Career and Job Search Help Blog

Looking for Job Postings? What websites should I check?

There are a lot of job postings out there, but where do you find them?

Here are a few suggestions for you to investigate:

eluta.ca - The Search Engine for New Jobs in Canada

bajobs.ca - for Business Analysts - and you can select links to other types of jobs, such as retail, tech jobs, accounting, and many more.

careerwomen.com - you can narrow the search by location, full-time, part-time

Work Directory - you can narrow the search by location and choose from numerous job categories, ranging from accounting to construction to entertainment to medical to telemarketing, and many, many more.

poss.ca - you have to register for an account (free), login, and click on "Job Boards" - you will find a list of career fields ranging from Arts & Design to Business to Customer Service  to Science & Technical to Skilled Trades, and more.

Working in Canada - you can go directly to job postings, or you can check out wages and job outlook for various occupations first.

            

Landing your next job interview using Skype

My daughter recently had an interview for a job in Mexico.  Did the company fly her down for the interview?  No.  Did they pick up the phone and call her for an interview over the telephone?  No.  Her interview was conducted via Skype. 

How is preparing for an interview on-line different than preparing for one in person?  There are many things to consider - one of the biggest being, how do I look on camera?  Check out these tips from a media expert interviewed on time.com.

 

Some things to consider include:

• The background behind you.  Instead of a blank wall, perhaps have a nice print or a book case behind you.
• Lighting - natural light is best.  If that isn't possible fluorescent lighting to frame your face.
• Clothes - Avoid patterns and white as they can either be distracting or make you fade on screen.  Try a darker color, like black with a jacket perhaps?  Dress up from the waist down as well, in case you have to get up during the interview - no jockey shorts!
• Be more aware of your facial expressions and make eye contact with the web camera.  A couple of articles suggested putting a photo of a friend by the camera so you have a friendly face to look at during the interview.
• Framing yourself - turn your body to one side and turn your face to the camera - like having a professional photograph taken. 
• Practice!  Send a friend a few sample interview questions and do a dry run of the interview using Skype. 
• Have an electronic and print copy of your resume handy, in case your have to send it along during the interview.
• Be familiar with the features of Skype so you can handle any technical glitches that may come up.

A few other websites with good advice on this topic include:

"4 tips for conducting a job interview on Skype"

"Video interviewing with Skype"

"Ace your Skype interview - 14 Smart Tips"

"How Skype is changing the job interview"

There are sections of a number of books that include Skype and online interview tips.  Check out a few of these available at TPL branches.

 

           

But of course, ultimately it will be your qualifications that will land you the job. Good luck putting your best face forward!

 

Ontario Ministry of Labour's Website: A Go-to Source for Workplace Safety and Employee Rights and Responsibilities

Now that the summer is upon us, many people are working in new jobs. Whether you are new to your job or in the case of many young people, new to a summer job, it's a good idea for you to become familiar with your rights as an employee. I remember a few years back, there were a plethora of ads from the Ontario government about young people who had accidents at work, in some cases, the accidents were fatal. They were asked to use eg. heavy equipment for which they had no training.

You should know that an employee can't be disciplined for refusing unsafe work. If that happens to you, this disciplinary action is considered a reprisal and is banned by the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety law. Lots of good information touch on the topics of what can a worker do about unsafe conditions at work, does Ontario have a 'working alone" regulation, and information aimed at new and young workers

Let the healing begin - bouncing back from a bad interview

We've all had them - the interview that you came out of that you were sure you bombed.  Sometimes your perception of how you did doesn't match up with how you really did.  But sometimes you just KNOW that you didn't perform well under pressure.

Luckily, there are many suggestions out there on how to regain your confidence and learn from your bad experience, which ultimately will give you a better interview the next time. 

In her post "7 things you can do after a really bad job interview", Forbes staffer Jacquelyn Smith shares some thoughts about recovery and healing after.  A few things that the experts suggest include:

• Reflect on the experience - analyze if you can, what actually you did well and what you would do over.
• Learn from it - make a list of the mistakes and try not to make them again.
• Forgive yourself and move forward.  We all make mistakes.
• Write a follow up note, not to apologize, but to explain if there were any extenuating circumstances that distracted you or to add any additional relevant information that perhaps you didn't mention in the interview.

Every interview, you learn something about yourself and about how you perform under pressure.  You will come up with better ways to answer standard questions and eventually you will be successful.

Of course practice and preparation make perfect.  Why not have a look at some of the new books on interviewing that many TPL branches have:

            

 

            

Good luck - the next interview will be better!!

 

What is Success in the Fashion Industry, According to the Professionals?

by Ra

Millions of men and women grow up dreaming of success in the fashion industry; but, only a few end up with a career in the field. And only a precious few of those have the motivation and talent to become successful models or designers.

In order to apply science to this often thought of ephemeral industry, The Career Development Quarterly, vol. 58, no.3, March 2010 (Toronto Reference Library - Business, Science and Technology Department) has published results of two sets of open-ended interviews with 33 fashion industry professionals.  The data was analysed using a ‘grounded approach methodology’: a) External definitions of success mentioned were salary, promotions, sales, being seen as an expert, and having influence and b) Internal rewards included being innovative, maintaining integrity, and work satisfaction.

This article could better shine a light on career directions in the area of fashion.  To read the hardcopy and come to a conclusion, do come to Toronto Reference Library, 3^rd floor, Periodicals section, or read it online.

To find books on this subject, you can search our catalogue using subject keywords: fashion vocational guidance.  I recommend The Fashion Careers Guidebook, 1st ed., by Julia Yates. 2011.

 

Job Fairs Summer & Fall 2012

When are the next Job Fairs or Career Fairs? It's summer and I'm planning ahead. How should I prepare for a Job Fair?

Here are some articles with hints and tips to help you prepare:

Guerilla Tactics for Job Fairs

Job Fair Success: College Grad Job Hunter

Ten Keys to Success at Job and Career Fairs

 

Here are a few Fairs for the summer and fall:

City Career Expo

Friday, August 17, Saturday, August 18, &  Sunday, August 19, 2012, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Scarborough Town Centre, Centre Court, 300 Borough Drive, Scarborough, Ontario

 

NAPP Canada Job Fair & Training Fair

Thursday, September 6, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 18, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Apprenticeship & Trades Career Expo)

Scarborough Community Centre, 1250 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario

 

Friday, September 14, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Woodbine Mall, 500 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke, Ontario

 

Thursday September 20, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, Ontario

 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Mississauga International Center, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, Ontario

 

Hire Canada

Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road, West, Mississauga, Ontario

 

New Grad Career Expo

Tuesday, September 25, 2012, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario

 

Study & Go Abroad Fairs

Friday, September 28, 2012, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., free seminars 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 29, 2012, 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m., free seminars 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario

 

Healthcare Career Fairs

Sunday, September 30, 2012, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Monday, October 1, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Toronto, 370 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario

 

National Job Fair & Training Expo

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario

For more information, check their website: National Job Fair & Training Expo

 

Here are some books to help with your resume:

           

 

Be Careful of What You Put in Writing: Fired Employee Had Vented on Facebook

A couple of years ago, a postal clerk who worked for Canada Post was fired for making derogatory and nasty remarks on Facebook directed at her supervisors and Canada Post. Aside from being totally unprofessional and dangerous, such actions can and generally will backfire on the writer. Many employers will troll the various social networking sites (or the Internet in general) looking for information about potential employees. Can you imagine what will happen if this clerk applies for another job? Btw, she grieved the firing and the case went to arbitration; but, the arbitrator concluded finally that Canada Post had just cause to terminate her.

The moral of this story is that if you have problems with your co-workers or employers, don't post negative remarks on any social networking site. Instead, try to work out your problems professionally: talk to your co-workers or employer. You may need to seek external help - ombudsman, the human resources department, etc. If things are really that horrible, look for a job in another company.