1139 College Street    Toronto, ON     T: 416-572-0790    erc@skillsforchange.org

 

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Labour Market Bulletin

Labour Market Information

What's happening in your industry?
Download the most comprehensive Labour Market Information Bulletin
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OUR WORKSHOPS AT A GLANCE


Setting Goals and Following Through
Goal setting is the process you use to set your direction in life.  By setting goals on a routine basis you decide what you want to achieve, and then move step-by-step towards the achievement of these goals. This complete goal workout will motivate you to set goals having fun and enthusiastic way.


Business and Calling Cards as a Marketing Tool Image number: 10128697
Get an edge over the competition. Create your own business card and get connected with confidence.
      

 

 


Creating a Resume That Gets Noticed By Employers
How can you increase your chances of landing that interview? Bring a rough draft of your résumé and find out how to present your qualifications and experiences more effectively. Content is one of the most important elements in writing a résumé that will get favourable responses. Learn what information goes in a résumé and how to present it.


Developing a Professional Portfolio as a Marketing Tool
Learn how to develop a Professional Portfolio that will showcase your strengths and accomplishments. Impress the interviewer by providing them with a visual of why you are the best candidate for the position.    
                   

 


HI 5 Steps to Networking Workout
Are you nervous about approaching strangers for employment information or job leads?  Stop!  Take a deep breath, calm down, and practice your self-marketing skills.  Where do you start? This 2-hour workout will:
- Make you more aware of the impression you make on others
- Give you practice in the communication skills you need to market yourself effectively
- Start you thinking about how you will build your networking database


Impressive Cover Letters

Writing a persuasive cover letter customized to the position and company

A standardized cover letter is very easy for employers to ignore. However, if you take the time to tailor your letter, the company will realize you’re serious about joining them. A few extra hours spent by you now on an important application could make a big difference in your future job satisfaction, pay level, quality of life, etc.

Topics discussed during our cover letter workshop include:

  • the purpose of a cover letter, and how it connects with your resume and job posting
  • information to include (and exclude), for: (1) a response to a job advertisement; (2) ‘cold calling’ – applying to a company where you have not heard of a possible opening for your type of job; (3) referral from somebody you have been in contact with; and (4) an application through a recruitment agency
  • showing your knowledge of the employer; summarizing your relevant qualifications and achievements: (1) how you meet the requirements, (2) how you could benefit the organization, and (3) what extra qualifications you can offer – use appropriate keywords to demonstrate your professional knowledge; finally, write about getting an interview
  • resources: Canada’s National Occupational Classification; books and Internet websites with sample resumes and cover letters
  • parts of a cover letter, and how to combine them into a coherent and persuasive document
  • formatting and application method tips, including for cover letters/resumes sent by computer

Labour Market Information (LMI)

research the current and future prospects for your occupation

 

At this monthly workshop for a group of up to four clients, we provide individualized hands-on instruction in using the Internet to collect useful information regarding your specific job type.

 

Based on Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC), clients determine which job titles, occupational codes and keywords correspond to their own career interests. According to these titles, codes and keywords, the facilitator then guides each client in using the computer to research the following types of information (including for any Canadian province and city):

 

  • job description, nature of the work, example job titles, main duties, related occupations

  • terms and conditions, job and skill requirements, employment requirements

  • current conditions, employment prospects, employment potential, employment trends

  • average occupational unemployment rate

  • within your occupation, the percentages of: full-time and part-time workers; self-employed individuals; men and women; various age groups

  • job search methods, and what types of companies and organizations typically employ workers in your occupation

  • wages and salaries

  • required/related educational programs, where to get training, local training information

  • associations and unions

  • other information sources, other related information

 


Laugh or Go Bananas!
A Humour Therapy Workshop for Your Organization or Company

Exercise regularly. Stay away from fried foods. Laugh more?

It doesn't seem like the typical prescription, but the benefits of laughter may help keep the doctor away – and keep you sane at the office.

Laughter has been touted by a growing number of health care professionals as a form of exercise that helps keep the body and mind fit. Dr. Giggles

The benefits of laughter and humor can be experienced through our Humour Therapy Workshop – Laugh or Go Bananas.

This 90-minute, interactive workshop gets groups (from five to 200 in size) up on their feet, practising their laughing exercises, letting off steam, and dancing the salsa.

Under the care of Dr. Giggles, participants shed their inhibitions and learn how to manage their external stress with their “internal smile.”

Special: If you are interested in having Dr. Giggles come to your organization/company for a workshop, please download the Laugh or Go Bananas flyer and call us at
416-658-3101 to book your event. More Info...


Mock Interviews
Nervous about an upcoming interview? Register for a one-to-one session that will help you prepare for an interview.

Book in advance at Reception by handing in a copy of your Cover Letter, Job Advertisement (of the position applied for) and Resume.  A staff member will contact you to set up a mutually convenient date and time.

By appointment only, seats are limited.  


Researching a specific employer: impress the company or organization with your knowledge of them and how you could fit in

There are plenty of reasons for learning as much as you can about a potential employer:

 

  • you’ll be able to customize your cover letter and resume: give your motivation for wanting to work there, and show how you could substantially contribute to the organization
  • you can impress company representatives – also, don’t waste their time by asking for information that you could have obtained on your own
  • if you need to negotiate pay or other job benefits, if you have a choice between more than one job offer, or if you find out ahead of time that the company or job is not suitable for you, you’ll be able to make smarter time-management and career decisions

This workshop shows you how to research an employer by starting with ‘non-contact methods’ (Internet searches, including company websites, and the DERC website and its section on “Search for a business or organization”; business directories and other printed materials; newspaper websites; and public library resources). Even if you don’t know the company name (e.g. if you only have their fax number, telephone number, email address, or street address), there are several ways to search for it.

 

After you’ve done your basic company research through non-contact methods, you can prepare yourself to confidently make direct contact with them (by telephone, email, or by visiting them in person). The workshop facilitator and participants discuss general guidelines for contacting potential employers, and what traps to avoid during these contacts.

 

Finally, we talk about company reputation: sources of information on Toronto’s and Canada’s best employers, as well as ways of finding out about companies or organizations that may have been the subject of significant negative criticism.


Special Speakers' Series

Guest speakers are invited on a monthly basis to come in and speak on job search related topics. Top 4 Reasons to Attend the Speaker's Series:

- Network with peers & Guest Speaker
- Learn something new
- Get job search support
- Professional Development


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Keywords: communications, phone calls, phones ...
File Size: 4 KBour Call” Telephone Interview Practice Workshop

Attend this interactive workshop! 

Come away with tips on how to sound “hireable" during a telephone interview.

 

You will:

 

  • Find out why employers screen candidates over the telephone

  • Get tips on preparing for the telephone interview

  • Practice your telephone skills


The Interview Process

Your resume landed you the interview but how do you successfully sell yourself to get that job? This workshop will tell you how! Develop and Practice Your Interview Skills by preparing your
"K-A-S-E" (Knowledge Accomplishments, Skills and Experience).


 


Coordinated by: 

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This Project is Funded by
The Government of Canada

TC