Trendy Careers

I usually recommend students to always have a back-up plan to their dream job. At least one of your career paths should be strategically chosen. What I mean by that is to question the reliability of that career. What is its future potential? Are people in that field in high-demand or is the job being replaced with machines or combined into other positions? Is it something new to the workforce and has a promising rate of development?

Career trends are important to keep up with, and it's proven to be very beneficial during one's job search process - especially in today's economy. Resources that our Career Assistants rely on for trends and labour market information are listed below. We keep a hard-copy record of the current, previous and future career outlooks (which you're also welcome to flip through) in the Resource Centre.

Canada's Top 100
Niagara Workforce Board
Fast Company
Working in Canada
Ontario - Labour Market Information
Human Resources & Skills Development Canada

Remember: Trends and Labour Market information are two different things.

*Trend n.
Jobs that are currently popular or progressing with a promising outlook.

*Labour Market n.
Job positions that are in high demand by employers and desirable by workers thus creating competition between applicants.

So, while you're deciding what to do with your degree remember to think outside the box and consider opportunities that may not exist for another 5 years. By being aware of future outlooks in the job market you will be better prepared for your ultimate job search.

- Samantha

Destined for Higher Education

Ok, so you’ve conquered your undergrad, maybe you’ve even done some post-grad, and now you’re thinking Hmmm.. a Master’s couldn’t hurt. Consider the reasons you want an MA. Is it absolutely required for your career? Is it because you ‘can’t find a job’? Or do you think you’ll make more money if you have a higher education? There are arguments that a BA is “worthless” ever since the recession hit us – which isn’t true one bit. It was actually part of a speech at my convocation… a bit awkward as I held my crisp $20G degree like a baby in my hands but I guess it was supposed to be encouraging?

The truth is a Master’s degree is for people who either 1) require an MA to pursue their career or 2) are devoted to being a lifetime student. First, you need to understand why you want further education and the benefits you will receive upon completion. An MA can benefit those in the health, business or engineering field because it will provide a deeper level of understanding in relevant job skills. On the other hand, social science or humanities fields may continue their education as an opportunity to develop in general but it won’t necessarily provide them with further training. Be sure that a Masters is worth your time and money.

If you’re only continuing your education because you haven’t found a job, reconsider. Use the money you’d spend on school for brain-food and start networking. Research if your career requires a Master’s degree and continue from there. Career Services has created documents to assist you through the planning process of grad school, you can find them here along with a list of graduate programs available at Brock University.

Hats off to you!
Samantha

Teaching Abroad: Shane's World Part 1

Today's blog post will actually be a series of Teaching Abroad topics. My former CS co-worker Shane is currently teaching in Thailand as has been for a year now. I've asked him to provide his advice and experience as a new grad teaching abroad and he kindly provided all of this information! These are his words of wisdom:
*insert Law and Order sound effects*

Should I use a recruiting agency?

First off there are a ton of recruiting agencies to choose from before you go abroad. Some of these places are pushy especially the ones recruiting for the UK (I still get emails from them even though I have requested to be taken off their list, Hannah also was receiving phone calls at 7AM). After looking at numerous agencies it became clear that the agencies did not have the best deals. For example the places we looked at in Thailand offered a salary of less than a quarter what we make. This is not the same for Korea or the UK but I’m still not sure I would have gone through an agency if I went in that direction. Agencies offer piece of mind and probably not much else, they don’t guarantee you end up at a great school. They hire you before you go and help set you up in an apartment and ensure you are ready for your first day of teaching. However, if you do some research yourself and choose a good school or education company they will do all of that. Our school was immensely helpful in helping us get through the transition period.

Should I wait to get hired before I go abroad?

Hannah and I waited to get hired before we went abroad. This took a lot of work on our part but made things easier once we got to Thailand. There was great piece of mind, and some important things (like applying for a visa if necessary) cannot be done once you are in the country.

However, those who are more adventuresome have a lot to gain from waiting to find a job once they arrive in the country. This is definitely the most popular method in Thailand. You can travel around and find an area you like and then apply to the schools in that area. If you choose this method I suggest you come a month or two before a new school term because this is when many companies get desperate looking for new people. Also ensure you have enough money to live without work for at least three months (including the costs of getting and setting up a new apartment). The chances you will get a job are in your favour but if you can’t wait around for one you will be racing against the clock.

What should I look for in a job?

There are a few things that I would suggest you look for in a job to make your experience the best possible.

Location – just because you are in the country of your dreams doesn’t mean you will be in the best location. You can end up teaching in somewhere very remote with no other English speakers and not many amenities. That can be a tough experience if that is not what you are interested in. If you choose a location for a specific amenity (for instance the beaches) make sure that where you are working is within travelling distance. We came to Thailand thinking that there were beaches everywhere and ended up teaching inland, several hours from the sea, this wasn’t really a deal-breaking factor but is something to consider. 

Salary – I would recommend being on salary. Many teachers get offered hourly rates but that can lead to problems (you may not get as many hours as promised, we have seen this many times). Your hours are not guaranteed and work can be inconsistent. You don’t want to be at your schools beck and call. Also make sure your salary is enough to get you by and maybe enough to travel and pay for a flight home.

Time off – Assuming you are teaching abroad to see the world and the country you are staying in you will probably want time to travel. Ask about holidays and how much time you get off. Just because you are a teacher doesn’t mean you get summers off.

Benefits –it is VERY important that you have a health plan where you are teaching. If the company you work for will not offer you health benefits (and they should) make SURE you sign up for a plan in Canada. Sometimes the benefits that come with your school may not be all inclusive, it may not be a bad idea to sign up for a travel insurance plan back in Canada even if you are offered one abroad. They are often not that expensive and we know of several instances where people have had to rely on their back-home coverage in big accidents. Some companies also help you find a place to live, pay for your flights or cover other expenses. Make sure to ask what kind of benefits you will receive. 

More teaching abroad topics by Shane continued here

New Grad n00b to Experienced Professional

As a new graduate it's unlikely you have all the experience required to step into a career with 110% confidence. The skills and experiences you have from previous employment, internships, volunteering or class can help you. The only thing you need to do is recognize what skills you've obtained that are transferable into your field of work. I'll let you in on a little secret...by tweaking your resume (not lying!) and using key words to target an employer, your chances of beating your competition are automatically raised.

When you are applying to a large company or online in general, your application is put through a large database and saved on-file for about 3-6 months. During that time period, HR can use search words to find the "perfect candidate's" application in just one click. The more key words your resume uses, the better chance you have of being found in the database. (Even if it doesn't go through a database, employers recognize certain words while skimming your resume better than others.) I'm not telling you to use the same word 10 times in your application. Read the job posting, note the requirements that you qualify for, and then use a variety of key words within your application. It's that simple.
For example, by working in customer service you can break it up into various skills such as oral & written communication, time management, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail etc. Use these transferable skills within your accomplishment statements or cover letter and you'll sound like a pro in no time!

Now when they ask in the interview why you'd be an asset to their company you have a handful of quality skills to offer. For more help with writing your application and brainstorming transferable skills view your Degree Exploration Guide on our website or visit us in the Resource Centre for a hard copy. D.E.Gs are our #1 resource provided to students because they're so handy!


Evaluating Ideas, Theories and Evidence,
Samantha Del Duca

The Hot Seat: 5 Commonly Asked Questions

Well…I have a pet hedgehog and 3 brothers. I like swimming and just hanging out with my friends when I can… – Confused? So is the employer listening to your ridiculous answer to your first interview question “tell me about yourself.” You think I’m joking? I’ve heard answers like this before and had to keep a straight face. So, save yourself and your interviewer the awkward moment and prepare yourself before going to an interview!

The Career Resource Centre holds valuable information to help you prepare for your interview. But for those of you scrambling at the last minute I will be your savior for the next 5 minutes. You’re welcome.

Let’s review the top 5 questions and how you can go about answering them.

Tell me about yourself

Ah, the famous icebreaker to an interview. The key is to be concise. Being a chatty patty can ward off the interviewer but being too short is bland. Keep your answer professional and focus on your experience, work attributes and skills. If they want to know more they’ll ask!

What is your greatest strength and weakness?

It’s the most obvious question to ask, yet so many people are surprised by it. (Provide 3 examples each.) Instead of trying to toot your own horn discuss the positive feedback you’ve received from past employers/coworkers who’ve commended your skills at working under pressure, balancing priorities and getting the job done.

The only wrong answer for a weakness would be time management, working with others or difficulty taking direction. Always provide an answer to how you are overcoming these weaknesses.

P.S it’s cheesy to use weaknesses that also act as strengths like “I work too hard. I care too much. And sometimes I can be too invested in my job.” – Michael Scott

How would you fit into the position/company? Or What can you do for us?

The million-dollar question. If you’ve done your research on the company and read the job posting you’ll be able to highlight parts of your resume to explain why you’re the perfect fit.

How would your previous employer describe you?

Emphasize your skills. They don’t need to know you’re friendly, they can already tell if you are or not.

Tell me about a time when you faced a conflict and how you solved it.

Choose a situation you have actually dealt with yourself. The employer wants to know how you approach problems and determine if you are creative in resolving difficult situations. Do not say you’ve never been involved in a conflict – pick something, even if it involved school or a sport etc.

Not so hard now is it? For more assistance with interview questions use Interview Stream! It’s a great new tool that you can access on our website. Our Resource Centre has a variety of books which go into great detail on various aspects of the interview process. If you’re confused about a specific question such as salary expectations, Google can provide quick answers or ask here for a personable chat =)

Practice makes perfect!

Samantha Del Duca

The Secret Is Out!

Having trouble finding a job? Don’t know where to look?  How about trying the hidden market? Yes, that’s right, the HIDDEN job market. I never said getting a job would be easy…

The biggest job search secret is that 80% of jobs are never posted. Why? Well, job postings take time and cost money that employers do not have. If there is an open position, employers will do anything they can to hire internally, leaving students and new graduates with the leftover scraps. Job listings are a last resort for employers, but usually are the first place we all look when we see our bank accounts plummeting. So why start your search where the big guys are finishing?

The first thing you can do to get over this obstacle is not get discouraged. The stat that 20% of jobs are all you see when you do a search can be intimidating. There is a way around it. It just takes a little more work.

Remember networking? This would be a good time to put it into practice. Get in contact with your connections and start gathering information about who is hiring. Employed people know about internal positions, so talk amongst your friends and former employers for a referral. Go to events and meet new people - you never know who you will bump into. The job of your dreams could be one conversation away.

Setting up information interviews with employers you want to work for is also a great way to get your foot in the door. If it goes well, maybe they'll remember your name for their next open position. I would also suggest checking out business directories and professional associations for connections.

Career Services has tons of information on the hidden job market including directories, books and a workshop on “Job Search Strategies” to help you reach your specific career goals. So be smart, and start your next job search by looking where no one else is. View a CBS interview with Ellen Reeves, author of "Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?" here.