PPT about Job Search Essentials for Newcomers to Canada

1. Job Search Essentials
For
Immigrants to Canada
By Silvia Di Blasio

2. Essential Steps to Job Search (1)
Know yourself and what you have to offer
Know the market and what they are looking for
Acknowledge Barriers and Challenges
Make a Plan to fill the Gaps/get around barriers

3. Essential Steps to Job Search (2)
Prepare your Essential Tools: Calling Cards / Resume / Letters
Develop a Job-Search Strategy
Prepare Yourself for Job Interviews
Keep Track/Follow Up
Develop a Job-Search-Life Balance Plan

4. Newcomer Challenges that affect the
Job Search process
Unstable Housing
Unstable Family Relations/Support Networks
Unstable Transportation Means
Limited financial means and reserves
Unstable Mental and physical health
Culture Clash
Back home attachments and commitments

5. Challenges/Opportunities
All New Immigrants have challenges – Challenges may be seen as opportunities
Understanding the Newcomer Roller-Coaster helps
Make sure you are 100% here and committed
Create a Plan to tackle family stability and strengthen your support networks
Make sure you take care of your own health and well-being

6. The Immigrant Roller-Coaster
The first days/weeks/months may be a love affair
Cultural clash, lack of work and other issues will create frustration and despair
It is normal to feel both emotional and physical manifestations of this clash: one
day you are OK, one day you regret
The Roller-Coaster may attack you earlier or later, depending on individual
circumstances

7. How to address the Roller-Coaster
Exercise regularly (bike, walk, hike) – Nature helps
Eat healthy and drink lots of water
Keep your culture and language at home – don’t reject them
Become involved in the community (school, library, Rec Centre, religious
centre, events)
Keep a log/journal/blog
Meet positive people – avoid chronic complainers
Have a plan and stick to it
Balance your life- not all is Job Search
Remember the important things in your life

8. Essential Tools and Resources
Space – Computer with Internet access and Printer
Resume (targeted and tailored) and letters
(cover, intent, thank you...)
Calling Cards/Folders
Agenda and notebook
LMI and Jobs Binder
Clothes - Accessories

9. Essential Presence
Phone: call display – voice message
Email: professional look and address
Social Networks: LinkedIn Profile and wise use of
Facebook

10. Essential Do’s
Networking Strategy
Top 10-20 companies/businesses/organizations
Weekly Plan (what, when, who, how)
Keeping Track Strategy
Follow Up Strategy

11. Job Search approaches
Online- Job banks
Online – Companies websites
Newspapers – Specialized Publications
Professional Associations
Cold calls to lists of (already researched) companies
Visits to (already researched) companies
Recruiters
Networking

12. Remember:
Research is Essential!
Products and Organizational Presence in the
Location Market History
Services Culture News

13. Networking Strategy
When – All the Time!
Where – Associations /Training Institutions / Job Fairs / Conferences /
School / Neighbourhood / Ex managers/suppliers/clients / Volunteering
Who: everybody – but emphasize professional relations
How: develop script – carry calling cards – keep track – follow up

14. Networking Tips
Build Relationships that Last
Keep Track of Who you Meet, Where and How
Follow Up and Thank People
Pay Attention to Roles
Don’t Ask for Miracles
Networking is a Two-Way Street

15. Phone Strategy
Educate all at home – Who answers and how
Always answer professionally
Always carry pen and pad to take notes
Do not answer if you are not ready (noise – rush – etc.)
Keep calm and look for a quiet place
Take notes and refer to your binder for tips/information

16. Social Media/Internet Strategy
Create a LinkedIn Professional Profile
Change Facebook Settings
Be aware of what you publish
Take care of your Writing Skills (grammar, spelling, tone)
Check your Email Frequently
Respond to Emails Professionally and Frequently

17. Be Organized! Agenda/Schedule
Plan your Plan Your
Week Day
Develop a
Take Notes System to
Remember

18. Keep Track!
Of Who You Meet
Job Leads
Job Applications
Meetings and Interviews

19. Follow Up!
After Each Informational Interview
After Each Job lead
After Each Job Application
After Each Job Interview

20. Summarizing…
Job Search is a process that requires appropriate strategies and
tools
Knowing what you have to offer and what the market needs helps
you to compare both and make adjustments and take decisions
Planning, keeping track and following up are key to success in job
search

21. And Remember...
Looking for a Job is a Job in Itself
Make Time to Relax and Share
Don’t Give Up!

22. Credits:
 Created and designed by Silvia Di Blasio (Career/Employment Counsellor and Facilitator)
Images from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
 Doodling: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Coffee/Computer: Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Businessman with Mobile: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Businessmen Greet Each Other: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Social Network Concept: Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Job and Man: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Busy at Phone: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Checking: Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Networking: Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Finding a job: Image: ponsulak / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Coffee and office space: Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Business card exchange: Image: Apple's Eyes Studio / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Business lady doing yoga: Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Asian woman in computer: Image: vudhikrai / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Scheduling a Meeting in Diary: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Writing in Daily Planner: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Businessman Talking Over the Phone: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 Student With Laptop and Magnifier: imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net