Career and Job Search Help Blog

TalentEgg: Online Recruitment for Students and New Graduates

 Transitioning from student to adult life can be quite stressful, but exciting too.Getting that dream job after you graduate may not be as easy as you thought it would be. Thats why its important to start planning for that dream job before you graduate.

Talentegg.ca is Canada's most popular job site and online resource for students and new graduates. It was created by Lauren Friese in 2008 after she realized how hard the transition was from school to work. Lauren went to grad school at the London School of economics after completing a BA in economics Queen's University. She found that the transition from school to work was a lot easier in London, due to all of the free career online resources. She based TalentEgg on the UK website Milkround after wondering why we didn't have anything like it in Canada. There was an article about TalentEgg last year in the Financial Post, Lauren said that England had a lot more online resources and job leads for:

“People with lots of education and not a lot of work experience who wanted that ‘first step’ into a career.”

This is how most students feel when they graduate - that they have all this education but no experience and most employers are looking for both experience and education. So, TalentEgg now provides meaningful Canadian summer jobs, internships, full time work, co-ops and entry level positions - perfect for students and graduates. There are thousands of jobs available daily and hundreds of active employers.TalentEgg actually has an Employer Directory which includes profiles of each company  such as:

• Proctor & Gamble
• Rexall
• Bell
• Freedom 55 Financial
• Suncor Energy
• Loblaw, and many more.

The site has a wealth of great information such as comprehensive career guides for many fields such as: accounting, aboriginal careers, Canadian armed forces, consulting, engineering, green jobs, healthcare and many more. There are also great videos on the site which cover a wide range of topics, here is a video about how continuing education can make you more employable

 

At North York Central Library, the business department will be hosting a program How to Hatch Your Career Through Networking with Cassandra Jowett who is the content manager for TalentEgg.

Cassandra Jowett, content manager from TalentEgg.ca will share how she hatched
her own career through networking while she was a student at Ryerson University,
and provide easy-to-use strategies that will help students and grads become
better networkers both online and in real life.

FREE. Call (416)395-5613 to register.

North York Central Library - Room 2/3

6:30 - 8:00pm

 

We hope to see you there! Its okay if you don't get a chancce to register and you can drop in as long as there is space available.

 

Job Search Sessions at the Toronto Reference Library

The Toronto Reference Library offers user education sessions on job search, small business and investment research. If you are looking for a job or are changing careers, you can attend one of our classes called “Are You Looking for a Job?” This session provides you with information about online and print library resources related to job searching. You will be introduced to ways to create a list of companies in the field of your interest and how to find detailed information about a particular company. The class provides information on the resources which can help you to decide on a career and discover job postings in your field. Spring 2013 sessions are on: April 13^th at 3 pm; May 8^th at 3 pm; June 24^th at 6 pm.

Opening Doors to Your Future - 2013 Career and Job Fair

     There are two parts to this job fair!

     The main event:

     Opening Doors to Your Future

     When: Thursday, March 7, 2013

     Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

     Where: North York Central Library

                 5120 Yonge St.

                 2nd Floor Auditorium

     Admission: FREE   -   No registration

Network with employers and apply for a variety of jobs. Dress appropriately as interviews may happen on-site. Bring electronic and hard copies of your resume.

Employers include: Canadian Tire, CN Tower, Desjardins Securities, Paragon Security, Real Canadian Superstore, Stock Transportation, UPS, Zylog, and MORE.....

 

How do you prepare for a job fair? You can attend the

Pre-Event: Preparing for Success

When: Thursday, February 21, 2013

Time: 9 a.m.  - 1 p.m.

Where: North York Central Library

            5120 Yonge St., 2nd Floor Auditorium

Admission: FREE   -    Registration is required

REGISTER for the pre-event at the Employment Centre (EC) Portal:

toronto.ca/employmentandsocialservices

Learn about specific jobs or sectors directly from employers and industry experts and receive information about the services and supports available to help you in your career.

The job fair is sponsored by Toronto Employment & Social Services and the North York Central Library.

Contact Margaret Lockhart at 416-397-9509 for more information.

So you want to get into House Flipping? Come and Learn!

Entrepreneurship is booming right now in Ontario, there are all sorts of paths which people choose, including real estate investments. People have been investing into properties in order to make a profit for a very long time. Now people are taking it further and completely overhauling broken homes, renovating them, re-selling them and making a nice profit! There are so many shows about house flipping like Flip That House, Flip This House, Flipping Out, Property Ladder etc. The problem is most of the shows are American and in Canada the rules are a little different. I enjoy watching them and dreaming of flipping a house myself too!

 

Come join us Next Monday for our last program in our Small Business Series From Renos to Riches: The Canadian Real Estate Guide:

Join Ian Szabo, expert house flipper, and author of the only Canadian title in the field of investing in renovations - From Renos to Riches: The Canadian Real Estate Investor's Guide to Practical and Profitable Renovations. He will discuss how to assess the scope of a renovation project and make wise renovation investments for maximum returns. Learn how to attract and keep tenants, improve cash flow, keep maintenance to a minimum, and how to really flip a house!

 

Hope to see you there!

 

 

Job Search - Market Yourself

You are in the Career and Job Search Help blog, but have you checked out the Job and Career Help pages on the Toronto Public Library's website?

It is broken down into sections -- Job & Career Help; Market Yourself; Job Searching; Career Training; Success -- each full of helpful tools, links, online sources, books, and many other resources to help you in your job search.

In the Market Yourself section, for example, there is a listing of New Job Interviewing titles now available in the library. You can place your cursor over the picture of the book you want, click on it, and be taken right to the library's catalogue where you can place a hold on it.

Below that there is a listing of current blogs, such as this one, but related to resumes and cover letters, in other words, "marketing yourself." 

In the column on the right, there is first a listing of Online Tools. Through the library's website and with your library card and pin number, you have free access to online versions of Scott's Business Directories Online, Business Writing, Financial Post (FP) Advisor, and Associations Canada from anywhere in the world.

Below the Online Tools, there are some Recommended Websites and links such as Cold calling: a time-tested method of job-hunting and a Guide to Interviewing Resources from quintcareers.com, The interview game: illegal questions from careerlinkbc.com, and The Riley Guide: Prepare your resume for email and online posting from rileyguide.com.

 

 

CultureLink Free 5-Day Job Search Workshop for Newcomers, Fall 2012

There are two upcoming 5-day job search workshops, one in October and another in November 2012.

A career counselor 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: October 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, 2012

           November 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2012

Where: North York Central Library, Room 2/3

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Call 416-395-5613 to register

Have your say : Helping to find employment and career opportunities

Toronto Public Library, like any large organization, sets goals for itself on a regular basis.  Every few years, the library seeks input from you, the people we serve, for ideas and to gauge if we are providing the types of services and resources you need.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, you are engaged with what we are trying to do. Whether you are looking for employment, considering a career change, or trying to become a better employee, or looking for resources to keep your job skills sharp, we want to hear from you.

Join the Conversation!

Toronto Public Library is developing the Strategic Plan 2012-2015 to help achieve its draft vision:

Toronto Public Library will be recognized as the world’s leading public library, helping make Torontonians smarter, successful and resilient, through excellent and responsive service.

Your feedback is important to us. Help the library develop this plan for residents of Toronto by taking the time to fill in our survey online.

Please have your say by telling us:

1. How has the library helped you find a job?
2. What career and job search information is most important to you?
3. How else can the library help support you in your exploration of professions, career development or finding employment in Toronto?

Need Help Starting your Own Business? Come to a Business Inc. Course Orientation for more info!

 

Starting a business is both an exciting and overwhelming experience. Whether you intend on starting a business within the next six months, or would like to accelerate the growth of an early-stage business, Business Inc. could be just what you need to boost your plans.

There will be 3 locations offering the program, enrolment is limited to 20 participants per location (60 participants total). Applications are available online as well as at the branches where the program is being offered, they are due by Friday, September 28, 2012. The applications will be reviewed for: attendance at the orientation session, opportunity for business growth and a potentially viable business idea.

All branches participating will be having Business Inc. Orientation Sessions about a month prior to the start of the actual program, where you can find out more information. You can register for the Orientation sessions either online, via email (businc@tbdc.com), or telephone (416)-345-9437. I'll provide the links as well as program dates and details below:

North York Central Library Branch - Mondays, October 15 to December 10, 2012. 6:30 - 9:30pm. North York Central Library Online Orientation Registration

Cederbrae Branch - Tuesdays, October 16 to December 11, 2012. 6:30 - 9:30pm. Cederbrae Library Online Orientation Registration

York Woods Branch - Wednesdays, October 17 to December 12, 2012. 6:30 - 9:30pm. York Woods Library Online Orientation Registration

Business Inc. is a 9 week business program offered at Toronto Public Library in partnership with the City of Toronto and the Toronto Business Development Centre which is an independent non profit, non government organization dedicated to nurturing the growth of new and emerging businesses. Upon completion of the program you will receive a Business Seminar Series Certificate of Completion and you'll be eligible to apply for a small business loan ranging from $5,000 - $30,000.

Each week different business modules are covered:

• Week 1 - Taking the leap to entrepreneurship
• Week 2 - Market research for your business
• Week 3 - Resources for researching your business
• Week 4 - Developing a powerful marketing strategy
• Week 5 - Launching your business online
• Week 6 - Creating an operating framework for success
• Week 7 - Building blocks for financial management
• Week 8 - Financing for business growth
• Week 9 - Making your pitch

The program costs $100 + HST per participant ($113), the value of the program is actually $700 - this program is generously supported by the Toronto Public Library Foundation. During the program you will have the opportunity to: prepare/update your business plan, access a business advisor and network with other entrepreneurs.

If Business Inc. isn't what you're looking for don't forget this October is Small Business Month at Toronto Public Library. There are free small business programs happening at libraries all across Toronto in the fall.

Using Library Resources to Find the Job That is Right for You

By Jeffrey

I was teaching a computer class on finding job ads online and encountered a very interesting patron. The class involved learning how to subscribe to job alert notifications on a free database called Job Bank. I was walking around the room, asking our customers if they needed assistance, and I found a customer who looked somewhat puzzled. When I asked if she needed help she appreciatively said she did. Finding the right "keywords" to type into the database can be challenging and I was happy to assist her.

 

When I asked her "what she did," she responded that she was a personal support worker. I then mistakenly proceeded to link what she did as a job to her identity when I said "So, you're a personal support worker." This is something we all do in our interactions, for instance when we ask "what do you do for a living?" people will respond "I am a doctor or teacher or librarian" because what we do for a living shapes who we are. This woman quickly responded that being a support worker was what she did, not who she was. This comment led to some reflection on my part.

 

I believe that "you are what you do" in certain respects. I enjoy being a librarian because it fits my personality: I enjoy helping others, I would choose a book over TV any day and I like challenging myself by finding that golden nugget of information. Of course, I have a life outside of work but I enjoy finding materials for friends and relatives in my spare time in areas like health, business or personal growth information.

 

Library customers looking to return to school to start the path to a new career and foreign trained professionals looking to upgrade should attend Maria A. Shchuka Library's College and University Fair on Wednesday, August 8th from 2:00-4:00 PM. This fair was put together in partnership with North York Community House. The program does not require any signups. For any questions, please call 416-394-1000.

 

Participating institutions will inclide Trios College, Herzig College, Humber College, University of Toronto, York University, and the Learning Enrichment Foundation. 

 

Be sure to check out these classic books that also share the philosophy that your job and your personality can align in some way.

  

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.