The Meaning of Networking

Networking is the idea of developing contacts and getting to know people. It includes building relationships with others for purposes of recognizing, creating, or acting upon opportunities. By developing long-term relationships for mutual gain and creating lasting impressions with people you will be learning a life skill which has many applications both personally and professionally.

About 20% of people are born with the natural tendency of being shy. Whether you love or hate talking to groups of people, making those key relationships is crucial in order to succeed as a Networker.  Before becoming a Master Networker you must be willing to take time getting to know your own interests, skills, and values while keeping your ultimate career goal in mind. Developing business cards and maintaining an online presence are also important when preparing to network just in case you want to follow up with someone. And last but not least, when networking, the most important step is being able to comfortably talk about yourself for a specific period of time.  

Networking in today’s age comes with a lot of benefits, including tapping in to the ‘Hidden Job Market’. Eighty percent (80%) of jobs today are not advertised online or posted on company job boards. A large portion of the ‘Hidden Job Market’ comes from Networking, Referrals, or Recruiters.  Networking is great for sharing ideas and gaining knowledge from others through idea generation and perspective. When engaging in conversation with someone and establishing a relationship it is important to note that you have now made a connection with the individual who could also connect you with one of their connections. The more you network in general the more your confidence begins to increase as well. You begin to raise your profile and people begin to recognize you, which helps build your reputation as well. It is important to note that although you may not be job hunting, it is always a good idea to continually expand your network.

Erik Gunn, Fourth Year (BBA) - Finance

Career Services is Hiring!!

Do you enjoy helping other people? Are you interested in working on campus, developing critical job searching skills, and being a part of fantastic team of Brock students? Career Services may be the perfect fit for you!

The Career Assistant position is currently listed on Career Zone (careerzone.brocku.ca) under JOB ID: 20846. 

Preference will be given to students entering their 2nd or 3rd year at Brock University. Applicants must be registered full-time and available to attend the August 25-29 training week. 

 If you have any questions feel free to stop by the Career Resource Centre or email us at career@brocku.ca. All applications must be submitted through Career Zone by March 21.

Protecting and Promoting Yourself Through Social Media

Employers (Current and Future) Are Watching You

As much of a 'Big Brother' statement as this is we are living in a very technologically dependent to
get an inside look at their lives outside of work. This could ultimately make or break whether or not you get hired. A potential employee could have all of the required qualifications for a position but if their online presence shows unpredictable, unprofessional, and unreliable qualities then the job would be offered to someone else. Because of this, it is crucial that we all stay on top of our online presences by ensuring that what we post on our social media profiles is information that we don't mind future employers seeing about us. The fact of the matter is that many employers now Google candidates in order to determine whether or not they are reliable and live up to the expectations set by their resume.

And don't think that you are safe to post what you want after you have been hired. Check our this list on Business Insider which highlights 17 different individuals who were fired for content that the posted on their Facebook walls. We may feel that this is an invasion of privacy but employers can access sensitive information if you make it available in a public forum such as the internet. In the end, if posting pictures of last night's binge drinking is more important to you than keeping your job, that's ultimately your own choice.

Keepin' it Classy: Using Social Media to Promote Yourself

Don't worry, it isn't all terrible! Social media can actually be a fantastic way to promote yourself online and reach out to a world of employment opportunities. The following are some tips for ensuring that your social media presence reflects the best (not worst!) of who you are and what you have to offer.

When posting anything on Facebook and Twitter ask yourself the questions: "would I mind if a future/current employer saw this?" If the answer is "no" or you are uncertain then its highly recommended that you avoid a terrible situation and refrain from posting that content online. Instead, use Facebook and Twitter as a means of promoting your job search to your friends and behaving in a mature and dignified way. Do no engage in arguments and avoid using profane language. Your ability to compose yourself online will speak volumes to an employer. If  you have a personal or company blog then posting this information on Facebook and Twitter is also a great way to promote yourself to your social network.

LinkedIn is currently a trendy social media platform in the professional world which is designed specifically to help you promote yourself to future employers online. Set-up like an online resume, LinkedIn allows you to input your educational, work, and volunteer experiences while also highlighting projects you have been a part of and awards that you have received. Creating a LinkedIn profile is important for keeping a professional online presence since it is the ultimate way to connect with future employers and stay connected with past ones.

Customizing your online presence is especially easy through the maintenance of your own personal blog. Do you have a hobby or a skill that you think would be worth promoting to the world? Or do you (like me!) just love to write? Employers who Google you might just get the opportunity to sift through your blog if you decide to take the time to maintain your own little piece of the internet. This isn't for everyone, of course, but its still a fun way to make your presence in online world known!

Google Yourself!

Curious to see what employers have access to? Try Googling your own name to see what comes up. You might be surprised how much information about yourself is publicly available. Always ask yourself if what you see will deter or attract a future employer. The internet is amazing place to advertise yourself to a world of employment opportunities so be sure your online presence is a positive experience that properly reflects the professional side of your life. Take the time to clean up your own Google search - you'll be glad you did! If you see something you don't like at least you'll catch it before a potential employer stumbles upon it! :)

Happy Promoting!

Ashley Paolozzi, Lead Career Assistant
4th Year History of Art (Honours) 

Tips for Finding a Summer Job

It's time for the scramble...everyone is worried about how they are going to make money over the summer break! Well, Career Services has a few tips and resources that you may find useful to give you an advantage in landing that great summer job!

Here are some great job search sites for on and off-campus jobs:

• CareerZone
• Brock Dining Services
• BUSU
• Brock Human Resources
• Faculty and Department websites

Here are some government job search websites:

• FSWEP
• Service Canada
• Experience Program (OPS-wide)
• Ontario Government Summer Student Hiring
• Summer Job programs
• City of St. Catharines
• City of Welland
• City of Niagara Falls
• City of Grimsby
• City of Hamilton

Summer Camps:

• All About Summer Camps
• Ontario Camps Association
• Our Kids go to Camp
• Online Summer Camp Directory

Additional Sites:

• Talent Egg
• Summer Jobs
• RAMP

You can also check out the Find a Job section of our website for more online job boards to help in your search. 

Tapping into the hidden job market is also an excellent strategy...you can use some of the business and community directories in our Occupational Research section to get the contact information and/or address of local businesses and organizations and then contact them even if they do not have not posted a job opening on a job board.

Final Tips:

• Start early - summer jobs are posted now!
• Have a plan - focus on what type of job you want and target your search
• Practice your interview skills and be confident in your ability to talk about your skills and achievements. Check out our blog post about interview preparation, or come into the Resource Centre for help!
• Update your resume and understand how to customize your resume and cover letter 
• Come see us for a free, drop-in review session!

Jami Coughler, Senior Career Assistant
4th Year Public Health [Honours]; BA: Sociology [Honours] '11

Get Involved at Brock with ExperienceBU!

Interested in getting involved and staying up to date with everything happening at Brock? ExperienceBU is your one-stop-shop for information regarding clubs, events, and news on campus. To start experiencing Brock University click HERE.

Having issues creating an account? The following video has been put together to help you easily sign into ExperienceBU and get started today!

Remember to take advantage of the many ways that YOU can get involved at Brock. Club involvement, for instance, is a fantastic way to network with like-minded students and is also something that can be included on your resume. University experience isn't just about school and work - so get involved today!

I hope you all had an amazing reading week. Best of luck on your midterms!

Ashley Paolozzi, Lead Career Assistant
4th Year History of Art (Honours)

Reading Week Hours

Happy Reading Week!!

Career Services will be closed Monday, February 17th and Tuesday, February 18th. We will also not be responding to any emails during this time.

We will resume regular operations on Wednesday, February 19th
(Regular hours: 9:00 - 4:30).

Enjoy your time off! See you next week!

Ashley Paolozzi, Lead Career Assistant
4th Year History of Art (Honours)

Interview Preparation

Interviews are scary for most people but the key to interview success is being well-prepared. Practice tools such as Interview Stream are great because they allow you to see over 3,000 sample interview questions, record yourself answering the questions, and the watch yourself to see how you did! You can also email your recorded video to us at career@brocku.ca for constructive feedback. For log-in help and additional resources, check out the Interview section of our Online Resource Centre (through CareerZone). We also have an extensive Interview Techniques binder in the Resource Centre which has information on preparing for the interview, what to expect during the interview, how to make a great first impression, and what should always be done after the interview! Here are a few more general tips for preparing for an interview:

• Know yourself: You increase your confidence when you know what you can contribute to the organization and what you want from the job   
• Identify your assets and qualities by making a list of your…
• Skills and Competencies 
• Knowledge 
• Values and Needs 
• Beliefs 
• Interests 
• Personal Characteristics 
• Hint: personality and career assessments, such as Career Cruising and Type Focus, can help! Access them for free through CareerZone 

• Know the organization and the job. Some suggestions for getting to know the company are as follows:
  • Study the organization’s website
  • Have an idea of how the company operates and how it views its employees
  • Check out recent annual reports and news releases
  • Become familiar with the vision and goals of the company so that you can make valuable connections to it during the interview
  • Review the job posting or find a description of the position on the company website
  • Talk to someone you know in a similar position/field
•  Know your accomplishments: Interviewers want to know about your track record for achieving results – they often use your past performance to predict your future success. Keep this in mind during your interview and take opportunities to demonstrate your accomplishments.
  • Creating a career portfolio can be a creative and efficient way of demonstrating your accomplishments and experiences to potential employers 
  • Hint: Career Services offers portfolio review sessions on a walk-in basis and also has various portfolio samples to browse through

 Practice makes perfect so remember...

• The interviewer wants to know how your skills, knowledge and experience match the needs of the position and also how well you communicate. Practicing what you're going to say and how you’re going to say it will help you communicate clearly and confidently.
• It's best not to memorize questions and answers. Instead, develop key points that you want the interviewer to know about you, based on your preparation. You can practice using these key points to respond to a variety of questions.
• It's also important for you to ask relevant questions during the interview. Make a list of three things you want to know about the position or the organization. Make sure you wouldn't be expected to know the answers to these questions from your research. It’s a good idea NOT to ask questions about salary, vacation or other benefits until after you receive a job offer. Our Resource Centre has various print resources that can help you come up with some great questions to ask!

 Here are some additional pointers:

• Get ready: Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of position and employer you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

• Be on time: On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there.

• Stay calm: During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm as possible. Take a moment to regroup. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!

• Show what you know: Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments, match them to what the company is looking for.

• *The follow-up: After the interview, be sure to follow-up with a thank you note that emphasizes two or three reasons why you’re the ideal candidate for the position.

• In the event that you are not chosen for the position, don’t be afraid to contact the interviewer to ask for some feedback on how you can improve your interview skills for next time!

 Best of luck!

Jami Coughler, Senior Career Assistant
4th Year Public Health [Honours]; BA: Sociology [Honours] '11

Start your on campus job search now!

 

Are you interested in working on campus during your studies to gain some valuable experience and extra cash? If your answer is yes, then start your search NOW!

Employers on campus begin their hiring process for fall of the following school year very early and although some positions are still available in the fall, many opportunities may already be filled.

Where do I start?

Career Zone is Brock’s online job board which hosts a variety of on campus (and off campus) jobs. Make sure to check if positions require Experience Works. This is specialized funding for certain jobs and an Experience Works funded job requires that you apply and qualify for Experience Works in order to be considered for the position. For more information on Experience Works please visit: http://www.brocku.ca/career-services/students-alumni/experience-works.

 
Not all on-campus jobs are posted on Career Zone, so make sure to also check out these sources:

Brock University Student’s Union (B.U.S.U.) (busu.net)

Brock Dining Services (brocku.ca/dining-services/employment)

Recreation Services (brocku.ca/recreation-services/student-employment)

Student Life and Community Experience (brocku.ca/student-life-community-experience)

If you are particularly interested in applying somewhere on campus and cannot find a job posting on any of these sites, try visiting the location in person. It doesn’t hurt to drop off a resume!

_______________________________

Nella Paris
Sr. Career Assistant
4th Year Psychology Major (Honours)

Common Job Search Sites

 More and more employers are advertising their jobs through job search sites which is good news for job seekers. Many job sites are becoming more intuitive and can actually save you time. For example: www.indeed.ca remembers your search and the next time you use the site it will let you know how many new jobs have been posted under your search criteria. No more browsing around to find the good stuff. Get straight to the honey!

www.jobbank.gc.ca is a government job site that allows you to search by region, employment area, full time/ part time and length of employment. the site is easy to navigate, and dates of posts are clearly listed to help you know when jobs were posted and when they will be taken down. Application information is listed in the bottom of each post.

www.eluta.ca is an excellent site for new grads. It is the official job search engine for Canada's Top 100 Employers project. Once you search for jobs, the menu on the left hand side allows you to  pick and choose which options you would like to see and which you would like to limit.

These are just a few of the job search sites we have listed on our job search sites handout in Career Services. Stop by to grab a copy and check them out!

Becky
Sr. Career Assistant

Review Services: How We Can Help You!

Happy February!

Today's blog post is a friendly reminder of the services we have available for the Brock University community for both undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni and university staff.

Reviews Include:

• Resumes
• Cover Letters
• Curriculum Vitaes
• Letter of Intents/Personal Statements
• Portfolios

We require that you bring a hard copy of your documents into our office. We are unable to provide evaluations on the computer - this includes on your personal laptop. Without a printed copy we will be unable to do the evaluation. No exceptions. It is also helpful if you bring in a copy of the job posting for the position you are applying to. If you are applying for graduate school and you want us to review your letter of intent/personal statement we require the information that the university is asking you to discuss in order to ensure you are receiving the best service possible.

If you are unable to travel to the main Brock campus we welcome emailed resume evaluations (career@brocku.ca). However, if you are able to come into the Resource Centre we recommend that you meet with us in person.

Career Services a drop in service so no appointment is required to meet with us. If you are currently in the process of developing a resume and you do not have a working copy we still encourage that you come and meet with us so that we can assist you with getting started.

Reviews take between 10-15 minutes and we require that you are present for the duration of the review. We are located in the Learning Commons in the library beside the Reception desk. Our hours are 9:00-4:30 from Monday to Friday. Hour changes will occur for both Reading Week and the summer and we will update you with these changes as soon as we are aware of them.

Ashley Paolozzi, Lead Career Assistant
4th Year History of Art (Honours) 

Planning for Short Term and Long Term Goals

 There is a new banking commercial out right now that asks the viewer "will you be better off next year?", and I found that I stepped back and asked myself if I would be better off one year from now. Things don't get accomplished by just hoping things will happen. That is where goals come in.  Taking the time to sit down and actively think about what you want, how you want to accomplish it, and by what date, is surprisingly effective. By taking the time to plan your short term and long term goals, it will actually cause a shift in your actions because you will be acting in accordance with your PRIORITIES!   Short term goals can be simple, such as  " I want to complete all of my assigned readings the weekend before the scheduled class". Long term goals look 1-5 years in the future and can range from personal, professional, financial, academic or any combination of the above. Goals should be SMART, specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Utilizing goal setting strategies can help you in your career planning process by helping you draw a map to success. Until you sit down to figure out exactly what you want, you may not have thought about the different steps required to meet that goal.

Where will you be next week? The end of the semester? One year from now? Five years from now?

Set goals now and you will be surprised with how much you can accomplish!

 - Becky W.
Sr. Career Assistant