Career and Job Search Help Blog

Important Career Info for Internationally Trained Professionals

If you are an internationally trained professional looking to build your career in Ontario or know someone who is on the same quest, have a look at these relevant sites.

The Ontario government's initiative to help these professionals integrate and contribute to the Ontario economy is the Ontario Bridge Training programs. They help skilled newcomers get their license or certificate in their profession or trade, so that they can work in Ontario. Each bridge training program is unique, but in general they are designed to give internationally trained professionals:

• an assessment of their education and skills
• clinical or workplace experience
• skills training or targeted academic training
• preparation for a license or certification examination
• occupation-related language training
• individual learning plans to identify any added training needed

 

Global Experience Ontario is a one-stop centre offering a range of services for internationally trained individuals.

The GEO centre provides information for people who intend to apply to a regulatory body to obtain licensure to work in their field. Knowledgeable staff can explain the process for licensing and registration in Ontario.

English and French services are available in person, by telephone and online. Staff at the GEO centre also respond to information requests from prospective newcomers.

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials This centre provides information and referrals for people interested in coming to work in Canada. However what this centre is really known for is Information and referral on the assessment of foreign academic credentials, the recognition of qualifications, prior learning assessment and recognition, and credential assessment and evaluation services in Canada.

A New Year - A New Career?

A new year is approaching--is it time for a new career? Have you been thinking about a new job? Or maybe a different aspect of your current job--maybe upgrading and advancing? 

Do you like your current job but feel you can't advance? Look into upgrading your skills and training.

Perhaps there aren't enough opportunities with your present employer. Speak to your boss, your Human Resources department, co-workers, and network with people in similar companies to see what you need to move ahead. You might want to move out on your own, become an entrepreneur and start your own business.

Maybe you want something completely different. If you know what you are looking for--you have always wanted to be a chef, an architect, a designer--research it. What credentials, training, education do you need? What is the job market? Do you want to specialize in a particular aspect--not just a chef but a pastry chef or specializing in Spanish cuisine; a designer of kitchens? If starting your own business, is there a demand or market for your services or products? What is the competition?

How do you know if you will like this new career? Speak to people doing it. Network. Volunteer. Try it out. I worked for some temporary agencies and got experience in banking, accounting, and other types of companies--actual work experience--and found some I enjoyed and others I didn't. You can do the same.

The library has books, databases, and programs that can help you. Check out the Careers & Training area of our Job & Career Help section of our website, as well as the Business & Personal Finance section if thinking of starting your own business.

              

 

       

 

How do I Prepare for that Job Interview?

My cover letter caught their attention; my resume was great. Now I have an interview! How do I prepare? I don't want to blow it!

Some things to consider:

Be prepared. Research the company ahead of time--that can give you an edge in answering their questions and also a heads up in knowing what questions to ask them. They will be impressed, knowing you were interested enough in working for them that you took the time to learn about them.

Dress to impress--appropriately to get the job you are applying for. A construction worker, artist, entertainer, business consultant, engineer, architect, actor, health care worker, accountant, teacher all have different skills and job requirements. The first impression can set the tone for the interview.

Appear confident and self-assured. This will inspire confidence in your abilities. I once made the mistake of appearing too confident and too relaxed. We all enjoyed the interview and laughed a lot, but I didn't get the job. Remember, they are not your friends, but potential employers. Even if applying for a job working for a friend, they want to know you are sincere.

Bring several copies of your resume with you. The interviewers will probably have a copy with them and may refer to it. I suggest several copies in case there are more than one interviewer and they don't each have a copy--but YOU are prepared.

BE ON TIME! Make sure you know how to get there and give yourself plenty of time. You never know what may happen on the way to the interview--you may take a wrong turn, run into traffic or delays on the TTC.

Do some practice interviews beforehand, with a friend acting as the employer. If possible, tape these. Then you can see how well you do or where you need improvement.

The library has some books, audiobooks and e-books that may help you--and with a lot more ideas than I have given you. And don't forget the library's Find Your Way to Job & Career Help. There you will find lists of databases, books, and websites to help you be successful in getting the job you want.

Check out some of these:

             

                 

                        

 

Careers in Healthcare

When you think of careers in the healthcare field, what comes to mind immediately are nurses and doctors; but, there are so many other careers that you and I might not think of immediately. For instance, in the hearing health field, you can study to become a Hearing Instrument Practitioner. They provide services such as hearing assessment using an audiometer (or other methods)  to identify hearing issues and select, prepare, alter, adapt, verify, sell and distribute hearing instruments. Audiologists - they provide assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and preventive measures. In the medical imaging diagnostics field, you can become a radiologist. This physician specializes in interpreting the results of imaging exams; some are known as interventional radiologists. They are responsible for the delivery of image-guided procedures and therapies.

According to Statistics Canada, health care and social assistance added 20,000 workers in June of this year. This industry's employment level was virtually unchanged from 12 months earlier.

To find out more about these and other healthcare careers, check out our Career Cruising Database. And don't forget our books!

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

Boomers' Kids in a Job Squeeze: What To Do?

In conversation with a friend the other day, I heard that it's been difficult for young people in the 15 - 24 age group to get a job. The Conference Board of Canada indicated that the unemployment rate is around 14%, double of the jobless rate for the workforce as a whole.

Part of the problem is the cyclical weakness in our economy. During the 2008 recession, youth jobless rates crept up to nearly 2.5 times the average. Another factor is that people are working longer. They are in better health than those of the previous (pre-WW) generation and they have more money. Baby boomers, now 47-65 years old, are taking longer than expected to retire. Baby boomers, especially, have lost some money in the recent economic downtown. At the same time, the echo boomers (children of the boomers) have been graduating and entering the workforce in droves, adding to the unemployment rate.

But there is hope yet! Some experts say that this bottleneck will soon ease, perhaps as early as 2015. Fewer people were born in the 1990s, says David Foot, famed demography, economist and author of Boom, Bust and Echo.

     

 

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.

 

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.

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

 

                 

 

Which Canadian Industries are Top Employers?

While on the topic of top employers (companies), I thought it would be interesting to check out which industries in Canada are top employers. Lo and behold, it turns out that the retail industry is the country's largest employer - employing 12% of Canada's workforce. All right - let's go shopping!

Business services such as real estate, communications, and financial services also employed just as many Canadians. Other large employers can be found in this Canada FAQ.