Career and Job Search Help Blog

Want a Job but you're over 40? over 50? a Boomer?

You are looking for a job but you are no longer the new kid on the block. Will employers appreciate your skills and experience? Will they see your excitement, vibrancy, commitment, and dedication? Or will your age be a barrier, denying you a good job and the employer a terrific employee?

 Don't be intimidated. Jobs and job search help are out there. Let your experience work to your advantage. Be proud of who you are and what you have already achieved and accomplished. Don't try and hide your age, but update your image so you appear self-assured and confident. Wear clothes that are neat, clean, well-fitted, and contemporary. Get a new hairstyle and perhaps some colour or highlights.

A 40 or 50 year old can blow an interview by trying to look twenty years younger and ending up looking comical. I've seen people like that, and I'm sure you have also. I remember a friend who was always in the height of fashion. I hadn't seen her for twenty years--and she was still in the height of fashion, but it was the fashion of twenty years ago! Another person I knew, went to the opposite extreme. He styled his hair and dressed in clothes more suited to a much younger man. The idea is to be modern, current, and to be yourself.

Check out some of the articles on Job Resources for Mature and Older Jobseekers at the Quintessential Careers website. There are tips and suggestions for your search, your resume, your interview, and other points of interest.

 You can also look at some of these titles available in the Careers section at the Toronto Public Library.

              

 

      

 

 

English Names on Resumes

Juliet said in her famous soliloquy, "What's in a name? that which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet..." (Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II) This makes me think of some of the memorable and unusual names I've come across: Moon Unit Zappa (daughter of musician, Frank Zappa); Charles Adolphe Faux-Pas Bidet, Commissaire de Police, Paris, France; Positive Wasserman Johnson (The Wasserman test looks for antibodies to syphillis.) and Mrs. Belcher Wack Wack (Miss Belcher married Mr. Wack and then married his brother.)

Many people have names which are not anglicized - it's a pride thing - you know, my name is just as good as anyone else's. It's uniquely me, and I like it! When we moved to Canada, it was suggested to my parents that they provide me with an English name. Don't get me wrong - I love "Elle" - just like I love my other name, because it means "bright star". My anglicized name would, reportedly, allow people to remember me a little easier, etc. Now this dilemma has once again reared its ugly head.

In a report released in October 2011, two University of Toronto researchers, Philip Oreopoulos and Diane Decheif, found that resumes featuring English names were more than 35-per-cent more likely to receive a callback than a resume featuring Chinese, Indian or Greek names. The researchers sent dozens of employers identical resumes - changing only the names of the applicants. They found that employers across Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver significantly discriminated against applicants with common Indian and Chinese names relative to English. The callback rate differences were larger in Montreal, while smaller in Vancouver. Recruiters were also interviewed to explain why they believe name discrimination occurs. It turns out that productivity concerns cannot explain name bias. Rather, recruiters said that employers often treat a name as a signal that an applicant may lack language or social skills. And in this time & resources-pressed work environment, employers are wary of  applicants with foreign names, hence foreign background and possible lack of adequate English-language and social skills for the Canadian marketplace. However, the researchers also suspected that recruiters are afraid of making a "bad hire", especially during these tough economic times.

So what can you do? Since one of the skills desired by most employers is strong communication skills, make sure you make it clear to the recruiters/employers that you have this desirable skill - call and talk to the recruiters. Take public-speaking and writing courses. Consider adding an anglicized name.

What's your opinion? Do you have an Anglicised name? If so, what is the rationale behind it?

The Right Province for You; The Best Companies to Work For

Always on the lookout for trends in the workplace, I recently read an article about the best province to work in, based on your career. This, in addition to the best companies to work for, will prove worthwhile if you're looking for a job or a new job.

Rather than just sticking a pin on a map of Canada, choose the province as it relates to your career.

If you want to work in...                    Choose...

• automobile industry..............Ontario
• finance................................Toronto
• technology.........................B.C., Quebec, New Brunswick
• agriculture.........................Prairies, Manitoba, Ontario
• dairy farming......................Saskatechewan
• Manufacturing.....................Ontario
• Government.......................Ottawa (Federal) or provincial capital cities
• oil and gas.........................Alberta, Saskatchewan
• hospitality and tourism.........every region
• arts and culture....................bigger cities like Toronto or Montreal
• journalism..........................Ontario
• Healthcare..........................anywhere
• lumber...............................B.C., New Brunswick
• your own business..................anywhere    
• mining...............................B.C., Manitoba, Newfoundland/Labrador, Northwest                                                     Territories,Yukon

Now for the best companies to work for - a staple in many job seekers' list of job search tools is this book that we (Toronto Public Library) used to be able to purchase annually - it's called Canada's Top 100 Employers. The current edition is available on the publisher's website. There, you can view the full list of 100 employers, or the regional lists, for Greater Toronto, Nova Scotia, etc. In 1999, a competition was announced. The aim was to single out the employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional working conditions and progressive human resources policies. Winners are announced each October in The Globe and Mail newspaper. The annual list is organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc., a specialty publisher of employment-related periodicals.

Employers are evaluated on eight criteria:

• Physical Workplace
• Work Atmosphere & Social Environment
• Health, Financial & Family Benefits
• Vacation & Time Off
• Employee Communications
• Performance Management
• Training & Skills Development
• Community Involvement

Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. Any employer with its head office or principal place of business in Canada is eligible for the award. Employers of any size may submit an application, whether private or public sector.