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)

The Heat Is On!

The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us.  The kids are out of school, people are taking time off for vacations and the workplace may not be as busy as usual.  So how does this affect your mentoring relationship and your career goals?  First of all, don’t feel guilty about taking some time off for fun and leisure.  And, don’t be surprised if you mentor is taking time off as well.  Timeout is a good thing, as studies have proven that people who take vacations and indulge in “downtime” are generally more productive than their “workaholic” cohorts.  If you are not able to take a vacation because you must focus on your job search, don’t despair – there are many people still working through the summer.  So, continue making those cold calls and keep sending those resumes!   If people don’t respond, be patient and keep in mind that they may be away from work, spending valuable time with friends and family.  Even though the job market may be moving slowly right now, be assured that things will pick up speed again come September.

SELF MARKETING 101

Be prepared for the Behavioural Interview!

Many companies are using a specific style of interviewing called Behavioural Interviewing.  To put it simply, behavioural interviewing is designed to get candidates to  share stories about previous work situations in order to gauge how they will behave in future work situations.  The technique is based on the premise that past behaviour is a good indicator of future behaviour.  So how can you prepare?  You must go to the interview armed with stories that demonstrate your skills, experience, personality traits and interpersonal skills.  Take stock of your accomplishments and projects that you are proud of.  Be willing to expand on your answers and provide lots of details.  The following are examples of behavioural interview questions:

• Tell us about a time when you dealt with a difficult customer
• Tell us about a time when you met an important deadline
• Describe an accomplishment from your work history that you are proud of
• Discuss a scenario in which you demonstrated initiative

A good technique to keep in mind when answering behavioural questions is the SAR Technique:

S - Situation: Describe the scenario. 
A - Action: Tell the interviewers what actions you took.  Touch upon skills/attitudes.
R - Results: Discuss the positive outcome and any positive feedback you received.

Try to reflect back on success stories prior to the interview and jot them down.  Remember to use the SAR approach when you make your notes.  Your pre- work will result in more effective responses.  More effective responses may just land you that job offer!

CAREER NEWS & VIEWS

Exciting New Program

Skills for Change is involved in a new bridging program to help international health professionals access health care technology fields. The program is called Access and Options for International Health Professionals.

Access & Options is a program that provides landed immigrants with the industry-specific language and skills training, clinical experience, personal support and guidance they need to pass the regulatory body certification examinations and ultimately achieve employment in their chosen field.  The program assists professionals in fields such as Medical Laboratory Technology, Diagnostic Cytology, Radiological Technology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, among others. To find out more about the program, and about the other fields the program covers, please contact the Office of Access & Options at 416-596-3154.

Women-owned businesses on the rise

Are you a woman considering opening your own business?  If so, you’re in good company, as the number of female business owners continues to rise.  According to Phillyburbs.com, the number of women-owned businesses is rising to double the rate of all U.S. businesses.  Although the idea of creating your own business may be appealing, most business owners work longer hours and do not see significant profits for many years.  If you’re considering self-employment, you must ensure you have a solid idea, conduct thorough market research, and create viable financing and start-up plans.  If you’re serious about staring your own business, there are some excellent websites:  EntreWorld http://www.EntreWorld.org, Canada Business Service Centres http://www.cbsc.org, and Canada One http://www.canadaone.com.  

Consider the hot new field of Technical Communications

Do you have an aptitude for technology and the ability to write clearly and effectively?  Then a career as a Technical Communicator (commonly referred to as a Technical Writer) may be perfect for you.  As technology plays a greater role in our lives, there is a demand for people to write clear instructions through a variety of mediums including print, CD-ROM and online.  Technical Communicators write logical and concise definitions and instructions for consumers and users of a variety of goods ranging from computers and stereo equipment, to automobiles.  Most Technical Communicators are employed by companies, while a small number are self-employed.  If this hot new career niche interests you, contact the Society for Technical Communication at http://www.stc.org, or the Technical Communicators Resource Site at http://www.techcommunicators.com for more information.

Telecommuting more attractive than money

Instead of a raise, one third of Americans surveyed would prefer to work from home.  According to a report entitled “Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere,” conducted by the Positively Broadband Campaign, many people would sacrifice money to reap the benefits of working from home.  Cutting back on time spent travelling to work as well as spending more time with family, were cited as the most important perks of working from home.  Eighty percent of telecommuters reported that they are more satisfied with their jobs, are more productive and feel more loyal to their employers.


WINNING WEBSITES

Salary Connections

No matter what occupation you're researching, this JobStar site links to useful salary information. Visit the Web site http://jobstar.org/tools/salary/index.cfm

How to Write a Great Letter

This site by Careerlab covers plenty of ground for anyone hoping to write a resume cover letter. Material is drawn from the book 200 Letters for Job Hunters. Visit the Web site http://www.careerlab.com/letters/link002.htm

Mazemaster

Although Mazemaster is a web site specifically greared for folks living in and around Toronto, Ontario, it has plenty to offer anyone interested in learning more about the job search process and self employment.  http://www.mazemaster.on.ca.

WISE WORDS

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the thing you did.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbour.  Catch the tread winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover. – Mark Twain