Archive for the ‘Employment opportunities’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Get Linked In and Watch Your Network Grow!

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

There is no doubt that social networks can play a big role in a job search. While there are many great networking sites we have talked to the social media gurus and they tell us Linkedin is currently the best choice. That’s why our recruitment team at BOWEN is now on Linked In. We know that it’s a great place to find candidates and reach out to a talented pool of people, both locally and anywhere in the world. From a recruitment standpoint, you really can find the best person for the job!

Linked In is a good place to showcase your talents, achievements and past work history. Your profile becomes a friendlier version of your resume. One of the best things you can do is build your recommendations. Invite colleagues, clients and associates to recommend you. When a potential recruiter or employer sees these words of praise, it only builds credibility as to why you are a standout candidate.

Don’t forget to approach your Linked In network the way you would your personal network. Think of people you have encountered professionally, personally and through volunteer activities. Send out invitations, but remember to keep the tone and your network at a professional level. This is a place where potential employers will come so you need to make sure you “evaluate and screen” what you post, both for personal information and even your photo.

Take some time to research online how to truly leverage Linked In for your job search. It’s time well spent. Here are a few links to help get you started:

How to use LinkedIn in your Job Search

Use LinkedIn to Enhance Your Employment Options

Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job

Once you are on Linked In take moment to stop by BOWEN’s corporate page where you may find some familiar faces to connect with.

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

It’s never to early to start your summer job search

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

As the market has become tighter the need for applicants to have relevant experience is even more important.  This also means the demand for summer student positions is even higher, so the earlier you start your search the better.

When considering your summer employment options and goals the wage you earn is important but building your resume towards your new career should rank higher. For college and university students many companies have openings specifically for you to gain experience. These jobs may seem basic but if they are within a company that operates in an industry that you are pursuing you will be exposed to many important aspects of daily work and may be giving opportunities beyond the job title. 

This is your chance to get your foot in the door and if the job goes well you may be able to come back for future summer employment in progressing roles.  The pay in some cases may not be as much as other opportunities but the experience is invaluable. That landscaping job may have a higher hourly wage that helps pay down your school debt quicker but unless you are planning a career in landscaping the experience and great tan you get over the summer will not help your career search.  

Speak to your school, professors and other students to find out which companies may have a summer student program.  Many students looking for jobs are also maximizing the power of social media by posting on their Facebook/Twitter pages that they’re looking for a job and could anyone help them out? This is a great tool as you can get in touch with people you may not have in your own network by being recommended by someone else. 

While it may not look like it right now, summer is just around the corner and it is the right time to start your summer job search.

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

Social media and your job search – help or hindrance?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

There is no doubt that today’s digital world is both a help and a hindrance to a job search. On one hand, there is a world of opportunities at your finger tips. You can research specific companies, look at industry trends or visit a wealth of job sites all from the comfort of your own home, instead of pounding the pavement like the “old days”.

 

Yet potential employers can also learn more about you than ever before – and perhaps more than you would like them to! A simple Google search can be revealing and anything posted on the Internet is essentially public domain. When you post information online, be it through Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or on a blog, you are sharing personal info that perhaps would be better kept private. Make sure that you are aware of the privacy settings on these social media sites, and if you are in a job search, perhaps you need to edit your content and postings in the event that potential employers do their on research on you.

Here are a couple links that offer a bit more information on privacy, job searches and social media:

 

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchblogs/a/privacy.htm

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchblogs/a/jobsearchblog.htm

 

The bottom line is, when in doubt, don’t post. In today’s tough job market, it is better to err on the side of caution and be a strong candidate for that coveted job, instead of risking it all with photos and a recap of what you did on the weekend!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Career building tips, Employment opportunities, Work / Life Balance | 1 Comment »

Making the transition back to the workforce

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

I am often asked by stay-at-home parents re-entering the workforce how to begin looking for a job, especially if they’ve been at home for a number of years with small children. First of all, I must say that for anyone who thinks that staying at home with young kids is “not working” is dead wrong! As a mother of two active young girls, I know how much energy, resourcefulness and wisdom is required to be at home with children. Stay-at-home parents are amazing (as are working parents who are also doing a juggling act)!

 

Here are a few tips that can help get you started:

 

  • Try to reconnect with former colleagues. They can become your new network.
  • Join a professional association related to your career so that you make new contacts and get on top of industry trends and issues.
  • Update your resume! Don’t forget to look at the volunteer work you may have been doing and how these skills can transfer to valuable experience.
  • Register with an agency like BOWEN and talk to a recruiter about any additional training you may require to be current in your field.
  • Frequently search online. There are a wealth of job postings on-line. Target companies that you are interested in, check out professional associations and job boards too.
  • Tell people you are looking for a job because you just don’t know who might know someone who is looking to hire.

 

Most of all, believe in yourself and what you have to offer.  Don’t apologize for taking time off to raise a family. Be proud of this accomplishment and be honest about why you are going back to work.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Career building tips, Employment opportunities, Work / Life Balance | No Comments »

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: , , , ,
Posted in Career building tips, Economy, Employment opportunities | 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 »

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 »

Take a page out of Marketing 101!

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Technology has definitely opened the door to new ways to look for work. Social media in particular gives job seekers new and expanded networks that can sometimes lead to that perfect job.

According to an article in today’s Calgary Herald, Facebook, Linked-In and Twitter are exploding with millions of users everyday. It’s also a way for potential employers to check out potential hires, so be aware of what you are posting, tweeting or putting out there!

Looking for a job is really about undertaking a marketing campaign - just for you. And like any good marketer will tell you, it’s about using traditional and new avenues to get your name out there! Think of your job search as a campaign to get your name and resume in front of your key target audiences in as many effective ways as possible. Be innovative and creative, and you can make yourself stand out! Think about positioning and what makes you unique from other job seekers, or your competitors. Approach your job search like Marketing 101!

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

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »