To view the What Works: Your Job Search webinar script in French use the google translate feature in the top right corner of your web browser and select French.

What Works: Navigate Your Job Search

Good Afternoon,

Thank you so much for joining for today’s webinar Navigate Your Job Search as part of our What Works Webinar Series!

My name is  Michelle Karr and I am joined by my colleague Tashlyn Teskey, and we will be your hosts today.

We are here today to help further equip you for the important process of searching for a job. In a world of ever-changing and growing careers this can be an exciting task. That said, we understand that a job search can be overwhelming. Knowing this, we have created resources that we hope can be of benefit to you while you’re looking for a new job or just looking to see what opportunities and supports are available in Windsor-Essex.

——-slide 2

Through our time today we hope to talk about:

  • Local promising sectors and industry trends- what are the in-demand jobs?
  • Your Job Search Guide ( a guide with tips on how to overcome barriers when looking for a job with practical advice)
  • WEjobs and WEsearch (two of our online tools to help you easily access job postings and employment supports)
  • The Basics of Using Labour Market Information in your job search
  • Skills that employers are looking for

 

We have a lot of information to cover in a short amount of time, so we will try to keep this webinar moving at a good pace. That said, if you have questions at any time please feel free to use the question/discussion box in the right side panel.

We will also be posting a recording of the webinar on our website, so it will be available for view in the future, so if you need a refresh on any of the topics or if you miss any parts you can watch the session or certain parts again.  We may reference handouts as well throughout the webinar, you can download all of these in the side panel shown on your screen under handouts.

So without further ado, let’s jump into today’s session!

———-slide 3

To start off, you may or may not be familiar with who Workforce WindsorEssex is and what we do.

Workforce WindsorEssex serves the Windsor-Essex region as the Local Employment Planning Council.
Our mandate is to plan, facilitate and advocate for regional workforce development. Essentially what this means is that we collect information on trends in the labour market and share our findings and resources to help employers, job seekers, educators, and community organizations be more aware of what’s happening and in turn be more successful.

—-slide 4

Promising Sectors/Industry trends

Oftentimes we are approached with inquiries related to in-demand jobs. What are the promising sectors? What industries are currently hiring?

Our current local promising sectors include:

  • Construction
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical services
  • Health Care and Social Assistance
  • Manufacturing
  • Repair and Maintenance
  • Education

We’ll go through each of these sectors in a bit more detail so you can be more aware of exactly which positions are in demand and what the future of these sectors looks like in Windsor-Essex.

—slide 5

So first we have,

  • Construction
    • As you may know, we have a few large construction projects coming our way, including the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the mega hospital, and eventually high speed rail. For the first project, the bridge, there will be specific roles required, such as iron workers and heavy equipment operators, as well as numerous additional roles that will be required for the full infrastructure needs, such as carpenters for building toll booths or plumbers and HVAC workers to complete the customs offices. Right now there are almost 8000 people working in Construction, with that number expected to grow greatly once these projects are started. It is important to keep in mind that those who work on the bridge project will likely have the skills and experience to work on the mega hospital as well. So right now is a good time to enter this sector because of the consistent work that is expected.
    • Jobs: 7,977 in Windsor-Essex
    • Top 5 occupations expecting growth:
      • Construction Trades Labourers
      • Heavy Equipment Operators
      • Electricians
      • Carpenters
      • Iron Workers

—slide 6

  • For those who are interested in this sector we would advise that you take a look at our Help Bridge Your City resources which provide an overview of the occupations that will be needed for the Gordie Howe International Bridge as well as the skills needed for each of the positions and where you can access local training programs.

—slide 7, Our next sector is

  • Professional, Scientific and Technical services
    • A large part of this sector is the technology industry, which can involve anything from mobile app development to software development to social media or graphic design. It is an everchanging sector, with new jobs such as a social media writer, popping up all the time. We have a number of larger and smaller firms involved in tech in our region, and many community members are employed across the border as well. It is important to keep in mind though that tech workers don’t just work in the technology industry; they work in all sectors. Every other industry uses tech devices, such as electronic cash registers in stores and restaurants, automated equipment on auto assembly lines, or robots in the operating room. While tech workers may not be the person operating each of these machines, they may be responsible for designing the machine or providing maintenance if necessary. This sector does not only include tech workers though, it also includes jobs like engineers, lawyers, and architects.
    • Jobs: 4,128 in Windsor-Essex
    • Top 5 occupations expecting growth:
      • Mechanical Engineers
      • Information Systems Analysts
      • Biological Engineers
      • Paralegals
      • Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers

—slide 8

  • If you are interested in this sector then you should check out the Windsor-Essex Tech Sector section of our website- here you’ll find our recently released tech report, networking opportunities, videos of local companies and information on learning about tech.

—slide 9, Next we will look at the

  • Health Care and Social Assistance sector
    • This sector is currently experiencing what is known as a Silver tsunami as we witness an increase in retirements in certain occupations as well as increased demand for health care services. When most people think of this sector, they first think of doctors and nurses, however there are many “behind the scenes” jobs that are involved in this sector as well, including maintenance, counselling, and culinary positions. With the increase in needed support for our aging population and those requiring mental health services, the need for support workers, such as social workers, counsellors, and homecare providers is increasing as well.
    • Jobs: 20,353 in Windsor-Essex
    • Top 5 occupations expecting growth:
      • Registered Nurses
      • Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates
      • Food Counter Attendants and Kitchen Helpers
      • Social and Community Service Workers
      • Nursing Coordinators and Supervisors

—slide 10

  • Manufacturing
    • People often feel that Manufacturing is dark, dirty and dangerous- making it an unappealing sector to work in. Though that may have been the case many decades ago, technological advancements have made these facilities much safer, cleaner, and more innovative places to work. With the implementation of robotics and automation into their processes, a whole new set of jobs have opened up in this sector with new jobs being created all the time. It is also important to keep in mind that while the auto industry plays the largest role in this sector, there are also facilities that are producing food products, pharmaceutical materials, and furniture.
    • Jobs: 30,685 in Windsor-Essex
    • Top 5 occupations expecting growth :
      • Labourers in Metal Fabrication
      • Machining Tool Operators
      • Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians
      • Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers and Inspectors
      • Metal Products Machine Operators

—slide 11

  • Repair and Maintenance
    • We live in a car driven area, exemplified by our large manufacturing industry, so there will always be a need for repairs, particularly a high demand for truck and trailor repair. While most mechanics specialize in small automobiles, there is a huge need for those that are trained and certified to work with large tractor-trailors and heavy equipment, such as tractors. Without these mechanics, the transportation and agriculture industries can suffer simply due to a lack of working equipment. Specialized cleaners are also in demand. If you think about the inside of your car, imagine the inside of a tractor-trailor and the materials they are carrying (hazardous materials, food, seeds, ). The trailors need to be cleaned before carrying anything new.
    • Jobs: 2,014 in Windsor-Essex
    • Top 5 occupations expecting growth :
      • Welders and Related Machine Operators
      • Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers
      • Specialized Cleaners
      • Labourers in Metal Fabrication
      • Contractors and Supervisors of Mechanic Trades

—slide 12, and our last sector may be a surprise for some people but it is,

  • Education
    • Retirements in this sector, and an increase in our population due to immigration is driving up enrollment. French speaking staff also continues to be a demand in this sector. It is important to keep in mind that this sector is not just made up of teachers, but like in healthcare there are many people working behind the scenes, including maintenance and janitorial staff, teaching assistants, and support workers.
    • Jobs: 14,062 in Windsor-Essex
    • Top 5 occupations expecting growth :
      • Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants
      • Post-Secondary Teaching and Research Assistants
      • Secondary and Elementary School Teachers and Educational Counsellors
      • Janitors, Care Takers and Building Superintendents
      • Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers

—slide 13

Now that we have given you a broader overview of the sectors that are in-demand, we are going to take a closer look at specific jobs that are in-demand, many of which are involved in multiple sectors.

Top 76 In Demand Jobs ***webpage

One of our more recent projects is our Top 76 In-Demand Jobs List. After meeting with employers and discussing the jobs that they are consistently in need of and by scanning through online job postings we created a list of the top in-demand jobs.

All of the jobs have a full career profile.***select restaurant manager profile In each profile is the job description, job duties, local median wage and salaries, needed skills, working conditions, possible career pathways, and local training opportunities. The training opportunities are all from local schools, including formal post-secondary institutions and short-term training programs. Looking at the possible pathways for each career can also benefit those that are unaware of how to gain experience for a certain job. For example, if you want to become a restaurant supervisor but don’t have any experience in the restaurant business, you may consider becoming a server at a restaurant or a cashier at a fast food restaurant. Looking at a career pathway will also show you how you can move forward in your current career. Maybe you are currently a receptionist for a transportation company but you want to progress through the company. Looking at the map associated with a receptionist will show you your potential next steps that over time may eventually lead to a management or executive position within the company. Reviewing these profiles will let you learn more about jobs that you may have an interest in. Or maybe you are open to different job possibilities and want to learn about which jobs will have the highest chance of employment.

All of the jobs are from different sectors, including: Agriculture, Construction, Manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology, Finance and Retail, Service, Tourism and Hospitality, Healthcare, and Transportation.

*** select chef blog In addition to viewing the career profiles, you can read about people who are currently working in each of the jobs in our Workforce Profile Blogs. While scrolling through the list of job profiles you will see a red link to each of the blogs that have been done so far. Reading through these blogs will give you a better view of what the job entails, past work experiences that may help you succeed in that job, and what the workplace actually looks like.

Stay tuned for the launch of our WEexplore tool on April 12th, 2018. This tool will provide a more encompassing and interactive view of all the career pathways that are shown within the career profiles. Information from the career profiles, including job description, skills, and salary information for each in-demand job will be featured as well.

—slide 14 (check for questions)

Your Job Search (and Job Fair Guide)

You may be struggling to find employment right now if you are facing different barriers. Barriers to employment can differ for everyone. Barriers to employment that you may be facing could include a lack of transportation, limited access to childcare, or a lack of Canadian work experience. If you need tips to overcome these barriers, and others, you will benefit from reading “Your Job Search”. ***open pdf on site This guide highlights various ways to overcome different barriers. In the guide, there are specific tips for recent post-secondary graduates, people on Ontario Works, people who are underemployed, and newcomers.

**back to slide 14 Some of the tips included are:

-Talk about gaps on your resume in positive ways: maybe you stayed home to take care of a child and through that experience you were able to improve your time management, organization, and planning skills, patience

-Volunteer or a job shadow with someone in a job that you would like to do: this will help you better understand the workplace culture of that organization and of Canada if you are new to the country

-Look into upgrading your computer skills if you are planning to work on working in an office environment

– Complete work placements while in school to improve your transition into work after graduation

The guide also contains tips on how to use labour market information in your job search as well as tips for how to be successful when attending job fairs- including what needs to be done before going to a job fair, on the way to the job fair, while at the job fair and after the job fair.

—slide 15

  • WEjobs

For those that find themselves overwhelmed by all the different job posting sites out there, we have a service called WEjobs. WEjobs is a service that provides job seekers with an almost daily list of all of the job opportunities in Windsor-Essex. Our WEskills department searches through many local employer websites and job search sites to provide local residents with up to date and accurate information. ***show sample email As you can see, each email is fairly extensive.

*** show where to sign up To sign up to receive these emails, go to workforcewindsoressex.com and click the job seekers tab. At the bottom of the list you will see “Sign Up for Job Postings”. Just fill out the form with your name and email and check the box to receive information on job postings and job fairs.

Once you are signed up you start receiving emails with compiled lists of job postings from local employers. You also receive emails about local training opportunities and local job fairs.

—slide 16

  • WEsearch

If you find that you are unsure of what services are available to you, you may benefit from using the WEsearch tool. This tool provides a path to services or resources that you may be looking for based on your needs. ***open site When starting on the main page of WEsearch, you select the type of information that you are looking for. You continue to select the best answer that aligns with your needs until you find the service that best suits your needs. For example, if you are looking for support in getting a job, you would start by selecting “I am looking for a new job”. Then you would select your current employment status, such as “unemployed”. You can then select whether you would like more information on Employment Insurance or Ontario Works, if not you can select “Skip”. **In-person help—immigrant—community organization—list of service providers—services and address. You can go back to a previous question only by selecting the step you took at the top of the page.

This tool can be used to find support for businesses, services to help those looking for employment or looking to upgrade their skills, or finding information about apprenticeships or the local labour market.

—slide 17 (check for questions)

Basics of LMI

Now we are going to delve a bit deeper into what labour market information, or LMI, is. Labour market information is any information related to workforce trends, occupations, and career exploration. Essentially everything in this webinar is a piece of labour market information. This includes average wages of local jobs, news articles of businesses opening, statistics on the employment and unemployment rates, and much more. While some of this information may seem unnecessary to you in your job search, it can actually be very useful when looking for a new job.

  • For example, knowing the average wage of a job you are interviewing for will ensure that you are receiving a competitive wage, and know what you can potentially negotiate for if necessary.
  • Knowing about new businesses opening may give you a head start on which businesses to approach when looking for new opportunities. You can apply for a position or meet with the owners before they open so that you can start right when they open.
  • Knowing the current unemployment rate will let you know how many other people in the region are looking for work. While this number may be discouraging if the unemployment rate is high, meaning more competition for jobs, it can help to make sure that you are aware of the level of competition and start thinking about more unique ways to approach employers so that you can stand out from other candidates.
  • Being aware of labour market information just makes you more aware of what is happening in the region and helps you better prepare for your job search.

-**show lmi page

To find LMI like this and more, visit workforcewindsoressex.com/local-lmi to view different reports, such as the labour force survey results, educational attainment in the region, and migration trends.

***open job demand report When you select the job demand report for instance, it will show you the most commonly posted jobs, as well as their local median salary (so what the most common salary offered is). It also shows you which industries are posting the most opportunities and in which municipalities are most jobs coming from.

—slide 18

Wage information**open wage link

A specific piece of labour market information that can be helpful in your job search is a review of wages paid locally for various occupations. When looking at workforcewindsoressex.com/wages you can see a chart of occupations that are sorted by their national occupation classification code or NOC code. If you don’t know the NOC code for a specific job, we have provided a link to the NOC code site on your resources handout. Additionally, you can search the job title right above the wages table. Looking at the median wage for a job that you are interested in will give you an idea of what you can ask for when negotiating wages for a new job or a promotion.

It may also help you by providing a more realistic view of what you will be paid for different positions. For example, maybe you thought that Legislators made less than $20/hr. But in reality they make a median wage of $25.29. This will make sure that you are not over or under estimating the salary of a certain job and know the reality before you begin specific training or obtain a job that is not sufficient enough to sustain your lifestyle.

—slide 19 (check for questions)

Skills employers are looking for

When we speak with employers they mention that there are a few different categories of skills that they take into consideration when looking to hire someone.

Firstly, we have foundational skills: these are basic skills needed to succeed in a position and may include basic math, being able to read and write, or knowing how to listen.

Next we will discuss technical skills: these are advanced skills needed to perform a certain task. Oftentimes these skills will require additional education and training. Examples of technical skills include blueprint reading, forklift driving, and computer programming.

When we speak with job seekers and students they often ask questions about what employers are looking for, how they can set themselves apart from the crowd. To this we always respond with: show off your soft skills! Soft Skills are the more personable and workplace skills that are very important, including good oral and written communication, working well with others, being on time, and many others. Employers are looking for the candidate that is going to be great to work with and to have in the office. While it is still important to have completed any necessary training or education for the job and have developed the proper foundational and technical skills, years of experience can be overshadowed by a great personality and professionalism. You might be looking for your first job or a change in career and your competition for jobs may be people who have worked in the industry for many years, but if an employer feels that you are going to be a better fit in their office they may hire and train you instead.

—slide 20

Specific soft skills that employers are looking for are include:

  • Oral and written communication
  • Punctuality
  • Has a good attitude
  • Is willing to learn
  • Can speak more than one language
  • Is reliable and punctual
  • Can work well on a team and individually
  • Takes initiative
  • Is flexible and adaptable
  • Has work experience
  • Can dress appropriately
  • Knows social media boundaries

Another skill set to keep in mind when looking for a job is your transferable skills. Transferable skills are skills that you may developed in school, home life, or at a previous job that can be used in the new job you are looking to get. For those who do not have any past work experiences or are looking at jobs that are not directly related to jobs you had in the past these skills can be very important. For instance, a recent graduate may reference their time management, organization, and ability to meet deadlines with examples of how they handed in school assignments on time, balanced their work and extracurricular activities, and kept their notes and assignments organized in a personal filing method. For someone who has taken care of a child, siblings, or elderly family member at home, they may promote their patience, ability to plan, and supervisory skills that they gained through babysitting young siblings, planning their week around appointments and activities, and remaining calm through the hardships of caring for others. When referencing past work experience, think about the activities that you did that may be similar to activities of a new job. For example, if you were a food server or bartender in the past, your ability to deal with customers, work under pressure, and sell products can be transferred to other sales jobs in any industry. Identifying these similarities in past and future work will allow you to better share about your capabilities in future interviews.

—slide 21

Conclusion

So that is all that we have for you today. Does anyone have any final questions?

Some additional resources that may be of interest to you are

  • Local LMI web page
  • Help Bridge Your City
  • Skills Matrix

All of these, as well as others can be found on our website, and direct links are on the resources sheet. As previously mentioned these handouts will also be provided in a follow-up email along with the presentation recording.