Job Fair Survival

It’s that time of year again!  Job fairs are popping up everywhere.  If you are in the Toronto area and are looking for employment, be sure to check out the National Job Fair and Training Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Sept. 30 and Oct.1.

Here are a list of job fair tips from the Winter/Spring 2008 issue of My Career Magazine.

1. Update or revamp your résumé – Make sure that you bring an updated and error-free résumé.
2. Review and prioritize the list of exhibitors – The list of employers is usually posted weeks in advance.  Take some time to review who is going to be there and make a list of who you want to visit.  Map out where you want to go, this way you hit all the booths you want to visit first and then go to the others after.
3. Prepare, practice, and memorize your personal infomercial – Create a 15-30 second introduction.  This tells the employer who you are and why they should consider hiring you.
4. Bring a job fair kit -  This kit should include at least 20-30 copies of your résumé, portfolio or folder, pen, notepad, and networking cards.
5. Prepare a list of two to three questions to ask employers – Since your time with each employer is limited, have your questions prepared ahead of time.  This also shows interest and preparedness on your part.
6. Dress for success – Dress as you would for a job interview.
7. Arrive at the event early – Getting there early allows you to speak to the employers while they are still fresh and energetic.  You may also avoid some of the line ups at some of your top choice employers.
8. Ask the employer representative for their business card – This allows you to get their email address to send a follow-up “Thank You” letter.
9. Be courteous and respect the employers’ supply of samples and materials - Always ask before taking samples or “giveaways” at booths.
10. Smile, shake hands and be confident – Smile and be confident.  Enjoy yourself and see this as a networking opportunity!

Using a career portfolio

Many of you have probably never heard of a career portfolio, and those of you who have probably think that it is something that art students showcase their work in when going to interviews.  How very wrong you are!  EVERYONE who is looking for a job should have a portfolio, and bring it to every job interview you have.

A career portfolio is a place for you to compile anything you have done at school or in previous positions that you are proud of and want to show to potential employers.  It is used during an interview to provide proof to claims that you make about your skills and experience.  A portfolio is also a good way to showcase any awards, certificates or reference letters you have received.

Ryerson University’s Career Services has complied a list of things you should you include in a portfolio.

• Statement of originality - This is where you claim everything in the portfolio as your own.  This is also the place that you should request confidentiality from anyone who views it.
• Work philosophy - What you stand for and what you believe in.  This is a good place to stand out from the rest of the crowd and let your interviewers know why you are a good candidate for the position.
• Career goals - This is your place to let your interviewers know what you want to accomplish, and that you are looking for a career and not just a job.  Avoid using broad statements and get into specifics.
• Resume – Always include your resume!  Make sure that it is error-free and is tailored to the job you are interviewing for.
• Skills Section - This is where you put examples of your work.  If you claim that you can write a business plan, then put an example of one.  Tab off different sections for each skill and include a couple examples in each.  This is your chance to prove to you interviewer that you actually have the skills you claim to have.
• Certificates, diplomas, awards – This is where you put copies (not originals) of all your diplomas, degrees and certificates.  If you have received any awards, put them here too!
• Community Service - You can include samples of work completed while volunteering or letters of recommendation, etc.
• Professional Membership/Certifications - Again, put any certifications you have, or memberships to associations you belong to.  You can include any document that confirms your involvement or membership in professional associations.
• References – This is where you include your list of references, including all pertinent contact information.  You may want to create a short biography or profile of each to explain who the person is and their relationship to you.

All of this information should be neatly displayed in clear plastic sheets in a 3-ring binder.  Be sure to separate each section, letting your interviewer know what they are looking at.

Find a job in 10 steps!

Although there is some uncertainty in the job market right now, there are still many positions that need to be filled.  You just need to know where and how to look.  Monster.ca has posted 10 steps to finding a job, and if they are followed in order, can help lead you to a job!

• Understand the reality of job hunting. You need to have the right frame of mind before you start your job search.  Here are some ideas that will get you started in your quest.

• Job hunting is about promoting yourself and your talent.
• Know your talent and how it will help employers.
• Finding a job takes time…think of it as a job!
• Don’t quit until you succeed.

• Assess yourself. Make a list of qualities and skills you possess, even personality traits.   The better you know yourself, the better able you are to determine what kinds of jobs you are looking for.

• Determine your objectives. Know what kind of job you want, where you want to work, and what kind of company you want to work for.  Know what you want from your job in 5, 10 years.

• Create a career portfolio. You need a place where you can put samples of your work, letters of  recommendation, degrees and diplomas, as well as awards & certificates.  With a portfolio you are not only telling your interviewer that you have done certain things, but you are showing them as well.

• Organize a support group. Enlist the aid of those around you.  Get them to help you research companies, look into job leads, etc.  As mentioned above, job hunting is a job in itself and 5 people can get more work done than 1.

• Target employers. After you have done your research, you should have a list of employers you want to work for.  Find out what kinds of positions they have open and if they are hiring.  You also need to find out the name of the person who is responsible for hiring in the department you wish to work in.

• Apply. Prepare your resume, cover letter and any other pertinent information and send it to the person in charge of hiring.  You may send it through email, mail or fax.  Make sure everything looks professional and is error-free. Remember that this is your chance to demonstrate how you would be beneficial to the company.

• Interview. Make sure you do your research.  ALWAYS prepare for an interview.  See “Preparing for the Interview” for more interview tips.  Also remember to send a follow-up thank you letter.

• Accept or reject the offer. Once the offers start coming in, you must carefully decide if you want to take it.  Don’t just take a job because it is offered to you.  No matter what your decision is, you should respond in writing.  You should also respond to rejections.  Show your appreciation and ask them to keep you in mind should something similar open up.

• Evaluate the process. If you don’t receive a job offer you are interested in, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I done everything necessary?
• How well did I accomplish each step?
• Where can I improve?

If you cannot answer these questions, or are still at a loss, perhaps you should seek out professional assistance.

Finding your perfect job may take some time, so remember not to get discouraged.  If you are persistant, it will pay off and you will be offered a job!

From the classroom to the boardroom

Congratulations!  You have received your first job out of school and are ready to take on the corporate world.  However, do you know how to act in the professional world?  Do you know what is expected of you?  The transition from classroom to boardroom is much easier than you think…here are a few tips to help you out, care of monster.ca.

• Find out exactly what time you are expected to be there.  Although the work day starts at 9, everyone may show up at 8:30.  On your first day, take note as to what time everyone takes their breaks (if they do at all), what time they take lunch and what time they leave at.
• Make a friend.  You will need to have at least one ally in your department.  It makes the work day go a lot faster having someone to talk to, and you may feel more comfortable asking this person questions.
• Eat in the lunchroom.  This gives you an opportunity to meet people in other departments, learn about the company culture and maybe even make a new friend.
• Dress for success.  This may be the biggest challenge for new grads.  You may be used to dressing in t-shirts and sweats everyday, but now you have to dress professionally.  Before your first day, find out the dress code.  On your first day, check out what everyone else is wearing.  This will give you a good indication as to what is expected of you.
• Learn to say ‘no’ when appropriate.  Although you may feel like you can’t say ‘no’ on your new job, remember that you need to be able to handle what is assigned to you.  You also don’t want to turn into the ‘yes’ person of the office.

The transition from the classroom to the boardroom need not be a difficult one.  Remember that everyone else has been in your place at one point or another.  It is also importnat to keep your eyes and ears open, as the best way to learn is from others.  For more tips, visit monster.ca.

How to land your first job

Although it may seem impossible right now to find a job, there are still literally thousands of jobs available out there.  You just need to know where and how to look.  Careerbuilder.ca has complied a list of tips for landing your first job out of school.

• Leave your parents at home. While it is very important to get your parents advice during your job search, DO NOT take them to interviews or career fairs with you and certainly do not have them call hiring managers.  This shows that you are dependant on them, that you are unable to show initiative or think strategically.
• Don’t focus on perfection. Odds are your first job is not going to be your dream job.  You need to know what aspects of the job you are willing to give up on right away and build up to.  For example, if the job doesn’t pay the best, but there is growth potential within a year, it might be better to take than a job that is not exactly what you are looking for but pays better.  Be sure to put serious consideration into all job offers.
• Stay true to your school. Your school’s career centre is one of your best resources during your job search.  Not only can you search for current job openings, but career councellors can also help you with your resume and cover letter, as well as give you interview tips.
• Make friends. You have heard it a million times…NETWORK!  Talk to people, let them know what you are looking for.  The more people you talk to, the better your chances are of hearing about a job in the “hidden job market.”
• Honesty if the best policy.  Do not lie on your resume.  While it may get you the interview and even the job, your employers will find out.  Whether they find out by calling previous employers, or through your performance in the first few days, they will find out you lied, so just don’t do it.

While it may not happen right away, you will find a job in your field.  You just need to have some patience and persistence.

Business Casual – What does it mean?

A large number of offices have implemented business casual dress codes.  Especially if you are fresh out of school, you may have no idea what this actually means or what is expected.  Bcjobs.ca gives a few things you can do to figure out exactly what is expected of you in a business casual office.

• Play it safe.  Your clothing should never be distracting, and if you think that people are going to be staring at you all day instead of doing their work, then you should save that outfit for the weekend.
• Observe Others. See what others wear around the office.  If you are preparing for your first day, think back to your interview.  Although it may be hard to remember, as you were probably nervous, you should be able to remember what at least one person was wearing.
• Pay attention to the details. Your entire look should be consistent. You may look great in your new suit, but wearing a pair of ratty old shoes will take away from the effect of the suit.
• Follow corporate policy. If in doubt, look at the company manual.  If dress code is not addressed in detail, then again, follow the dress of your coworkers and management.
• Ask for help. When you are shopping, ask the sales associate if they think your choice is business casual, ask your friends or ask your coworkers.  If you are still unsure, then don’t wear it!

While business casual dress varies from office to office, you really can’t go wrong with a pair of dress pants, a collared shirt (for men) or blouse (for women) and a nice pair of shoes.  Once you are at the office, you can judge what other people are wearing and cater your wardrobe accordingly.

Why you should consider post-graduate education

While it is still extremely early in the school year, you still need to think about your future (especially if you are in your last year!).  You may think that you are not ready to enter the “real” world, or maybe you don’t want to leave the safety to school.  If this sounds familiar, you should consider post-graduate education.  Postgraduate doesn’t mean that you need to get your Master’s or PhD, as there are plenty of colleges that offer 1 and 2 year post-graduate programs.

Here are some things to think about if you are considering post-graduate education:

First you need to really think about what you want to do for the rest of your life.  Post-grad gives you a chance to specialize.  Many degree programs are very broad, and post-grad gives you a chance to narrow it down.  Maybe you took a general arts degree, but are now thinking you want to work in Human Resources.  One year at a community college should get you a certificate in Human Resources Management. An MBA will help a general business student get into finance or marketing.

What is the biggest obstacle that new grads face?  Lack of work experience!  Well, many post-grads offer co-op and intern placements.  This gives you real work experience that you can put on your resume. These placements give you a chance to put your book learning to good use!

While in university, you learn theory, research and writing skills.  However, post-grad programs teach you the “hands on” skills that you need in the workplace.  For example, in a post-grad in Public Relations, you will learn to write press releases and communications plans – two skills essential to the field.  A Master’s degree for an arts student will fine tune the research skills that have already been taught in the undergrad years.

The job market is tough right now.  You need to stand out from the rest of the new grads searching for a job.  Postgraduate education is just one of the many ways you are able to do this.

Dealing with “New Job Jitters”

Starting a new job is always a nerve-wracking experience.  However, when it is your first job out of college or university, you will probably be even more nervous.  You worry about what kinds of assignments you are going to get, whether or not you are going to be able to do them, if your coworkers will like you, etc., etc., etc.

It is very important to remember that nerves are natural and as long as you can control them and don’t let them get the best of you, nerves may actually help you out in the long run.

Cheryl Stein, monster.ca’s personal coach gives some tips on combatting nervousness.

• Try to remember a time in your life when you started something new.  Remember how you felt, how you handled the situation and what the outcome was.  Of course, in order for this to work, you need to make sure that you remember a time in which you were successful!
• Give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself that feeling nervous is normal, and that the positive energy can actually help you in the long run.
• Look around and picture everyone else on their first day. Remember that everyone else has been in your shoes, even the president or CEO of your company.
• Remind yourself that nerves are good. Use that energy in a positive way.

Remember, it is good to be nervous.  However, if you let your nerves get the best of you, you may end up making mistakes that you generally would not make.  If you start to feel overwhelemed on your first day, take a short break to regroup, ask questions, or just talk to your coworkers.

Five lies we all tell at work

We all lie at work…and if you think you don’t, well then you are a liar.  Careerbuilder.ca has compiled a list of lies that we have all told at work at one point or another.

1. “I’d be happy to.” How often have you said this and actually meant it?  If you are busy or have too much on your plate, let your supervisor know.  It will look much worse if you do not complete a task than if you say you are too busy to take it on.
2. “No, I don’t have any questions.” If you have a question, speak up!  Many of us fear appearing dumb when asking a question, but you will look far worse doing a task incorrectly.
3. “My alarm didn’t go off.” Sometimes this is true, but if you are late, just leave it at that.  Just a quick apology is all that is needed.
4. “I’m not sick, it’s allergies.” If you are sick, then take a sick day.  That’s what they are for.  You are much less productive on these days, and a full day of rest will help you a lot more in the long run than trying to work through an illness.
5. “I’m right on schedule.” If you are not on schedule, don’t tell your supervisors that you are.  Instead of saying that you are on schedule, simply say you are working on it.

People lie all the time, and little white lies generally don’t hurt anyone.  However, save yourself the hassle and keep your lying at work to a minimum.  It will only help you in the long run!

Jobs that make over $70,000

If you are like most people, you want to make to make good money at a job that you love.  Here are 15 jobs that pay over $70,000 per year, care of careerbuilder.ca. Not only are these jobs great money makers, but they are expected to experience growth in the next 8 years.  Something to keep in mind when deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life.

• Radiation therapist – $70,010
• Nuclear power reactor operator – $70,410
• Management analyst – $70,990
• Psychologist – $71,551
• Environmental engineer – $72,350
• First-line supervisor/manager of police and detectives – $72,620
• Computer systems analyst – $73,090
• Advertising and promotions manager – $73,666
• Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officer – $74,170
• Administrative services manager – $75,083
• Education administrator, postsecondary – $75,780
• Marine engineers and naval architect – $76,200
• Physician assistant – $78,450
• Agricultural sciences teacher, postsecondary – $78,460