February 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

Calculate Your Salary

One of the more challenging aspects of applying for a job is responding to an employer’s request for salary expectations. This is a difficult question because no matter what salary you ask for, you might be at a disadvantage: if the salary you quote is too high, the employer might choose a more affordable candidate over you; however, if it’s too low, you might be undervaluing yourself, which can be perceived as a weakness.

So what should a job seeker do?

There are a number of considerations for job seekers when deciding what salary to ask for:

1. Calculate how much do you personally need to survive:

Calculate the minimum that you can live on. Make sure to include all the necessary factors. Figure out how flexible you could be (is it worth moving to a cheaper home, if it means more choices or opportunities?) and then calculate a reasonable number that, while not ideal, would be manageable. Calculate how much this is per hour, month and year.

2. Consider your last salary:

Using the hourly calculator, figure out how much you last salary was per hour/month/year. Remind yourself the nature of your previous benefits package. These could be useful points of reference when negotiating your salary.

3. Calculate the going salary rate in your field:

The going rate for a specific job is a difficult calculation, because there are many variables to consider, including:

The average salary in your profession
Your experience and skill level
Where you fit into the salary range in your profession: entry-level, average or senior
How salaries compare in your city to other locations

Calculating salary rates isn’t easy. You will find some sources online that will help, but be careful not to rely on them completely, because salary ranges can be wide and somewhat unpredictable.

Good sources for salary ranges include:

Reports from recruitment agencies such as Robert Half Canada’s Salary Guides
Salary sites, such as Payscale: Salary Data & Career Research Centre (Canada)
Canadian government sources, such as The Job Bank: Explore Careers by Wages and Statistics Canada’s Wages, Salaries and other Earnings reports

Probably the most useful source of salary data is from current jobs. Check in with people you know (ask them the salary range in their company), and job postings (sign up for job alerts with sites such as Indeed.ca for jobs in your field — many jobs will include salary expectations).

February 22, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Evaluating your job interview

Dear Joanna,

I just finished an intensive one hour interview with a large telecom company for the position of project manager on a large change management project. I feel that I did a fantastic job. The interviewer said he will get back to me in a week. I couldn’t be more excited on one hand; but very worried on the other.

Is there an objective way to rate myself on how I did on the interview?/span>

Signed: Rating Reviews (RR)

[Read more…]

February 15, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Team Work Skills

Multiracial male and female colleagues having discussion at team — Multiracial male and female colleagues discussing document at team meeting or corporate office briefing, diverse friedly african and caucasian partners talking about contract at group negotiations

Dear Joanna,

One of the biggest challenges that I am facing today at my workplace is working in a team. As a Business Analyst, I am constantly involved in complicated projects working with different types of employees from various professionals and departments.

How can I become a great team player yet be able to do my work and meet my deadlines?

Signed: Becoming a team player

Dear BTP

According to Michelle Edmunds, Founder and Job Search/Industry Coach at Focus Industry Consulting as well as Employer Outreach and Placement Coordinator at Ryerson University, The Chang School (Middle-level Managers program), employers value staff who are helpful and easy to get along (i.e. good team players) over and above those with better technical skills.

Here are some suggestions for becoming a “great team player” as you requested:

[Read more…]

February 8, 2016 Leave a Comment

Tips for students looking for summer work

It’s only February, and even the groundhog doesn’t seem to think that summer is coming any time soon. So who’s thinking about summer jobs?

Employers are. Google “Summer jobs” and you will find a list of jobs and programs in your community with opportunities for youth and post-secondary students. You might even be surprised to find that some of those opportunities’ deadlines have already passed and been taken by a quick early bird.

Don’t worry, though. It isn’t too late. There are still plenty good opportunities out there to find something meaningful.

Why look for summer work?

Besides the obvious reasons for working (i.e. bringing in some much needed cash), a summer job might have some unexpected benefits which are even more beneficial than money in the long term, which may include:

Add some new experience to your resume
Network and meet new people, some of whom might want to hire you permanently or hire you again next summer
Make a good impression and gain a reference
Learn some new skills that you can take to your next job or help develop new business ideas.

First: make sure your resume is up-to-date and looking good.

Have a resume ready before you start looking for work. Don’t wait until there’s a job to apply for — you don’t want to rush this process.

Here are a few basic principles for writing a good resume:

Make it no longer than 2 pages
Use a simple, sans sarif font (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
Write it in 1st person, but without pronouns (No “I” or “my”)
Include:
- Your name and contact info
- A Summary/Profile which includes your skills
- Work history, with dates, job titles, company names, locations
- Details of some of your key accomplishments in each job
Don’t include:
- An objective
- Your personal info such as age or citizenship
- Your references (those can be presented at the interview)
Make sure to spell check carefully
Prepare a simple, short and well written cover letter, to accompany each resume, written specifically for each job.

Here are detailed instructions and samples for student resumes from some of my favourite sites:

Second: get online, search for and bookmark relevant job sites for leads.

There are lots of good resources online for work leads. Start off with a Google search and bookmark the sites that seem to lead to good opportunities. Check out some of the sites dedicated to summer or student jobs:

Third: seek out government programs.

All levels of government, including federal, provincial and municipal, have programs to help students look for and find work. These positions fill quickly, so don’t delay:

Fourth: look and ask around — tap into your networks.

Speak to family, friends, teachers and other community members about your job needs. Tell them about your availability and skills. Have your resume available to share.

Look around, there are often opportunities right nearby:

Local stores and services might be looking for help — walk in and ask if they’re hiring students. Offer your resume and tell them them that you live nearby, within easy access. Think of your bank, doctor’s office, local mall or supermarket
Check out websites for the local parks and recreation departments, as well as for summer festivals and events
Think about local summer camps, private and public, day camps and overnights. Think of your particular skill set — is there a local tennis, chess or art club that you could work for?

Bottom line.

Act fast: get your resume ready, go online and ask around. Good student opportunities are out there for those who act quickly.

February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Resume Gaps

Dear Joanna,

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and out of the workforce for about 15 years. Now I need a job for financial reasons. Do you have any suggestions as to how to overcome this gap in my work history?

Signed: Returning To Work (RTW)

Dear RTW

Let’s start with your resume. According to JVS Employment Counsellors, if your gap covers two or more calendar years, you need to explain this absence from the workforce.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider volunteer work as relevant experience.

If you volunteered in the community and/or at your kid’s school, this should be included in your resume and social media profiles. This experience is valid and you can add this in your resume under “Professional Experience” or “Experience”. Articulate the skills and qualifications that you learned and acquired in volunteering. For example, I am sure that you have been managing your home and multiple projects (programs) that involved your kids over the past few years. This could be translated into program or project management skills.

2. Volunteering.

It is always a great idea to continue volunteering in a position (if possible) or in an organization that is related to your ultimate job goal. This is a great way to keep your resume and experience fresh as well as build your professional network.

3. Gap coverage.

Create a section in your resume and LinkedIn profile entitled “Other Experience” after your “Relevant Professional Experience”. In your case, you might include phrases with the dates such as “Full-Time Parent”, “Home Management”, “Family Management”, and “Family Financial Management”.

4. Build your professional network.

Most jobs are found through contacts. Use social media and information interviews to meet successful leaders in your field. Identify the professional associations, conferences, trade magazines, organizations and events relevant to your career goal. Participate in these activities. You may even find your long lost colleagues. Try to reconnect with them on LinkedIn (or even Facebook might work for your situation).

5. Research the labour market.

You are in the same boat as a new graduate or newcomer to Canada, in the sense that you are starting a new career. Learn as much as you can about your field and profession as well as its leaders, the requirements, the shortages and the education required. You may need to requalify, recertify or learn new technical skills. Target companies where you would like to work, visit their websites, analyze the job openings and speak to as many professionals in your field as possible.

Calculate Your Salary

1. Calculate how much do you personally need to survive:

2. Consider your last salary:

3. Calculate the going salary rate in your field:

Ask the Employment Specialist: Evaluating your job interview

Ask the Employment Specialist: Team Work Skills

Tips for students looking for summer work

Why look for summer work?

First: make sure your resume is up-to-date and looking good.

Second: get online, search for and bookmark relevant job sites for leads.

Third: seek out government programs.

Fourth: look and ask around — tap into your networks.

Bottom line.

Ask the Employment Specialist: Resume Gaps

1. Consider volunteer work as relevant experience.

2. Volunteering.

3. Gap coverage.

4. Build your professional network.

5. Research the labour market.

Joanna

LinkedIn for Job Seekers

Resumes & Cover Letters

Interview Skills

Professional Branding