THE VALUE OF HANDS OF EXPERIENCE

As a placement student at VCCS I’d like to tell you about the benefits of hands on experience in the workplace.  I was initially a client at VCCS looking for employment. The services I received motivated me to want to give back and help impact others’ lives. I am now in my final semester of Fleming College’s  Social Service Worker program with the intention to become a counsellor.

In my opinion, workplace experience is extremely beneficial, especially for students or individuals who lack the experience required to break into a field of work that they have no experience in. These benefits include;

     1) Being more qualified than other job seekers.

     2) Having the hands on experience that employers value. The experience I have gained will look great on my resume and make me more confident in my job search.

     3)  Needing less training because of your first-hand experience. For example, I have gotten the opportunity to train on several industry specific software programs.

     4) The opportunity to be hired by your co-op employer.

     5) Great networking and positive work related references.

     6) Developing your own personal professional style.  

There are things that I have learned that cannot be taught in a classroom.  In my program we often practiced using  ‘Enactments’, which are scenarios between a counsellor and client . At VCCS I have had the opportunity to shadow several different counsellors which is a truly educational experience. By doing this, I am able to observe various counsellors’ approaches to certain situations and counselling style.  This has allowed me to observe the solutions I find most helpful and helped me develop my own style to use with future clients.

There are several ways you can go about getting hands on experience;

     1)  A co-op placement.

          2) Offering to complete an unpaid internship.

          3) Volunteering. (VCCS assists clients looking for volunteer opportunities)

          4) Through Job Development Services at VCCS.

          5) By participating in the Youth Employment Fund through VCCS.

Overall, my placement has really opened my eyes so far.  I was successful throughout my classes and my assignments but I hadn’t felt quite as accomplished as I do now from gaining this one-of-a-kind, first-hand experience.  

February and the Student Job Seeker

It’s that time of the year, VCCS has sent out packages to local employers asking them to prepare their student positions.  Employers are " strategizing" number of positions and what positions they will be hiring for, as a student job seeker you can join in that planning.  Now is the time to take on the planning steps that will help you with that student job, whether it is for your first high school job or that job to help you cover your post-secondary education.

Start talking to all of your connections; family members, friends, teachers, coaches, instructors, neighbours and local services or businesses your frequent, this is called delving into the hidden job market and there is a lot to uncover.  These contacts know of businesses that are potentially hiring, by starting to buzz around an interest to work it shows dedication, planning and motivation skills, these things matter to those that are hiring.

Think strategically, what do you enjoy doing and what building blocks are there from a job perspective to develop your career. Figure out the industry pros and cons by working in different positions outside of your regular field. IF you have been in retail, try hospitality or hands on type employment,   this will help you shape your interests and areas of strengths more clearly. 

Get creative and develop your online presence. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are places potential employers go to check out your image. Get a head start and Google yourself; see if you have any dirt….the digital kind. Get in shape and start seeing yourself as that wonderful professional you are destined to become, whether an aspiring entrepreneur, a professional technician or a creative artist!

There are lots more resources available at VCCS Student Centre. Come in and register; check out any upcoming services, workshops and meet some dynamic counsellors to start you on your journey. 

Workshops Combined

Recently, I was given the task of co-facilitating a Work Readiness workshop where the participants were the combination of two demographically distinct groups: one half of the group was aged 55 and up (Mature Workers) and the other half 15-29 (Youth). These two groups represent the opposite sides of the employment window and you would think may not have the same needs related to work readiness. Over the duration of our time together this idea was proved false. Preparing yourself to job search at any age requires fundamental skills that are universal – communicating effectively, having a plan of action and identifying the right people to dialogue with.

From the beginning of the workshop we wanted the two groups interacting with one another so we planned the seating to have the participants mixed together, with icebreaker introductions happening at the start. This went very well and we saw right away an enthusiasm by both sides to discuss their backgrounds and experiences. As we moved forward and the discussion continued we saw similar questions brought up by each side. What do we say about ourselves that makes a difference to the employer, what do I say to stand out? Luckily the group was big and diverse enough and to have many successful and not so successful stories which they willingly shared. I think both groups were energized by the idea of relating to a group of people not usual to their sphere of influence.

We also saw how each age group approached today’s technology based job search differently, using different tools and platforms but having the same roadblocks, ie – not being able to effectively get to the person that makes the hiring decisions. As facilitators we promoted strategies and helped coach participants through some scenarios for the next time they approached employers. We also cemented the idea that a methodical planned style with relevant information could produce results.

We had hoped that everyone would feel comfortable about networking so that each may walk away with new leads or ideas related to job searching. For the youth, getting feedback from mature workers with experience is specific fields provided a glimpse into potential career paths.  For the mature workers, seeing new unique ways or a more care free approach to job search may have re-energized the process for them.

Overall the workshop seemed to be a success, we covered information that was useful to everyone and they shared lots of information with each. Initially, throwing these two groups together was thought to be a gamble but at the end it may just have been what each group needed to have happen.  

By Paulus Lacombe

Be Good to Yourself

Be Good to Yourself

It’s 3 am in the morning and I am jolted out of my blissful sleep to something like…” I forgot to send my resume to that posting that closed yesterday” Sound familiar? Job searching is stressful time, the transition of employed to unemployed to job searching is a high stress period in our lives. Stress requires us to take care of ourselves; not to be in a continuous state of reactive, intensive job search mode.  We need to create structure, routine around the job of job searching.

Create Structure-Schedule

Write out the important things you need to do to feel a sense of balance.  Items to consider are blocking out family time, including regular exercise, job hunting steps and proper eating.  Plan items, include them in your calendar/schedule the time comfortably and acknowledge yourself for completing them (like highlighting them or placing a check mark beside completed tasks)

Regular Exercise

Commit to a regular exercise routine like walking, running, free yoga or Pilates videos.  Endorphins are released that help you feel good, a task focus response to problem solving kicks in and all round stress reliever.  Always check with your doctor before you take on any new physical activity.

Spend time with Friends and family

Schedule in time to hang out with friends and family, partake in positive conversation and spending time together lifts and lightens the stress load, and helps build one another up during transitional times.

Eat Well

When our lives seem out of routine we can sometimes not make meals and distinguish meal prep time as a priority.  There can be a tendency to grab food on the run, which is often times an unhealthy choice and impacts our bodies negatively.  Access local low cost seasonal foods high in antibodies and nutrients, review and eat foods that have good nutritional, healing and well-being value so that you improve your physical state.

Be Good to Yourself

Use positive reference about yourself, positive language; acknowledge all those steps you took along the way.  Let go of stuff and look at each day as a new beginning full of all types of possibilities and experiences. 

Back to the Basics ....

Recently at a staff meeting we discussed the progress of participants in our 3 day workshop for youth aiming to obtain placements with the help of the Ontario Governments new Youth Employment Fund. During the 3 day workshop, participants gain a variety of skills, but the focus is on confidence building so that they can TALK to employers about their skills and interest in working. I was taken aback when a staff member working with employers stated “We don’t need the resumes!”.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in perfecting our resume that we forget how important it is to be able to verbally present our skills and passion to employers. We talk about how important networking is and how effective hidden job market strategies, like cold calling are, but job searching without a resume seems foreign to us. It’s easy to forget the basics and fall into the pattern of thought that says no longer can we walk into a business and get a job ‘the old fashioned way’, by simply talking to the employer.

Effective job searching includes using different strategies. Spend some job search time rehearsing your ‘pitch’ for an employer you’d really like to work for, focusing on why you’d like to work there and how you could benefit the company. Have a personal business card to hand out so that you can leave your contact information and give it a shot!

A counsellor would be happy to help you develop your ‘pitch’, hit the pavement and be ready to wow some employers! 

THROW THOSE RESUME RULES OUT THE WINDOW! 

Recently while facilitating an Orientation workshop here at VCCS my group got side tracked by an interesting yet not new debate….what are the rules for resumes? Two young clients in the group with impressive education were frustrated because they were feeling ignored by retail and food service employers. Their goal for the time being was an entry level part time position, and even though they were including customer service skills on their resume they felt that they were being told they were overqualified and ignored because of their education …``But we can’t lie and not include our education on our resume`` they said to me.

I think it is important for us to remember that there are no rules, only guidelines when it comes to resumes. The key is to make sure that every word is substantive and relative to the readers (employers) needs. That way no matter what the format, font, bullets, length etc., it is the information that gets you a call. 

Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and try something new…personally, I love looking on pintrest.com for creative resume ideas and formats.

Does the local coffee shop need to see on your resume that you have a degree in Bio-engineering?  Ask yourself if that information is relevant to their hiring needs.

Always remember that your resume is a ‘living document’ and can change as frequently as you like. 

Come in and speak to an employment counsellor if you would like to have your resume reviewed and help with your job search! 

How Soft Skills Influence our Job Search and Our Employment

How Soft Skills Influence our Job Search and Our Employment

Soft skills are a very elusive qualification as a job seeker and an employee.  The interesting thing is that employers are looking for them, so it seems we should explore them to see how they influence not only the job search process but the process of retention once you obtain that job.

Soft skills are un-measurable, meaning that they do not come in a form of abstract evidence.  They require the use of language and past experiences to emphasize how they exist and the value that they may possess.  Some examples of soft skills include, leadership skills, collaborative, positive work attitude, willingness to learn, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  All things being equal, employers will look at the measurable qualities/or hard skills such as certificates, diplomas, degrees,  computer and technical skills but when it comes right down to making a decision between two candidates, the employer will select the one who presents soft skills that fit best  with their work culture.

Some of these soft skills that influence you getting a job include;

Positive attitude-influencing customers and co-workers in a positive, light hearted way.  Creating a culture of positive energy; anything is possible environment.

Ability to multitask- open to taking on new tasks; not prejudging whether a task is menial or important- “just doing it” in order to keep the work process flowing.

Approachable/Good Communicator- this is showing an interest in listening to others; expressing an interest in others; being approachable and helpful.

Goal oriented/Independent-this is an interesting soft skill in that an employer isn’t looking for a lone ranger, more someone who can resolve things independently, set objectives and carry them out.

How the soft skills come together….

Capturing soft skills on a resume can be a challenge. The place to fully demonstrate these soft skills is during an interview and a common VCCS technique is through the “prove it process”. The “prove it process” is an exercise that our counsellors use to show how past employment and volunteer scenarios demonstrate our variety of soft skills.  For example, telling the employer about a time when you demonstrated good communication skills.  We all have them whether it is motivating a child to get ready for school; encouraging a customer to purchase a specific service or facilitating a training workshop at a local college.

Come in to VCCS and find out how to uncover those elusive soft skills, build interesting stories around your unique soft skills through the “prove it process”, practise articulating them in interview preparation and wow a potential employer with your insights.