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May 11th, 2010
The latest Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey shows that unemployment is down across the country, with the national rate edging down to 8.1 per cent. More people are working and that is always good news! One anomaly to this trend is that in Calgary, unemployment is actually on the rise. What gives? Global Television Calgary invited BOWEN to comment on the somewhat puzzling trend and my colleague, Debbie Wershler did the interview. You can check it out here While we don’t fully understand why the number of jobs are down in Calgary overall, it’s important to keep everything in perspective. Let me share a few highlights of what we are seeing in our day-to-day business at BOWEN:
- We are not seeing major layoffs.
- Employers are still hiring and our economy is rebounding slowly.
- Employers are more willing to hire temporary or contract workers because they are cautious to not over-commit to employees with permanent jobs.
- We typically see the number of jobs increasing over the summer months due seasonal project work, and this should be reflected in May’s numbers.
- There are some big infrastructure projects in Calgary that are just ramping up and the employment impact may not yet be evident in the statistics.
- Investment is also happening in operating areas outside of Calgary, such as oil sands expansion projects in the north, and jobs are being created in Alberta, which means new opportunities for Calgary residents willing to relocate.
Despite the rather gloomy April numbers, we still need to keep the big picture in mind. Our fundamental demographic situation has not changed and we do expect to find ourselves back in the situation of low unemployment rates again in the next two or three years. I still believe positive change is coming, it’s just a little slow in getting here!
Tags: employment, Stats Canada
Posted in Economy, Employment opportunities | No Comments »
April 23rd, 2010
This week is Telework Week in Calgary and there are several reasons to celebrate - and consider - why telecommuting makes sense.
Calgary Economic Development (CED) is leading a regional telework initiative called WORKshift that profiles and promotes the many benefits of telecommuting for employees. As part of this important program, companies are being invited to evaluate and incorporate flexible work arrangements for their employees.
I am really excited about CED’s leadership in this initiative and support the goal of Calgary becoming a centre of excellence in telework! There are so many benefits to telecommuting - for individuals, corporations and the environment. It’s a business practice that I personally encourage at BOWEN and one that organizations need to consider when looking at cost savings, space planning, sustainability and of course, employee satisfaction.
While there has already been much discussion on how telecommuting can help organizations realize efficiencies, as well as encourage employee productivity and a work/life balance, it also has a lot a merit from a corporate social responsibility standpoint. Here’s a fascinating fact: if there was a 3% reduction in the number of Calgarians commuting to work on any given week day, our traffic gridlock would be eliminated. What a time-saver, not to mention what it would do for our environment. Now that’s something that would help us all out!
WORKshift is the only program of its kind in Canada and it’s just one more way that Calgary is leading the way with its entrepreneurial, can-do spirit. Check it out at workshiftcalgary.com.
Tags: employee retention, human resources, telecommuting, workforce planning
Posted in HR Management, Work / Life Balance | No Comments »
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: job search, LinkedIn, networking, professional profile, social media, social network
Posted in Career building tips, Employment opportunities | No Comments »
March 10th, 2010
On March 9, 2010, Stats Canada released a report stating that the diversity of Canada’s population will continue to increase over the next two decades, Stats Canada Report. One of the report highlights says that by 2031, between 25% and 28% of the population could be foreign-born. It is expected that 30% of Calgary’s population will be foreign born.
What does this mean for future workforce planning for Canadian companies? My colleague, Ken Vinge, spoke to Calgary’s Global Television yesterday about this topic to share BOWEN’s viewpoint, Global Story.
Quite simply, companies need to start planning how they will recruit, incorporate and manage their foreign workers NOW. For several years, BOWEN’s Immigrant Works program helped to place temporary foreign workers into professional intern jobs. Our learnings from this program are very relevant to future workforce planning.
Companies need to take into considerations the language and cultural nuances in managing a foreign workforce. Plan for how you will support foreign professionals within your workplace and orient them to how business typically operate in North America. How will you coach your managers to really maximize the benefit of this dynamic workforce? What we do know is companies that are already hiring foreign workers and investing in diversity in the workplace will be ahead of the curve when the real hiring crunch comes. Best of all, they will reap the rewards of a knowledgeable, talented, hardworking and loyal workforce. And that makes great business sense to me!
Tags: diversity, foreign recruitment, management, Stats Canada, workforce planning
Posted in Economy, HR Management | No Comments »
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: employment, job search, networking, summer job
Posted in Career building tips, Economy, Employment opportunities | No Comments »
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: job search, professional profile, social media, social network
Posted in Career building tips, Employment opportunities, Work / Life Balance | 1 Comment »
February 19th, 2010
A bad hire can cost companies a lot of money. However, for small- to medium-sized businesses, it is often difficult to manage the expense of a fulltime HR professional. Outsourcing Human Resources duties can make a lot of sense, both financially and from a staff resources perspective.
Outsourced HR can include services like pre-employment screening, reference checking, education verification, background checks and recruitment support. Whether it’s retaining the workforce you have, or building for the future, Outsourced HR can fill in the gaps with a company’s current HR team, or offer specific expertise for small companies without a designated HR person. Now that is good business!
It’s always important to understand the business you are in. Employing, managing and supporting our people is essential but it may not be critical that these expertise are held in-house. Do you need a compensation expert as part of your staff or only during salary reviews? More and more companies are looking for alternate solutions to manage costs and resources. As we consider demographic realities one might argue how we staff and currently see HR will likely have to change as we have so many retiring from the HR community and so few with similar expertise to replace them. Outsourcing may be a big part of a future solution. To get a sense of the quality of HR consultants in the market see our group of affiliates at HR Works.
Tags: background checks, career resources, hiring, human resources, recruitment support
Posted in Career building tips, Economy, HR Management | 1 Comment »
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: employment, human resources, job search, networking
Posted in Career building tips, Employment opportunities, Work / Life Balance | No Comments »
February 5th, 2010
I firmly believe that with every dark cloud there is a silver lining, and as we begin another year, many will use this time to think of their goals for the future. Regardless of your current reality – and even more importantly if you are in a difficult situation – it’s important to do some “blue sky” thinking.
Wiktionary.org defines blue sky thinking as “thinking that is not grounded or in touch in the realities of the present; open-minded thinking (i.e., as wide and clear as the blue sky)”.
Are you where you want to be in your career? If not, what can you do to get yourself moving in the direction of your dreams? Do you need to join a networking or professional group? Go back to school? Start looking at other opportunities? Find a mentor?
You are the person who can change your circumstances. It may not happen overnight but by taking those first steps in a new direction, you can create a different path.
Tags: human resources, life balance
Posted in Career building tips, Economy, Work / Life Balance | No Comments »
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 »
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