Next Career Guide _march 2012

EXPERT ADVICE

INSIDE

MARCH 2012

Why “faceless” job searches fail

Columnist Ron McGowan says new grads are being shortchanged 5

ASK AN EMPLOYMENT EXPERT

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO

B.C. wood designers’ work in Asia 3 Read Leonardo da Vinci’s resumé

WIN

Finding work without experience

6

How to escape the job-search rut 8

50

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

DINNER GIFT CERTIFICATE

Photo

4

First interview impressions count 5

Send your query to kdewildt@van.net and it could be answered by an expert in an issue of Next. Plus, a $50 dinner gift certificate will be drawn from all entries received by March 31, 2012.

$

2

Small business spells success

11

CANS

TOCK

Local aerospace sector gaining altitude Aldergrove company’s growth and multibillion-dollar Boeing contract bode well for a robust sector rebound

BY NELSON BENNETT, BIV

An Aldergrove manufacturer that makes equipment used in airplane assembly expects big benefits from Boeing’s recent announcement of a $22 billion contract with Indonesia’s PT Lion Mentari Airlines.

Members of senior management with Advanced Integration Technologies Canada (AIT) were at the February 14 to 19 Singapore Airshow when Boeing finalized an order with PT Lion for 230 aircraft.

Other announcements at the airshow included:

Victoria-based Viking Air’s new order for 15 of the Twin Otter airplanes it builds; and

C a na dia n

airp la n e ma nufa c turer Bombardier Inc.’s plans to open a commercial aircraft sales and marketing office in Singapore to serve the Asia-Pacific region.

Boeing and Bombardier are already among AIT’s customers, as are Airbus and Lockheed Martin.

Headquartered in Plano, Texas, AIT runs its Canadian division in Aldergrove and Langley. The company makes the “tooling” – large positioning systems – used in airplane assembly.

Canada by 2020, based on a global demand for 30,000 new aircraft.

said Steven Taylor-Lewis, AIT’s general manager.

Growth numbers at AIT, Cascade and Viking over the last year confirm those predictions.

AIT already has contracts with Boeing for the laser alignment systems used for the assembly of the Boeing 787. The company recently delivered automated equipment for both body and wing assembly for Boeing’s 787 and Bombardier’s C Series airplanes.

In 2008, AIT was forced to lay off more than half its 60 employees because of steep drop in job orders.

By the end of 2011, the company was up to 86 employees. Taylor-Lewis said AIT will likely add another 20. AIT’s Canadian head office and 39,000-square-foot assembly shop is in Aldergrove. It also has a 48,000-square-foot fabrication and machine shop at Langley’s Gloucester Industrial Park.

“By the end of 2009, things started to turn around and by 2010 we were ramping up,”

“With respect to the latest Boeing announcement, AIT has received an order to supply the final body join equipment and [is] anticipating that Boeing will continue to select the company to be its prime contractor for the final body join,” AIT sales manager Lazo Turanjanin confirmed in an email from Singapore.

One year ago, David Shellenberg, CEO of Cascade Aerospace and chairman of the Aerospace Industry Association of Canada, told the Vancouver Board of Trade to expect the aerospace sector to double in B.C. and

“We just started to recruit for welders, and we haven’t had an overwhelming response yet” – Steven Taylor-Lewis, general manager, Advanced Integration Technologies Canada

Community Mental Health and Addictions Worker diploma program It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is. – Hermann Hesse In partnership with PHS Community Services Society and the Lookout Emergency Aid Society, this unique curriculum has been prepared to support individuals with mental heath challenges and addictions. Based on the input received from these industry partners, this program has been specifically designed to prepare students – philosophically, mentally/intellectually, emotionally, and experientially – for a successful career with longevity and the potential for advancement.

Apply for a full tuition scholarship

Change your life today!

In partnership with:

Call today: 604-580-2772 · www.stenbergcollege.com Over 94% of our grads are employed in their field of study within 6 months of graduation.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet is one of the planes for which AIT supplies assembly equipment. The Canadian government has ordered 65 F-35 fighter jets, at an estimated cost of $16 billion, a figure that is now projected to be significantly under budget.

Pentagon budget cuts and changes to orders of F-35s by other NATO nations are likely to affect the cost and timelines of the Canadian F-35 order, which has prompted Ottawa to review the program. Those kinds of vagaries are what make the aerospace sector so cyclical. see Thriving page 2

2

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

Face time still matters in job hunt Follow up emails with personal touch

BY DEREK SANKEY, POSTMEDIA NEWS

Joanne Dial receives hundreds of unsolicited resumés by email each month as director of human resources for Calgary-based Alter NRG Corp. Yet few of them grab her attention.

“They have no value because I need the person,” Dial said. “The purpose of the resumé is to open the door to screening calls, which is to open the door to have a face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager.”

She’s impressed with people who take the initiative to follow up, research the company and its key people, make a phone call or drop by in person to try to get a foot in the door – provided it’s done in a professional manner.

The key: be respectful of their time, thank them and zero in on what they’re really looking for. If you’re not the right candidate, ask them what you could do to get a role like that.

“You get some market information out of it – all the kinds of things you’re looking for to be more successful in your job search,” he said.

You could even offer to take some courses after work to fill a skills gap – perhaps even creating a role while you upgrade some key skills if you’re a good fit for the organization.

“It’s anything you can do to get yourself a step ahead of the other applicants”

St u d y a f te r s t u d y has shown the No. 1 reason people leave a job is because of – David Litherland, their direct manager, Some recruiters say that managing partner, Vancouver, so it makes sense that in this age of “emailSummit Search Group it’s a high priority for only” resumé collection both job applicant and and online job board and applicant submissions, the concept of face hiring manager during the hiring process, Dial says. time gets lost in the virtual world.

Robert Gosine, managing partner in Calgary for Summit Search Group, says candidates who muster up the courage to make those sometimes-awkward phone calls or request a meeting directly with the person behind the hiring decision will stand out from the crowd.

“They’re getting quite a few resumés that come their way and if you make the effort of going in person to a company that’s hiring … it gives you a competitive advantage.”

After submitting a formal application, consider making a phone call or dropping by in person to try to get a foot in the door – provided it’s done in a professional manner.

David Litherland, managing partner in Vancouver for Summit Search Group, says it’s not that the younger generation is lazy, but they’re so used to doing everything online that sometimes they forget – or haven’t been exposed to – the importance of meeting a person face to face.

That initiative will be respected.”

“While a company may say to only send a resumé to this inbox, it’s those candidates who can find a way to get in personally – find out who the actual hiring person may be – that gives an added check on their application.

You can usually glean a lot of information from a company’s website, including many sites that list biographies of key people, sometimes even with photos.

“It’s anything you can do to get yourself a step ahead,” Litherland said. •

Perhaps you “stumble into them” at an

© Postmedia News; from www.working.com.

Photo BCIT

This past summer, his university-aged daughter graduated with a business degree and went

Photo CANSTOCK

“It’s very important that people take the time for the human connection,” she said. “The hiring decision will be based on the human connection.”

door-to-door looking for a summer job. Within a few days, she had five offers, while friends who relied on submitting applications online and didn’t follow up ended up receiving few calls or job offers. “It just shows right there how effective it really is,” Gosine said.

Call the hiring manager or a key HR professional and ask for an information meeting to find out what positions may be coming available or to get more information about a specific posting and the requirements, he adds.

industry event or simply pick up the phone and make a call.

The worst that can happen: they decline an in-person meeting, but at least you have tried and your name may stand out when it comes time to go through the pile of resumés.

Thriving aerospace industry is good news for BCIT from Local page 1 “The industry, especially in B.C., is on a growth curve,” Taylor-Lewis said. “But it’s also quite cyclical. It’s up and down, which is why our workforce tends to vary.”

That ebb and flow can make it tough for companies like AIT to compete with other sectors, like mining, which can offer better job security.

“I would say labour is our biggest concern,” Taylor-Lewis said. “We just started to recruit for welders, and we haven’t had an overwhelming response yet.”

Flight school: a thriving aerospace industry is good news for BCIT’s Aerospace Technology Campus, which offers skills training for the industry.

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

Adults, students and job seekers interested in further learning and upgrading their skills to advance their career prospects use NEXT as a resource and a career guide.

Schellenberg, whose own company has hired 100 new employees over the past year, said

the aerospace industry in B.C. is experiencing good growth. He pointed to Viking air as an example.

Viking now has a $350 million backlog of orders for its Twin Otter airplane.

“Viking is a great western Canadian success story,” Schellenberg said. “They’ve rebirthed the Twin Otter, which is a very famous Canadian airplane.” • nbennett@biv.com From Business in Vancouver – issue 1165; February 21-27, 2012.

Glacier Media Group, publisher of NEXT, offers post-secondary schools, career colleges and service providers a unique advertising vehicle to market full-time and part-time programs.

Visit us at www.nextcareerguide.com for more information.

You can help make NEXT the best career training resource. Send your comments and suggestions to the editor at nglouberman@biv.com.

Publisher Trixi Agrios

Editor Noa Glouberman

Sales Manager Kim De Wildt

Graphics & Production Myra McGrath

100-126 East 15th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7L 2P9 ➧ Phone: 604.998.1205 ➧ email: kdewildt@van.net ➧ www.nextcareerguide.com

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

3

Wood designers carve out Asia sales BC Wood Specialties Group helps local studios connect with potential customers

Brent Comber, owner of Brent Comber Originals, with “Sphere 2010” – part of his Sphere series exploring how wood is formed: his work appeals for the Asian appreciation for nature.

BY LORNE MALLIN, BIV

Photo PAUL DUCHART

BC wood designers know it takes years to break into the Asian market; now, they’re starting to see their patience rewarded.

“I’m really starting to get rolling over there,” said Brent Comber, owner of Brent Comber Originals, a North Vancouver studio with 12 staff. “You have to be patient in that market.”

To date, his Asia focus has been art-based millwork and freestanding furniture in Japan and art in South Korea. “They love anything in wood that relates to nature.”

Comber and other local designers credit the BC Wood Specialties Group with putting them in direct contact with potential customers at trade shows and providing marketing services through staff reps in Japan, South Korea and China.

Photo DOMINIC SCHAEFER

“BC Wood has been critical to my success,” said Comber, who’s soon going to his sixth trade show in Tokyo and his third in Seoul.

Only about $50,000 of his company’s 2011 revenue of $1 million-plus came from Asia, but Comber said there were key developments.

One was an $8,300 contract to create alder wall panels for the first Baumkuchen Café of German-founded, Tokyo-based Juchheim Co., which owns 351 pastry shops.

“They have a model that they want to roll out in Tokyo similar to Starbucks,” Comber said.

“They want to try a few flagship stores, see how it goes and then open another 70-odd locations and go from there.”

Another development came from a contact at the annual BC Wood Global Buyers Mission show in Whistler in September. Comber hopes to get a $200,000 contract with a Japanese designer to place his work in Vietnamese restaurants and a W Hotel in China. “He wants B.C. wood and he wants my design.”

In South Korea, Comber’s art is attracting galleries. “Rather than architects and designers, art dealers want to start working with me.”

Judson Beaumont, owner, Straight Line Designs, with his Apple Cabinet ready to ship: “We are on the cusp of things [in Asia] that are going to happen.

Judson Beaumont, owner of Straight Line Designs, has also been to trade shows in Asia with BC Wood. His first success in Japan was creating imaginative cabinets two years ago for Tokyo Disney featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck.

“When the Japanese and Korean people see my furniture they just go crazy. They smile, they want their pictures taken with it.”

Beaumont launched his Vancouver studio in 1986 and employs eight designers with revenue last year a little under $1 million. Of that, about $20,000 came from furniture sales at the Asia trade shows. Now, he’s shifting his emphasis in Asia. “We’re trying to work with them more on design,” he said.

Straight Line is working with a Japanese sofa manufacturer to design and create prototypes for fold-out sofa beds and couches that will then be produced in Japan. “And there’s a department store that’s interested in me doing custom furniture for some art shows over there,” Beaumont said.

Furniture is the most value-added sector of B.C.’s secondary wood-products industry, said BC Wood CEO Brian Hawrysh. Established in 1989, Langley-based BC Wood is a non-profit dedicated to helping develop markets. Funding comes from industry and the provincial and federal governments.

“The furniture industry in the province focuses on very, very high-end, customdesigned furniture and furnishings,” he said, “mainly because the lower to mid-end of the marketplace has been captured by countries like China and Vietnam.”

Hawrysh said smaller companies are now following in the footsteps of designers like Comber and Beaumont with help from BC Wood and its program managers in Asia: Jim Ivanoff in Tokyo, JC Lee in Seoul and Jeff Li in Shanghai, all operating under the umbrella of a national organization, Canada Wood.

“It’s about creating awareness, it’s about identifying opportunity and it’s also about changing perceptions,” Hawrysh said. “For so many years, and it’s still the case, B.C. is known as logs and lumber. To change perceptions that there is a thriving design and manufacturing community of higher-end furniture takes some doing.”

He said the industry “has made significant inroads” in Japan over the past five years.

“We’re now expanding that activity into Seoul and Shanghai.” • news@biv.com From Business in Vancouver – issue 1162; January 31-February 6, 2012.

Volunteer Opportunities Advanced Integration Technology Canada Inc. (AITCA) is part of a global provider of turnkey Aerospace Factory Automation, including the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of fully integrated plant floor systems. Our fast-growing Aldergrove manufacturing facilities have available positions in the following areas for both day and afternoon shifts: FABRICATORS Must have a minimum of 5 years experience in a heavy metal fabrication job shop environment and must be able to work with minimum supervision.

Must be able to work from blueprints in the fitting of complex precision components. Familiarity with welding procedures and quality control requirements is essential.

WELDERS Must be an experienced Journeyman, preferably with CWB ticket. Must have experience in MIG and Flux Core Welding.

Email resume to lmelanson@aint.com

B I G B R O T H E R S O F G R E AT E R VANCOUVER is a non-profit communitybased children’s charity that has been operating in the Lower Mainland since 1957. We offer a range of friendship-based mentoring programs for boys and girls and provide volunteer opportunities for men and women. Time commitments range from one to four hours per week and we ask all our volunteers to make a minimum commitment of one year. To find out more, please visit www.bigbrothersvancouver.com or call 604-876-2447 x 236.

PARENT SUPPORT SERVICE SOCIETY OF BC seeks compassionate volunteers to co-facilitate Mandarin, Filipino, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren circles in Vancouver; Farsi in Port Moody; English circles in Ladner and Langley; Grandparents

Raising Grandchildren circles in Surrey and Delta; and English & Latin American circles in Richmond. We offer intensive initial training and opportunities to attend regional workshops for further skill development. As a facilitator, you will make new discoveries about yourself and others, form social bonds, strengthen your community and find personal achievement. You will have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of others. If you have good listening and interpersonal skills, basic understanding of child development and parenting issues, would like to work with parents to improve their relationships and are able to commit for a minimum of a year, for an average of five hours a week, please contact Bella Cenezero at 604-669-1616 or visit www.parentsupportbc.ca

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

Job search secrets of da Vinci’s resumé

BY DAVE MACFADDEN, POSTMEDIA NEWS

sculpting and painting – that could serve the duke and his realm “in times of peace.”

Undoubtedly the greatest claim to fame of Leonardo da Vinci is that he gave the world two of its best-known paintings: the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. Yet to classify da Vinci by his artwork alone would do an injustice to his astonishing wealth of creative accomplishments.

Da Vinci winds down his letter with a dollop of flattery (“To the immortal glory and eternal honor of the prince your father of happy memory, and of the illustrious house of Sforza”) and signs off with a truly ingenious flourish: an offer to the duke to personally demonstrate, at a time and place of his convenience, any inventions or tactics mentioned in the letter that he might be inclined to dismiss as “impossible or not feasible.”

He was also a sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, cartographer and author, as well as an inventor credited with producing the original concepts for the helicopter, military tank and calculator.

In an interesting side-note, historians further speculate that da Vinci suffered from attention deficit disorder. It is believed that his extraordinary volume of work would have been twice as big had he actually completed all of the projects he started, rather than abandoning them partway through in order to be able to pursue fresh ideas.

Photo CANSTOCK

Leonardo da Vinci’s 1482 letter to the Duke of Milan turns out to be closer in form to a resumé, and offers a striking example of how to target a job application to the specific needs of the employer.

REWARDING CAREERS ARE NEVER HANDED TO YOU. AT CDI COLLEGE, WE’LL HELP YOU EARN ONE. CDI College has been helping people like you launch successful careers for more than four decades. Choose from over 50 market-driven programs across Canada in Business, Art & Design, Technology and Health Care. A new career can be in the palm of your hand. Call CDI College today!

t twitter.com/CDICollege

Practic al Nur sing - Just one of many program s to u se iPa in the ds classro om

Y youtube.com/CDICareerCollege

Copyright Leonardo3 - www.leonardo3.net

Canada’s Leading Career Training Provider.

To get started today, visit study.cdicollege.ca or call 1.888.654.4181

f facebook.com/CDICollege

4

It also appears that alongside his impressive range of other talents da Vinci was highly adept as a job-seeker.

I discovered this the other day while browsing the Internet, where I happened upon a letter written by da Vinci to the Duke of Milan in 1482, as well as an accompanying analysis by “America’s Workplace G uru ,” Stephen Viscusi. On closer inspection, da Vinci’s “letter” turns out to be closer in form to a resumé, and offers a striking example of how to target a job application to the specific needs of the employer.

What da Vinci realized half a millennium ago, and holds just as true today, is that selling yourself to an employer begins with recognizing what that employer needs, and then explaining, in just the right amount of detail, how you’re the person who will best meet those needs.

That may seem self-evident, but one thing I’ve found over my years in this business is how easy it can be for job seekers to get carried away with listing their skills and abilities, forgetting to ensure that the assets they’re listing will genuinely matter to their target audience.

In my view, da Vinci’s letter to the duke is both an entertaining piece of history and, once you penetrate the flowery 15th-century language, a highly recommended read. For one, I found it kind of reassuring to realize that even history’s greatest figures could not escape the chore of having to sweet-talk an employer in order to find a job.

Even history’s greatest figures couldn’t escape the chore of having to sweet-talk employers in order to find a job

Although da Vinci plainly had a vast wealth of abilities to draw on, his resumé deliberately doesn’t mention most of them. Instead, he focuses on the two elements he knows will matter most to the duke: an ability to build effective weapons and a detailed knowledge of military strategies.

The bulk of da Vinci’s letter consists of 11 numbered points, of which the first nine are devoted to detailing the types of weapons and equipment he can build, including catapults, guns and portable bridges. Only in his final two points, which read almost like an “Additional Hobbies and Interests” section, does he mention additional talents – like architecture,

I was also intrigued to see that the key to successful self-promotion has not really changed much in more than 500 years. It’s still all a matter of telling your audience what it wants to hear, and leaving no doubt in its members minds that you are the person who will help them solve the problems they face.

And while most of us can only dream of reaching the same heights of fame as da Vinci did, taking a page from his book – engaging would-be employers by directly targeting their needs – can certainly be seen as a solid step toward achieving our own goals in the job search. • © Postmedia News; from www.working.com.

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

GET THAT JOB

RON MCGOWAN

Stand up straight and look the boss in the eye

Graduates are being shortchanged HOW TO FIND WORK

Much like a first date, successful job interviews rely on first impressions

BY LAURA STONE, POSTMEDIA NEWS

and some nervousness and that can lead to some body-language mistakes.”

It should come as no surprise to potential employees that lack of eye contact is the biggest professional turnoff, according to a survey of Canadian hiring managers.

The survey also asked the 228 managers what future employees can do to capture hearts in an interview.

At 68%, the affliction commonly known as “shifty eyes” took the top spot on the survey of behaviours that would make a manager less likely to hire someone.

Other common mistakes made by job seekers

“It’s a matter of being positive, going in confidently and doing your best in every situation”

The recommendations include keeping calm by giving yourself enough time and taking deep breaths; preparing for the interview and practising with family and friends; and answering questions in front of a mirror to see what body language, if any, needs some work.

“While it is a lot of pressure, at the same time, there are a lot of opportunities that are out there and it’s a matter of being positive, going in confidently and doing your best in every situation,” said Nawoj. • © Postmedia News; from www.working.com.

– Allison Nawoj, career adviser, CareerBuilder

Canadian colleges and universities, like their counterparts in other western countries, are doing a poor job of preparing their graduates for today’s workplace. The biggest weakness in the post-secondary education sector in all countries is the lack of experience in today’s workplace by those who are responsible for education policy, funding, administration and delivery.

How do these people, who live in the land of the steady paycheque and traditional benefits, relate to the challenges graduates face in trying to make their living from contract, temporary and parttime employment with few, if any, benefits including a pension? When they graduated, they literally fell into jobs and have no affinity with the difficulty their graduates face in trying to find meaningful employment in today’s workplace.

The fundamental challenge for colleges and universities is that for generations they have been turning out employees. Now, increasingly, they will have to turn out entrepreneurs or students who have an enterprising approach to finding work.

Currently, we continue to turn out graduates who expect that someone is going to offer them a job. When that doesn’t happen, many give up and end up in low-paying jobs in the private sector.

are failure to smile, at 45%, and bad posture, at 37%, says the survey from job website CareerBuilder Canada.

We’ve become very complacent about this

The faux-pas don’t stop there. Crossing your arms, fidgeting, a weak handshake, playing with an object on the table and touching your hair or face all made the list of employment buzz-kills.

“When you’re meeting someone for the first time, you want to make sure you’re conveying all your strengths and that you’re conveying the positive parts of your personality. And so, paying attention to your body language is part of that, in addition to having a great resumé and being able to answer questions correctly,” said Allison Nawoj, a career adviser at CareerBuilder.

issue and we need to end that complacency.

If the best and brightest of our young people who have the brains and fortitude to graduate can’t find meaningful work, we need to address that now.

Graduates can’t afford to wait for the colleges and universities to enter the 21st century. They need to learn how to market themselves effectively, find hidden employment opportunities and seriously consider creating their own job.

Graduates should organize themselves and come up with creative ways to connect with employers, especially small firms, where most of the action is.

Going forward, graduates should demand that colleges, universities and the government do more to adequately prepare them for today’s workplace. And demand is the operative word. Given how ossified these institutions are in their thinking, change will only come if it is driven from the outside.

In the meantime, graduates must take charge of creating their own success. And, with a little bit of help, they’re absolutely capable of doing that. • Ron McGowan is the author of the international bestseller How to Find Work in the 21st Century, currently in use at over 400 colleges and universities worldwide.

Visit www.howtofindwork.ca.

Vancouver School Board Building Service Worker Diploma

Photo CANSTOCK

“It is a very highly competitive job market, and so people are going on a lot of interviews. Sometimes that can cause some pressure

When it comes to getting the job, a firm handshake can help.

5

A full time program designed for those who wish to enter the building service industry. Training includes all aspects of sanitation and cleaning operation of equipment, correct application of chemicals, WHMIS, operating your own cleaning business and two weeks of on-thejob training with industry professionals. Topics also include: stripping and buffing floors, waxing, wall washing, washroom and window cleaning, fire prevention, carpet cleaning and equipment training.

Next Program begins Monday, April 16, 2012 Free Information Session Available: Education Centre, 1580 W. Broadway 10:00am - 11:00am Wednesday, March 28, 2012

To obtain information or to pre-register for a FREE INFORMATION SESSION, please call: 604-713-4500 or visit: www.continuinged.ca

6

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

Tackling the catch22 of the job search

BY DAVID MACFADDEN, POSTMEDIA NEWS

The phrase catch-22 entered our language in 1961 as the title of a satirical novel by Joseph Heller. One of Heller’s characters is a military airman who wants to get out of ying dangerous missions.

The easiest way to do this is to plead insanity; but article Catch-22 of the military code states that his awareness of the danger means he must be sane, and therefore ďŹ t to y. So while he can be excused from ying if he is insane, claiming to be insane proves that he is actually of sound mind. A classic no-win situation.

The working world presents its own catch22 for many folks just starting out in the job hunt. Most employers prefer to hire candidates with experience, but as many frustrated job seekers will tell you, exp erience is hard to come by when no one’s willing to hire you without it.

then doing some research to ďŹ nd out what skills are required for this type of work. Next you can brainstorm how you’ve developed these skills through your own past jobs, schooling and activities. If you’re fresh from full-time education, your main focus will probably be on course work: emphasize relevant projects and papers you’ve completed, along with computer or other technical skills you’ve gained (including software you’re familiar with).

To overcome this catch-22, you might start by deciding which ďŹ eld you want to ďŹ nd a job in,

of opportunities to combine classroom training and hands-on experience in one handy package. Apprenticeships, practicums, internships and co-op programs are just some of the options up for grabs. Talk to high-school or college counsellors for more information on these options. • Š Postmedia News; from www.working.com.

Make sure to include part-time and casual work.

Younger students can mention babysitting, paper routes, a stint at A&W and odd jobs like painting, yardwork or snow removal. These jobs teach valuable skills like time and money management, problem solving, customer service and multitasking, while showing future employers your initiative, dedication and reliability.

There’s no question that the job search is more challenging for those with limited work experience

While there’s no question that the job search is more challenging for those with limited work experience, it doesn’t mean that all is lost. It just may require some extra persistence and thinking outside the box.

Photo CANSTOCK

Experience is hard to come by when no one’s willing to hire you without it

Highlight your involvement in clubs, community associations or sports. What better way to demonstrate teamwork, discipline and leadership than through Scouts, Cadets or rugby? In addition, any volunteer work you’ve done looks smashing on a resumÊ and is an excellent way to build experience either before or during your journey down the job trail.

Last but not least, there are a growing number

EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH A CAREER IN TRAVEL & TOURISM

Any volunteer work you’ve done looks smashing on a resumÊ, and is an excellent way to build experience either before or during your journey down the job trail.

APPLY ONLINE NOW FOR

EXCITING

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

SUMMER JOBS

AT PLAYLAND

ASK AN EMPLOYMENT EXPERT

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO

WIN

Summer is just around the corner and The Fair at the PNE and Playland need enthusiastic people to join their team.

The PaciďŹ c National Exhibition provides excellent summer work experience, valuable guest services training and a fun-ďŹ lled summer!

Send your query to kdewildt@van.net and it could be answered by an expert in an issue of Next.

4th Wednesday of every month, 3-5pm.

RSVP to campus of your choice!

Turn your passion for travelling into a long-lasting and exciting career.

Travel, Tourism, Adventure and Hospitality career training at CTC prepares students for work in airlines, hotels, travel companies and cruise lines around the world.

SURREY CAMPUS P: 604.582.1122 • Toll Free: 1.800.668.9301 VANCOUVER CAMPUS P: 604.736.8000 • Toll Free: 1.877.731.9810

www.tourismcollege.com

$

50

DINNER GIFT CERTIFICATE

www.pne.ca/jobs

1MBO GPS ZPVS GVUVSF (FU B

+

Info Sessions:

Plus, a $50 dinner gift certiďŹ cate will be drawn from all entries received by March 31, 2012.

CHECK OUT CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES AT

Q N V

PO -J

GF

-FBSO UP 0QFSBUF B .JOJ 0GGJDF 0VUMFU XPSLJOH GSPN ZPVS DPNQVUFS 'MFYJCMF )PVST '3&& 0OMJOF 5SBJOJOH

www.born2shine.net

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

7

Get out of your jobsearch rut If you know you’ve got the kind of goods that any employer would want but just can’t seem to sell them, maybe it’s time to look at possible problems with your pitch.

Photo CANSTOCK

Pitch, outdated resumé design and inefficient network use could be part of the problem

Don’t engage your network just when you

BY KIM COVERT, POSTMEDIA NEWS

If you know you’ve got the kind of goods any employer would want but just can’t seem to sell them, maybe it’s time to look at possible problems with your pitch.

Depending on your field and the kind of job you’re looking for – plus, how long it’s been since your last job search – issues could be anything from an outdated resumé design to not working your networks efficiently.

are looking for a job. Use social media tools to keep in touch with professional contacts.

Keep your profile on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter up to date; be active in your industry associations and attend social events.

Don’t wait for the job ad. Find out which businesses are growing and who might

“It’s easy to get stuck in a rut during the job hunt,” said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam, a temporary staffing agency.

“If certain tactics aren’t working, job seekers need to switch gears and try new ideas.”

“If certain tactics aren’t working, job seekers need to switch gears and try new ideas”

OfficeTeam notes some of the most common mistakes, and suggests ways to adapt:

– Robert Hosking, executive director, OfficeTeam

be hiring. Contact an organization that interests you even if it doesn’t have openings – introduce yourself, express an interest and establish a relationship you can call on when something does come up.

Don’t limit yourself to full-time openings.

Interim assignments provide a source of income as well as an opportunity to network and build new skills. They can also lead to full-time job offers.

could attract attention just because it’s so rarely done these days.

Don’t assume they’re not interested. Follow up by email or phone within two weeks of sending off your resumé.

Don’t speak in general terms or give canned responses at the interview. Be prepared to share anecdotes that showcase your skills and personality.

Don’t use a standard resumé template. Don’t write a boilerplate thank-you message.

Create “branded” application materials that speak to your particular strengths. A simple but eye-catching format can attract attention.

Don’t throw out the old-school methods.

Sending your resumé and cover letter through the mail on high-quality paper

But do write a thank-you message. Point out the qualities that make you perfect for the job and say why you’re excited about the opportunity. •

© Postmedia News; from www.working.com.

FOCUSED ON YOUR CAREER? Be sure to pick up your copy of NEXT the first week of each month!

Find this valuable resource guide at secondary and post secondary schools, libraries, recreation centres, employment centres, sky train stations and major bus loops.

Published with you in mind, NEXT contains information about a variety of careers and includes jobs, career fairs, training opportunities, job search tips and so much more.

➧ 604.998.1205 ➧ kdewildt@van.net ➧ www.nextcareerguide.com LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

Thinking About a Ca reer in Health Care?

There’s no

shortage of demand for well-trained heal If you’re ready to laun th care professional ch a rewarding care s. er and start making difference in the lives a real of others, a diploma from Vancouver Care may be the secret to er College your success. Choose from:

· Pharmacy Assistant · Medical Records Clerk · Co · Practical Nursing mmunity Health · Rehabilitation Assistant · Health Care Assistant Care Worker · Registered Massage · Medical Office As sistant Therapy · And More CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO

}

CALL: 1.866-573-3087

/VancouverCareerCollege

VISIT: bc.VCCollege.c a

/VCCollege

/VCCollege

8

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

Successful You Awards celebrate contributions Three semi-finalists build businesses with hearts and minds

All businesses seek to make a profit, but some aspire to reach further. It is some of these enterprises that Small Business BC recognized at its ninth annual Successful You Awards on February 28 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver.

Hundreds of businesses were nominated for six “best in” categories: company, concept, employer, green business, online marketer and community impact. Voters on Small Business BC’s website (www.smallbusinessbc.ca) then chose the top 10 in each category.

Laura Patrick founded Kids Physio Group solo in 2006 before opening a studio on Fraser Street in October 2010 as a private clinic designed exclusively for children and youth.

Increasing demand sparked an extensive renovation and expansion of the existing space, doubling its footprint and ushering in new equipment, new services such as occupational therapy, creative dance, yoga for children with needs and seven new staff.

At press time, Patrick was being considered for best community impact.

“Winning this award would mean the realization of one of our core values: advocating for positive change in the lives of children and youth in our community,” she said.

according to Patrick. “The need was there and I wanted to fill it. But as a registered physiotherapist without any formal business training, I have faced many obstacles including financing, cash flow and the risks that come with being self-employed.”

She overcame those obstacles by getting connected with other enterpreneurs, finding answers to her questions from people she trusts and staying true to her values.

Sticking to core values was one reason Marcie Weinstein Smith started Lovey’s Body Products in 2009, after finding that many commercial creams and wipes gave her son Sam rashes, even those advertised as “natural.” She soon discovered that marketing terms aren’t as important as ingredients.

“Unless you have that one-in-a-million overnight success, really it’s about putting one foot in front of the other”

Starting the business was the easy part,

– Marcie Weinstein Smith, owner, Lovey’s Body Products

Photo RICHARD LAM

BY BO GEMBARSKY, BIV

Laura Patrick, founder of Kids Physio Group: “Winning this award would mean the realization of one of our core values: advocating for positive change in the lives of children and youth in our community.”

“[Many] contained chemicals or other irritants,” she said. “So I set about creating my own solution and I used it in a spray bottle with a cloth wipe.”

Having vision takes strength; Mhairi Petrovic knows that well. She founded Out-Smarts Marketing alone in 2002 because she “wanted to be in control of my own destiny.”

From this effort she developed one of her cornerstone products, nominated for best concept: the Tushi Stick. Launched last January, it’s a diaper ointment in stick form composed of all-natural essential oils with no artificial fragrances or preservatives.

As Facebook and other social media arose, Petrovic recognized that companies would need help to take advantage of these new opportunities to spread their messages.

“The beauty of it is that it saves moms from getting messy hands,” Weinstein Smith said.

“When you stick your fingers in diaper cream, you get it under your nails and in your hair.

This is a nice, clean way to do it.”

Before founding Lovey’s, Weinstein Smith worked in the high-tech sector in sales and marketing for 18 years. Though she didn’t have knowledge of business initially, she had some core skills and the drive to make it work.

250,000 Immigrants are expected in 2012.

YOU can help them get here.

Become an Immigration Consultant • Full time • Part time • Online

“I feel very strongly about making products that are chemical-free and safe for babies and their fragile immune systems.”

Lovey’s products are available in 50 retailers, mostly children’s boutiques in B.C., but in March 2012 the Whole Foods chain will begin featuring the company’s lines in its four outlets.

While winning at the Successful You Awards would be “a real honour,” Weinstein Smith said the important part is to keeping learning and growing. “ Unless you have that one-in-a-million overnight success, really it’s about putting one foot in front of the other, continuing to develop good products and to spread the word, to let people know what you’re doing, and holding onto your vision.”

Ashton College | 1190 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC Ashtoncollege.com | 604.899.0803

Accounting | Bookkeeping | Business | Financial Services | Home Inspection Human Resources | Immigration | International Trade | Sales & Marketing | Payroll Administration

Marcie Weinstein Smith of Lovey’s Body Products with her son, Sam: “I feel very strongly about making products that are chemical-free and safe for babies and their fragile immune systems.”

Petrovic incorporated Out-Smarts in 2009.

Among other activities, she conducts information sessions and classes for Small Business BC and other organizations in how to leverage the power of social media, which is still very new and considered by some to be a passing fad. She appreciates the attention Out-Smarts is getting from being named as a best company semi-finalist: “It already feels like a win.” • news@biv.com From Business in Vancouver – issue 1159; January 10-16, 2012.

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

9

"Providing Automotive Education since 1985" “At ATC the classes are very hands on. We worked on cars on the hoists instead of simulated machines. The theory classes were good too. The use of multimedia presentations together with the intructor’s knowledge really helped me to understand what we were working on. It gave me a real solid start for achieving my goal of becoming a licensed mechanic.”

(Joe Penner )

Imagine your future in

Automotive Technology You can change your life Automotive Service Technician - Through a combination of classroom theory and hands on training , you will learn the technical skills to service, maintain and repair all types of automobiles.

Auto body Technician - You’ll get hands on training in all aspects auto body repairs including welding, metalwork and plastics. You will graduate with the skills to enter this exciting trade.

Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician - In this program you will receive training in all aspects of this occupation including preparing the vehicle for paint, sanding, masking, and priming.

Automotive Service Operations Specialist - This program combines the skill sets from our Automotive Service Consultant, Auto body Collision Estimator, and Parts & Warehousing programs to provide a complete automotive service education for someone looking for advancement opportunities in this industry.

Parts & Warehousing - You will get comprehensive training in parts catalog techniques, electronic parts ordering, inventory control, and general warehousing.

Dispatching & Transportation Operations - This program will prepare you for seamless entry into the transportation industry.

Service Consultant - You will learn the correct procedures and methods to accurately determine customer vehicle maintenance and repair needs. Also taught are the skills necessary to communicate with service technicians to insure accurate and timely job completion, while keeping customer satisfaction at high levels.

Automotive Sales & Business Management - The Business Manager program is designed to teach the skills and techniques required to oversee the financial and legal aspects of the automotive sales and delivery process. In the Sales and Leasing program we teach meeting and greeting methods, sales techniques, and the steps needed to provide excellence in customer service.

Auto body Collision Estimator - This program focuses on the aspects of collision damage repair and damage estimating by using interactive media, industry standard software and hands on experience.

Visit our Campus at 12160-88th Ave in Surrey 604-635-2226 www.lovecars.ca

A WORKSAFE PARTNER

Find us on Facebook

10

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

STOP

Need a Job?

Start here ...

RICHMOND EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTRE

Call 604.244.9262 290-3631 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC Monday–Friday / 9am–5pm www.bgccs.bc.ca

SOUTH DELTA EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTRE Call 604.946.0324 4899 Delta Street, Ladner, BC

“Funded in whole or part through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement”

Skills Connect for Immigrants Helping skilled immigrants launch their careers in BC Skills Connect for Immigrants provides:

Financial assistance for qualiƤcations upgrading and credential evaluation

Soft skills training to help you succeed in the Canadian workplace

Personalized one-on-one coaching with an experienced employment counsellor

Free innovative workshops to help you take charge of your job search

“Skills Connect gave me the support I needed to look for jobs in my Ƥeld. The workshops were very useful and practical. My self-conƤdence was improved and I am able to project a better image to employers. It is a great program!”

– Irlanda, Mexico Find out more: E-MAIL: skillsconnect@issbc.org

PHONE: 604-684-2561 (ext. 2123)

WEB:

(Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam and Richmond)

www.issbc.org/skillsconnect

604-590-4021 (Surrey)

This program is part of WelcomeBC, a suite of programs funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. WelcomeBC helps newcomers settle, integrate and Ƥnd employment in their new communities.

www.issbc.org/skillsconnect

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

JOB BRIEFS FEBRUARY 20

Film school opens in North Van B.C.’s movie industry got a boost as the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation opened at Capilano University’s North Vancouver campus. r Home to the largest full-time four-yea ram prog ee degr lm fi d iente production-or in Western Canada, the 6,662-square uce prod to ity facil the s offer re cent e metr from ies live-action and animated mov idea to final releasable production.

“Capilano University’s film and animation facility will help students get the crucial in job skills they’ll need to be competitive nced Adva the industry,” said Minister of Education Naomi Yamamoto.

The Bosa Centre aims to become one of the top film and animation teaching facilities in North America. It will also benefit local industry professionals who can use the facility for skills upgrading and low-budget productions.

00 “This is an industry that employs 35,0 n billio $2 than e mor ts injec and le peop annually into the provincial economy,” said Peter Leitch, president of North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios.

“Capilano University’s film and animation programs produce graduates capable of strengthening the industry’s growth, and the Bosa Centre will ensure that

students and industry workers alike are provided with the necessary tools for creating excellence in their productions.”

Dragon’s Den Vancouver auditions

Expanding opportunities

for B.C. accountants A trade dispute ruling in favour of four western Canadian provinces is set to increase labour mobility for B.C.’s certified general accountants (CGAs).

In November 2010, Manitoba launched dispute resolution proceedings against on Ontario under the national Agreement cted obje itoba Man ).

(AIT e Trad nal Inter to measures maintained by Ontario that subjected CGAs certified in public accountancy by other provinces to r undergo an additional assessment orde B.C., rio.

Onta in ed ifi cert to become .

Saskatchewan and Alberta also objected The report from the dispute resolution panel found Ontario’s measures were inconsistent with the AIT and recommended Ontario change its measures to be compliant by April 15.

“This finding is a great example of how our commitment to removing barriers to trade can create greater business opportunities for British Columbians, building on the progress of the BC Jobs Plan,” said Jobs Minister Pat Bell.

Be sure to pick up your copy of NEXT the first week of each month! Find this valuable resource guide at secondary and post secondary schools, libraries, recreation centres, employment centres, sky train stations and major bus loops.

Published with you in mind, NEXT contains information about a variety of careers and includes jobs, career fairs, training opportunities, job search tips and so much more.

Of the approximately 2,200 CGAs in g, Canada that practise public accountin B.C. in work and live 0 1,20

FEBRUARY 13

FEBRUARY 14

FOCUSED ON YOUR CAREER?

11

CBC is holding local auditions for entrepreneurs who want to appear on the popular TV show Dragon’s Den. Upcoming auditions are set for March 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue.

FEBRUARY 6

Website listing local startups launches Job hunters keen to work for a startup tech firm have a new resource to help in their search with the launch of the Made in Vancouver website.

Vanmade.ca launched February 2 and r will soon include a list of all Vancouve to s visit 0 5,00 over have : that startups their website per month; are run from de Vancouver with staff in the city; and inclu ting icipa Part r. ouve Vanc a link to Made In startups will list details on what they do ll. and what positions they’re looking to fi One Vancouver technology startup that sed intends to do plenty of hiring is cloud-ba h whic Clio, pany com ent agem man legal on has a long list of open positions visible ent lopm deve uct its website including prod • . tions posi eting mark and sales and

BANK TELLER TRAINING PROGRAM - Course fee $300 The Bank Teller Training Program sets the foundation to start a career in the banking industry in Canada. By learning the basics of being a Teller, you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to enter this exciting field.

The course covers customer service, product sales, security, Canadian banking procedures and policies and application process and employment opportunities with different banks.

NEXT CLASSES: March 10, 17, 24 for 3 Saturday sessions from 9am to 4pm.

SIMPLY ACCOUNTING LEVEL 1 & 2 Duration: 30 hours per level. Fee: $380 per level or $700 when registering for both levels at the same time. Textbook and Training Software for home practice are available for purchase on the first day of class at $50.00. After completing level 1 & 2 with us, students receive a course completion certificate, and will also be eligible to write the Certificate in Simply Accounting for FREE. The official Certificate in Simply Accounting will be issued by Sage Software, who developed Simply Accounting.

CASHIER TRAINING & CUSTOMER SERVICE - $275.00 Duration 18 hours. Become confident with operating a cash register and learn customer service, policies, procedures and laws that pertain to working in this field.

NEXT CLASSES: March 12, 13, 14 and 20, 21, 22 from 9am to 3:30pm.

➧ 604.998.1205 ➧ kdewildt@van.net ➧ www.nextcareerguide.com LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

For more information or to register for a course please call 604-597-3448 202 – 7380 – 137th Street, Surrey, BC www.dcrs.ca

Register Now For Spring Courses Nursing Unit Clerk starts April 9 PTOP English for Post Secondary Studies starts May 7 FREEh aLll AFull Time s. wit tion registra Mathematics for Nursing starts June 11 program Access to Practical Nursing (Evening Course) starts July 9 Information Session: March 13 • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 052411

Call for details: 604.540.2421• info@chcabc.com • www..chcabc.com • Bursaries also available -Call for details.

12

MARCH 2012

LEARN MORE ➧ GET THE JOB

You want a better life. Job satisfaction. Financial security.

Respect. You want to help others.

Change your life today Cardiology Technologist

Practical Nursing

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has granted this program its highest accreditation status, a 6 year accreditation.

We offer Free Biology 12!

Psychiatric Nursing Community Mental Health & Addictions Worker In partnership with PHS Community Services Society and the Lookout Emergency Aid Society, the unique curriculum for this program has been prepared to support individuals with mental heath challenges and addictions. Entry level wages range from $18.03 to $19.72/hr. Apply for a full tuition scholarship today.

There is an urgent need for more Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN) in BC. The only program of its kind in BC, students can learn within their local communities via distance education, local and/or regional clinical placements, and some regional classroom delivery. Entry-level earnings start at $29/hr. This 23 month program is recognized by the CRPNBC.

Early Childhood Educator

Special Education Assistant

“The most important job in the world.� According to the 2008 ECE Registry Survey commissioned by the BC Ministry of Children & Family Development, the average wage for Early Childhood Educators in BC is $17.43/hr. Graduates may qualify for $3000 bursary though the BC Family Child Care Association.

Our program includes training and certiďŹ cation from the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism & Related Disorders (POPARD). Two POPARD courses are offered in this program: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders & Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis. Starting wage for Special Education Assistants is approx. $22/hr.

Starting wage for Special Education Assistants is approx. $22/hr.

Health Care Assistant (formerly Resident Care Attendant / Home Support) Make a difference in the lives of others! Graduates will be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry which will allow you to work in government funded health care facilities. The starting wage for Health Care Assistants is $17 - $21/hr.

Professional Studies for working healthcare professionals 8 !1 * "! " !"-.%&, '&((. #+- .

8 ))0*&4 /&+* '&((. +-'.%+, 8 %(" +/+)3 +0-."

FREE College Preparatory program and ongoing ESL support.

Hospital Support Specialist Work in hospital and healthcare administration as an Admitting/Registration Clerk, Health Records Clerk, Diagnostic Imaging Clerk, Hospital Switchboard Operator, Medical Secretary and much more. Entry level wages from $18.16 - $21/hr.

You may be eligible for government student loans and funding.

Medical Laboratory Assistant This program has been reviewed and approved by British Columbia Society of Laboratory Science and exceeds their requirements in many areas. The wage range of Stenberg MLA grads working in their ďŹ eld of study is $18.04 - $23.70 per hour.

Medical OfďŹ ce Assistant Consider a rewarding career in healthcare administration or expand your career options as a Hospital Support Specialist (see above).

Nursing Unit Clerk Nursing Unit Clerks, originally known as ward clerks and sometimes referred to as Nursing Unit Coordinators, act as the anchors of patient care departments. The average wage for Stenberg grads is $20.77/hr. plus 12.2% in lieu of beneďŹ ts.

“The teachers and staff at Stenberg were very supportive throughout my entire program ‌ Working towards completion of this program requires a lot of hard work but because everyone in the class cooperates and encourages each other to succeed, it helped me a lot.â€?– Amanda P.

604-580-2772 ¡ www.stenbergcollege.com Over 94% of our grads are employed in their ďŹ eld of study within 6 months of graduation.