CAREERS & EDUCATION

Lights. Camera. YouTube.

Cruise to job victory on the world’s second-largest search engine

Did you know that YouTube is the second most popular search engine in the world, after Google? And Google owns YouTube?

Sure, many people still associate YouTube with cute puppy videos, movie trailers and music videos, and while this is all true, did you know YouTube can also be an excellent resource while looking for a job?

Yes, using video as a recruitment tool is gaining big momentum in the HR industry. Recruiters and hiring managers are increasingly using employment videos to tell their story and recruit, hire and source candidates for an array of positions. And that explains why even popular sites like Monster.com have dedicated YouTube pages for job search and career development.

Not only can you surf lots of “how to” videos on job search and even view virtual interviews, you can use YouTube to promote yourself in interesting ways. Build your professional brand with a visual resumé

Personal branding is key to developing your career, and YouTube is the perfect tool to help you build your brand. You can now post a video of yourself to convey your knowledge and passion for the position. is also lets you demonstrate both your soft, transferrable skills and technical skills in one shot.

Set up an exclusive YouTube channel

Consider creating a new Google account to set up a professional YouTube channel that can be exclusive to your job search. is can now be an additional asset to let prospective employers understand your value and your brand. en share a few brief videos that show you highlighting your skills and familiarity with your chosen occupation and industry.

Build a YouTube network

By curating and sharing interesting content, you can soon build an exclusive network on YouTube. You can also link to videos by experts in your eld, add comments and share the impression they’ve made on you. is helps future employers see your involvement and enthusiasm.

YouTube is especially a boon for people in creative and technology elds. Make use of the site’s built-in production tools by adding effects, inserting links or adding a soundtrack.

Once you create your channel, link to it from your resumé, LinkedIn pro le, Facebook page and any other relevant media or marketing material you use for yourself in your search.

The largest online resource for immigrants to Canada

• Expert advice for your career • Tips on successfully settling in Canada • Inspirational stories of successful immigrants • Information on our Career, Education & Settlement Immigrant Fairs Get inspired to succeed! Video tips

YouTube is a simple, quick way to get yourself seen. Recruiters hire people, not two stapled pieces of paper. If they see you in action, they will be more likely to want to connect with you.

Here are some tips to get you started: • Fancy fi lm work and high tech cameras aren’t key to success. • Keep your videos to a max of one or two minutes. • Use HD settings and make sure the lighting refl ects you well. • Shoot as many takes as necessary; edit ruthlessly using You-

Tube’s built-in tools. • Look and dress like a true professional. • Have a professional backdrop, practise with a friend fi rst, and make the video conversational, yet professional.

Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, mentor and best-selling author of the ACE books — The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening and The ACE Abundance. He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. Learn more at aceworldfoundation.com.

Where to turn for help

Most immigrants to Canada are usually confused (and sometimes frustrated) by the diverse amount of agencies and programs available for newcomers … settlement agencies, community services, employment services, all with di erent names and requirements. What’s the best one? Where should you start?

Making sense of it all

First, know that such services are optional, often free and are here to help you settle in. However, some of these services are overlapping and each one has a list of requirements (or “eligibility criteria”) you have to pass in order to receive the services.

Most of these services are provided by non-pro ts, but there are also for-pro t agencies. All of them work under the guidelines of funders, normally the government, which means the type of services and how they are delivered are usually not negotiable. is means that sometimes you will not be able to utilize the services of two programs at the same time or may be restricted to access one type of program just once.

Knowing what each one does may help you to decide where to go and to understand the limitations of their support and services to you.

Settlement agencies ese agencies or programs have multilingual sta and can help you with information, referral and support for areas such as housing, health, family or individual counselling, school for your children, immigration processes such as sponsoring or applying for documents and change on status, general nancial and legal information and short-term job search. ere is usually at least one organization in every big Canadian city and sometimes they are free borrowing and you can use them to upgrade your English and learn about the culture. Most libraries also hold short workshops on topics from job search to nancial literacy and English conversation (all free!).

Community centres and neighbourhood houses ere is at least one community centre in each Canadian community. While these places are not specialized in immigrant needs, they are great places to go for general information, have some fun, exercise and make connections with your neighbours. Most community centres also o er low-cost workshops and events for all ages.

Neighbourhood houses are small hubs in your neighbourhood where everyone is welcome to attend and learn through a variety of programs and services, including many focused on newcomers.

How to navigate the immigrant and employment services system

limited to the services and areas they can cover. Services are usually free and can vary from one consultation to extended support that may last months.

Employment programs

Employment and career programs are specialized in career exploration, job search, job placement and job maintenance. e length and depth of services varies from program to program. You may nd workshops that last two hours to some that o er ve weeks of workshops!

Services are usually restricted to the area you reside in and sometimes have age, occupation or other special requirements.

When you approach one, make sure you fully understand what the program does, what you are committing to, and in which way it will impact, restrict or facilitate your use of other programs and services.

Language programs

In most cases, immigrants and refugees may access language classes for free through the LINC program. However, seats are limited and classes are long. But, some centres o er evening or online classes and even limited daycare.

If you want advanced or specialized English (such as technical or business) classes, you may have to take courses at local community college for a fee. ere are also private companies o ering accent reduction and pronunciation classes for a fee.

Libraries

Going to your local library needs to be on your must-do list! Canadian libraries are not only full of great books in every subject you can imagine, they also have movies and CDs for certain occupations that have become “regulated” (meaning you cannot practice that occupation if you have not received their licence or certi cation). About 20 per cent of all occupations and professions in Canada are regulated, and the regulatory bodies may be di erent from province to province.

It is your responsibility to nd out whether your occupation is regulated and what the steps are that you need to follow to be licensed. Processes may be short (i.e., taking an exam) or long (may require many courses and exams) and are usually expensive.

Credential evaluation services ese services, as their name indicates, evaluate your credentials by measuring how they compare with the Canadian education system. ey do not guarantee employment and cannot qualify you for a speci c occupation nor will provide guidance on what to do next.

As they are expensive, you should check whether your regulatory body, the school where you want to study or potential employer will require or accept these results.

Regulatory bodies

Regulatory bodies are associations of professionals from

Argentine-born Silvia Di Blasio lived and studied in Venezuela for many years. She currently works as a career counsellor and volunteers for many community organizations in her spare time, including in the areas of resilience, disaster management and food sovereignty.

WANTED: FULL-TIME IN-HOME CAREGIVER in Markham, ON. (Hwy 7 & 9th Line) for 3 y/o and 1 y/o children. Supervise, care, bathe, play, feed and attend to kids’ wellbeing. Perform light housekeeping, willing to travel with family. English speaking, Arabic an asset. High School Diploma. At least 3 years’ experience. 35 hours a week, $11.50/hr. Contact Faizel at Efjays79@gmail.com or call 416-662-3427.