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Written by Heather Resnick
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Thursday, 19 May 2005 |
| PART 3: Help is on the Way - Government/Placement Agency Resources |
Last issue – PART 2: Goal Setting & Plan of Action
Only a Click Away
Our last two newsletters featured Part 1 and Part 2 of Women Reworked — a series of articles about re-entering the workforce after a lengthy absence. In each part, we suggested several useful career research/counseling websites, listed here again for your convenience:
www.khake.com
www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca
www.coun.uvic.ca/career/c-match.html
www.careerkey.org
www.jobfutures.ca/en/home.shtml
www.careerplanning.about.com
In addition to helping you find valuable information on how to get a job, online career planning can also offer you:
- Anonymity, if you are feeling uneasy about confronting others.
- A journaling resource—you can print out your answers to online questionnaires and save them as reference for your changing needs.
- Immediate suggestions to formulate a plan to get on track.
- Savings in traveling time and costs.
DISCLAIMER – Websites come and go, merge and change. At the time of this writing, the sites listed in this article were accessible and accurate. They are just a guide to help you get the information you may require.
People who Need People
However, looking for work is a person-to-person activity. There are a myriad of places that offer employment search training, some geared specifically to the needs of women. By connecting with other women you could:
- Realize you are not alone
- Effectively network and build relationships
- Brainstorm ideas and solutions for job search issues
- Have a sense of purpose and opportunity to get out of the house
- Find other resources
- Boost your confidence
- Learn valuable people skills
- Effective communication/listening
- Proper body language
- Dress for Success
- Interview techniques
- Get constructive feedback.
Seek and ye Shall Find
Canadian governments, at all levels, are committed to successfully getting women into the workplace. There are many excellent programs and services available to assist in your job search. Although you may initially feel overwhelmed by the amount of information offered, these websites provide many avenues and resources to assist women in transitioning back to the workforce. Many of the programs are provided at no or minimal cost to the participant.
Federal Government
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) provides funds for employment services and programs in Canada. HRSDC partners with various regional organizations responsible for delivering these services/programs throughout their areas.
Here’s a sampling of topic links available on the HRSDC website:
- Jobs
- Job Bank
- Work Search Tools and Tips
- Labour Market Information
- About the Local Labour Market
- Employment Prospects
- More LMI
- Newsflash
- Links
- Who hires
- Wages/Salaries
- Social Insurance Number Application
- Social Insurance Number Application (Immigrants Only)
- Training and Learning
- There are many government-sponsored training and learning opportunities available. One region, for instance, offers a career and employability workshop run by the local Board of Education for women who do not receive Employment Insurance. The workshop mostly covers career and self-assessment tests and touches on labour market information, resumé details, attitudes, goals, action plans, and personal coaching for further career exploration.
A good follow-up to that program might be one that helps you write your resumé, provides basic computer training, conducts mock job interviews, helps you deal with stress, networking tips and Internet searching, etc.
Social Development Canada (SDC) – “Equality of opportunity for Canadians”
SDC (http://www.sdc.gc.ca/) provides information on services for individuals (children, seniors, persons with disabilities), businesses, organizations, life events, etc. One example of a service they provide is the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, a program to help disabled people learn skills, pre-employment readiness and upgrading to maintain employment.
JobsEtc.ca (www.jobsetc.ca)
This government site has information on Jobs, Workers, Training/Learning and Career Exploration. Use this link to click on your province to find out where the nearest service centre is. Amongst many services provided, you can get training to help upgrade your skills and make you aware of new technologies.
Industry Canada – “Strategies for Job Seekers”
This federal department’s mission is to work with Canadians to build a growing, competitive, knowledge-based economy (strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_x/engdoc/job_seekers.html).
(for French substitute ‘frndoc’ for ‘engdoc’)
Provincial/Territorial Government
The “blue pages” of your local phone directory lists telephone numbers and, if applicable, websites for government services. Federal, provincial/territorial and municipal services appear all together under keyword headings, i.e. “Business”, “Employment.”
- Apprenticeship, Employment and Training Programs, Literacy and Basic Skills and Job Connect is listed in the provincial section under the “Employment” heading. Their website is www.edu.gov.on.ca and the toll-free number is: 1-888-562-4769.
- Links to the official government websites of Canada's provinces and territories:
canada.gc.ca/othergov/prov_e.html or
www.nfld.net/eshn/government_sites.html
- Many department websites are searchable. If you cannot find a topic, just type in keywords in the search box. For example, if you want to find the closest employment centre, you might enter “employment resource centres” to result in a listing of all such centres.
- An employment resource centre gives you the tools to conduct a job search. It is self-directed—you are given the resources: staff access, workshops, Internet access, phone, fax, computer services and a resource library so you can search for work at your own pace.
Regional/Municipal Government
Check under Employment Assistance Programs in the “blue pages” of your white phone directory or the Yellow Pages.
- Links to the official websites of Canada's municipalities:
www.munisource.org
- Phone or visit your local Municipal Centre to find out what employment programs are available and if they provide a free community services directory.
- Check want ads in local newspapers for employment programs.
- Check community bulletin boards for upcoming employment workshops.
Know thyself
Employment assistance programs vary regionally and locally. Before contacting an agency, it’s a good idea to try to identify the kind of services you require. The more specific your request, the easier it will be for government representatives to properly direct your inquiry.
Scenario #1: Sheila A. calls her local Human Resource Centre and says,
“Hi, I am looking for a job. Please tell me what to do?”
This is too vague a request. Sheila hasn't done her homework and is expecting the receptionist to instantly direct her call to the "right" department. The person answering the phone would have to ask many questions in order to ascertain what Sheila's specific needs are in order to properly direct the call.
- Are you a Canadian Citizen?
- Do you collect any benefits? (EI recipients have different programs available to them.)
- Do you know what you want to do? Etc.
Government representatives are busy and he or she may refer you to the wrong department. The process can easily become overly time-consuming, discouraging and confusing.
Clarity makes for effective communicating
Scenario #2: Brenda T. calls her local Human Resource Centre and says,
“Hi, I am a Canadian Citizen and have been out of the workplace for five years. I do not receive any benefits. I would like employment, but I have no clue what I want to do. I would like to know if there are any assessment programs that could help me, please?”
Brenda has a better chance of being immediately directed to a suitable program.
Getting Services in Unserviced Areas
Some government departments have outreach programs meaning they will come to areas that are not serviced regularly. Check with your local government or Human Resource Centre to see if they offer the service(s) you require. If not, it is possible to apply for an “application for funding to carry out activities that meet a community need identified by HRSDC.” These are “Calls for Proposals for Grants and Contributions.” http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/epb/lmd/sc/call_for_proposal.shtml
Go Temp
If you know what career you want and already have the necessary skill set, placement agencies and/or headhunting services may be a good first step. They can help you get your foot in the door and “test drive” the kind of job you are seeking to see if you enjoy it. The positions are temporary, permanent or contract. If you have other commitments, temporary positions may also afford you the opportunity to work flexible hours.
Another bonus of temporary or contract work is the opportunity to experience different companies and work environments, all of which may help you decide where you would like to work permanently.
For Various Agencies, www.jobsetc.ca/category_drilldown.jsp?category_id=435&lang=e.
Take advantage of these free programs. Before you know it, you will be gainfully employed.
Next issue — PART 4: Job Search - Taking Action
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Heather Resnick
Email Heather
Heather is committed to writing words that provoke positive change. Her first novel, Ms. Humpty Dumpty, a “powerhouse of emotions” about a woman who keeps falling off the wall and tries to put back the pieces (www.mshumptydumpty.com). |
Share your success stories, hopes, and fears by visiting www.womenreworked.com and completing an on-line survey to help Heather with her upcoming book Women Reworked for women considering entering the workplace after an extended absence or for the first time.
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