5 Resources for Quality Training Courses in Toronto
Here is our selection of quality resources to learn new skills and boost your employability.
1. The City of Toronto:
2. Public School Boards:
3. Public Libraries:
4. Private Colleges:
5. Public Universities and Colleges:
How to Write Emails That Get Noticed
Consider each part of your message.
Email Dos and Don'ts.
Proof read your email before you send it.
Lost Your Job? Here’s six steps to get you back to work
Six Steps in Taking Control
Dealing with Age Discrimination
What does age discrimination look like?
So what can the more seasoned job seeker do?
Bottom line:
Resumes vs LinkedIn. Which is better?
The Benefits of Resumes
The Benefits of LinkedIn
And the Winner is…
How to use Job Fairs to Find Your Next Job
Finding job fairs and hiring events.
Before the Job Fair
At the Job Fair
Follow-up is important. After each conversation or meeting with a company representative, take notes and ask for a business card. If this is not available, get the person’s name, company, job title, and email address. Ask permission to connect with them on LinkedIn.After the Job Fair
Answering the Salary Question in a Job Interview
How much do you really need to earn?
How much can you expect?
At the interview:
Read MoreThe Power of a Thank You
Expressing gratitude is a highly effective strategy
Writing thank you letters during job search as well as after interviews
Tips for writing a thank you note after an interview
Is Networking overrated?
Here are some interesting insights from the New York Times:
“It’s true that networking can help you accomplish great things. But this obscures the opposite truth: Accomplishing great things helps you develop a network.” Networking tends to be more effective if you are already accomplished and have an established credibility in your professional circle.
“Achievements don’t just help us make connections; they also help sustain those connections.” Networks need to be sustained, and that can only happen if your accomplishments are visible.
”Networking alone leads to empty transactions, not rich relationships.” While it is a good idea to connect to as many people as possible, it is even more important to build your existing relationships and get to know your contacts.
“It’s remarkably hard to engage with those people unless you’ve already put something valuable out into the world. That’s what piques the curiosity of advisers and sponsors. Achievements show you have something to give, not just something to take.” Share your achievements on your resume and on LinkedIn. It will make you a much more interesting to others and a valuable professional contact.
“The best way to attract a mentor is to create something worthy of the mentor’s attention. Do something interesting, and instead of having to push your way in, you’ll get pulled in. The network comes to you.” Work on making an impact, whether it is in your volunteer work, your current interim job, or in a training course.
It is important to acknowledge that networking is much more challenging for those who are new to a country or a career. In those situations, job seekers may have to rely on transferable skills to market themselves. “It’s dramatically easier to get credit for achievements...if your pedigree is full of fancy degrees and prestigious employers, and you come from a family with wealth and connections. But if you lack these status signals, it’s even more critical to produce a portfolio that proves your potential.”
“Accomplishments can build your network only if other people are aware of them. You have to put your work out there. It shouldn’t be about promoting yourself, but about promoting your ideas. Evidence shows that tooting your own horn doesn’t help you get a job offer or a board seat, and when employees bend over backward to highlight their skills and accomplishments, they actually get paid less and promoted less. People find self-promotion so distasteful that they like you more when you’re praised by someone else — even if they know you’ve hired an agent to promote you.”
“The best networking happens when people gather for a purpose other than networking, to learn from one another or help one another.”How to make the most of a virtual job fair
How to make the most of a virtual job fair
What is a virtual job fair?
Preparing for a virtual job fair.
Before the event begins:
What happens at the virtual job fair?
Tips to maximize the opportunity.
At the end of the interview...
After the job fair…
Read MoreIt's Time to Start Looking for Summer Work
Search engines like Google are the best places to start any kind of job search. Start with keywords like summer, jobs, a job title (e.g. landscaping) and location (e.g. Toronto). Set up to receive email alerts based on your searches that produce the best results. You’ll receive a notification every time a positions matches your search criteria.
Many companies and organizations post job opportunities on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can follow companies offering summer employment to get posts about vacancies. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date so employers can also search for candidates like you. You can conduct searches on each platform using hashtags like #summerjobs. This article talks about what employers look for in candidates on social media.
Look through specialized job boards, particularly if you’re a student, such as JobPostings.ca, Student Times and Talent Egg, which focus on summer jobs.
Summer job postings for all three levels of government can start as early as January and promote vacancies on their website. Here’s a few to check out.
Ontario Government and Ontario Public Service Careers
City of Toronto
The Municipality of York Region
Peel Region
Durham Region
Answering Unexpected Interview Questions: Lessons from a CEO
So, what did he do that was so effective?
How to Handle Speed Job Interviews like a Pro
Worried about being laid-off? Here are some strategies.
Clarify the situation.
Create a back up plan.
Evaluate your finances.
If you are laid off...