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April 12, 2023

Finding an Administrative Job

Join us in-person at Aaniin Community Centre for a workshop/info session on how to target your job search for Administration roles.

This workshop will help you pursue a variety of dynamic careers such as Human Resources Administrator, Executive Assistant, Medical Secretary, Bookkeeper, and Office Manager. Learn about industry trends, designations, and core skills within the administrative sector as well as targeted job search strategies.

1-on-1 appointments with a JVS Toronto Employment Counsellor are available after the class.

To register, contact markhamonline@jvstoronto.org.

By Donna Chabot Tagged With: employment, find work, job fair, job interviews, job search, jobs in Markham, resume, resume writing

January 11, 2023

Finding a Government Job

Join this informative in-person workshop at Aaniin Community Centre on how to target your job search for employment within the public sector. JVS Toronto will introduce you to Ontario Public Service (OPS) job openings, including an overview of the expectations related to the recruitment and interview process. These helpful tips will allow you to tailor your applications specifically for OPS job opportunities with an improved understanding of how to target your resume and adhere to OPS application requirements.

1-on-1 appointments with a JVS Toronto Employment Counsellor are available after the class.

To register, contact markhamonline@jvstoronto.org.

By Donna Chabot Tagged With: employment, find work, immigrant job search, job interview, job search, job search advice, jobs in Markham, resume, resume writing

July 2, 2019 2 Comments

Lost Your Job? Here’s six steps to get you back to work

Sad man thinking while seated at a table with a pad of paper and cup of coffee

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. 

Six Steps in Taking Control

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.

By Karin Lewis Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: find work, job loss, tips, unemployed

June 17, 2019 Leave a Comment

Dealing with Age Discrimination

Mature male employee on the job
Flickr: Scott Lewis

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.

What does age discrimination look like?

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.

So what can the more seasoned job seeker do?

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.

Bottom line:

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.

By Karin Lewis Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: age discrimination, ageism, Discrimination, find work, job search

May 13, 2019 Leave a Comment

How to use Job Fairs to Find Your Next Job

Illustration of a magnifying glass focused on one individual in a crowd

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. 

Finding job fairs and hiring events.

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. 

Before the Job 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.

At the Job Fair

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.
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

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.

By Karin Lewis Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: find work, job fair tips, job search, networking, preparing for a job fair

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