Chilliwack Employment Services

Be Your Own Censor

2009-03-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

There is a serious amount of negative news these days about the employment picture. Job less rate is rising, employers have hiring freezes, it is tough to not read or hear something about it anytime you tune into TV or pick up a newspaper. Here is a word of warning. Be careful what you plug into. Some media outlets will go out of their way to find the good news or positive stories. Others will focus on the doom and gloom because bad news sells.

When things get a little down or tight, it is good time to become your own censor. Be aware of what you are reading, watching or listening too. If you continue to gravitate to the negative you will BE in the negative. Let’s face it, a person needs listen to a little news on the radio, or wherever, so they have some clue as to what is going on, just don’t over due it. If you are focused on the positive aspect of being on a job search for that fresh new career to revitalize you as a person, you don’t need the negative energy that can assault your senses through the media.

Your comments are welcome

Glen Slingerland

An Effective Salutation

2009-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today’s job search tip; Instead of addressing your cover letters with To Whom it may concern, we recommend you try:

To whom I can’t be bothered to figure out who this letter is going to due to the fact that I am mass mailing out résumés at this moment and know it would be impossible to keep of track of names anyway and besides I have no idea what positions you have open or if I am able to meet the qualifications you seek however I am confident that the lifetime resume I am sending you will demonstrate that somewhere in my twenty years in the workforce I have worked in an environment where I knew someone who has a relative that worked in an industry exactly like yours:

Any questions?

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland

Where is the fun?

2009-01-30T05:30:00.000-08:00

There is a fish market in Seattle with job applications stacked to the ceiling from people eager to work there. Yes, a Fish Market. Why? Because the people who work there, have fun. Not only do they have fun, they put on a show for every customer buying a fish. Who would have thought that buying fish for dinner could become an unforgettable event? They believe that through their work they can improve the quality of life for others. Corporations now hire the Pike Place Fish Market to come in and show their employees how to have fun at work. These same corporations pay big money for this service. Having fun at work has made the employees who work in a fish market world famous.

I think the underlying message here is “attitude”. What is your attitude about work? What is your attitude about the place that just let you go? What is your attitude about the next place you want to work? It is impossible to find a job that will be fun when you are angry or resentful. Be fun; reflect fun and you’ll attract fun.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland

Three Types of Jobs

2009-01-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

There are basically three types of jobs in a job search. First you have the job/job. Job/jobs are just that, jobs. Often, they create cash flow. They are sometimes known as a plan B job. Plan B jobs, are jobs that meet an immediate need. We usually take a plan B when we need to generate cash to put food on the table and pay a few bills, nothing more. These job/jobs may, or may not be a lot of fun and one may have a difficult time getting out of bed in the morning to get motivated. In other words, you exist.

Secondly, there is the Great Job/Career. This is the type of job that you enjoy doing. You look forward to getting up and going to work. It may not pay you as much as you would like, but then money isn’t everything, right? You make do. You love what you are doing and you can’t wait to get to work in the morning and do it. The interesting thing about the Great Job/Career is how different it is for each one of us. For some people, working in a supermarket is a great job, and for others it might be a plan B job, or job/job. I have met forklift drivers who make $16.00 and hour and absolutely love driving a forklift. They look forward to going to work each morning and if you asked them what they would like to be doing in five years, they would tell you they will be driving a forklift.

Thirdly, and this is the big one, there is the Passion job/ Career. What’s the difference between the passion career and the great job career? The passion career will bring you COMPLETE ABUNDANCE, spiritually and financially. An example of someone who has a passion career, Jim Carey, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey to name a few. Often people in a passion career will make huge sacrifices, but that’s because they have such a passion for what they are doing that nothing else matters. For them work is a way of life, a holiday. It offers them complete total fulfillment.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland -

Interviews. What, me nervous?

2009-01-08T05:23:00.000-08:00

Job interviews can be nerve wracking, and not just for the person being interviewed. Often, the interviewer experiences anxiety prior to a meeting. There may be more on the line for the interviewer. If the wrong person is hired, it could end up costing the company money, or worse costing someone their job.

Interviewing is an art and doing it properly goes beyond asking scripted questions. Today’s serious job seeker prepares specifically for that type of interview. They have rehearsed answers and possibly taken workshops or received coaching to help them get through the tough interview process. Yet very little coaching takes place for the person interviewing candidates. Often the only training they received was from the person who interviewed them for the job they now hold.

To interview properly you have to get to know the person you are interviewing. You need to determine if you trust and respect them enough to want them working for you.

Start by disarming them. Your first priority is to get them relaxed. True personal qualities do not come through while under stress. Talk to them about anything and everything, except the position or company. For example, their trip to the interview, how far did they have to drive? What part of town do they live in? Do they enjoy living there? How long have they lived in the area? How are the real estate prices in that part of town? Did they grow up there?

It’s amazing how much you can learn with the right small talk. You might find out how connected they are to their community, or if they pay attention to the world around them. Messages might start to come through they don’t really care about a lot of things. It might take ten or fifteen minutes of small talk and conversation before getting into the meat of the actual job interview. During this exchange you begin to detect attitudes, friendliness (or lack of), openness, sense of humor, communication skills and qualities that don’t always come through with the typical “ tell me about a time when you had to overcome a huge obstacle at work” type questions. The more talking they do, the easier it will be for you determine their character, and pay attention to the questions they ask you. This will also tell you a lot about the type of person they are.

Slowly segue into the employment portion of the interview. It should happen with the same ease and grace as your small talk. Done properly, they won’t even realize the interview is underway.

Of course every job requires skills and abilities to be able to do the job and standard interview questions may be required for confirmation of those skills and abilities. Getting to know someone beyond the nice resume, the list of references and rehearsed interview questions requires a true desire to want to get to know them. Remember, you can always train someone how to do the job, but you can’t train him or her to be a nice person.

As for the nervousness experienced by interviewers, well, it’s hard to feel sorry for the person who already has a job.

Your Comments are welcome- Glen Slingerland

Is the Writing on the Wall?

2008-12-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

The first step to getting over the emotion of job loss is to take ownership of your part in it. You might be saying to yourself “ I don’t have any control over company takeovers or change of ownership!” Maybe not, but you do have control over your life and where you chose to work. Remember, you are there by choice and everything you do, every job you take, every move you make is a result of a decision you made. So if the axe falls, and your neck is in the way, take a long hard look at what was going on in your world at the time. Did an evaluation come and go without anyone saying anything? Has management seemed uninterested about projects you are working on or other events in the work place? Does morale seem low? These can be signs something is immanent. Nobody likes to think about the prospect of their job being eliminated, so we often ignore the signs.

When economies are tight, downsizing can occur and people can loose jobs through no fault of their own. Now more than ever it is important to pay attention to what is going on around you, continually build your network, keep those skills updated and watch for the signs.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland

Practice, practice, practice

2008-12-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

There is a saying that goes like this; the résumé gets you in the interview and the interview gets the job. If you worked hard to perfect your résumé and target it specifically for a desired position then same thing needs to happen for the interview.

There is another saying that goes; how do you get to Carnegie Hall. Answer; practice, practice, practice. The best way to practice is with a friend. Have someone ask you questions about your work experience as it relates to the job you are going after. Something I used to do prior to an interview was find a quiet place to write out the answer to the question – Tell me about yourself. I had this belief that if I got through that question smoothly right off the top, the rest of the interview would go well. There are other things you can do prior to your big interview such as popping into your local library and picking up any one of the hundreds of interview question and answer books. Just taking an hour to go through one of those books gets you into the interview mind set.

If you are unemployed, book an appointment with an employment counsellor. They can work one on one with you on your interview technique or register you for a job search workshop that includes mock interviews.

Your comments are welcome - Glen Slingerland

Help Wanted Nightmares

2008-12-04T06:47:00.001-08:00

Recently, an employer told me about the response he received after placing an employment wanted ad on Craig’s List. Firstly, he was amazed at how many people apply for a position they have absolutely no qualifications for. Not that he wouldn’t hire someone without experience, but the key thing here is “qualifications”. Unless you can demonstrate exactly how your talents and skills can transfer to this field you have never worked in, you are wasting your time and an employers time sending in a résumé. The inexperienced person applying for the position seems to have no idea as to how much they look like an idiot. He said that if he ever ran into some of these people, he would be hard pressed not to say something about their application.

Secondly, about one out of five followed the directions in the advertisement. He asked for specific examples of the demonstrated skills and talents he was looking for and only one out of five sent what he asked. Once again he ended up shuffling through a pile of incomplete applications that were doing nothing other than wasting his time. It is no wonder most employers hate trying to find someone by advertising positions. It is so much easier to hire someone you know, or someone who comes highly recommended.

Something to keep in mind the next time your focused on sending out hundreds of résumés to jobs you’ll never get.

Your comments are welcome - Blogger Boy

Box Numbers and Fax Numbers

2008-11-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile we see ads in the paper for what sounds like an awesome job, unfortunately all they offer as contact info is a fax number or a box number. Personally, those ads drive me nuts. How can anyone respond to a job advertisement with so little info to go on? Secondly, why would anyone want to send them all their personal information, résumé etc, without knowing who they are sending it to?

Here are a couple of suggestions. Try doing a search on the fax number. Sometimes it’ll lead you right to the company where you can at least do a little research before applying. You might also learn it is a company you would rather not waste your time on. If nothing turns up for the fax number or it is a box number, you might try writing a killer cover letter explaining how you may be a good match for this position. Give them some solid reasons, but not too many, that may entice them to want to find out more. Include in your letter that you would be happy to forward a detailed résumé once you know a more about the company and position. If they don’t respond to that, then they are probably a company you wouldn’t want to work for anyway.

Sometimes I think those ads are placed because it is a policy to advertise the position, but they have no intention of actually interviewing anyone. Remember, it is your job search, so be in control and stay in your power.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland – Skills 101 / Job Development

Cover Letter Secrets

2008-11-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

For some reason, cover letters frighten people to death. They never know where to start them and there is an uncontrollable urge to cram them with as much information as possible. It is as if they were trying to talk the person into hiring them, or at least interviewing them based on the cover letter. Then you have the people who send out the same résumé for every job and think the cover letter is the thing that should be customized to the position. The downside to that line of thought is you might convince someone in a cover letter you can do the job, however when the reader looks at the résumé they aren’t getting the same message. The cover letter and the résumé must sell you as the right candidate for a desired position.

Keep in mind your cover letter should not be a repeat of everything that is in your résumé. If it is, then what is the point of the résumé in the first place? Your cover letter should give the Hiring Manager a good reason to continue reading what you have sent them.

The cover letter needs to tell them how you heard about the position or the company. You also need to explain briefly why you are a good match for the position and show them you have done your homework and know something about the company, what they do, and that you believe in what they do. If you are responding to an ad you also need to reflect back to them that you actually read the thing and understand the position. Oh, and don’t forget to ask for the interview.

Finally the most important secret to a good cover letter is, keep it short. Those long cover letters can be so difficult to read when you’re yawning.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job development

Personal Marketing

2008-11-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

Personal Marketing, what is it? Personal marketing is about becoming an advertising agency - for you. You have skills or talent that a number of employers need, so the trick is to get the word out to these specific employers. Much the same way someone selling a product needs it to be exposed to the right potential buyers.

Sending out unsolicited résumés with a prospecting cover letter in a brown manila envelope is a great way to reach lots of employers who don’t care about you or who aren’t looking. Face to face, or voice to voice contact on the other hand, can be far more effective. Look at how many advertisers use highly visual and audio advertising methods. It allows consumers to see, feel, touch, hear, etc, about a product before they buy it. We can actually get to know the product before we make the big purchase. A cover letter and a résumé do not allow any employer the ability to truly get to know you. That is something that has to take place over time and in person.

Your job search advertising campaign should be well thought out, planned and targeted. When companies go after a specific demographic consumer base, they look for the best way to reach the largest group of potential buys. The job search should be done with the same goal in mind. A little research and knowledge about your chosen field can go a long way.

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development

"We don't need no stingking résumé"

2008-10-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

Job seekers put a lot of emphasis on their résumés. Probably more than the average employer cares about or wants to know. The down side to a résumé is it doesn’t tell the reader what kind of a person you are. It can sell accomplishment till the cows come home, but unfortunately it doesn’t say whether or not you did it as a nice person or a tyrant.

The number one favourite way an employer likes to fill a vacant position, is from within. Hire from within and you don’t need a résumé. The boss already knows what the person is like because they have been working with them. There is no guess work. Now if they can’t hire from within, they next favourite methods are hiring someone they know outside the company, or someone who comes highly recommended. Chances are, if it is someone they know they may not even need to see the résumé. It is also not uncommon for a résumé to not be required people by the person who comes highly recommended.

Trying to decide who to interview based on a pile of résumés is a daunting task for any employer. As a job seeker, you may want to help them take the guess work out of hiring you by becoming someone they know, or someone who is highly recommended.

Now go check out the blog entry called- Networking without a résumé.

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerland – Skills 101 / Job Development

Objective, Summary, Profile or what??

2008-10-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

Here it is, another one of those million dollar questions. Do I start my résumé off with an objective, a summary or a profile? The answer.. drum roll please…I don’t care. Truly, I just don’t care. What you say at the top of your résumé depends on you, your personality and the point you are trying to make when you write it. I recommend you think about it this way. If the top half of your résumé were beach front property, what kind of house would you put on it? Hopefully, common sense would tell you to put up a house that looks like it belongs on the beach, something that catches the eye, stands out, and looks fantastic. This rule applies to your résumé as well. You want something that catches the reader’s eye and stands out. “To utilize my skills to enhance the performance of your company:” simply doesn’t cut it. Actually it almost makes a person yawn just reading it.

Take your time on that opening line. Really think about what you want to get across. You only have about thirty seconds to get their attention and if the reader doesn’t think you have the skills to do the job right off the top, they may never make it to the bottom of your résumé.

Objective, summary or profile? I don’t care.

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerland Skills 101/ job Development

You charge HOW MUCH to write a résumé?

2008-10-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

We were sitting around the other day discussing whether or not a job seeker should pay a professional to write their résumé? The best answer we could come up with is, it depends. Obviously some people are better than others at expressing themselves on paper. However, if you are going to have a professional write your resume it should be job and education appropriate. “Cultivated profitable relationships at the executive level by exceeding expected service requirements which led to repeat business” on the résumé of someone who served guys in business suits lunch, may be a little excessive. There is also a real good chance the waiter or waitress using a line like that in a résumé probably doesn’t sound like that during a regular conversation.

It is really important that a person take ownership of the words and language style of their résumé. We all want to sound professional but at the same time we don’t want to be misleading. A six figure executive may need help from a résumé writing professional to tighten up the flow of his or her résumé and give it the results based accomplishment lines needed to grab the reader’s attention. The Food Server on the other hand, needs to simply word it in such a way the reader can see the person applying knows their way around a restaurant, how to deal with the public under stressful conditions, and most importantly how to improve on the bottom line. Someone who is good at writing résumés can help you identify how you made, or saved a past employer, money.

Being able to write your own résumé is a wonderful skill and it is something I encourage everyone to try. If you know someone who is considered a good writer, have them critique your résumé while it is under construction. Search the internet for samples and really read them. Learn to identify good from bad.

If you are thinking about hiring a résumé writer remember it is buyer beware. Résumé writing fees are all over the board and you will not always get a very good resume for a $150.00. Then again, I have also seen some pretty bad résumés for $350.00. Shop around, talk to writers, find out about their style, ask to see samples of their work and be prepared to pay more than you think it will be.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development

Humour and the Job Search

2008-10-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

When it comes to looking for work I have always believed that a person should not take themselves too seriously. Ones ability to laugh at the world as well as themselves can have a tremendous positive impact on the job search. If a person gets depressed or feeling down because of every rejection letter or door slam during their quest for employment, it sets them up for one long painful job search. Looking for work is not a lot of fun at any time so whatever a person can do to lighten things up will only help in the long run.

Let’s start with rejection letters. I used to collect rejection letters. I couldn’t wait to see how I would be blown off. Sometimes they were form letters, sometimes they were “gee you’re swell, but you haven’t got the background we’re looking for” letters. My one claim to fame was receiving a rejection letter for a position I never applied to. While networking I passed my résumé on to a friend who in turn passed it on to someone else and from there it ended up in a rejection bin. The real funny thing was it was for a type of work I would never have applied for in the first place.

So, what is funny about being out of work? Well, I used to joke that when you are out of work, every night is Friday night. Going to the grocery store on a weekday at 9 in the morning to pick up some milk, wearing baggy shorts, a dirty t-shirt, bed-head and running into someone you might have networked with is funny. Ok, it is a big mistake but it is still funny. A rejection letter for a job you didn’t apply to is funny. Practicing your interviews with someone who can make you laugh is funny. Finding a typo in your phone number on a cover letter after you sent it is funny. It’s stupid too, but you have to laugh at it. Can you think of any others?

Remember, we’re not landing airplanes; we’re just looking for work.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development

There is more than one way to find a job

2008-10-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

There are two types of job seekers. Job seeker number one treats his or her résumé like a newspaper flyer. They send their résumé out to anyone with an address, often the same résumé no matter what the job. Sometimes this style of job search is the result of pressure from an outside source, to find work. It doesn’t really matter where the pressure is coming from, it could be anything from a nagging spouse to the looming end of EI payments. If you send out a couple of hundred résumés in a short period of time, there is a good chance you will forget who you sent them to and that many will be filled with typos. This shot gun approach to job searching is all in hopes that something will stick. Unfortunately, it is often a job that doesn’t last long.

The second type of job seeker is focused. They know what they want, where they are going, and if they aren’t sure where to go, they ask. Their résumés are targeted, their cover letters are personal and they don’t apply for anything or to anyone they haven’t researched. Since a smaller number of résumés are being sent out it is also easier to keep track of who they are sent to. They also spend less time with the newspaper and more time with real people. The end result is more often than not, a position that lasts.

Now the million dollar question: What type of job seeker are you?

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerlands Skills 101 / Job Development

No No No, Don't make me write my résumé

2008-09-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

Anytime someone presents me with their résumé and asks me what I think, I ask them if it has been getting them interviews. If the résumé is getting interviews it is doing exactly as it is supposed to and what I think doesn’t really matter. Lots of résumé writers will tell you that the last person to write your résumé did a horrible job. Hey, it’s an ego thing. Résumés and cover letters can be so subjective. What one person thinks is great will be thought of as garbage by another.

Most people dread the thought of writing their résumé for a number of reasons. First, there is the fear of writing. Then, there is the fear of having to make ones self sound good, combined with the "not believing they were very good at what they did in the first place". If they were so good at it they wouldn’t be out of work, right? There are also those who simply say it is just too hard.

The first thing a person has to do before they write their résumé is get in touch with exactly how good they really were at whatever it was they were doing. If you were proud of what you did, it will be a whole lot easier to tell someone. A résumé is not about bragging, it is about selling “you” as the right person to interview for the job.

Having a good understanding of your job’s purpose and what happened when you did it, sets you up to write an awesome résumé.

Now go write your résumé. Besides, the last person to write it probably did a horrible job.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development

Values

2008-09-25T09:49:00.001-07:00

During the mock interviews in our employment services workshops, we often ask the question what important things are you looking for in a job? It got me thinking about values. Anytime you are about to embark on a job or career search it is important to think about your values. What sparks you? What motivates you to the point where you can not wait to get to work in the morning?

Making lots of money may not be your number one motivator, although we all want to make enough to live on. Maybe a job that gives you some sort of purpose is what really matters. This process can take some serious soul searching and time. Sometimes whatever it is that sparks us is something we have already been doing as a hobby or in a volunteer capacity. If that is case, the next step might be to find out of there is away to make a living at it.

After working briefly for a large chain furniture store it soon became important to me that I work in a field where nobody gets rich from the sweat off my back. From there, I zeroed in on the world of not-for-profit. I soon discovered there were lots of jobs that pay decent salaries and give you the opportunity to work for causes that often make our world (community) a better place.

Now, I will not speak ill of the “For Profit Environment”. Most of my working life was in that world and 90% of it was a lot of fun and paid very well. The message is, take the time to think about what is important to you. It can make getting up in the morning a lot more fun.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101/ Job Development

Over Qualified

2008-09-22T09:26:00.001-07:00

The first time a person is told they are over qualified for a position, they may actually feel pretty good. “Hey, I am too good to work there.” By the third or forth time a person hears it, they may start to believe there is a problem. The over-qualified card can be dealt for a number of reasons. If there is too much information or education on your résumé that goes beyond the job you’re applying for, you may be disqualified as being over qualified.

Sometimes being over qualified can be handed out during the interview. At that point the reason may be more about fit than anything else. The interviewer may not believe you will fit in with the group. Being over qualified is a very easy out for any interviewer.

If you suspect you are not getting positions or interviews for this reason there are a couple of steps you can take. Firstly, ask yourself if you truly are over qualified, why are you going after this job? When it comes to the interview you will need a good explanation that sells the interviewer on the value of hiring someone with your skills and squash any fears they may have that you will be bored with the position after a week. The interviewer will also need to believe you are a team player and not coming in to upset the apple cart or have your own agenda.

Showing up in a three piece suit for a job where the dress code is blue jeans may also get you over qualified.

As for the résumé, it should only contain the information needed to show you are the right candidate. Be careful with your previous titles. They may not want to hire a customer service agent who is a former District Manager.

Your Comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101 / Job Development

The Seasons They Are A Changin'

2008-09-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ahhh.. Nothing like a “change in the season” to motivate a person to look for work. Being unemployed during the summer is not a problem, no Paycheque can be a problem but for the most part another day without work is another day at the beach. Then, welcome to fall. This is a time when a person might start to wonder of they have enough nuts stored for the winter.

Fall is a time of year for change and thinking back over the years the larger percent of my career changes took place in the fall. If your job search is just beginning, now is an excellent time to get connected to your networks and take advantage of the employment services in your area. Employment counsellors, résumé assistance, job search help, there are numerous no-cost services available to you to help you on the road to employment. If you don’t know where you start, try the phone book, or if you are in the Chilliwack area simply go to our website www.cesbc.com.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101 / Job development

Networking without a résumé

2008-09-09T09:57:00.001-07:00

Networking is an art. Some people are good at. Some aren’t. People who are really good at networking can find employment without a résumé. Now before you start muttering to yourself that everyone MUST have a résumé I want you to tell you about the “days of old, when knights were bold and résumés weren’t invented.” You see, back in the “olden” days, when a person wanted a job they would go around banging on doors to find out who was hiring. Sometimes they might have to bang on the same door more than once. Each time they went back to the same door, the person on the other side of the door was getting to know them, often on a first name basis.

Well guess what? Not a lot has changed. People get hired without résumés because they are hired by someone they know. Employers have always preferred to hire people they know, and networking is really about getting to know more people. I will often recommend people network without a résumé. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, why would you give anyone a résumé until you know exactly what it is they are looking for in the way of skills and experience, after all that is one of the reason you are networking in the first place. The other reason is that it takes the pressure of you and the person you are networking with. If you are networking properly you are not asking the person you are networking with if they have a job for you. You are trying to find out who IS hiring. The other reason to network without a résumé is, you will always have a reason to go back.

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerlands Skills 101 / Job Development

In Shape to Look for Work

2008-08-28T14:15:00.001-07:00

So… when was the last time you worked out? Before embarking on a job search you may want to do a physical fitness assessment. Ask yourself “Am I in shape to look for work?” This one can really hit home with anyone who has let them selves go a little, is sporting a few extra pounds and having difficulty finding clothes in their closet that fit.

Not only is it important to present professionally when you start your job search, it is also important to appear to look healthy. It is easy to be disqualified it you look like a heart attack waiting to happen.

Perceived healthiness doesn’t take much. Start by walking for an hour a day, watching the calorie intake, get enough sleep, and make sure the job search clothes fit properly. You can be a little on the big side and still look great if the clothes fit. Not to get too preachy, but if you enjoy a glass of Chablis every once in awhile, you may want to consider backing off on the booze a little. Looking hung over or smelling of alcohol can seriously impact the job search. Oh, and remember the breath freshener if you are a smoker.

You’ll be amazed at how your energy level will come through if you feel better about yourself.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands – Skills 101 / Job Development

A New Job Search Season

2008-08-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Back to school already? How about back to work! It is not uncommon to see people out of work during the summer want to stay that way. I mean, why not? It’s summer. The sun is supposed to be shining, the beaches are inviting and sometimes a summer off can be a treat. Of course the reality of the unemployed situation kicks in as September arrives. Some might start to worry if they have stored enough nuts for the winter.

Fall can be an excellent time to look for work. The service industry loses a pile of people due to back to school, and a number of companies launch new projects in the fall. The challenge is to not keep putting it off. Now is the time to be planning the job search and mapping out your course of action. That doesn’t mean trying to decide which days to go through the want ads. This is when a person needs to sit down and think about industries, companies and who they should be talking too to track down those unadvertised openings. Jobs that pay the best money, and provide a person with the best opportunity are not usually advertised in the newspaper, and that information should help you to determine how much time should be devoted to want-ads.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands – Skills 101 / Job Development

Tips from a Recruiter

2008-08-11T08:14:00.001-07:00

During a recent conversation with a Recruiter, I learned a couple of tidbits I thought I would pass along. Firstly, he confirmed my belief that recruiters prefer chronological résumés. A Recruiter likes to see exactly what you have been doing and for how long, and if you are applying for a work you haven’t done in awhile, they want to see how long it has been since you’ve done it. Some Recruiters also have a problem with gaps in your résumé. I think they truly believe that no matter how long you were off work or not working, you must have been doing something.

This particular recruiter I talked to said the first thing he looks at is education. Then he will scan the experience, and from there eventually make his way to the cover letter, if the other two pieces of information catch his attention. A large gap on the resume is acceptable if it was time taken to train or further educate you. His advice to any stay at home mom heading back to work is get a couple of upgrading courses on your resume, maybe a computer course, bookkeeping or something that relates to your field of choice. Resumes with recent training send him the message you are investing in your future, which means there is a better chance of him bringing your résumé forward to a potential employer.

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerlands Skills 101/ Job Development

Should I go or should I stay

2008-07-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Someone I know was recently let go from their job. When I asked why, she said she wasn’t sure, and then she said she had not been happy with her job for sometime and her boss finally called her on it. Gee, I wonder what gave it away. The fact she was miserable at work might have had something to do with it. Those are feelings that can be very hard to mask. If you put five people in room and only four are having a good time, it is not difficult to spot the person who isn’t. I had one of those jobs once but fortunately my wife at the time had the insight to strongly suggest I get out before it destroyed me.

Being happy in your work can be just as important as earning enough to support yourself and your family. Sometimes having a great job that doesn’t pay quite as much as you would like it too can be healthier, mentally and physically. Meanwhile, anyone able to earn more money than they need and also work in their passion is truly the envy of us all.

Lots of people will go through life and never have the opportunity to work at something they can honestly call their passion however it is possible to work at something you really enjoy. The trick is to find the balance and have the courage to walk away from something you hate before an employer asks you to leave.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands – Skills 101 / Job Development

Prospect in person

2008-07-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Recently I was helping someone put together their résumé. They wanted to apply to an organization without knowing whether or not there was an opening. We talked about her reasons and she simply said she felt safer prospecting by mail than in person. It was at that moment I felt like we were about to conduct an exercise in futility. Not only was she unsure about whether or not there were potential positions, she also seemed afraid to go face to face. She believed that if she sent them a well written résumé outlining all her talents they might see a place for her within the organization or, better yet, create one.

Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of room in a job search for fears and shyness. Some how, we have to find a way to work through those issues if we want to land a good job.

I suggested she do some homework and do whatever it takes to get that face to face interview with a decision maker inside the organization. Go in and ask prepared questions about the types of positions they have, what they look for in a future candidate, what their goals are, even the skills they like people to bring to the table. She needed to determine if this company was a good fit for her, and the only way to find out is to talk to people.

Once she had her interview and knew what she could do for them (if she actually wanted to work there), she could bring the information gleamed from the decision maker to me and then we could write the résumé. At least that way she would be handing a taregtted résumé to someone who already knew her and would have a better chance of the person actually reading it.

A company can have the greatest product or purpose on the planet, but still be run by idiots. It is impossible to know what you are getting into when you are prospecting with paper.

Your comments are welcome.
Glen Slingerlands Skills 101/Job Development

What is a Survival Job to You?

2008-07-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

Jane found herself out of work and decided she would like to return to school for a Business Management Degree program. But alas! Bad credit was stopping her from getting a Student Loan or qualifying for government funding. Her hearts desire was to manage a small business. She felt her best qualities were assertiveness, organizational and an ability to delegate.

As a child it was hounded into Jane she would never make anything of herself if she did not get a degree. She became disheartened and her employment target became a ‘Survival Job’ in retail, to save money for schooling.

Jane was a large lady who took pride in the clothes she wore and one day discovered the store she buys her clothes in was looking for a sales assistant. Instantly, she thought this is the job for her!

Many of the Sales Associates knew Jane because she was a customer and this helped her secure the position. Jane loved it, before she used to snub retail as a low end second rate job, now she realized what fun it is trying on all the new styles and able to wear outfits to show them off to potential customers.

Jane became very good at her job knew what the customer wanted; she also knew how they wanted to be treated. That year she was the top sales person, and was promoted to Assistant Manager.

The story does not end there; Thanks to being able to get 50% off all clothes Jane was able to buy outfits she normally could not afford. He professional presentation made it possible for her to be sent away for managerial training.

Five years later Jane accepted a management position with another high-end company as Regional Manager.

Jane is not managing the small business she dreamed of, instead she is responsible for many small businesses and is making $55,000 per year to start. In the end, she never needed to take out that loan or go to college. She simply worked and trained her way into the position.

Through the confidence that Jane gained while working in the store and attending all the free training, Jane was able to work off excess pounds, looks and feels great!

Sometimes we may get our pot of gold from the rainbow we have yet to discover!!!!
Keep an open mind when looking for survival jobs, they may turn out to be much more than you first thought.

Lesley Anderson
CES - Job Coach / Skills 101 Facilitator

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

2008-07-08T08:30:00.001-07:00

How badly do you want it and what are you willing to do to get it? Better yet, what would you do for a Klondike Bar? There is a loaded question. You know exactly what the job or career is but for some reason it seems out of reach or at least the perception is that it is out of reach.

Example, one woman I knew wanted a job at a chicken processing plant. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but she was new to the area and felt it would be a good place to get established and make a steady income. She applied a number of times but couldn’t get an interview. Finally one day she showed up wearing a chicken suit. The person at the front desk immediately called in the HR person, who called in the manager, who called in the newspaper, who took her picture and ran the story front page news. Great exposure for the company and she got the job. This was one of those situations where the job in that processing plant was her Klondike Bar and she was willing to do whatever it took to get it.

Now, I am not suggesting you dress up in a chicken suit to land the job of your dreams. However, I am suggesting you explore your risk factor and ask yourself the question “How badly do I want it and what am I willing to do to get it?” Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity, and a few moments thinking outside the box to get something you really want. Of course, the number one most important ingredient to the process; you have to actually want it.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

2008-07-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

How badly do you want it and what are you willing to do to get? Better yet, what would you do for a Klondike Bar? There is a loaded question. You know exactly what the job or career is but for some reason it seems out of reach or at least the perception is that it is out of reach.

Example, one woman I knew wanted a job at a chicken processing plant. Not everyone’s cup of tea I know, but she was new to the area and felt it would be a good place to get established and make a steady income. She applied a number of times but couldn’t get an interview. Finally one day she showed up wearing a chicken suit. The person at the front desk immediately called in the HR person, who called in the manager, who called in the newspaper, who took her picture and ran the story front page news. Great exposure for the company and she got the job. This was one of those situations where the job in that processing plant was her Klondike Bar and she was willing to do whatever it took to get it.

Now, I am not suggesting you dress up in a chicken suit to land the job of your dreams. However, I am suggesting you explore your risk factor and ask yourself the question “How badly do I want it and what am I willing to do to get it?” Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity, and a few moments thinking outside the box to get something you really want. Of course, the number one most important ingredient to the process; you have to actually want it.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development

Good Employees - Bad Companies

2008-07-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

Trying to find an employer that is right for you can be just as difficult as it is for an employer to find an employee that is right for them.

See if this sounds familiar. You get an interview for a front-end position, or receptionist / database manager type job. They appear to be a good company. You present all that is important to you in a job and they say all the right things in the interview. You agree on a starting wage, a review date and all the details on the job description. It is established you will be working a 37.5 hour work week which suits your schedule and allows you time for other outside interests.

From day one they are blown away by your work ethic, your ability to pick up new tasks quickly, your incredible demeanour with staff and clients and you are told regularly how great you are. You find the work load heavy but you enjoy being busy as it makes the time go faster. Soon you notice the work load demands are beginning to exceed the number of hours in a day and head office is pressuring people to put in longer hours to complete these tasks. No overtime is offered but you are told you can book time off in lieu of extra hours worked. Unfortunately the work load is such that it leaves no time to book off since if you were to take time off, work would go undone and begin to pile up. Unreasonable deadlines begin to come into play and the picture perfect job you envisioned during the interview is turning into a vision of master and slave.

Your raise review date passes and you are not called in, however they continue to rave about your performance. One month after your review date you are presented with an opportunity to work for a different employer for more money. So you approach your current manager, tell him you enjoy working here and would rather stay, but feel it would be fair if you were paid a higher salary. The amount you ask for is less than what the other company is offering but relative to what you believe the job is worth based on your assessment of the position now that you have been in it for four months. He says he will go to corporate and see what he can do.

He comes back and presents you with an offer that is well below what you requested. You gently explain to him, in the most deplomatic way possible, why what he is offering is not a fair offer. He then says he might be able to ask for more if you are willing to work more hours. It is right at that moment the light clicks on and you realize you are NOT in the Land of Integrity.

Companies that pay employees for a 37.5 hour week but pressure them into a 45 and 50 hour work week, for the exact same money, are despicable. They also need a lesson on values and employee retention programming. If you find yourself in a situation like this, run from that employer as fast as you can. There are way too many good employers out there, who look after their staff, for any worker to put up with that kind of treatment.

It doesn’t matter what type of work you do you should consider yourself a professional in your field. We have professional housekeepers, professional database managers, professional sanitary engineers, professional street sweepers, professional cashiers and the list goes on and on. Good employers recognize the value in hiring a professional to do the job they need done and treat their workers as professionals. Companies that guilt or pressure staff into long hours for no reward or make them feel as if they did them a favour by giving them the job in the first place, do not deserve one drop of sweat off the back of any employee.

By the way, the person in this story did the right thing. She walked in the next day and gave them her notice.

Your comments are welcome - Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development

Tattoo You

2008-06-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

I don’t have a tattoo, although I have thought about it and may actually take the plunge one day. If I do, chances are it will be a tattoo that is not visible while wearing work clothes. According to a survey by Vault, a career information company, eighty-five percent of employees say that tattoos and body piercing impede a person's chances of finding a job, unless of course your employment target is a Goth Café.

According to the Modified Mind Employment line website, out of 89 food establishments, 31 said no to visible tattoos including McDonald’s, Boston Pizza, Denny’s, KFC and the Olive Garden to name a few. Safeway, IGA and Superstore also like them covered up.

There are offices and business that don’t care about tattoos, however, until you are able to determine where they stand on the issue it might be in your best interest to keep it covered up while networking or making face to face contact with potential employers.

On the other hand, if you feel your statement of individuality and your right to display your tattoo is important, instead of asking people if they know who is hiring people with your skills, try asking them if they know anyone who is hiring people with tattoos.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101 / Job Development

Age Discrimination

2008-06-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

There is no getting around it, age discrimination exists. You may have been the best waitress on the planet, but there are restaurants and bars who will not hire you because you don’t look good in tight clothing with a bare midriff. There are companies, who will not hire older men because of their mature appearance or the fact they may not be able to represent the company as being youthful and energetic. It could be the grey hair, the comb-over or a million other reasons the “over qualified” excuse was used for not getting hired.

Not all, but some older workers get back exactly what they put out. Somewhere along the way they stopped looking after themselves, stopped trying to keep up to date, stopped trimming the nose and ear hair, and basically started projecting a “been there done that” kind of attitude.

Looking for a good job at any age is a challenge and there is extra pressure put on mature workers. Plus, they are often concerned about being able to make the kind of money they were making in their last position which is another reason some employers will avoid an experienced worker.

There is no magic bullet to this problem but there are steps older workers can take to improve their chances of landing another good job. It can start by taking a long hard look in the mirror. Now, obviously we can not go back to looking the way we did twenty to thirty years ago, but we can update our look. A haircut and new clothes can go a long way. Besides, it is not about looking thirty again, it is about looking like you fit in. Part two to this equation is attitude. If you make age an issue it will be an issue. So check your attitude at the door and remember that keener in you, exude passion for the line of work you’re seeking. It really comes down to your ability to sell yourself. Oh, and if you need help in that department, talk to an employment counsellor.

There are two types of age discrimination, one is prejudice and the other is ignorance. You will not be able to win over a prejudice employer. You may, however, be able to positively influence an ignorant employer by selling him or her the benefits that come with hiring someone with your experience.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands – Skills 101 / Job Development

Are you in the Right Frame of Mind?

2008-06-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

When looking for work it is important that you strive to be in a positive state of mind and have an employment goal. Is it a position with a great company, where you can learn and grow? Or is it simply to investigate new careers and line up potential employers on your list to interview.

Focus on your positives. What you can do for the company or bring to the table in the way of skills and accomplishments as apposed to things you lack such as a certificate.

I have found that many people have a hard time getting into a positive frame of mind. They tend to look back on the things they did wrong, or if they were fired from a job, believe potential employers will see them as losers. Then there are those where family pressures to find employment are heavy, add in mounting bills and they feel even more like a failure before they begin looking. It is hard when the pressure is on you and begging for a job seldom works. Blaming others or the world for your situation is also not going to help.

People are fired from jobs every day and do just fine. Remember, behind every firing is an excellent lesson. Learn from the lesson and you are moving into the positive. Mix with positive employed people because you never know where your next job lead is coming from.

So what should you do?

Make a plan.

Set some goals short term and long term.
An Action Plan can set you in the correct path to successful employment and put you in the right frame of mind for all the right reasons.

Employers hire positive people…..not just with the right skills, but in the right frame of mind.

Now, are you in the right frame of mind?

Lesley Anderson – CES - Skills 101 Facilitator/ Job Coach

Working Close To Home

2008-06-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

There is an aggressive recruiting campaign about to get underway in Prince George. In response to the high unemployment in the forest industry and close to 3000 people out of work in PG, a job fair is planned for June 25, 2008. The only down side is; it will feature a number of employers recruiting for positions in other cities. Not so good for the unemployed worker who loves to call Prince George home.

Positions are said to range from professional to entry level. Of course the other challenge the out of work labourer faces will be finding an entry level job with wages that match the type of money labourers made in forestry and lumber. These are the individuals who may need to consider a career change if they want to stay in the area.

The situation in Chilliwack is not so different from Prince George. We may not have a forestry industry going down the tubes around us, but we do have a lot of people choosing to live here because they love the valley. Part of living here is being able to find one of those family-supporting jobs without having to commute.

So what is the secret? Only move to Chilliwack, or Prince George, if you are confident you can make big money. Ok, that may not be possible, how about; know yourself and your labour market. Get to know what is hot and what is not. Identify your key skills and interests and where they fit into today’s labour market. The displaced worker on EI may also want to take the time to find out what funding options are available for retraining based on their interests.

If “where you live” defines “who you are”, more than “what you do for a living”, a career path that leads home will become your priority.

Glen Slingerland - Skills 101 / Job Development

Cheap Gas on The Information Highway

2008-06-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

The unemployment rate in BC crept up slightly last month. Not quite the leaps and bounds as the price of gas however both will impact job search activities as well as where a person chooses to work. Working closer to home or in cities with easier access to alternative forms of transportation is becoming a priority. As far as impacting a job search, we’ll see more people choose the Internet over going face to face. Gas is definitely cheaper on the information highway.

If you are going to use the Internet as your exclusive method of job searching, a well target résumé and cover letter, that is typo free, will be your only marketing tools. Extra care must be taken to personalize your correspondence to the company or individual in a way that sets you apart from the competition. Employers love electronic applications. No paper, easy to delete, and let’s not forget the programs that can disqualify you before they even look at your mail.

The other challenge with the Internet is it allows a job seeker to cover a lot of ground making it very easy to loose track of who you have been applying to. There is nothing worse than getting a call from a potential employer and you don’t even remember emailing them a résumé.

Electronic job searches require organizational skills. Keep a detailed log of every person you’ve contacted as well as easy access to all electronic correspondence and you will come off sounding prepared and professional when the phone rings for your next interview.

Glen Slingerland - Skills 101/Job Development

Cheap gas on the information highway

2008-06-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

The unemployment rate in BC crept up slightly last month. Not quite the leaps and bounds as the price of gas however both will impact job search activities as well where a person chooses to work. Working closer to home or in cities with easier access to alternative forms of transportation is becoming a priority. As far as impacting a job search, we’ll see more people choose the Internet over going face to face. Gas is definitely cheaper on the information highway.

If you are going to use the Internet as your exclusive method of job searching, a well target résumé and cover letter, that is typo free, will be your only marketing tools. Extra care must be taken to personalize your correspondence to the company or individual in a way that sets you apart from the competition. Employers love electronic applications. No paper, easy to delete, and let’s not forget the programs that can disqualify you before they even look at your mail.

The other challenge with the Internet is it allows a job seeker to cover a lot of ground making it very easy to loose track of who you have been applying too. There is nothing worse than getting a call from a potential employer and you don’t even remember emailing them a résumé.

Electronic job searches require organizational skills. Keep a detailed log of every person you’ve contacted as well as easy access to all electronic correspondence and you will come off sounding prepared and professional when the phone rings for your next interview.

Glen SLingerland - Skills 101/Job Development

A Poor Work Ethic

2008-06-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

A common complaint I hear from employers is today’s young workers have absolutely no work ethic. That may be a bit of a blanket statement. There are young people who do want to work, do show up on time and work hard while they are on the job. There are also young people who don’t seem to have a clue, although it’s not completely their fault. Many came from homes where Mom and Dad did everything for them. They handed over money whenever the kids needed it, kept them from working part-time because they felt school was more important, and even went so far as to allow them to keep their room in whatever condition they wanted because after all, it was their space. We all know kids who would be hard pressed to even take their dishes off the table after dinner, because Mom will get them.

Some young people do have a poor work ethic but I think it often comes more from ignorance than anything else. They just don’t know. However, having said that, there are also gems out there. The challenge for any employer who hires young people is to keep an eye out for these gems. I have seen people try to hire their waitress or waiter because the service they provided was so good. There probably isn’t a mall in Canada where managers aren’t going from store to store trying to recruit the good ones for a few pennies more.

The young people with the poor work ethic and lack of loyalty definitely make it tough for some employers. On the other hand, someone else’s poor work ethic can turn into a raise for the good worker.

Glen Slingerland - Skills 101 / Job Development

Dress like you mean Business!!

2008-06-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Do you really want the job? Well think seriously about dressing, first impressions really count. We don’t get a second chance to make a really good first impression.

I don’t know how many times I have talked to people on the street, meetings or at social functions where I was asked if they knew who was hiring, and they looked a mess!

If you’re handing out our résumés to potential employers it is important to present yourself professionally as it relates to your industry. I encourage my workshop participants to dress as if they are looking for work while IN the workshop. They never know then they might run into an employer who may be looking for some one with their skills. The last thing you want to do is meet a hiring manager who is dressed for work, while you’re caught wearing your shorts, sandals, t-shirts, tattoo’s showing and red nail polish from the night before.

You snooze you loose.. Be on the ball and ready for work.

At Chilliwack Employment Services we, as facilitators, can help you with your presentation including hair cuts, clothes or just advice about what to wear for a job search.

Dress up, be professional and you will be treated differently.

Lesley Anderson
Skills 101 Facilitator/ Job Coach

Too Old, Too Young

2008-06-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

At some point in almost everyone’s job search, the age issue will be an issue. Or at least they will make it an issue. A young person will complain they can’t connect with work because they are too young and have no experience. A mature person will complain they are too old and perceived as too expensive and THEY can not connect with work. However before you blame your age, take a look in the mirror. Your personal look should be professional as it applies to the work you are going after. This is not about young people trying to look older or older people trying to look younger. It is about looking professional.

Now take a look at your résumé. If you’re sending out a résumé filled with information about past jobs the employer doesn’t care about, or outdated accomplishments there may be a problem. Make sure the résumé is targeted to the job you are after with only the information that matters. Mature workers should be careful with how far back they should go on a résumé. Some work is outdated due to changes in technology.

More often than not, if you make age an issue, it will be one. Present yourself as a confident professional and someone will give you a shot, no matter how old you are.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101/Job Delopment

Résumé formats

2008-05-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

I got into a discussion recently about résumés. It was about which style of résumé is the best one. How about the style that gets you the interview, or the style that best presents your skills and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are going after. It is also about understanding who the receiver is. Many recruiters want to see a chronological résumé. They like to see everything laid out exactly the way you have been working. They might want to know if you have been recently doing the type of work they are trying to fill.

A lot of employers want to know that you have the ability to do the job they need done, so a skills based accomplishment résumé or functional style might work. The best advice I can give someone is find out ahead of time. Make connections with people who do the hiring in the industry you are interested in and ask them what they want to see. Tell them you are updating your résumé and will follow up next week with a new one and perhaps get some input or a crtique.

Now you have another reason to go back and continue networking with this new contact.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101/ Job Development

Networking

2008-05-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

The other day I was thinking about the whole concept of networking and how it often comes off a little self centred. Let’s face it, the reason we are networking when we are out of work in the first place, is to hopefully connect with someone who will lead us to our next job. The problem with this approach is that if every time you to talk to someone and you ask if they have heard of any openings lately, each connection is about you.

It is important to cultivate mutual relationships during the networking phase. Connect with people and talk to them about them. Find out what is new in their life. Every once in awhile check in with people in your network and don’t even mention your job search. This way you will come off as being a little more multi-dimensional and not so Me! Me! Me! Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101 / Job Development

Find Balance

2008-05-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

It is important to find balance in your job search. If the only jobs you are applying for are advertised positions in the newspaper or job bank, chances are you will be in for a long job search. Most advertised positions come with a lot more competition. However, if you can find balance between postings and networking there is a real good chance your search will be shorter. By networking we mean talking to people to find who is looking to hire people with your skills. For most employers their favourite way to hire is someone they know, or someone who comes highly recommended. Actually, their absolute favourite way to hire is from within but since you are not within, your mission should be to become someone they know or is recommended. Don’t ignore the newspaper or job banks; just make sure you include a daily balance of face to face contact.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101 / Job Development

Self Esteem and the Job search

2008-05-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

Self Esteem is usually the first thing that needs lifting up when you find yourself unemployed.

Self-esteem is the way you feel about yourself. Many who lose their job feel as though they have lost their identity. They know they need to get out there and network, but find it very difficult when they feel so down.

Some people use this time and take a break or go on holiday. When they return they feel refreshed and ready to start again. Some get out there right away, mix with employed friends and make contacts. There are those who try to analyze “What happened”, often blaming themselves, and thinking negatively about their performance. They will sometimes take too long a break and then find they are not comfortable being around people or in social situations. They may even shy away from friends and turn down invitations. Having low self-esteem can turn into depression if left too long.

Now, with warmer weather on the way, BBQ’s are going to be plentiful and you may be invited to one. Fear of the question “So what do you do?” is no reason to stop mixing with people or networking. Now is the time to look for support from wherever you can find it. It’s amazing how when you meet other unemployed people in a room of 12, how much everyone has in common. By taking the time to rediscover your good qualities and strong skill sets you will feel your self-esteem changing.

Building up your self-esteem is a daily process and cannot be changed overnight.

If you feel your self-esteem is low and you really want to go to that next BBQ feeling confident in answering the “ So what do you do?” question, contact your local Employment Counsellor and attend a workshop for some moral support, and informative information.

You may even find it fun and rewarding, and besides you never know where you will meet your next potential employer.

Lesley Anderson / Job Coach / Facilitator - Skills 101

Lots of jobs. Where?

2008-05-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

They were talking on the radio today about the low unemployment rate in our province (BC) and how easy it is to find work. However if you were to ask someone out of work how easy it is to find a job, they might have something else to say about that. Depending on where you live and the type of work you are looking for, it is not always that easy. Jobs in hospitality and retail may be abundant, but an out of work graphic designer trying to find work in a smaller community, or a job with less of a commute, may be finding it a real challenge. An out of work Woods Supervisor for a logging company might be wondering if he will ever find work in his industry again. The view of the employment or unemployment situation really depends on your vantage point.

The unemployment rate also has very little to do with a person’s ability to connect with work. Anyone who has been in the work force for a long time and ends up out of work has often lost touch with the job search process. Self esteem might be a little low, or the whole thought of getting out there and looking for work may seem overwhelming.

Fortunately there is help, good help at no cost by trained professionals. The first step is determining exactly what type of help is needed. Start with a trip to one of the local employment services agencies in your area. Whether it is fully supported job search assistance, or a self directed job search, there are excellent resources available that could seriously shorten your quest for work.

Glen Slingerland - Skills 101 / Job Development

New Immigrants + Skills 101 + Resume = Road to Success

2008-05-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has come to Canada or Chilliwack recently from any English speaking country and looking for employment should read this carefully.

If you are legally allowed to work in Canada we can assist you in Canadian-izing your Resume and Job Search at no-cost. This may speed up the time it takes to connect with work.

There is so much opportunity however employers are picky.

There was a way you knew how to find employment back in your country and there is the Canadian way, accept the fact that you are now in Rome (Canada); Do what the (Canadians) Romans do!

We all have barriers to something, some people just do not like to admit to having barriers and some people don’t know they have barriers to employment and that’s the biggest barrier of all! Kudos to those who do know and are doing something about it!

What is a Barrier?

A barrier is something that is stopping you from getting what you really want.
A barrier can be attitude, age, not able to sell your skills, not knowing your skills, having no transportation, thinking you know it all, not having the correct certificate or license, education or telling the employer what you cannot do or have not got!
Not focused on your Resume. No cover letter. Not aware of how to carry out a proper Job Search or how to answer the dreaded interview questions correctly. All can be a barrier if you let it!

So, begin now by really focusing on what you want and try to find out what is stopping you from getting it. If you can give me three weeks of your life (mostly in the mornings 9:00-12:00) I can help you get started on the right Road to Success.

If you are a new English speaking immigrant to Chilliwack, there is a monthly meet every second Friday of the month (May 9, 2008) in Decades Coffee Club on Wellington, Chilliwack, come for a coffee and pie and a chat with other new immigrants.
We welcome new members and it’s all free.

Lesley Anderson / Job Coach / Facilitator / Skills 101- CES

Résumé + Results = Interviews

2008-05-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Some people go ten or fifteen years between writing résumés. During that time a lot happens, and trying to get it down on paper is a challenge. Part of the problem is putting value in what we do. When we go to work and do the same, or similar thing, day in and day out, we become so good at it we can do it in our sleep. Then, when it is time to write a results driven resume, our first question is, "What did I do everyday?" My answer to that question the first time around was, "I didn't do ANYTHING. I just went to work and did my job. A monkey could do my job!"

Your chance of securing an interview with a résumé highlighting " a monkey could do my job" is very slim. Start by writing down everything you did during a typical workday. Include the skills you needed to perform each job. It is important to zero in on the skills and recognize the things you needed to know to complete each task. If a monkey could do your job there would be tire swings and the sweet smell of discarded banana peel throughout the office. Your job was so vital to the company you worked for, that somebody, somewhere along the line, decided they needed to hire someone to handle the responsibility. Even if the job doesn't exist any longer due to technology or cutbacks, you have to get in touch with the job's value before you can start writing your résumé.

Every job has purpose and so long as you were the person doing it, you were the expert. You knew what it takes to do the job. You knew what tools were needed and how to operate them. You knew how to recognize when the job was well done. These are the points to get across in your résumé.

Here is an example I use in my workshops. The electrician goes to the contractor to apply for a job. The contractor hires electricians all the time. He (or she) knows exactly what electricians do, so he doesn't need to see a résumé listing tasks. The one thing the contractor doesn't know is what happened when the electrician did their last job. The résumé that gets attention every time is the resume that focuses on what happened, what were the results. What is unique about how the electrician did the job? What makes this electrician better than the other electricians applying for the same job?

A simple way to think about results is to think about what would happen if the job weren't done properly. One gentleman said all he did was sweep and clean up the job site and he didn't think it was important to the over all project. So we started taking it apart. I asked him if he didn't sweep up the job site what would happen. He answered it would become extremely messy and unorganized. Then I asked what would happen if it was left messy and unorganized. His response, someone might trip and hurt themselves. Right there we had his first result, which was "ensuring a safe work environment for other trade workers."

You will make a better impression with results and accomplishments, and leave the duties and tasks to the monkeys.

Glen Slingerland - Skills 101 / Job Development

Target, Target, Target

2008-05-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

I am one of those people who truly believe you have to do a full meal deal job search when looking for work. That means not relying on any one single method as a way of looking for work. Internet, newspaper, networking, it’s all important and it all ads up. People who tend to only look for work using one method are often on an extended job search.

Then out of left field I meet Cindy (the name has been changed to protect her identity). Anytime Cindy looks for work she only uses the internet. She looks for the work online, researches the company online and applies online. Never leaving the comfort of her home office or venturing out to meet and greet employers. She also has an extremely high ratio of call backs and interviews per application. I witnessed her receive ten call backs out of twelve applications. She may attend as many as six interviews before deciding on which position she will take. For her the deciding factor will be the people, the environment and the distance from her house. Hey, gas is expensive.

Why is she is so successful while others send out hundreds of applications and not hear a thing? She knows how to target her résumé and cover letter to each position. She also knows exactly what her skills are and which job matches those skill sets. She never applies for a job she thinks she can do. When she applys, she KNOWS she can do the job. That is the key. Too many people apply for positions they think they can do without having the right skills to be applying for the job in the first place.

Secondly, her cover letter and resume are well written. When you are applying online the job search becomes a level playing field. However the one thing that can set you apart is making sure your application is well written and error free.

Glen Slingerland - Skills 101 / Job Development

Unemployment - Not just a job, an adventure

2008-05-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

Very few look at unemployment as a job. We've all heard the expression "your new full time job is finding a job". It's true. Your ability to find a job in the shortest period of time is in direct proportion to the amount of effort you put into it. Very few adventures start with rolling out of bed and "half past whatever", strolling out to the kitchen at around "quarter to whenever you feel like it". Then, thinking about having a relaxing bath at about "quarter after Oprah".

Approach the job search from the perspective of the true adventure it is and each day takes on its own flavour. One day you are exploring new companies, the next day you might be working on creative ways of getting your foot in the door.

The other facet to the adventure is the fact you are working on a clean canvas. You now have a chance to create an employment environment that could potentially bring you even greater job satisfaction. It could be a better job in the same line of work, or, training for a completely new career in a new line of work. It's your canvas, what type of picture do you want to paint?

Focus your job search safari on places you would like to work as opposed to where the work is. Obviously you can't lose sight of potential job openings, just remember job postings will mean you are in for serious competition. When there is no opening there is also no competition. By focusing on places you would like to work, whether they have openings or not, keeps you in control. You picked the company, you found out who the decision makers are, and now you get to go in, and make another determination as to whether you would want to work for them or not. During your investigation you might discover everyone in the organization is a little left of centre, and it may not be the right environment for you. Or, you might discover you have similar interests with one of the people within the hiring process and there is potential there to develop a good contact for future opportunities.

New places, new faces, make for a job search adventure. The people who look for work by wandering into an Employment Insurance office to see the latest job postings and then meander out grumbling because there was nothing on the board that interest them, are missing out on the fun. A relatively small percentage of jobs are actually found as a posted position.

Start your adventure by thinking about the types of businesses you would like to approach. Think about people who might be able to point you in the right direction or people you should follow up on. Write out a daily to-do list. You probably followed some form of a to-do list when you were working. Daily to-do lists during a job search will give you a gauge to measure your results and no one will yell out you for not getting everything done. On the other hand, the more you accomplish the better you feel about yourself. When you feel good about yourself it comes through in your attitude, the main ingredient to any job search. Attack your job search with the right attitude and it will BE an adventure.

Glen Slingerland - Skills 101/Job Development

Our first entry

2008-05-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Chilliwack Employment Services new Blog. We felt it was about time someone dedicated a little space on the WWW to job search insights, tips, leads or whatever else we can come up with that would be specific to the Chilliwack Job Market. You might stumble across items written by one of our staff as well as contributions by people in the area who want to share their job search stories, challenges etc.

All we ask is that this space not be used as a place to bad mouth employers. You wouldn’t bad mouth a previous employer during an interview so that applies here as well. However, should we come across a local employer who is looking to hire, we may pass along their name. Got a question about the job search process, feel free to post it here. Chances are one of our job search specialist will have an answer for you. Of course if you’re really having difficulties connecting with work you can always drop by our office to discuss your problem. Chances are there is an excellent solution to that problem available to you right here in our fair little city.

So- let the blogging begin.

Glen Slingerland- Skills 101/Job Development