July 31, 2018

Job Search Tips ⁰

by Wordscapes® • Job Search Tips • Tags: Job Search Tips

As part of your job search keep all your documentation together. For example, you could have a section called “Portfolio” for skills inventories, accomplishments, and job-related needs and wants.

Another section labelled. “Employers” could include names, phone numbers, dates contacted, outcomes and follow-up for all run/jog potential employers you contact. Another section might be “Ideas for Job Leads.” Create and use a Contact Sheet to record your job leads and contacts.

Whatever system you prefer, set it up so you will have a means for recording your actions and seeing your progress. You will impress your employer contacts with your organization skills. And, most important, you’ll have all the information you need at your fingertips to help you succeed in your job search.

Be Creative

Developing ideas is crucial to successful job search. You need to be creative to get the edge and to stand out from the crowd.

All of the lists you started in this manual are creative exercises. You might further stimulate your creativity by doing specific tasks. For example, think of an object– a brick, a pen, a phone. What are all of the things you could do with this object? The purpose is to expand your thinking– to generate an unlimited number of original ideas, no matter how ridiculous. Get into the habit of allowing yourself to be silly. Some of the best solutions to problems have come out of “funny” ideas.

Reward Yourself

Job search is hard work. It takes a lot of time and energy. Be sure to make time each day to reward yourself for your efforts and restore your power. The “Reward List” on the following page will help you identify activities you enjoy doing. Include things that attract you but have not found the time.

Some of the followings may appeal to you:

➔ take a long, perfumed bubble bath by candlelight with music
➔ run/jog
➔ work out
➔ walk the dog
➔ go for a bike ride
➔ read a book, cover to cover
➔ watch a favourite movie
➔ do a crossword puzzle
➔ arrange with a special friend to share a message
➔ listen to your favourite music
➔ walk in a park
➔ visit a museum
➔ attend a free concert
➔ draw
➔ lift weights
➔ build models
➔ skate
➔ read cartoon books or comics
➔ dance
➔ do some gardening
Select at least one reward for yourself each day from your reward list.

Make a list of the people in your life whom you enjoy being around — people who give you a lift and help you feel confident. Include them in your “productive” activities.

Pat yourself on the back and give yourself the energy boost you need to set yourself up for the next day of your job search.

— Favourite Activities

— Alone Favorite Activities

— With Others Favorite Places to Be

— Favourite Smells

— Favourite Foods

— Favourite Exercises

— Favourite Subjects to Learn

July 31, 2018

Establishing Job Targets — The Product Is You ⁰

by Wordscapes® • Job Search Tips • Tags: finding job targets

Now you’re ready to identify your job goals based on your analysis of your needs, interests, likes, dislikes and transferable skills.

Make a list of employers whom you want to target. These will be employers who are likely to employ people with your skills and whose businesses appeal to you.

Ask family, friends and previous work associates for their input on job targets for you. Keep a list of the suggestions. At this stage, you’re exploring and generating a list of options. Later you can select the ones that are most appealing to you– the ones that you will target and develop your strategy.

Identifying occupations that match your needs, interests and skills may not be easy. If you are having difficulty with this step, you may want to contact your local Career Development Centre or Canada-Alberta Service Centre for assistance in narrowing down your job targets.

Always remember, “The Product Is You.”

Myth: There are no jobs out there.
Reality: There is lots of work. Learn how to find it.

July 28, 2018

Your Situation and Characteristics ⁰

by Wordscapes® • Business Tips • Tags: job loss

Because the job market has become increasingly competitive, employers can select their candidates from pools of highly educated, skilled employees.

If your level of education does not make you a competitive candidate, the impact of the layoff will be different for you than it is for someone who has the educational background to support them in their attempts to return to the workforce. It’s crucial here not to jump to conclusions about required education in a particular field, but to thoroughly research this aspect. For instance, it may be assumed they always prefer a degree over a certificate or diploma, but this is not still the case. In some fields, employers are more eager to hire an individual with more practical training or schooling obtained through a technical school or college, rather than the more academic background offered through many university programs.

Skill Transferability

If your skills are highly specialized in an industry experiencing huge cutbacks, you may find yourself faced with some hard decisions:

➠ relocating to an area where your skills are still in demand
➠ offering your services as a consultant
➠ reviewing your skills that are transferable to other sectors.

Support Systems

The level of support you have from family, friends and former colleagues will most certainly play a role in how well you adjust to the layoff. The tremendous benefits provided by a healthy support system discussed in other articles in this section of the website.

Previous Job Losses

The news of a layoff may affect you differently the second or third time you experience it. That is not to say it will make it easier, but some report that knowing what to expect, and having survived it before, may ease the initial blow.

” I was at the bottom of the pole. I felt no resentment. I just figured I ‘d get back on the horse again and start looking. Gary, 34, civil technologist

If you find yourself experiencing repeated layoffs, it may be time to consider what you are doing is a contributing factor. Ask your former employers for feedback on your past performance and suggestions on how you can make yourself more competitive in the field.

Chances are your layoffs were not a result of performance issues. It may just be time for you to consider a new occupation, one in which there is more demand for workers.

July 25, 2018

Choosing Your Options ⁰

by Wordscapes® • Job Search Tips • Tags: employment options

Volunteering

Volunteering may be the shortest and most direct way to paid employment. A bonus is that many organizations offer some training for the jobs where you volunteer. Most of the skills you learn in such training are the skills you need for a successful career.

Relocating

Be aware that relocating may dramatically increase your chances of finding a job. There may be more opportunities in another geographic area or considerably less competition.

Employers in the urban regions have their choice of experienced professionals. Smaller, rural organizations have more difficulty attracting seasoned professionals., which increases the possibilities for a new graduate who is prepared to relocate to get that much-needed experience.

Generating Job Leads

Labor Market Information

It is imperative to be aware of the current job market both in your area and in other geographic locations, which will help you determine where you have the best chances of succeeding in your job search. Resources for research include:

➲ Newspapers
➲ TV news and documentaries
➲ Career Centers
➲ Chambers of Commerce
➲ Business and professional organizations
➲ Business magazines (Canadian and American, including entrepreneurial publications)
➲ Yellow Pages and other telephone directories
➲ Libraries
➲ Family, friends
➲ Personnel agencies
➲ Internet

The following are particularly useful sources of job information, leads and ideas:

1. Classified and career ads. These require daily scrutiny. Remember: the early bird gets the worm.

2. News stories. Research news stories for job ideas. For example, an unemployed auto-body mechanic got a great idea when a hailstorm hit and hundreds of cars damaged. He approached a large, established firm and proposed an aggressive outreach to motorists promoting the company’s quality bodywork and fast turnaround. He increased sales for the company and created a job for himself.

3. The Yellow Pages and other directories. These are useful for developing job leads. For example, an unemployed teacher, social worker or other helping professional will want to consult the Yellow Pages for lists of all the helping agencies and not-for-profit organizations which employed people with his or her skills. Some geographic regions have specific directories. In Alberta, one list of this kind is Community Connections, found in public libraries.

4. Your public library. The public library can be an excellent resource. It stocks industry and trade publications that give names of employers, in particular, sectors.

5. Career Development Centers and Canada – Alberta Service Centers. These centers offer job leads in the form of posted job orders on electronic kiosks, which you should not overlook.

6. Personnel agencies. Gather information about the companies in your area. Which occupational groups or industry clients do they specialize? Add to your list the ones who are most relevant. It’s critical to understand that personnel agencies don’t find you a job. Instead, their purpose is to source the right employees for their employer clients. Companies pay a fee to the agency that is usually a percentage of the annual salary of the position they’re filling. The agency maintains an inventory of applicants from which they refer job-seekers when there appears to be a match.

Monthly Archives: July 2018

Job Search Tips ⁰

Establishing Job Targets — The Product Is You ⁰

Your Situation and Characteristics ⁰

Choosing Your Options ⁰

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