The Green Energy Industry in Ontario

Did you know that Ontario has one of the largest demands for “green collar” jobs?   With the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, released in 2009, Ontario has increased its focus on renewable and clean energy, energy conservation, and the need for jobs in the related fields.  This act is expected to create at least 50,000 new jobs in the green energy industry, which is promising for students and recent grads.  On top of the jobs created by the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, many workers in the industry are looking at retirement within the next ten years, creating even more potential positions.  According to Eco-Canada Environmental Careers Organization, renewable energy is within the top five green sectors with job vacancies.  Some vacancies within this sector include: quality control management, security advisor, mechanical service technicians, and wind technicians.  Renewable and green energy includes things like hydropower, solar energy, wind energy, biofuels, and many others. If this is the sort of thing that interests you, it is definitely worth a look!

Making It Big Monday

The Interview Checklist

The goal of a selection interview is to predict the on-the-job performance of each applicant in order to select the best person for the available position. A handful of "on-paper" qualified candidates are interviewed to clarify their skills and experience and to assist their personal suitability to the position.
An interview should be viewed as an opportunity to show an employer what you have to offer, rather than as a nerve-racking ordeal.

Use this list to help with pre-interview planning.

Be Prepared

• Know where the office is and how you are going to get there on time; getting lost will only add to your anxiety level.
• Take time to choose appropriate attire (preferably the day before) and groom carefully -- appearances are important!
• Learn about the organization; the employer will want to know why you want to work there and how you think you can contribute to the organization's overall goals.
• Identify the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the job.
• Prepare two or three questions to ask the interviewer; avoid asking about benefits until you have been offered the job.

Demonstrate Good Manners

• Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your appointment time.
• Shake hands firmly with the interviewer when you are introduced and again when the interview concludes.

• Do not smoke, chew gum or drink tea or coffee -- even if you are invited to do so.
• Maintain eye contact with the interviewer; otherwise, you will give the impression that you are disinterested or untrustworthy.
• Try not to fidget; it will distract the interviewer from what you are saying.
• Allow the interviewer to take the lead; do not interrupt when she/he is talking.
• Answer questions clearly and concisely; do not ramble.
• Pause to construct a thoughtful answer; do not blurt out the first thing that comes into your mind.
• Attend to the interviewer's body language and other cues to sense when the interview is concluding; do not linger.
• Thank the interviewer for her/his time before leaving.

Be Yourself

• Convey your strengths and abilities without appearing boastful or conceited; do not exaggerate your qualifications.
• Answer the questions honestly, rather than telling the interviewer what you think she/he wants to hear; you do not want to succeed in getting hired for a job for which you are not suited!
• Do not hesitate to show your (genuine) enthusiasm and engaging personality and... remember to smile.

In General

• Volunteer information only if it is positive and pertinent.
• Watch for opportunities to sell your skills.
• Avoid using negative terms. Substitute the words "challenge" or "opportunity" for the word problem.
• Never forget that your objective is to get a job offer.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Follow Up After the Job Fair

 

Your day is now complete. You’ve been to the Job Fair; you visited all the booths and handed out dozens of résumés. Now what? Time to build a follow up plan. Here are some ideas:

Get organized. Take some time to review your conversations, look through literature that you picked up, and make notes for each company, recruiter and opportunity. If you are missing contact information for someone you met, do some internet research to find it.

Apply online. Many people feel that a recruiter may be brushing them off by asking the candidate to “go to the website” but they are not! Hiring companies are subject to many regulations regarding tracking job applicants, and to be considered a candidate, you need to be recorded in their system. Get that online application submitted!

Send a thank-you note. Personal preference varies on whether email or hand written is better. Email is quicker, but it’s pretty cool (and unusual) to get a hand written note. Thank the recruiter for their time and try to mention something specific to your conversation that will help them remember you. Emphasize your interest in the company and position. Based on your conversation at the Job Fair, ask about follow up, and if appropriate, ask for an interview!

Stay in touch. Again, use your judgment based on the information that you learned from the recruiter. Do they have an immediate need? Will the process take several weeks? Follow up by email at the appropriate interval to stay top of mind as a motivated, proactive candidate.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

How to Prepare for a Job Fair

Job Fairs are an excellent way to meet a large number of potential employers at one time. Job Fair attendance is useful because it gives you an opportunity to network, pass out copies of your resume, and improve your communication and interview skills.

JOB FAIR TIPS

1. Research Companies – Do your homework. Visit the Career Services Career Fair website for a list of participants to find out in advance who will be attending the Job Fair. Visit the organization’s web sites or read current business articles to learn more about their products, missions, annual budgets, and organizational structure. This will enable you to ask better questions of the company representatives.
2. Prepare Your Resume/Portfolio – Bring lots of copies of your resume. Have your resume reviewed prior to the Job Fair. Bringing a few selected work samples can make a positive first impression on a prospective employer.
3. Present a Professional Appearance – Dress up. Conservative, tailored, business-like clothing is best. Pay close attention to personal hygiene and grooming. Minimal make-up and jewelry. Avoid perfume and/or cologne. Recruiters are watching and listening to determine if you act professionally. Smile.
4. Check Your Attitude – Be optimistic, but have realistic expectations. You will meet employers who are interested in hiring in your field. There may not be immediate vacancies, but when openings occur, the employer will think of you because of your first impression.
5. Practice Your Introduction – Is your handshake a “floppy fish” or a bone-crunching experience? Practice your handshake. Rehearse a brief introduction. Be able to tell the employer about your immediate career goals.
6. Have strategies – Make an “A” list (favorites/must meet) and a “B” list (nice to meet – if time permits). Go to a few “B” list employers first to practice your introduction and questions. Then you’ll be warmed up and feel more confident when you will meet your “A” list recruiters.
7. Avoid long lines – Don’t stand in long lines. Check out the companies without a lot of people lined up. Try to meet the recruiters during down times (especially in the morning or lunch time). You’ll get more of their attention and be able to learn more about the company and hiring opportunities.
8. Gather information - Request a business card from each employer or ask for their name and title. Pick-up all company literature so you can review it after the job fair.
9. Follow-up After the Interview - Follow-up within a week with a letter to each employer that you met. Include the date and time you met, a review of one or two of your primary qualifications with a reference to your knowledge of the company and a request a formal interview.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making it Big Monday

Career and Job Fair Do's and Don'ts

Here are the keys for students and job-seekers to successfully navigating a career or job fair. Follow these simple rules and guidelines and you should achieve success in this important strategic tool of job-hunting.

• Do have a specific strategy for maximizing your time at the event. And don't bother spending time with recruiters from companies that do not interest you.
• Do pre-register for the event, and do attempt to get the list of attending companies before the career fair.
• Don't eliminate companies because they are recruiting for positions outside your field; take the time to network with the recruiter and get the name of a hiring manager for your particular career field.
• Do attempt to research basic information about each company you hope to interview with at the job fair. A common career fair question from recruiters is, "Why do you want to work for our company?"
• Don't just drop your resume on the recruiter's table and walk off.
• Do prepare a one-minute "commercial" that focuses on the unique benefits you can offer the employer -- a version of your elevator speech. And do be prepared for common interview questions.
• Do be prepared to talk about your work experiences, skills, and abilities. And for college students, do be prepared for a question about your GPA by some recruiters. (And do use the GPA -- overall, college, major -- that makes you look the strongest.)
• Don't be afraid or intimidated by the recruiter; he or she is there to do a job -- to meet and screen potential candidates.
• Do have a few questions prepared for each recruiter, but don't ask questions that any good job-seeker should already know, such as "What does your company do?" Do check out these Questions to Ask at Career and Job Fairs.
• Do say the recruiter's name several times during your conversation, even if you have to keep glancing at the recruiter's nametag. And do get a business card (or at least contact information) from each recruiter.
• Don't forget to eliminate such bad habits as playing with your hair, chewing gum, fidgeting, rocking from side-to-side, acting distracted, rubbing your nose, etc.
• Do remember all the keys to successful interviewing, including a firm handshake, a warm smile, eye contact, and a strong voice.
• Don't use filler words such as "um", "like", "you know."
• Do bring enough copies of your resume to the career fair. And do bring different versions of your resume if you are searching for different types of jobs.
• Do take advantage of the time you have to build rapport with each recruiter, but don't monopolize their time.
• Don't ever just walk up to a booth and interrupt a current conversation; wait your turn and be polite.
• Do dress professionally -- conservative is always the safe choice. And do wear comfortable shoes.
• Don't waste the opportunity to network, not only with the recruiters, but with fellow job-seekers and other professionals in attendance at the career fair.
• Don't ever say anything negative to the recruiter about your college or previous jobs, companies, or supervisors.
• Do be sure to ask about the hiring process of each company, but don't ask too many questions about salaries, vacation time, and other benefits.
• Do take the initiative and ask about the next step in the process. And do be prepared to follow-up all job leads.
• Do be sure to follow-up with each recruiter. Some experts say to call and leave a message on their voicemail right after the job fair, but at a minimum you should send each recruiter a thank you letter.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making it Big Monday

How to Find Employment Before College Graduation

If you are about to graduate from college, you may be a little apprehensive about entering the work force. After all you have been a student for several years and it is now time to enter the real world. Landing a college grad job does not have to be a challenge. There are some things that you can do prior to graduation to get you on the fast track to getting a job as a college graduate.          

 

**Set a goal**

First, you will have to set a goal for yourself and figure out what you are going to do when you do graduate college. Do not just settle on anything just because it generates the most income. However, you do want to get a job that requires a college degree also known as a college degree job. With that said, you should pursue a career field that you are passionate about.

**Complete internships**
Complete internships before you graduate college. This will increase your chances of getting a college degree job in your field. It is good if you could do multiple internships with companies in your field. For instance if your field is accounting, see if you could intern in the payroll department of a company.

**Produce a strong resume**
Once you have in mind the job you want to pursue start by circulating your resume to companies that you have a desire to work for. Make sure that you have a polished resume with your most strongest information about yourself at the top. If you can follow up with these companies with an informal meeting, do so. That way they can actually have a picture of who you are instead of just reading everything from your resume. Remember sometimes competition is fierce so you will want to stick out in the crowd.

**Attend job fairs**
Go to job fairs as often as you can. Sometimes employers will interview prospective employees on the spot.

**Send resumes to non-advertisers**
Send your resume to places even if they are not advertising for a job. When a position does come up, you could be one of the key people that the employer interviews. This has happened to people before and they subsequently get the job because they are not competing with a lot of people for one position.

**Do your research**

Research the company prior to going to an interview. Come to the interview on time. Have a few questions prepared to ask the interviewer.

**Network**

Lastly, make sure you get the word out that you are looking for a job and that you will be a college grad soon. Go to your college career center. They are a valuable resource on resume building, interview advice, and job seeking strategies.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

25 Well-Paying Jobs that Most People Overlook (and Why)

(spread out over 2 week period, check next Thursday for the next installment)

 

 

Here are certain jobs that nobody dreams of doing when they grow up. “Somebody’s gotta do it”, but that doesn’t stop people from praying that “someone” won’t be them. What’s surprising, however, is how much money some of these stigmatized jobs actually pay people who man up and do them. So if you’re on the fence about where your financial future is headed, stop and consider any of the shockingly lucrative jobs that follow.

 

[NOTE: We realize that there are, technically, people who do want these jobs. The point is to spotlight jobs with stigmas attached to them that pay more than the typical person would think.]

 

25. Crab fisherman

Featured on the Discovery Channel’s hit TV series “Deadliest Catch”, the job of crab fisherman is often called the most dangerous in America. Fishing in frigid Alaskan waters, these brave spirits weather stormy seas, below-freezing temperatures, and the heartache of being away from home for months. The short crab season makes it imperative that they catch as many crabs as possible during that short window. However, this can become astonishingly lucrative once one gets the hang of of it. According to one estimate, even a somewhat experienced crab fisherman can catch as many as $50,000 worth of crabs in an 8 week period.

24. Gastroenterologist

Gastroenterologists are seen by almost every patient they treat as a necessary evil. This is unlikely to change, as virtually no one gets excited about going in for a colonoscopy or an invasive prostate exam. Worse yet, almost all of a gastroenterologist’s time is spent performing these same, routine, unchanging procedures that everyone dreads having. The only saving grace appears to be the eye-popping salary. According to Salary.com, a gastroenterologist can earn as much as $269,500 per year.



 

23. Podiatrist

Podiatry is another lucrative yet otherwise unappealing wing of medicine available to the open-minded job seeker. While Salary.com clocks the annual earnings potential of a podiatrist at $149,527, it will come at a steep price. Should you undertake this career, your days will be spent on such enthralling, rewarding tasks as dealing with ingrown toenails, bunions, and ulcers. As if that weren’t enough, you will also be snickered at by the elite “real doctors” (ie, those with MD degrees) while you toil away as a lowly DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.)

22. Accountant

Often stereotyped as “bean counters”, the accountant is seen as the prototypical “boring” person. Spending the workday digging through hordes of numbers, in a cramped office, under buzzing flourescent lights is just not what most people bargained for. Fortunately, this creates a massive opportunity for those who don’t mind such things! If you’re the kind of person who loves numbers and the quiet peace of being left alone, accounting could be a great fit. The average starting salary for an accountant is roughly $41,000, while the best and most experienced are known to pull down salaries of $200,000 or more.

21. Commissioned salesperson

90% of the job-seeking public have zero interest in jobs without a base salary. “Why would I work somewhere that doesn’t even guarantee me a paycheck?” is the common refrain. However, those who are bold and confident enough to take on a commissioned sales job can make an extremely comfortable living by doing so. The most successful salespeople at car dealerships, electronics stores, and investment banks, for example, regularly drum up $100,000 or more per year in commission.

20. IT Employee

The term “IT employee” is a broad catch-all that encompasses programmers, network administrators, database engineers, and virtually any other job function pertaining to the use of technology. The demand for those skills has steadily risen since the 90′s and there seems to be no end in sight! Fortunately, there may not be as much competition for these jobs as you might think. Despite the average $103,400 salary, many people simply do not want to spend the day in an office cubicle.

19. Roughneck

For an average salary of $46,867, a roughneck can look forward to 12 hour days spent beneath an enormous oil drilling rig. There, they will find the work environment so noisy that they only communicate using hand signals, the air filled with swirling toxins and chemicals, and the most dangerous, backbreaking labor saved especially for them. A typical roughneck might find himself changing scalding hot drill pits or connecting new sections of pipe to one another. Those who can prove themselves capable of these tasks can rise to earn as much as $100,000 for specialized “supervisor” positions.

18. Crop duster pilot

Most people get their pilot’s license to realize their lifelong dreams of taking to the air and soaring high above the lowly ground below. Crop duster pilots, on the other hand, are a slightly different breed. Instead of cruising through the clouds, a crop duster pilot must skillfully navigate his small craft at a dangerously low level, making sure to avoid power lines and fence posts along the way. If he can survive this and continued exposure to toxic chemicals, an experienced crop duster can rake in up to $80,000 per year

17. Iraq private security contractor

“Private security” makes most people think of the rent-a-cops who used to bother them as kids at the local shopping mall. In Iraq, however, the job description takes on a totally different (and dangerous) meaning. As a private security contractor in that area, people are literally asked to shield traveling diplomats and politicians from hostile enemy fire. And despite hundreds of private contractor deaths since the beginning of combat actions, people are still signing up in droves to collect the $10,000 per month fees. If you are willing to become a human shield to make a decent living for a while, this could be the opportunity you have been waiting for!

16. Trash collector

Being a trash man is a “somebody’s gotta do it” job if ever there was one, but depending on where you live, it can be a very high-paying gig. WikiAnswers.com clocks the starting salary of a New York City trash collector at a very respectable $80,000. The salary seems to decline the further south you go, bottoming out at $35,000 in Pensacola, Florida. Still, $35,000 right off the bat is nothing to sneeze at for emptying trash cans into a big truck.

15. Truck driver

Driving a truck might be the only job on this list that is actually proven to shave 10-15 years the average male’s life. The combination of constant driving, sleep deprivation, and fatty convenience foods take a hefty toll on a truck driver’s body and mind alike. The upside is the pay and job security. The average truck driver earns $43,200 without the need for a college degree or extensive training. As drivers become more experienced and establish good safety records, salaries as high as $85,000 are possible.

14. Crime scene cleaner

While the hit show “CSI” has kindled interest in this career path, serious potential applicants should know a few more things about their “dream field.” In addition to mopping up blood, the day of a crime scene cleaner can also include ripping up carpet and floorboards, working in extremely tight spaces, and unearthing bodily fluids and evidence from asbestos-filled buildings. Crime scene cleaners who are lucky enough to get called into a drug lab will get the extra joy of gingerly handling combustible chemicals and compounds while they strive to do their jobs. If none of this phases you, however, an average salary of $50,400 is yours for the taking.

13. Sewer inspector

The unpleasant nature of this job should need no explaining, but suffice it to say that sewer inspectors should expect to work in dark, damp, cramped spaces filled with rats, cockroaches, and a never-ending flood of human refuse. It is through this maze of filth that sewer inspectors crawl in efforts to find and repair cracked, clogged pipes or passageways. While the starting salary for this position is not very high ($34,960), salaries as high as $61,000 have been doled out to people who are brave enough to stick with it and become skilled.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

10 Tips for Dealing With Difficult People at Work

Difficult coworkers. In every workplace, you will have difficult coworkers. Dealing with difficult coworkers, bosses, customers, clients, and friends is an art worth perfecting. Dealing with difficult situations at work is challenging, yet rewarding. You can increase your skill at dealing with the difficult people who surround you in your work world. These tips will help you in dealing with difficult people at work.

 

1. Rise Above the Fray: Dealing With Difficult People at Work

Difficult people do exist at work. Difficult people come in every variety and no workplace is without them. How difficult a person is for you to deal with depends on your self-esteem, your self-confidence and your professional courage. Dealing with difficult people is easier when the person is just generally obnoxious or when the behavior affects more than one person. Dealing with difficult people is much tougher when they are attacking you or undermining your professional contribution.

2. How to Deal With a Bully at Work

Think you work with a bully? Do you regularly feel intimidated, dread to work anywhere near a particular coworker, or you’re yelled at, insulted, and put down? Does a coworker talk over you at meetings, criticize your performance, or steal credit for your work? If you answer yes to these questions, chances are good that you’re one of 54 million Americans, who have been attacked by a bully at work. Learn about dealing with difficult people at work.

 

3. How to Deal With a Negative Coworker

Some people exude negativity. They don’t like their jobs or they don’t like their company. Their bosses are always jerks and they are always treated unfairly. The company is always going down the tube and customers are worthless. You know these negative Neds and Nellies – every organization has some. Here are tips for dealing with difficult, negative coworkers.

 

4. Overcome Your Fear of Confrontation and Conflict

Meaningful confrontation is never easy but conflict is often necessary if you want to stick up for your rights at work. Whether the confrontation is over shared credit, irritating coworker habits and approaches, or about how to keep a project on track, sometimes you need to hold a confrontation with a coworker. The good news is that while confrontation is almost never your first choice, you can become better and more comfortable with necessary conflict. Find out how dealing with difficult conflicts at work is easier and more positive with these steps.

 

5. Play Well With Others: Develop Effective Work Relationships

You can submarine your job and career by the relationships you form at work. No matter your education, experience, or title, if you can't play well with others, you won't succeed. Effective relationships create success and satisfaction on the job. Learn more about seven effective work relationship musts. Combat dealing with difficult people with these work relationship musts.

 

6. How to Hold a Difficult Conversation 

Have you encountered any of these examples of dealing with difficult people at work? They're just samples of the types of behavior that cry out for responsible feedback. These steps will help you hold difficult conversations when people need professional feedback. Dealing with a difficult conversation can have positive outcomes.

 

7. What Coworker Behavior Drives You Crazy?

Most people have pet peeves about their coworkers. And, why not? Even relatively sane and likeable people do things that can drive their coworkers to distraction. Vote in my poll about what coworker behavior drives you crazy. Share your tips for dealing with difficult coworkers. Or, share your coworker's behavior that lights your fuse.

 

8. Dealing With Difficult Bosses

Nothing is more destructive in the workplace than difficult bosses. Every employee has a series of bosses over their working career. Hopefully, most of your bosses are competent, kind, and even, worthy of your trust and respect. Unfortunately, too often, employees have difficult bosses who impact their desire to engage and contribute at work. Learn how dealing with difficult bosses is a skill you can develop.

9. Team Building With Coworkers

You want to be well known and liked among the people the company regards as super stars, allies who have power and will speak up for you. (In fact, you can achieve job security if you are viewed as a super star.) Building alliances at work is smart, effective for developing positive coworker relationships, and crucial for dealing with difficult or destructive coworker behavior in the workplace.

 

10. How to Manage Gossip

Gossip is rampant in most workplaces. Sometimes, it seems as if people have nothing better to do than gossip about each other. They gossip about the company, their coworkers, and their managers. They frequently take a partial truth and turn it into a whole speculative truth. Dealing with difficult situations involving gossip occurs in every workplace. Find out how dealing with difficult gossip is a must-do and a can-do. Obliterate gossip from your work place.

 

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Be a leader in your career

To stay on top of your profession, set up a plan with these five strategies

Many professionals are busy with their respective roles in their workplaces.

If you want to stay on top of your career and be visible to your top management for career advancement, you have to do more than just being busy.
If you want to become a leader in your career, you must have an unwavering belief that you can indeed achieve that goal.
It is evident that those who set a plan in place and work the plan get farther faster than those who don’t.

There are five key strategies for career success:

Set a vision

You need to create your own set of objectives and life goals.
Steven Covey, in his bestselling The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, gives evidence of the importance of visioning success.
He identifies Habit 2 as “Begin with the end in mind”.
He explains that all things are created twice — first in the mental world, and second in the physical world.
Most actions that fail, fail in the first creation.
Here are three simple ways to set a vision:

• Self-coaching questions (What does your ideal work environment look like? What work activities are you enjoying?);
• Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic and Tangible); and
• Create a Vision Board — a simple yet powerful visualisation tool that activates the universal law of attraction to begin manifesting your dreams into reality.

Personal career branding

Personal career branding is a way of clarifying and communicating what makes you different and special, and using those qualities to guide your career or business decisions.
It is about understanding your unique attributes — your strengths, values and passions — and using them to separate yourself from your competitors or peers.
Here are three simple ways to build your brand:

• Be passionate (Be enthusiastically engaged in what you do);
• Deliver value (Contribute to the bottom-line success of an organisation); and
• Be a blessing (Be a pleasure to work with).

Network effectively

I am sure a lot of people know the importance of networking. But what is its true essence?
It is more than just attending company functions or participating in projects.
Get yourself on the radar screen and make meaningful contributions to people who could be influential to your career.
Three simple ways to get you known in the organisation are:

• Be on your supervisor’s radar screen first;
• Volunteer to present your ideas to the management; and
• Be available — if possible, sit in on important meetings.

Create your own training plan

To stay relevant, you need to pursue your own professional development plan.
Gain the skills and knowledge needed to contribute greater value to your employer.
Author and social philosopher Eric Hoffer said: “In times of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.”
Don’t wait around for your employer to tell you what to get trained in.
Look at people who are your role models in your career path.
Three simple ways to create your own training plan:

• Evaluate current skills with present job requirements (Are there any gaps?);
• Search appropriate training catalogues or check online for new courses or skills that will benefit your career plan; and
• Request training on a quarterly basis.

Get supportive people

Always surround yourself with supportive people — coach, mentors, peers and friends — and carefully limit your contact with “energy-draining” people.
Who do you have in your life that has your best interests at heart, with absolutely no ulterior motives?
Here are three simple ways to get supportive people:

• Work with a coach (Many others have a coach, why not you?);
• Find a mentor (Make sure the potential mentor has the right experience and insights); and
• Gather your resources (What kind of support will enable you to make the changes happen?).

Strategic planning is critical. What you want to be a number of years from now will depend on how you execute these five strategies in becoming a leader in your career.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

The Top Jobs for 2013

Struggling to find a job? If you’re an accountant, computer systems analyst or event coordinator, there's a good chance your luck will change in 2013.

These three professions are among the best jobs that require a bachelor's degree for 2013, according to a new study by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI).
The study used EMSI’s rich labor market database, which pulls from over 90 national and state employment resources and includes detailed information on employees and self-employed workers, to find the 18 top jobs for 2013, based on the occupations with the most jobs added since 2010.

Making It Big Monday

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy

With all the bleak economic news and reports of massive layoffs, it's easy to lose sight of an exciting fact of work: There have never been more opportunities and possibilities for talented people than exist today. The rate of new business formation in the United States has passed more than 1 million new companies per year. Employers everywhere are looking for bright, resourceful and committed people to help their businesses grow. The best way to help the best companies find you is to become a self-directed job searcher.

Regardless of your employment experience, your target industry or the economic climate, you can get a job -- a great job -- if you are willing to work hard and know how to work smart. Here are some of the very best ideas, strategies and methods for putting your career back on the fast track.

1. Take control of your career
The average person starting work today will have 11 full-time jobs and as many as five different careers over the course of his or her lifetime. To weather the storms of lifelong career change, you must be proactive, not reactive.
Begin by seeing yourself as self-employed. See yourself as the president of a company with one employee: you. See yourself as having one product to sell in a competitive marketplace: your personal services. You are completely responsible for research and development. No matter who signs your paycheck, you are always on your own payroll. This attitude is the starting point for getting the job you want for the rest of your career.

2. Take stock of yourself
Before you go out and look for a job, do some self-reflection. Make a list of all the things you can do for which someone would be willing to pay. What have you done especially well at your previous jobs? What sort of activities in your work and your personal life do you most enjoy? The good news is that you will always do the very best at something that makes you the happiest. To help yourself follow the right career track, describe your ideal job. The greater clarity you have about exactly what it is you want to do and how much you want to earn, the easier it is for someone to hire you.

3. Understand the job market
All labor, including your own, is subject to the economic law of supply and demand. The only way to ensure you get a rewarding job is by doing something important for which there is a demand in the marketplace and in which you are difficult to replace. A change in technology, consumer preferences or the economy can make a particular talent or specialty obsolete almost overnight. You must continually upgrade your knowledge and skills and adjust your efforts so that they conform to the needs of the current job market. In a free society such as ours, everybody works on commission.

4. Don't mistake unemployment for a vacation Look at your job search as a full-time job, taking 40 to 50 hours a week. Get up and get dressed each weekday morning as if you were going to work, eat a light, high-energy breakfast and then get going. Looking good and staying productive not only improves your attitude, but also impresses other people, both those inside your own house and those on the outside. Remember, you should never see yourself as unemployed. You are a fully employed person in a temporary state of transition.

5. Sow seeds everywhere Most of the jobs available are not advertised. They are hidden and waiting for you to discover them. Along with regularly surfing Internet job sites, be sure to list your qualifications and interests on every site that might attract employers seeking someone like you. Visit community job fairs and talk to exhibitors. Keep an eye out for news of new product releases and then seek out key people in the company. A business expansion represents job opportunities. Gather information about a prominent individual in an organization you would like to work for. Ask that person, by phone, by e-mail or in a letter, to grant you a 10-minute informational interview. Almost invariably, your interest, knowledge and gratitude will pay off in a job offer.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

How to Deal With Favoritism at Work

 

Favoritism at work, whether real or perceived, can throw a wrench in team development and damage team and company morale. In most instances, favoritism results from poor management skills, such as the inability to relate to employees or a lack of interaction with all team members. Learning how to deal with favoritism in the workplace can help you deal with adversity and meet challenges head-on along your career path.

Instructions

1 - Take note of the situation. Consider if the favoritism is perceived or real. For instance, some workers may appear to receive preferential treatment at work; however, those in charge may simply see them as weak in certain areas and in need of additional help or guidance.

 

2 - Try to relate to the parties involved in the favoritism. If possible, get close to the situation, observe the relationship and find a way to connect to those involved. This will help reduce any feelings related to being on the outside of the relationship and will also help bring your skills and talents to management's attention.

3 - Build relationships with a diverse group of people, including employees and supervisors in other departments. Take part in company outings and attend company-sponsored trainings and team-building programs. Making your work and dedication known to others within the organization is the goal of branching out and networking within the company.

4 - Strive for excellence. Set your own goals and consistently challenge yourself to meet, or even exceed, them. Keep working toward your goals and eliminate the need to rely on your supervisor's friendship. Let your behavior, actions and habits related to your job performance speak for themselves and help propel you forward in the organization.

5 - Speak with human resources or a trusted manager when blatant favoritism occurs. Voice your concerns and provide any information relevant to the situation, such as a personal account of specific events. When voicing a complaint or concern, keep the conversation focused on specific examples and refrain from attacking anyone. Ask for advice on handling the situation while human resources personnel or management investigate the claims.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

How Does Favoritism in the Workplace Affect Other Employees?

Employees might be professional, qualified and experienced, but they're still human and still susceptible to emotions better left outside the workplace. Jealousy, anger, fear, sullenness and worry can occur in business environments at any time, but these negative emotions are exacerbated when favoritism takes place. Before indulging in workplace favoritism, consider how your actions might affect other workers.       

   

Favoritism

Favoritism in the workplace means giving preferential treatment to one or more employees. Preferential treatment can be intentional; for example, an employer could assign the choicest responsibilities to the most veteran worker or hotshot upstart by explaining that his abilities justify the extra attention and tasks. Preferential treatment can also be subconscious; for example, employees might notice that an older male supervisor seems to treat young female workers with friendly smiles and encouragement while benignly ignoring male workers in the hallways.

 Resentment
One of the primary effects of workplace favoritism on employees is resentment. Workers feel that, no matter how hard they work, it won't matter because preferred employees will always get better benefits, more attention and greater opportunities. Employees often resent the special worker, treating her with unkindness and gossiping about reasons for preferential treatment. Workers also resent their employer, becoming less willing to participate actively in the company mission.

Lower Motivation
If employees feel that they're being passed over for new responsibilities or promotions because all goodies are funneled toward favorite workers, lower motivation results. Employees slack off, taking less care with assigned duties and being more reluctant to volunteer for additional tasks. This results in lower productivity, missed deadlines and lower overall morale.

Litigation
Employees sometimes take legal action against employers who engage in egregious favoritism, citing preferential treatment based on gender or ethnicity. If workplace favoritism is widespread, for example, an employer offers preferential treatment to workers based on sexual favors, employees could cite a hostile work environment. This can lead to serious repercussions, including court fees, restitution awards and loss of professional reputation.

Steps
If you're an employer engaging in preferential treatment of employees, it's time to stop. Signs that you're promoting favoritism include spending extra time with preferred workers, overlooking mistakes made by favorite employees and assigning perks to employees because you like them. If you're an employee working in an environment where a boss is practicing favoritism, double-check your impressions by looking for specific examples of preferred treatment. Once you've confirmed that this is a problem in your workplace, visit the personnel department with your examples. Explaining the situation in a concise, professional way gives you more credibility; be careful not to make rash accusations.

To view the original article CLICK HERE 

Tip Tuesday

7 tips for balancing school, work, family... and everything else in your life

If you're anything like me, you're struggling to balance family responsibilities, a job (or two!), and time for yourself.

The danger in trying to do it all is that you risk things falling through the cracks. This can be especially true for women trying to go back to school.

The good news is that there are ways to make it work.

I recently spoke with life and career coach Meredith Haberfeld, founder of Meredith Haberfeld Coaching. She had a lot to share about ways to help balance school with work, family, and life.

Check out these 7 tips for balancing it all.

Tip #1 - Set attainable goals.

Pick realistic goals and focus on accomplishing them. Every success could give you more confidence to tackle the next goal.

If you can only manage to fit one business class into your busy schedule, for example, then just take one class and give it your full attention.

"When a goal seems big and daunting, one of the smartest places to start is to break it into the different pieces that will build toward the goal," says Haberfeld. "When you break it into smaller bits, each bit is more manageable."

Tip #2 - Make a schedule.
Ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done?

Try sitting down with your schedule to get a handle on how much time you actually have. Look for the pockets of time between your professional and family obligations and see where you can plan in the time you need for homework.

"That small amount of planning makes the experience of dealing with a full life profoundly more manageable and fulfilling," says Haberfeld.

If your day still feels too hectic, consider going to sleep and getting up earlier. You might be surprised at what you can accomplish in the hour or two before the rest of the house wakes up.

Tip #3 - Stay organized.

"A place for everything and everything in its place" may sound simplistic, but the benefits of keeping your physical space organized go far beyond simply knowing where your car keys are hiding.

"Having our physical space organized makes thinking easier... When our physical space is hectic, our thoughts are more hectic," says Haberfeld.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, Haberfeld suggests spending fifteen minutes to organize one small area in your home or office. It might be just the thing you need to bring order to your thoughts as well.

Another tip: Don't forget to keep your calendar updated. If you can see deadlines coming, you're more likely to prepare ahead of time and save yourself from pulling an all-nighter to finish a project or cram for a test.

Tip #4 - Take breaks when you need them.

Going back to school is a big commitment - whether you're in a medical assisting certificate program or a bachelor's degree in business.

Feel yourself getting overwhelmed? Give yourself permission to take a break. That might mean closing the books, going for a quick walk - or taking a night off from studying altogether.

If you find yourself burning the midnight oil for weeks on end, Haberfeld suggests working downtime into your schedule. "It's important to plan time to relax," she says, "or you become less effective."

Tip #5 - Stay focused.

When you're at school, really try to keep your thoughts on school. Don't think about the bills you have to pay at home, or who's going to take the kids to soccer practice.

Likewise, when you're with family, enjoy being with family. You can help keep these areas of your life separate by planning study time into your schedule - and making sure you use that time to study.

Tip #6 - Keep your eyes on the prize.

Trying to balance school with everything else in your life might be tough, so always try to remember why you're doing what you're doing. A little sacrifice and effort in school now could offer big dividends when you're taking that shiny new diploma on the job hunt with you.

It might help to write out your academic goals. How many courses do you need to take? What is your time line? Tracking your progress can be great motivation to keep moving forward.

Still feeling discouraged? Don't worry - it's natural to feel doubt when you're struggling to juggle so many things. Just try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Tip #7 - Don't expect perfection.

Last but not least: Remember that as much as you may want things to go exactly according to plan, life often has a way of changing those plans for us.

So maybe you don't cross off every single item on your daily to-do list. Do what you can do, and don't be too hard on yourself. Tomorrow is a new day.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

Five Types of Difficult Bosses

 

Some difficult bosses are completely toxic, while others just have very annoying habits. And sometimes an employee and a boss are just a bad mix. If you’re not happy with your manager, you need to determine if the problem lies with you, your boss, or the combination of your personalities.

The key is to look for patterns. Do you have more problems with your boss than your colleagues do? If so, maybe this manager is just a bad match for your work style. But if you’ve often had trouble with managers, you may have some authority issues. However, if everyone finds this person challenging, then you probably have a difficult boss.

Five difficult bosses are described below: the Micromanager, Procrastinator, Idiot, Dictator, & Abuser. Each may appear in a mild form or a more toxic version. The milder the problem, the more likely the suggested strategies are to work.

§ The Micromanager

Best case: The micromanager is in a new position and having trouble letting go of the job he just left. As managers get more comfortable in a new role, their focus usually shifts from their previous work to current responsibilities.

Worst case: Scenario 1: The micromanager is a highly anxious person (even if she doesn’t appear so on the surface) who fears giving up control and therefore wants to be involved in every detail of your work. Scenario 2: The manager is not happy with your performance and feels the need to closely manage you, but not others.

Possible strategies: The micromanager is afraid of losing control, so you need to make him comfortable with your decisions and actions. Provide your manager with information before you are asked, especially about issues that you know are important to him. Try to anticipate and discuss possible concerns about projects or activities. Reach agreement about which decisions you can make independently and which should involve your manager.

What you should never do: Never withhold information from a micromanager. She will just become suspicious about your intentions and monitor you even more closely.

 

§ The Procrastinator

Best case: The self-aware procrastinator is simply not very organized and recognizes it. These managers are usually open to conversations about how to get things done more quickly.

Worst case: The procrastinator is terrified of making the wrong decision. As a result, no decision will be made until half the people on earth have been consulted or voluminous amounts of information have been analyzed. 

Possible strategies: Since you know decisions will take a long time, factor that into the timeline for any project. If your boss likes a lot of input, consult his favorite sources (human or informational) in advance and summarize the results before asking for a decision. With major projects or critical decisions, don’t ask for complete approval up front. Get your boss’s okay on the initial action steps, then go back for subsequent approvals as needed. 

What you should never do: Never wait until the last minute for an important decision, then pressure your boss to decide immediately. You may think that this will force your manager to act quickly, but it won’t.

§ The Idiot

Best case: The idiot is in a new field or industry, needs to learn more about an unfamiliar environment, and is open to information, ideas, and suggestions.

Worst case: The idiot doesn’t know that she is an idiot. She makes hasty decisions without the necessary knowledge or information. 

Possible strategies: If your manager is approachable, offer information in a helpful way. Do not be condescending. And be sure to show respect for the knowledge or experience that your manager does have. When decisions need to be made, suggest several good options for consideration. In a non-judgmental way, point out how ill-advised choices might adversely affect important work results. 

What you should never do: Don’t ever try to demonstrate your superior knowledge. Doing so could be hazardous to your career.

§ The Dictator

Best case: The dictator communicates in a direct, authoritative style, but is actually open to input.

Worst case: The dictator genuinely believes that he has all the answers and expects everything to be done his way.

Possible strategies: Acknowledge the value of your manager’s ideas and approaches. Don’t present your own opinions in a confrontational manner. Instead, ask your manager if she is open to hearing a suggestion or considering some different options. When employees take a very direct approach, these managers often view it as the beginning of an argument, so try using questions to keep your manager from getting defensive. Start your sentences with “do you think we might” or “could we consider” instead of “we should” or “we have to”.

What you should never do: Never tell dictatorial managers that they “can’t” do something. That makes them very angry.

§ The Abuser

Best case: The abuser occasionally gets upset and yells, but then calms down, talks rationally, and may even apologize. 

Worst case: The abuser is a toxic person who enjoys verbally abusing others. Or even worse, the mistreatment rises to the level of physical threat or sexual harassment.

Possible strategies: With mild abusers, avoid the natural “fight or flight” reaction and remain in a calm, rational mode. People feel stupid being angry by themselves, so the manager will usually calm down and may be willing to engage in a discussion. For truly abusive bosses, however, there is no good strategy. If the stress becomes too great, polish up your resume and look for a saner place to work.

What you should never do: Never stay in a job where you are verbally abused, physically touched in any harmful way, or sexually harassed. No paycheck is worth that kind of treatment.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Average Starting Salaries for Entry Level Skilled Trades Jobs

A career in a skilled trade offers more than brain work and some light tapping on a keyboard. It requires both a mental and physical investment in a task or a project, and there’s always the unmistakable pride of working at your craft and knowing first hand that you’re doing it well.
The skilled trades are among the best paid careers for young Canadians and they are poised to become even more lucrative due to the rising demand for skilled labour. According to Statistics Canada, employees in the trades earn an average hourly wage that is 6% higher than other occupations: $22.36 compared with $21.02.

The highest earners were electricians ($25.26), crane operators ($24.61) and plumbers ($24.10), and these occupations also had the highest unionization rates and high job permanency rates. In contrast, trades with lower averages – other construction trades ($19.24) and carpenters ($20.43) – had substantially lower unionization rates (32% and 39% respectively).

Within a few years of becoming a journeyperson, some tradespeople can expect to double their starting wage or salary and, with overtime pay, some even earn 6-figure salaries.

Take a peek at a few examples of starting salaries and hourly wages for some skilled trade positions, some of which you can apply to right here on TalentEgg.ca!

Instrument Technician	Apprentice Electrician
Vancouver: $47,723	Vancouver: $14.13/hr
Edmonton: $48,625	Edmonton: $15/hr
Toronto: $49,123	Toronto: $12.36/hr
Montreal: $45,355	Montreal: $12.43/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator	Welder
Vancouver: $36,286	Vancouver: $38,538
Edmonton: $38,098	Edmonton: $39,827
Toronto: $36,600	Toronto: $38,865
Montreal: $34,647	Montreal: $36,827

Millwright	CAD Drafter
Vancouver: $18.42/hr	Vancouver: $34,936
Edmonton: $20.08/hr	Edmonton: $36,920
Toronto: $16.29/hr	Toronto: $34,179
Montreal: $15.12/hr	Montreal: $33,157

Heavy Duty Mechanic	Machinist
Alberta: $21.90/hr	Alberta: $17.72/hr
British Columbia: $20.25/hr	British Columbia: $16.51/hr
Ontario: $19.54/hr	Ontario: $15.91/hr
Saskatchewan: $19.39/hr To view the original article CLICK HERE	Quebec: $14.91/hr

Top Job Thursday

Hate Desk Jobs? Great Careers for Energetic People

Does the idea of sitting at a desk all day sound like torture? Are you an active person who likes to be on their feet and on the move? Then here are some great career choices for you!

Creative Careers

• Cooking/Catering – Spice things up with this energetic career. Whether you’re cooking or catering, you’ll be on the move in the food service industry.
• Florist/Floral Design – This budding career could be yours. Combine your creativity with your energy to create stunning designs for customers.
• Interior Decorating – Get on a ladder to test some drapes, then compare fabrics for a sofa. Learn design skills that will have both your brain and body in motion.
• Photography – Develop a creative new career. From capturing wedding memories to landscape portraits, photographers enjoy busy days.

Education Careers

• Teacher Aide – Shaping young lives takes time and energy. A teacher aide assists teachers with classroom and clerical duties and more.
• Early Childhood Education –Enjoy the contagious fun of educating preschoolers in this lively and rewarding career.
• Child Day Care Management – A day care is about as energetic as you can get! If you love kids, you’ll love burning off energy through playtime and more.

Healthcare Careers

• Fitness & Nutrition – Like staying in shape? Inspire others to get up and moving just like you with this career field.
• Nursing Assistant – No sitting on this job! Nursing assistants interact with patients all day and are always on the move.
• Pharmacy Assistant – Pharmacy’s are increasingly busy places. Help pharmacists locate medicines, cash out customers, stock the pharmacy and more.
• Physical Therapy Aide – Assist physical therapists by keeping the treatment area clean and well organized, help escort patients and more.
• Veterinary Assistant – Between feeding, bathing, administering medicine and helping with exams, your day will fly by. Plus, you get to enjoy being around the animals.

Law Enforcement Careers

• Criminal Justice/Security – Keeping the public safe requires a lot of energy and can keep you out of an office and out with the public.
• Private Investigator – Investigating often requires you to be on your toes-figuratively and sometimes even literally!

Technical Careers

• Auto Mechanic – Learning the tricks of the trade might help others stay seated in their cars, but you’ll definitely be on the move.
• Electrician – It’s not shocking to learn that an electrician has a physically demanding job. Between wiring, circuit breakers and more, you’ll feel the curren of this exciting career.
• Gardening/Landscaping – Get physical in this career while you also enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy the hands on work and beauty you create.
• Locksmith – The key to a happy career is enjoying what you do. Get fulfillment by helping people to keep their homes and businesses secure.
• Plumbing –From doing pipe-fittings to creating detailed plumbing systems, you’ll flush out all your energy!

To view the original article CLICK HERE