Problem solving. Crafting business reports. Working with people who are difficult to get along with. Intercultural communications. EI is a skill to employ every day, anywhere.
It’s all about knowing yourself first well so you are better able to connect well with others. In business and personal situations, I have learned the same basic empathy tactics can help us all grow into better humans.
After 30 years as a newspaper journalist, I now realize that listening attentively is my best tactic, even though it remains a challenge for me to realize when it’s time to stop talking.
Most are international students pursuing the dream of studying, living and working in Canada. In class, I shared tips to help them manage their culture shock. I tell them I an ready to help them after arriving in a place with cold weather, funny food and people who talk funny — like me.
Sometimes, later on, I hear from them after they connect with me on my LinkedIn profile. I like the birthday greetings! I more usuallly receive messages looking for jobs or tips to polish their LinkedIn profile. They remembered how I repeated “put your LinkedIn profile to work for you” in class!
Now is the time to put all the persuasion skills we talked about in class to work. It’s time to tell relatable stories that leads to a job interview. It’s time to engage in storytelling with a personal purpose.
Use career support services
After graduation, my essential employment advice is the same as I offered in class. Use every support service and assistance available to you from Conestoga. You paid for it in your tuition.
If you’re not a Conestoga graduate and looking for a job, I urge you to investigate alumni support services at the school you attended. Or, contact Conestoga to access their government-supported free career services: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/career-centre
I also share job postings in my social media feeds and job search links for the Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo area.
The Ontario Employment Standards Act spells out the rules and regulations for employers and employees in the Province of Ontario.
They are international students pursuing a dream of living and working in Canada. I share tips to help them manage their culture shock after arriving in a place with cold weather, strange foods and people who talk funny — like me.
They share cooking recipes, movie recommendations, and a career enthusiasm that inspires me. I learn more than I teach.
Most of my classes are online, which puts our communications skills to the test.
Sometimes, I hear from them after they connect with me on my LinkedIn profile. I like the birthday greetings! I often get messages looking for jobs or tips to polish their LinkedIn profile. They remembered how I repeated “Put your LinkedIn profile to work for you” in class!
Here’s a couple of videos to help you search for jobs on LinkedIn.
After graduation, my essential employment advice is the same as I offered in class: use every support service and assistance Conestoga College offers. Students paid for the services in their tuition. I was consistently impressed with career counselors’ advice when I invited them to host in-class workshops, so I urge students to book a career support session at this link.
And if you’re looking for career advice and you’re not a Conestoga graduate, I urge you to investigate alumni support services at the school you attended. Or, contact Conestoga to access their government-funded, free career services offered to the general public.
Ontario employment rules
The Ontario Employment Standards Act spells out the rules and regulations for employers and employees in the Province of Ontario, related to hiring, workplace environment and dismissal.
I also share job postings in my social media feeds and job search links for the Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo area.
Communitech in Waterloo Region
Technology and high-tech companies work together in Waterloo Region to grow the local tech economy, through the Communitech association.
There’s also a job listings portal under the “Resources” Tab on the Communitech home page.
While the job listings are from around the world, there is a “search by location” option.
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