Women Reworked, Part 3

by Heather Resnick

Only a Click Away

Our last two newsletters featured Part 1 and Part 2 of Women Reworked — a series of articles about re-entering the workforce after a lengthy absence. In each part, we suggested several useful career research/counseling websites, listed here again for your convenience:

• www.khake.com
• www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca
• www.coun.uvic.ca/career/c-match.html
• www.careerkey.org
• www.jobfutures.ca/en/home.shtml
• www.careerplanning.about.com

In addition to helping you find valuable information on how to get a job, online career planning can also offer you:

• Anonymity, if you are feeling uneasy about confronting others.
• A journaling resource—you can print out your answers to online questionnaires and save them as reference for your changing needs.
• Immediate suggestions to formulate a plan to get on track.
• Savings in traveling time and costs.

DISCLAIMER – Websites come and go, merge and change. At the time of this writing, the sites listed in this article were accessible and accurate. They are just a guide to help you get the information you may require.

People who Need People

However, looking for work is a person-to-person activity. There are a myriad of places that offer employment search training, some geared specifically to the needs of women. By connecting with other women you could:

• Realize you are not alone
• Effectively network and build relationships
• Brainstorm ideas and solutions for job search issues
• Have a sense of purpose and opportunity to get out of the house
• Find other resources
• Boost your confidence
• Learn valuable people skills
  • Effective communication/listening
  • Proper body language
  • Dress for Success
  • Interview techniques
• Get constructive feedback.

Seek and ye Shall Find

Canadian governments, at all levels, are committed to successfully getting women into the workplace. There are many excellent programs and services available to assist in your job search. Although you may initially feel overwhelmed by the amount of information offered, these websites provide many avenues and resources to assist women in transitioning back to the workforce. Many of the programs are provided at no or minimal cost to the participant.

Federal Government

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

HRSDC provides funds for employment services and programs in Canada. HRSDC partners with various regional organizations responsible for delivering these services/programs throughout their areas.

• To locate your local Human Resources Centre in your phone directory, look in the blue pages under the “Employment” section, subheading “Federal – Human Resource Centres” or call Information Government of Canada 1-800-622-6232.
  
  
• The national HRSDC website (www.hrsdc.gc.ca) is a good place to start if you are contemplating a return to the workforce. It offers extensive employment, skills and labour market information.
  Note: All government sites offer both French and English versions.
  
  
• For the “A-Z Index” of all HRSDC programs and services
  www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/azindex.shtml
  
  
• To locate “Services Where You Live”, www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/menu.shtml (English)
  
  
• To obtain “Publications and Reports” – by Topic, Department, Title, etc.
  canada.gc.ca/publications/publication_e.html.

Here’s a sampling of topic links available on the HRSDC website:

• Jobs
  • Job Bank
  • Work Search Tools and Tips
• Labour Market Information
  • About the Local Labour Market
  • Employment Prospects
  • More LMI
  • Newsflash
  • Links
  • Who hires
  • Wages/Salaries
• Social Insurance Number Application
  • Social Insurance Number Application (Immigrants Only)
• Training and Learning
  • There are many government-sponsored training and learning opportunities available. One region, for instance, offers a career and employability workshop run by the local Board of Education for women who do not receive Employment Insurance. The workshop mostly covers career and self-assessment tests and touches on labour market information, resumé details, attitudes, goals, action plans, and personal coaching for further career exploration.

    A good follow-up to that program might be one that helps you write your resumé, provides basic computer training, conducts mock job interviews, helps you deal with stress, networking tips and Internet searching, etc.

Social Development Canada (SDC) – “Equality of opportunity for Canadians”

SDC (www.sdc.gc.ca) provides information on services for individuals (children, seniors, persons with disabilities), businesses, organizations, life events, etc. One example of a service they provide is the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, a program to help disabled people learn skills, pre-employment readiness and upgrading to maintain employment.

• For the “A-Z Index” of all SDC programs and services: www.sdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/ps.shtml

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