Career and Job Search Help Blog

Market Research & Launching Your Business Online

 

Being a small business owner can be tough these days. Often one of the hardest parts about opening a small business is conducting market research. Market research should always be done both prior to opening a business and while your business is running to stay abreast with current industry trends. Some of the questions people may ask themselves before opening a small business are:

• How feasible is your business idea?
• How do you know what your customers want?
• Who will your customers be, how do you get them to remain loyal?
• How much risk is involved?

You are basically trying to predict the future - which is not an easy task. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start. Some companies pay thousands of dollars to conduct market research. However, you can do your own research - at the library of course!

                                     http://tomfishburne.com/2009/01/glass-half-full.html

You are basically trying to predict the future - which is not an easy task. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start. Some companies pay thousands of dollars to conduct market research. However, you can do your own research - at the library of course!

On Tuesday June 26 from 6:30 - 8:30 the Business department at North York Central Library is hosting a seminar Small Business Success: Market Research & Launching Your Business Online . We'll teach you how to use some of our databases and other online/library resources to conduct effective market research. You can call the Business Department at 416-395-5613. Hope to see you there!

 

CultureLink Free 5-day Job Search Workshop for Newcomers

A career counselor from CultureLink 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: June 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2012

Where: North York Central Library, Room 2/3

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Call 416-395-5613 to register.

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!

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!

 

 

 

Directories? How can they help me find a job?

Directories? How can they help me find a job? Aren't they just lists of companies, corporations, associations and things like that? Well, yes, but that is what you need when looking for a job. If you want a job in the hotel industry or engineering or construction, it helps to know something about the company or organization.

For an active job search, you can't just rely on posted job ads, want ads, job banks, or placement agencies, especially to get a job in something you like. With a directory you can see how large or small a company is, find names of people to contact, website and mailing addresses, phone  and fax numbers, all the information you need to contact them directly.

Many company's with available positions post them on their own websites. You can often see if there are opportunities for advancement, which may help you decide, "Is this a place I would like to work?" Even if there are no postings listed, you can send in a resume, targetting your skills to fit the company's needs. You can impress them with your knowledge and interest in the company with your cover letter, mentioning information about that particular company. They may not need someone at the moment, but if impressed, may contact you or keep you in mind for the future. For all you know, "Janice" or "Charlie" may resign the next day or a week later and there is your resume, at the right place at the right time!

Directories can offer you leads and openings to some of the "hidden" job markets, as well as to greater information about a company that may just give you the "edge" with your resume, cover letter, and especially for your interview. When you see a job ad or a placement agency is sending you for an interview, use the directory to learn something about the company or organization.

Some directories are available online through the library's website, some from your home with your library card,  and some only at either of the research branches, North York Central Library and Toronto Reference Library. Many are available in print form and are listed in the library's catalogue. Two of the most popular are Scott's and Associations Canada, but, SURPRISE!, just as with jobs, there are those "hidden" directories.

Many magazines publish an issue each year which includes a directory or buyer's guide. These are often not listed in the library's catalogue but you can come to the North York Central Library's Business Department on the 4th floor. One of our librarians keeps an "eagle eye" out for these. She pulls them out and adds them to a list of titles and subjects in a binder in our Directory area, making it easy for you to find that SPECIAL directory. It may have something to do specifically with the automotive industry, the food industry, real estate. Here are some examples on topics dear to my heart. Come to the library find some on topics that appeal to you.

Searching for a job, try a "Job Search @ Your Fingertips" workshop

Are you looking for a job, and need some more resources for your search? The library is a good place to start. Every month North York Cental Library has a workshops called Job Search @ Your Fingertips usually on a Thursday afternoon from 2:00 - 3:30. Registration is required, you can register in the business department on the 4th floor of North York Central Library or call 416-395-5613. In these workshops online career resources are discussed, using the library website. Career related databases are also explored, such as:

 

Business Writing 

Core skills for business writing including letters, reports, emails, etc. This is a good resource for assisting with grammar especially for resumes and cover letters. This database is available anywhere with a library card.

 

Scott's Business Directories Online

Canadian company information by product, type, location, exports, demographics, contact information. This database allows you to search for companies across Canada by geographic region and many career categories. The database provides company information such as: executive names and email addresses, company websites, yearly estimated sales, company size etc. You can find companies to contact in your field for employment. This database is available anywhere with a library card.

 

Canada Employment Weekly

Canada's Largest Career Newspaper which lists full time occupation for thousands of jobs for over 80 occupations every week. Online access is available only at North York Central and Toronto Reference Library - you can ask library staff to help you.

 

 

Other libraries have many other Career & Job search related programs such as:

Resumes and Cover Letters that get Results,

Access the 80-90% of Hidden Market Jobs 

Ontario Works Information Session.

 

Click the link for other Career & Job Search programs at a branch near you.

 

Recommended Websites for Job Searchers

We have uncovered more websites for job hunters. Here is a selection of some that we have indexed lately in the Job Search and Careers category of Recommended Websites on the Toronto Public Library website.

Alberta Oil Sands Employment - from ServiceCanada

Vicinity Jobs  - find jobs close to home in cottage country and other smaller towns and cities in Ontario.

Jobrapido - search through all jobs posted on career sites in Canada

Workapedia - British Columbian website has useful links about careers and job search strategies.

Ontario Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment - information from the province of Ontario about the new legislation.

Hiring? A Human Rights Guide - from the Ontario Human Rights Commission. What employers can ask and what they can't.

Association of Ontario Midwives - employment opportunities for midwives

Employment Search Engines and Job Posting Websites - our own blog post which highlights many of the top job posting websites for Canadian job searchers. Check out the employment search engines which retrieve jobs posted on company career pages. Most link right to the company's own website. This is one way to pin-point those "hidden jobs".

Visit our pathfinder (Find Your Way) for more career and job help information.

This is my last blog post for Toronto Public Library as I am retiring. I hope that you have found these posts useful and informative. I have enjoyed sharing my finds with you.

Look for more blog posts from my colleagues who work at Toronto Reference LIbrary and North York Central (business department). I leave you in good hands!

 

Job Search & Resume Help at the Library

Starting today at Lillian H. Smith branch, staff from Service Canada will be available on four Monday afternoons, 4:30 - 6pm. This free service is for 15 to 30 year olds. For more information, see this blog post.  Service Canada is offering in-branch services and programs at other branches, other dates and times. See the Programs & Classes section of the Toronto Public Library website.

The library offers a variety of programs for job hunters. For example, Eatonville has a program on mining the hidden job market. Parliament St. branch has a program in French about LinkedIn. See  Programs & Classes for more free programs.

Learn More, Learn More About Job Hunting

How does this sound? A free course in using a cash register. AYCE has a free course coming up this Friday. Check their site for this and other programs.

Or are you having trouble figuring out what to do next? The Career Foundation has a class that helps you explore the different career opportunities that are currently in demand. See how your existing skills can be transferred to the right job.

Want to find unadvertised jobs? Access Employment Services has a session on May 12th on cold calling - how to make contact with employers. Check the calendar on their website for this and other training opportunities.

Don't forget the nuts and bolts of job hunting. Check out WoodGreen Jobs. They have sessions on resumes, interview skills and more.  CultureLink holds Job Search Workshops which teach you everything you need about job hunting. Some of CultureLink's programs are held at Toronto Public Library branches.

Find other agencies that offer these and similar free classes through the Employment Ontario help finder or through 211Toronto's list of organizations that offer job search training.

Last but not least, TPL has upcoming employment classes in French and English, including resume workshops, social networking to find jobs and more. Check to see what's on offer near you.