Prove it!

Today on BNet's Newsletter for business owners, Jeff Haden shares the "10 words that never should appear on your website". His point is that the following words are over-used by businesses in their advertising. The fact is that they are overused by job seekers, too.

Innovative
Service provider
Proven track record
Unique blend of…
World-class
Collaborative approach
Outstanding customer experiences
Dynamic
Myriad solutions (problem solver)
Results oriented

The advice that businesses should heed regarding advertising is the same advice that work seekers should consider for their self-marketing. Haden says, "Adjectives are great but only if specific, descriptive, and directly applicable to what you do." If you have delivered results, give an example that is relevant to the work you seek. If you have done your work in an unusual way to get those results, tell the employer about your innovative approach.

Keeping it Simple for Seekers:
Provide some details and prove that you have the skills employers are looking for and avoid popular catch phrases that everyone is using.

So how do you go about coming up with proof? You need stories.

1. Go ahead and compile a list of your relevant skills and accomplishments.

2. For each one, prepare a story from your recent past that illustrates you demonstrating the skill. A terrific way to do this is using the STAR method. Talk about the situation (the five Ws), task (challenge or opportunity), actions (yours and those around you) and results (short and long term benefits to the organization and your clients and what you learned or have done in similar situations since then).

S - Situation
T - Task
A - Actions
R - Results

3. Select the best story to use in your cover letter; this may differ for each employer, based on their needs. Other examples could be used in your resume.

4. Be prepared to use these story examples during an interview. Employers who know the most effective way to interview candidates are asking for stories like these using Behaviour Descriptive (or Behavioural) Interview techniques. Your ability to prove your skills will set you apart from the competition, so if the employer doesn't ask for examples, ask to give them. Do you have physical evidence? Offer to show it off in a portfolio, too.

Lethbridge College students and alumni may find more information about resumes, cover letters, interviews and portfolios in the Resource Library section of The Works Online. Visit us for personal assistance, too.

...Pam

Back to School Means Back to the Job Search

Did you see me on Global News last week?
http://www.globallethbridge.com/video/index.html?releasePID=NGXtefw6p6_Zc1I5UiiDOZ7vXOVPX6c5 - "Top News Sept 4.09", best viewed with Firefox.

Yes, there are jobs available for students now. Despite an increasing number of unemployed people in Southern Alberta and the highest student unemployment rate since 1977, The Works--Job & Career Services at Lethbridge College has NOT seen a dip in part-time job postings for students during back-to-school time in the last three years.


KISS

My advice to students is this:

1 -- Create a budget and stick to it. Check out resources at

Money Mentors

ALIS

Geezeo , Mint, and Wesabe

2 -- If you need to work while going to school, start your search now.

Visit your career centre on campus for free assistance with your work search and exclusive access to job postings. At Lethbridge College we've seen a dramatic drop in available part time jobs starting in October, so don't delay.

For more information on student employment rates from Statistics Canada, have a look at Academica's News


...Pam

Lethbridge College's Career Conference and Open House

by Pam Crawshaw-Prangnell, Supervisor, The Works-Job & Career Services
and
Derek Bly, Communications Coordinator
Lethbridge College

The snow is falling here in Lethbridge, so perhaps we should be thinking about Christmas, New Years, or even planning that ski trip for Reading Week, but for college students it is not too soon to be thinking about summer. April will be here sooner than you think, bringing with it graduation or summer employment. Tomorrow, Thursday, November 6, more than 115 employers will be at Lethbridge College's Career Conference and Open House to meet with our students, potential students and the public. Its a great opportunity to meet someone you can trust, gather some career information and perhaps get to know the boss you'll work for starting this summer.

With more than 130 exhibits in total, the annual Career Conference and Open House at Lethbridge College is the ‘one-stop shop’ for anyone considering future education and career opportunities.

Our annual event is one of Western Canada’s largest career conferences and I am thrilled that I have been a part of every one since 1990. The event brings together a mix of businesses, seeking to connect with potential employees, and college program areas that can get individuals on the right path to the career of their choice. More than 115 employers will be represented.

Career Conference and Open House is open to the entire community and runs Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Displays will be set up in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium, in the Centre Core, and along the corridor that connects the two.

The theme for this year’s conference is "Meet Someone You Can Trust". With many business exhibitors being regular participants over the years, it really is an opportunity to connect with respected organizations.

Anyone looking to connect with prospective employers can really benefit by attending the Career Conference and Open House. We have many trusted partners who return each year to foster a positive relationship with students and others seeking to move ahead in a career.

Terri Ann Fitz-Gibson, Educational Campus Events Coordinator, says a popular feature of the college open house returns this year – waiving of application fees for prospective students. This year 100 individuals can see the $55 fee waived. The total will be split with the first 50 applicants from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and the first 50 from 5-8 p.m. benefiting from the offer.

“We wanted to spread the opportunity out over the day because we have both high school and mature students who can benefit from having the application fee waived,” Fitz-Gibson says. “Offering it at two different times creates openings for those who may not be able to attend at one particular time.”

There is another incentive available to prospective students who attend Career Conference and Open House, she says.

“We’re offering on-the-spot conditional acceptance to most credit programs with a start date in the winter or fall 2009 semesters.”

Tours and Activities:

Cousins Building Tour
10 & 11 a.m.; 1 & 2 p.m.
Meet at the brown bear in the Phys. Ed. Building foyer

Fashion Design Area
All day
Room AN1530

Massages
All day
Massage Therapy Exhibit, Row N

Self-Guided Tours
All day
Tour package available in Centre Core

Event web site, which includes a list of exhibitors:

careerconference.ca


KISS (KEEPING IT SIMPLE FOR SEEKERS):

The location of each exhibitor will be mapped out in the Career Conference and Open House booklet. Check out a presentation or information session, walk around the gym, get a feel for the set up, and chart your own course.


Budget your time carefully so you can visit as many exhibits as possible. Allow yourself at least one hour. Remember, lunch hour will be the busiest time - if possible, come before or after lunch.


Go alone. Friends may keep you from visiting exhibits that are of primary interest to you.


Don't be shy. Indicate to the employers your course of study. If you have chosen the wrong company, thank them and move on.


Have a list of prepared questions. Be prepared to answer to inquiries about your education and career plans.


Avoid questions about salary. Research starting salary statistics.


Pickup a business card at each table. Make a brief note on the back of each to help you recall your conversation with the company's representative. Feel free to make notes during your discussion if the company representative provides a lot of detail. Help yourself to the free company brochures.


Review your notes and return to exhibits of particular interest. You may be able to explore your career plans in more depth.


Remember, these visits are not interviews, but they are your opportunity to make a crucial first impression.

Meet the recruiters and do some networking. It's a great opportunity to start planning your career.

Here are some questions you can ask:

- Is your firm hiring this year? If so, from what programs?
- What types of positions will you have open?
- Where are the jobs located?
- What is a typical career path for graduates in my field?
- What further education or training might I need to achieve my goals with your company?
- What is your deadline for applications and what do you require?
- What are the major trends in the industry today?
- What is the growth potential for your firm?
- Will you be conducting on-campus interviews at the college? When?
- Is your organization a work-experience host? Do you offer practicums or internships?

Keep Your Eyes on Your Goals

I spent five and a half hours at my office at the college on the weekend. I would have been resentful about spending a Saturday cooped up with no window to the world, but it was raining outside and I've been stressed about work. Among other challenges, we have been under renovations in our career centre since June. This week I returned from a leadership retreat all mentally "pumped" to do great things in my *brand new private office* (woo hoo!)... but I quickly realized I couldn't do much because I couldn't find anything and my computer didn't work the way it should.

In a previous blog I wrote about the importance of being organized if you want to be successful. As a dieter who's making lifestyle changes, hopefully for good this time, I believe that its important to set up your environment for success with that, too, by having having the right food available and equipment available and also by and eliminating temptations. De-cluttering, organizing, being comfortable, having the right tools and avoiding distraction are important to tackling big jobs of any sort, loosing weight and looking for work are just two examples.

After returning home Saturday evening I searched the net for ideas about Feng Shui as it applies to office decor. One big message in the articles I read is that its important to surround yourself with symbols of success. Always keep your eye on the goal or something that represents it.

Health-wise, I do need a constant reminder of what I'm trying to achieve and so, on my laptop at home, I have just created a screensaver of photos of people with the shape I think is attainable by me if I work hard enough at it. I've also got pics on there of vacation locations, one of which will be my reward if I go all the way and achieve my goal.

Today I'm be back at the office and contemplating the images of motivation that will be appropriate my work. I may frame the college's mission statement, oost a "to do" list to a cork board above my desk or have an inspirational quote painted on a wall. Or maybe something more subtle or symbolic will do for me, but I'd like to have something here that might just motivate others, too.

Keeping career/life balance in mind, I think I'll have to add some things to my personal space at work that keep at least some of my thoughts on health. Sneakers under my desk are a good start, even if they aren't particularly attractive.

KISS (Keeping It Simple for Seekers)

What is your job search goal? Have you clarified it in such a way that you can communicate it clearly to others? What is your dream job description? What does your work environment look like? What can you contribute to the organization or to that field of work? What other goals might you achieve if you get that job? Are there pictures, words or symbols that could motivate you to keep searching for it? Have you got your eyes on your goals? What distractions can you eliminate from your world now that may help you to achieve your career goals tomorrow? How do you stay motivated?


...Pam

I have a new office!

I've finally moved into the new office that was built for me in a formerly open piece of the Centre for Teaching Learning and Innovation at Lethbridge College. Its fairly square, a decent size, and has three pale grey walls, one wall of brick that is painted dark purple, and darker grey office carpeting. The desk has lovely swirls of blue, grey, purple and too much pink. There isn't too much more in here but a lot of boxes and office furniture catalogs I have to go through. I really have very few ideas about how to decorate this place, but I want to.

The only brainstorm I've had, so far, is to use wall decals to spell out something inspirational and motivational. The college vision? Our department's mission? A moving quote?

I'm open to ideas. And visitors.


...Pam

Landing THE Job

Sorry I've been absent. A critical person on our team went on to bigger and better things and I have been doing two jobs. Over the last two weeks I have participated in the recruitment and selection of a new employment specialist for the career centre that I manage, “The Works” - Job and Career Services at Lethbridge College. The selection committee saw some interesting applications.

Half of the applicants didn’t bother to revise their resumes for this work and it was obvious that their objective was really something different, even if they told us they wanted this job. The four candidates we did interview were all very different, each one with the potential to do the job and to bring different gifts to our department, but the one we did hire was the only one who followed all of the job search steps outlined below.

Really it was surprising that, with so much information readily available on the web and elsewhere on how to land a job, that only one of the applicants for the role of employment specialist really demonstrated that they knew how to do it. No, we didn’t “settle” when we hired this person simply because they know how to do a job search. Like I said, all of the people we met in person were capable and had terrific potential, but I’m thrilled to say that we’re bringing to our office someone who really walks the talk. I'm hoping to have the person as a guest blogger here soon.

KISS (Keeping it Simple for Seekers)

There is a basic outline that I – and most other “experts” -- recommend that work seekers follow.

• Have a clearly defined career path and communicate it clearly in all the other steps you do.
• Be aware of your skills and how they may benefit the workplace.
• Research organizations to gain an understanding of their needs.
• Align your background with their needs; in your resume and letter, show and tell them specifically how you are a good fit; provide examples that prove you can do what they need.
• Remove from your resume details that may distract from demonstrating that you are a best match for the role you are applying for.
• Be prepared to tell stories during the interview that prove you have what the organization needs; offer examples if they are not requested.
• Have a portfolio ready that shows off examples of your best work; ideally, have it ready online or on a disk that you may provide at the time of application because you may not have the chance to show one off in an interview; a good portfolio may get you an interview.
• Have a list of references ready that will support your claims to fame. Work with your references in advance so they are not caught off-guard and so they know which of your demonstrated skills to support and highlight for each job you are interviewed for.
• Thank the interviewers for their time with a note sent the same day the interviews are held.

There are many strategies you could apply to address each of these points effectively, but that’s the list. Yes, you can find lists like this one all over the web and in lots of books. It isn’t rocket science. And yet, very few people follow the steps. Prove your genuine interest in the position offered by the employer and jump through the hoops. It can make a difference between landing “a job” and “the job”.


...Pam