10 Effective Strategies for Researching Companies

As a job seeker, you have likely heard that it is beneficial to research companies that you would like to work for. This research can help you gain a better understanding of what the company is all about which in turn helps you to better tailor your resume, cover letter and interview responses. We have outlined 10 effective strategies for making the most of your company research.

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What’s the deal with WHMIS 2015?

There has been much confusion with the inception of WHMIS 2015. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System training has existed for quite some time and, undenounced to most of us, was known as WHMIS 1988.

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Checking Out Career Interests through Virtual Reality

For decades career counselling and testing has provided students, job seekers and career changers with guidance in choosing their appropriate career path. As with every other industry, technology plays a role in changing the way we do business. Thanks to Up360inc, EPC is now able to provide the opportunity to “try out” an occupation using virtual reality. Their goal is to design software that will allow individuals to “learn by doing in a realistic and immersive environment, overcome fears and anxieties related to on-the-job learning, develop confidence, develop transferable skills, find meaningful employment and prepare for their future”.

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Tips for Working from Home (during COVID-19)

As many businesses become closed to the public, we find ourselves in an unfamiliar world. While working from home is not by any means a new concept, mandated business closures create unique challenges. Having solid strategies to deal with confidentiality, client rapport and support, effective communication and time management allows us to maintain business operations during difficult times.

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How Labour Market Information Can Prepare Us for the Future

As Career Practitioners, we are often asked “Where are the jobs?” In the pre-digital world, that was a bit easier to predict, however recent statistics have indicated that, “By 2030, the majority of jobs that will be in demand do not even exist yet” (Ontario Centers of Excellence Advancing Education Program). That statement alone can be very distressing or motivating, depending on your life perspective. What does become clear is that our ability to embrace lifelong learning, be adaptable and multi-skilled will better position us for the careers of the future.
We know that the employment landscape continues to change with a decrease in long-term full-time positions to an increase in self-employment, contract and remote work. Rohit Talwar – Fast Future (2017) cites, “Canadians entering the work force today can expect to hold 40 different jobs in ten completely different career paths in their lives.” That is a long way from the full-time permanent jobs available in the generation before us. Given the fact that, “51 percent of people are staying at a job for less than two years” (Workopolis, 2017), the concept of choosing a forever career is not as feasible as it once was. The world is changing and, like it or not, we must keep up in order to remain competitive in today’s marketplace.

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The Job That Got Away…

The job search process is incredibly competitive. With resume submissions, online applications, networking, social media management, and interviews, there are so many opportunities to highlight your value. And then it finally happens…you get a job interview and feel like you nailed it. The employer is talking like you already have the job, you sense rapport, and it appears that only the formalities remain before you land the position.

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What to Do When You Are Not a Morning Person

Regardless of how much you may love your job, sometimes when the alarm goes off, the thought of getting out of bed can be daunting. This can be is normal response occasionally, but if it begins to become common place you may want to incorporate some strategies to help you ‘get it together’ in the morning:

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Adapting to Today’s Job Market

Tips for Staying Current with Digital Recruitment

The process of job search used to be so simple. A hand-delivered resume, brief meeting with a hiring manager and completion of a hard-copy application form has now been replaced with digital resumes, online application forms and the development of a professional brand on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Not surprisingly, job seekers of all ages are frustrated wondering how to keep up, fit in and compete in today’s market. While the challenges are very real and understandable, there are strategies for dealing with this transition. Hopefully, the following list will help you develop an understanding and techniques for addressing the challenges associated with digital recruitment.

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