Saturday, May 30, 2015 1 RED DEER ADVOCATE SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE Building Alberta’s Workforce Are you looking for a job or exploring your career options? The Government of Alberta partnered with community organizations and employers during Alberta Works Week, April 27 – May 1, 2015, to hold more than 70 events that helped Albertans access local employment services and pursue their career goals. But don’t worry if you missed it. Many of the Alberta Works Week events introduced Alber- tans to career and employment services and programs that are available to you all year long, including: Job fairs; Alberta Works Centres;Resumé, job-search and job- interview workshops; and, the ALIS website. Alberta Works hosts a job fair on the first Wednesday of every month in the Red Deer Alberta Works Centre, including this up- coming Wednesday, June 3rd. Job fairs, job opportunities and other Red Deer job-related news is posted on the Central Alberta Jobs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs. Keep reading this publication to learn more about how you can put these and other valuable career services to work for you.
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Saturday, May 30, 2015 1R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
Building Alberta’s Workforce Are you looking for a job or exploring your
career options? The Government of Alberta partnered with community organizations and employers during Alberta Works Week, April 27 – May 1, 2015, to hold more than 70 events that helped Albertans access local employment services and pursue their career goals.
But don’t worry if you missed it.
Many of the Alberta Works Week events introduced Alber-
tans to career and employment services and programs that
are available to you all year long, including:
Job fairs; Alberta Works Centres;Resumé, job-search and job-interview workshops; and, the ALIS website.
Alberta Works hosts a job fair on the fi rst Wednesday of every month in the Red Deer Alberta Works Centre, including this up-coming Wednesday, June 3rd.
Job fairs, job opportunities and other Red Deer job-related news is posted on the Central Alberta Jobs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs.
Keep reading this publication to learn more about how you can put these and other valuable career services to work for you.
R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E2 Saturday, May 30, 2015
Put the Alberta Works Centre to work for youWhat is an Alberta Works Centre?
Simply, it’s a one-stop employment centre staffed by professional Career & Employment Consultants.
There are 53 Alberta Works Centres located across the province to assist Albertans with their career and employment needs.
Students can research careers, post-secondary training, and fi nd part-time and summer jobs to help them pay for school.
Job seekers can attend resumé and job-interview workshops, use the free computers, fax machines and photocopiers for their job searches, and connect with lo-cal employers who are hiring.
And, employers can take part in the free onsite job fairs that are held inside the Red Deer Alberta Works Centre every month.
Career and Employment Consultants are available to help you explore your career options, research the education and training that you need, and connect with
local employers who are hiring.And, Business and Industry Li-
aisons are available to assist em-ployers with their staffing needs.
The centres even have infor-mation for those who want to start their own business or employers who are looking for advice on at-tracting and retaining staff.
Call or visit the Red Deer Al-berta Works Centre today and put it to work for you.Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
First Red Deer Place
4911 – 51 Street, Red Deer
403-340-5353
Mini Job FairWed., June 3, 20159:30 a.m. - NoonAlberta Works Centre4911 - 51 StreetRed Deer
Employers:1. TELUS 2. Sears Canada3. Eagle Builders4. Westerner Park5. Sylvan Day Care6. CMR Fabricators7. Pacer Corporation8. Sylvan Steam & Spa9. Wendys Restaurants10. World Financial Group11. McDonald’s Restaurants12. Sungold Specialty Meats13. Studon Electric & Controls14. Red Deer Child Care Society
Job FairAgriculture Industry
Wednesday, June 17, 20159:30 a.m. - NoonAlberta Works Centre4911 - 51 StreetRed Deer
More than 8,000 people visit the Red Deer Alberta Works Centre every month.
Saturday, May 30, 2015 3R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
Red Deer Alberta Supports Centre openThousands of Albertans access Alberta Government
services every day to enhance their quality of life. Most of the time, Albertans are able to find the services they need, but what if you didn’t know where to turn for help or needed help from a number of different departments?
Alberta Supports is a new service designed to make it easier for Albertans to get the supports that they need.
Services are available via telephone, website, and a growing number of in-person sites located around the province.
Alberta Supports provides single-door access to more than 34 government programs and over 120 supports, including:
• Employment and Training• Childcare Supports • Disability Supports • Seniors Supports • Income Supports
Come in to your local Alberta Supports CentreThe Red Deer Alberta Supports Centre is located
on the second floor or First Red Deer Place, 4911
– 51 Street, Red Deer. The complete list of Alberta Supports Centres is available at: www.albertasupports.ca/centres.
R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E4 Saturday, May 30, 2015
2013 - 2023 Careers with the largest
anticipated staff shortages:
Veterinarians (15.9%)
Family Physicians (15.6%)
Dentists (15.2%)
Oil & Gas Drilling/Service labourers (12.7%)
Physiotherapists (11.9%)
Construction trades
labourers/helpers (11.7%)
Occupational Therapists (11.4%)
Landscaping/grounds maintenance
labourers (11.3%)
Biologists (11%)
Trades labourers/helpers (10%)
Pharmacists (9.9%)
Dieticians/Nutritionists (9.9%)
Head Nurses (9.7%)
Registered Nurses (9.5%)
Senior Managers, Financial/
Communications (8.4%)
Dental Hygienists (8.3%)
Retail Managers (8.2%)
Heavy Equipment
Operators (8.2%)
Public Works and maintenance labourers (8.2%)
Janitors / Caretakers (7.7%)
Job fair tipsJob fairs are a great way to fi nd a job. They give you
the opportunity to speak to a number of employers who are hiring, ask questions, make a personal connection with the recruiter, and stand out from the stacks of emailed resumés sitting back at their office.
Alberta Works hosts more than 100 job fairs and hiring events across the province every year. You can fi nd out about upcoming job fairs in your area by visiting: http://humanservices.alberta.ca/jobfairs.
Here are some tips to make the most of your next job fair.
Before the fair:
Find out which employers will be there and learn a little about what they do and what positions they are trying to fi ll.
Update your resumé, have someone proofread it, and print at least 20 copies on good-quality paper. Use a folder to protect your resumés from creases and stains.
Prepare a 15-second introduction that tells the employer about your key skills/experience and the kind of job you are looking for. Practice your elevator speech before you go and be ready to sell yourself.
Dress like you are going to a job interview—the people you talk to may be making the hiring decision or might want to interview you on the spot.
At the fair:
Arrive early so you can visit the employers you are
most interested in fi rst. Visit the remaining employers afterward and keep an open mind—you might discover an exciting new career direction.
Use your time well. If you are waiting in line to talk to an employer, try to listen to what the employer is saying to other job seekers.
Always behave as though your future boss is watching you. Be polite to other job seekers, considerate of each employer’s time, and don’t talk on your mobile phone while waiting in line for an employer.
Greet the recruiter with a smile and a firm handshake. Be friendly, enthusiastic and ready to ask questions and answer their questions.
Do not just hand in your resumé—you can do that by email—this is your chance to put a face and personality to your resumé and start building a relationship.
Do not call in sick to your current job to attend the job fair—your current employer might be there too.
Do not show up at the job fair in your current employer’s uniform—most employers assume that you will treat them the same way you treat your current employer.
Ask what the next step is in the hiring process to show your interest and enthusiasm.
Collect business cards and send a “thank you” email or note re-stating your interest in the position and your qualifi cations.
In addition to the job fairs web page, Red
Deer and area job fairs are posted on the Central
Alberta Jobs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/
centralalbertajobs.
Make the most of your next job fair by asking questions and letting the recruiter know how you see yourself fitting into the company.
Saturday, May 30, 2015 5R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
Employment Placement and Support Services (EPSS)…
“Working to Get Central Alberta Working!”
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Contact us at:
(403) 343-6249 or Toll Free 1-877-643-6249
www.epssreddeer.com or visit us on Facebook.
Who’s ALIS?ALIS—the Alberta Learning Information Service web site—is a one-stop career, learning and job-search website for Albertans.
More than four million people visit ALIS every year to:
• Plan their careers• Research occupations and
labour-market trends• Explore their post-secondary
education options• Figure out how they are
going to pay for their education
• Look for a job• Learn how to tackle common
workplace issues.
High-school students can:
• Identify their job-related strengths and interests
• Explore their career options• Narrow their focus with over
500 occupational profi les• Determine what training they
need to pursue their career goal
• Find out how much post-secondary costs and ways to pay for their education.
Post-secondary students can:
• Explore their education/training options
• Transfer from one school to another
• Access funding sources• Apply for admission.
Career explorers can:
• Use CAREERinsi te to identify their strengths/interests
• Explore their career options through the 500 in fo occupational profi les
• Get advice and help from career experts
• Find career and job fairs.
Job seekers can:
• Get job-search tips and advice
• Access more than 200 job banks
• Find career and job fairs• R e s e a r c h w a g e s f o r
more than 400 different occupations
• Learn about work options including apprenticeship and entrepreneurship.
ALIS also offers:
• Toll-free Career Information Hotline staffed by career counsellors 1-800-661-3753
• Helpful publications for employers, job seekers, youth and students
• Tip sheets on dozens of common job-search and workplace issues
• Free onl ine e-Resumé review service.
The Government of Alberta provides the ALIS website to help Albertans plan and achieve educational and career success.
If you are thinking about your career, considering post-secondary, or looking for a job, visit the ALIS website today at: http://alis.alberta.ca.
R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E6 Saturday, May 30, 2015
Alberta is expected to have a shortage of approximately 96,000 workers within the decade, but most of those occupations will require specialized skills and training.
Young people and those looking for a career change need to know which careers will be in de-mand and what skills they will need to fi nd a job. It doesn’t make sense to invest years and thousands of dollars into a post-secondary program that doesn’t lead to a rewarding career.
The Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook 2013-2023 forecasts the anticipated demand for workers for the next 10 years. More importantly, it reveals expected labour shortages and surpluses by comparing the forecasted demand to the predicted supply of workers.
The Alberta Government produces the 10-year outlook to focus training dollars in strategic areas to minimize labour and skills shortages.
According to the latest outlook, 407,000 new jobs are expected to be added in Alberta over the coming decade, while only 311,000 new workers will join our workforce—leaving us a shortage of approximately 96,000 workers in 2023.
This is an improvement from two years ago, when the shortage was estimated at 114,000, but as you can see, there will be a lot of opportunities in Alber-ta’s workforce over the next decade.
And these new job opportunities will not be limited to entry level, lower-paying, or part-time positions ei-ther. Some of the biggest shortages are expected in the health-care, construction, retail, operations/main-tenance and energy sectors.
You can read the complete list of results for nearly 300 occupations in Appendix D of the Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook 2013-2023 at http://work.alberta.ca/lmi.
Young Albertans, and anyone else considering their career options, may fi nd the outlook helpful while they are researching potential careers.
You can learn more about any occupation that interests you by visiting the Alberta Learning Informa-
tion Service (ALIS) web site at http://alis.alberta.ca.
ALIS has occupational profi les (Occinfo) of more than 500 occupations, including typi-cal: duties, working conditions, salaries, re-quired educational qualifications, appropriate training programs, common employers, employ-ment advancement, and desired personal charac-teristics. You can search and read the profi les for yourself at: http://alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview.
ALIS also offers 240 occupational videos that pro-vide overviews and interviews with people who work in each occupation.
The Edinfo website (http://alis.alberta.ca/edinfo) can help you fi nd the post-secondary program that’s right for you once you choose an occupation. You can search by program or by institution and fi nd out more about student fi nance.
For more help with your career planning:•Call the toll-free Career Information Hot-
line at: 1-800-661-3753
•Try the free CAREERinsite career plan-
ning tool at: http://careerinsite.alberta.ca
•Click onto the Alberta Learning Informa-
tion Service website at:
http://alis.alberta.ca
•Find and visit your nearest Alberta
Works Centre at: http://humanservices.
alberta.ca/offices
Choose a brighter future
Saturday, May 30, 2015 7R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
ACADEMIC EXPRESSAdult Education and Training
• GED Program: in Red Deer and Central Alberta
• Math & Science for the Trades• Women in the Pre Trade Program• Community Support Worker Program
4946 – 50 Street, Red Deer (downtown across from the Royal Bank)
403.340.1930www.academicexpress.ca
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Call us today and get
on the fast track
towards your career!
• Dress appropriately
• Don’t wear strong scents
• Arrive 10 minutes early
• Bring a pen, some paper and extra copies of your resumé
• Relax, many interviewers are as nervous as you are
• Smile, shake hands, and learn the interviewer(s) name(s)
• Don’t fi dget or slouch, sit up and lean in slightly to show interest
• Make eye contact and listen closely to the questions
• Take a few seconds to collect your thoughts before answering a question
• Be positive: show your enthusiasm for the position
• Don’t talk to too much – keep your answers brief
• Come prepared with examples of your successes
• Ask questions to show your interest in the job
• Don’t ask about compensation/benefi ts – let the employer raise that issue
• Send a thank-you note after the interview to leave a lasting impression – use it to remind them why you are the best candidate.
For more job-interview tips, check out the Tips Sheets at:
http://alis.alberta.ca/tipsheets
Job Interview Tips
Trading up to a better career
Alberta is full of career opportunities, but the trades are hard to beat for those who enjoy working with their hands and want a great job without spending a lot of money or time sitting in a classroom.
First, as an apprentice, you spend about 80 per cent of your time earning a wage while you learn on the job from a qualified tradesperson. First-year apprentices earn about half of a journeyman’s wage.
As you take more training and get more experience, your pay increases. You spend the remainder of your time taking training at a college or technical institution. Apprenticeship programs can last anywhere from one to four years, depending on the trade.
Second, the trades are rewarding. Tradespeople tend to earn good wages plus they have the opportunity to move up into management roles. Heavy Duty Mechanics, for example, earn between $30 and $55 per hour. Many tradespeople also go on to teach apprentices or open their own businesses.
Third, tradespeople are eligible for grants of $1,000 per year for completing their first and second years. They are also eligible for a $2,000 Apprenticeship Completion Grant plus a $500 per year
tools deduction on their tax return.Fourth, there are so many career
options within the trades that you are bound to fi nd something you really like. The trades are not limited to Plumbers and Electricians. In Alberta, there are more than 50 designated trades and occupations ranging from Appliance Service Technician to Well-testing Services Supervisor. For a complete list, check out: http://tradesecrets.alberta.ca.
How to get started:1. Pick your trade. Get as much
information as you can about your choices from the Internet, school career counselors, tradespeople you know, or your nearest Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
2. Find an employer who will hire you as an apprentice. Getting a job as an apprentice is no different than fi nding any other job. You can also contact the local union hall for your chosen trade and they might be able to hire you.
3. Apply. Once you have a job, you and your employer need to complete an Apprenticeship Training Application / Contract and return it to the nearest office of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Branch.
For more information, visit
http://tradesecrets.alberta.ca.
R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E8 Saturday, May 30, 2015
Careers in less than
a yearShift your career into
high gear with short-
term training optionsFor some people, spending up to four years studying
for a career is not an option. You may not be able to free up the time or want to invest that much time and money in an education.
If you’re looking for job-specifi c training, you may want to investigate training options at Alberta’s many colleges and technical institutes. They offer programs that can range in length from four months to one year.
There are also many private vocation schools and colleges that offer short-term training for specifi c careers.
Earning your Class-one license, for example, can take between four and six weeks depending on your experience. And class-one drivers can earn between $17 and $33 per hour depending on the industry they work in and whether the work is in-town or out-of-town.
Online and distance learning courses enable you to maintain employment while upgrading your skills and are also available through many colleges and institutions.
And Alberta’s 50 registered trades allow you to earn while you earn a salary. For more information on trades careers, visit http://tradesecrets.alberta.ca.
Here are some examples of careers which require one year or less of formal training.
• Bartender
• Bus driver
• Child Care Provider
• Demolition Labourer
• Dental Assistant
• Embalmer
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• Esthetician
• Flight Attendant
• Floral Designer
• Health Care Aide
• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Medical Lab Assistant
• Painter
• Parts Technician
• Pet Groomer
• Safety Officer
• Salesperson
• Installer (home security / automobile
accessories)
• Special Event Coordinator
• Truck Driver
• Unit Clerk
• Warehouse Worker / Manager
Alberta Occupational Profiles (OCCinfo) is a database of more than 500 careers that you can search
by job title, industry, subject and interest. You can also use the database’s advanced search by anticipated demand, physical strength required, and required training.
A quick search of the OCCinfo database yields more than 300 careers that require one year or less of post-secondary training.
For more information on these careers: Visit http://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo Call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753; orVisit the Red Deer Alberta Works Centre and ask to a Career & Employment Consultant
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911 – 51 Street, Red Deer
Phone: (403) 340-5353
Open: Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, 2015 9R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
COMEGROWWITHUS
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Want to stand out at work and catch your boss’s eye as one of the staff he or she can’t live without. Put these practical strategies to work for you if you want your boss to value you:
Be Reliable• Be on time and maintain good
attendance• Call if you’re going to be late or
can’t make it to work• Keep your promises and
complete your tasks on time• Be honest and trustworthy• Stay healthy – physically and
mentally
Be Professional• Dress appropriately—keep your
apparel professional and up-to-date
• Keep your skills and training current
• Double-check the quality of your own work
• Stay organized and keep your work area tidy
• Take responsibility for your mistakes
• Know your job and how to do it properly
• Respect your boss and co-workers - avoid distractions (e.g., cell phone) and side conversations during meetings
• Avoid excessive gossiping, personal e-mails, phone calls and web browsing
• Don’t share colourful stories from your personal life at work
• Don’t complain about your job, boss or co-workers on your Facebook page or Blog
Be Proactive• Learn all you can about the
organization and how you can contribute
• Offer your boss ideas on how you can contribute more
• Look for things that need to be done and do them – but check with your boss fi rst to ensure he or she notices your initiative and agrees that that it’s a priority
• Try to make your boss’s job
easier by anticipating what they will want or need
• Learn more about the jobs of the people around you
• Learn a skill that will help you stand out, e.g., become the department proofreader or the department expert on a specifi c computer program
• Earn a new credential/license/ticket/certifi cation that makes you more valuable
• Ask for help if you need it—recognizing your limits is a sign of personal strength and maturity
• Work safely
Be a Team Player• “That’s not in my job description”
should not be part of your vocabulary
• Help your co-workers with their projects if asked by your boss. You will learn something new and gain a reputation as a helpful co-worker and employee
• Be willing to share information• Support and encourage your co-
workers
Be Positive• Maintain a positive attitude • Be fl exible and open to taking on
new tasks and learning new skills• Keep learning—new ski l ls
and tasks make you a more marketable employee
• Ask if you don’t know how to do something. Asking shows that you want to do things right and that you’re willing to learn
Employers want loyal, hardworking, conscientious employees. The most effective way to do this is to bring a positive attitude with you to work.
Put these tips to work for you and show your boss that hiring you was one of the best decisions he or she ever made.
Shine at work
R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E10 Saturday, May 30, 2015
If you answered “yes” to many of these questions, you just might make an excellent entrepreneur. Being your own boss has advantages and disadvantages.
Being your own boss might allow you to:
• set your own hours of work;• work at home or in other settings
of your choice;• meet lots of people;• travel; and• earn more money than you
would working for someone else.
But being your own boss might also mean:
• working long hours to meet deadlines or deal with problems;
• competing with other businesses ;• working without a support system
of co-workers; and• investing and possibly risking
your own money.
Only you can decide if the advantages of self-employment outweigh the disadvantages for you.
A lot depends on:• your personal circumstances
(financial resources, family responsibilities, personal support system, local labour market, etc.);
• your skills and knowledge; and • your willingness to work hard and
take calculated risks.
If you would like to become your own boss, the following tips will help you get started:
Talk to people who are self-employed. Ask them how they got started, what they like and dislike about being self-employed, and what they would do differently if they were starting over.
Read as much as possible about how to set up a business, what the marketplace is like in your area, what products or services are currently in demand, and what trends are expected to influence demand for products or services in the future.
Identify the knowledge, experience and skills you will need to succeed (e.g. organizational skills, time management skills, public speaking skills, bookkeeping
knowledge, etc.).Scan the business section of the
newspaper every day. Find out what’s happening in your area, and try to anticipate what products or services will be needed in the future.
Visit the main branch of your local public library and talk to a reference librarian. Many libraries have business librarians who specialize in helping people find all kinds of the business-related information, including information on the Internet.
Visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) web site at http://alis.alberta.ca/ and check out the free self-employment information and resources.
Visit the Invest in Alberta section of the Alberta-Canada website at www.alberta-canada.com. There you will fi nd information and tips for entrepreneurs,
including access to capital, licensing and regulations, procurement opportunities, and statistics.
Check out the Business Link web site—a one-stop web site for Alberta entrepreneurs—at http://www.canadabusiness.ab.ca.
For more informationFor more information on self-
employment, visit your local Alberta Works Centre, or click on: http://alis.alberta.ca.
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911 – 51 Street, Red Deer
Phone: (403) 340-5353
Open: Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Be your own BOSS
Are you persistent and resourceful, optimistic and organized, personable and fl exible, confi dent and goal-oriented? Do you enjoy solving problems, working hard, taking calculated risks, making decisions, and selling productsand services you believe in?
Saturday, May 30, 2015 11R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
Production Workers in Our Red Deer PlantOlymel SEC/LP is Now Hiring!
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EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR SPECIFIC SKILLS.WE WILL TEACH YOU THOSE SKILLS. Expect from Academy of Learning Career College:
A wide variety of career programs to choose fromAdvice on the best funding options available to youA supportive, effective and flexible learning environmentCaring student supports including job placement assistance
CAREER PROGRAMS IN: Business, Healthcare, Technology, Accounting,
Legal, Insurance, Marketing and Addictions Services NEW
Call (403) 347-66762965 Bremner Avenue
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Resumé Tips• Emphasize your strengths at the
beginning of your resumé
• Keep your resumé to two pages or less
• Print it on good-quality white or off-white letter-size paper
• Make it look professional and inviting to read
• Be clear and concise. Every statement should emphasize a skill or ability.
• Ensure all the information is positive and relevant to the job requirements
• Avoid passive phrases like “I was responsible for” or “my duties involved”
• Don’t exaggerate or misrepresent yourself
• Include your daytime contact information
• Don’t include a photograph or unnecessary personal information
• Don’t include your references in your resumé
• Always include a covering letter and use it to highlight your qualifi cations for the position
• Check spelling and grammar--don’t take yourself out of the running over a silly little error
For more tips, or for a second opinion on your resumé, visit http://alis.alberta.ca or take advantage of the free, secure online e-Resumé Review Service.
R E D D E E R A D V O C A T E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E12 Saturday, May 30, 2015
It’s not just students who have dreams to fulfill.
Red Deer College attracts learners who are going places in their lives and careers. We’re also proud to be a connecting point between knowledge-hungry learners and talented faculty and staff who are experts in their fields. We are known by the reputation of our graduates who are incredible employees, successful entrepreneurs, talented creators, innovative thinkers, and committed lifelong learners.
Apply Now to RDC – for a promising career or to start classes this fall, where either way, your dreams can be fulfilled.
www.rdc.ab.ca | 403.342.3400 | 1.888.732.4630
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Young women preparing to enter the workforce may discover a job market that’s difficult to crack. Getting a foot in the door in your desired fi eld is not always easy, but young women looking to land that fi rst job out of college can consider the following tips to help them take that all-important fi rst step toward a rewarding career.
• Decide on a path. Blindly searching for work or any old job is a recipe for an aimless search that likely won’t land you a job you enjoy. Choose what it is that you want to do and who you hope to do it for, and then you can proceed with a more refi ned search that does not include you spending time pursuing positions you don’t want.
• Don’ t be afraid to seek advice. Once you determine some companies you may want to work for, don’t be afraid to seek advice from people who already work for those companies. Even if such businesses don’t have any current
openings, you might be able to schedule informational meetings. Treat such meetings like you would a job interview, asking questions about the industry and what you can do to get your foot in the door. Once such meetings have concluded, send a hand-written thank-you note to the person who took time out of their day to give you the informational meeting.
• Learn from each job interview. Many people, especially young people just starting out, go through many job interviews before finally landing a job. Each interview is not just an opportunity to land a job or hone your interviewing skills, but also a chance to learn what employers are looking for. Many interviews for entry-level jobs are similar regardless of the industry, so make note of your responses that went over well and those that might need a little more work.
• Be prepared to explain why you should be hired. Job seekers should be able to explain both their
enthusiasm for the job and why they are right for that job. Keep your description of your capabilities concise, but don’t be afraid to confidently state why you are the best possible candidate.
• L o o k f o r v o l u n t e e r i n g opportunit ies. After you have targeted a field you want to work in, you may fi nd that there are few paying opportunities within that fi eld. But you might be able to volunteer or even pursue an internship if you only recently graduated from college. Volunteering or accepting an unpaid internship is a great way to start making some contacts and gaining some legitimate experience, and working for free might just indicate to prospective employers that you are serious about pursuing a particular career and not just landing a job.
Young women may be met with a difficult job market upon graduating from college. But there are ways to make job hunts easier and land the job of your dreams. (MS)
