Employment - Job Advice
 |
|||||
|
Are you part of the "Workforce Catch 22"? Can't get a job without the work experience, and you can't get the experience if no one hires you? Even worse, with today's economy and layoffs not only making it hard to find a job, now the field is flooded. Stick around and learn how to stand out in a crowd.
Knowing what your first move should be, is very important. Here is a list to get you started on the road to success:
1. Stay focused on the main goal.
Keep a positive mental attitude. You have to first believe in yourself and your skills (everybody has them!) When you have confidence it can be better than the most expensive dress or suit that your competition could be wearing.
If fact, there are many points working in your favour. Don't think of yourself as "having no experience", think of yourself as "being current and caught up on the latest industry trends", and with your young skillset you can out-navigate, -produce and -network most older workers. In fact many employers even look to hire younger, or less-experienced workers so that they can mold them into their business model.
2. Network!
I know it sounds kind of scary or big-business like, but have you ever actually considered how many people that you may know? Think of it, former teachers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, everybody that you have tagged in Facebook or maybe people that you went to school with. Now rethink of all of these people as connections to the working world. Odds are at least a few of them have jobs, and maybe the same interests as you. Don't be shy, get in contact with them, they know people. I believe that it was Brantford's own Wayne Gretzky that said "You miss 100% of the shots that you don't take". Give it a shot, just a simple outing for a cup of coffee or volunteering for an event, could lead you in the right direction. GET OUT THERE!
3. Use your resources.
Think about it. You are not the first person ever to looking for a job, in fact, there are thousands of people out there that their job is to help you find a job, ironic isn't it? Find these people and use them. Headhunter agencies, Staffing firms, Employment Centres and Job Fairs. Remember they need you, as much as you need them. That is not all, don't forget to hit up all of those people that told you "Getting an education will help you later in life". Make them put their money where their mouth is, you never know they may have the answer you've been looking for. If all else fails, there are many job boards and websites that you could be searching as part of your daily web browsing:
http://www.hydroone.com/en/about/careers/
http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/aboutus/careers/default.jsf
There are many more, some of which may be found throughout our website.
4. Don't write a resume, write a MASTERPIECE!
Many people have written resumes that have earned them high-profile jobs, my suggestion, don't re-invent the wheel. There are many resources out there to help you write the piece of literature to land you the job. Even Picasso was influenced by someone else, use it, adapt it and make it better. If you have a short work history, focus on the skills that others may not have, and what sets you apart from the crowd, don't think of yourself as "New" think of yourself as "Fresh". Look back at your schooling, summer jobs and volunteer work. You may surprise yourself with how many things that you've actually accomplished. This is the time to convey those important things to your prospective employer.
Don't forget to ask the people in your network for references, or letters of reccommendation. If they were happy to work or volunteer with you, odds are they won't mind standing up for you at the job table. Remember, it's only a few minutes of your/their time, that could lead to dollars in your pocket.
5. Get started NOW!
We have set up an online resume builder, that only takes minutes to fill out and get you noticed.
Click here to START NOW!
 |
 |