Employment

	Frequently Asked Employment Questions I do not think my English is good enough to get a job I do not have Canadian work place experience I was not educated in Canada I send out many resumes and get no response I have had lots of interviews but no job offers I do not think my English is good enough to get a job You can always improve your English. However quite often your English is acceptable in the work place. Be careful not to use the fear of not being able to speak well as a reason not to look for work. There are many ways to improve your spoken English. Look for every opportunity to practice English. People are usually very patient and helpful when listening and trying to understand Find a volunteer position where you can practice speaking Go to ESL or LINC classes if your English is less than Level 5 Take Enhanced Language Training Attend Toastmasters, an excellent way to receive support for speaking English continue your education Back to Questions I do not have Canadian work place experience Although you may not have Canadian work place experience always be ready to talk to employers about yous skills. Know what your skills are, what you are proud of accomplishing and always respond to the statement that you have no Canadian experience with a list of your skills and accomplishments. Do not be afraid to "sell" yourself. A "Skills Based" resume is a good way to emphasize your abilities and de emphasize your lack of Canadian experience. You can gain Canadian experience in several ways. Volunteer in a job where your skills can be applied Take a course which has a Co op placement as part of the curriculum Look for a part time job which may be at a lower level than you are qualified for but where you can still practice your skills and at the same time gain experience. Back to Questions I was not educated in Canada Before starting your job search it is best to have your foreign degrees evaluated through organizations such as World Education Service or through the University of Toronto. Canadian education can be gained by Attending college or university on a full or part time basis Attending workshops and seminars Organizations such as Skills for Change provide training in retail, bookkeeping and accounting You can pursue a certificate in electronics, mchanics, or health care. Back to Questions I send out many resumes and get no response There are many employment support centres which provide very good resume workshops as well as individual mentoring and advise on presenting a resume. Some things to keep in mind include: be sure that the qualifications listed on your resume are as close as possible to the qualifications requested in the job posting be sure to include the appropriate action and skill words be sure that the information in the main body of the resume matches the requirements of the job posting It is very important to include the most relevant skills and experience at the beginning of your resume. Often education is listed as the first item on the resume. In most cases education should be after your skills, accomplishments and work experience. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes Remember that most jobs are gained through networking so don't just rely on sending resumes over the internet. Start your networking by joining a job club. Back to Questions I have had lots of interviews but no job offers It is always important to practice prior to going to the interview. Mock interviews can be arranged through many of the local employment resource centres or with a mentor. Always be sure to send a thank you letter after an interview and if you did not get a job offer call the interviewer and ask how you could do better the next time. Finally an interview will always include non technical, behavioural questions. Anticipate what those questions will be and practice your answers. Quite often you will be well prepared for the technical questions but not so well prepared for the behavioural questions as a result you may hesitate or show uncertainty in this area. Back to Questions
	Answers to Employment Questions at Community Matters You are welcome to drop into our Job Club held every Tuesday night from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. We look at the job search from a newcomers point of view. What are the tools that will achieve the employment you deserve. Over 150 people attend the club every year. We meet at 260 Wellesley St. East Unit 102. Every one is welcome to attend. If you have questions which need indivdual support you can work with our job counsellor. E-mail us to make an appointment or call us at (416) 944-0163 Back to the top of the Page
	CAREER EXPLORATION Ontario School Counsellor’s Association Ontario Workinfonet Alliance of Sector Councils Canadian Careers.com Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work Career Directions Employment Ontario – Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Essential Skills – Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Inventory of Programs and Services Job Futures Labour Market Information – Ontario Making Career Sense of Labour Market Information Mazemaster Ontario Job Futures Ontario Skills Passport SalaryExpert.com Statistics Canada Training, Career and Worker Information – Service Canada VECTOR (Video Exploration of Careers, Transitions,Opportunities, and Realities) Workapedia.ca Youth in Motion Back to top of page
	APPRENTICESHIP CAREERS Apprenticesearch.com Government of Canada Apprenticeship Trades, Careers in Trades , Skilled Trades , Trade Ability Back to top of page
	COURSES Canadian Virtual University CanLearn Interactive DistanceStudies.com Education@Canada Independent Learning Centre Ministry of Education,Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Ontario College Application Service OntarioLearn.com Ontario Universities’ Application Centre SchoolFinder.com Study in Canada Back to top of page
	STUDENT LOANS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS Canada Student Loans Program National Student Loans Service Centre Ontario Student AssistanceProgram ScholarshipsCanada.com StudentAwards.com Back to top of page
	JOBS Canadajobs.com Career Edge – Canada’s Youth Internship Program CoolJobsCanada Exchanges Canada Job Bus Canada Job Connect JobShark Monster.ca National Job Bank Ontario Government Jobs Ontario Internship Program Persons with Disabilities Online Public Service Commission of Canada Telecommuting Jobs Working.com Workopolis.com Youth Opportunities Ontario(includes summer jobs) Youth.gc.ca Back to top of page
	STARTING A BUSINESS Canada Business – Government Services for Entrepreneurs Canadian Innovation Centre Canadian Youth Business Foundation Junior Achievement of Canada Mentors, Ventures and Plans(for young entrepreneurs) Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Ontario Business Connects Strategies Back to top of page
	RESOURCES FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE Aboriginal Human ResourceDevelopment Council of Canada Aboriginal Institutes’ Consortium Aboriginal Recruitment Coordination Office Aboriginal Youth Network Assembly of First Nations CareerPLACE – Native Women’s Association of Canada EmploymentFlyers.org – Aboriginal Programs(YMCA, Toronto) Gezhtoojig Employment and Training – Sudbury Grand River Employment and Training (GREAT) Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment andTraining – Toronto Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs Say Magazine Back to top of page
	RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED INDIVIDUALS ACCES Employment Services Canadian Information Centrefor International Credentials Career Bridge COSTI – Immigrant Services Government of Canada – Canada International –Services for Non-Canadians Health Force Ontario Integration Net OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants Opening Doors for Internationally Trained Individuals Ontario Immigration Settlement.org Skills for Change Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council Work Destinations World Education Services Canada Back to top of page




	Neighbours Success Stories Please click on the images below to learn about these success stories Anu Dianna Lynn Mar k

	Anu came to Canada from Nepal in 2002 In Nepal she had earned a Bachelor Of Commerce degree specializing in accounting. She was self employed in her families store. On arrival in Canada her written and verbal English skills were rated at a level 3. She attended LINC classes and within one year she attained a level 5. Within 2 months of arriving in Canada Anu applied for a got her first job in Canada in a small clothing store. She wanted the job to gain workplace experience and to improve her English. The store gave her the opportunity to manage all aspects of the business including handling cash, maintaining inventory as well as customer service. In 2004 Anu returned to school taking courses in accounting and computers. Through the school she gained co-op experience in an accounting firm. While going to school Anu continued to take English classes in the evening and volunteered at an Immigration centre where she was the receptionist and handled other duties including filing, checking mail and other administrative duties. She learned how to operate office machines such as the photocopier and fax machines Following her co op assignment Anu started sending out resumes. She sent out over 200 resumes. She did not get a lot of response so she went to the local Employment resource Centre where changes were made to the resume and her cover letter. From these resumes she received 6 telephone interviews, 4 direct interviews and recently accepted a job offer for an entry level accounting position. Anu plans to continue her studies in accounting and management Back To Success Stories Back to top of page
	Dianna came to Canada from Shanghai in 2002. She had a Bachelors Degree in International Marketing. In Shanghai she had been employed as Marketing Branch Manager supervising 5 employees and with marketing responsibility for her company for the southern half of China. Her English tests taken on arrival in Canada scored an 8 for written English and 5 for spoken English. Before coming to Canada she had done her research and developed a plan for success here. Within a month of arrival she began to volunteer with various organizations. Her volunteer work continues today even now she is fully employed. Volunteering helps in several ways: You start to network by meeting all sorts of people It helps you practice your English and learn how to communicate If you find volunteer work in your field it will keep you current and will give you information on job opportunities You participate in the Canadian work place culture and work place standards which is quite often different than at home You are contributing and you feel good about yourself at times when you may not be receiving job offers Dianna's volunteer experience included a job as a receptionist, work in a Community Centre assisting with newcomer settlement, and organizing a support group for families with children with autism. When she began her job search she sent out 20 resumes and received 3 interviews. She did not receive a job offer. She decided upgrade hers skills including English communication She attended Ryerson University to attain a degree or certificate from a Canadian University Dianna started to attend a job club where she was introduced to a volunteer opportunity where she could practice her Marketing skills. In 2005 Dianna was offered her first part time job as coordinator of a job club. She had gained significant knowledge of the the cultural transition issues facing newcomers to Canada. This knowledge and contribution at the club led to an offer of paid employment. In 2006 Dianna successfully applied to an Employment Resource Centre and is now also employed as a Resource Specialist. Dianna has chosen to maintain two part time jobs as they are complementary and she can contribute in different ways. Dianna's long term goal is to gain employment in Marketing in the Not for Profit sector. Her success comes from Having a long term plan Knowing her capabilities and constantly checking her progress Dianna believes she has achieved 80% of her employment goals at this time Back To Success Stories Back to top of page
	Lyn came to Canada from Shanghai in 2003. Back home she held a management position in an international trading company. She had been recognized for her work receiving several awards including Personal Praise and Employee of the Year awards Lyn moved with her family to provide a future for her son. She was prepared to "start over" here in Canada recognizing that her language, understanding of customs and culture and education outside of Canada would require her to start at a lower level than she had attained back home. On arrival in Canada Lynn's written English and English comprehension were quite good but her tests indicated that she needed to improve her English speaking and listening skills. She attended LINC and ESL classes for the first year and a half as she settled into the country, accustomed herself to the climate and ensured her son was blending into school. When Lynn was ready to work she first took a five month Working Skills Course and then secured a volunteer position as an Administrative Assistant at a Community Centre. Lynn had determined that she could be successful in the Canadian work place by entering at this level. Lynn then began sending out resumes but got no reply. She then attended an Employment Resource Centre to improve her resume and again started to reply to advertisements on the internet and in newspapers. She began to get telephone interviews. She was not asked for a personal interview and so she came to the job club and received training in how to respond to telephone interview questions. Following this training she started to get face to face interviews. She participated in mock interviews to help her prepare and she was offered a job on her second interview. Although not exactly the job she was looking for she decided to take it to gain work place experience. Lynn continued to reply to advertisements and today she has succeeded in attaining employment as an Administrative Assistant in a company that imports watches. Here she can use her experience gained in her work back home. Lynn sent out over 80 resumes prior to being employed. The most challenging part of the change in work environments between Canada and back home is getting used to the Canadian workplace culture. She continues to work at this attending job clubs and other support groups to discuss her experiences and help her to understand the Canadian work place environment. Back To Success Stories Back to top of page
	Mark is an internist from China. He has lived in Canada with his wife and child for a year. Prior to coming to Canada he gained Canadian qualifications to practice as an ultrasound technician. His plan is to practices as an ultrasound technician as he qualifies to practice medicine. Mark joined the job club after being unsuccessful in finding a job as an ultrasound technician. Although not strong, Mark’s English was acceptable. We worked to fine tune Mark’s resume which was well written prior to him joining the club. We worked on Mark starting to network. He had secured a volunteer job as a technician where he was working one day a week. We encouraged him to obtain a letter of reference from them. He was at first reluctant. Short work assignments references are not provided in China. We encouraged him to ask which he did. The clinic was more than happy to provide a very good reference and in fact offered him a second day of volunteer work. The job market in Toronto for technicians was not good and we encouraged him to apply for jobs in other areas. He started applying through agencies and began to get interest from Ottawa, Sudbury, Windsor, Nova Scotia and Western Canada. Mark was scheduled for a number of telephone interviews. We set up a mock telephone interview in preparation and were able to provide valuable feedback which also assisted in interviews which he was beginning to have in the Toronto area. During this time we also met with Mark separately working on his resume and responding to questions he had as a result of working with agencies. Most of the questions helped him understand the cultural differences between seeking a job in Canada as opposed to China. Mark then got an interview with a clinic in Whitby for part time work on Saturdays. He went to the clinic and his work was well accepted. Within two weeks he was offered a full time contract position with the clinic. Back To Success Stories Back to top of page

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