Economy « BOWEN BLOG

Archive for the ‘Economy’ Category

Get out there! Job Seekers Tips!

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

As we start to experience slow growth in our economy, more jobs will become available. Employers are going to be cautious and potential employees should be aware of this mind-set going into interviews and negotiations. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the new job market:

Be reasonable in your expectations. Know what current salaries are for your profession. Salaries have gone through an adjustment in the past year. Don’t expect a big signing bonus - it’s not the climate for employers to be offering these as an incentive right now.
Do your research. Know the company! The job market is very competitive with lots of skilled and experienced people looking for work. Research will help you shine and also shows your initiative and interest. And take some time to prepare some meaningful questions about the company to ask at the end of the interview.
Make yourself stand out in the crowd. Shine the spotlight on how you have delivered results in previous roles. Take the time to match your previous skills to the specific needs in the job you are applying for. Make it clear what you have to offer.
Be prepared to sell yourself. Now is not the time to be humble. You need to make it clear why you are the best candidate for the job.

Think of it as a sales opportunity! You are the product and your need to market yourself to open up new opportunities.

Tags: employment, hiring, human resources, job search, networking
Posted in Career building tips, Economy, Employment opportunities | No Comments »

A New Year…A Fresh Start

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

I love New Year’s! It’s exciting to symbolically leave the previous year behind and look forward to all that the next 12 months has in store! For many, 2009 was an extremely challenging year with the declining economy, job loss and significant corporate cutbacks. Looking ahead to 2010, there is cautious optimism that job market will start to open up with new opportunities as the economy starts its slow recovery. Rebuilding takes time, but change is good.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to various groups about change and thought it was very appropriate to share just a few of my favourite inspirational quotes as we look ahead to the new year with anticipation.

“Life isn’t just about what you can have; it’s about what you have to give. What kind of person do you want to be? Start asking these questions and thinking about the bigger picture-why you’re here, why the world needs what you have to offer. What I know for sure: You keep asking the right questions of yourself, and the universe and your own secrets will unfold in ways you never imagined.” - Oprah Winfrey

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. “ - Maya Angelou

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” - President Barack Obama

Happy New Year!

Tags: career resources, employment, human resources, life balance
Posted in Community giving, Economy, Seasonal, Work / Life Balance | No Comments »

The story behind the stats

Monday, December 14th, 2009

In my last entry, I wrote about how our economy may be in a slow recovery and how welcome this good news is for both candidates and clients. After hiring and growth ground to a halt for most of 2009, there are several indicators suggesting that things may be starting to rebound a bit.

One interesting trend we saw at BOWEN this year was despite the slowdown in activity levels and layoffs from the beginning of the year, we were not seeing an increase in the number of candidates coming through our doors, looking for work.

At first, we found this trend somewhat puzzling, but as we started to analyze information further, and from what we have heard and surmised, many candidates were taking a break before starting the job search again in the fall.

Some also received severance packages and may have chosen to use this time to explore new career options, spend some time with family or pursue further education.

What I do know is that BOWEN is here to help candidates find suitable employment and we are a valuable partner in your job search. If you haven’t registered with us, I do encourage you to call or e-mail for more information. It’s that time of year when we start making plans and resolutions for the new year, and if finding a new career is one your list, please consider how our talented and experienced recruiters may be able to help you. It’s worth checking into!

Posted in Economy, Employment opportunities | No Comments »

What is happening out there?

Monday, December 7th, 2009

The latest Labour Force Survey, released by Stats Canada on December 4, 2009, shows that Canada’s unemployment rate is declining, with 79,000 new jobs being added nationally in November.

This is good news, especially because Alberta is one of the provinces showing the strongest gains. According to the release, “employment in Alberta rose by 13,000 in November, the largest monthly increase in the province since October 2008″.

The slight upward trend is certainly reflective of what we are seeing at BOWEN as well. Temporary orders doubled from July to October and our Professional division has 13 open orders, the highest number we’ve seen this year. We have also had 42 new or reactivated accounts since the beginning of January.

More good news comes in the form of discussions about start-up projects in the northern Alberta oils and and some companies are starting to hire to manage construction.

On the flip side, energy trust rules change next year and there is significant speculation the 26 major players will merge and acquire down to four or five. There is still much uncertainty about the destiny of many companies. With South American and Asian interest showing up in our market. Who will be bought?

Experts are saying we will stabilize at $75 oil and that figure makes getting it out of the ground and to market a viable business again. The same people say gas is still a year away from recovery.

The moral is that there are industries hiring and doing well in this economy. If people are looking for a job or to want to make a change, it’s about getting smarter on where to apply. Listen to the media, study the trade publications, keep networking and do your research. Candidates still need to be proactive, but at least there are more options than there were a few months ago.

After this year, I’ll certainly take any good news I can get, won’t you?

Posted in Economy, Employment opportunities | No Comments »

Tis the Season - how are you celebrating?

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

It’s that time of year when companies begin to host festive events that celebrate the Holiday Season. For some companies, this is a time to thank clients and staff for their business and hard work throughout the year. In recent memory, many Calgary companies made the headlines for their extravagant parties, where they truly went all out. However, this year, celebrations will likely be much more subdued. If the 2009 Stampede parties were any indication, corporate Calgary is making different choices for acknowledging special occasions this year. Parties are simplified, guests lists are shortened and in many cases, companies are choosing to use their corporate events as a time to do something good for our community.

I think this sensitivity to the difficult year that many Calgarians are facing is a wonderful reflection of the true personality of our community. People do care. They are aware that there are those in our community who really need help. Just look at how sharply the demand for food bank services has increased. To borrow a phrase from the United Way of Calgary and Area, we do live in a “great city”. It’s a place where community helps community. I know this year at BOWEN, we have been more aware than ever that we need to reach out and lend a hand wherever and however we can. It is about encouraging candidates not to lose hope that they will find work again, offering support to companies as they deal with tough workforce decisions, and going that extra mile as a team to raise funds or donations for the many good causes in our city.

Whether you are considering your own personal Holiday Season celebration, or helping to organize a corporate event, I encourage you to think of how you can add in a element of giving back. I would also encourage you to share your stories. If you company is doing something different, or you have a great idea on how to give back, please share it! We can all learn from each other and discover new ways to help.

Happy holiday planning!

Posted in Community giving, Economy, Seasonal | No Comments »

What do the jobless numbers really mean?

Monday, October 26th, 2009

The most recent Statistics Canada report indicates that Calgary’s unemployment rate is on the way down. Our unemployment rate fell from 7.1 per cent in August to 6.9 per cent in September. Are things finally starting to turn around?

AT BOWEN, We are noticing a slow and gradual improvements. As my colleague, Ken Vinge, Vice-President of Corporate Development, stated in an Oct. 10 Calgary Herald interview, “…in the last two weeks we’ve started to see an upswing in terms for requests for staff.”

Yet earlier this month, we were also hearing through the media that younger people, ages 15 - 24, were particularly hard-hit by the recession, and unemployment for this demographic was 12.8 per cent in September.

So what does this all mean? How do you make sense of it? The reality is that as the job markets pick up and different industries begin to hire, those individual with experience will likely have an easier time transitioning back into the workforce. Employers are able to choose from a broader base of experienced candidates so they will likely consider those who have the education, training and experience first.

That doesn’t mean that younger people won’t be hired. It’s just that trends show that in the shorter term, it takes this demographic longer to find work after a recession or downturn.

What do you do in the meantime? Volunteer. Keep networking. Keep looking. Experts say that recovery is on the way - it just takes time.

Posted in Career building tips, Economy, Employment opportunities | No Comments »

The Power of Persistence

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a fundraiser for Inn from the Cold featuring keynote speaker Christopher Gardner, the inspiration behind the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness”.

It was truly a remarkable evening and he is one of the best speakers I have ever heard! Many of you are probably familiar with his story , as portrayed in the movie, of being homeless on the streets of San Francisco. As a parent, I was deeply touched by the sacrifices he made to try to shield his son from their hardships and give him as normal a life as possible.

Chris was working during their period of homelessness and had a burning desire within to become successful in the field of finance. After earning a spot in the Dean Witter Reynolds training program, Chris began to pursue his dream of becoming a broker. He talked about how he would make 200 calls a day in hopes of building his “book” or business.

Think about it! 200 phone calls a day! He joked that his finger was permanently crooked from dialing the phone!

I can’t help but think there is a lesson in his story - particularly as it relates to having the persistence to overcome tough situations. He was willing to start at the bottom, work hard and set big goals. Through persistence and a whole lot of hard work, he has exceeded beyond even his wildest dreams.

Each day at BOWEN, our recruiters meet with unemployed candidates who are discouraged by the soft job market and who have knocked on a lot of doors to try to find a new opportunity.

I use the Chris Gardner story as an illustration to encourage anyone who is currently looking for work or wanting to better their current work situation to keep trying. Keep calling, sending resumes, following up with your network and talking to people. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom. With persistence and a belief in yourself, the doors will open and you will create a new opportunity.

Posted in Career building tips, Economy, Employment opportunities, General | No Comments »

The Balancing Act

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

As a working mother, trying to balance family commitments with a busy career, I know how hard it can be sometimes to keep all the balls in the air. In fact, if I’m honest, I do occasionally drop a ball or two! I know that there are many working moms (and dads) in the same situation. With school and extra-curricular activities now in full swing, the demands on time are even greater! In today’s softer job market, there are opportunities for employers and employees to find a better life / work balance.

Instead of laying people off, employers can consider offering reduced work weeks or job share situations. This gives employees the security of on-going employment, while also allowing for more time with family members. The reduction in pay can often be countered by a reduction in child care costs.
It can be a win, win situation for everyone!

Another option is to look at a flexible schedule. For many working parents, flexibility is a huge draw to a certain company or job opportunity. The ability to take a day to chaperone a class field trip or volunteer at a child’s school can be priceless.

Finally, employers can save money and keep high-performing employees happy by allowing for telecommuting. In this age of technology, why not let people work from home, as long as they are getting the work done well? I know for myself, a few quiet hours in my home office can be extremely productive - there are fewer interruptions and I can truly keep my focus on the project at hand.

Balancing work and family life is not easy, and things change from week to week, and month to month. However, know that as you may be struggling with balance, you are not alone. In fact, I’d say you are in good company!

Here are few articles with great tips for working moms (and parents):

http://balancing-career-mothering.suite101.com/article.cfm/strategies_for_work_life_balance

http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/2007/03/worklife_balanc.html

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4TSHC_enCA303CA303&q=Work%2flife+balance+moms

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/article757602.ece

Posted in Economy, HR Management, Work / Life Balance | No Comments »

Interview & Resume Hints & Tips

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Over the past few days, there have been several news stories about Alberta’s increasing unemployment numbers, the difficulties some people are having in accessing employment insurance, and the challenges many are facing in finding work and making ends meet. It’s not an easy time and even with some cautiously optimistic reports that the economy may be starting to slowly pick up, it will still take time before we see job opportunities increase.

In the interim, job seekers continue to look for work. Building on the previous job search tips we’ve posted, I asked our BOWEN recruiters for some suggestions, and here are a few more tips:

Resumes

Use a chronological resume to make the recruiter’s job as easy as possible. Be prepared to explain any gaps in employment.
Provide a brief description of the companies you’ve worked for so recruiters understand the nature of their business.
Focus on your accomplishments and think about what will make you stand out from other candidates. Talk about results!

Interviews

Arrive on time and make sure you turn off your cell phone.
Wear professional business attire. Greet your interviewer with a handshake and maintain eye contact throughout the interview - it shows confidence!
Know your resume and highlight your previous roles, related experience and accomplishments.
Have your references ready.
Research the company by visiting their website in advance.
Know the position you are applying for and talk about what interests you and what you have to offer. Don’t focus on compensation and benefits in the interview.
Act professionally. Speak positively of current and form employers, and don’t get too personal in the interview!

Posted in Career building tips, Economy, Employment opportunities | 1 Comment »

EI Soars to New Heights (Sadly)

Friday, July 31st, 2009

The news today isn’t good. A record number of Albertans are currently collecting Employment Insurance (EI) premiums. In fact, according to CBC, the number of Albertans collecting EI soared faster than any other province, with a stunning increase of 16.8 per cent to 57,000 in May 2009.

While there may now be faint glimmers of hope for an economic recovery - and rebound in jobs - on the horizon, it is still in the distance. For those who are looking for work - and there are many people on the job hunt, here are a few tips to help out with your job search, relating directly to applying for jobs:

Make yourself stand out - make sure your resume is well written and highlights your skills and experience; cover letters provide the opportunity to tell them something about yourself that the resume does not convey so make sure you tell them why you would be great for this job and how much you want it.

Connect the dots for the person reviewing the applications - when you are reviewing stacks of resumes you don’t want to have to be digging to figure out if the person is suitable. Align your resume and cover letter with the specific requirements of the job to make sure they know what skills and experience you have in relation to their business needs.

Prepare for that interview - make sure you have your story prepared of what you have to offer and why you want the job. You only have one opportunity to make a good impression so don’t blow it!

Be enthusiastic - attitude goes a long ways towards impressing people.

Follow up with a thank you card, e-mail or phone call following an interview. It shows you are interested.