One of the best ways to conduct your career search is by starting with companies. Companies in your chosen industry more than likely have websites and some even have decent career sections on their sites. Aside that, it is important to research how the company is doing and if it will be expanding so checking out the business section of your newspaper is an excellent start.
Also, sign up for Google alerts that emails you any job openings that you are interested in. Alerts can also be helpful in giving you updates on companies and industries that interest you. I will also mention here that LinkedIn is a great tool to keep up-to-date with companies as well as employees working for those companies that interest you.
I will continue with my tips on Company Research in Part II soon…
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Networking for a Career through Social Networking
I recently signed up on several social networking sites in order to create a larger network of people in order to find a career. I have created accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Twitter to me seemed odd at first but I register just to check it out. On the site you can contact to companies, people in the industry you are looking for, or even others you that can offer tips and professional thoughts and link to them. If the professional likes to tweet that’s great for you. You can sometimes get an inside look at what they do every day. You can eventually drop them a line and ask a question or two.
The second site I recently joined up for was Facebook. To be honest with you I didn’t really bother signing up for it for the longest time because I don’t really like people knowing my business! But the reality is: you have to get it out there! I’m currently building contacts from the people I know and people that have met through school, work, and in general. I will continue building my contacts up and hopefully in a week or two I can start reaching out and utilizing my contacts and their contact’s contacts. I’m looking forward to this process.
Lastly, the reason why it took me so long to sign up for these sites including LinkedIn was the fact that I was embarrassed in not having a job. For example, it took me a while to join LinkedIn because everyone else had a job and I would write something lame like ‘Currently Seeking Career.’ But I sucked it up and did it. However, it’s too early to tell if one of these sites can land me some great connections or a lead. I will definitely keep you posted. Regardless, try it for yourself and see how it pans out.
P.S. The blog is another tool to get out there and help you out on your career search. I started this blog in order to do this. It’s definitely helping me keep tabs on what I have been using for my career search online as well as other resources in Toronto. At this point, I’m keeping things general. This blog is a resource for me primarily; however, hopefully you can find something here that can help you out!
Twitter to me seemed odd at first but I register just to check it out. On the site you can contact to companies, people in the industry you are looking for, or even others you that can offer tips and professional thoughts and link to them. If the professional likes to tweet that’s great for you. You can sometimes get an inside look at what they do every day. You can eventually drop them a line and ask a question or two.
The second site I recently joined up for was Facebook. To be honest with you I didn’t really bother signing up for it for the longest time because I don’t really like people knowing my business! But the reality is: you have to get it out there! I’m currently building contacts from the people I know and people that have met through school, work, and in general. I will continue building my contacts up and hopefully in a week or two I can start reaching out and utilizing my contacts and their contact’s contacts. I’m looking forward to this process.
Lastly, the reason why it took me so long to sign up for these sites including LinkedIn was the fact that I was embarrassed in not having a job. For example, it took me a while to join LinkedIn because everyone else had a job and I would write something lame like ‘Currently Seeking Career.’ But I sucked it up and did it. However, it’s too early to tell if one of these sites can land me some great connections or a lead. I will definitely keep you posted. Regardless, try it for yourself and see how it pans out.
P.S. The blog is another tool to get out there and help you out on your career search. I started this blog in order to do this. It’s definitely helping me keep tabs on what I have been using for my career search online as well as other resources in Toronto. At this point, I’m keeping things general. This blog is a resource for me primarily; however, hopefully you can find something here that can help you out!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The importance of seeking a career counsellor
Although it is very important to do your own research and compiling information on your own using the above sites as well as the library and career resource centres; it is essential to seek professional help. In the beginning of my career search, one of the first things I did was seek a professional career counsellor.
I went to a private firm which suggested several options. The premium package included personal coaching sessions, career assessment, resume creation, and interview coaching. The sessions where stretched to over 1-2 months. The cost would have been close to $2000. However, they may be an option to some career seekers out there. If you have the money, try it. Oh yeah, if you do go to a decent career coaching firm they will tell you that there is no guarantee that you find a job during or by the end of the sessions. I’m not too sure because I didn’t research it, but always do your homework before forking over your hard earned cash.
For me, I contacted several others and ended up getting a career counsellor with the city of Toronto. I have been working with a career counsellor for close to two months and she has been pretty good. It is a free service and it looks like they provide the same services as the decent private firms do.
Also, please remember it is still your responsibility to find a job or a career. The career counsellor is there to point you in the right direction and help you with resume writing and interview coaching. Things like that. Although it seems daunting, if you have the support or family and friends your journey in finding your preferred career can be an amazing chance to learn more about yourself and how your talents can be fully utilized.
I went to a private firm which suggested several options. The premium package included personal coaching sessions, career assessment, resume creation, and interview coaching. The sessions where stretched to over 1-2 months. The cost would have been close to $2000. However, they may be an option to some career seekers out there. If you have the money, try it. Oh yeah, if you do go to a decent career coaching firm they will tell you that there is no guarantee that you find a job during or by the end of the sessions. I’m not too sure because I didn’t research it, but always do your homework before forking over your hard earned cash.
For me, I contacted several others and ended up getting a career counsellor with the city of Toronto. I have been working with a career counsellor for close to two months and she has been pretty good. It is a free service and it looks like they provide the same services as the decent private firms do.
Also, please remember it is still your responsibility to find a job or a career. The career counsellor is there to point you in the right direction and help you with resume writing and interview coaching. Things like that. Although it seems daunting, if you have the support or family and friends your journey in finding your preferred career can be an amazing chance to learn more about yourself and how your talents can be fully utilized.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Starting your Career Search...
There are a ton of resources out there when researching for a new career. I started off with writing down a list things that I’m good at and that I like to do. Second of all, if you have a chance, there is a great resource that you can usually find at career resource centres. It’s called Career Cruiser. This site is easy to use.
However, you must enrol in some workshops or get a career coach through one of Toronto’s many career resource centres. When you log on there is several quizzes you can take. They usually take a few minutes. Remember be honest and take some time to answer the questions. When you are done, the site gives you a selection of career directions.
From there, it gives you information about those industries and even has actual professionals giving their thoughts on what they do for a living. Check this site out, you won’t regret it.
Other quick resources on the web:
ELUTA, INDEED, and WOWJOBS are what are called either job aggregators or job scrappers. They mine sites like Monster and Workopolis for a job you are searching for. They are pretty good, so utilize them.
CAREERBUILDER, WORKOPOLIS, and MONSTER are some of the most popular jobboards on the internet. They are not only good in finding a job, they provide good information and tips on writing resumes, performing well on interviews as well as other interesting subjects in regards to your job hunt.
The next blog entry will focus on one of the best career resources that you can get….
However, you must enrol in some workshops or get a career coach through one of Toronto’s many career resource centres. When you log on there is several quizzes you can take. They usually take a few minutes. Remember be honest and take some time to answer the questions. When you are done, the site gives you a selection of career directions.
From there, it gives you information about those industries and even has actual professionals giving their thoughts on what they do for a living. Check this site out, you won’t regret it.
Other quick resources on the web:
ELUTA, INDEED, and WOWJOBS are what are called either job aggregators or job scrappers. They mine sites like Monster and Workopolis for a job you are searching for. They are pretty good, so utilize them.
CAREERBUILDER, WORKOPOLIS, and MONSTER are some of the most popular jobboards on the internet. They are not only good in finding a job, they provide good information and tips on writing resumes, performing well on interviews as well as other interesting subjects in regards to your job hunt.
The next blog entry will focus on one of the best career resources that you can get….
The search for a career...
Hello fellow Career searcher,
Looking for a job is pretty easy, however, looking for a career is another story. I'm looking to start a career in either communications, marketing research, or job/career development. I have utilized many search sites like google, eluta, and indeed as well as the popular job search sites such as careerbuilder, monster, and workopolis. Other ones include Talent Oyster, Wowjobs, and even Craigslist.
I have recently signed up for Peternewjobs. Hopefully this blog can put my career search into a structure which I can keep track of--if it can help anyone else, that's great.
All the best,
Brian
Looking for a job is pretty easy, however, looking for a career is another story. I'm looking to start a career in either communications, marketing research, or job/career development. I have utilized many search sites like google, eluta, and indeed as well as the popular job search sites such as careerbuilder, monster, and workopolis. Other ones include Talent Oyster, Wowjobs, and even Craigslist.
I have recently signed up for Peternewjobs. Hopefully this blog can put my career search into a structure which I can keep track of--if it can help anyone else, that's great.
All the best,
Brian
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