I just had a look at the new phone book for Prince Albert.  It gave me an idea.  As you know the phone book has a yellow pages directory that lists all of the businesses in Prince Albert. So did you know...

• There are 162 yellow pages
  
• On average each page lists about 20 businesses (Yes I counted)
• That makes about 3240 business in the city
• It is estimated that on any given day about 25% of businesses are looking for help
• That means there are close to 810 employment opportunities available right now
• About 240 jobs are listed on the internet
• That means there are about 600 jobs available that are part of the hidden job market
  
• If you want help finding one of those 600 jobs your first step should be giving us a call at the Community Service Centre.
  
• We have been helping people find employment for 50 years, maybe we can help you.
  

Robert- Vocational Counsellor

I have said this before, but it is worth saying again.  The best time to go out and look for a job was last year, the next best time is today!  One of the first and best steps to finding a job is to get out and apply.  Here are some simple steps that will lead you in the right direction.
1. Get dressed up like you are going for an interview.
2. Make sure you have plenty of updated resumes.
3. Make a list of ten places you want to drop off resumes at.
4.  Go and drop them off before noon, or after 1  pm.
Right now retail locations are looking for help and you could even find a job today.  But you have to get up get ready and go.  ( for guaranteed success - repeat day after day)
If you could use some help with these steps or other plans to find employment give us a call at Work Preparation, we can help. Robert - Vocational Counsellor.

The old saying goes, " You only get one chance to make a first impression."  I have to say its true.  One of the best job seeking techniques can be going out and hand delivering resumes to prospective employers.  This is a great tactic to find work if you make sure you are memorable to the employer, for all the right reasons.  Here are a few ideas to give you an advantage in the future:
1. Always ask to see the manger to drop off your resume.  If you want to take it up a step find out the manager's name before you go.  Everyone likes to be called by their name and that is something that will help that manger remember you.
2. Dress up when you go to drop off a resume.  Managers like to see that someone has taken the extra step to look nice.  That is something they will remember about you.
3. Make sure you are all clean and tidy.  People tend to remember smells very well and if you are clean and smelling of soap, it will trigger a memory with the manager.
Why is it important to be remembered?  If there are twenty applications for a job, you want the manager to remember to call you for an interview.  They will remember the person who knew their name and came dressed and clean, ready for work.  That's a big advantage. Robert - Vocational Counsellor.

Today is Halloween.  I was thinking about the change of seasons again and seasonal jobs.  There is nothing spooky about looking for a seasonal job.  One of our vocational counselors took a walk through the local mall and found out that almost every retail store was hiring seasonal employees starting right away.  In fact she was even offered a couple of jobs on the spot.  Employers often use seasonal employment as a testing ground for new full time employees.  If you do well you could be the next full time hire.  Think about businesses that are seasonal and contact them early. 
For example:
Christmas is busy in retail stores 
Winter is busy for garages and tires stores
Spring is busy for yard and garden stores
Summer is busy in parks and golf courses
Think ahead and get your applications out for  spooktacular job opportunities. "Cowboy" Robert - Vocational Counselor 

It's been a few weeks since I last posted to the blog.  I haven't given up on the blog, I've just been working on other things to help people find work.  This morning I was planning to do an update and I have to say it has been hard to get started.  When you are away from something for awhile it is sometimes hard to get started again.  It is like that when you are looking for work.  Sometime a person will drop off five applications and sit and wait.  They may wait and wait, then they will apply for two more jobs and sit and wait.  But soon they may get discouraged and quit applying.  It becomes easy to stop doing something when you haven't done it for awhile.  The solution is make finding a job your job.  Apply daily, drop off resumes, make some phone calls, don't sit and wait. Keep letting Prince Albert know you are looking for work.  If you keep looking, you are going to find something. Robert Vocational Counselor

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

I hear this every day. Someone tells me that they are looking for work.  I always ask them what is their plan?  Often the answer is, plan? What plan?  Most people look for work by doing two things, looking a a favorite job site every couple of days or dropping off a resume at some business.  Then sitting back and waiting for a call.  Although this can work it is a poor strategy to finding a job.  Remember that if you want a full time job, you have to look for a job full time.  Here is a list of things you can do to help you find employment.  How many of them have you tried?
1. Use the yellow pages of the phone book to make a list of all of the places you would like to work at.  Often people forget that 70% of employers are small business and they are often forgotten as places that hire people.
2.  Call five friends or family and ask them if their place of work is hiring.  Or if they have a friend that know if someone is hiring.  Use your friends and family to help you hunt for a job five people looking for a job for you is better than you just doing it by yourself.
3. Drop off 5 to 10 resumes a day at business in the community.  The more you apply the more chance you have of getting a job.  The key to dropping off a resume is making sure that you hand it to the manager or hiring person.  It is like a free mini interview.  If you can drop off a resume and ask they are hiring you will have a chance to show them your initiative and drive.  Two positive traits.
4. Take time to write up good quality cover letters for your electronic applications.  Your cover letter is like a good strong handshake.  If you can't do it in person make sure your cover letter stands out.
5. Update your resume, is it correct?  Does it reflect modern resumes? Are your references still good?  Nothing looks worse that some hand written corrections on a typed resume.  Take your time and do it right.  
6.  Get some help.  Finding a job can take some extra help.  Thats where we come in.  The Community Service Centre is ready to help you market yourself to prospective employeers. 

I am often asked, " Is the Job Finding Club something for me?"  My answer comes in the form of a question.  Do you want to find a job?  If the answer is yes, then the Job Finding Club is for you.  The success rate of the club is outstanding.  About 70 percent of people who go all the way through the three week program find a job.  That's a job with an investment of three weeks of your time.  That's a very good return on your investment.  If you are interested we will be holding several Job Finding Clubs over the next year contact us at Prince Albert Community Services and we can tell you all about the benefits of joining a club.  Call us at 306-953-4460 for more information.-  Robert Vocational Counselor

Some people want a part time job, or even two part time jobs because it fits their life choices the best. Some people want a full time job but will take a part time job to get a better chance at obtaining a full time job.  Whatever your reasons, a part time job can be a great start to a new career.

Many employers want part time staff, especially if they are flexible with when they can work.  Fall is often a good time to look for part time positions.  With summer drawing to a close you will see retail businesses gearing up for back to school sales, Thanksgiving, Halloween, cold weather, and Christmas.  That means a lot of work for stocking and unstocking merchandise and preparing for customer needs.    Special events and holidays mean more family and staff socials and parties so restaurant and caterers are often looking for extra serving staff.  Think about special events in the city too.  If there are special tournaments and events hotels might be looking for part time staff to fill their gaps.  Remember, as we get closer to winter every tire vendor will be looking for help changing tires over to winter tires.  All of these places will be looking for staff. 

Often businesses use their part time staff as a training or even as a test for full time staff.  If you get a part time job and never miss a shift, you might be the next full time hire.  Think about it and get your resume and cover letters ready to drop off at retail, restaurants, hotels, tire vendors or other places that offer part time employment.  If you need help give us a call at the Prince Albert Community Service Centre.  We can help get you ready to find the employment you want. Robert - Vocational Counsellor.