Sexism, glass ceiling, boy’s club, drop out rates, wage gap, and everything in between. From post-secondary to the workplace, boys and girls face different challenges. Boys are dropping out of school at disturbing rates, while girls are graduating in record numbers with high GPA’s. There are more female managers than ever before, young, strong ambitious women, yet they still make less than their male counterparts. So the question is, with a changing labour market and a recent recession how do the boys and girls of our generation fair in the workplace? Page 16.
boys vs
g i r l &s .
The Most Rewarding Career You’ve Never Heard of The Big Payoff in Supply Chains
Summer Job Run Down
Maximize your time, money, and have some fun, too.
february 2011 | careers. education. ideas. all of it.
BUSINESS DEGREES BUSINESS DEGREES IN: Accounting e-Business Marketing Fashion Management Human Resources Management International Business Tourism Management
business.humber.ca
who’s
hiring
Hey. Did you know that these companies have lots of entry level positions? Visit their websites to see a full list of positions available.
3 9 11 11 11 15 26 26 26
The Home Depot (Merchandising Execution Team) The Home Depot (Part-time) Chair-man Mills Inc. Federated Co-operative Savanna Energy Services Corp. College Pro Investors Group Match Marketing Group The New England Center for Children
yay! more school IFC Humber, The Business School (Undergrad) 16 Humber, Accounting 22 Showcase: Humber, The Business School (Post-grad) 28 Humber, School of Media Studies and Information Technology 28 Queen’s University 29 Brock University 29 Canada’s Automotive School of Business, Georgian College 29 Centennial College 29 Conestoga College 29 Fanshawe College 29 Ithaca College 29 Queen’s University 29 Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry 29 Sheridan College 29 Trent University OBC Humber, Global Business Management
whoelse? 6 Insurance Institute of Canada 7 Supply Chain Management Professional 24 Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council IBC Scholarships Canada
stufftobuy
5
Rogers Wireless
jobpostings.ca | february 2011
B o y s 17 v s G i r l s "Gender Wars?” Come on now. Sure, men and women face different challenges in school and at work, but no one needs to get punched in the face. Why boys and girls need to keep fighting the good fight, together. We've got wage gaps to close, after all.
8 careercupid
In defence of the jobs that suck.
10 interviewsmarts
This month: What is something
interesting about yourself that I
wouldn’t see on your resume?
12 startup
Teang Tang from Calgary talks about
Mingle Event Management, her family,
and women as business leaders.
6
From our blogs
industryinsiders 25
The Invisible Chain
Know what a strategic sourcing
analyst does? Ever hear of supply
chains and logistics? Didn’t think
so. A look at one of the most
lucrative and important industries
you’ve never heard of.
27
The New Sale
No more slimy sales guy, this
is a generation that does sales
their way. Oh, and how to become
a sales director.
30
Stackin’ it up for the Summer
Your dirty laundry's safe with me…
4
Success Story Glen Barbeau:
School’s In. Brought to you by
Rogers Wireless.
A look at some of the best
summer jobs.
14
Soft Skills How to read the
interviewer’s body language.
28
Edu-ma-cation
The Cyber Campus
32
JobLife Team building and
winning the lottery.
1
our favourite quote this month:
Women have to battle things like image issues; not being pretty enough, smart enough. That stops them from doing a lot of things, stops them from being the woman that they actually should be. Teang Tang, founder of Mingle Event Management, in this month’s startup (page 12)
editor’snote
jobpostings publisher:
Nathan Laurie nlaurie@jobpostings.ca associate publisher:
Mark Laurie mlaurie@jobpostings.ca editor:
Jason Rhyno jrhyno@jobpostings.ca graphic designer:
Sonya van Heyningen svanheyningen@jobpostings.ca
web editor:
Emily Minthorn eminthorn@jobpostings.ca contributors:
Jennifer Cordeiro, Christine Fader, Ross Harrhy, Naoise Hefferon, Allison Mitchell editorial intern:
Andrew Williams national account managers:
Jason Rhyno
Sarah-Lyn Amaral, Lori Blanchard, Mary Vanderpas “Would you rather be the tortoise or the hare?” If an interviewer asked me that question, I would – after throwing up in my mouth a little bit – realize that this company was not for me. That’s not to say that the company wouldn't be good for someone else, probably somebody who appreciates a room full of beanbag chairs and the ability to bring your dog to work. I love dogs, but Fido needs to stay at home, and not sniff a co-worker’s butt. That’s my opinion, sure, but it’s also more than that. It’s about knowing what type of work environment I work best in, and the types of environments I need to avoid. Working in an environment or culture that doesn’t agree with you can have disastrous effects on the quality of your work, your career ambition, and even your health. Yes, by extension, it also affects the company’s productivity, but this isn’t about the company; this is about you and what you need. Too often we are willing to mould our work-selves to land and keep a job, trying to satisfy the company and its values. After completing my post-grad, and having been through a serious interview drought, I decided to take an internship. The internship, however, required that I give up half of my shifts at the restaurant where I was working. This meant less money, and less money meant moving out of my bachelor apartment, and leaning on some very lovely, very supportive friends. I was miserable, and desperate for a job in my field. But I knew, as I researched companies and discovered
2
more about their culture, that finding a place where I fit, and one where I could excel, was more important than having a job at any old company. I needed a company that I fit with, and I needed that company to be in publishing. I was speaking with a recent University of Calgary grad who is in high demand from an assortment of companies. She told me that after she'd received an offer of employment from a company, she requested a meeting with her would-be manager. “Is this meeting an an acceptance of the offer?” he asked. “No,” she said. “Before I accept I need to know how you manage people.” Managing styles are important — so important that this woman set aside any excitement about the job offer to make sure that she would be managed in a way that brought out the best in her productivity. Some people like to be micro-managed, some people don’t, and knowing your preferences will make or break you at work. This month Christine Fader defends the jobs that “suck” (page 8). You know, the ones you have to do in order to pay for school or that trip to SXSW? You can learn a lot from those jobs, she argues, and I would agree. I’ve made some mistakes as it pertains to company culture/environment (big ones!) in my quest for my “dream job.” But a job in your field of choice should never come at the expense of your happiness and health. All the best!
Published by Passion Inc. 25 Imperial Street, Suite 100 Toronto, ON M5P 1B9 jobpostings.ca 1-877-900-5627 ext. 221
jobpostings is published eight times in the school year. Issue dates are September, October, November, January, February, March, April, and May. Copies of jobpostings are distributed to over 105 universities and colleges across Canada. Contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reprinted in whole or part without permission of the publishers. Be sure to spellcheque spell check.
february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
Unleash Your Vision Merchandising Execution Associates Are you a self-motivated team player with an eye for the details? The Home Depot, one of Canada’s top 100 employers, is currently hiring Merchandising Execution Associates (MEAs). MEAs enhance the environment for our customers by executing merchandising strategies and ensuring products are displayed correctly in our stores. You’ll also provide product knowledge to store associates. You bring the strong communication skills and experience of working on teams and we’ll offer competitive benefits including tuition reimbursement, health & dental plans and 70+benefits. Travel to various store locations may be required.
Apply online at:
homedepot.ca/student We are committed to diversity as an equal opportunity employer.
School’s In:
Where did you go to school? What program did you attend?
Pound the pavement and barge into offices to get that teaching job.
I studied at York University earning my Bachelor of Arts with a major in English, and my Bachelor of Education specializing in the Junior/Intermediate levels (grades 3-9), concurrently over five years.
What drew you to your current Field? I have worked with children since I was a 13 — in fact, I lied about my age, pretending to be 14 years old so I could work as a camp counselor — and my parents were both teachers. Growing up, I assumed all parents had the summers, March break, and Christmas holidays with their children as I did, and I spent a lot of time in their classrooms and helping them mark papers, so it was a natural path. That said, I also saw the less romantic side of the job which prepared me for all aspects of the job.
How did you find your current position?
Name Glen Barbeau Company Toronto District School Board Position Teacher, Grade 8 Core (Long Term Occasional) Length of employment 4 years Degree BA and B.Ed
Being kind to secretaries always makes applications to school boards easier. However, once you are on a list (Occasional Teachers List, or Eligible-to-Hire List), pounding the pavement and barging into offices is how I got my initial work in schools. Then, after that, you have to prove your competence and willingness to seek and take advice. Reflection is critical as well. I believe I’ve done those things and am therefore currently working at a school with great administration, professional and mentoring colleagues, dynamic programming, and endearing students.
Tell us a bit about your responsibilities. Teaching is an interesting field in that everyone who has been to school — which is most people — has had experience in a classroom, so it is easy to imagine what a teacher does and what I do. I do what the Jungian teacher does: deliver lessons, manage students, give advice, grade papers and drink coffee. Beyond the familiarity with my job though, people’s experience gives everyone an “expert” knowledge and opinion on my job, which is always fun to hear, even though they are not completely objective.
What is the most challenging aspect of your position? Bureaucracy and paper-work; I do not care for either. I can appreciate the profession that is teaching and why, when dealing with people’s tax dollars and children, one must be accountable. But sometimes the
Sponsored by 4
paper work and documentation and ever-changing policies and procedures and new-found ‘best practices’ can be cumbersome and hinder the very immediate needs of your students and the dynamics of a classroom.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? “Eureka!” moments where a student understands, communicates and applies a particular piece of knowledge or skill you’ve taught them. Also when students bring new insights into conversation or the classroom that demonstrates independent critical thinking. Finally, when you get to observe children interact and be themselves, that’s priceless: they’re honest, and earnest and utterly and completely themselves in how they act and what they say. Also, making my students feel good about themselves (“Gold star!” is often said in my rotary science classes) is pretty rewarding.
What skills have you learned through your work experience? “Classroom management” is the jargon for managing students, but those basic people skills are applicable everywhere. What I have learned is that everyone needs and craves attention, and there is both positive and negative attention. Identifying and providing positive attention is the key to satisfying this basic need. Also, working with younger people, parents and teaching staff has taught me that any person, regardless of age, has the same needs and needs to be treated the same way: respectfully, empathetically, and honestly.
What do you think it takes to be successful in this career? Listening. Straight up. Listen to the sage advice of your mentors and peers: they know things that you don’t know. That’s not a judgment on you as a young teacher; they have wisdom (knowledge plus experience equals wisdom). It’s also important to enjoy your job and be passionate about it. Some people graduate with a B.A. and then “settle” for teaching without knowing the intensity and complexity of the job. It’s not easy. It’s emotionally, and physically draining, with a lot of paper-work, and on-your-toes decision making. Be very sure if you are considering teaching as a career.
rogers.com/careers/campuslife
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Life Knoas We w It
LOVE MOVIES? HATE RETURNING THEM? CHECK OUT ROGERS ON DEMAND.
Rogers On Demand has the hottest new releases, available from the comfort of home. From the latest blockbusters to documentaries, foreign films to timeless classics, there’s always something worth watching. Just go to Channel 100 and follow the prompts. You can also watch great movies anywhere, with Rogers On Demand Online. It’s simple to use. Register now for free.
Basic Cable and Digital Box required to receive On Demand programming. Charges apply to some On Demand programming content. On Demand not available in all areas. Burlesque © 2010 Screen Gems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Burlesque, available March 1, 2011. Due Date © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Life as We Know It © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Social Network © 2010 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and Beverly Blvd LLC. All Rights Reserved. TMRogers & Mobius Design are trademarks of or used under license from Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate. All other brand names & logos are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2011 Rogers Communications.
from our blogs | 12/22/2010
thedirty laundry phobia by Emily Minthorn
People seem to enjoy getting themselves all
your dirty laundry will be aired no matter how
to the HR person interviewing you, imagine
hot and bothered about “OMG what if my boss
tightly you try to lock it away — just ask one of
how much more time and energy it’s going to
sees my drunk pics on Facebook” and “well
the many red-faced diplomats that we can all,
take to maintain that persona once you get the
gosh darn it all to heck, I said something un-
thanks to Wikileaks, now name. Instead of try-
job! Sure, dress up. Wear your lucky panties,
professional on my Tumblr, no one told me
ing to shove skeletons even further to the back
have a tic-tac, sit up straight and smile, etc.
something I posted on the internet might
of your closet, why not just try to make sure
You’ll do fine. But you know what’ll help you do
get read by other people, the sky is falling.”
that there aren’t many of them to begin with?
to better than fine? Having a list of amazing ac-
All meditations on the nature of secrecy aside,
Mark Zuckerberg, noted extremely wealthy per-
what I’m trying to say is: if the person you are
son and fellow Millennial, has said, and I para-
outside of your job would be completely unrec-
phrase: a time will come very soon when people
ognizable to the people you work with, maybe
will cease to have work-selves and self-selves,
you’re in the wrong profession. If you have to
and just be themselves. It seems inevitable that
make a huge effort presenting a flawless face
complishments to your name. Preparing rocksolid examples of why exactly you’d be perfect for the job. Possessing a true, passionate desire to work where you’ve applied. And choosing an occupation, and an employer, that fits who you are and who you want to be.
Image: Hemera/Thinkstock
Seriously, guys: it’s okay.
february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
leap out of bed every day we do hear a lot nowadays
and surge forth into your
about finding the “perfect”
life with enthusiasm,
job. We’ve sort of been in-
right? I don’t blame you.
Okay, so I admit it. I’m a
doctrinated, as a culture,
It sounds a lot more fun
bit of a hopeless romantic.
not to settle for less. And,
than the ho-hum job
Maybe that doesn’t come
since most of us spend a
that’s frankly, sort of,
as a total shock to you if
large portion of our lives
ahem… beneath you. So,
you’ve looked at the titles
at work, it’s nice to like —
why should you settle?
of my column, book and
if not, love — what you do.
business but I’ll come
Ignoring or avoiding op-
So, I wrote a book about
clean, just in case there
tions while waiting for the
how to find your dream
was any doubt. And as un-
perfect job to come along
job. The problem is, I’m
cool as it might be to con-
is like trying to land the
afraid people might have
fess my gushy leanings,
perfect romantic relation-
gotten the wrong idea.
ship without ever going
You see, I think that by
on any dates. Yes, it does
encouraging people to
happen, in arranged mar-
go after a dream job, I
riages and some romantic
under sold the value of
comedies, but that is not
I’m not just a romantic
the job that is in front of
reality for most of us.
when it comes to actual
you right now and pays
Romantic dating is smart
romance, but also when it
for stuff, the job you don’t
(just ask the people who
comes to jobs and careers.
really like, the job that…
met and married in Vegas
Like many people, I still
well, kind of sucks.
all in one weekend). Career
career cupid by Christine Fader
judging by the success of a certain vampire love story, I think I’m not alone. But
career dating & the jobs that suck
wait: it gets worse.
believe in the possibility of the “happily-ever-after”
Looking for work can be an
dating is even smarter.
It means that you don’t have to commit forever (yay!). It allows you to gain necessary and new skills and, if you’re contributing positively, to build helpful relationships. It’s incredibly useful and I would argue, necessary, in allowing you to learn more about what’s “out there” and more importantly, about yourself. And then, there’s the whole put-a-roof-over-
intimidating and lengthy
Hey, it’s not bad news.
process. The economy
First of all, dating makes
isn’t always friendly and
us visible to opportuni-
it can be tough to find
ties that might want to
opportunities when you
connect with us in a way
In defense of my idealistic
feel as if you’re in that “no
that a job posting website
philosophies about work,
experience, no job” trap.
never, ever will. And just
In your quest for Ms. or
Yet despite these chal-
like in romance, dating
Mr. Right Job, don’t reject
lenges, I’m alarmed to see
can be a lot of fun. The
Ms. or Mr. RIGHT NOW
students and more disturb-
majority of people don’t
Job. Because, most aston-
ingly, their parents, who
find their perfect romantic
ishingly, when you’re not
de-value and refuse to con-
match on their first date
paying attention, you can
sider short-term, contract,
(case in point: my first
surprise yourself and dis-
entry-level, less-interesting
date was wearing a shiny,
cover that something you
work. They are turning
mesh muscle shirt… ick).
just KNEW you wouldn’t
down, avoiding or ignoring
Similarly, you likely won’t
like… you actually do.
opportunities because they
find your dream job with
Yep, that not-so-
are waiting for the magical,
your first (or second or
appealing job in a shiny,
mythical Right Job to come
third) part-time, summer
mesh muscle shirt might
along. In the quest for our
or after graduation job.
actually lead to or turn
educated “right” to the
But, instead of viewing
out to be your dream job.
perfect job, there can be a
that all as a waste of time,
Or, not. Either way, jobs
tendency, sometimes, to be
how about embracing the
that suck: we owe you an
very all or nothing.
benefits and fun of dating?
apology. You rock.
But, but, but… you want
Career dating lets you
the job that makes you
try something different
job that makes your pulse race with anticipation and your brain wake up at 3:00 a.m. bursting with ideas.
your-head-and-buy-theodd-drink-du-jour thing. How dare we bash Job We Don’t Love when it’s saving our bacon every day?
to see if you like it (shiny, mesh shirts: not for me!)
Christine Fader works as a career counsellor at Queen’s University and is the author of, “Career Cupid: Your Guide to Landing and Loving Your Dream Job.” Visit her website at careercupid.com
8
february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
If you don’t know which paint dries faster, but you like helping people…
then we want to talk to you.
You may not know everything when it comes to home improvement, but after our training and hands-on coaching you will. The Home Depot, one of Canada’s top 100 employers, is hiring for spring. You bring the desire to put customers first and we’ll offer competitive rewards including company paid health & dental plans, 70+benefits, tuition reimbursement & much more. Many positions available including: • Cashiers • Sales Associates • Department Supervisors
Apply online at homedepot.ca/student We are committed to diversity as an equal opportunity employer. Oh, by the way, the paint that dries faster is the latex paint. See, you’ve already learned something.
* interview
smarts by Jennifer Cordeiro National Community Manager
@ Match Marketing Group
So you screwed up in the interview, huh? They asked the ol’ “What’s your greatest weakness” question and you responded with “bladder control,” hoping to get a laugh. Awkward. Lucky for you we have friends on the inside – recruiting friends (the people who’ll be interviewing you). It cost us a few favours, but they finally agreed to explain why they ask what they ask, and what the best answers are. It’s like a cheat sheet, but for the real world. Good luck!
Q A
What is your interest in our organization? What is something interesting about yourself that I wouldn’t see on your resume?
Along with the much supported standard behavioral based questions, I have a couple of my personal favorites. Over the years they have been, “What is your interest in our organization?” and “What is something interesting about yourself that I wouldn’t see on your resume?” Two things happen here: first, I am able to gage the candidate’s interest level and second I am able to access their self preparation. If I ask you, the candidate, something related to our company or industry, I want to see that you have done your research and that you are genuinely interested in our organization. I would like to see that you have taken the time to view our website, perhaps Googled or checked us out on Facebook. This would give you a true insight of what we do, our mission and competitive edge. This would demonstrate to me that you have invested the time to prepare. TIP: Prepare the night before; compile a list of facts along with important questions to ask the potential employer to help you decide if this is the right role for you. The most common mistake I encounter with candidates is that they become excited the interview has been secured but then neglected to prepare. Prepare yourself for success by showing that you are the right person for this role and why. This gives you the advantage against other qualified candidates competing for the same role.
10
My second favourite question can be a tricky one to answer, but can give you an opportunity to reflect your true personality. What is something interesting about yourself that I would not see on your resume? I ask this question often because, within my industry, we look for candidates with a sense of confidence and individuals that are comfortable engaging with others. The goal here is for the candidate to become more relaxed, comfortable and open up during the interview. I find that in some cases the reaction of interviewees is that they can become too relaxed. I have encountered some candidates who forget that they are actually in an interview and begin to conduct themselves in a less than professional manner (e.g. inappropriate language, answer cell phone, etc.) This question, and these types of questions in general, provides me with an indication on how you would potentially behave within the workplace. There is no textbook answer to the above question. Personally, the best responses I have encountered were when the candidate became more engaged, comfortable and expressed to me how their interesting fact or experience has had a positive contribution to where they are today. When asked these questions remember to let your personality shine, be yourself and remain professional, show why you are the perfect candidate for the role. What can make you stand out is how you prepare, how you answer, and what you can contribute to the role. You have one opportunity to make a first impression, so make it your best one! february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
The Co-operative Retailing System Careers With a Future! WE ARE:
CANADA’S LARGEST PARTY RENTAL COMPANY IS NOW HIRING
SUMMER
DELIVERY &
- A successful multi-faceted Western Canadian organization - 19,000 employees and growing - A diverse organization involved in retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing
WE NEED:
College and University graduates in the following disciplines: - Agriculture - Audit and Accounting - Business Administration - Engineering - Information Technology - Logistics and Transportation - Sales and Marketing - Pharmacy - Retail Management
WAREHOUSE HELPERS We offer excellent wages, day/night shifts, plenty of hours, task variety and public interaction all in a safe work environment. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, well groomed, trustworthy and enjoy working with the public.
Start Date: May 1, 2011 or earlier in Toronto
WE OFFER:
- A build-from-within culture - Ongoing personal ex and professional development cellence T H R O U G Henvironment - A stable and supportive working - A competitive salary and benefits package PEOPLE
Apply now: gmcelwain@chairmanmills.com Fax: 416-391-4742
For more information about career opportunities visit our website at www.coopconnection.ca
www.chairmanmills.com
ex cellence THROUGH
PEOPLE
S
Savanna Energy Services Corp. www.savannaenergy.com
S
Search jobs and submit your resume Online at: http://savanna.appone.com E-mail to: savannacareers@savannaenergy.com
Savanna Energy Services Corp. is a premiere international contract drilling and well servicing company. Our goal is to demonstrate a values-based culture through our people, innovation and technology. We are looking for post secondary summer students interested in great professional learning opportunities at our Calgary office in the following departments: Human Resources, International Business Development, and Corporate Management.
Join Savanna’s team and let our successes become yours! jobpostings.ca | february 2011
11
startup
ACE 2010 Student Entrepreneur Regional Champion. Founder of Mingle Event Management, Calgary, Alta., and currently studying her Bachelor’s of Commerce at Athabasca University.
february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
The idea to start an event management company that provides sustainable solutions seems like common sense, but also very original. Can you tell me a bit about where the idea for Mingle came from? I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur since I started my career life. I was one of those people sitting in their jobs saying, “Oh my god, there’s more to this.” I used to do a lot of program coordination but I always loved the event planning piece of it, so I knew I was going to go into that area. But I didn’t think that event planning was enough on its own; it didn’t seem to give any meaning or purpose to what I was doing. So I brought in the whole social responsibility piece. What was the process of getting Mingle off the ground? I’m curious as to the initial steps you took, the challenges you faced, as well as any resources and help you utilized. I started conducting a feasibility study – a miniature version of my business plan. I did an analysis on the market and my competitors, and realized that there wasn’t a sustainable events company in Calgary. In terms of resources, I approached organizations like Canadian Youth Business Foundation [...] and other students who were involved with ACE. I also started a group of advisors to give me business advice because I couldn’t afford to always pay for professional advice. So their expertise helped get me started. In terms of the challenges I faced, I think that the biggest challenge was trying to get clients at first, especially not being used to doing cold calls. I think that sometimes, as a young entrepreneur, you get jaded with how much work is actually involved.
Teang Tang How did you overcome the cold call challenge? Trying not to think about it too much! I find that we end up talking ourselves out of things, and you let fear take over, and you spend more time worrying about something than taking any action. It took me a few days, but I had to talk myself into making the calls. I had to make a script for myself, too, but that’s what I needed to get over that challenge. How has the company grown in terms of clients, revenue, and employees? In terms of revenue, from first year to second year, we doubled our revenue. We’re in our third year right now, so I’m pretty sure we’re going to exceed our revenues from last year as well. Our clients have grown — obviously — and in terms of employees, I hire people on a per project basis. Usually I hire an average of 1 to 20 people per event. What personal characteristics do you think an entrepreneur needs to be successful? I think you need to be extremely goal-orientated, whether short term or long term goals. You need to have a lot of persistence and determination because you’ll face a lot of rejection as an entrepreneur. You also need tough skin. Can you talk a bit about how your parents have inspired you? My parents were in labour camps during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, so they had a very tough life before they came to Canada. And when they came to Canada, they didn’t own anything — I think they owed the government money just to get settled here in Canada. And this was without a job, without speaking English, without an education. My
parents worked hard to get here and if I waste my life, it’s almost an insult to the family. Maybe it’s an Asian-European thing, but our family is so important to us, even more important than education, status, all of that. What advice would you give to other students looking to start their own business? I would tell them to affiliate themselves with organizations that promote entrepreneurship, like ACE and CIBC because those organizations will help you get over that fear of starting a business. I would also recommend that they take as many business and entrepreneurship courses as they can, whether they’re through their school, or an extra-curricular thing. And stay on top of current affairs, things that are going on in the world in terms business, so you have an understanding of where you and your business fit within the picture. What do you think some of the obstacles are for women entrepreneurs? It seems like men have more respect for other men. It’s almost as if they are playing in the same field and I think men still look at women as — well, saying subordinates might be pretty extreme, but women aren’t at the same level as men. I find that young women need entrepreneurship programs that cater towards their needs. Women have to battle things like image issues; not being pretty enough, smart enough. That stops them from doing a lot of things, stops them from being the woman that they actually should be.
by Jason Rhyno
13
softskills
language
the interviewer’s
by Allison Mitchell
You’ve landed an interview and are just about to sit down with the interviewer. You make yourself comfortable (at least as comfortable as you can given the circumstance), and do a mental check to ensure that your body language is articulate and professional. As you go through the interview, you check in with yourself — are you sitting up straight and maintaining eye contact? The interviewer, however, has put down the pen and paper and now sits armed crossed, completely disengaged from the interview. Uhoh! You’ve been so concerned with your own body language that you weren’t paying attention to the interviewer’s body language.
As objective as interviewers strive to be, they are human. Interviewers have lives outside of interviewing and there is always the chance that outside factors could be contributing to their mood or body language that day. Your concern is what is happening in the interview. You obviously cannot control what the interviewer is dealing with in their life, but you can control what you say in the interview and that influences the outcome of the interview.
The body language of the interviewer can be indicative of how the interview is going, so it is important that you pay attention to their body language as much as you are aware of your own. It’s hard enough to keep your own body language in check sometimes; how are you supposed to analyze the body language of the interviewer at the same time? Obviously that is not the reason for the meeting; you are there to convince the interviewer that you are the best person for the job. In doing so, it is a good idea to check in with the interviewer’s body language from time to time.
If an interview is not going well, there may be nothing that you can do to turn it around. But, it is always worth a try and the key is in your answers to the interviewer’s questions. The responses that you provide to the interviewer can serve to engage or disengage them in the interview. Your answers will be more effective if they are on point, concise, appropriate for your audience, and enthusiastic. Going off on a tangent and not answering the question asked will surely disengage the interviewer. Ensure that your answer is concise. By providing a long-winded response you run the risk of the interviewer becoming disinterested in what you are saying. Give the interviewer the information that they are looking for: no more, no less. If the interviewer wants more information, they will ask. Be aware of your audience when answering the questions. If you have a technical background and are interviewing with a person who is not technical, then don’t go into great technical detail in your answers. Finally, make sure that your responses are enthusiastic. Answers that lack enthusiasm are not as memorable; enthusiastic people not only leave positive impressions, but they also engage their audience.
So, what are the signs that may indicate that an interviewer may not be engaged in the interview? Here are some cues:
Tick, tock, tick, tock
Glazed-Over
Yawning
The interviewer will have
If you see the interviewer
The interviewer didn’t
to be aware of the time to
starting to glaze over,
have a late night;
ensure that they stay on
chances are that they are
they’re bored.
schedule, however it’s a
no longer paying atten-
red flag if you see them
tion to your responses.
checking their watch
Posture.
every 5 minutes.
Pen down, notebook shut
14
“One second, I just have to re-tweet this…”
If the interviewer is slouched in their chair, this may indicate that
The allure of distraction
they have dis-engaged
Any good interviewer will
can be strong, particu-
from the interview. If they
take notes in an interview.
larly with the prevalence
have their arms crossed,
There may be brief periods
of electronic gadgets in
then this is a double red
of time in the interview
our lives. That means
flag because not only
when the interviewer
you have to work harder
are they not engaged,
is not taking notes, but
to keep the interviewer’s
but they’ve completely
beware if they stop writing
attention. If the inter-
stepped out.
and shut their notebook.
viewer is checking their
This could be an indica-
Blackberry or answering
tion that they feel that
their phone (yikes!), then
what you are saying is not
you need to get their at-
worth writing down.
tention back.
The next time you are sitting across from an interviewer, take note of their body language from time to time. If you see signs that the interviewer is disengaging from the interview, then it is time for you to take action. Remember you can’t control the interviewer; you can only control how you are presenting yourself. By providing responses that are on point, concise, appropriate for the audience, and enthusiastic, you have a better chance of engaging, or re-engaging, the interviewer. Keeping track of your body language, the interviewer’s body language and remembering all of the information that you want to communicate during the course of the interview is a lot to remember but all important to the success of an interview. Happy observing and remember to sit up straight! february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
Image: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
body
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]
by Jason Rhyno
Shannon was maybe five feet tall, with long dirty blonde hair and skin dark gold from the sun; she weighed, in the vernacular of the landscaping profession, “95 pounds soaking wet.” I was the supervisor of a small landscaping company, and would periodically be asked for my thoughts on a candidate’s resume. We had never hired a woman. Women mostly worked for municipalities on flowerbed detail, and we were a small company with a crew of
We’ve come a long way, baby. Now: stop pulling your sisters’ hair or this car will turn right around. Big strides have been made, this is clear; one need only sit down with a few episodes of Mad Men to see that at least in the whitecollar world, the Twentieth Century’s feminist movements have achieved vast improvements in the quality of women’s lives. Take tea with your grandma sometime, if you can, and let her tell you about how it used to be. Ask your mom about the good old days, when boys could be boys and women were expected to smile and nod and clean up the vomit in the morning. And we’ll assume for the moment that the “debate” over the role of gender in formal education is closed and that we have all reached the reasonable, true-fact-based conclusion that’s so far escaped many other fine
boys vs. girls four. Turnover is high in the landscaping industry, especially at private companies that tend to work their employees longer and harder. We had recently been through a string of male hires who either dropped like flies from the pace of work or had an attitude problem. Most were mediocre in terms of their skill set, and what I really wanted was another person like me: hard working, skilled with various equipment, didn’t complain when we had to work extra hours, and, God forbid, took a little pride in the quality of their work.
Shannon’s resume was stacked; it compared nicely to mine in breadth of equipment experience, but left me in the dust with seven years of experience to my five. One thing that I had on Shannon was a driver’s license, and the absence of one on her resume had held her back in the landscaping industry. The other thing that I had on her was that I was male.
jobpostings.ca | february 2011
publications: there is no “war on boys”, in the classroom or any place else. There’s no backslide into entropy and underachievement for the men of this world. There is only the closing of the patriarchal gap that’s yawned wide enough to swallow whole cultures for the past several millennia. Finally, finally, women are
by Emily Minthorn
[
\
em:
“Ask your mom about the good old days when boys could be boys and women were expected to smile and nod
and clean up the vomit in the morning.”
Homer Simpsons & Peter overweight, Griffins: lazy, kinda stupid, able to make “Are we are all
jr:
disastrous mistakes as long as we apologize afterwards?
I hope not.”
boy jr:
It wasn’t until Shannon that I realized the extent to which women have to work for and in their careers. I also saw how entitled men are when it comes to work. The latter isn’t always our fault, however: if you grow up white, male, economically comfortable, and otherwise privileged, then what reason do you have to pursue academic excellence, build a resume with outstanding experience, and generally give it your all? Are we are all Homer Simpsons and Peter Griffins – or any other primetime male: lazy, overweight, kinda stupid, able to make disastrous mistakes as long as we apologize afterwards? I hope not, but when a University of Florida study finds that men who put on a paunch make more money than thin men, I’m given pause. It also shouldn’t be surprising that the same study found that larger women take home less than thinner women, if not illustrating then certainly providing a glimpse of the double-standard that exists between the sexes. Are we stupid? Men drop out of school faster than women, and tend to saunter through our twenties in no particular rush to do anything. Academically, girls have always made us eat their dust. And yet, we still overwhelmingly occupy engineering and math, not to mention various trades like landscaping. But, guys, we act stupid sometimes, as if intelligence and ambition are unmanly characteristics.
Image: Copyright (c) 2001-2009 LAFKON + Authors
According to a recent report by Statistics Canada, the gender wage gap has either narrowed or remained constant, depending on age, hours worked, industry, etc. Yes, on average, men still take home a larger paycheque than women. But there are more women managers, and the jobs that men used to occupy are disappearing. It’s still not equal, but it’s getting there. Women have had to work hard to get to this point, and men should, if anything, stop complaining that we are being pushed to the sidelines, our rights being trampled on, and advocating for a return to 1950s masculinity. Shannon was an above-average worker in the landscaping industry. She arrived early, worked efficiently, and took pride in her work. The boys on the crew often moseyed in late, and enjoyed taking unscheduled breaks in the shade during the day. When the physical work began to take a toll on the body, they skipped sections, leaving long grass or weeds poking up through an otherwise well-manicured lawn or garden. Shannon, for months, never missed a weed. She had a hawk-like eye for detail and I would treat her to lunch or morning coffees on the company dime to show my appreciation for her hard work.
jobpostings.ca | february 2011
g i r l em:
proportionally represented in the hallowed halls of higher education, and the wage disparity is approaching – slowly but surely – wage parity. Does the system still skew male? Sure does, as truly as it skews white and able-bodied and cis-gendered and straight and welloff and so on. But given that us ladies’ successes have been dramatic enough to warrant a bona fide cultural backlash, probably the best thing to do about the lingering bias is to keep on as we have been: kicking buttocks, from kindergarten right on up through the glass ceiling. Simple. End of story. Except there is this one thing. Do you notice it, other girls? Maybe you do. In fact I’m certain you do because it’s been dished about over brunch and scrawled across women’s washroom walls for as long as I can recall. This one thing, this last thing holding us back from really riding out and storming the last thorny outposts of sexism and misogyny, is: us. What is with these woman-hating women? I’m sorry, I don’t like one sentence paragraphs either, but this is important. And it needs to stop. And “it” is a vague notion, and hard to talk about or even point out except right when it’s happening to you or someone you know, so maybe we should try some roleplaying, just to get warmed up. In this scenario, you are a woman, and you are sitting in a meeting with your coworkers who are mostly male. One of your female coworkers brings up a legitimate point. One of the dudes shoots it down, or talks over it, or ignores it outright, or whatever, not because it’s invalid, but because the speaker is a woman. What do you do, my careerminded sister from another mister?
19
71¢
the wage gap 1985
EARNED BY women WORKERS FOR EVERY
$1 EARNED BY MEN
1995
difference in average yearly salary
2005
between university-educated men and women
$29,000
22% 26% 36%
TOTAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATES 2002 /2003 2004 /2005 2006 /2007
men women
b
o
girl
y
jr:
em:
Then Shannon started to miss sections. She began showing up late, then disappearing for long stretches of the day, splitting from the group. This was upsetting as she had become my partner, someone like me in regards to work ethic and ability. I relied on her. One morning I caught her sitting down, and confronted her with her recent track record of poor workmanship and laziness. She said nothing, just got up and went back to work. It wasn’t until two days later that I tried a different, more measured, professional approach.
A: Attempt, in a mature and professional way, to address and redress the disrespectful nature of the moment, perhaps by saying something like, “Actually, I believe Jane had a point that we didn’t really address and I’d like to bring the conversation back that way for a sec.” B: Attempt, in whatever way seems expedient at the moment, to ingratiate yourself to the boys by behaving as badly as them. Maybe you are explicitly awful and put the other woman down for talking out of turn; maybe your complicity is a volumes-speaking silence.
“My teeth hurt,” she said. She opened her mouth wide and I saw what looked like oil spilling out of her molars, black blood congealed around her gums. She had put off dental surgery because she’d wanted to make it through the autumn season, needed the money (she had a son), and was hiding because she didn’t want to me to think that she was being lazy. The guys on the crew would get a sniffle or a slight cough and take a day off. Here she was, two days away from blood poisoning, and she was scared that she would be perceived as weak.
If you answered B, it wouldn’t surprise me at all, and that’s a sad story. 2011 though it may be, women are still a marginalized group, and marginalized groups are always easier to control when they’re too busy cat-fighting each other to focus their efforts on moving forward and up. So we see women constantly undercutting the successes of other women in all sorts of ways: acting like jealous fools, shaming each other’s behavior and snarking each other’s appearance, spending time and energy being mean girls out of insecurity, or viciously competing for male attention in any way they can.
We re-hired Shannon when she was back on her feet. And we hired her because she was an excellent employee and contributed to the growth of the company. We also re-hired a few guys who exhibited the same characteristics that aligned with our company guys who didn’t complain, who were reliable, who were skilled. You’ve heard this before, but it deserves repeating: at the end of the day, an employee should receive their promotion or pay raise because of the quality of work they do and what they bring to an organization, regardless of gender (and age, sexuality, race, and religion.). There is no “war on boys” as my co-writer says, and no feminist agenda. Women have had to work hard for equal pay and opportunity; we haven’t. And as for arguments that ascribe characteristics to gender, like ‘communicative’ and ‘empathetic’ on women, and ‘competitive’ and ‘aggressive’ for men, ignore them. There are plenty of examples of sensitive, thoughtful men and aggressive, money-driven women.
One of the original tenets of feminism, set down by our far distant foremothers in the heady days of the 1960s: The Personal is Political. I would, perhaps heretically, like to add to the sentiment: the Professional is Political Too. The work we do is so large a part of who we are in this world. And whether you call yourself man or woman or neither, building a workplace that supports contributions based on merit, not gender identity, is a radical action well worth taking. For the first time in thousands of years of human history women are poised to control their own economic destiny. This? It’s huge. It’s a paradigm shift. Not a paradigm shift in the way that jeggings were (Oh my lord do we love jeggings? YES) but an actually real one. From this position of unprecedented power, each of us, woman or not, is empowered to choose to fight for fair salary and benefits, rather than over boys and shoes… Or at least not always just those things, although they are okay sometimes too!
Source (Employment Facts): Statistics Canada
We should acknowledge women’s hard work, and look to them as examples of success along with our male heroes. Equality creates a more robust workforce, bringing varied perspectives and solutions to the challenges we face. It isn’t ‘boys vs. girls,’ it’s best person for the job vs. better person for the job. There are plenty of qualified players waiting to jump on the field, guys. Complainers and slackers will be cut from the team. So man up.
Which one, ladies: A or B? To forge on forward towards real equality, or to keep on trying to join that old boys’ club? No matter what, remember these words, on the chance you’re left outside that clubhouse door in the cold: if you’re not already one of them, then you’re “only” a woman, too.
~ end ~
jobpostings.ca | february 2011
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and the eight-week work placement often takes place overseas. This initiative has also earned an award for international excellence from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, as well as an honour for international program management from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE). Human Resources Management. Humber introduced the first Human Resources Management program to be fully accredited by the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA). And it prepares graduates for careers that link organizations to their most important assets — their people. This training opportunity includes exposure to some of the largest Human Resources departments in the country, through a massive HRPA trade show. Many of the program’s instructors hold postgraduate degrees in industrial relations, and many of the faculty’s experts are recognized as Certified Human Resources Professionals. Financial Planning. This program provides a pathway to the lucrative careers of financial planning, as it prepares students for the exam that is required for accreditation as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Become licensed to sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and a variety of insurance products, and connect with the financial heart of Canada through four-week work placements. New - 2-Year Global Business Management. Besides providing you with knowledge and skills in many of the major functional areas of business, this program covers skills every business wants in every manager: leadership, communications, numeracy, creativity, analytic ability, problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic planning. The first year covers a breadth of fundamental business knowledge and skill areas; the second year expands on that base with a variety of more sophisticated and strategic courses that have equal application in both domestic and international businesses. Plus, two flexible work placements - one in each year - give you the hands-on practical experience employers desire. Humber’s postgraduate programs are offered in the intimate setting of the Lakeshore Campus, which is a study in contrasts. The surroundings have retained the Old World charm of 19th Century buildings, but they have also been updated to boast the latest advances in electronic classrooms and computer labs. There are also a fitness centre, student centre, cafeteria, coffee shops and performance spaces that will further enhance your experience. In addition to holding postgraduate degrees, The Business School’s instructors are actively working in the fields that are associated with their classes, bringing a real-world relevance to your studies. They all know the business skills that graduates will require in the workplace. Humber graduates know the value of the skills that are developed through The Business School. After all, they use them every day.
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Build a career in
SUPPLY CHAIN About 85,000 employees are needed each year in the supply chain sector to fill new jobs and vacancies. That’s a lot of jobs, all across Canada… meaning lots of opportunity for people who want fast-paced, challenging, diverse, ever-changing and rewarding work and lots of room to grow!
Work anywhere in the world Make a real difference, for your company or for people in need Use the newest technologies Handle new challenges each and every day
For more information about the Canadian supply chain sector, contact:
Phone: 905-897-6700 Toll-free (in Canada only): 1-866-616-3468 info@supplychaincanada.org | www.supplychaincanada.org The CSCSC is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.
industryinsiders
be geared towards a variety
the supply chain field feels for a change of pace,
of areas within the industry,
they can always take their transferable skills and
from operating a forklift, to
pursue a different career path.
data analysis, to the purchasing or procurement of things we use in everyday life.
by Andrew Williams
of interest to be explored because it’s sort of a ‘back of the house’ type of function,” says Cheryl
increase in its labour forces
Paradowski, president and CEO at the Purchas-
over the last decade. In 2001
ing Management Association of Canada (PMAC).
the number of supply chain
Paradowski notes that one of the PMAC’s mem-
workers was 629,108, ac-
bers is responsible for purchasing all the ingredi-
cording to the CSCSC. That
ents for chocolate bars, while another’s respon-
figure has steadily risen an
sible for sourcing all the parts for roller coasters
average 2.1 percent annually
and amusement park supplies.
not including truck drivers. Within that time, 14,500 new jobs were added each year to the sector. Ontario has the highest number of workers, with over 150,432 sup ply chain employees in Toronto alone. Maynard attributes this growth to a demand for better business efficiency. “Supply chains help organizations become more
Various colleges and institutes offer programs that give students the necessary skills that could greatly serve the industry. The folks at the CSCSC have put together a nifty database of schools that provide such programs. Most of them offer certificates while others have degree and Master’s programs. Some provide co-op placements as well. Specific institutions include Montreal’s Concordia University, which offers an MBA in Specialization in Supply Chain Management, while McGill University and George Brown College both offer specialized certificates.
efficient in their operations
Generally, degrees in business, commerce, or
and inventory control,” he
management are what this field’s employers are
explains. “Organizations are
looking for. However, an integral focus of supply
looking for better sources of
chain management is on the amount of infor-
component parts, finished
mation produced from integrated technology. Al-
goods, and better markets to
though general IT and interpersonal skills are an
sell their own goods. People
asset, there’s a particularly strong demand for
have to look beyond borders
people with analytical, forecasting, and quanti-
“Most people don’t even know about supply
and ship goods and services beyond Canada, and
tative skills, and both Maynard and Dr. Chauhan
chains,” says Kevin Maynard, executive director
that’s required more people and a greater level
agree that business and supply chain programs
at the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council
of skill sets.”
must prepare their students with these traits.
Supply chains encompass nearly every facet of life, and this rewarding career that links all industries has been lengthening under our very noses.
(CSCSC). He explains how many students pursuing a professional education often overlook this global field, which has seen serious growth in the past decade. “Little Johnny or Sally don’t often go home and say to mom and dad, ‘I want
One of the biggest challenges this industry is facing is trying to create awareness of the many spheres and opportunities that supply chains encompass. “Supply chain careers go across all
Although a continual growth in the industry is likely, a vacancy rate of over 80,000 workers per year is expected due to retirement and turnover; so there’s definitely room for new hires.
industries,” says Maynard. He elaborates by point-
As of 2010, those entering the field under 25 could
ing out that the field’s growth isn’t tied to any spe-
expect to earn on average $53,800 a year. Annual
Nevertheless, this is practically what our econo-
cific industry. In fact, if you did strategic sourcing
wages averaged out to $67,800 for those in the
my functions on, an intricately coordinated net-
for an auto manufacturer, you can apply those
operational sector, $92,600 for managers, and
work of supply chains that see a product from its
same skills at a pharmaceutical company.
$164,600 for executives. This year, a pay hike of
to be a strategic sourcing analyst.’”
Image: Thomas Northcut/Getty Images/Lifesize/Thinkstock
procurement sector. “Procurement is an area
The industry has seen an
to 744,762 workers by 2009,
The Invisible Chain
One of these paths includes the purchasing and
fundamental components to the television set in your living room. Essentially, a supply chain is a series of companies or departments involved in a) the supply of materials, b) the manufacturing of said materials, and c) the networked distribution of the finished products to retailers and to
Dr. Satyaveer Chauhan is an assistant professor in operational management at the John Molson School of Business. He notes that the skills a student might study in supply chain management are interdisciplinary and can be applied in dif-
around four percent could be expected. Besides other benefits, those who enjoy globetrotting could have the opportunity for extensive traveling, especially senior buyers who might do a lot of procurement in South East Asia and China.
ferent fields. “Most of the students who major in
If you pursue a career in supply chain and lo-
supply chain management may take informa-
gistics, you’ll find a variety of opportunities set
Your typical supply chain can be broken down
tion management or accounting as a minor,” he
out before you, and who knows, perhaps one day
into three basic categories: operational, manage-
says. “It all depends on the student’s interest and
little Johnny would understand the importance
rial, and tactical. Each of these occupations can
where they want to go.” So even if someone in
of a strategic sourcing analyst after all.
the final customer.
jobpostings.ca | february 2011
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february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
The New Sale industryinsiders
Jacques Desdoigts will bring in “six figures” this year. His educational background isn’t remarkable. He has no interest in an MBA. He has tattoos, takes transit, doesn’t go into the office on weekends and refuses to wear a suit. Jacques Desdoigts is well on his way to becoming Sales Director.
“I genuinely love people,” explains Desdoigts. “Listening to them, making them laugh, figuring out what they need and how I can help them.” So much for the fast-talking charlatans of the pitching profession. As little as ten years ago, Gordon Gecko-esque ethics still typified those needed to succeed but business majors are no longer bounding into entry-level positions set to swindle and spin. Companies learn the hard way that mistakes happen when they fall out of touch. Whether these mistakes are made by individuals or entire boards of individuals, when they lose the connection to the elements — the people, the environment, the purpose — that support their suc-
when it comes to sales, empathy is the new black.
by Naoise Hefferon
When I get to know him and his unique situation — not just as a potential sale but as a human being – I can assess his needs honestly and identify how and if his business, his life, can be bettered by my product… which goes a long way towards growing lifetime sales relationships.” And for a Sales Director, passion and drive aren’t just a plus, they’re the fuel. Judith Orloff M.D. has written extensively on Empathy in the workplace. “Empathic people have great vision and are passionate
man of sensibilities, to cultivate and reward that which can be neither
about their beliefs and ideas. They can read between the lines, often able to perceive grey areas in a discussion or sense unspoken tension in meetings.”
outsourced nor automated.
A great Sales Director certainly needs solid people skills but there is a
Bye-bye Boiler Room... Bring on the Empathy
great deal more to the job. Being dialed-in only becomes more involved,
In his book, “Wired to Care: How Companies Prosper When They Create
rectors weave the web that connects management, marketing and sales,
Widespread Empathy,” Dev Patnaik asserts that the best organizations,
seeing mission to strategy and taking strategy to execution. They do this
and the ones that survive economic setbacks and downturns, are those
all while remaining attuned to market trends, R & D, corporate direc-
with empathic cultures and managers who are able to step outside
tion, and the needs of the customer. To top it off, a Sales Director will
themselves and walk in someone else’s shoes.
also know exactly how to respond to crises or developments in order to
Particularly in sales, long-term success and aspirations of leadership
maintain the tender balance of all the elements under her watchful eye.
require empathy. Not in a touchy-feely, daily-group-hug sort of way
While some employers will look for candidates to hold an advanced
but in a way that supports intuition and a gut feeling of other people.
degree, others will place more weight on a proven track record and
Increasingly, employers are identifying “empaths” as optimal leaders.
measurable results. Truly, it is only by understanding the intimate de-
Not only does their ability to connect to customers help them sell with
tails of your customer base and knowing how all the various corners
ease but their genuine interest in and care for fellow employees en-
of the web connect that you will be able to tell, for example, how a
ables them to build and motivate a team often without even trying.
strategy and its execution must be modified to account for regional or
As Desdoigts explains, “There are two basic ways to influence human
territorial differences that could impact an audience.
behaviour: Manipulation and Inspiration. Thankfully, if I have empathy
Much of the prowess of multi-tasking is acquired with experience and
for someone there’s no way I can manipulate him. But I can inspire him.
practice. Being able to strategically prioritise plans of action that will hit a
cess, they run the risk of becoming irrelevant, at best. At worst, total catastrophe. As a result, there is a push to reconnect with our most hu-
more complex and more important as you move up the ladder. Sales Di-
number of birds with a single stone becomes an invaluable skill, especially if you can empower someone else to throw that stone. Herein lies the craft of managing an effective team. The more empowered people are, the more they will accomplish, and the happier they’ll be about it. Whether as a Team Leader, Manager or Director, empowering individuals to challenge their limits, take risks and make decisions creates an atmosphere that encourages autonomy. Such an environment allows employees to better see themselves in their work and find fulfilment in what they do.
jobpostings.ca | february 2011
27
edu-ma-cation
TheCyber Campus
foundland to Calgary, without having to transfer any of her credits.
by Andrew Williams
As online courses become more relevant each year, a handful of post-secondary institutions have taken the prestigious Master’s degree and uploaded it to the online medium. But with the university environment known to be a space for culture and building connections, can you still obtain the social and networking experience employers are looking for? In 1994, Athabasca University began their Executive MBA program completely online. Flash forward a decade to late 2004, when the University of British Columbia (UBC) began offering an online Master’s degree of its own, providing courses in rehabilitation sciences. UBC is bridging the gap between institutions and offers the online MRSc program jointly with McMaster University in Ontario. Karen Hurtubise graduated from UBC’s online rehabilitation science program. “I choose the online masters because I didn’t have access to the area [of study] I wanted to explore,” she explains. “It allowed me to access courses which I didn’t have the opportunity to do locally.” The program also allowed Hurtubise to work full time during her studies and move from New-
Nevertheless, concerns about whether such a degree would even be taken seriously aren’t unusual. “When Sue Stanton started talking about developing the program, they looked at her like she was from Mars,” says Mary Clark, an instructor in UBC’s MRSc program, describing the origins of the online Master’s idea at the university. However, Clark explains that inviting employers to get involved in the program and participate in the process was key to establishing the program and its credibility. “Employers are seeing that they don’t even have to wait until the [thesis] is done,” says Clark. “They’re seeing the benefit with each course.” As it turns out, many employers don’t fuss over how you got your degree (provided it’s from an accredited institution) but are more interested in what you have to offer. “We focus our hiring decisions on the individual and the attributes that they bring,” says Eric Appleyard, who oversees corporate recruitment and university relations for TD Bank Group. “We’re not as concerned as to where they got their degree from, whether it be online or in a traditional manner. It’s more in terms of their experiences, their knowledge, skills, and their abilities.”
In addition, any disparities in the quality or value of education appear to be negligible. “We haven’t noticed any difference in terms of the quality of work or any of the interpersonal skills,” says Appleyard. “Again, we screen for people who can
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make an impact, work effectively in teams, live transparently, and show excellent judgment.” The university experience is celebrated for its opportunities to connect with others. Some might wonder if this is still possible when limited to virtual relationships. Hurtubise, however, boasts that she managed to network more through the online format, building a stronger connection with her online Master’s group than that of her undergrad. “Because the class size varied significantly, as well as where the individuals were from and what their backgrounds were, it allowed a huge opportunity to network with people from across Canada and around the world,” she explains. She also notes that there are a number of events, including graduation, where you would get a chance to meet your peers face-to-face. Although Master’s degrees tend to be theory based, employers may also look at the practical applications of the knowledge that students gain. In fact, UBC’s MRSc program emphasizes these workplace applications. Students not only work closely with instructors from all over the world, but also professionals and employers in the industry who eventually assess the students’ final project or thesis. “Our target is people who are really passionate about practice,” says Clark. Could this be a direction higher education is heading? Appleyard maintains that a student’s success comes down to what she’s trying to get out of the program, rather than the form her education takes. “Choice is great for learners,” adds Appleyard. “The more choices candidates have, the better they’re able to choose the program that reflects what they need.” For now it appears we don’t need to look forward to a day when we’re old and rambling on about lecture halls and chalkboards. The classroom will always be an integral part of learning, but cyberspace will be as familiar in the learning environment as the projector used to be.
What happens when inspiration strikes?
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If you’re in the right place, one idea – your idea – can have a profound impact in far-reaching and unexpected places.
Set your ideas in motion.
Consider graduate studies in the School of Computing at Queen’s
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CREATE AN IMPACT
february 2011 | jobpostings.ca
Image: Roz Woodward/Valueline/thinkstock
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Cherries aren’t the only things that sprout during the summer, as gardens of summer jobs begin to bloom. All you have to do is harvest them before they wither. by Andrew Williams
stackin’ it up for the summer
With Old Man Winter soon heading back to his retirement home for another year, we can all look forward to the arrival of summer. Despite all the sleep you intend to finally catch up on, it’s important to get out there and take full advantage of what the season has to offer. Summer is the quintessential time to earn money and gain work experience when you’re not in school. Not only do summer jobs allow you to spice up your resume, but they also produce funds you can use towards that college or university tuition. Camps are but one choice many young people make when looking for seasonal employment. Nevertheless, you can find other year-round industries that annually open their doors to new hires for both part-time and fulltime positions. Let’s have a look see:
retail Many retailers offer part-time summer positions to those seeking to make some cash while they’re not in school. Usually, this sector can provide the hours to keep your wallet well-fed, and it’s flexible enough to mould into a convenient schedule. Even if you can’t get the day off, switching shifts with someone else could be an option. However, there are times when your store might be short on hours, and the time you should be spending on the floor helping customers is spent at home playing Call of Duty.
industryinsiders
Retail wages can vary depending on where you
Painters can expect to put in 40 hour work
Matthews. Also, landscaping could lead to run-
work and what your role is. Customer service
weeks, while managers running their own
ning your own business. Many people in land-
representatives may start out at minimum
painting franchise will want to put in 15 to 25
scaping are self-employed, and it doesn’t take
wage or higher, but typically won’t make as
hours for marketing and 40 plus hours in an
too much to get a company off the ground. Most
much as shift leaders who might take in $11
operating term. “It’s clearly not for the faint of
of the required materials you probably have in
to $12 an hour.
heart,” says Scheel, “but it’s also an opportu-
your garage. In this respect, summer landscap-
nity for someone to go way above and beyond
ing provides the perfect opportunity for young
their typical summer job.”
entrepreneurs. “If you’re a ten-year-old kid, and
There’s also a bit of a turnover rate in this in-
Image: Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/ThinkStock
dustry with students heading back to class once
you go door to door asking people for $20 to cut
September rolls in but at the same time, this may
Students trying to pay their way through school
provide more hours if you wish to stay employed
might also care to look into this. “In my first
and continue earning money while in school.
year of university I ran a [house painting] fran-
serving
chise and I earned enough that summer to
We’re all familiar with the cliché of passing by
explains. Indeed, she worked a substantial
a bar or restaurant and seeing a help wanted
amount of hours, but she graduated debt free
Many orchards and farms offer agricultural
sign posted on the window. Truth is many res-
four years later. So depending on how hard you
work during the summer. Greg Norton owns
taurants are in a constant need of a few ex-
work, as a painter you can earn anywhere from
and operates Okanagan Harvest, which spe-
tra hands, especially during the summer. This
$4000-$6000 in one summer, while managing
cializes in picking and packaging cherries,
season usually sees a spike in business with
your own franchise could rake in about $16,000.
plums, and peaches in Oliver, BC. He notes
more people eating out and an influx of tour-
House painting itself doesn’t require much
ists. “January and February are traditionally
skill, other than what the company would
slow months [for hiring],” says William Mowat,
teach you. Among the things that College Pro
who used to serve at a variety of restaurants
does prepare you for is how to market your
from bars to fine dining. “And then spring
own business, do an estimate, sell a paint job,
rolls around, patio season opens up, and res-
hire and train a painter, manage finances and
taurants will usually hire twice the number of
schedules, pretty much everything you need if
staff in the summer time.”
your goal is to be self-employed.
Restaurants are ideal when it comes to hours, providing considerable flexibility for those
landscaping
who might need time for things like summer
Jobs can be found in the various fields (pun not
school. Then, of course, there are the tips,
intended) that make up the landscaping sec-
which is the icing on the cake when waiting
tor, including grounds management, irrigation,
tables. “I’d say 99 percent of [servers] are here
lawn maintenance, even interior landscapes. Be
An orchard may hire around thirty people for
because of the tips,” says Mowat. “If you’re a
warned: in this type of work 12 hour days are the
the season, but larger ones typically recruit
good server and do your job, you can make
norm. “An eight hour shift would feel like noth-
more. Spaces fill up rather quickly, however,
anywhere from $150 on a slow night to $300 on
ing,” says Justin Matthews, a York University stu-
and Norton stresses the importance of applying
a good night, depending on where you work.”
dent who’s been landscaping since the age of 15.
early, no later than January at the least (We’re
painting
Although this industry typically has a dis-
No, I’m not talking about the kind to be put on
something young women might find interest-
display at the Louvre. House painting, interi-
ing nonetheless. Jobs for the city, such as parks
ors and exteriors, is another option during this
and recreation, may see more women than
There’s so much more to say about each of
season. Erin Scheel deals with special projects
in other landscaping fields. “I’ve worked with
these sectors. No matter which you choose,
for College Pro Painters, which alone hires over
girls on the really hard jobs, and they just blew
they would all look stellar on a resume. Best
2000 students in the summer. She emphasizes
my mind,” says Matthews. “They’re the tough-
advice is to try a different one each year. You’ll
how this not only provides a means to earn
est girls I’ve seen in my life.”
be surprised at the experience you gain and
money in the summer, but it also creates an opportunity for young people to manage their own business and make long-term profit, not just in the summer.
jobpostings.ca | february 2011
pay for my entire university education,” Scheel
proportional guy-to-girl ratio, landscaping is
Students working for a company can earn anything from $12 an hour to $18. Depending on how hard you work, you can walk away with $4000 to $10,000 after one summer, according to
their lawns, most likely they’ll say yes,” says Matthews. “Eight hours of that and you’ll make more money than if you worked for someone else.”
piecework agriculture
some of the important things that students can learn while doing this for the summer. “They learn how to start a job and finish it,” says Norton, “and how to use their brain and their back.” Norton explains how working on an orchard can teach important life skills in how to perform a task quickly and effectively. The amount a student can earn cherry picking varies, depending on how much they picked and the orchard they’re working on. Okanagan Harvest for instance pays 30 cents a pound, which is more than other farms, roughly tallying up to $100 for a seven hour shift.
late, we know. Sorry.). As orchards are located in rural areas, they may also provide living facilities for their on-site workers, who could be spending the summer away from home.
the opportunities it comes with.
x
A group of 19 co-workers from a call centre in Ontario started the year off right by winning a $50 million jackpot together. Of course it was all over the news, and the next day the OLG was running their commercials again where a group of machine workers are fly-fishing in an idyllic river in the middle of nowhere. Fly-fishing isn’t exactly what I’d be doing if I won the big bucks, but I started thinking about how much fun it would be to win millions with my colleagues, and then I started thinking how it would just be fun to try — the only issue was finding someone willing to take on the task of organizing. In the end, I knew it was going to have to be me, but it got me thinking about some of the other things I could do in the office that might be fun opportunities to get closer with my colleagues, and who knows, maybe the boss might appreciate it too. Here goes:
with Ross Harrhy
You can be a “Group Play Captain” in your office and get everyone increasing your odds at winning the big one! The more people you get on board the better your odds, and the better you look to your boss for being someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and willing to take on a project, even if it has nothing to do with work. You bring people together, and if you only win $100, you can save everybody their weekly dues.
Organize a drink after work amongst your colleagues — but keep it on the quiet If you work in a relatively medium-sized or larger office, you can usually find colleagues that you should try and create a better relationship with on the whole. The key is inviting people only at your own level. It’s great to go out for drinks with anybody in the office (just don’t drink too much), but the people that you work with at your own level, whether support staff, middle-management, or upper-management, are your greatest allies in the office. That’s because, for the most part, there is a lot to learn and share from them that your superiors either won’t share with you, or it’s probably a good idea you don’t share with them. It doesn’t have to be a secret rendezvous, but keep it kind of quiet. That way, the boss will understand, but not necessarily feel left out. The point is that you’re strengthening relationships within the office.
Create a book club Pick the time frame (some offices and people are pretty busy) and find a few people to get together, whether at alternating houses or the local coffee shop, to talk about books. In my office we have a club, and while not everybody in the office takes part, those of us that do have a great evening out. Believe me, even the greatest book can’t be discussed all night, but it’s a great introduction into some light office gossip, or just some plain old friendly chatter. Keep a list of everybody’s birthday. Well, it doesn’t have to be everybody in the company, but pick a good denominator like your department, division, etc. and see if your HR department or your manager has a budget for either a small cake and/or 15 minutes where the group can get together and celebrate. Even if you just run down to Tim Hortons and get a dozen donuts, each and every person in your office will appreciate being acknowledged on their birthday. You don’t have to sing (that can be embarrassing for some), but create your own traditions, whether it’s balloons, or a “secret” code for the birthday invite like “Special Department Meeting” or “Emergency Cake Session.” Even if the birthday boy or girl catches on, it still adds a little excitement and something to talk about. So, obviously none of these activities involve fly-fishing in a river deep in the woods, but at least they can build stronger relationships amongst your colleagues. Maybe one or two of them may want to go fly-fishing or something equally as enjoyable on the weekend. And then there’s always winning the lottery… february february 2011 |2011 jobpostings.ca | jobpostings.ca
Image: Jeffrey Hamilton/Lifesize/Thinkstock
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