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Should You Look for Work Over the Holidays?

Santa hat hanging on laptop displaying the message "We are hiring"

The snow is falling, festive music is playing, and people everywhere are talking about their travel and party plans. It’s December and the holiday season has officially begun! For job seekers, the thought of taking some time off during the holidays is hard to resist. But before you shut down your computer and set aside your job search for December, our employment experts have a few insights you should consider. 

Tips for Job Searching over the Holiday Season: 

More Networking Opportunities

Employers may be less busy and more relaxed now that they have wrapped up projects for the year which means their schedules are often clearer and they have more time to chat. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to employers and ask for an information interview to learn more about the company and any upcoming job opportunities

The holiday season is also a chance to reconnect with your network. Reach out to existing contacts to wish them happy holidays. It can spark a fresh conversation and remind them that you are searching for work. If you haven’t done so already, ask for a reference.

Tip: This is also a perfect time to thank those people who have been particularly supportive or helpful during your job search. No need to buy gifts –– a personalized greeting message will show your gratitude and help them keep you in mind for next year’s opportunities.

Fewer Job Seekers Means Less Competition

At this very moment, some employers are planning to start the new year off with new hires. And with many job seekers opting to take a holiday break, there will be less competition for those new positions. Applying early, just as new positions are posted, might give you a big advantage –– hiring managers will take notice of an enthusiastic job seeker applying when most are not. So get those cover letters ready!

The Year-End Wrap-Up

While some companies are planning next year’s job openings, others are will want to wrap-up their hiring before the year-end. Now is a good time to follow-up on past interviews where a decision has not yet been made. Don’t go into the new year thinking what if…  Find out now and start January with a clean slate.

Your Own Wish List
Use this time of year to consider your options and do what serves you best. If you need a break, take it — without guilt or doubt. After all, everyone needs a chance to relax sometimes, and you can come back to your job search in January rested and reinvigorated. If you do decide to extend your job search into December, do it knowing it’s a worthwhile endeavour.

Happy holidays from all of us at JVS Toronto!

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Myth busters: Is Canadian work experience necessary to find meaningful employment?

Two colleagues discussing presentation on computer at office

The lack of Canadian experience is one of the most common obstacles for newcomers as they pursue meaningful work in their new country. Many report that they continue to face this challenge even after two or more years of living in Canada. But, what does “lack of Canadian work experience” actually mean?

In this webinar:

Our panel of industry experts advise participants on job search strategies and discuss keys questions such as:

  • Do Canadian employers hire job seekers who are the right fit for the role regardless of the fact that they are newcomers?
  • Can survival jobs count as Canadian work experience?
  • Where does the law stand when it comes to employers asking about Canadian work experience?
  •  How can internationally trained professionals demonstrate to Canadian employers that they have what it takes to fit in Canadian workplaces?

[Read more…]

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Could Failure be the Secret to a Successful Job Search?

Worried guy covering mouth by hand while looking at laptop display and understanding that dangerous virus attacked his computer

Failure isn’t just a bump on the road to success — it can be a prerequisite. A recent study followed professionals over the course of decades and found that those who experienced setbacks early on in their careers were not only successful later, but they were actually more successful than those who had an easier time: “early career setback appears to cause a performance improvement among those who persevere.”

What factors make some successful while others struggle?

Of course, not every failure will automatically lead to success. The study found that simply trying again isn’t going to make you better at the task: “what matters is how people fail, how they respond to failure and where those failures lead.” Trying again only works if you learn from your previous mistakes. Successful people are able to critically review their failures, learn from them, and quickly change their actions accordingly.

The ability to act swiftly was identified as a key predictor of future success. People who wait too long between attempts at a task were less likely to be successful at achieving their goal. The faster you fail and move on, the better your chances of success.

What can job seekers learn from this?

We know that for every job posting, only one candidate will be hired and those who apply and are rejected may experience a sense of failure. Every job seeker knows that the search for employment can be challenging and finding a new job rarely happens quickly. Unfortunately, disappointment is inevitable but there are things you can do to build your resiliency.

Expect to fail.
Don’t expect to find your next job immediately. Recognizing that it is a process that can take time might allow you to bounce back more quickly when setbacks happen. Be prepared to reevaluate and adjust your job search as needed.

Be ready to learn from it.
If you are sending out multiple resumes and not getting responses or are struggling to get past the first interview, ask yourself the following questions:

There are many opportunities to get feedback on your resume, LinkedIn profile, or job search strategy. An organization such as JVS Toronto, which offers a range of job search support, can give you objective and knowledgeable feedback on all aspects of your job search.

You may also consider asking someone in your network — especially professionals in your field — about what you could be doing better or ask an employer for feedback on your performance after an interview. The goal is to be able to reflect on and evaluate your job search. Be open to new ways of doing things and be ready to pivot quickly if you are unsuccessful.  

Don’t take it personally.
An unanswered email or a rejected job application does not reflect your worth as a person or a professional. Think of these setbacks to be stepping stones to better things. Be willing to talk about your struggles openly… even in job interviews. Remember employers want to know more than just your career history. They want to know who you are as a person. Don’t avoid talking about the struggles you might have had. If you can frame it in terms of what you learned from failure and how you adapted, you might be able to make a positive impression.

Remember, failure isn’t just something to overcome. It is actually a necessary step on the road to success. So confidently face your failures, learn from them, and being willing to try a different approach. Practice makes perfect.

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How to standout in the Canadian Recruitment process

5 lightbulbs lined up in a row. One yellow on stands out from the rest

Moving to a new country can be both an exciting and challenging experience. For job seekers who recently immigrated to Canada, figuring out how to get to the top of the employer’s pile of job applications can be even harder. So, how does a newcomer standout in today’s competitive labour market?

In this webinar:

Dmitri Stupak, NA Talent Acquisition Programs Manager at IBM will share his views on:

  • Accessing the hidden job market
  • The importance of networking and how to meet potential industry contacts
  • Canadian resume & cover letters – what recruiters are looking for
  • The best way to handle the Interview process

[Read more…]

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How to Apply for an Internal Position in your Company

Excited by good news motivated colleagues celebrating corporate

Imagine you are happily working at your job when you receive an email from your HR department notifying you of an exciting new job opening at your company. The position matches your skills and experience, and most importantly, aligns with your long term career goals.

You are interested in applying for the position but worried about risking your current employment. Will your manager be supportive? Will they think you’re unhappy in your current role? If you apply for the new role and don’t get it, will it negatively impact your working relationships?

Employers will often send out internal job postings to announce open positions and encourage current employees to apply. By doing so, employers create a workplace where employees feel they have the opportunities for career growth – one of the five most significant factors that employees want from their employer – thus contributing to employee retention and engagement. After all, it’s more beneficial for a company to promote from within rather than spend the time and effort recruiting external candidates.

If an internal job posting gives you the chance to grow your skills and experience, here’s how to apply without risking your current job.

Approach your manager.

Not all companies require employees to notify their managers when applying for an internal position. In fact, most require the manager be notified only if the employee is selected for an interview. Whether or not you are required to tell you manager, it is best if they find out from you in order to maintain a positive working relationship. 

If you have a supportive relationship with your manager, speak with them about the possibility of an internal move before the opportunity arises. Your current boss is be a valuable source of advice on the matter. If you have a tense or unsupportive relationship with your manager, make sure to follow your company’s protocol and inform them when you are required to do so.

If a position has become available before you have had a chance to broach the subject with your manager, ask to meet with them privately and share your interest in the position. Make sure they understand that your desire to apply is not about leaving your current role, but rather the opportunity to work at something new that is more inline with your carer goals and your future within the organization. 

Seek information and advice.

Consider who in the company might be a good source of advice and information. For example, colleagues who have successfully gone through the internal application process may be able to coach you through the experience.

You will also need to gather references from colleagues and managers. If possible, discretely reach out to the person who is acting the position you want and ask for tips or even a referral. And, of course, your manager can be an excellent source of support as well as a possible reference.

Apply for the position.

Treat this as you would any job application. The job posting should explain the application process. Make sure to follow it exactly as described.

Update your resume with your current position as outlined in the original job description and highlight what you have accomplished while in the role. Don’t assume that the hiring manager knows exactly what you do and how well you do it. Pay attention to any transferable skills that may be useful in the new role.

When writing your cover letter, show appreciation for your current employment in addition to your interest in the new position. You want to show enthusiasm for the new job but also your desire to stay in your current role if you are not selected.

Lastly, review your LinkedIn profile and make sure it is up-to-date and professional. If you’re not connected already, invite some of your colleagues and managers into your network.

Prepare for the interview.

Like the application process, prepare for the job interview as you would any other.

  1. Be ready to talk about yourself, your current position, and other aspects of your professional background that your interviewers might not know about. Stay positive and enthusiastic, and outline your professional goals as they relate to this new position.
  2. Think about your weaknesses and strengths. It may be harder to discuss these with the people work with, so prepare your answers ahead of time. Be prepared to speak about how you are handing your weaknesses in your current role and discuss them with your manager before the interview. They may be able to help you identify and demonstrate your strengths.
  3. Identify examples that demonstrate your various skills. Demonstrate your knowledge  and proficiency in the job, as well as those personal characteristics that are valued in the company. Consider including your ability to learn quickly and your enthusiasm about adapting to a new team and new duties.
  4. Familiarize yourself with the new job you are applying to. Make sure you are aware of the department and its work.
  5. Remember to send a thank-you email. Thank the interviewers for their time and consideration. Reiterate your enthusiasm about the position and the company as a whole.

And be prepared for any outcome.

If you get the job, ensure that your work is ready to be transferred to a new person but don’t let it interfere with your productivity. As you prepare to leave your current role, continue to do your job as you always have.

Prepare yourself for the possibility that you might not get the job. If that happens, avoid recriminations or hard feelings. Often someone else might get the position for reasons that are beyond your control.

Ask for feedback from the interviewers about how you performed during the entire application process. This will demonstrate that you are open to critique and will give you an opportunity to learn something new about yourself.

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