Career and Job Search Help Blog

What should I do NEXT? Take a Gap year, an apprenticeship, budget perhaps...

 

So, you may be wondering - what do all these things have in common? Well, for one thing they are all things that many young people consider with regards to their career choices,  but they are also part of North York Central Library's Business department's Generation Next Series of free educational programs.

Generation Next refers to a demographic cohort of  individuals born between 1980-1999. Other names for Generation Next are Generation Y, Millennial Generation or the Net Generation many of them are the children of Baby Boomers. People of this generation are known for:

• Being technologically savvy, being the first generation to experience social media
• Having a strong belief in equal opportunity,they are very ethnically and racially diverse.
• Their ability to multitask and think quickly
• Having a greater tolerance for differences than their predecessors.

This is the newest generation and will be the future leaders of tomorrow, they are currently our teens and twenty somethings - and many of them are either just starting their careers, thinking about their careers or transitioning from school to career. So, if you or someone you know is part of this generation why not join us (but remember, all are welcome!):

 The Gap Year Alternative...What You Need to Know, Thursday, April 19, 2012, Auditorium

A Gap Year is a time away from normal routine, a time for you to experience personal growth through volunteerism, travel and work. Find out about the benefits and changing perceptions of taking a "Gap Year" and how it can help you expand your horizons and find new excitement. All are welcome!

 

 

Apprenticeships: Earn As You Learn! Tuesday, April 23, 2012, 6:30 -8:00, Auditorium

Come join us for the second program of our Generation Next Series. Prof. Angelo Palantzas will discuss apprenticeship training for construction and industrial trades. Apprentices learn a skilled occupation by combining college courses with paid on the job training. Skilled workers are in high demand in current industries. All are welcome!

For more information on apprenticeships, check out this blog!

Juggling Student Loans, Credit Card Debt, & an Entry Level Salary? Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 6:30 - 8:00, Auditorium

In this session financial advisor Anthony Romano will share the single biggest money mistake we all make and how to avoid it. He will discuss how to venture past a regular savings account into the world of mutual funds and TFSAs and the impact the world's financial situation could have on you.
Learn to manage your money, pay off debt, and control your financial future. All are welcome.

If you'd like to register call the Business Department @ 416-395-5613, or just come!

Spring into these upcoming Job Fairs - updated information

PLEASE NOTE FIRST EVENT LISTED FOR THE TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Revitalize your job search by attending a job fair.   Spring brings a whole round of opportunities to look for work, whether it be part-time, seasonal or full time.  It's a great opportunity to network with other job seekers as well as employers.

 

 

 

A few upcoming events include:

CANCELLED:

Retail Job Fair

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street

2nd floor

For more information consult this flyer, or phone 416-392-0101.

 

National Job Fair

Wednesday April 4, and Thursday April 5, 2012

10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

For more information go to The National Job Fair.

 

1st Fridays Career and Entrepreneur Fair

Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

North York Memorial Community Hall

5110 Yonge Street (Concourse level)

under North York Central Library

For more information go to First Fridays.

 

Miziwe Biik Job Fair

Monday, April 16, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training

167 Gerrard Street East

For more information go to Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training.

And follow these tips, plucked from one of our previous career and job search blogs:

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 picked up from Do's & Don'ts, an article by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. If you want to read his article for additional 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

Good luck in your job search!

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

                 

 

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!

 

 

 

Are there any JOB FAIRS in your future?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are there any Job Fairs in your future? A new year is just around the corner and  with it, maybe a new job, a new career, maybe a new future. One place to start looking for something new and exciting is at a job fair.

You can learn about potential careers, new companies, prospective employers. It is a great place to network, not only with other students and job-seekers, but with possible employers. Shake hands, talk, get to know a bit about them, take the opportunity to make contacts--and take a step toward that job you've been looking for.

Take advantage of any special attractions such as free resume critiques, speakers, free seminars, or career/job posting zones.

 

       

 

Some tips for the fair from Hire Canada:

• be prepared for possible interviews--have answers ready to common questions, such as type of position you are looking for
• prepare questions you want answered
• get familiar with the layout of the job fair by visiting the event website
• find out what companies will be there and research those you are interested in
• make a checklist of any relevant seminars offered

 

• dress professionally, as if going for an interview
• wear comfortable shoes
• bring resumes and business cards to hand out to selected employers and ask for theirs if/when appropriate
• keep conversations with exhibitors brief--don't hoard their time
• don't grab all the pens or bags at booths--this only reduces your appeal to potential employers

 

Some upcoming Job Fairs:

Canada Job Expo

Thursday, January 5, 2012,  10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

North York Civic Centre (Member's Lounge--Lower Level), 5100 Yonge Street

 

 New Grad Career Expo

Wednesday, January 25, 2012,  10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

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

 

Napp Canada Job Fair & Training Fair,  10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012,  International Centre, Mississauga, 6900 Airport Road

Wednesday, March 28, 2012,  Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street

 

Hire Canada 

Thursday, March 22, 2012,  11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Pearson Convention Centre, 2638 Steeles Avenue East

The National Job Fair & Training Expo

Wednesday-Thursday, April 4 - 5, 2012,  10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

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

Considering an MBA? Do your homework first.

Are you thinking about applying to a business school to earn an MBA (Masters in Business Administration)?  Check out the upcoming World MBA Toronto Fair.

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre

When: Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For more information on the fair and to register on-line go to topmba.com/star for a $5.00 entry fee or $10.00 on the day.

Want to do a bit of research before hearing each schools pitch?  Have a look at a few of these business magazines who do their own yearly rankings. Compare how  Canadian Business  the Financial Post, and the Financial Times, all of which do yearly rankings, rate the schools that you are considering.

Want information on applying to MBA programs?  Check out some of the resources available at the library:

             

Good luck in your hunt for a business degree!

 

Come September -- Time to Start Your Job Search

It is still summer and many are enjoying the sunny weather, days at the beach, vacation, or earning some extra money at summer jobs. New graduates may have taken the summer off for a last fling before looking for permanent full-time jobs.

Well, summer is almost half-over and September is just around the corner--only a month away. It's about that time--time to start putting your job search plans into action, researching potential employers, writing resumes and cover letters, creating portfolios, checking out job fairs-- or planning your gap year.

Why not check out the library's Find Your Way to Job & Career Help and click on Job Searching and Market Yourself? You will find suggested books and programs as well as links to helpful online tools and suggested websites, such as Job Search @ Your Fingertips, Cold calling, and Scott's Business Directories Online.

You might also want to check out some of the upcoming job fairs in the Toronto area:

Canada Job Expo
Along with exploring employment opportunities, job seekers can take part in free seminars and workshops. Free admission, no registration required.
• Tuesday August 30th, 10am - 3pm
• North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto
• Visit www.canadajobexpo.com for more info.

The National Job Fair & Training Expo
General admission is $3.95 for this large semiannual event.
• Tuesday September 27 & Wednesday September 28, 10am-7pm
• Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Hall A
• Learn more about the National Job Fair & Training Expo. --   http://www.thenationaljobfair.com/n/en/home/

Hire Canada Job/Career Fair & Training Expo
On site recruiters, free resume critiquing, career specialists and admissions staff will be available. Free admission.
• Wednesday September 14th, 11am - 4pm
• Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road West, Mississauga
• Visit www.hirecanada.ca for more information.
 
 Bilingual Job Fair
Jobs in administration, customer service, and collection for French-speaking candidates.
• Wednesday September 14th
• Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front Street West, Toronto (in front of Union Station)
• Visit bilinguallink.com for more information. http://bilinguallink.com/Page/2352/0-1/Job+Fair+Event.aspx

    

 

 

 

  
 

Midaynta 4 Day Job Search Workshop for Newcomers

A career counsellor from Midaynta will help newcomers who are Permanent Residents, Convention Refugees or Live-In Caregivers with developing a professional resume, cover letters, job interview techniques, how to market your skills effectively, Canadian labour market information, networking/hidden job market, understanding work place culture, and other job search tools.

When: August 8,9,10,11 2011

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where: North York Central Library, Room 2/3

Register by phoning 416-395-5613.

Building your career one country at a time

My daughter recently returned back from working in Spain for a year.  An adventure?  Most definitely.  Did she travel?  Oh yes.  But what was her ultimate motive for going on this journey?  She has been carefully planning a path towards a career in international development.  In order to reach this goal, she has supplemented her academic achievements with language proficiency that was gained by living and working in a foreign country.   The next program that she is enrolled in will take her to a developing country to gain first hand experience that can be put on a resume when she begins applying for jobs.

Why would you work abroad?  If you are early in your chosen career, you might to do it to gain work experience.  If you are already established in your profession, you might want to work abroad because you are transferred to another country or decide to apply your skills to assist humanitarian groups abroad, or want to return to your family's birthplace.  No matter where you are in your career, working abroad allows you to build on skills you already possess or develop new ones.  It offers diversity of experiences in your resume, and can set you apart from other equally qualified applicants.

A recent article in the June/July 2011 issue of CGA's Statements magazine, entitled "Developing Opportunities CGA's On Pursuing Careers in Developing Countries and Emerging Economies" by Jeff Buckstein, while giving career advice for accountants, also offers some good general tips for considering working abroad. It includes such tips as volunteering for an organization that does charitable work abroad, using social media such as LinkedIn and Facebook, networking with family and friends overseas.

The downside?  Losing some of the contacts that you have here at home if you spend an extended amount of time outside of the country.  Staying up on trends in your profession can also be a challenge, especially if you are working in a developing country.

Interested in working abroad?  Check out the upcoming annual Go Global Expo.  (Toronto's date is September 24-25, 2011).  Want to read up more on this topic?  Check out the following books available at branches of Toronto Public Library.

             

           

And check out Foreign Affairs Canada's webpage on working abroad. Would you consider working abroad?  What country would you choose to work in?

Before Job Search, there's Career Search-- What should I do with the rest of my life?

You may be in high school or university or in a job you wish you weren't. You ask yourself, "What should I do with the rest of my life?"

If you are like me, you probably will take some career interest tests. They can be helpful guides but are not foolproof. For myself, the test results stated that I liked "everyone and everything." Career Cruising has an assessment available online.

Some people make a choice, spend several years in a career, and find it is not the one for them. They then have to decide whether to remain or change careers. They and you can help narrow down your career choices by volunteering in various fields or doing temp work. That way you can see if you like something or not.

I knew someone who became a doctor--because that was what his father wanted for him. It wasn't the career for him. He wanted to be a lawyer--and that is just what he did once he could afford it on his own.

Someone else I knew was interested in arts and crafts. She volunteered at a nearby senior's home, liked it and decided to go back to school and get her degree while continuing to volunteer. Once she graduated and a job became available, she was there, ready and waiting, and with concrete experience.

I did temp work for several years. I worked in banks, advertising, jewellery stores, accounting firms, and computer development companies. Several of them offered me full-time jobs and I knew from experience which ones I enjoyed--and which I didn't.

You can attend job fairs, ask questions, interview people in careers you might be interested in, and read some books on volunteering, gap years, working part-time, and on various careers. The library has several series you might want to look at. For a couple of examples, just go to the Toronto Public Library website and search for titles starting with FabJob Guide to... or Great Jobs for... There are many more.

While you're at it, why not check out some of the library's recommended websites.

Toronto Public Library Recommended Websites for temp work

Toronto Public Library Recommended Websites for job fairs

   

 

Teen Volunteer Services in Libraries

 

 

   
 Green Volunteers: the World Guide to Voluntary Work in Nature Conservation

 

 

 

 Gap Years for Grown Ups

 

 

 

 

The Anti 9-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube