Job Seekers Need Local Media

A good job search depends on local media. In these days of satellite tv, satellite radio and the Internet, many people surf to be entertained and believe that if news is important it will find them. Sure, we now know all we need to and more about Tiger Woods' career bungles and love life, however subtle changes in the local labour market on which a good job search depends will probably never hit national tv stations or the world wide web. You need to know what's going on in the community where you seek work. What new businesses are coming to town and which ones are expanding? What projects are going on? Are there clues in the news to who may be hiring in the future? Is there an association or event that you should be part of for the sake of networking? Perhaps there is an opportunity for you to volunteer and gain more experiences and contacts. Maybe there is an unmet need that you could take care of with a small business or contract. Maybe there is a person in the news that you'd like to approach for mentorship. Don't abandon your local tv, radio and newspapers. Great jobs are rarely big news.

...Pam

Flat is the New Raise

During a recession, some might say we are lucky to have a job and shouldn't push the envelope by asking for more pay. Check out these articles on the topic of salary negotiations.

Top 10 Tips for Salary Negotiation

How Do I Ask for a Raise in a Recession?

I Was Fired for Quibbling Over My Raise


KISS (Keeping It Simple for Seekers)

If you are worth more than you are currently paid or being offered, then prove it. Look and act the part consistantly, whether you are a work seeker or aiming for a raise or promotion.

Collect evidence of your best work for your portfolio and have references who can backup your claims to fame. Be prepared to support your case.

Know what you are worth. Research the normal salary range for this type of position.

Practice your negotiations with a friend, co-worker, coach or career centre staff.

Don't feel you need to accept a new job or a negotiated raise on-the-spot. Ask for time to think about what has been offered.

If the salary isn't flexible, perhaps another benefit or perk is.

Might the boss be open to negotiating your pay in the not-too-distant future when times are better?

Thank the manager for any effort they've made to get you more money or benefits even if all they did was take the time to discuss it with you.


...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?

Free Expert Advice

For the last few years I have studied and shared with others about mentorship in my role as the manager of a career centre at a college. Last summer I was invited to speak about mentorship at a national conference of college and university career centre staff, managers and the corporate human resources professionals that recruit our graduates. My focus, however, has been on “self-directed mentorships” that exist outside of a formal program. I believe we can achieve more for ourselves by finding and managing our own mentorships than we can when we are matched by someone else for the organization's benefit.

One Definition of Mentorship
• a deliberate, conscious, voluntary relationship:
• that may or may not have a specific time limit;
• that occurs between an experienced person (the mentor) and one or more other persons (the partners);
• who are generally not in a direct, hierarchical or supervisory chain-of-command;
• where the outcome of the relationship is expected to benefit all parties in the relationship (albeit at different times) for personal growth, career development, lifestyle enhancement, spiritual fulfillment, goal achievement, and other areas mutually designated by the mentor and partner;
• with benefit to the community within which the mentoring takes place;
• and such activities taking place on a one-to-one, small group, or by electronic or telecommunication means; and
• typically focused on interpersonal support, guidance, mutual exchange, sharing of wisdom, coaching, and role modeling.

KISS (Keeping it Simple for Seekers):

If you want a mentor, you need to determine two things, first:
1-ONE THING-- What is your goal? 2--at least ONE PERSON. What kind of person will get you there? You need to approach someone who is concerned for people and concerned for results. They should have no ulterior motive other than giving back to their community or field of expertise and/or developing their skills as an advisor. After you figure out what your goal really is, look around you. Who has achieved some of their goals and is active in answering questions for others who have similar challenges? Who models success to you?

Identifying a good mentor can be difficult. Asking someone to mentor you can feel even harder.

If your mentor isn’t aware of your goals or expectations of the relationship, you do not have an intentional mentorship.

So the first step in an intentional mentoring relationship is to ask them to help you. Tell them "I would really value your opinion.” Don’t ask for a big time commitment in the beginning. Answering your email, commenting on your blog or your tracker or a single phone conversation is lots to ask for to start with. Get to the point. Ask for what you want. This involves what I call "The Coffee Speech," because, in person, it can be done over coffee, or in an online community it would be sent by private message:
• outline your goal
• ask one or two quick questions
• ask if they would they consider being your mentor or helping you to achieve a goal or solve a problem
• tell them why you selected them
• tell them what you hope to learn
• outline the amount of time to be committed by each of you
• suggest what you will contribute (“I’m really very good at _____. If you ever need _____ give me a call, I’ll be more than happy to help out any way I can.”)

This is what is involved in that if you agree:

• contact frequently, set a schedule and method
• talk about current issues, short and long-term goals
• record the discussions, take notes to each meeting, start a file
• take interest in your mentor as a person
• don’t share your whole life story
• make yourself real and make it light and fun
• at each meeting, agree to an action step
• update your mentor when you’ve completed a step
• say thank you; ask how they’d like to be thanked or how you may contribute

I challenge you to identify a goal and identify at least one person who can help you to achieve it. Manage your own intentional mentorship! While you are at it, be open to mentoring others. Perhaps you can offer help to someone who is too afraid to ask. So while you are asking to have your needs met, why not offer to meet someone else's too. There is free, expert assistance out there for the taking. If we all give and receive, everyone benefits!


...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