The BC RCMP are recruiting for 911 operators.  A virtual career presentation takes place September 10.  Check out this week’s Hot Sheet for details on this opportunity and a variety of current job postings.

Successful interviewing is essential to receive a job offer.  Check out this week’s Hot Sheet for interviewing tips using Zoom and details on our Acing The Interview workshop!

This September marks the seventh annual Disability Employment Month in British Columbia and provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce, and the employers and communities who support their success. Think of the strengths, such as resilience and courage it takes to apply for and sustain employment, and participate in one’s community when faced with a life-changing disability.  By focusing on what you have to offer because of the barriers you overcome, and with the compassion and understanding and accommodation of employers, we can work together to have an inclusive community.

What is a disability?

Disability: A disability is a condition or illness—visible or invisible, episodic or continuous— that affects a person’s senses or activities. Examples of disabilities include physical and sensory disabilities (quadriplegia, vision or hearing loss, etc.), mental health disabilities (including addiction), developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, brain injuries and chronic health conditions such as arthritis, hepatitis C, diabetes, morbid obesity and others. The disability does not need to be permanent; however, a short-term health issue such as the flu would not qualify for accommodation in the workplace.

If you have a disability and are seeking employment you may be torn on whether to disclose your disability to the prospective employer. You are not legally required to disclose your disability if you do not need accommodations, but consider your strengths and barriers and apply for a position in which you will be successful. Employers legally cannot ask if you have a disability in an interview. An employer can ask if you are able to meet the requirements the job.

The publication, Disclosing Your Disability – A Legal Guide for People with Disabilities in BC produced by the Disability Alliance of BC, has great information on disclosing your disability and accommodations, including a table on the advantages and disadvantages of disclosure at various stages of your job search.

• Check out our workshops at WorkBC Parksville Career Centre such as “Branding You”  https://www.careercentre.org/workshops-events/
• Want to develop your personal resilience? Check-out this helpful guide and workbook: https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/pdf/From_Surviving_to_Thriving_EN.pdf
• Other helpful resources to help you succeed: https://www.workbc.ca/Resources-for/People-with-Disabilities.aspx

Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

We are a family owned, independent business that believes our success is the result of our team and our community outreach. We have created a company culture that allows our team to feel comfortable to do whatever it takes to make the customers’ experience the best possible. A business should not just take from its community, in order to be successful you need to give back and help grow your community.

How many employees do you have?

20

What do you look for in a new employee?

Personality is the biggest key for us. We can teach product knowledge and industry knowledge but you cannot teach the right personality. We look for candidates that understand the customer experience and acknowledge customers have a choice where they shop. We want the customer feeling they were valued by walking through our doors.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

A lot of our best hires have come from someone being a customer first. They know what our team delivers in customer experience and they want to be a part of delivering that same level of experience. We suggest interested candidates get to know our store, get to know our business, and see if it is the right fit for them.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so, for what types of positions?

We always have our eyes open for the right hire, you never know when that next perfect fit will walk through the door. The right person will always be the right hire at the right time.

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your business?

Apply in person from Wednesday to Friday at our store at 1187 Franklin’s Gull Road, Parksville.