Is Applying Online the Only Way to Get a Job These Days?

Today’s job search is reflective of our fast forward, scheduled and instant tech driven world.   The majority of large companies today recruit online, which makes the selection process solely based on your online application.  Where did the days go where you used to walk in off the street to an employer, have a chat with the manager and find work? Are they gone or are they still here?


Yes, definitely keep applying online, as it is a vital part of your job search, but don’t hide within the virtual world forever. Step outside and remember how rewarding it is to connect with another human being. Face to face with an employer can win you that hidden job and change your life!


Employers are looking for candidates with strong soft skills; hard skills are teachable.  They want to know if you are compatible with their organization and team. Through meeting them they will see whether you are a right fit.  Find the courage, walk through the door, make an impression and don’t be afraid to network with management.  Be professional but creative with who you are!


Expressions, body language, tone of voice, attitude and first impressions are all wonderful assets that an employer cannot gather through an online correspondence.  Continue networking with employers, friends, neighbours, past co-workers and community members!  Be bold and make a statement.


It’s all about balance!  

Using E-Folios In Your Job Search

 

If you have ever had the chance to look at an online portfolio for a graphic designer you probably would have been amazed at what you saw. Seeing what someone can do is tangible and often excites us more than hearing about what someone can do. Online portfolios (e-folios) can help you showcase sample of your work in the form of pictures, blogs you have written, links to websites and social media. Essentially an online portfolio is your own personalized website, and a way to market yourself competitively in the employment market. A local employer Brenda Manion from Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes stated “we enjoy having a competency based portfolio because it can provide the information that an interview not always can.”

When you have an online portfolio and you apply for a job you can easily copy the link to that online portfolio directly on your cover letter. This allows the recruiter for the position the availability to review your online portfolio if they wish to see samples of your work. In the interview stage you could also refer to your online portfolio outlining that samples of work completed can be seen online. Not only does the recruiter get to see what you can do but it also showcases your ability to create an online portfolio, determination in the employment market and your marketing savvy approach to job search.

The online portfolio website many job seekers have used in the past is www.weebly.com which is a free source. There is a pay for service option on Weebly however; payment is not required to create a basic e-folio.

For guidance on creating an e-folio please contact Amanda Middleton at VCCS Employment Services 705-328-0180 ext. 253 amiddleton@careerservices.org

Is Second Career For You?

Have you been laid off recently?  

Have you ever thought about returning to school to enhance your skills? 

Then wondered how would you determine what type of training to take?  

How much will it cost?  

How would I pay for school?

Have you ever hear of  “Second Career”?  

Second Career is a great opportunity for those individuals who meet the eligibility criteria.  Second Career is a chance for a laid off worker to look at updating/increasing skills for a successful return to the labour market.   The Second Career initiative funded by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities provides funding to unemployed individuals who demonstrate that they need to update their skills to access sustainable employment.

Did you know there is a whole network of employment service providers across Canada to help you look at your training options?  Yes there is a process to go through but it may be the right time to check out to see if you are eligible to apply for funding.

There are a wide variety of career training programs that are appropriate and meet the requirements for funding.   Want to know more??  Visit this website.  http://www.secondcareerontario.com/web/second_career/

ONE WEEK CAREER MATCHING CHALLENGE

Find out more about yourself and how you fit into the labour market

I find when discussing job search with people – “What kind of work are you looking for?” they generally respond to the question by listing industries they are familiar with such as retail, food service or helping people. The vagueness of the response is something we reflect back to the client by asking “Well, what skills do you have?” or “Why do you want to do that type of work?”

This questioning focuses their thoughts to build a self-awareness to help with decision making when looking for work. I also include questions surrounding what the people know about those industries and what jobs they have found that match their target industry.

I believe in the efficiency of a self-aware job search that is based on labour market research. However, introducing this idea is not a one-step plan. I gradually introduce each component and explain their value to the overall process.     

Below is a list of all the steps someone can complete to accelerate their job search; a one week challenge to build self-awareness, labour market knowledge and apply it to job search.

Monday – Complete some online self-awareness assessments (questions regarding learning style, skills, and interests.) The results will provide a list of careers you match up with.

Tuesday - Determine all the main skills of the careers highlighted by the assessments to confirm you have the necessary skills for the career.

Wednesday – Based on the previous results, look at the careers listed and research them on labour market information sites: jobbank.gc.ca; tcu.gov.on.ca to build a better understanding of the wages, outlook and details of each career.

Thursday – Review your resume to see if you have included the pertinent skills on the resume that reflect your ability to the job and make sure you list what the employer is looking for from your background.

Friday – Expand your job search based on the results of your self-awareness exercise into areas that you may not have previously considered especially if you match the requirements of that field or job.

First Impressions do Count

Do you think it is only the interviewer you must impress?

 

So you have worked hard through your job search, have done everything according to “the book” and your interview day is here.  You are dressed appropriately, socks match, well groomed and eager to attend.  You check your watch and all is going well.  You arrive at the place and walk through the door.  You are greeted by the receptionist and sit down. 

Did you speak with the receptionist?  Did you address her/him?  Did you introduce yourself?  Did you learn the receptionist’s name?  Did you tell her/him why you were there? 

Don’t forget that the receptionist can play a very important “hidden” role in the screening process.  After the interview is finished and you have left, the front desk person will address any issue with the interviewer and pass on any opinions. 

As an interviewee you must remember that it is not only the interviewer you will be meeting with.  Any person you come in contact with, during your time at the place of business, could very well be your new co-worker in the future and he/she could play a very important unseen role in your success for being hired. 

The importance of a first impression can never be underestimated.  It may very well be the difference between a job offer and the “no” pile.

Maintaining Confidence While Job Searching

Last week I met with a group of job seekers at VCCS. This group was unbelievable to work with. The support and laughter they provided to each other while job searching and the fun atmosphere they contributed to was overwhelming. When asked “as job seekers what do you think other job seekers need to know about” they replied “how to maintain confidence while job searching.”

This didn’t come as a surprise. Confidence is hard to maintain when any change in our life is present. It was however interesting to see that this was still an area of concern with such a talented group of people with strong work backgrounds and experiences. It can be hard to recognize your own talents during a time of frustration. Sometimes it’s easier for someone standing on the sidelines to see what you have to offer. How can a job seeker maintain steady confidence through this period of change?

Maintaining confidence is not always an easy thing to do. Whether you are currently searching for a job or not, confidence ups and downs can be present during any change, quitting smoking, exercising more, eating a healthy and balanced diet etcetera. You are not alone in facing confidence battles.

Your challenge this week is to ask yourself these questions and write down your thoughts/answers:

(If you are a job seeker using VCCS services, relay answers that you feel comfortable in sharing with your counsellor)

What is important to you? List 3 things that are important to you right now.

Success means something different to everyone. What does living a successful life really mean to you?

When you decide that you are making a change what are the feelings and thoughts that maintain your positive outlook for a successful outcome?

What do you think your best friend might say are some of your best qualities? List 5 qualities that your best friend may say about you.

What is one small thing that you could do today to change the way you feel and boost your confidence?

I hope that if you are struggling to increase confidence you really consider the above questions and talk to a counsellor at VCCS Employment Services. Increased confidence can greatly increase the positive results in your job search.

JOB SHOPPING: AVOIDING THE PITFALLS

As the holiday season rolls around many of us have our minds on the task of shopping for presents for family and friends. Like shopping for gifts, job hunting can be a pleasant, creative adventurous process or it can be stressful and frustrating.  It all depends on the circumstances.  

I am not an avid shopper, I don’t like the stress of figuring out the perfect gift for someone and then going through the motions to get out there and find it.  It is a lot like finding employment and its hard work.  

In the past, when Christmas shopping,  I often procrastinated and put off  the task.  Eventually I would hit the stores wandering aimlessly trying to discover the latest and greatest product that would serve as the ultimate gift. I ended up running out of time and rushing to the store at the last minute with all of the other panic stricken shoppers, competing for the same items.  This strategy never worked for me.  I would always end up with the wrong fit having paid the highest price for a lesser product or missed out entirely on an opportunity.

What happens when you approach your job search in the same way?   Much like shopping for the perfect gift, a successful Job seeker should avoid pitfalls of job shopping and follow some basic rules for success. 

1. Know what your job goal is:  Be specific, know the type of job you want and develop your job search plan around the job goal.  Avoid wandering aimlessly like the shopper without a clue about what to buy.
2. Be Realistic:  Take into consideration the availability of jobs in your area that match your job goal as well as the skills, qualifications and training required.  Similar to gift shopping, If you are shopping for a product that is rare or doesn’t suit your needs, interests or abilities then it is a waste of your effort, time and resources.
3. Make a list:   A good shopper will put effort into researching, identifying and making a list of all of the places that will provide them with opportunities and options. A job seeker should do the same. A well formulated list will provide the basis of a strategy for contacting employers, submitting resumes and following up with contacts.
4. Work towards a Deadline:  We know that the gifts need to be under the tree on the morning of Dec. 25^th. Set a deadline for getting a job and plan all of the activities you need to do within a timeline that works towards achieving this goal.
5. Have a Plan B:  If a product is all sold out or the sales have closed then you need to come up with another gift idea.   If you don’t have a job by your deadline, what is your back up plan?  What concessions will you need to make? What does that look like in your job search strategy?

There are those individuals who relish a full day of recreational shopping or plan entire trips hunting for bargains and fantastic finds.  Without the pressure of meeting that deadline and filling that wish list It is a time when one can explore the market, be creative, daring  with the freedom to just walk away if  an item doesn’t suit you.   In the same no pressure circumstance, this is true for the job seeker as well.  Often the best job opportunity is found when one is already employed. If you are currently looking for work I wish you success. Set you job goal,  Make your list, check it twice and enlist some help from VCCS Shop Smart!