Always Do Your Research!

So you've self-assessed! You now know ALL about yourself, exactly what you want to do and exactly how you're going to do it! ...right? Well, for some of you it might have been that easy to figure it out, and that's great! We're happy for you! But for those of you who are still unsure, you're on the same side as most of us. Sure, we might have an idea and various options for career and/or educational pathways now  (I put mine on a flow chart :D), but it doesn't end there. Before you DECIDE on a career pathway, it's always important to first do your RESEARCH.

Ask yourself...

Is this Pathway the right FIT?

• Am I willing to proceed with Further Education or is Direct Employment right for me?
• What are the job responsibilities?
• Am I cut out for this type of work?
• What else is out there?

Do I have the right EXPERIENCE?

• Will I need experience before entry-level positions?
• How can I gain that experience now (volunteering, internships, part-time jobs)?
• What are the skills and knowledge requirements of the position?
• Is there room for professional development and on-the-job training?
• Am I looking for advancement opportunities? Is that available to me within this field?

What is the Typical WORK ENVIRONMENT?

• Will I be working inside/outside? With children, with people older than me? Alone?
• Am I adaptable?
• How much will I be making? How do raises happen?
• Is there a demand for this type of work?

Who HIRES for this type of work?

• What should I know about the field? The company/organization?
• How should I prepare to apply?
• How do I ask/prepare for an interview?

And always the BIG ONE:

• Will I be granted a pension? Benefits?

While these questions might be simple and provide you with the  little details, the affects of the answers can have some pretty great affects in the long run.

Here are some things to remember...

1. Do what is right for you. Job earnings are important, but don't let the dollar sign cloud your vision when it comes to deciding on something you know will make you happy.

*That also goes for career choices and graduate school. Some people will refrain from doing a Master's program or Post-Graduate Degree because they feel like they should be done spending money, and instead earning it. My motto is "short term pain for long term gain" - anything extra we do now will only make it easier to pay off those student loans later on.

2. While it's important to  be qualified for a position, don't let that stop you from applying to jobs of interest. Hey, you might not meet all of the job requirements, but maybe nobody did! You could still be the best applicant. If you tailor your resume and cover letter right, you could come out a shining star in their list of candidates. So come on into the Career Resource Centre for a review, and then get on out there!

3. Your work environment should never be compromised. You will be talking to these people, seeing these walls, and smelling these smells more often than you'll ever be seeing your family, your walls or the smells in your household. Make sure it's going to work for you. And if it doesn't, next!

Check out our website for some more tips and handy links for researching here. And remember, drop by the centre anytime between 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday and Ashley or I will be happy to discuss your research with you, or even help you get it all started!

See ya then,

Brittany :)

Tough Interview Questions: Salary Negotiations

Here's another toughie - what in the world do you say when your interviewer or potential employer asks you about what salary you're expecting? This is a question that could seriously harm your chances of landing a position if approached the wrong way - that's exactly why we're here to help!

First of all, if this is a full-time position that you are applying for and it explicitly states in the job posting "Salary to be negotiated" then you're going to want to come prepared to the interview. Even if this isn't said, you never know if during an interview you might be asked to supply a salary expectation. That being said, do your research!
 

Before your interview check out some links on our website under "Salary Information". Browse through these tools to find out what normal salary ranges are for the kind of position that you are applying to. After doing some investigating, come up with a salary range (of about $5000-$10,000) that is appropriate for this position, the bottom of this range being the least you are willing to accept. 
**If the job posting indicates that you provide an expected salary in your application, mention this salary range in the last paragraph of your cover letter and be sure to remind the employer that this issue remains negotiable.

The most important thing to remember here is that salary is bound to come up at some point during your job search, especially once you begin looking for a full-time, entry level position after you graduate. Knowing what kind of pay you'd be willing to take and what you deserve to earn will make you more successful in landing a great position in the end. That's why it really pays to be prepared, literally! 


Here's to happy future paychecks!
- Lia

My Day Job vs My Passion

It seems there is always a pendulum swinging between making $$ and pursuing your passion when deciding on your future career path. For students who are pursuing post-secondary education, many say that one of the hopeful outcomes of their education is to work toward a higher pay scale.


But what happened to following your dreams? To doing what you love and the pay cheque will follow? Sometimes it's a little hard to materialize these notions when the pressure of achieving a decent-paying job is on everyone's minds. To this I say, why not have the best of both worlds?


It is not uncommon for people to work full-time at an unrelated job and pursue their passion on the side. The benefit to this is that your salary may be at a higher level so you can afford the kind of lifestyle you want. However, as humans we naturally have many passions and it is quite possible to not only have a job you love, but have equally as important hobbies or activities on the side.


This is why it is beneficial to engage in self assessments early in your academic life to match your personal skills and interests to a future career you might enjoy. You might not need to make the sacrifice of giving up your true passion in life for a full time career - meshing the two can be done!


If you need help at any point in your career planning process, stop by the Career Resource Centre or check out website. 


Good luck and remember to follow your passion!
- Lia

The Question You Fear Most

 

@Greener9595:

I'd suggest doing some research on the expected salary prior to the interview. If you have a general idea of the salary given to similar positions in the same city you're one step ahead. The Canada Salary Calculator can provide information based on job categories in your province or postal code area.

Penelope Trunk's blog discusses how to avoid proposing the salary before your employer. This is a good strategy because you don't want to shoot too high or low. If you are stuck and need to respond, you could answer something along the lines of: "I've been told a position of this stature would generally offer between $ - $"; this way you are restating your advice rather than providing a definite answer. Also saying something like "I believe the salary of your previous employee in this position would be fair" could open up a negotiating conversation.

Thanks for the response Chris! And thank you to the students asking on Jack's facebook!

Good luck!

Samantha Del Duca