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JOB SEEKERS
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STUDENTS
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EMPLOYERS
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Job Seekers: Counsellor Tips
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Are you thinking of an apprenticeship?
The following links will help you find basic information about the trades, the processes involved as well as things such as educational / training requirements and information for employers. All you have to do is click on the links. The following sites are by no means the only places to do your research, but are great starting points.
For Employers
As mentioned above, there are many more sites available that will provide you with information on apprenticeship. If you have questions and need assistance with your pursuit, contact Employment Hamilton and speak with a counsellor.
Labour Market Information (LMI) Shifts in sectoral, regional and skill requirements occur much more quickly these days. Knowing where to get the most up-to-date information is important as you make decisions concerning your present and future job prospects. What is LMI?
Why use it?
The following are some of the websites you should check out when you are looking for LMI. Local LMI from the Hamilton Training Advisory Board Government of Canada Working in Canada Tool Remember that making an informed decision will save you a great deal of time and frustration.
Is your resume working for you?
Getting your foot in the door to meet with an employer for an interview depends on how well you present yourself in your resume. When creating your resume, keep the following points in mind.
Remember, your resume is your first contact with an employer, so you want your calling card to make a good impression.
Volunteering
If you are interested in pursuing volunteer positions check out Volunteer Hamilton. You need to remember to not over commit yourself to your volunteer position as you will require time to continue your job search as well as allow yourself time to recharge your batteries.
Searching For A Summer Job
Where to look
How to look
When to look
Come down to our office and check out and apply to the hundreds of jobs available through our Summer Jobs Service. Click here for more details.
Job Searching and Social Networking Technology Many of us use online tools like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter to stay socially connected, but have you ever thought of using these sites and others as a job searching tool? There are many sites for you to access for your online networking. A site such as www.linkedin.com not only allows you to post an online profile but you can also exchange information and opportunities. Social Networking Let people know that you are looking for work. Do not be embarrassed to admit to this, you are not alone! Most employers prefer referrals for an opening rather than take a chance on an unknown.
Your Elevator Speech What is it? a brief and clear piece of communication about yourself that you can deliver in the time it takes to ride on an elevator it contains the highlights of your skills, strengths, experience and accomplishments it is an introductory ‘pitch’ about yourself that when effectively delivered will create an interest about you in the listener When to use it interviews – it can provide the answer to the questions “tell me about yourself” and “why should I hire you?” job fairs – when the time for making a positive connection is short casual networking – social gatherings, in a coffee shop or riding a bus How to create it list your skills including both hard skills, your training and experience, and soft skills such as hardworking, team player and punctual organize your list using active verbs ensuring you are clear about what you have to offer if you are going to use it for a specific company do your research and include some information about that company How to deliver it confidently and positively without overstating your abilities smile and maintain eye contact professionally, but in a conversational tone Remember if possible, write your own elevator speech using your resume, particularly the skills section, as a resource rewrite until you are sure it is as good as it can be practice, practice, practice
Be a part of the solution Because none of us think, act or feel the same way, there may come a time in the workplace that you will be faced with a disagreement or conflict with another employee. Workplace conflicts come in all sizes therefore one approach doesn’t fit all. Problem solving may appear to be a complicated task but actually it is very simple and starts with a choice. The choice is between being a part of the problem or a part of the solution. Positive experiences can come from problems. Conflicts provide people with the opportunity to work on improving relationships. We learn what needs to be fixed in order to avoid future mistakes. The solution comes at the end of the problem solving process not the beginning. If you don’t solve the problem immediately, be assured that you’re on the right track in pursuing a solution. Some problems take longer to resolve completely. Breathe…relax and control your emotions. Remember that you’re trying to work towards a solution not creating more of a problem. Focus on the facts and maintain a respectful, direct and honest approach. Be sure to clearly identify and communicate the problem with the appropriate co-worker(s) involved. Concentration should be on the problem not the feelings people have resulting from it. Practice good common sense and avoid making the situation worse. You are encouraged to address your colleague directly before going to a boss or supervisor. This shows that you’re capable of solving problems on your own. Going directly to the boss is necessary when more serious work-related problems occur i.e. health and safety risks, violations of labour laws, etc. Know your company policies as guidelines may already be in place that you must follow when conflicts arise. It’s best to meet and address the problem privately in order not to disrupt the productivity of the workplace. The ultimate solution fulfills everyone’s interests. To realistically achieve this, it is critical to listen intently. Reaffirm what others have stated to avoid any miscommunication. Be accountable for your actions. Own up to a problem you’ve created. Take ownership of your role in the problem and have a positive attitude towards working it out. Your honesty will strengthen your relationships and will likely be taken into consideration especially if any disciplinary measures are to be implemented. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Don’t mimic the actions of others that you know to be a problem i.e. gossiping, taking extended breaks, tardiness. The same solution doesn’t always work for the same problem. Remember, conflicts as well as solutions come in all shapes and sizes. A calm approach with an open mind is a key factor to problem solving in the workplace.
References and other ways to check you out! Don’t miss the opportunity to sell yourself by providing a reference WITH your resume! My advice on this includes Get rid of the line “References available upon request.” That is a given. Include your references WITH YOUR RESUME. This allows an employer to learn more about you as they are making their decision which pile your resume goes in. Enclose ONE reference letter and your list of 2-3 names of references on a separate page. I find this very helpful when sorting resumes. When listing former employers, the relationship between you and the reference will be obvious. Include their full name, position, company, phone number and email if you can. Personal references should be listed as such. These are not people you have worked for. List the same information and include an evening phone number if they should not be taking personal calls at their place of work. Supplying references up front may mean the interviewer recognizes someone or knows them and may give them a call to find out more about you. In all cases you should have their permission in advance. Let them know what kind of work you are looking for, so they are prepared. Your work reference does not have to be the “big boss”. If a supervisor can better address your strengths, use that person. If you have just had a good interview and you know your reference will get a call, give them a heads up with details of the job. If they happen to be on vacation when you call, it is best you know that and can update your interviewer with a different name perhaps. Don’t continue to use the same reference for years without verifying that they still work for the company. Other “reference” tips Google your name and see what comes up. You might be surprised. Many employers are doing this and finding some interesting results. It could be a copy of a letter to the editor of your local paper or any article in which your name is mentioned, etc. Unfortunately once it is there, you can’t do anything about it, but you should know what is available on the web with a name search. Facebook searches bring about interesting results as well. Those party pics don’t go over so well with a prospective employer. Ensure your Facebook page is set to “Private” but keep in mind that any of your “friends” who have tagged you in a pic may not have a private page. If you had a bad experience with a former boss, you may want to list a colleague or different supervisor instead. Always know what they would say about you BEFORE you supply their name. References are often the key to a job offer. You may have a great interview but if your references are not good, then a job offer will not follow. Choose them carefully.
Organizing Your Job Search Whether you have applied in person, by fax, email or through a networking contact, be sure to put it on a list. Staying organized is essential in tracking and following up your job search. This list should contain the following information: date of application company name contact name (if available) contact name job title wage (if known) date that you will follow up the application Many employers do not move as quickly in their hiring process as you’d imagine, so a few weeks could go by before they respond to the applications they’ve received. So what do you do if 3 weeks have passed and you receive a phone call from the employer, giving their name and the company name and you don’t have them on the list? The employer will not be overly impressed if you have to ask them what the job is or any other details of the position. Conversely, if you respond quickly and knowledgeably to the call, the first impression you make will be a good one. Maintaining an accurate list of your applications will also assist you in organizing your follow up. It’s important to remember that following up to an application will greatly increase your chance of getting the interview. Not many people do follow up, so if you make it a regular part of your job search, both you and your application are going to stand out. When you apply for a position in person, you have the perfect opportunity to ask for the name of the person you have handed your resume to. If this is not the hiring person, ask for that person’s name and add it to your list. This will make it much easier to reach that person directly when you do follow up, either in person or by phone. Another benefit of keeping an accurate list of your applications is that you will have it handy for any agency or program you apply for that requires evidence of your job search. Staying organized is a critical part of your job search and it will go a long way in helping you to track your progress and make changes to your overall plan as you view your results.
Is Your Resume Out of Date? Job searching is no walk in the park. Your resume speaks for you. Do a resume check-up to see if yours needs updating. Clearly states your qualifications for that particular job Uses bullets to allow the reader to scan it easily Is concise. Say what you have to in as few words as possible Is only one page (in most cases) Your resume should speak volumes about who you are and what you can do. If you created a resume years ago, chances are it is out of date. Styles have changed. Employment Hamilton offers advice on “ramping up” your resume so it reflects your skills and strengths. Keeping your resume clear and to the point is key. In the past, the person with the most experience got the job. Nowadays, the person who’s most talented, has the most relevant skill set, and has proven to be most valuable to his or her former employer gets the job. Look at your resume as a potential employer would. Give it a 10-15 second scan. Does anything stand out that would interest you? What do they have that someone else may not? How does it relate to the requirements of the job? If you would like to meet with an employment counsellor to get help with your resume, stop by 67 Victoria Ave. S. in Hamilton
How to Apply & Get Results! Job openings today may seem few and far between. With fewer available jobs, applying for work today may not be as simple as it used to be. Competition is high and it is important to get a leg up on the competition. Here are some simple tips and advice to follow while applying: Apply right away Job advertisements often have a closing date; this is the date the employer has asked you to apply by. Do NOT wait until the very last day to apply, or even the day before for that matter. Apply for the position as soon as you see it. Employers receive a lot of applications and often find the right candidate even before the closing date. If you wait to apply, you may miss the chance to prove that you could be the best person for the job! Speak with someone in person If you are dropping off a resume in person, always ask to speak with the person in charge of hiring. If you leave your resume with the person behind the counter or at the front desk, it is likely that it will not make it to the person it needs to go to. Along these same lines, when addressing cover letters or emails, always address them to a person directly. If there is not a name given on the job description, call the company and make a general inquiry as to the person in charge of hiring. Not only does this show that you took initiative, but it is more personable and the person on the other end in more likely to read your application. Follow-up While the internet is a great invention and many employers chose to post job openings on electronic job boards, simply emailing an application to an employer is not enough. You MUST follow-up. This goes for any job you apply for. After you submit your resume, allow two or three days before you make a follow-up phone call. By this point you should know the person’s name that is in charge of hiring, but if you don’t you can always ask to speak to the human resources department. Prepare a script ahead of time so you will know what you are going to say. Keep it short, polite and to the point. Be persistent…but not pushy! As mentioned before, employers receive many applications at once. If you aren’t able to reach someone directly for follow-up, leave a message. If you haven’t heard back within a day or two call again. Being persistent and following up is a good thing, becoming a nuisance to the person hiring or even the receptionist answering the phone is a BIG negative. Give them time to respond to your message and always keep conversations polite and to the point. Mind your manners I must stress this point. The number of job seekers who and rude and impatient never ceases to amaze me. It is human nature that we will like someone who is polite and accommodating and will be more likely to help them. If you are having a particularly bad day or are getting frustrated that no one has responded to you, wait to contact them again until you have calmed down. If you call and are impolite, chances are the employer will not be in a rush to hire you. Please and thank you really does go a long way!
A successful job search is a matter of attitude
Taking a class. Attending conferences, workshops and seminars. Subscribing to trade magazines. Reading the newspaper and other current-affair magazines. Doing volunteer work that uses the skills and knowledge you want to use in your next job.
Accessing the Hidden Job Market Jobs that are not advertised are considered to be the “Hidden Job Market.” Taping into what is known as the, ‘hidden job market,’ may be your best chance at finding employment. It is often said that 80% of available jobs are never advertised. Companies fill openings using applications/resumes already on hand or referrals from employees. Why pay to advertise when you have someone dropping off a resume at your door – or when your best employee recommends their cousin who just lost their job? Don’t give up on places that list openings like job banks, company web-sites and classifieds completely though, people still get hired through this avenue. While you continue to scour the ads however, it would be wise to use a variety of tactics to ensure you can access the positions that have not been broadcast. Tips on accessing the hidden job market: Do your Research Go on Information Interviews Use your Network Find an Employment Agency Visit job/career fairs Remember
How to Make a Good Impression at a New Job Rule # 1 – Listen and Observe Rule #2: Mind Your Manners Rule #3: Don’t be a Gossip
Volunteering & Your Career If your job search has not yet been successful, you may choose to volunteer. You can: show an employer that you are keeping busy and contributing gain a reference who can speak to your work habits gain experience in a field directly associated to the one you are searching in gain contacts – every person you meet builds your network add to your resume build your social network – make friends enjoy the personal satisfaction of contributing to whatever cause you choose You can volunteer a couple of hours a week or more while you continue your job search. Regardless of your age or experience, consider what you have to offer when you are looking for a place to volunteer. Your personality plays a big part in where you will best fit in. Try to mesh your own needs with those of the organization to find the best match that suits you! Volunteering can be very rewarding in many ways. Start by visiting Volunteer Hamilton http://www.volunteerhamilton.on.ca/ where you can search the database by community, area of interest, and scheduling.
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I have had the opportunity to prepare and speak with many clients about their interview experiences. When asked what the most difficult part of the interview was, many have said that they do fine - until the dreaded question, “What are your weaknesses?” rears its ugly head. 
You may be surprised to know that there are currently over 150 apprenticeship trades in Ontario in 4 sectors: construction, industrial / manufacturing, motive power, and service.
Exploration
Sites
Be sure to keep both your profiles and resumes up-to-date.
