Job Seekers

Discovering Your Options Together

Part of an effective Job Search is to better understand the options that are available to you. When looking for work, consider your past training, experience, skill-set, work strengths and preferences. There are many tools and resources available to you at Jobs Caledon. We invite you to review the information below which provides links to resources, workshop calendars, helpful tips and information important to your discovery.

Register with us to have access to job fairs, workshops and special events, job coaches, computer-based training, newsletters, tips and the latest job postings. Questions? Contact us and get started today jobs@ccs4u.org or (905) 584-2300.

Helpful Tips

Life-Long Learning

Learning is key to increasing your workplace value and should be a continual process. Explore occupational and educational information regarding the various fields and options available to you. Whether you are looking to advance within your job choice or considering a new career field altogether, Jobs Caledon can help.

The Labour Market Research workshop is an interactive hands-on session where you will learn and use the latest websites and other research methods to enhance your job search.

The Second Career workshop will provide you with the information you need to see if this option is right for you.

Jobs Caledon can support you, whether you are looking for work or just trying to brush up on your employment retention skills. Our fully equipped resource centre hosts:

Computers with high speed internet access plus access to fax, scanner and copier

Mavis Beacon software to help you improve your typing speed and accuracy

Microsoft Office Tutorials to help you learn the basics of Office programs

Scott’s Directories online to research employers and make connections

WinWay Resume Deluxe to build your resume

Choices Career Planner to help you explore career options and build your own portfolio

Choosing the Best Option for You

If you decide you need additional skills, a referred source is usually best. Investigate accredited colleges, universities, institutions, and training schools. Visit college, university, and training centre web sites. Allow yourself time for discovery, research and in-depth focus.

Resources & Links

Information about Occupations

Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneuers considering starting a business can find support through CCS’ Small Business Enterprise Centre.

Working In Canada
Comprehensive Labour Market Information and Trends

Local Wage Ranges
The high and low wage ranges for a variety of occupations

Growing Occupations
A list of North American occupations with a bright outlook.

Green Economy Occupations
A list of North American occupations with demand driven by the Green Economy

Occupational Profiles
Find occupations based on Title, your interests, subject, Industry, and/or National Occupation Classification

Information about Gaining First-Hand Experience

Life for Youth
Youth aged 15-30, not enrolled in school may be eligible for a six-month work experince placement. Contact Caledon Community Services at (905) 584-2300.

Volunteer with Caledon Community Services
Learn about CCS and become involved in areas that spark your interest or use your expertise in creative and enjoyable ways. Contact CCS for details.

Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship training is a form of post-secondary education that combines paid, work-based training with technical training in a classroom or shop setting.

Apprenticeship Descriptions
Detailed descriptions, requirements, and training for 130 Ontario Apprenticeships.

Volunteer Caledon
First-Hand Experiences – Volunteer Opportunities

Red Seal
Canadian Interprovincial Standards

Information to Help Plan Your Education

When reviewing your training and/or education options consider the

Desired outcome of training or education

Best method of achieving outcome

Necessary resources

Distance Education

Second Career Training Program
A governement funded re-training program for laid off, unemployed or underemployed individuals. Jobs Caledon offers monthly information sessions on Second Career. Check our events calendar for details.

Educational Planner
Helps you plan your post secondary education.

School Finder
This site provides a gateway into finding out what schools are available for post-secondary education and is a comprehensive guide for anyone wishing to pursue further education after leaving high school.

Private School Finder
A database of Ontario Private Schools. Search by name any/or location.

Financial Assistance
Ontario Student Assistance Program provides financing for post-secondary education.

For additional resources, please visit our Links & Tools page.

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Jobs Caledon can support your efforts:

The Optimize your Resume workshop will show you how to use eye-catching techniques and “tips of the trade” to create a resume and cover letter that will get you noticed.

The Resume for Results workshop will discuss the benefits of creating a “functional-style” resume and expose you to the various types of resumes.

The Jobs Caledon Resource Centre is full of tools to help you get creative with your resume and cover letter. Check out our onsite library for innovative ideas or get hands-on with the resume software and a variety of templates located on our resource centre computers.

Cover Letter Tips

Begin by identifying the individual who will offer you a job at your potential place of employment. Call to introduce yourself, then follow-up by sending a short cover letter and relevant resume. Hiring managers skim through cover letters in hopes of revealing a match between your background and their needs.

Your job ~ communicate your experience and career interests in a few concise paragraphs. Prompt them to read your resume by telling them something valuable about your accomplishments.

Keep your cover letter direct and to the point, clearly communicating what you are looking for and summarizing your skills and experience as they relate to the job at hand

Strive to relate exactly how your qualifications will fit their requirements

Check your spelling and proofread your correspondence

Resume Tips

Your resume should clearly demonstrate how you present yourself. Far too many resumes reflect a naive belief that each and every word will be read. Rather, most will receive a fast scan, a snap judgment. Your job ~ spark the reader’s interest before it wanders.

Demonstrate a clear sense of direction, fill in all gaps, synthesize diverse information, tell potential employers what kind of employee you are. Trust your achievements, responsibilities, and job roles to speak for themselves, simply and clearly.

Use verbs to highlight action (example: “I was the boss of 6 service employees” instead: “Supervised a team of six service employees”

Use numbers to show magnitude and depth of achievement

Use wide margins, bold headings, indentations, or bullets to guide the reader’s eye quickly to the points that should grab their attention

Interviews

Another key ingredient to finding and landing the job you want is through a successful interview. Are you getting through to the interview stage but not getting the job offer? It might be time to brush up on those interview skills. We have many tools and resources available to you at Jobs Caledon.

Jobs Caledon can support your efforts

Our Interview with Success workshop walks you through the entire interview process and helps to prepare you to answer those difficult questions.

Check out our onsite library for innovative ideas or get hands-on with the interview experience through a mock interview.

Get dressed for success. To help enhance your business wardrobe, Jobs Caledon clients receive a shopping discount at both Evolve Clothing and the Evolve Lifestyle.

Job Retention

Landing the job means that you had the right skills and knowledge needed to do the job, but now you must make an effort to learn how to become an even better employee if you want to keep the job. At Jobs Caledon we can offer a variety of workshops, supports and tools for successful job retention.

The Career Exploration: Personality Dimensions workshop helps you discover your personality temperament and values, while learning about your preferred work style. Applying this knowledge to your work environment can help you succeed in the workplace.

As part of our supported services, Employment Specialists at Jobs Caledon can work with eligbile clients in the Job Matching & Placement program. Ongoing coaching while you adjust to your new working environment. helps to ensure success.

Resources & Links

Job Search Record
Print the Job Search Record for keeping track of your job search activity

Job Board and Resume Bank
Start here to look for local job opportunities. Upload your resume to be searched by local employers.

Job Bank
Broaden your job search in your region for jobs posted within the last 2 days on the Service Canada job bank.

Contact Local Employers Directly
Use this local business directory for contact information to explore potential job opportunities.

Service Canada Youth Portal
This site is aimed at young people and provides step by step guides on a whole range of job search techniques.

Networking
More than 80% of job opportunities are discovered though networking.

Targeting Your Resume
Make your resume rise to the top by targeting to the employer with your employability strengths.

Resume Samples
Instructions for selecting the best format of resume for your job search, with examples.

The Cover Letter
How to target each cover letter to specific job opportunities.

Using Calling Cards
Use calling cards to help potential employers remember you and your contact information.

Interview Preparation
Make the best impression at your interview.

Using Social media for job search
Job search through Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter

Your Rights At Work
Know your rights for fair employment. Ontario Ministry of Labour

How to keep a good job
Dealing with difficult people on the job.

Time Management Quiz
This quiz could help you with balancing Work and Life.

For additional resources, please visit our Links & Tools page.