December 12, 2016 3 Comments

Success story: Mark found a job 3 days before arriving in Canada!

JVS Toronto’s Canada InfoNet program is designed to guide internationally trained professionals through the challenging aspects of the Canadian job market. Many Canada InfoNet participants find jobs in their field shortly after they arrive, and sometimes even before they have left their home country!

Mark is a Test Automation Engineer from Philippines who was able to secure a job offer in a similar position, 3 days before he arrived in Canada!

He believes a strong resume helped him find employment faster. He was able to build this resume with the help of personalized employment counseling, online learning modules and tools offered by the Canada InfoNet program.

We asked Mark to tell us how Canada InfoNet helped and to share some tips. This is what he had to say:

How has pre-arrival program helped ease your transition into Canada?
Canada InfoNet pre-arrival program has helped me gain better understanding of the Canadian job market.

What aspects of the program did you find particularly helpful?
Resume building is one of the best aspects of the program. Without it, I would not have been able to get a job because my earlier resume wasn’t tailored to the Canadian job market.

What did you think would be your biggest challenges before arriving in Canada?
Finding a job, a place to live in and other settlement things to do during the first few weeks of arriving were certainly things I worried about.

What do you feel about the challenges post arrival?
Good research and preparing well for these challenges helped us settle much faster.

What are the various strategies you used that helped you find your job?
I did 3 main things which helped me find employment:

Tailored my resume to suit the Canadian job market with help from Canada InfoNet program
Targeted jobs that match my skill set
Persistent in my job search

Any pre-arrival job search tips that you would like to share with other Canada InfoNet participants who are looking to immigrate to Canada soon?
Prepare early, tailor your resume to the Canadian job market and specific to the industry as well. Apply to jobs even if only one or two of your major skills match.

Would you recommend Canada InfoNet program to others, why?
Definitely! I feel that 70% of my success in landing a job before landing in Canada is because of the Canada InfoNet program. Remaining 30% is on individuals to research companies, look for jobs and prepare and perform well in interviews.

Has Mark’s story motivated you? Are you ready to enrol in the Canada InfoNet program? Register here!

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 29, 2016 2 Comments

What is the difference between Volunteering, Co-op placement and Internship in Canada?

This is a continuation to our previous article on Volunteering titled Why volunteering is essential to job search in Canada. This article attempts to clarify the difference between Volunteering, Co-op placement and Internship in Canada.

Volunteering is described as an unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help an organization or a cause. It is of benefit for both parties involved and does not involve financial payment. Volunteering is usually done on a part-time basis depending on the availability of the volunteer and the organization need.

When deciding where to volunteer think about these aspects:

environment– creative, philanthropic, medical, people focused, technical, financial, media, etc.
location
time commitment
what do you bring to the organization and the role
what do you want out of the experience
what kind of people do you like to work with
is this strictly for fun or charity, or is it to further your career growth

Co-op or Co-operative placement is usually associated with a course or certification offered by an education institution or employment centre offering a job related program. Co-op allows you to apply concepts learned in class during paid work terms. At the end of the placement, you will have not only a certification that indicates you participated in a CO-OP program but also work experience in your field of study and a network of valuable contacts. All of these factors will contribute to helping you find a job more easily after the course completion. You can find more information on this topic on Settlement.org

An Internship is a professional working position that is typically offered to students or inexperienced workers. It enables the intern to gain valuable work experience and on-the-job training, while providing the employer with an enthusiastic worker.

Some internships are paid positions, while others are unpaid. Both allow you to work within an organization to gain first-hand experience about a particular industry or field of work. Internships help inexperienced workers get involved in the workplace, and can sometimes lead to permanent positions.

Since internships are full-time positions, watch out for unpaid internships. While they vary from province to province, there are sets of rules governing how internships must be run. These rules are designed to protect interns, ensuring their internship helps spur their career. Most provinces ask that any unpaid internship be a requirement for a formal education program, offering practical learning experiences.

Whether it’s Co-op placement or paid internship or volunteering work – any of these can be excellent means for a newcomer to show that they have the skills necessary for potential job opportunities in their field.

Resources to find Volunteering opportunities in Canada:

volunteer.ca

charityvillage.com

LinkedIn volunteer board

Canadian Volunteer Directory

United Nations Association in Canada

United Nations Volunteers

Idealist.org

Environmental volunteering: goodwork.ca

British Columbia & Alberta: govolunteer.ca

Ontario: Ontario Volunteer Centre Network

Paid Internships: careeredge.ca

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.

Success story: Mark found a job 3 days before arriving in Canada!

We asked Mark to tell us how Canada InfoNet helped and to share some tips. This is what he had to say:

Ask Our Employment Specialist: Resigning from your job with grace

Joanna

Ask the Employment Specialist: Are Calling Cards Helpful?

It’s a portable marketing device.

Attach it to an application form.

Design and print networking cards.

Joanna

What is the difference between Volunteering, Co-op placement and Internship in Canada?

What not to bring to an interview

Joanna

Professional Branding

Career Exploration Opportunities

Resumes & Cover Letters

Job Search Workshop for Newcomers – In-Person