Location: POD 60

Phone: (416) 979 – 5177

Email: career@ryerson.ca
Hours: Mon – Thu 8:30 am – 6:30 pm/Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
 Career Development Workshops
Get Ready Get Set
Know yourself and what you Present yourself with style
want
• Discover Your Career • The “Wow” Factor: Resumes
Passion & Cover Letters that stand
out
• Pinpointing Resources for • Interview Techniques that
Career Planning Land the Job
• Grad School Application
Essentials
• Keep It Pro: Business
Etiquette & Dress
• Don‟t Slurp the Soup! Tips
for Dining Etiquette Success
• Showing Achievements:
Crafting an Engaging
Portfolio
GO
Make your move
• Job Search Strategies that
Maximize Results
• Leveraging Social Media for
Your Job Search
• LinkedIn: Developing Career
Connections & Effective
Profiles
• Make it a Breeze:
Transitioning from School to
Work
 Agenda
1. Introduction
• 2 truths about jobs
2. Reactive vs. Proactive
3. Conducting a
Proactive Job Search
• Company Research
• Networking
• Cold Calling
• Information Interview
• Social Media
4. Summary
 Introduction
2 fundamental truths about jobs:
Truth #1 – There are always jobs available
People get: People:
• Promoted • Quit
• Fired • Move
• Sick • Retire
• Injured • Die
• Contract / work term ends • Go back to school
• Go on leave (medical,
parental, vacation,
sabbatical)
New jobs are being created each month!
 Introduction

2 fundamental truths about jobs:

Truth #2 – Finding a job depends on what methods of
job search you are using
 Reactive vs. Proactive
Most job seekers use the following methods to look for work:

Job postings on the Internet

Job ads in newspapers, journals,
binders, bulletin boards, etc.
Employment agencies/headhunters
they are interested in Reactive

Send resumes to
companies/organizations

Networking and social

media (LinkedIn, FB,
Twitter, etc.) , Proactive
cold calling
 Reactive vs. Proactive
Employers tend to use the following methods to find applicants:

Ads
on Internet,
newspapers,
journals, etc.

Refer to unsolicited
resumes or those
identified by ASP
technology

Use employment
agencies/recruiters

Seek recommendations from trusted

friends/colleagues and social media
(LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

Look for internal/known candidates

Conducting a Proactive Job Search

Target Your Search

• Identify your job target

Focus On:
• You, your needs, goals
• Behaviours, personal beliefs,
values, interests, personality
• Skills, aptitudes, work styles
Conducting a Proactive Job Search

• Company Research
• Networking
• Cold Calling
• Information Interview
• Social Media
Company Research
 Company Research

Conduct Research
• Research 50-100
organizations/ companies/
businesses
• Focus on where & who
you want to work for
• How employers fit with
your career path
Company Research

Evaluate:
• Advancement opportunities
• Corporate climate
• Future growth of organization
• Company philosophy / vision
• Company reputation
 Company Research
Resources:
• Company websites
• Career Resource Centre
(POD 60A)
• Directories and
almanacs
• Workshop
• “Pinpointing Resources
for Career Planning”
• www.yellowpages.ca
• Search  “By Proximity”
 Networking

"It's not what you know, but who you know!"

 Networking
Key purposes of networking:

• Information • Advice • Guidance

 Networking
Contacts can be made through:
• Meetings
• Professional associations
• Trade shows
• Job fairs
• Conferences
• Chamber of commerce
• Networking events
 Activity: Elevator Pitch
Your personal „commercial‟ needs to inform and
persuade. Include:
Who you are
• Name, present status / situation
What you have to offer
• Brief skills / strengths / experience
statement
Next steps
• Link to next step in hiring or ask
question regarding opportunities /
advice
 Elevator Pitch
30 Second Presentation:

1. Who you are

I am a ______________who has _______years experience with (or
in) _________. If it is relevant to mention your education, do it here.

2. What you have to offer

My main areas of study (experience, knowledge) are:
1. _____________ 2. _____________ 3. _____________

3. Next steps
Close with an open-ended question
 Elevator Pitch
Ask an open-ended question to end your presentation
Example:

• “What are the most immediate needs your company may have that I
can help you with?”

• “Based on the skills and knowledge I‟ve shared with you, what
would you look for career wise if you were me?”

• “Do you know of any companies I could approach that may need
people with my background?”

• “Based on the skills I‟ve just shared with you, what might you do?”
(USE IN AN ADVICE CALL ONLY)
Cold Calling
 Cold Calling
Cold Calling can be done:
• By phone
• Through e-mail
• In person
• To find out who to speak to

If you get turned down, don‟t take this as a

personal rejection!
 Cold Calling
Getting past the gatekeeper (receptionist / secretary)
Caller:
Hello my name is ________. I am conducting some labour market
research to determine the qualifications required for me to work as a(n)
________. Can you please tell me the name of someone I can speak to?
Receptionist:
That would be Mr./Ms. ________.
Caller:
That‟s great! One more question, does Mr./Ms. ___ have a direct line?
Receptionist:
Yes. #### OR No. You have to go through the main #
Caller:
Thank you very much. Could you transfer me to Mr./Ms.________?
 Cold Calling
Getting past the gatekeeper (receptionist / secretary)

When you have reached the Contact:

Hello my name is _____ and I am conducting some labour market

research on the field of _________.

I have a background in _________ Mention 2 or 3 of your top

skills_________, and would like to know more about the qualifications or
training required for this career.

What qualifications... Ask open-ended question

At the end of the call, remember to thank the person

you have been talking to!
 Activity
In groups of 2:
• Practice your elevator pitch within the context of a
cold call
• Discuss alternative strategies for getting past a
“gatekeeper”
Information Interviews
Information Interviews
Useful for:
• Career planning
• Work search
• Developing connections
• Gaining industry insider
knowledge

Types:
• In-person meeting
• Telephone
• Online
 Information Interviews
Ask about:
• Occupational outlook • A specific company
• Educational background • An industry
• Possible opportunities • Salary
 Information Interviews
Sample Questions:
• What is a typical day like in this occupation?
• How did you get into this field?
• What do enjoy the most about your work?
• What are some of the frustrations?
• Where are the best places to look for work in this field?
• What job opportunities are available?
• Where can I go from here?
• Would you be able to recommend another person to talk
to? Recommend a school? A program?
• What else should I know?
 Information Interviews
The process:
1. Research the profession, career, work
2. Research companies in that field
3. Identify a contact person and make contact!
 Information Interviews
Before the interview:
• Arrange meeting date / time
• Be accommodating / flexible
• Decide: What information do I need to
make a decision?
• Decide: What questions will I ask?
During the interview:
• Be true to your intentions!
• Confirm if „okay‟ to take notes and/or record session
• Be mindful of time
After the interview:
• Evaluate your session
• Thank your Interviewee!
 Social Media

Attend our LinkedIn and/or social media workshop!

www.whoplusyou.com
 Keeping a Record of Your
Job Search
• Binder/Paper
• Excel spread sheet
• Online: My Job Cards (Facebook), Jibber Jobber
 Summary

Increase your likelihood of employment opportunities

by using a variety of job search strategies and being
proactive with your approach!
 Resources

Career Resource Centre – POD60A

 Connect With Us!

Contact Information:
www.facebook.com/RyersonCDEC
Location: POD 60

www.twitter.com/RyersonCareer Phone: (416) 979 – 5177

Email: career@ryerson.ca
www.youtube.com/RyersonCareer
Hours: Mon. – Thur. 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

www.ryerson.ca/career