co
career options For Canadian Post-Secondary Students
www.careeroptionsmagazine.com winter/spring 2011 / Volume 25 No. 1
12 why is social recruiting gaining in popularity?
14 inventing
your dream job
16 social media 101
putting
social media to work networking your way to a career
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career options winter/spring 2011
« The key to
inventing your dream job lies within you— if you can’t find a job posting that fits your interests, then invent it! page 14
05 How to Survive 9 to 5 By Andrea Dee Migchelsen
08 13 Major Mistakes to
Avoid at Networking Events By Pete Leibman
33 Top Ten Résumé
“X Factors” By Lidia Siino
35 25 years of
career success By Amanda Sage
11 39 Get Ready to Ace Your Financing PostTelephone Interview
By Panagiota Panagakos
14 Inventing Your Dream Job
By Philippe Desrochers
22 Why Choose a Co-op
Degree at University?
By Theresa Myra
24 Studying Abroad By Rowena Selby
Secondary Education for Parents
By Michael Barak
Recruiting Gaining in Popularity?
43 The Importance of
By Debbie Owen
“Fit” in the Workplace: What You Need to Know for the Interview and Beyond By Kerri Zanatta-Buehler
16 Social Media 101 By Linda Hart and Ian Ingles
20 putting social
47 Explore Financial Services
12 Why Is Social
CIA
media to work
By Amanda Sage
By the Toronto Financial Services Alliance – Centre of Excellence in Financial Services Education (TFSA -CoE)
29 We’re not in Kansas
Anymore… or Canada, for That Matter By Stephanie Migchelsen
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ial ia soc d me SPE
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What’s on at Careeroptionsmagazine.com
»
[even more] career options As always, you can check out the latest issue of Career Options online, or browse the archives for more great feature articles from past issues. But there’s a lot more in store at our all-new website, careeroptionsmagazine.com. Blogspot Blogspot is a shared space where guest bloggers share their thoughts about post-secondary education, entering the workforce, finding the “right” job and getting a career on track. Submit your own blog ideas at: http://careeroptionsmagazine.com/ blogspot/
Keep up with the latest career advice, news and views:
Visit the site to follow Career Options on Twitter, join the Facebook page and subscribe to our RSS feed.
Connect Zone The Zone brings students and employers together for a unique interactive Q+A forum—it’s virtually the best career fair around! To get started, just register and then submit your questions to industry professionals from some of Canada’s most successful organizations. It’s a great start to your career conversation. http://careeroptionsmagazine.com/connect-zone/
Open your mind… There’s no such thing as a “right” career path. Each job you take teaches you new skills and experiences that help shape the kind of worker you’ll ultimately become. Read about how our profile subjects found on-the-job happiness and success by following unexpected career paths. http://careeroptionsmagazine.com/ employment-planning/open-your-mind/
We Would Like to Thank Our Advertisers… 19
Insurance Brokers Association of Canada
25, 48
Korean Education Centre, Korean Consulate General Toronto
32
MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates Ltd.
41, 48
National Energy Board
Canadian Grocery HR Council
18
Nexen
2
Centre for Distance Education
1
Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA)
50
Certified General Accountants (CGA) Ontario
4, 48
Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies
37
Canadian Payroll Association
26
Ross University
9
Concordia University College of Alberta
ii
13
Halliburton
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
48
Halton Regional Police Service
28
St. George’s University
31, 48
Harris Institute
42
Sun Life Financial
48
Heartland Health Region
38, 48
Talisman Energy
10
Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)
7
Trican Well Service Ltd.
2
49
Humber College Business School
University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business
46
ATCO Group
4
BC Hydro
34
BioTalent Canada
42
Bombardier Aerospace
45
Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy
40
2
winter/spring 2011
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EDITOR’S LETTER
career options
H
Managing Editor
ello! My name is Paul, and I am the new Editor of Career Options magazine. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance! As a career educator, and as someone who has made plenty of hiring decisions, I am a big fan of this magazine and its roster of skilled contributors. I’m thrilled and humbled to have the chance to be a part of this important publication. What’s more, this January 2011 issue marks the beginning of Career Options’ 25th Anniversary year, so I’m doubly thrilled to be involved as we reach this milestone. To acknowledge our achievement, we decided that in this issue we would both celebrate the past and look to the future.
Paul Smith Project Management | gordongroup
Kita Szpak Art Direction / Print Management | gordongroup
Leslie Miles Design & Layout | gordongroup
Laura Willsher Advertising Sales direction | gordongroup
Thomas Krayer As for our past, we invite you to join us for conversations with some of the people who have served as CACEE’s Executive Director since 1986, as they reflect on the role Career Options has played and continues to play in the organization, and in post-secondary career development in Canada. Looking to the future, we feature articles on social recruiting, a new technique that sees employers using social networking sites to connect with job candidates. More than a third of employers who responded to our 2010 Benchmark Survey reported that they are now using social recruiting as a tool, so if you use social networks like Facebook or LinkedIn, you’ll want to read those articles!
Advertising Sales | gordongroup
Kirill Kornilov Sean Guenther Andrew Moore Chris Wolski Pauline de Gonzague
Michael Barak Philippe Desrochers Linda Hart Ian Ingles Pete Leibman Andrea Dee Migchelsen Stephanie Migchelsen Theresa Myra Debbie Owen Panagiota Panagakos Amanda Sage Rowena Selby Lidia Siino Kerri Zanatta-Buehler
Contributors
Career Options is published bi-annually in January and September by the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE), 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 202, Toronto ON M5S 2T9. For subscription information, contact Paul D. Smith:
Tel: 613-634-2359 E-mail: pauls@cacee.com Website: www.careeroptionsmagazine.com
This issue exemplifies what I believe to be the great strength of Career Options: the content is relevant, timely and grounded in practice, and you can trust the advice being offered. The articles you read in this magazine are provided by people who are good at what they do and who are trusted by their clients and peers, and each article is approved by a panel of career educators. That means that you, the reader, can trust them, too. And in a world where anyone with Internet access has a global platform to share their opinions, a trusted source of information is invaluable.
For advertising inquiries, contact Thomas Krayer, Director of Sales, gordongroup:
Tel: 613-288-5362 Fax: 613-722-6496 E-mail: tkrayer@gordongroup.com Website: www.gordongroup.com ISSN: 1712-1183 The Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) is a national, non-profit partnership of employer recruiters and career services professionals. Our mission is to provide authoritative information, advice, professional development opportunities and other services to employers, career services professionals and students. Career Options is distributed to students at post-secondary institutions across Canada. Career Options is available free of charge through campus career centres.
Enjoy the magazine in print form, and online at www.careeroptionsmagazine.com, where you’ll find even more information as well as great interactive content for young career seekers like you. Good luck to you as you prepare to make the transition from school to work, or to whatever your next step might be. It’s your life, your career and your Career Options. Make the most of them. All the best, Paul Smith Editor
NOTE: The opinions expressed within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect CACEE policy. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. The National Student Resource of: Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers 720 Spadina Ave., Suite 202 Toronto ON M5S 2T9 www.cacee.com
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How to S Survive By Andrea Dee Migchelsen
tudent life feels like all you do is eat, sleep and breathe school, enduring months of tests, essays, midterms and exams. You feel like your life can be summed up like this: “The light at the end of the tunnel is temporarily out of service. Please check back later.”
9to5
But then you do graduate (yay!)… and enter the working world (yay?). You no longer feel the stress of school, but instead, you may begin to feel the workday slump. I started working at 16 in a family restaurant. I’d work 13-hour shifts, no problem, because I was constantly moving. But when I started “grown-up” work at 18 as a teller in a bank, I could barely make it two hours in without being completely exhausted. You wouldn’t think an office job could be exhausting because you really don’t do anything but sit on your behind all day, nearly motionless. Trust me— now that I’m in an office job, I’d almost rather go back to cleaning up after screaming babies at the restaurant… almost. Ca reer O p t io n s
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I would get frustrated with work and just bottle it up— not good for morale or the work itself.
3
Make a friend/“work spouse.” When I first started, I didn’t take much initiative to meet new people at work. I would get frustrated with work and just bottle it up—not good for morale or the work itself. An old friend of mine actually transferred to a bank down the street, so I do lunch with him. I think I would’ve lost my sanity long ago without him. When you have a friend at work, you can laugh your lunches away, complaining and gossiping. You can count on somebody to buy you lunch or chocolate when you’re down.
Having worked in various positions for 8 years, I’ve picked up little bits of wisdom and tips from co-workers and friends on how to survive a 9 to 5 job—because you really can’t impress your boss when you’re so tired you look hung over.
1
Get off your behind and MOVE! Medical studies recently showed that after seven hours of sitting, your metabolism will lower, your blood pressure and cholesterol will rise, and your risk of osteoporosis will increase. You may be thinking that this only happens to people over 50, but this study was actually done by a children’s hospital. Easy things to do to get yourself moving: go for walks at lunch, run up and down some office stairs, or do some simple stretches. A good friend of mine used to do push-ups under her desk. Doctors say that even standing for a few minutes does the trick.
2
. Take your lunch break, guilt-free. When I first started at this job, I ate at my desk, trying to get ahead on my work to look like a huge keener. But my dad worked down the street and he was retiring very soon, so I started taking my lunch with him. WOW, total change in my work and morale! Before, I found my days would seem to drag on, and I just wanted to get out. Afternoons were slow and unproductive because I would stare at the clock. But spending 30 minutes to an hour with my dad completely changed all that—AND we got to do some solid bonding. Now that he’s retired, I go for walks (refer back to #1) on breaks. I come back in a much better mood and work the afternoon away. You’re given a break for a reason—now go take the whole thing!
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There is a new term out there: “work spouse” (http://www.theglobeandmail. com/life/work/the-office-wife-and-cubicle-hubby-till-downsizing-do-us-part/ article1494201/). In short, it’s a platonic couple who do all their boring meetings and lunches together; the relationship gets to be like that of an old married couple. Having a friend at or near work makes your day that much brighter, because they can make you laugh and understand what you’re talking about when office life is frustrating you. Also, I really don’t think your significant other understands, nor wants to hear your fascinating tales of the photocopier.
4
Go to bed early: I realize I sound like your mom, but really, GO TO BED! If you’re still staying up for “all-nighters” with friends or just the TV, you need a reality check. You have a 9 to 5 job now. I wake up at 6:30 to bus to work every day; my old 2:30 a.m. antics are so not a smart idea. I set myself an appropriate bedtime, like 10:30, though I usually make it to 11:30. You just can’t do a good job at work with only four hours of sleep, five days in a row. So just go to bed already! An additional tip to this is: when your alarm goes off, get up! Setting it for 7 and hitting “Snooze” until 8 is a huge waste of your time and sleep. Research shows how detrimental that is to your sleeping patterns. If the alarm’s set for 7, wake up at 7.
5
Coffee: Seriously—just coffee. Simple as that. Studies show that drinking a few cups a day curbs memory loss, increases metabolism, lowers your risk of diabetes, contains antioxidants, and decreases the risk of gout for men. So next time somebody tries to nag you about caffeine in your diet, just show them this study: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/14/f-researchcoffee-tea-good-for-you.html. Try and use some of these tips in your summer or part-time jobs, and make them habits for the future. CO
www.caree r o p t io n smag a z i n e .com
ADVERTORIAL
What is Trican Well Service? Trican provides pressure pumping services to the oil and gas industry, primarily during the drilling and completions stages. More specifically, services include fracturing, coiled tubing, cementing, acidizing, nitrogen, reservoir characterization, microseismic fracture mapping, industrial cleaning and pipeline services. Trican is based in Calgary and has operations across western Canada and around the world. Why would someone want to work at Trican? Trican is a technical leader within our industry and unquestionably a growth company. The culture is dynamic— no two days are the same. The work is challenging, and Trican people are always looking for ways to improve our products and processes, as well as our operational and environmental performance. Trican is known for its agility; the ability to quickly grasp a need and solve a technical issue, often within days instead of months. We’ve been listed as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for three years in a row for reasons such as tuition subsidies, parental leave top-ups, flexible work options and one of the best benefit programs in the industry. We’re also listed as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Canada’s Top 25 Family Friendly Employers and Alberta’s Top 50 Employers. Trican is also recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Corporate R&D Spenders and was named Supplier of the Year by Oilweek magazine. Trican recognizes and rewards the contributions of our employees, and we offer above-average career advancement and international opportunities due to our growth and the commitment of our management team. So what kind of people are you looking for? We look for people who work hard and like to have fun. We value a can-do attitude above all. We hire and reward those who are motivated, results and service-oriented, career-driven, team players, honest, ethical and adaptable. What fields of education do you recruit from? We employ graduates in the fields of engineering, chemistry and geosciences. We also hire mechanics, and electronics and instrumentation technicians.
What positions are available? We’re looking for technical staff at graduate and undergrad levels and in various capacities such as petroleum and chemical engineers and technologists, earth scientists, environmental specialists, chemists, heavy duty mechanics, electronics and instrumentation technicians, in addition to all levels of field operators. What are the options for career growth for people who join Trican? We offer the opportunity to move within and between service lines and among geographic regions, as well as structured career progression paths through regular performance development processes and succession planning. Trican offers the opportunity to develop a high level of expertise in a given field, or explore a broader range of technical roles within the company. What is your training program? Depending on the role, Trican’s technical staff is trained in field operations, beginning with a one-week orientation program, as well as office, shop or lab work. This includes assessing customer needs, job design, preparation, execution and supervision. Employees also develop their skills through hands-on training and mentoring, as well as external accreditation such as engineering degrees or apprentice programs towards the Alberta journeyman certification in the field of mechanics and instrumentation. Trican offers opportunities for structured career progression, ongoing education and expertise development, as well as geographic mobility, both domestically and internationally, within Trican’s extensive operations. Trican has a longstanding relationship with two local educational institutes and welcomes co-op and summer students each year. Trican also sits on an advisory committee of an Alberta-based technical institute to help design course content applicable to the industry. How do I find out more? Visit www.trican.ca or scan here:
13 Major By Pete Leibman
Mistakes to Avoid at Networking Events
B
ack when I was a 21-year-old student, networking helped me get my dream job working in the front office for a professional sports franchise. I learned a lot through that process and over the last seven years of working in the “real world.” Here are tips on how to avoid 13 major mistakes students tend to make at networking events and opportunities:
Mistake #1
Being unprepared: Networking means conversation, so be ready to talk! Be aware of the latest news and trends about the industry or organization hosting the event. In addition, research any featured speakers or other key people likely to be at the event, and prepare a few questions/ideas for them.
work in could be more valuable than attending ten events that are not industry-specific or highly relevant to your career goals.
Mistake #3
Having unrealistic expectations: Expecting too much will only make you nervous. Therefore, just aim to meet new people, have conversations and build relationships— don’t expect or try to get a job at an event.
Mistake #4
Only talking to people you already know: Don’t use your friends as a crutch. Aim to talk to two new people per hour. Once you start talking to a few new people, you might find that you’re eager to meet others.
Mistake #2
Mistake #5
8
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Attending the wrong events: All networking events are not created equal. Attending one event for the industry you want to winter/spring 2011
Eating or drinking at events: Too many things can go wrong here. For example, you could spill on yourself
or eat something that causes bad breath. Unless you are in a situation where it would be rude not to eat, have a snack before the event and then stick to water while you’re there.
Mistake #6
Improvising your introduction: Before arriving, prepare a concise, clear and compelling way to introduce yourself. After stating your name, say something like, “I’m President of the Student Athlete Committee at ABC University, and I’m here today to learn more about sports marketing.” Your “pitch” at a networking event should only be 5–10 seconds long. Shorter is better.
Mistake #7
Asking for a job too soon: Trust and rapport must be established before a job offer or referral will be granted. Focus on building relationships first.
Networking is not about collecting business cards— it’s about building relationships. One meaningful conversation is better than ten superficial interactions.
Mistake #8
Being too controversial: Certain topics are always off-limits, e.g., sex, religion, and politics. Don’t talk or joke about anything that could make people uncomfortable.
Mistake #9
Interrupting intimate conversations: Only introduce yourself to people who are alone or in groups of three or more. Do not interrupt two people in a discussion—unless they are side by side and looking around, a sign that they are receptive to meeting others.
Mistake #10
Talking only about yourself: The best way to start and lead a conversation is to ask your companions thoughtful questions.
You can start by asking how someone got involved with a particular organization, or how they got started in their industry.
Mistake #11
Using poor body language: Smile, give a firm handshake, and make eye contact when meeting someone. Fail to do these three things, and people will not trust or respect you. This sounds basic, but first impressions are VERY powerful, and many students botch them.
Not following up correctly: The “magic” of networking happens with your follow-up AFTER an event. Within 24 hours of meeting someone, take the next step step to build the relationship, such as requesting an informational interview. Over 80% of all jobs are NOT advertised, and over 70% of all jobs are filled through personal contacts and networking. If you want to get a better job faster through networking, you MUST avoid making these 13 mistakes! CO Pete Leibman is the creator of the Dream Job College Tour and the Washington Wizards’ Sports Careers Day, events attended by
Mistake #12
thousands of students since 2004. For other
Focusing on quantity over quality: Networking is not about collecting business cards—it’s about building relationships. One meaningful conversation is better than ten superficial interactions.
Mistake #13
Ca reer O p t io n s
networking tips, or to learn more about the 2011 Dream Job College Tour, visit Pete’s website at www.IdealizeNow.com. You can also email Pete directly at Pete@IdealizeNow.com.
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Get Ready to Ace Your
By Panagiota Panagakos
Telephone Interview
M
any recruiters use telephone interviews as a method of pre-screening candidates for face-to-face interviews. This is normally the case when there are a large number of applicants or when there is a large distance for candidates to travel to the interview. Telephone interviews can be tough because you, the interviewee, can’t see your interviewer. As such, you tend to be even more nervous than you would be face-to-face. Below are some tips to help you prepare for a telephone interview. Try to reschedule if the time doesn’t work for you If a recruiter calls to interview you at an inconvenient time, don’t feel pressured to proceed, especially if you’re not prepared. Instead, tell the recruiter that you aren’t able to speak to him or her at the moment because you have a conflict, and that you would like
to set up a later date. Suggest a few dates and times that you are available to speak to the recruiter. Use a land line A land line has better reception than a cell phone. If you’re unable to use a land line, make sure that your cell phone has a clear signal at the location you’re planning to use for your interview. Keep in mind that not all areas on your campus will have a signal. Find a quiet place to take the call Ensure that there is no background noise at the location you choose for the interview. Turn off the TV or any music player, and let the people you live with know you need quiet until after the call concludes. Practice interviewing over the phone Telephone interviews are not easy, because you are not able to see the reactions and body language of the interviewer. As such, interviewees tend to become really nervous when there is silence after they have answered a question. When this
happens, it is not uncommon for interviewees to talk more in order to fill in the silence. What many interviewees don’t realize is that quite often there is silence because the interviewer is writing down the interviewee’s answers. Practice interviewing over the phone with a career counsellor from your school or a friend. Ask them to provide you with feedback on how you answer the questions and whether you are speaking clearly and slowly, as well as to monitor how often you say “uh” and “um” or use filler words such as “you know” or “like.” Wear professional attire Dress as you would for a face-to-face interview. Do not wear your pajamas, sweats or any other clothes you tend to relax in. By being dressed properly and having good posture, you will naturally sound more professional and confident over the telephone. Prepare! Prepare for the telephone interview as you would for a face-to-face interview. Research the company, review the job posting and practice answering interview questions in advance to ensure you sound natural yet confident in your delivery. Keep Materials close by Have all your necessary materials handy. Your résumé should be in front of you to scan during the interview. Make sure you don’t read directly from it as the interviewer will be able to detect this. Instead, review your résumé in advance to ensure you are able to answer any questions that the interviewer may ask about it without looking. Also have a pen and paper nearby to take notes, and a glass of water in case your throat gets dry. Follow-up Remember to follow regular interview protocol and a send a follow-up email to your interviewers, thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. CO
Panagiota Panagakos, M.Ed., is the Principal Consultant of Careersma! (www.careersma.ca), a career management and education counselling company.
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Why Is
Social Recruiting By Debbie Owen
Gaining in Popularity?
I
t’s redefining the process of recruiting for employers; it’s making job searches easier; it costs almost nothing except time and effort; and from the looks of things, it’s here to stay: social recruiting is the latest phenomenon taking the virtual world by storm. Piggybacking on the popularity of social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn, social recruiting uses these sites to find and hire the best people for the job. The practice provides mutual benefits for both employers and job seekers.
employers currently use or are planning to adopt social recruiting practices; of this number, 66% said they had successfully hired using this method. Around 95% of employers use LinkedIn for their recruitment needs, 42% use Twitter, and 59% percent use Facebook. This year’s survey says that 83% of employers will use social networks to recruit today; 46% will spend more on social recruiting; 36% will spend less on job boards; and 80% review social profiles before deciding whether to hire employees.
According to a survey conducted by e-recruitment solutions provider Jobvite last year, 80% of
So why is social recruiting gaining such immense popularity in such a short time?
12
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The networks are larger and more connected: It’s pretty hard to find anyone who’s not on any social network. The popularity of these sites is enough to attract users who are not familiar with web technology and barely use email. Those who are not too keen on Facebook or Twitter because of the informal atmosphere may feel right at home on LinkedIn, a more formal employment-oriented site. In short, these sites make the best rooftops from which users can shout out their needs, whatever they may be. So whether you’re an employer
it’s best to strike while the iron is hot— so if you’re looking to find suitable employees or looking for a good job, right now social media is the place to be. hoping to hire the best candidate or a job seeker looking for the right position, social networks allow you to reach the largest number of people with the least effort and in the least time—and that’s why they’re such effective and powerful recruiting tools. The downside of social networks, however, is that the smallest negative comment or characteristic can be blown out of proportion in no time. The grapevine works very fast online, and if you make a mistake and say or do something that comes back to haunt you, it’s very hard to control the damage, let alone to eliminate it completely. It allows you to get to know people in a short time: People are more open on social networks like Twitter and Facebook, where updates and status messages offer insight into their personalities, their interests, their dislikes and other aspects that would otherwise take time to get to know. So if you’re hoping to learn more about a potential employee or employer, all you need to do is look at their profile or home page and check out what they’re saying and doing online. The downside of this is that some people’s personalities are much different online than in real life—some may be more charismatic online than they are in person, while others may find social media makes them seem shy and reticent. So the picture painted online may not be accurate. It is cost-effective: Most social media sites are free to use—all you need to do is sign up and then get active on them. Even pay-for-use tools are priced competitively, making them much more affordable than most job boards and sites. All an organization has to do is set up an individual or a team (based on the organization’s size) to maintain its site profile, respond to questions and comments, and interact with others online in such a way that the organization is portrayed in a positive light. The downside here is that these sites may not be free forever—some may start charging for services for those using them as a commercial platform to promote their organization. Also, if your organization’s social media team is not up to the task, the entire operation becomes a futile exercise. Because of the fleeting nature of web trends and the instant popularization of anything innovative and new, it’s hard to say how long social media will remain employers’ favorite recruiting tools. But as they say, it’s best to strike while the iron is hot—so if you’re looking to find suitable employees or looking for a good job, right now social media is the place to be. CO
Debbie Owen writes on the topic of online doctorate degrees. She welcomes your comments by email at debbieowen83@gmail.com.
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Inventing Your T By Philippe Desrochers
If you can’t find a job posting that fits your interests, then invent it!
he president of a fast-growing company recently admitted to me that he has “no time to tell [his] staff what to do.” He wants his new and veteran employees to come up with and offer solutions to his business problems. In complete contrast, too many employees at companies of all sizes wait for direction from a supervisor to give them structure. There is a massive disconnect here. The need for structure is a basic human need. Schools and companies know that if you provide
people with structure, they know what is expected of them and will thus perform better. However, structure is no longer part of a growing trend in companies where old hierarchies and processes are being replaced with smaller, more nimble teams and solutions… and less structure. The key to inventing your dream job lies within you. By taking on personal leadership, you create not only those needed boundaries to feel safe, but also the opportunity to invent your next opportunity.
Dream Job On the job:
If you have been on the job for more than six months and intuitively know that you have built trust with your boss, then follow these steps:
1 2
5 6
Ask your boss verbally if she sees any challenges in a particular area of the company.
Ask her if she agrees with your strategies and if you can get started on them.
If she says yes, then ask her if she would be open to receiving a few recommendations as to how you can help improve them.
After three months, negotiate a raise based on your increased responsibilities.
3
Draft a one-page proposal where you outline the problem and your recommendations for improvements.
4
Book a meeting with your boss to present your document.
Note: ONLY address problems or challenges that excite you. Example: Sara had been working for a credit union as a customer service agent for several years, but her dream was to work in the Organizational Development department, where she would train staff on leadership principles. She applied the strategy outlined above to another department. She first asked for approval from her current manager if she could approach the head of the other department. After receiving approval, she followed the steps and received an initial green light to put together a proposal. Whether or not she lands a position in her dream department, she has learned how to invent her dream job while already working for the company.
Looking for a job:
If you can’t find a job posting that fits your interests, then invent it:
1
Book an information meeting with the head of the department at a company you would love to work for.
2
Spend most of the meeting asking about the department’s particular challenges. You MUST make sure that before you leave the meeting, you ask this question: “If you do not address this problem, what impact do you think it will have on your business?”
3
Email to thank your interviewer within the next few days, and ask in the email if he is open to receiving some recommendations to possibly address some of his challenges. It is vital that you ask this question as well.
4 5 6
If he says yes, then draft a one-page proposal outlining the problem and solutions. Send it to him and follow up with a phone call to discuss his initial impressions. If he likes it, book a meeting to discuss implementation—and the invention of your dream job. Example: Marco dreamed of working for a new fitness franchise in the marketing department. Being a member of one of the clubs, he approached the manager and asked if he could meet with her to learn more about the business and the industry. During the meeting some very key problems were identified, and to Marco’s surprise, the manager indicated that she could use his help. By the end of the meeting, he was hired as an Assistant Marketer. They do not always happen this fast, but good things can happen when you follow the strategies in this article. CO
Philippe Desrochers is a Global Career Development Facilitator, a Lecturer (Career Management), the author of 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before…Landing Your Dream Job (available on Amazon.com), and Manager, BCom Careers at the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia (UBC). The career centre works with both employers and students in connecting the community with future business leaders. Sauder’s business career centre provides students with a variety of career management services and offers employers a variety of high-impact recruitment services. Recruiting from Sauder gives organizations access to skilled, motivated individuals with fresh perspectives and new ideas.
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By Linda Hart and Ian Ingles
Social Media 101
ies use of compan ocial g to use s in nn a l p r or are search fo o t g in k r netwo es, with candidat sing e n ts c h o o d n o p s e r of se. this purpo r o f In d e Link
80%
95%
What Are Social Media? Social media have become an increasingly important part of many university students’ lives over the past several years. Given this fact, it only makes sense to consider their impact on careers and job search for new graduates. So what do we mean when we use the term “social media”? Many different definitions can be found online and elsewhere. However, a common thread running through several definitions (as found on Wikipedia) is the idea of blending technology and social interaction for the co-creation of value. However they are defined, it is certain that social media can have an impact on how someone looks for a job and even on how they are viewed as a candidate. What impact will social media have on how employers view you? This is an important question to ask yourself in the age of Facebook and LinkedIn. If you ask the same question to a sampling of recruiters, you will get a vast array of answers and no common agreed-upon approach. So read on for information to keep in mind when you consider your own foray into the world of social media. Types of Social Media There are many types of social media, each having their own characteristics and uses. Some types are more restrictive than others, with guidelines to improve the online experience for users. The most common types of social media are social networking sites where users can connect and share information with each other, such as YouTube, where users share videos, or Facebook and LinkedIn, where users share all kinds of personal information. Another popular social networking site is Twitter, where users share updates and information through short messages and Internet links. Other types of social media include blogs, podcasts, forums and discussion boards. How to Take Advantage of Social Media to Grow Your Career If you are looking for your first job or perhaps considering a career change, social networking is an effective job search enhancement. According to the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE), in their 2010 Campus and Recruitment and Benchmark Survey Report, the use of social recruiting by employers jumped 11% from the previous year.
“Canadian recruiters will visit fewer campuses this year, as they increasingly turn to popular social media websites like LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube to find their hires,” said CACEE Executive Director Paul Smith. Probably the most effective social networking site for job seekers is LinkedIn. This career-oriented site currently has over 75 million users and provides an ideal venue to increase employment opportunities by showcasing the user’s work experience, skills and abilities for potential employers to view. LinkedIn allows you to profile your resume, network with people in the field you are pursuing, target organizations you are interested in working with, learn about job leads and conduct employer research. This can give you a competitive advantage when going for an interview—for example, you could check out your interviewer’s profile in advance to find commonalities. LinkedIn allows you to view company pages including current staff, recent hires, hiring practices, employment trends and company insight. According to Jobvite, a provider of next-generation recruitment solutions, the results of their Social Recruitment Survey 2009 showed that 80% of companies use or are planning to use social networking to search for candidates, with 95% of respondents choosing LinkedIn for this purpose. To make the most effective use of LinkedIn to grow your career, it is important to build a full profile. Your profile should have a strong summary statement with keywords that will show up in a search engine, and should include: the type of position you are seeking; a professional-looking photo of you; information about your education, work experience, volunteer experience, extra-curricular activities, internship or co-op experience; and recommendations from current or previous supervisors or professors. When asking for recommendations to include in your profile, ask those who are your biggest fans. Make sure your recommendations are both current and positive, and provide specific feedback about your skills, knowledge and abilities. Recommendations should be by people with strong written communication skills, as spelling and grammar errors will reflect negatively on you. When requesting recommendations, ask the writers to cover specific information (i.e., “Can you write about the project I worked on, and the quality or impact of my work?”). Ca reer O p t io n s
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A good r ule of th um b to remem ber is:
post it, s “if you will find omeone it.” Make sure you only
post info rmation you wan that t a poten t ia l or cu r r e n t employe r to find .
Things to Keep in Mind when Using Social Media Whatever social media you choose to use, your information is available to employers. A good rule of thumb to remember is: “If you post it, someone will find it.” Make sure you only post information that you want a potential or current employer to see. Some organizations conduct more vigorous background checks than others. For instance, if you are considering a career as a police officer, you can expect a very thorough background check, including any information available online. If you have said one thing in an interview, such as “I don’t drink alcohol” for instance, and there is a picture on your Facebook page of you holding a drink, then you have given the interviewer reason to question your honesty. According to Microsoft-commissioned research, hiring managers and recruiters in the U.S. use the internet to research job applicants. Of participants surveyed, 70% of U.S. hiring managers rejected candidates based on their online profile information. Be conscious of what you put online. Certain careers, such as with the Canadian Security & Intelligence Service, may also require that you do not divulge your career online, for the possibility that you may become a person of interest for a foreign espionage organization. Keep your personal information available only to friends and share what you want potential employers to know about you publicly. Keep your online information honest and professional. In Conclusion… There are clearly opportunities to use social media to your advantage in your search for a new career. There are also potential pitfalls to be aware of. Keeping these things in mind will enable today’s university students to get ahead in today’s employment market. CO
Linda Hart is Assistant Director, Co-operative Education & Career Services, University of Guelph. Ian Ingles is Employment Services Coordinator, Career Development & Employment Centre, Ryerson University.
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putting
social media to work
By Amanda Sage
N
ew media journalist and web strategist Amber MacArthur knows how to get noticed. To promote her new book, Power Friending, she found a way to connect with people online in an original and authentic way. A fan of the popular television series “Dexter”—a hit with her target audience—Amber produced the online video “Texter,” a funny, clever advertisement that plays on the opening credits of “Dexter” and depicts her as a serial texter. The clip brought a lot of attention to Amber and her book. That’s because Amber took the advice she so readily gives to others who are looking to promote themselves online: Don’t just broadcast yourself—make it personal and get creative. Take it from Amber. As co-founder and vicepresident of MGImedia, a web and social media company that specializes in world-class web experiences, Amber is an expert in her field. Her impressive credentials include working with Tony Robbins, CityNews, CP24 and G4 Tech TV Canada. “I was doing a lot of online community building before the term ‘social media’ even existed,” she says. “I got really excited about the possibility of being able to create content online with anyone in the world in a pretty easy and free way.”
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“I think there’s a real opportunity for young people to start to get a better handle of how social media works and how it can be beneficial to their careers.”
Think twice before posting those party photos from Cancún, or ranting about your part-time job.
Tip 2
Take control of your digital brand Your online reputation is shaped by not only what you don’t post, but also what you do post. Get a website set up and start to use some of the top social media tools to engage potential employers and promote what you have to offer. You can develop an online presence that features a brief history of your education and employment history, and includes an email address in case people want to contact you.
Power Friending
is available at Amazon.ca and in most Chapters bookstores. Visit PowerFriending.com to learn more about the book. For more on Amber, visit AmberMac.com. After working for several years as a consultant, strategist and reporter in the field of social media, Amber started speaking professionally on the topic across North America. It was then she realized that although people were aware of online tools such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, most users didn’t have a strong grasp on how social media could be put to good use. “I think social media plays a pretty significant role in the job market right now, especially for students,” says Amber. “[Today’s student] lives in a really exciting time where they have the potential to interact with people they may work with before they’ve even walked through the doors of the company. That’s never existed before… I think there’s a real opportunity for young people to start to get a better handle of how social media works and how it can be beneficial to their careers.” After delivering dozens of keynote addresses on social media, Amber saw a real need for a resource that educated people on how they can use social media to promote themselves online. So she seized the opportunity and created her very own social media “how-to” book. “I ended up writing Power Friending as a guide to help people understand how to build a brand online in a very, very practical way,” she says.
Tip 3 The book was initially targeted at businesses looking to create or reinforce a brand. But Amber quickly saw the potential for it to help students as well. “Students are becoming brands, as far as searching for jobs, and so I really think [Power Friending] can be a helpful guide for anyone out there who wants to use online tools to market themselves and to network,” she says. “And really, in our day and age, that’s almost everyone.” As Amber tells it, Power Friending is all about how to build and nurture relationships from the ground up with the help of the Internet. “It provides a great way for students to get themselves set up and start to deliver on whatever it is they want to do,” says Amber. For students looking to transition into the job market, Amber offers the following top three social media tips to bear in mind:
Tip 1
Protect your online reputation What you’re putting online today could potentially be there forever. It’s important to limit how much personal information you share, and what kind. Employers are now going online to research potential employees or candidates, so you need to start protecting your reputation more than ever.
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Network, network, network Seek out people who could be mentors or potential employers and start building online relationships with them. Check out their profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter—and get out there and hustle. The important thing to remember is that the Internet offers a means for both employers and students to find what they’re looking for. “With social media, it’s really two-fold,” says Amber. “Students can get information about a company and the people who work there, but they can also use it as a platform to promote themselves.” Amber points to YouTube recruitment videos and Twitter job postings as evidence of how employers are taking advance of social media to find potential employees. “Employers are getting pretty creative with job recruiting online,” says Amber. “It’s important that students be just as creative in finding ways to get noticed.” Given how successful Amber has been at harnessing the power of the Internet, it’s a good idea to take a page from her book. Get creative. Find a way to build your online brand in a way that will speak to the people you’re trying to reach and show employers what you’re made of. Put social media to work for you. CO w in t er/s p rin g 2 0 1 1
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Why Choose a
Co-op Degree at University?
By Theresa Myra
What is co-op or a Co-operative Education Program? According to the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE), “co-operative education program� means a program that alternates periods of academic study with periods
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of work experience in appropriate fields of business, industry, government, social services and the professions, in accordance with the following criteria: (i) each work situation is developed and/or approved by the co-operative educational institution as a suitable learning situation; (ii) the co-operative student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing; (iii) the co-operative student receives remuneration for the work performed; (iv) the co-operative student’s progress on the job is monitored by the co-operative educational institution; (v) the co-operative student’s performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the student’s co-operative employer; (vi) the time spent in periods of work experience must be at least 30% of the time spent in academic study. Co-operative education, or “co-op” as it is commonly referred to, is certainly gaining momentum and popularity in recent years. The current economic climate, the rising
tuition costs at post-secondary institutions, as well as recognition by employers and students of the importance of having direct related work experience as part of their undergraduate degree, have all made the co-op experience extremely advantageous. A co-op degree can be an invaluable asset for the transition from post-secondary to work, as well as the transition from an undergraduate degree to further post-secondary study in various professional programs.
career educators work with you during the course of your co-op degree.
4 5 6 7
Recognition: Co-operative education is recognized locally, nationally and internationally. Options: You’ll have the opportunity to explore your career options. Cost: Co-op earnings can offset some education expenses. Opportunities: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada studies have shown that post-secondary co-operative education improves opportunities for full-time employment after graduation.
Co-op exposes students to careers they may not have even considered. Students grow personally and professionally while in co-op! This degree option is one that students should give careful thought and consideration when choosing universities and their future direction.
Why choose a co-op degree?
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Experience: You will gain valuable, career-related, practical experience.
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Contacts: You will make important contacts while on your co-op work terms. Variety: You learn a great deal about the range of jobs that exist in your field of interest and those in similar disciplines. CO
Learning: You will apply skills learned in your studies and develop new skills during your work term.
Theresa Myra is the Employer Development Coordinator at Science Co-operative Education, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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Growth: You will develop your personal and professional abilities, learn about yourself and get valuable feedback as co-op and
Here’s what a few Science Co-op students have to say about the co-op experience »
“Co-op is worth the extra time, as you are getting hands-on experience, one-on-one supervision, and references for your CV before you even graduate. The networking opportunities are amazing. I wasn’t even considering marine biology until I saw a poster for the marine biology co-op program one night while attending the movies. I thought, what a great opportunity, and here I am now in my last year with three great references, and I feel that I have really learned a lot. I think I have learned more from my co-op experience then in my classes.” Amy Ryan, Science Co-op student, majoring in Marine Biology 2009/10
“Science Co-op was the best decision I’ve ever made. Having the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at three different institutions before I graduate definitely gives me an advantage. There is a lot you can learn during a co-op that you can’t learn in school. You’ll also meet lots of people in the industry and make tons of connections that will help you in the future when job searching. Because of Science Co-op, I now have a better idea of what I’d like to do after I finish school—and I have the résumé to do it. The possibilities are endless!” Mary Bateman, Science Co-op student, majoring in Chemistry 2009/10
“Taking on a Science Co-op degree has been the best decision I’ve made in university. Being able to pace yourself with alternating academic and work terms is not only refreshing, but it also allows you to use the theory you’ve learned in the classroom in practical, real-life situations. The technical skills you acquire during each work term are invaluable, directly related to your field of interest and transferable. Additionally, finding my Honours supervisor through a work term and being able to then dedicate four solid months of research to my Honours project has simply been a fantastic use of my time. You will graduate with more than a year’s worth of work experience, along with several solid, positive references—so doing co-op will definitely set you apart!” Jillian Soh, Science Co-op student, majoring in Biology 2009/10
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“I’m on my way to Barcelona— I’ll tweet you when I arrive!”
“I just Skyped my cousin from New Zealand… it was like he was right next door!”
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oday, more than ever before, the world is at our doorstep. Different forms of social media help to bridge the gaps made by geography, and while the distance still remains, the expectation that we all can travel internationally has become the norm. Indeed, it seems that these days there is almost an expectation that an undergraduate student will have international experience, either through a study abroad opportunity as part of their
degree, or through work or volunteer experience immediately following graduation. In addition to learning more about other peoples and perspectives, students can take courses not offered at their home institution, learn or improve a language, and enjoy rich travel experiences while escaping the Canadian cold. Today’s students also realize the importance of increasing their intercultural knowledge, skills and attitudes in a complex, globalized world and a highly competitive professional market.
Studying Abroad By Rowena Selby
Paying the tuition rates at your home university, rather than often exorbitant international tuition fees, makes an exchange an enticing opportunity. Most Canadian universities have exchange agreements with a diverse range of institutions abroad. While exchanges with Australasian and European countries have been commonplace for some time, many are now looking for partnerships with universities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Students can choose between a semester or yearlong exchange, usually taken during the third year of their Canadian degree. Returning to your home university with credits taken abroad, in addition to a potentially life-changing experience in your pocket, is a chance not to be missed. Contact your Faculty Exchange Office or your International Centre, where advisors can guide you through the application process and respond to your logistical and personal questions and concerns. Other study abroad options are also available. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of living in Italy, but your university doesn’t have any formal exchange agreements with the land of romantic language, ancient art and fabulous food. There is always the option of applying for a Letter of Permission from your university to gain credits elsewhere and then apply them to your degree. You’ll have to ensure that the university you want to go to is an accredited institution. You’ll also need to check in with your academic advisor to make sure that you are choosing courses appropriate for your degree and that credits earned abroad will transfer. Do keep in mind, however, that you will effectively be an international student at your host university and will therefore be subject to international fees. Other study abroad options include shortterm language-learning courses or summer programs abroad, either through a university or an organization. Check if there are any courses taught abroad organized through your university. For example, Queen’s University students have the option of studying at Herstmonceux Castle in the UK, while at the University of Toronto students can choose from a myriad of summer abroad programs, from Life Sciences in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands to Peace and Conflict Studies in Nairobi and the Masai Mara. There are also many organizations that specialize in coordinating study abroad experiences, and assist with everything from ensuring the student’s acceptance into an overseas institution to dealing with the paperwork issues such as visas and health
Some resources to get you started » Lonely Planet Travel Guides: www.lonelyplanet.com, and receive tweets on your upcoming destination at http://twitter.com/lonelyplanet
The Canadian Guide to Working and Living Overseas by Jean-Marc Hachey (Intercultural Systems)
Work your Way around the World by Susan Griffith (Vacation Work Publications)
WikiTravel, a free world-wide travel guide: www.wikitravel.org
International Experience Canada: www.international.gc.ca
International Youth Internship Program: www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/iyip
Student Work Abroad Program: www.swap.ca
insurance. Good programs will also give in-country orientations, have comprehensive emergency support systems in place, and often give language and culture classes. AustraLearn, DAAD, Language Learning Abroad and the Centre for Cross-Cultural Study are just a few examples of these. Volunteering abroad is an excellent opportunity for the student who wants a challenge. You can work with street kids in Peru, get involved with health promotion and AIDS awareness in Guyana, teach basic computer skills in a South African women’s shelter, be a caregiver in a nursing home in Thailand—and the list goes on. While universities are beginning to award academic credit for such experiences, most do not yet offer this. Do be aware that volunteering is not a cheap option, and while volunteer organizations have come a long way in terms of in-country support and safety and an increased ethic of responsible volunteerism, this has also meant that costs for volunteer opportunities have risen significantly. Students need to be aware of their own limits and needs, and should ask questions and seek volunteer testimonials to ensure the credibility of the organization and the program. Some examples of organizations are BaseCamp Volunteer Abroad Program, Cross-Cultural Solutions, Projects Abroad and Youth Challenge International. Working abroad is yet another option, although this tends to be done more often to gain experience
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following a degree. Students keen on beginning their careers but wanting to work internationally can apply for specific professional positions or internships. These tend to be competitive and require early research. Connect with companies that have offices abroad. Take a look at the CIDA Youth Internship Program and other governmental international internship programs. Those wishing simply to spend some time in another country and earn enough money to get by should look at applying for a working holiday visa. Depending on where you want to go, these range in length from three months to two years, and generally allow someone under the age of 30 to work in service-industry positions. The concern for some is that you don’t usually find the position until after you’ve arrived at your destination. You can apply for a working holiday visa individually through the country’s embassy, consulate or High Commission, or engage an organization such as SWAP that will deal with the red tape issues for you. Take a step, challenge yourself, think about an experience abroad. But for now, while you’re dreaming, I’ll be checking out my friend’s photos of Chile on Facebook! CO
Rowena Selby is the Education Abroad Advisor, Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC).
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We’re not in Kansas Anymore… By Stephanie Migchelsen
or Canada, for That Matter
Hoi hoi! Greetings from the Netherlands! I’m Stephanie, and I am a Canadian citizen currently living in Utrecht, Netherlands, where I recently completed my Masters degree in Science at the University of Utrecht. Until recently I had never lived anywhere but Canada,
so when I had the chance to study abroad, I jumped at it. Once you get the travel bug, you jump at any opportunity. These past years have been some of the best of my life, and as I look toward doing my Ph.D. I only see more opportunities to travel. Who knows what’s next—Iceland? Switzerland? Spain?
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To give you a bit of background first, I did my Bachelor’s in Forensic Biology at the University of Toronto. It was one of the more intense programs, with a fairly strict scheduling of courses and prerequisites—so much so that a semester abroad usually meant losing a year of credits and, as some courses were offered only during alternating w in t er/s p rin g 2 0 1 1
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years, sometimes even two years. Long story short: I never got to do the much-ballyhooed (that means sensationalized) semester abroad. That’s why, when I decided to go back to school for my Masters, I decided to go to Europe— Utrecht in the Netherlands to be precise, for their superb training in medical sciences as well as our family ties to the land of bicycles and the colour orange. As part of my program in Utrecht, I also got the chance to go to Argentina for a research project on tropical medicine located in Buenos Aires. Abroad while abroad? Sign me up! If you get the opportunity to study abroad, here’s a few things you need to know:
Research
Do it—lots of it. Find out all you can about the countries you’re interested in, the cities, the schools and programs. Find out if the school is particularly known for a field of study. Find out if an exchange program (or at least a relationship) exists between your school and the ones you’re interested in, as a program can make the whole process much easier. Find out what the visa requirements are and whether you need vaccinations. Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs website (http://www. international.gc.ca/international/index.aspx) has lots of useful information about these sorts of things, as well as travel advisories and information about registering as a Canadian living abroad. Most schools will have an International Student Office full of lovely, well-informed people who are eager to answer your questions. Ask if they have student representatives—young people who have already done what you’re about to do and will give you the totally honest answers you need. Hearing what someone else has gone through will make you much more prepared for your stay. Also ask your friends/parents/siblings if they know anyone who lives in your destination country and might be able to help. This person could review housing options, make sure you don’t get stuck in a dodgy neighbourhood, recommend all sorts of things and basically show you the ropes. 30
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Passport/Visas
These documents are obviously the most important part of going abroad. And yes, your photo will most likely make you look like a criminal or drug dealer. Ask me about getting stopped in Atlanta while connecting from Bogotá on my way to Amsterdam—no fun! The Canadian passport is well-recognized and well-respected, but don’t think it’s your get-outof-jail-free card. Know what you need to provide to enter your destination country. Universities are usually quite good at helping you with the student visa application process, but you’ve got to do most of the legwork. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to provide your long-form birth certificate (which can usually be ordered online through your provincial government), a criminal record check available from your local police office, two to four passport photos, proof of financial good standing (sometimes your parents can back you up on this), a letter of acceptance from the school, etc. All this can take time to organize, and because a lot is done by mail, it’s best to get moving on it as soon as possible.
Credits
Remember, you are going abroad as part of your education, so you should get credit for your time abroad. Most of Europe is on the ECTS program (http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelonglearning-policy/doc48_en.htm), an EU-wide credit system that makes transferring credits really easy between educational institutes in Europe. Unfortunately, Canada is not a part of this system, which means that your law credits from England or biology courses from Germany might not have
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equivalents back home in Waterloo or Victoria. If you’re lucky, and with tons of documentation, you might convince your Registrar’s Office to accept them as equivalencies. If you’re less lucky, they might be counted as electives. Worst case: they don’t count for anything and you’re sans credit for that semester. This is where it pays to have done your research, and to have picked a school that has already established a link with your school—but don’t let that limit you. If you have your heart set on studying Viking ruins in Denmark, go for it! Accept the fact that you might not get your credits, but still have an amazing learning experience. Then bring home as much official documentation with you as you can—letters from professors, course descriptions, etc.—put on your puppy-dog eyes, and visit with the Registrar. Better yet, try to arrange this before you leave. Speak with your professor or the head of your department about some of your course options and see if they can give you any advice.
Money
It costs money to go abroad. At the moment, the Canadian dollar is fairly strong, but unless you’re going to Eastern Europe or South America, you can count on everything costing more abroad. Then there’s your airfare, visas, vaccinations, international calling (hello, Skype!), and so on. Check for scholarships, both at your school and the destination school. Some countries even have whole organizations dedicated to scholarships for foreign students. Check out Canadian-based organizations for the country you’re interested in: I have a friend who spent a year in Leipzig, Germany at almost no personal cost, because most of her expenses were covered by a scholarship from Carleton University, another from the university in Leipzig, and another from a German organization in Ottawa. Check any decent scholarship database, or Google terms like “study abroad scholarships” or “Country X scholarships.” Your school’s financial office or even the embassy of Country X might have further
links or leads for you. I would recommend calling the embassy—this is one of those times when it’s better to actually talk to someone rather than email. You’ll probably be calling them later about visa requirements anyway. Don’t forget to set aside extra money for emergencies. Even the most careful budgetmakers I know have blown it after a weekend of partying or one too many RyanAir flights. It’s not always easy to have your parents send money overseas, so figure out how to do it before you leave. If you can, set up a credit card for emergencies only and know how to withdraw money from it. Check your health insurance to see if it covers you while you’re abroad, or if you’re covered under your parents’ policies or on credit cards. Note that provincial health plans don’t usually apply when you live overseas. Most countries don’t have as great a public health system as we do in Canada, so you’ll likely have to pay out-of-pocket and then be reimbursed.
Culture Shock and Homesickness
The first few weeks you’re abroad, you’ll be so busy with partying, meeting new people, finding your classes and adjusting, you’ll feel like life is one big, crazy, fun whirlwind. But then you’ll get homesick. You won’t know how to pronounce the names of streets. You won’t be able to find skim milk, ginger or baking powder at the grocery store. The time difference will mean it’s harder to call home. You’ll blow your budget at Oktoberfest. You won’t be able to figure out the washing machine. You’ll get lost, have your bicycle stolen, have to walk. You’ll cry, hate it and want to take the next flight back home. It happens to every single person who goes abroad (I did an informal survey) and while it’s inevitable, it’s also inevitable that you’ll get over it. Acknowledging that culture shock will surely happen makes it a bit easier to deal with. Set up scheduled Skype dates with your friends and family back home. Write letters and send postcards and ask your friends to do the same. Have your parents send a care package full of goodies and reminders
of home. (I’m 26, have lived away from home for seven years, abroad for three of them, and my parents still send me care packages. Thanks Mom and Dad!) Get yourself invited to dinner at a local friend’s house and bask in the affection from their parents—Mom-hugs are a universal cure for homesickness. No Mom substitute available at that moment? Call a friend—even better if they’re also on exchange, because they’re likely feeling the same. Go for coffee, a walk, shopping, a movie, whatever. The feeling will pass.
Get to Know the Locals
Please, please, please don’t be one of those exchange students who only meets other exchange students and the local students involved with the exchange/international student program. If you really want to experience another country, you’ve got to meet locals doing their everyday thing: taking the train, shopping at the market, playing sports, working out at the gym, going to the movies. The school where I studied had an especially strong exchange program with Australian law departments, and I saw so many Aussie students who only hung out with each other. You can hang out with other Canadians anytime—use your time abroad to meet people you’re unlikely to meet in Canada. You’ll find that you pick up the language much faster, get invited to really cool parties and events, and learn tricks to avoid tourists. Plus, you might score the much coveted dinner invite (and Mom-hugs).
It happens to every single person who goes abroad and while it’s inevitable, it’s also inevitable that you’ll get over it.
calculus or biology or conflict resolution or whatever it is you’re there to study, but remember that this might be your only chance to live in Singapore or Prague or Melbourne—so make the most of it. Put yourself out there and meet new people. Learn the language, even if it’s just the basics like “Hello, my name is…”, “Where’s the washroom?” and “Two beers, please.” (Side note: ALWAYS learn to say “please,” “thank you” and “Do you speak English?” in the local language. It’s just polite and people will be much more willing to help.) Go on random weekend trips to the countryside, visit small villages, take pictures, eat the local cuisine. (My record: pigeon? Check. Llama? Check. Guinea pig? No, and I do regret it.) Stay out late on a school night every now and then. Have fun! CO
Make the Most of It!
You’ve decided to take an adventure, so don’t sit around in your dorm room. Adventures never happen during calculus study. I mean, do study
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he best thing about being an Employment Advisor is that each day I get to work with a wide variety of clientele. No two days are alike, as Continuing Education students come from very diverse backgrounds and have varying, sometimes complex job search needs and goals. Over time and experience, I realized that while the students we serve have varied backgrounds, they all share two things in common: their passion for lifelong learning, and the blunders they make on their résumés. As we are creatures of habit, this consistency should be no surprise. Most people’s first résumé writing experience is based on whatever older, employed siblings did when they first created a résumé, often years before. The surprising part is that inevitably, any students I work with have résumés with most or all of the following “X factors.” What’s an “X factor”? Terms such as “errors” and “mistakes” have a negative, judgmental connotation. I like to think that a person’s résumé is a subjective work in progress. While “X factor” may sound like an energy drink, in this instance, it’s a subtle way of letting our audiences know their résumés could become more focused and targeted with the elimination of certain common issues. Before you pass your résumé to any employer, ask yourself the following questions:
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Does my résumé have typos? Take the time and ensure your résumé is free from any spelling errors or typos. Always triple-check all information, and have at least one other person read it through carefully.
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Are there too many buzzwords? It might sound like a good idea to include that you “Participated in a fusion of synergy within a collaborative team environment,” but what does that really mean? Don’t hide behind industry jargon. Making your points clearly is much more effective.
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Is my résumé too long? Unless you have many published works to list, most résumés should be a maximum of two pages. Anything more than that and the document loses focus—and the employer loses interest.
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Is my résumé too short? Not quite having a full page for a résumé will make the employer wonder whether you can handle the position. Try expanding on your skills, education and additional transferable areas so that you end up with at least full page.
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Am I missing information? Many job seekers will avoid adding their current education because it isn’t complete, or leave dates out from experience or education because it may make them sound old. Would you want to work for someone who would devalue your depth of experience?
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Is my résumé OVER-FORMATTED? Imagine being an employer and having to find suitable candidates amidst a barrage of caps, bold, underlining and other text effects. When you over-format your work, it really distracts from the content. Strive to achieve a balance between good content and non-distracting formatting.
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Do I have a meaningless objective? Do you want to work in a progressive work environment where the employer regularly recognizes your greatness and you get paid far more than you’re worth? Me too! But I wouldn’t state that as an objective. If you do use an objective statement, ask yourself what you can do for the employer, rather than outlining what an employer can do for you. Also, the purpose of an objective is to state your intent of employment, which is usually mentioned in the cover letter, so in most cases, you might not need to include one.
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Does my résumé lack consistency? The more consistent your résumé is, the more professional-looking it will be. Sometimes when job seekers edit their résumé, they forget to ensure that the entire document is consistent. Double-check information and make sure sections have similar font styles, sizes and formatting.
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Is my résumé too pretty? Coloured paper, coloured font, scented paper, photos of you: unless you are applying within a highly creative field, try to avoid adding these gimmicks to your résumé. Some tourism or modeling agencies will ask to see photos with your job application. Try to let the quality of the content speak for you.
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If an employer read my résumé, would they want to meet me? After reviewing your résumé, ask yourself: if I were the hiring manager, would I consider interviewing this person for the position? Are all of your relevant knowledge, skills and abilities listed within your résumé? Make sure you include as much transferable content as possible. It’s the difference between having a résumé that sounds good, and having a résumé that gets you an interview. CO
Lidia Siino is an Employment & Communications Specialist, MCACES Resource Centre. Check out Lidia’s blog at http://mcaces.ca/employment/blog/4
By Lidia Siino
Top Ten Résumé
“X Factors”
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By Amanda Sage
Some things never change.
In its 25 years, Career Options magazine— the national student resource from the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE)—has certainly evolved to meet the growing needs of its readers. We reinvented the French version, introduced the high school edition, and responded to the social media call with our online publication, CareerOptionsMagazine.com. But through it all, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to producing high quality career tools and information that students across Canada can rely on.
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Anne Markey
Graham Donald Jeremy O’Krafka
Career Options magazine continues to live up to this commitment because we’ve always ensured that the people who make the big decisions are genuinely passionate about helping students find career fulfillment. Here, we talk with three past CACEE Executive Directors, as well as our current Executive Director, Paul Smith, about why Career Options has endured as the premiere resource for your transition from school to work.
A Passionate Voice Graham Donald, Executive Director, CACEE (1993–2001) Graham Donald says he’s committed to helping students find their way “because of my own confusion in university.” As someone who struggled with career decisions while in school, he understands exactly how it feels not to know how to get where you want to be professionally—or even what you want to do with your life. When he graduated university, Graham applied these experiences to the development of a career guide designed to help students answer some of the same questions he’d had. His creation was strong enough to attract CACEE’s attention; the organization acquired the guide and hired Graham, and the rest is history. “I’ve been passionate about students’ career success and development my whole career,” says Graham. His current job is a testament to that. As President of Brainstorm Strategy Group, he provides consultation to employers on how to develop campus recruiting strategies, and researches career development issues. “I think it’s an overarching value to society and our economy if people can transition more successfully into the workplace,” he says.
of Career Options so that it could be of service to as many students as possible. “We were always looking for different ways to reach different audiences,” he says. Graham made it a point to feature a variety of industries in the publication, and to focus his energy on improving the French language version, ensuring that a wider range of students’ needs was being met.
While Jeremy served as Executive Director of CACEE, he did everything in his power to ensure that Career Options was one of those valued resources. “One of the key things that we were always looking to do is to address a lot of the big questions that students have as they go through the career search process,” he says. “I think that’s what the publication continues to do today.”
Graham is pleased with what he and his team were able to contribute to Career Options. He feels that the magazine’s success is due in large part to two factors. The first is its superior distribution channel. “The campuses have been great supporters in terms of helping distribute the magazine and making [it] available to their students,” he says. The second factor is the team that works hard behind the scenes to ensure that Career Options offers the best possible resources for career seekers. In his words, “The editorial is written by passionate people whose whole career is about trying to improve students’ opportunities and career choices.”
While at CACEE, Jeremy made many changes to ensure that Career Options reflected its current generation of readers. He was satisfied that the content was doing a fine job of answering students’ questions—so he focused on updating the magazine’s design with a fresher, more vibrant look that held greater appeal for young readers.
A Trusted Resource Jeremy O’Krafka, Executive Director, CACEE (2003–2006) Jeremy O’Krafka has made a career of helping others to launch their own careers. That commitment was evident during his time at CACEE, and he continues to show it today. In his current job at Biz Launch, he provides how-to education and resources for entrepreneurs during their first five years in business.
During Graham’s tenure at CACEE, one of his key contributions was to expand the boundaries
“It’s kind of been a theme in my career,” he says. “The parallels are really similar in terms of students launching their careers and entrepreneurs launching a business. It’s really focused around providing resources and access to expertise to help you understand what the key components of getting started are, and then really growing into that person within your business or career.”
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Paul Smith
Jeremy’s dedication to creating a publication that met students’ needs and responded to changing demand is a big part of why the magazine is still so popular today, a quarter century after it first launched. “It’s the resource that [students will] trust when they’re going through their career search,” says Jeremy. “That’s where Career Options really delivers.”
An Evolving Experience Anne Markey, Executive Director, CACEE (2006–2010) When Anne Markey took on the role of CACEE’s Executive Director, she was determined to help bring Career Options to a new level. She’d seen how successful the magazine had been in its first two decades, and wanted to make sure that it would reach an even wider audience. Anne brought a new perspective to the publication when she introduced its secondary-school version. “Career Options High School was initiated to complement the post-secondary edition,” she says. “Both publications play an important role in assisting Canadian students to
transition into employment or education. With Career Options High School, for the first time, high school students can access a resource that addresses apprenticeship, college, university and employment as options following high school.” Anne believes strongly in the value offered by the magazine for both secondary and post-secondary students. It provides clear and concise information that, she says, can be used immediately or held onto for use when the student is closer to choosing a career path. “Career Options makes a wide range of unbiased information available to students at all levels,” says Anne. “By the time students reach a postsecondary environment, they’ll be able to find the resources they need at their school, and will have access to a balanced national perspective on career and employment planning.” In addition to helping launch Career Options High School, Anne was instrumental in breathing new life into the magazine’s online edition, CareerOptionsMagazine.com. “It was important to me that we further develop the online version
to better meet community needs,” says Anne. Under her direction, the digital magazine blossomed, offering students an interactive forum where they could learn from career experts and have their voices heard.
A Dynamic Solution Paul Smith, Executive Director, CACEE (2010–present ) As Paul takes over the reins from Anne, his goal is to continue to build on the success of Career Options while furthering the publication along the digital path. “I want to take the magazine into that dynamic, interactive digital world,” he says. “Not to the point that we no longer have a print copy, but to… go digital first. When you’re preparing content, your first thought is about how it will fit into the new digital world, and then it’s about how you can pull a print copy from the digital copy. I think that’s a reversal of how things used to be.” Paul’s vision for the magazine includes increased interactivity, and opportunities for deeper discussion and questions that will add greater
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value for students. “Digital-first requires a freshness,” he says. “We need to be revisiting [the online content] on a regular basis. We need to take better advantage of what the medium offers us and then get into blogs from students, blogs from employers… the opportunities are as myriad as our imaginations will allow them to be.” For students, he says, the impact of going increasingly digital is that it enables them to go online at any time of day or night to get answers to their career questions. To Paul, that’s a serious responsibility, and he’s committed to making sure that students have the right answers ready and waiting for them. “The role of CACEE [and Career Options] is to be that trusted resource, to be the place where you can go to get an answer that you know is going to be good,” says Paul. “Anybody can give out top 10 résumé tips. Somebody who comes to our website and sees what our top 10 résumé tips are will know that these have been considered and that this is quality advice. That’s the role that we’ll continue to play.” CO
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s parents, even though your children may still be very young, you probably have very big dreams for them. You want to do all you can to provide them with opportunities to succeed—to go to the college or university of their choice, follow the career path they dream of and attain maximum earning power. A post-secondary education will undeniably help them along the way. However, with the cost of a post-secondary education rising faster than annual inflation rates, how can you ensure that you’ll be able to help them achieve their goals? Did you know that there are many options to help fund this education? There are so many, in fact, that you may be confused about which to choose. In this article, I’m going to introduce smart education savings ideas to expand your children’s future educational prospects. Before you decide to act, it is critical that you review your specific situation carefully. Everyone is different, so what works for some may not be as applicable to others.
Mostly, we need to save for education for the following reasons: Opportunities for better employment usually increase with higher education. Canadians with a Bachelor-level degree earn 50% more than those with a high school diploma. Canadians with a trade or college diploma earn up to 15% more than those with a high school diploma. The impact of this additional earning potential makes it clear that a post-secondary education has become vital for young Canadians. According to the 2006 Census, 6 in 10 Canadians now have a post-secondary degree. The cost of post-secondary education is skyrocketing. Long-term planning can overcome the financial burdens of education.
» » » » » » »
By Michael Barak
Financing
Post-Secondary Education
for Parents
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Let’s assume tuition costs go up 5% a year. What could your child’s annual tuition be in 10, 15 or 20 years? Estimated costs:
Today
10 years 15 years
20 years
College program
$1,900
$3,095
$3,950
$5,041
University program
$4,917
$8,009
$10,222
$13,046
And what about the costs of apprenticeship and skilled trades training? If your child enters an apprenticeship program, he or she will spend part of the time in class and part taking on-the-job training. Students may have to pay for class time, tools and equipment. Today, class costs can range from $200 to $800.
The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) reports that university students who live at home spend, on average, $4,000 per year on “non-educational items” and that those who live away from home spent, on average, $11,000 on non-educational items. Let’s take a look at a typical scenario below. When you add all of those costs up together, you get a much clearer picture of exactly how much an education can cost: Education costs for four years
$4,917 a year x 4 years = $19,668
Living costs (rent, food, internet, etc.)
$11,000 a year x 4 years = $44,000
Estimated costs:
Today
10 years 15 years
20 years
Other costs (books, student fees, etc.)
$3,000 a year x 4 years = $12,000
Apprenticeship program
$200– $800
$326– $1,303
$531– $2,123
Total costs for one child’s four-year university degree
$75,668
$416– $1,663
For those of you who have just had children or are just about to, those 20-year numbers can look a little scary. And remember, that’s just the tuition or instruction cost. When you add on other education costs and living expenses, the expense can become staggering.
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Statistics Canada (2005) has reported that 57% of Canadian college and university graduates leave school owing money for their education—mostly in the form of government student loans. The average debt level is over $18,000 and 27% of those who took loans graduated with a debt load of $25,000 or more! And it can be equally difficult for parents to come up with
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the necessary education financing without going into debt or affecting their own retirement plans. Accumulating debt from education also influences the length of time it takes for graduates to become financially independent. A 2009 Investors Group survey showed that 6 in 10 “baby boomer” parents are providing financial support averaging $3,675 per year to their adult children. It’s natural to help your children or grandchildren as they start out on their own, but your own plans must be considered as well. All this clearly indicates the importance of planning to save for your child’s post-secondary education. There are six basic ways to fund a post secondary-education:
» Your current income at the time your child is in school » Your child’s income from part-time or summer jobs » Awards, scholarships and grants » Student loans » Borrowed funds (from family and friends) » Your personal savings
In many cases, a combination of some of these or even all six could be required to cover the array of costs we’ve mentioned. To decrease the reliance on income or borrowing, the rest of this article is focused on the final method: planning and saving the money. Here are several potential methods of saving for your child’s post-secondary education. You may decide to pursue one or more of these methods, depending on your situation: Non-registered investments Minor accounts (investment in the name of the minor) Trusts: » Formal trusts » Informal trusts Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) Insurance: » Critical illness insurance on the life of child with return of premium rider » Permanent life insurance on the life of child » Universal life insurance on the life of child Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs)
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Each has its own advantages and disadvantages—most of which are associated with grants, ownership, taxes and flexibility of using these funds. It may seem like just a little while ago that you brought your new baby home. Now, some years have passed and the nagging feeling that you should be saving for their education is growing. If this sounds like you, take heart. Every bit you save starting now will make a difference. CO Michael Barak, B.Eng., M.A (Econ), is a Senior Financial Consultant/Certified Financial Planner, Professional Investment & Financial Planning. Drop by my website: http://www.michaelbarak.com
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“Fit� The Importance of
By Kerri Zanatta-Buehler
in the Workplace:
What You Need to Know for the Interview and Beyond
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he world of work is an ever-changing venue of practices, personalities and procedures. Having the necessary skills to meet the job requirements was once enough to secure an opportunity—but no longer. Today there are numerous complicated facets to consider. Whether you are transitioning between careers, a recent graduate seeking your first position, or just beginning your academic career, it is essential for you to know what it takes not only to obtain employment, but also to retain it.
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Throughout the interview process, what a hiring team really wants to know is: do you fit with us? And conversely, do we fit with you?
To begin with, the task of job searching has taken on a whole new meaning that reflects very little of the old ways of finding work. Today’s job search is a much more intricate set of steps to locating, exploring and contacting an employment opportunity. The online world of job boards delivers numerous opportunities to us in a matter of moments, and the application process has changed significantly. If you succeed in being contacted after your résumé submission, the next crucial step is the interview process, which has now become an exercise in so much more than merely answering questions such as, “Why do you want to work for us?” and “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Today’s job interviews are more exploratory, aimed at discovering whether or not you will be a good “fit” for the culture of the organization. More and more, organizations are basing their hiring decisions on this notion of “fit.” There is now a market for companies whose main service is to assess the fit of a potential candidate for other organizations; this speaks volumes to the importance placed today on a strong match between the incoming candidate and the organization’s team, mission and philosophy. The organization’s need for such fine-tuned decision-making often stems from past experiences where a hire was not the right fit, as well as the work involved with replacing that individual and the desire to ensure a successful hire.
hiring process. If you’re attending a job interview today, you should anticipate that there will be some form of evaluation involved in the process— whether an evaluation that will produce a profile or report detailing your personality, preferences and attitude, or written questions to which your answers will be evaluated based on predetermined criteria. While technically there may be no right or wrong answers, the responses being sought paint a picture of the interviewee as a whole. The emerging profile or conclusions drawn from the responses is then used as an assistive tool, along with the résumé and the interview, to aid in moving towards a hiring decision. Throughout the interview process, what a hiring team really wants to know is: do you fit with us? And conversely, do we fit with you? Fitting into the organization encompasses numerous components, covering both technical and interpersonal skills. Questions posed to interview candidates are used as an investigative approach, aimed at “drilling down” to specific areas of importance. Some of those areas include the following. Skills and Qualifications: Do you meet the basic qualifications needed for success in this position? Will you adopt a continuous learning approach to enhance on your current skills and continue to grow in your knowledge and the role? Team Orientation: Is collaboration part of your personal philosophy? Will you be an active member of the overall team, able to mesh well with the existing people and personalities? What contributions will you make to strengthen the group? Discipline: Are you a self-directed individual who is able to prioritize and problem-solve, completing tasks in a productive and timely manner, with little or no supervision?
Furthermore, it is not uncommon to encounter organizations that include testing within their
Forward-thinking: Can you see the “big” picture and work with a vision in order to assist the organization in moving
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forward with their plans and goals for success? Do you have a personal plan for yourself? Communication: Are you able to communicate in both verbal and written formats in a professional manner when interacting both within the organization and among outside clients and stakeholders? Etiquette and Acumen: Are you aware of proper business etiquette— how to conduct yourself professionally with a varied audience, use appropriate judgment and act as a positive representation of the organization both internally and externally? Contribution: Will you be a contributing member to the organization, bringing forth your creativity and new ideas to foster positive change that will propel them forward? Will you embrace change as an opportunity to stretch yourself and grow both personally and professionally? One very important detail to remember when interviewing is this: the interview is a two-way exchange. While it is important for the organization to assess whether they feel you are a good fit for them, it’s just as important for you to determine if the organization fits well with you and your needs and goals. In order for you to ascertain this, it is always recommended that you prepare questions for the interviewer that will assist them in drawing that conclusion as well. The organization has come with their questions—be sure to come with yours. And don’t be discouraged. Interviewing for the right position can be a lot like shopping for the perfect pair of shoes: if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in them, it is extremely important that the fit is just right. You may need to try on a few pairs before you find the right one— so keep on shopping. CO Kerri Zanatta-Buehler is an Employment Development Specialist, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
By the Toronto Financial Services Alliance – Centre of Excellence in Financial Services Education (TFSA -CoE)
Explore Financial Services Looking for exciting career opportunities in a diverse, fast-paced environment? Career choices that open doors to literally a lifetime’s worth of different jobs? Then consider Toronto region’s financial services sector. With a growing global reputation as a financial services hub, Toronto region’s financial services sector offers a wide range of career choices in everything from banks and insurance companies to investment firms and pension funds. With over 230,000 people directly employed in the sector, you will join one of the largest and most successful concentrations of financial services talent in North America. Whatever your interests and skills, there is a position that is right for you—from helping people finance their dreams to supporting an entrepreneur’s new business venture. There are infinite possibilities. Just look at the list of possible career choices: risk management, insurance underwriting, financial analysis, compliance and audit, technology, marketing, public relations, sales, customer service, accounting, actuarial science, engineering, human resources, corporate law, investor relations and event management. The list goes on. And because our financial services companies are often ranked among Canada’s best employers, you will find attractive compensation packages, opportunities for job flexibility, coaching, mentoring, training, personal growth and even work-life balance.
Whatever your interests and skills, there is a position that is right for you—from helping people finance their dreams to supporting an entrepreneur’s new business venture. In addition, many of our financial services companies are major contributors and participants in a diverse range of community building initiatives, from community groups and local charities to major health care cause campaigns and cultural projects. This offers you additional opportunities to make a difference both in your local community and on a national level. Because many of Toronto’s financial companies are growing global players too, your career choice can offer exciting and challenging opportunities in financial services, literally around the world. From Hong Kong to London or New York to Mumbai, your financial services job can provide valuable international experience.
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Graduates of all kinds are needed. Whether you majored in engineering, math, geography, English, political science, music, law, architecture, technology or some other field, the financial sector seeks employees with a variety of educational backgrounds. Almost 80% of those working in financial services in the Toronto region hold postsecondary qualifications. So what are you waiting for? Explore financial services. Realize your potential. CO
For more info on careers in financial services, check out www.tfsa.ca/coe or www.explorefinancialservices.com.
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