Maximize Your Job Search with Our Comprehensive Workshop Suite and Additional Workshops

Looking to boost your job search? Our “Job Search Workshop Suite” is designed to help you seamlessly integrate various job search strategies and skills over a 3-day course. By attending each workshop session, you’ll connect the dots between different aspects of the job search process, enhancing your overall effectiveness. Plus, we offer a range of additional workshops to complement and enhance your job search and career discovery journey.

Workshop Suite Overview:

Beyond the Postings (Job Search)
Discover how to tap into the 80% of jobs not advertised publicly. Learn to research labour market information and identify key local economic trends to find hidden job opportunities.
Participants say:
“Excellent! Great facilitator and guest speaker.”
“My next step will be using the information learned in this workshop to help me find employment.”

Resumes and Cover Letters
Master the art of crafting a resume and cover letter that make your skills and qualifications stand out. Gain insights into effective interviewing techniques in relation to your resume to ace your interviews and secure a job offer.
Participants say:
“I found this workshop to be very, very helpful.”
“I finished my resume and the help I received was over and above my expectations!”
“The instructor was very friendly and made me feel comfortable. I’m glad I attended.”

Job Search Strategies
Learn targeted job search strategies and how to use local labour market information to your advantage.

Interviews
Develop essential interviewing skills, from preparation to follow-up. Practice with mock interviews and get feedback to improve your performance.
Participants say:
“The instructor was great and always responded very knowledgeably to difficult questions.”
“This workshop opened my eyes to what I have to do to prepare for interviews.”

Wage Subsidy
Explore the Wage Subsidy Program to get on-the-job training while employers receive financial assistance. Call us at 250.248.3205 to see if you qualify.

Additional Workshops:

Personality Dimensions
Identify your work interests, strengths, and values to find occupations that align with your personality and career goals.
Participants say:
“Fun workshop!”
“Good information to take into every angle of life.”

Hot Leads
Kick-start your week with fresh job leads and strategies that local job seekers are finding effective.
Participants say:
“Hot Leads was very informative. I met some really great people, received some good tips and tricks, as well as leads from other attendees.”
“Well worth the time, plus it gave me hope meeting others and later hearing of their success in securing a job through a lead.”

Self Employment
Explore whether self-employment is right for you and learn about resources to support your business idea. Pre-register to receive the virtual session link.

Career Exploration
Understand yourself and use career decision-making techniques to find a career that suits you. Must meet with an Employment Consultant first.

By engaging in these workshops, you will build a comprehensive job search skillset and increase your chances of finding the right job.

Don’t miss out – register for our Job Search Workshops today!

Informational Interviews!

Are you searching for a new career but need help figuring out where to start? In addition to contacting your local WorkBC Centre for assistance, you could broaden your job horizon by conducting Informational Interviews.

What is an Informational Interview?

Informational interviews are when the job seeker (you), interviews the person who would typically conduct the job interview. Informational Interviews are usually less formal than job interviews and are more of a conversation you guide with your questions. Perhaps there is an organization that aligns with your passion or values, but you are unsure if your skills fit any of the roles they are recruiting for. An Informational Interview can be a great tool to learn about the necessary skills before you apply. Or, perhaps you are considering switching to a new industry and your knowledge about the type of jobs available is limited. In either of these situations, an Informational Interview can be a great way to get your foot in the door at an organization you are interested in learning more about as you conduct your full job search.

 How to get an Informational Interview?

You can phone and ask if it is possible to meet briefly with the employer (or hiring manager). Be sure to share with them that the purpose of your request is to learn more about the organization and the different employment opportunities available. Likewise, if you are shopping at a business that interests you, and they have a “Help Wanted” sign posted, this can be excellent time to inquire if someone might be available to chat about what it is like to work there. An Informational Interview of this kind may even lead to an on-the-spot job interview!  In either situation, be sure you have your questions prepared and that you have a way to record a few notes during the interview.

Should I bring a list of questions to an Informational Interview?

YES! As mentioned above, bring a written list of at least three relevant questions to ask about working in the industry, or that are specific to the organization. This step not only shows you are eager and motivated, but also demonstrates you are organized and a critical thinker!

Example Questions to ask in an Informational Interview:    

Your questions will need to tailored to suit the person you are meeting with. For example, if the person you are meeting with currently holds a similar position you are interested in, you would ask, “What do you like most about your work?”  However, if the person you are meeting with is from the HR department, you would ask “What do most people who work here say they like about their work?”

The following questions are suggestions for when you meeting with someone who currently works in the occupation you are inquiring about:

• What do you like best about the type of work you do?
• What do you like the least about the type of work you do?
• What kinds of problems do you deal with?
• What do you perceive the organization’s culture to be? What type of person do you think bests fits this culture?
• What type of training opportunities are offered to employees in this industry?
• What are your main responsibilities as a…?
• What is a typical day (or week) like for you?

Most importantly, one of your questions should be “Are you hiring?” If the position is advertised, then there is no need to ask. However, if there are no current postings, be sure to ask about their hiring plans as you conclude the interview. Lastly, be sure to ask if they have any feedback or suggestions and show your gratitude for the time they spent with you.

Informational Interviews are great as they are low-pressure, less formal than a job interview, and the conversation can showcase your interest in the organization/industry, presenting an opportunity to let them know you are serious in your job search.  As well, an informational interview may encourage them to consider how your current skills might be a potential fit for future opportunities!

Keep in touch – we’d love to hear about your next Informational Interview experience!

 

Click here for our August 2 HOT SHEET!