Career and Job Search Help Blog

Change Your Career - Change Your Life!

Queendom provides a career change readiness test. It evaluates what's motivating your drive to succeed and how prepared you are for a career change/advancement. Here's another test, this time from Psychology Today. Yet another testing site, PsychTests, provides an abridged career test. Career Tests Guide compiles a variety of career tests.

Just be aware, though, that in order to obtain the full report of your test results, payment is required. Nevertheless, they're worth having a look!

As for books, check these out!

More Upcoming Job Fairs for 2012, including Opening Doors to Your Future

Job fairs are a great way to network, gather information, meet employers, and cast your net to hook the right employer and job for YOU.

You might be new to Canada, a new graduate, have a disability, be looking to re-enter the job market, or to change your career. Job fairs can be exciting or intimidating. The key is to be prepared! Be confident! Be self-assured!

Come and join us Thursday, March 8, 2012 for the Career and Job Fair, Opening Doors to Your Future. The library will have a booth and we hope to see you there.

Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Exhibitors include: Canadian Tire, InCharge Canada, Paragon Security, VHA Home HealthCare, and many, many more!

For more information, call Terruce Lau at 416-392-4107

Bring copies of your resume, print and electronic versions, and be prepared to "knock the socks" off potential employers with your professionalism. This event is sponsored by TESS, the Toronto Employment & Social Services (North York district offices) and the Toronto Public Library.

But wait! There are MORE!

 

Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Sunday, March 4, 2012,  1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Constitution Hall, Room 105 - 106, North Building, 255 Front Street West

 

The Career Fair for People with Disabilites

Thursday, March 29, 2012,  10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Hilton Downtown Toronto, 145 Richmond Street West

 

Engineering-IT Career Fair  AND  Banking-Finance-Insurance Career Fair

Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard

 

Remember to "Dress for Success!" Be neat, tidy, and not overdressed. Whatever your age, dress appropriately--don't try to appear older or younger than you are.

Here are some hints I picked up from Do's & Don'ts, an article by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. If you want to read his article for additinal tips, click on the link.

• First impressions are important. A firm handshake and a warm smile are first steps to success.
• Dress professionally. Conservative is always a safe choice
• Bring enough copies of your resume, at least 25 for a large job fair, and different versions if looking for different types of jobs
• DON'T just drop your resume on the table and walk off--this is an opportunity to make a positive impression, show interest in the company, and stand out from the crowd. Build a rapport with the employer, but DON'T monopolize his time
• DON'T walk up to a booth and interrupt a current conversation
• Prepare to be interviewed on the spot--be able to summarize your skills and abilities in a few minutes or less
• Try and obtain a list of exhibitors. Research them beforehand so you will be prepared for such questions as, "Why do you want to work for our company?"
• Have a specific strategy for maximizing your time. Decide which employers you want to see first. You don't want to get so caught up with going to all the booths that you miss out on the ones you are really interested in
• Network with other participants--you may hear about additional job opportunities or benefit from the experiences the others had
• Follow-up after the job fair. Phone or e-mail the company representatives you met

 

                 

 

The Start of a New Year - A Good Time to Review Your Career Plan

Every year, our department reviews our yearly departmental objectives - they're either updated, dropped, or supplemented in some fashion. I personally have my own set of career objectives, although this is not required by our manager or department head. It's important to have a career plan and re-visit it on an annual basis, whether you are currently working, or looking for employment.

Things to remember:

• Set realistic goals and objectives for the year. List the steps you would take to achieve them and how you will measure your success (via quantifiable milestones).
• Have a clear direction. What is your ideal job, position, or set of responsibilities?
• Establish a professional presence on social networking tools like LinkedIn. Join groups, stay active on whatever sites you participate in. Many recruiters/potential employers will do background checks. Follow companies that you want to work for.
• Brand yourself. This is a derivative of the traditional "Job Objective" statement that I've seen appearing on the top of a cv/resume. In a short paragraph, state who you are, what audience you serve, what's unique about you.
• Stay positive! Difficult, I know, especially if you've been looking for your ideal job for awhile. Create a balance between looking for a job and taking care of your personal life. Exercise your body and mind. Eat healthily. Indulge in a passion or two!

Have a look at this and additional books:

  

So You Want to Open Your Own Restaurant? Do Your Research First!

Have you always dreamed of opening up your own restaurant but don't really know where to start?  You are definitely not alone. Expect to never have a dull moment if this is your dream - there are new and exciting challenges you'll face. The future does look bright for this industry, however a tough reality is that many (not all though!) restaurants fail within the first year - mostly due to lack of business planning. One of the most important steps of your planning is creating a business plan. There are many online resources which can help you with business plans. A restaurant entrepreneur needs to do a great deal of business research whether its a cafe, deli or Indian buffet.

The Canadian restaurant and food service industry makes a tremendous contribution to our economy. According to research from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CFRA) the Canadian restaurant industry employs more than one million people and generates $60 billion in annual sales - accounting for 4% of the Canadian economy and apparently dining out is one of the top three tourist activities in Canada. To my surprise 64% of restaurants in Canada are independent, and 36% are chains (CFRA) - which is reassuring if you'd like to open up your own small restaurant.

I was reading an article about how to start a restaurant from entrepreneur.com which gave an interesting marketing perspective. Many entrepreneurs may strive to please 100% customers which is an unrealistic expectation - it is more feasible to focus on smaller target markets who all have different needs. Age is an easy example - you could focus on groups such as: Baby boomers, Generation X/Y, Traditionalists, etc.

For some inspiration join us next Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at North York Central Library, the Business department is hosting a program called Harlem Underground: Secrets of A Successful Urban Eatery.  Join speaker Carl Cassell, owner of the Harlem Underground, which has 2 locations in Toronto as he discusses his experiences starting and running a restaurant chain.

Also, come visit the library for some books on starting up your own restaurant :

                      

 

Thanks for reading, please feel free to share any comments!

 

 

 

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.

              

 

      

 

 

Annoying Phone Faux Pas

In this age of texting, email and the like, it's refreshing to hear someone's voice at the other end of the telephone line. The telephone can be a powerful marketing tool for you if it is used properly.

This brings to mind problems with the way some people use the telephone at work.

• Putting someone on speakerphone without asking them.
• Ignoring the customer standing right in front of you in order to deal with the caller who interrupts by phoning in.
• Working on the computer or something else while on the phone.
• Eating or chewing gum while talking on the phone.
• Speaking so quickly or mumbling when you're leaving a voice message that the recipient can't understand your name or telephone number.

So how can you remedy this?

 Before you call...

Get organized and be clear in your mind what you want to say to that person or in the voice message. Have ready any documents you may need to refer to.

Use the recipient's name and clearly state your name, company name. Don't run your last name into your first name. Then state the purpose of your call and say something positive like, "Is this a good time to discuss this?" not "Did I get you at a bad time?"

If you wish to put that person on a speakerphone, ask permission. Introduce anyone else who is in the room with you.

Don't linger on the phone. Conclude your business positively and distinctly.

If you're leaving a message...

Be succinct and articulate. Repeat your telephone number. If it's urgent that the recipient return your call within a certain time period, say so.

Wait a few days. If the person hasn't returned your phone call, then contact him again.

On your outgoing voicemail message...

If you're going to be away from the office for a length of time, indicate that; otherwise, your caller is going to wonder why you haven't returned his call and start becoming annoyed.

Leave your name on your voicemail. Many people won't leave a message unless they're certain they've reached the right person. You wouldn't want to miss a message from a recruiter or a new client, right? Some people will say, "Your call is very important to me and I'll try to get back to you within 2 hours."

 Lastly...

Just say your name when you answer the phone. Don't say, "Penelope speaking." That's redundant because the caller knows you're speaking. Truly professional people will merely say their full name in an upbeat fashion.

 When you pick up the phone, smile! It will come through in your telephone voice!

Check out Toronto Public Library's books on telephone manners.

 

 

Everything I Know About Career Success - I Learned in Elementary School

Remember when in elementary school, we had to be picked by team captains to be on their teams? We all waited by the sidelines in a group, hoping to be picked first. Now we're adults; but, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose! (the more things change, the more they remain the same.) Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

Who do team captains pick?

They pick people they know. That's why networking is so important when searching for a job. People hire those whom they know, because they are a known commodity.

They pick people who are winners. That's why it's important to highlight your major achievements in your resume and cover letter. Don't worry about coming off as a braggart. If you don't toot your own horn, who will? People always want winners on their side.

They pick people they want to be friends with. They want people with whom they can have a positive, likeable relationship. Chemistry counts, so in an interview, show your positive, friendly side.

They pick team players. They want people who can work well with others, after all, it is through working together that a team triumphs.

These four factors, networking, achievement, likeability and teamwork, can get you to your desired job; but, can also lead you to the top. Then you can be the team captain and pick players of your own!

Need to Find Licensing Exam Books to Land that New Job?

The Toronto Reference Library (that great, 5-storey brick building, under renovation, soon to have a  cafe, occupies a city block, one of the city's hubs at Yonge and Bloor...) has a collection of licensing and exam guides to help you pass your exam.  Other study materials are available also.  One of our wonderful users, gave us a large donation anonymously, to buy books to help new Canadians find a job.  Before this donation, the library could purchase one copy only for reference use.  But now we have extra copies for you to borrow.  Many thanks indeed to our benefactor!

You can find the Circulating Careers Collection at 789 Yonge Street on the third floor.

 

                   

 

                                                                                                                                       

 

Job Interviews--What will they ask? What should I answer?

Your resume was great and now you have the interview. What questions will they ask? What questions CAN they ask? Is that a LEGAL question? You ask yourself, "How do I prepare? How should I answer? What should I wear?"

Research the company. Find out as much as you can about it. Speak to people already working in the same field. You already did some of this when first applying for the job. The more you know, the better prepared you are.

First impressions can make or break an interview.

I heard of someone going for interview after interview and not getting the job. She couldn't understand why. She was well-prepared, had a good resume, and was "dressed for success"--or so she thought. Finally she asked someone in the same field if they could find out what she was doing wrong. It turns out she was a member of a mystery book club and wore the club pin, a skull and cross-bones, to her interviews to show her interest in books and reading. She thought it would HELP her get the job. The interviewers saw the skull and cross-bones and thought, "Hmmmm. I don't think I want this person working for us." They didn't know about that book club!

The pin might have helped her for a different job--something to do with Halloween, buccaneers, pirates, mysteries, or horror shows. It even might have helped in these interviews if she had mentioned the pin and what it stood for! Make your first impressions count--but in the right way.

The library has books, ebooks, DVDs, and recommended websites that can help you prepare for your interview. On the Toronto Public Library home-page, check out Find Your Way to Job & Career Help and click on Market Yourself. There you will find some of our newest books and helpful links such as the Guide to Interviewing Resources, from Quintessential Careers, and The Interview Game: Illegal Questions, from Career Link.

For more titles in our catalogue, you can search subjects such as Employment interviewing and Employee selection. You can narrow the search down by applying a date-range or other limiters. Some of the titles you get may be about questions the employer should ask. You can take a look at these as well, to get an idea of the answers the interviewer might be looking for.

Don't forget to practice! Get a friend to role play with you and practice being interviewed. Film it if you can. You can--then you can see how you're doing.

Here are some books you can take a look at:

                              

 

Some Doomed Industries

Elevator operators, copy boys, pinsetters (aka pingirls, pinboys), switchboard operators, typists in a typing pool - all these jobs have fallen by the wayside - made obsolete by technology! I found an interesting online article about other jobs that are doomed or at least expected to experience a decline. If you're considering a career change/opening a small business in any of these following, think twice.

Newspaper publishing: have you noticed that your daily newspaper is getting pretty skinny lately? How about those phone calls from your dailies, encouraging you to subscribe to the print version? Mobile and Internet versions are proving to be the death knell of the printed newspaper. In the past decade, newspapers have suffered a 36% decline in revenue. and in the next 5 years, another 20% drop is expected.

Apparel Manufacturing: When was the last time you found/purchased an article of clothing that WASN'T made in China? Although there is some manufacturing at the domestic level, it's slim pickin's. Labour overseas is cheap, and consumers expectation of low prices isn't helping at all. Decline in revenue in the last decade - a whopping 77%! In 5 years, another 12% drop.

Video Rental: I haven't rented a video in 15 years! I either bought or borrowed the dvd or ordered it on my tv or the Internet through free streaming sites. Decline in the last decade - 34% and another 20% in the next 5 years.

Photo Finishing: Remember when you had to take your rolls of film to be "developed?" Now you don't have to do that, thanks to digital cameras - SLRs and point 'n shoots! Decline in revenue in the last decade - are you ready - 70% and in the next 5 years, it'll be 40%.

Some books on career changes: