New Year's Job Finding Club

YWCA Saskatoon Employment & Learning Centre

 New Year's Job Finding Club

 January 13^th  to 24^th 2014

Pre-session 

Wednesday, Jan 8^th  2014 @ 9:30 a.m. in the JFC classroom 

Register by 

12 noon on Monday, Jan 6^th2014

For more information on this opportunity contact your Employment Counsellor or Resource Coach.

Quote of the Week Benjamin Franklin

Boxing Day

We are Closed December 26, 2013

Have a Good Day

What do people do?

Many people in Canada have a day off work and many of them visit stores that start their annual sales on Boxing Day. Some shoppers even start waiting outside stores in the small hours of the morning and many stores open earlier than usual. Now, the sales often last for a whole week between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve and are known as the "Boxing Week Sales" instead of the "Boxing Day Sales". In some areas, particularly in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, stores are not open on Boxing Day and the post-Christmas sales start on December 27.

A number of important sporting events are held on Boxing Day and watching them on television is a popular activity. The International Ice Hockey Federation world junior hockey championships often start on December 26. The Canadian National team often does well in this event. The Spengler Cup ice hockey tournament, which is played in Davos, Switzerland, is also shown on major sports television channels. The Canada national men's team has performed well in this event in recent years.

Public life

Boxing Day is a federal holiday and is listed in the Canadian Labour Code as a holiday. However, it is not uniformly observed in all provinces and territories. It is not an official holiday in Quebec, nor is it a statutory holiday in Alberta and British Columbia. In practice, many organizations and businesses are closed, although stores are often open.

In some communities, particularly in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, stores are not open. Post offices across the country are closed. As Boxing Day falls in the Christmas holiday period, schools are closed. Public transport services may run a normal or reduced service, or provide no service.When Boxing Day falls on a Sunday or Saturday that is a non-working day, workers are entitled to a holiday with pay on the working day immediately preceding or following the general holiday.

Background

Boxing Day is a holiday in the United Kingdom and many countries (including Canada) that were once part of the British Empire. The origin of this holiday's name is not clear. In feudal times in the United Kingdom, the lord of the manor would 'pay' people who worked on his land in the past year with boxes practical goods, such as agricultural tools, food and cloth. These were often distributed on the day after Christmas Day. More recently, employers traditionally gave their servants a gift of money or food in a small box on the day after Christmas Day. Some people in Canada still give gifts to people who provide them with services.

Other stories relate to servants being allowed to take a portion of the food left over from the Christmas celebrations in a box to their families and the distribution of alms from the church collection boxes to poor parishioners. These traditions evolved into the Christmas baskets that some employers distribute to their employees during the holiday season at the end of the year.

Source: www.timeandday.com

It is Cold and Flu Season - Prevent the Spread

Quote of the Week Fortune Cookie

E & L Holiday Hours

Season's Greetings 
from the YWCA Employment & Learning Centre

The Employment & Learning Centre which includes the computer lab will be closed from December 24^th at 3:00pm and will re-open on January 2^nd at 8:30am. 

Should you require access to a computer during this period, the Saskatoon Public Library provides free public access.  

If the access is job search related, Labour Market Services (Ministry of the Economy) operates a resource room for job seekers with access to computers, resume help, copies, faxing and phone.  Their office located at 225 – 1^st Avenue North is open December 27^th, 30^th and 31^st.

Our apologies in advance for the inconvenience.

Workplace Violence is Unacceptable

Quote of the Week Henry Ford

Lifitng Tips

Quote of the Week T. S. Elliot

SHOE SIZE CAN TELL YOUR AGE?

Mathematics is a very important component of the GED and an essential skill for the workplace.
Here is a quizz I use in my GED Class for Adult learners.

SHOE SIZE CAN TELL YOUR AGE?

Try it and see if it works for you. It worked for me.

 

· 1. Take your shoe size.(only whole sizes)
· 2. Multiply it by 5.
· 3. Add 50.
· 4. Multiply by 20 ...
· 5. Add 1012.
· 6. Subtract the year you were born…
· The first digit is your shoe size while the last 2 digits are your age..

TRY IT…YOU WILL BE SHOCKED!!

Quote of the Week John Wooden

Desk Job: Position for Safety and Comfort

Tips for selecting and adjusting ergonomic chairs, and sitting properly Today, in industrialized countries, many people spend the majority of their waking hours sitting; whether it's at home while watching television or on the computer, travelling to work in a car or bus, or working at a desk in front of a computer. Although sitting requires less physical effort than standing or walking, it puts stress on the lumbar area. The effects of a sedentary lifestyle combined with a job that requires sitting can lead to many health problems. Selecting the right chair and adjusting it properly is an important part in making your workstation safer. Also, learning and practicing how to sit properly can reduce stress and strain on your muscles, tendons, and skeletal system, and thereby reduce your risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder. Pick a seat If you work in a sitting position, selecting a suitable chair is a critical step in preventing health problems. Choose a chair with: controls that are easy to operate from a sitting position, a seat that adjusts for both height and tilt, a seat that does not put pressure the back of thighs or knees, a seat with a front edge that curves towards the floor, breathable, non-slippery fabric on the seat, a backrest shaped to support the lower back, a stable five-point base, wheels or casters suitable for the type of flooring, a swivel mechanism, armrests that can be adjusted to the elbow height when your upper arms are hanging down and your forearms are at about a 90 degree angle to the upper arms, and armrests that do not interfere with free movements within the workstation. Adjust your chair to suit Ergonomic chairs are designed to suit a range of people; however, a chair only becomes ergonomic when it specifically suits your body size, workstation, and the tasks that must be performed. Your chair should be fully adjustable. The optimal seat height is about one quarter of the body height - a general rule since the torso-to-leg ratio can vary widely. Stand in front of the chair. Adjust the height so the highest point of the seat, (when in the horizontal position), is just below the knee cap. Sit on the chair and keep your feet flat on the floor. Check that the clearance between the front edge of the seat and the lower part of the legs (your calves) fits a clenched fist (about 5 cm or 2 inches). Adjust the back rest forwards and backwards as well as up and down so that it fits the hollow in your lower back. Sit upright with your arms hanging loosely by your sides. Bend your elbows at about a right angle (90 degrees) and adjust the armrest(s) height until they barely touch the undersides of the elbows. Remove the armrests from the chair if this level can't be achieved or if armrests, in their lowest adjustment, elevate your elbows even slightly. Tilt the seat itself forwards or backwards if you prefer. A well-designed chair allows you to sit in a balanced position. Buying an ergonomic chair is a good beginning but it may not bring the benefits expected. The actual sitting position depends on your personal habits; you have to learn and practice how to sit properly. Take a good position A neutral body position is a comfortable working posture in which your joints are naturally aligned. Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system and reduces your risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers tips on how to maintain neutral body postures while working at the computer workstation: Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor. Head is level or bent slightly forward, forward facing, and balanced - generally in-line with the torso. Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang naturally at the side of the body. Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees. Feet are fully supported by the floor or a footrest may be used if the desk height is not adjustable. Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly. Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor. Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward. Working in the same posture or sitting still for prolonged periods is not healthy. Remember to change your working position frequently throughout the day by making small adjustments to your chair or backrest, stretching your fingers, hands, arms, and torso, and by standing up and walking around for a few minutes periodically. Also, remember that the chair is only one of the components to be considered in workstation design. All the elements such as the chair, footrest (if needed), work surface, document holders, task lighting and so on need to have flexibility and adjustability to be "designed in". Source:Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Quote of the Week Unknown

Reflection & Action

I recently read a short essay by Patricia Katz, a management and human resources consultant.  I thought the message was very thoughtful and could be very valuable for the job seeker.  Please see below...... 

The motto of the University of Calgary (where I studied for my Masters degree in Continuing Education) reads  "MO SHUILE TOGAM SUAS”. It's a Gaelic phrase taken from one of the psalms. Translated, it means: "I will lift up my eyes." What an inspired call to action!

Participants in the seminars that I lead tell me their overloaded days are often spent heads down – not eyes up. With noses to the grindstone, preoccupied with tasks and details, they wade their way through each day's responsibilities, fretting about the details.

If that's true for you, try shifting that practice just a smidge. As you move through your day, take a moment here and there to lift up your eyes. Step out of the car – lift up your eyes. Step out of a meeting – life up your eyes. Tune in to the bigger picture and the reason you are about to pursue the tasks at hand. There is always a broader, higher, deeper purpose.

A realtor is not just brokering cash and property, he is helping someone make a home. A nurse is not just checking blood pressure, she is helping someone live a long and healthy life. I'm not just writing tips and sharing tools, I'm helping people find perspective and peace of mind.

Again and again, research in time management effectiveness shows that those individuals and organizations with a clear concept of their purpose have an easier time focusing on priorities. The biggest returns lie in wrestling down or teasing out the answers to those big, important, underlying questions of values and direction.

What larger purpose do you see when you pause to lift up your eyes?

Meet & Greet Boardwalk

Meet & Greet 

with

Boardwalk Rental Communities

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

10:30 - 11:30 am

YWCA Saskatoon

510 25th Street East

Mamawopiwin Room

2nd Floor Community Service Village

Meet with Boardwalk representatives to learn about opportunities for:

Maintenance Associates,

Non-Residential Customer Service Representatives,

Cleaning Associates and 

Landscaping Associates.

Bring your resume!

Quote of the Week Pierre Trudeau

Minimum Wage Saskatchewan

Minimum Wage and Minimum Call-out Pay in Saskatchewan

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $10.00 per hour and minimum call-out pay is $30.00.

Most employees covered by The Labour Standards Act must be paid at least the minimum wage for each hour worked for the employer, or spent at the disposal of the employer.

Minimum Call-out Pay

Most employees get a minimum payment ("minimum call-out" pay) every time their employer requires them to report for work (other than for overtime). Minimum call-out pay is three times the value of the current minimum wage.

Employees get minimum call-out pay even if there is no work for them. If an employee does work, he or she must receive either minimum call-out pay, or the employee’s regular wages for the time worked, whichever is greater.

Minimum call-out pay rules do not apply to:

1. students in Grade 12 or lower during the school term;
2. janitors, caretakers, and building cleaners;
3. school bus drivers; and
4. noon hour supervisors employed by a school board.

If these employees work, they are only paid for the time worked.

For more information on Labour Relations and Workplace Safety in Saskatchewan see this link to the government website: 

http://www.lrws.gov.sk.ca/

Remembrance Day

November 11 - Remembrance Day

we honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice 

for our freedom

We are closed from:

 Friday November 8, 2013 at 4 pm to Tuesday November 12, 2013 at 8 am.

Quote of the Week Thoreau

Today is 'Take Our Kids to Work' Day

Worker's Rights - Safety

Asset Building Workshop November 14, 2013

Assets Building Workshop 
for YWCA Clients and Community Members

Thursday, November 14, 2013
  9:30am - 11:30am
Room 302 - 3rd Floor Classroom
(child tending available)  

Assets-

What are your assets?  

How can we each recognize and value our assets? 

How can these help us be more financially stable and move us from poverty to prosperity?  

With a stronger asset base, people enjoy more sustainable and stable livelihoods. 

Join us to understand how to use assets as a tool for self-evaluation and improvement.

To register call reception @ 306-244-7043 ext. 131 

or speak to your Resource Coach/Employment Counsellor.

Presented in partnership with READ Saskatoon.

READ Saskatoon is a volunteer literacy organization that provides services to adults, families, workplaces and community. Last year we worked with over 2,000 members of our community: 870 adult learners received free literacy support from a program or trained literacy volunteer, 400 children and 300 parents participated in a Family Literacy program, and we supported the workplace literacy needs of over 12 businesses. For every $1 invested in our agency, we turn it into $8 volunteer labour.

Meet & Greet Friday November 8 (Crestline Coach & Kelly Services

Quote of the Week Ayn Rand

SASKATOON CAREER AND AREA JOB/CAREER FAIRS

SASKATOON CAREER AND AREA JOB/CAREER FAIRS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW and SOON

CANADIAN TIRE (CONFEDERATION PARK) 

Oct 28, 2013 - 9:30 am to 2:30 pm

DOLLARAMA (520 Central Street West, WARMAN) 

Nov 4, 5, 6 & 7, 2013 - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Career Expo/Job Fairs DOs and DON'Ts

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Here are the keys for students and job-seekers to successfully navigating a career or job fair. Follow these simple rules and guidelines and you should achieve success in this important strategic tool of job-hunting.

• Do have a specific strategy for maximizing your time at the event. And don't bother spending time with recruiters from companies that do not interest you.


• Do pre-register for the event, and do attempt to get the list of attending companies before the career fair.


• Don't eliminate companies because they are recruiting for positions outside your field; take the time to network with the recruiter and get the name of a hiring manager for your particular career field.


• Do attempt to research basic information about each company you hope to interview with at the job fair. A common career fair question from recruiters is, "Why do you want to work for our company?"


• Don't just drop your resume on the recruiter's table and walk off.


• Do prepare a one-minute "commercial" that focuses on the unique benefits you can offer the employer -- a version of your elevator speech. And do be prepared for common interview questions.


• Do be prepared to talk about your work experiences, skills, and abilities. And for college students, do be prepared for a question about your GPA by some recruiters. (And do use the GPA -- overall, college, major -- that makes you look the strongest.)


• Don't be afraid or intimidated by the recruiter; he or she is there to do a job -- to meet and screen potential candidates.


• Do have a few questions prepared for each recruiter, but don't ask questions that any good job-seeker should already know, such as "What does your company do?" Do check out these Questions to Ask at Career and Job Fairs.


• Do say the recruiter's name several times during your conversation, even if you have to keep glancing at the recruiter's nametag. And do get a business card (or at least contact information) from each recruiter.


• Don't forget to eliminate such bad habits as playing with your hair, chewing gum, fidgeting, rocking from side-to-side, acting distracted, rubbing your nose, etc.


• Do remember all the keys to successful interviewing, including a firm handshake, a warm smile, eye contact, and a strong voice.
• Don't use filler words such as "um", "like", "you know."


• Do bring enough copies of your resume to the career fair. And do bring different versions of your resume if you are searching for different types of jobs.


• Do take advantage of the time you have to build rapport with each recruiter, but don't monopolize their time.


• Don't ever just walk up to a booth and interrupt a current conversation; wait your turn and be polite.


• Do dress professionally -- conservative is always the safe choice. (Do read our article, When Job-Hunting: Dress for Success.) And do wear comfortable shoes.


• Don't waste the opportunity to network, not only with the recruiters, but with fellow job-seekers and other professionals in attendance at the career fair.


• Don't ever say anything negative to the recruiter about your college or previous jobs, companies, or supervisors.


• Do be sure to ask about the hiring process of each company, but don't ask too many questions about salaries, vacation time, and other benefits.


• Do take the initiative and ask about the next step in the process. And do be prepared to follow-up all job leads.


• Do be sure to follow-up with each recruiter. Some experts say to call and leave a message on their voicemail right after the job fair, but at a minimum you should send each recruiter a thank you letter. (Do read this sample career fair thank you letter.)

Mind The Gap

"Mind the Gap" is a warning to train passengers to take caution while crossing the gap between the train door and the station platform. It was introduced in 1969 on the London Underground. 

One red flag that really stands out to employers on a resume is a significant gap - or several gaps - between positions.   You can almost hear people thinking as they scan through, “What happened here in 2009?”

Though you could bemoan the fact that the world is cruel for not focusing on all the amazing things you have done in your life instead of focusing on the gap(s), you are better off taking a more positive approach and deftly handling those red flags before you send out your resume: 

• Take classes, 
• Do volunteer work, or
• Take a stopgap job.

Fudge but don't falsify. There are subtle ways job hunters can de-emphasize the amount of time between jobs.  Denoting each period of employment in years instead of months, for example, a job that lasted from 2008 to 2009 will look better than working from July 2008 to February 2009.

Don't make excuses. Once you get your foot in the door, don't focus on why you were out of work or out of luck. Rather, focus on the new skills you acquired, projects you worked on or opportunities you created.  

Give yourself a break. Keep in mind that most of us have been layoff, been terminated or have had children.

Quote of the Week Dr. Seuss

Nov 6 is Take our Kids to Work Day

Take Our Kids to Work Program

Research suggests that today’s students will have multiple careers over the span of their working years. They will need to master both new technologies and complex social and organizational systems.  They will also need to be prepared with the educational tools and experiences that will be necessary to succeed in tomorrow's workplace.

Take Our Kids to Work™ is The Learning Partnership’s signature program, now in it's 19th year, provides Grade nine students with the opportunity to experience and learn about the world of work as they begin to explore possible career paths.

More than 250,000 Grade nine students and at least 75,000 businesses and organizations nationwide participate in Take Our Kids to Work day annually. The Learning Partnership began running this program in 1994 in Ontario and it has since grown into a national program that reaches students in all provinces and territories across the country.

Take Our Kids to Work Day - November 6, 2013

Take Our Kids to Work™ Employer registration is now open 

Canada's Outstanding Employer Awards

On the first Wednesday of November every year.  The Learning Partnership holds Take Our Kids to Work™ day, where more than 200,000 Grade nine, Senior 1 (Manitoba) and Secondary III (Quebec) students spend the day in the workplace of a parent, relative, or friend. In 2013 Take Our Kids to Work day falls on Wednesday, November 6.

Benefits of Take Our Kids to Work

For students, It’s an opportunity to:
 Understand the importance of staying in school by learning first-hand what skills are required in today’s workplace.
 Start exploring career options in a practical way and gain a better understanding of just how many career choices are open to them.
 Develop an appreciation for their parents’ careers and roles in supporting their families.

For parents, it’s preparing your child for the future. You can:
 Participate in a shared experience with your child.
 Begin a career dialogue based on actual experiences.
 Enrich your child’s experience with discussions before, during and after the workplace visit.  

Employer Visit - the Bay

 Employer Visit @

for all interested job seekers

Day: Thursday, October 24th, 2013

Time: 10 am
Location: the Bay, Midtown Plaza, Saskatoon

If you plan on attending please RSVP Darron at: DTaylor@ywcasaskatoon.com

the Bay is currently seeking candidates for the following positions:

• Gift Registry
• Seasonal Sales Associate
• Visual Presentation Specialist
• Fragrance Advisor
• Major Home Fashion Consultant
• Merchandise Movement
• Seasonal Merchandise Movement Associates

Employer Visits are a chance for job seekers to get one-on-one contact with employers that are looking to hire immediately. It is open to everyone and costs nothing to participate however it is asked that all those who attend bring a copy of their resume.

Quote of the Week Jim Rohn

Motivation

Motivation is our reason for doing things; it helps us achieve those things in life that we want or need. The best motivation is intrinsic – it comes from within ourselves . The opposite is extrinsic motivation which is when we are “told” something is worth doing by someone else so we should be interested, or motivated, to do it. While this type of motivation is not all bad, it is generally not as long lasting as intrinsic motivation when we already believe, or feel, that  something is worth doing for our own reasons.

Other people can help us with our motivation by encouraging us. Support is very important in achieving goals so find people who can do this for you. They may be friends, family, co-workers, fellow students, clergy, resource coaches, social workers etc. You can also be part of someone else’s support network if they need you.

Investing time, money and energy in ourselves as we make positive changes in our life is worth the fear of change! Learn how to overcome challenges to become a stronger, more capable and self-sufficient person and you will find your intrinsic ability to become motivated increases! Build a support network and work towards achieving your dreams! You can do it!

Thanksgiving

The YWCA Saskatoon

Employment and Learning Centre 

will be closed

Monday October 14, 2013

for

Thanksgiving.

We will reopen

8:30 am

Tuesday October 15, 2013.

Quote of the Week John Maxwell

Fire Prevention Week 2013 will be observed from Sunday, October 6th through to Saturday, October 12th.

Fire Prevention Week 2013 will be observed from Sunday, October 6th through to Saturday, October 12th.

Fire Prevention Week 2013 will be observed from Sunday, October 6th through to Saturday, October 12th.

Meet & Greet Home Depot

Meet & Greet 

Wednesday October 9^th 

11 am

 3^rd Floor Boardroom 

Community Services Village 

510 25^th Street, Saskatoon

Meet & Greets are a chance for job seekers to get one-on-one contact with employers looking for employees in various. 

The Meet & Greet is open to everyone and costs nothing to participate however it is asked that all those who attend bring a copy of their resume.

Fire Prevention Week 2013 will be observed from Sunday, October 6th through to Saturday, October 12th.

Common Nonverbal Mistakes Made at a Job Interview (Source LinkedIn)

This graphic was made after surveying 2,000 bosses. 
You could also call it, “How to Interview” or “What NOT to Do During an Interview.” Source: LinkedIn.

Quote of the Week Norman Vincent Peale