I posted this blog in September 2018.  It is just as reliant now as it was then.  Have a look over our past blog entries, You may find some advice or some ideas that could spark a big change in your job finding future.

​It is now fall and time to think about the winter ahead and places to look for work.  Take a moment and make a list.  What businesses do extra work when it snows or if it is cold? 
Here is the start of my list
1. Tire shops
2. Retail stores
3. Banquet facilities
4. Restaurants
I'm sure you can fill in five or ten more.  Get a jump on the competition and contact some of these business now.  Show them you are ready to work.  You might be employed in the job of your choice earlier than you think.  If you need some help looking for locations or getting your resume ready call us at the Community Service Centre  we are ready to help you find the employment you are looking for.  Robert - Vocational Counselor

Its almost here, a new school year.  That will bring the kids back to a regular school day.  What can that mean for a job hunter?  September can be a great month to look for a job.  Here are some places to look:

• Businesses that hire summer students: With Students going back to school some of the summer jobs that they had will be open for you to apply for.  Look at places that hire summer help and contact them right now to see if they will have opening in the fall.  
• Retail stores:  Back to school means business, some retail stores may be hiring staff to help now through Christmas, a great way to get your foot in the door is to see that store today to see what jobs they have for September.
• Child care:  With older children going back to school younger children may need child care.  Places to advertise your services could be local websites or the traditional poster at your church or community centre.

These are just a few ideas, if you would like to have more information or help locating employment this fall call us at the Community Service Centre, we are looking forward to working with you.
​Robert - Vocational Counselor

I know it's early to think about getting a job this fall, but it's not too early.  Remember that some business will hire extra staff during the summer and fill those jobs with summer students.  When the students return to school many business are looking to hire staff to fill the vacancies.  This is a time to get ready to apply now so the manager can just call you when a vacancy shows up.  

In August we will be hosting a Job Finding Club from August 12th to August 30th.  This club will give you all the skills you will need to be ready to get a job this fall.  All you have to do is drop into the Community Service Centre and ask to register for the Club and you will get all of the information you need to successfully find the employment you are looking for.  Or call us at 306-953-4460 for more information on this Augusts Job Finding Club. - Robert Vocational Counselor

We are often told by business owners that the first impression you make with them goes a long way to determining if you are hired or not.  So always be prepared to be memorable at your first meeting.  What do I mean by be memorable?  I mean leave that manager or business owner with a positive memory of your meeting.  Here are some suggestions anytime you are going to look for work or go for an interview:
1. Be aware of your personal hygiene - be clean, have clean hair, brush your teeth, look like you are ready to go to work
2. Dress as if you are going to work or a bit better - clean cloths, look neat, dress one step better than the people at the job site, look like you are ready to go to work
3. be aware of odors - cigarette smoke, marajauna smoke, 

A great cover letter is one of the most important elements of job finding.  Most people overlook a cover letter, but a great cover letter can be the thing that sets your resume apart from the rest of the applicants.  A great cover letter needs to have the following:
1. Personalized to the business - write a new cover letter for each application, include the manager or owners name and address the cover letter to them personally. 
2. Stress how your skills, back ground or interests fit with the job  and the business you are applying to.
3. Make sure that your cover letter matches your resume and goes over all the key elements of your experience.  
4. Proof read your cover letter so that there are no spelling or other grammatical errors.
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Why do all this?  The cover letter gives the employer their first impression of you.  If your letter is personalized it shows you are interested in working at that business.  If you list your skills and interests that match what they are looking for your resume will be read over.  If your cover letter is well written the employer knows you are careful and accurate.  In all its a great way to get noticed!
If you are looking for help writing a great resume please call us at The Prince Albert Community Service Centre, we do great cover letters! Robert Vocational Counselor

This is a common phrase I hear as a reason to not find employment.  I am a Mom of six kids. I know the struggle; the struggle is real!  I faithfully get up every day make my coffee plan my supper. Did I mention this all happens @ 5:30 am?  Moms that work all over know the pain of finding a balance.   Parenting and working is a fine line of struggle.
Children watch everything we do. I always state the phrase “monkey see monkey do. I wanna be a monkey too”. My children watched me work and sacrifice and sometime they were mad because I could not always be there.  However, I taught them something. I taught them a work ethic! My kids today are hardworking young men who strive to do better and be better.   My boys have since told me they are grateful I sacrificed to help get them to where they are today.  I always told them there is honor in work not matter what it is.
I still have two at home and remember that eyes are still watching my every move. This is what keeps me motivated to do what I do every day because I want my daughters to know that you can have both family and a career.
Little eyes are watching and if you want to break a cycle you need to be willing to be the person that set themselves apart and make the difference.  What are you showing your kids right now?  What do you want them to grow up to be?  Things to ponder and evaluate. 
​ Ruth,  Vocational Counselor

Let's consider the following. If you looking for a full time job, how much time do you spend looking for work?  If you have a full time job about one third of your day is taken up working.  If you are looking for a job you should be spending about the same amount of time job hunting.  Studies say that a "no quit" attitude is needed for a job search.  In other words it is not enough to apply for one job and sit back and wait for a week for them to contact you.  You have wasted a week.  For example if you wanted a job in food prep here might be a plan:
1. Get your resume ready outlining your restaurant or food skills, maybe with some food related references.
2. Make a list of all of the restaurants, caterers and food service outlets in the city
3. Break the list down to ten locations a day.
4. Make a specific cover letter for each restaurant
5. Get cleaned up and dressed for an interview and start dropping off resumes with managers.  If the manager is not there do not drop off the resume, come back when the manger is there.
6. Keep going until you are done.
7. Make a list of what the reaction was to your visit and feel free to call and ask if the manager needs more information.
8. If the manager was receptive and you had a good feeling dropping off the resume why not drop off a thank you note a few days later thanking them for their time.
Sounds like work right, well it would still be less than 8 hours a day that you could be working at your new job.  Be wise and use your time well.  If you want more information or more ideas call us.
Robert - Vocational Counselor.

In Canada, at any given time there are huge numbers of people looking for work or a change in their work.  In Prince Albert it is no different.  Businesses can get hundreds of applications for positions.  What can you do to  stand out from the crowd to get noticed?  I have to say there are many things you can do to get noticed.  They differ based on your skill set, strengths and background. That is where our Job Finding Club leads the pack on being able to help you get noticed and find the employment you are looking for.  Check out our page or call us at Prince Albert Community Services for more information.  About 70% of our participants find a job within a month of taking the classes.  That's a good start to find a good job.  Robert - Vocational Counselor

As the long cold winter slowly fades away and Spring comes upon us new job opportunities will also start to pop up.  You can get a head start on job opportunities by getting your resume and cover letters ready and start dropping them off at business that hire in the spring and summer.  If you make contact now they may not have to advertise for employees, they might just hire you.  Here is a list of some good places to apply:
Tire stores
Green houses
Lawn and garden maintenance companies
Golf courses
Campgrounds
Restaurants
Hotels
If you want help getting your resume ready, or for more ideas for summer jobs, contact us at The Prince Albert Community Service Centre, We can put some spring into your seasonal job search!
​Robert - Vocational Counselor