Sponsored in memory of David Mouckley, an exemplary past president of JVS of Greater Toronto and an inspirational role-model for volunteers helping newcomers. (funded by his caring friend Michael Shulman)

As a protégé, you will benefit from a unique opportunity to partner with a mentor who is willing to contribute to your career development.  However, anything worthwhile takes time, so please be patient with us while we recruit and select qualified, effective and dedicated mentors.  In the meantime, if you know of any people who may be interested in mentoring, please encourage them to check out our website.

Beyond the benefits of the mentoring program, CanadaInfoNet aspires to offer you an environment and meeting place where you can connect with like-minded people, while gathering information and support that will help you in your ongoing career development. 

Finally, we would like to remind you that career development is not an event, it is a process.  CanadaInfoNet hopes to play a key role in that process.  Welcome aboard!

COMMUNICATION CORNER

Get focused

Prior to any communication initiative, it is important to take time to prepare and focus on what you intend to give and receive in your interactions.  This focus will help prepare you for discussions with your mentor, as well as self-marketing activities (such as cold calling).  Here are some tips to help you focus your conversations:

1. Set an objective
   Ask yourself exactly what it is you intend to achieve through your chat.  For example, if you are meeting your mentor online for the first time, decide ahead of time some simple objectives you hope to achieve.  If it is for a marketing call, decide what you are going to say and how.
   
2. Brainstorm approaches
   There are many ways to engage in a conversation.  Be creative and try to come up with different techniques and approaches that will enable you to gain information.
   
3. Write a loose script
   Effective communicators may sound natural, but many jot down a script prior to their interaction so that they stay on track.
   
4. Write out a governing question
   Prior to your conversation, ask yourself what your governing question is meaning, if there was one piece of information, or one theme that you hoped to touch upon, how would you define it in terms of a single question?
   
5. Slow Down
   Most people talk too quickly when they are nervous.  Take a deep breath, and slow down your pace.
   
6. Listen.  Listen.  Listen!
   Nothing turns people off more than a person who does not know when to stop talking and start listening.
   
7. Show gratitude
   Never end a conversation without thanking the person for their time.  This shows respect and courtesy something that is appreciated by everyone.
   
8. Imagine a positive outcome
   Great thinkers visualize a brilliant outcome before embarking on any interaction.  Use the power of positive visualization to get you in a strong frame of mind.  Picture the person you are conversing with responding favorably to you and your words.
   
   

ICE BREAKERS

You may be nervous in your first interaction with your mentor.  In order to make the situation more comfortable for both of you, here are some suggested icebreakers:

• What made you decide to pursue a career in (his/her chosen field)?
• What is the best part of your job?
• When did you come to Canada?
• What made you decide to come to Canada?
• What do you like best about living in Canada?
• Previous places you have lived?
• What do you miss most about your native country?
• What is your favourite book?  Food?  CD?
• Favourite school subjects?
• Name something about yourself you are proud of.

Depending on your comfort level, and that of your mentor, you may also ask some very simple questions about family and friends.  But remember to take it slow, and don't try to bite off too much in the first interaction! 

Most of all, respect the time and boundaries you both have, and have fun!

SELF MARKETING 101

In today's job market, you must be marketing savvy.  Look at yourself as a product and/or company that you market to employers.  Here are some self marketing tips:

1. Create your own marketing package
   It doesn't have to be too formal or cost a bundle.  Choose a consistent letterhead that can be used for your resume and cover letter.  Create a business or calling card with a similar graphic that will pull it all together.  Consider the value of creating a portfolio to showcase your work and accomplishments.  Make sure your materials are constantly updated; you never know when you may have to send a package to a prospective employer!
   
2. Update your skills
   In today's marketplace, you must be committed to lifelong learning.  Find out what skills employers are looking for in your field, and create an action plan to ensure you develop them.
   
3. Network, network, network!
   Get out there and connect with others.  Join a professional association.  Attend conferences and seminars.  Be proactive in your conversations with others.  If you take an interest in others, they will be interested in you.  Find out not only how others may be able to help you, but offer to help them as well.
   
4. Volunteer
   If you are not growing or learning in your present job, build up your skills, resume and contacts through volunteer work.  Many organizations look to volunteers to take on high-end tasks.  Volunteering can also create wonderful networking opportunities.
   
5. Keep on top of your industry
   Stay current and informed about your field.  Read newspapers, magazines, and try to subscribe to industry and association journals and newsletters.  If you are looking for more specialized information, why not ask an expert for an information interview?  Do your research ahead of time and have questions prepared.
   
   

CAREER NEWS & VIEWS

Sound too good to be true?  It probably is!

You may have seen the ads posted around town:  Earn big bucks while working from home.   While some signs are advertisements for legitimate businesses, most are not.  The Better Business Bureau has charged many companies with fraud for posting signs for jobs that simply do not deliver what they promise.  Most companies that pay people fairly to work from home do not advertise on telephone poles and internet sites.  Unfortunately, many people who have signed up for this work, have reported that these are scams, and many have claimed they did not receive payment for work they delivered.  These questionable companies operate by asking employees to send money up front for the materials needed to perform the work, and the materials never get sent.  If the companies do pay, they rarely pay what was promised. 

So how do you protect yourself?  Never take a job that requires you to pay any money up front.  If an employer ever asks for money, refuse the offer, and report them to the Better Business Bureau immediately.

Biotechnology sector surviving and thriving

The dotcoms and telecom areas of the high tech sector are hurting from the economic downturn, but one area of technology that is surviving is the biotechnology industry.  In fact, it appears to be operating full tilt, and many North American employers are actively recruiting employees.  Some experts predict that the current information age will be replaced by an even more vigorous and longer lasting biotech age.  

To get more information on the Canadian Biotechnology sector, visit the Canadian Biotechnology Human Resources Council at:  http://www.bhrc.ca

New Assessment program for foreign Doctors

The Council of Ontario Universities has created a program that allows foreign trained doctors to work for 6 months in a clinical setting (arranged through the University of Toronto) during which they are assessed and will be eligible to write examinations to be licensed either as family doctors or specialists.  Call Antoinette at (416) 979-2165 for an information package.

Report Released on Foreign Trained IT Professionals

Access for Foreign-Trained Professionals: An Exploration of Systemic Barriers to Employment, a research report prepared by Skills For Change and JobStart has been released.  It examines the nature and scope of barriers and workable solutions.  The report exposes a large skills shortage in the Information Technology Sector in which up to 30,000 jobs remain unfilled in Canada due to unqualified workers.  Despite the demand for workers, many foreign trained IT Professionals experience difficulty finding employment.  The full report is available at: 
http://www.skillsforchange.org/library/downloads/access_report.pdf 

New Factsheets for Immigrant Pharmacists

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ontario College
of Pharmacists are proud to announce the launch of the e-factsheet for
Pharmacists.  According to Dianne Cunningham, the Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities:  "The Ontario government knows that building growth in our economy requires an investment in our people. We want to provide more opportunities for immigrants to put their skills and knowledge to work in our province."

The government will provide e-factsheets, interactive maps to licensure in Ontario, which can provide a comprehensive user-directed explanation for every stage of the registration process.

Lack of information about the registration process is a key barrier for
internationally trained workers accessing their profession.  E-factsheets are
designed to provide up-to-date, detailed information on the process that is
specific to individual needs and circumstances.

The e-factsheet for Pharmacists offers general information on language,
workplace, labour market and examinations, contact information and a
checklist of steps that must be taken to work as a Pharmacist in Ontario.

To access the e-factsheets, visit: http://www.newontariopharmacists.com/
Or, for more information about the e-factsheet for Pharmacists, contact:

Layne Verbeek
Ontario College of Pharmacists
Tel:(416) 962- 4861 x. 294
Fax:(416) 703-3100
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WINNING WEBSITES 

An American biotech site specifically for people wanting to learn more about one of today's hottest employment sectors -- biotechnology:
http://biocareer.com
 
Career Currents -- Free. Informative. Daily. U.S. and Canadian career news pages with career profiles every day. Be informed. Check out the free Career Currents e-zine, too! Connect with Career Currents from Bridges.com:   http://careercurrents.com

Job Hunter's Bible -- This comprehensive site is based on the book by Dick Bolles entitled, What Color Is Your Parachute? The site supplements the book, but it's a useful career resource in itself. Visit the Web site http://www.jobhuntersbible.com

Expert advice, information and useful links that will help you create an effective resume.
http://www.provenresumes.com

Information about Access to Professions and Trades for Foreign-Trained
Individuals.   Visit the Ministry of Training, College's and Universities: Access to Professions and Trades Unit web site at:
http://www.equalopportunity.on.ca/English_G/APT/

Career website with sources for career planning, education/training, job search, labour market information, financial help & community services
http://www.workinfonet.ca

National government website with links to all HRDC offices & services, as well as career information & job search links:   http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca

DID YOU KNOW?

When it comes to your mentoring relationship, effective chemistry is really about effective communication.

TAKE IT FROM ME

The single greatest thing I've learned from studying successful job hunters and career changes for twenty-five years is that the essence of successful job hunting is having alternatives.  Alternative ways of describing what you do.  Alternative avenues of job-hunting.  Alternative leads to a job.  Alternative target organizations that you're going after.  Alternative ways of approaching employers.  The problem with unsuccessful job hunters is that they often pursue a plan that has no alternative.  You must not follow in their footsteps if you want your job hunt to be successful.
-Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Colour is Your Parachute?

WISE WORDS

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.   - Albert Einstein