Transitions Career & Business Consultants Inc.

Resources for Mature Workers (45 years +)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:37:00 -0800

Do you have 45 years or more of life experience? If so, you may have concerns about whether your age will work for or against you if you are looking for work or are planning a career change.

There are a variety of resources that may answer your questions and address your concerns, including the following websites:

www.kaa-boom.com – Canadian website that has lots of articles & strategies for 40, 50, 60 year old worker.

www.workplaceinstitute.org - Canadian website that published Best Employer awards for 50-plus Canadians and has articles related to older workers. Newsletter and free to subscribe.

www.retiredworker.ca – Connects older workers who want to work on a part-time, temporary, or project basis with employers who are looking for the experience, broad still base, and value they deliver. Newsletter and free to subscribe.

Experience for Hire – Job search programs and workshops offered at NO CHARGE for mature workers. Call 604-524-2100.

The Transitions program – My three-week career exploration program is government funded (no fee) and available to anyone who in eligible to work in Canada and is unemployed or working less than 20 hours a week. Mature workers who have graduated from the program have successfully changed careers, returned to school, and even opened their own business! For more information, please call 604-434-1177.

Top Employers for Youth

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:50:00 -0800

The winners of this year’s Canada’s Top Employers for Young People competition were recently announced. The contest is organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers to recognize companies that offer the best benefits for younger workers. Several local companies made the list, including:

airG Inc., Vancouver. Cellular telecommunications; 119 employees. Offers alternative or flexible work options.

Cactus Restaurants Ltd., Vancouver; 2,016 employees. Conducts on-campus recruitment.

Golder Associates Ltd., Burnaby, B.C. Engineering services; 2,541 employees. Provides leadership development program.

HSBC Bank Canada, Vancouver. Banking; 7,667 employees. Conducts on-campus recruitment programs.

Lush Handmade Cosmetics Ltd., Vancouver. Toiletry product manufacturing; 381 employees. Provides subsidies for professional accreditations.

Do you want to explore your career options, and develop an achievable plan for reaching your career goals? Call 604-568-4176 or 604-434-1177 and ask about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or under employed and eligible to work in Canada.

What's your story?

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:59:00 -0800

As a career coach and counsellor I get to hear a lot of people’s stories - stories about their lives, work, and upbringing; their successes and perceived failures; and their triumphs and challenges. I’m amazed at the vast array of experiences people have had and how they have come to interpret and understand these experiences.

What is most intriguing is the meaning that each of these stories carry and how they impact the person, their life and their choices. For example, for one person a story of trials and challenges has become a story representing failure and difficulty, while for another person with similar life events the story is one of perseverance and victory or the support and care of others. This difference in interpretation and how we perceive our lives and our experiences will have a huge impact on the language we use to talk about ourselves (our story), how people perceive and interact with us, and the choices we make. We tend to define ourselves by our ‘story’ - for better or worse – either allowing for opportunity and possibilities, or limitation and discouragement.

So what is the story you tell people about yourself? And more importantly, what is the story you tell yourself? Have you had a series of challenges and failures that have now clouded your sense of self and, in turn, what is now possible for you? Over the years, in order to deal with personal issues and past hurts have you had to focus on painful memories and circumstances to the point that they have become the focal point of your life story? Has one bad incident, experience or decision now tainted or overshadowed what was before a positive and uplifting story?

I’m fortunate in my work to support people as they re-evaluate and reinterpret their life and career stories and as they begin writing the next chapter of their lives from a perspective of choice and freedom.

So what’s your story, and how will the next chapter read?

Call 604-681-2774 to find out about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or under employed and eligible to work in Canada.

How to Feel Secure in Insecure Times

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:51:00 -0800

“May you live in interesting times” is reputed to be an ancient Chinese Proverb, and has been quoted by real and fictional figures throughout history. To me, this would suggest that people from each time will inevitably find events and situations to be interesting in some way.

Today, we are experiencing our own ‘interesting time’ with events in the world concerning technology, the environment, and the economy. Certainly what I witness most are people trying to make sense of today’s world of work, which is so demanding and competitive and has contributed to feelings of frustration and overwhelm. There are many people with talent, skills and knowledge who are unemployed, and this situation can definitely dissolve their sense of purpose and confidence. I see this regularly in our program, where I connect with amazing people who are trying to regain their sense of hope and self.

However, during these ‘times’ it’s important not to spend too much time alone, as internalizing doubts and fears can just exacerbate them. Reach out for support and find others who can empathize and understand you. It could be your friends or family; a program such as ours; or some other group, as long as you feel they are people you can trust.

Call 604-681-2774 and ask about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or under employed and eligible to work in Canada.

Summer Job Search Myths - Part 2

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:05:00 -0800

This article continues from last week’s, when I began debunking summer job search myths. If you are unemployed or looking for new or better opportunities, read the myths below before you decide to take the summer off!

MYTH #4: Even if a job opening exists in a company, hiring managers are away or won’t have time to meet with you. Some hiring managers will be working – and hiring – during the summer and you may benefit from less job competition if you are also available.

MYTH #5: You have a better chance if you wait until the fall. Many companies won’t want to wait that long. For example, if they need staff in place for the upcoming fall season, they will often hire now. Also, many companies hire extra staff to cover staff holidays. Even if you are only hired for part-time or temporary hours, it’s a great opportunity to get your foot in the door and demonstrate your abilities while you fill in! That could make you the best hiring option the next time a full-time position becomes available.

So take time off if you really need a good rest this summer. However, if you are currently unemployed or need a job change you shouldn’t let the myths of the summer job search stop you!

Do you want to discover your career passion this summer? Call 604-681-2774 and ask about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or under employed and eligible to work in Canada.

Summer Jobs Search Myths - Part 1

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:59:00 -0800

Summer officially started this week, but that doesn’t mean you should put your job hunt on hold until September. This week I will debunk the most common summer job search myths –you can read part 2 of this article next week.

MYTH #1: No one hires in the summer.
This is true for some businesses, but others will hire in summer due to “use it or lose it” budgeting. Many companies have an August 31^st year-end, and will hire to meet their budget spending deadline rather than risk next year’s budget being cut or reduced. Also, summer doesn’t stop normal business conduct; people will take vacations but work still has to be done!

MYTH #2: Since nothing happens during the summer, you might as well head out of town for vacation. Since many people think this way, you can take advantage of reduced completion for jobs that are available by being in town.

MYTH #3: You won’t find the job you really want in the summer, just part-time student type jobs. Companies recovering from the recession can’t afford to postpone hiring just because it’s summer. When the alternative is reduced productivity or losing a contract, employers will hire whenever they need to, at any time of year for a variety of positions.

Do you want to spend part of this summer discovering career options that are right for you? Call 604-681-2774 and ask about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or under employed and eligible to work in Canada.

Emailing your resume

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:11:00 -0800

Crafting an effective cover letter and resume are only two of the steps you should consider when you submit a resume via email. You also need to make sure your email doesn’t get deleted or ignored! Please refer to the checklist below BEFORE you hit “send” on an email containing your cover letter and resume.

q Double-check that applications are being accepted via email.

q Save your cover letter & resume in Microsoft Word.

q Give your cover letter & resume a unique name that includes the year (e.g. GreggTaylor_2010 rather than myresume).

q Scan the resume & cover letter for viruses every time.

q Send your application from a neutral email address.

q Attach your resume and cover letter in one email message.

q Double-check your attachments by opening them.

qInclude the position title and/or reference number (if provided) in the subject line.

q Include a brief message in the body of the email that references the position you are applying for, then proof the message.

Not sure if you are applying for the right jobs? Call 604-434-1177 and ask about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or under employed and eligible to work in Canada.

Hot Companies

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:38:00 -0800

Many businesses struggled to survive in 2009, but others thrived despite the challenges of the recession. A list of Canada’s fastest-growing companies - that may need to hire more people to support further growth - was published in Profit Magazine’s June issue.

Below are the Lower Mainland companies that ranked highest on the PROFIT 100 list (full list at PROFIT100.com):

PNI Digital Media Inc.
Headquarters: Vancouver
Employees in 2004: 20, Employees in 2009: 94
Industry: Digital photo-processing systems for retailers
Website: www.pnimedia.com

Elastic Path Software Inc.
Headquarters: Vancouver
Employees in 2004: 14, Employees in 2009: 166
Industry: E-commerce software and services
www.elasticpath.com

Sequel Naturals Ltd.
Headquarters: Port Coquitlam
Employees in 2004: 4, Employees in 2009: 142
Industry: Produces natural health products
www.sequelnaturals.com

We can help you identify career options in growing sectors and understand the labour market. Call 604-434-1177 and ask about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or under employed and eligible to work in Canada.

Play to your Strengths

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:46:00 -0800

Let’s face it –there are high expectations in our society regarding our performance, professionalism, output and activities. It seems I’m supposed to be a high-output, multi-tasking entrepreneurial networker, who’s up-to-date on the latest advances in technology and trends in my sector, while also managing my many relationships and arriving at meetings on time. Whew!

The reality is that I don’t do everything equally well. It seems that the harshest judge of my abilities or missing abilities is the judge in my head. I want to do everything well, but I’m not ‘good’ at everything. We humans are miraculous beings with amazing capabilities. But the phrase “I’m only human” also applies, referring to the humbleness that comes from having, and admitting limitations.

Like the flip side of a coin, or the Ying to the Yang, I have weaknesses that work in tandem with my strengths. My ability to retain and focus on details is also a weakness when I lose sight of the big picture. My entrepreneurial ability to see opportunities and create business ideas can also result in a fragmented business as I try to tackle too many projects at once. I also have weaknesses that stand on their own like my lack of artistic drawing skills or my inability to do complex math calculations.

In his book titled Go Put Your Strengths to Work, Marcus Buckingham makes the bold assertion that we should stop worrying about and focusing on our weaknesses. Instead he contends that we should spend our efforts and energy building on our strengths. Sure, some weaknesses can be overcome through learning or practice. Buckingham asks the question, why spend all our energy identifying, thinking about, and working on our weak points, when we can experience far greater and faster results building on our natural gifts and strengths?

Imagine living day to day immersed in personal and work activities that play to your strengths rather than those that highlight your weaknesses. If you would like to learn more about your strengths call 604-434-1177 to sign up for an information session about the Transitions program, our no-fee (government funded) three-week career exploration program, available to anyone who is unemployed, under-employed and eligible to work in Canada.

A Powerful Question

Thu, 27 May 2010 14:15:00 -0800

What would you do if you knew you could not fail? This is a thought provoking question, particularly on the career front. Often we get stuck in our limited perspectives of the world and who we are in it. This is because we only see where we are right now, or with limited possibility. We don’t believe in ourselves and our abilities enough to dare to take a chance. What if you CAN have the job of your dreams? Saying this does not suggest that you throw caution to the wind, quit your day job, and go join a rock and roll band if you have only just started guitar lessons. What I am pointing out is your ability to create any opportunity for yourself, when the desire to do it is compelling enough. Feeling compelled will increase your likelihood of success.

How do we know when a career might be compelling? Ah, another great question. An opportunity is compelling when it makes you feel energized and alive. Perhaps being an astronaut is of interest to you. While it is not always possible to jump into a spaceship to be able to try space travel, it is important to look at the underlying experiences that excite you about the job. In the case of space travel, it might be risk taking; adventure; problem solving; or a keen interest in science that stir in your belly. Alternatively, it might be your desire to take the road less travelled; to work in small confined spaces; or the tranquility you feel being far away from it all.

To discover careers that will be compelling to you call 604-434-1177 and ask about the Transitions Program, our government funded (no fee) three-week career exploration program available to anyone who is unemployed or underemployed and eligible to work in Canada.

Get ahead while you work

Thu, 20 May 2010 16:27:00 -0800

Are you working, but still searching for other opportunities? If so, you should focus on exploring your career options AND making the most of your current job. Here are my tips for doing so:

1. Identify your strengths and manage your weaknesses. Put your emphasis on your strengths and look for opportunities to focus more on these skills.

2. Create a career portfolio. Collect all of your certificates, credentials, resume and any other papers that relate to your skills and put them in a binder.

3. Increase your profile. Volunteer to join committees, projects and special events to connect with people in other areas of the company. This shows your engagement with the company and your job will be more fun if you venture outside your cubicle.

4. Help others succeed. It's very satisfying to help someone out of a jam. You feel you're contributing and it benefits someone directly.

5. Build your network. Get to know people playing different roles in the company.

6. Find a mentor. Look for a colleague who's been with the company a long time - or someone in the same industry with another organization - someone you can safely talk to about your career aspirations and who will give you honest feedback.

7. Talk to your manager or human resources department about your career. Discuss your long-term goals and seek advice about how you can improve your performance in your current job and what you could do now to prepare for a future role.

8. Pursue professional development. Seek training to enhance your skills in your current role but also consider what skills would be useful to your department.

9. Expand your horizons. Attend industry conferences and read journals and blogs about your profession and industry to find new ideas to bring to your job and organization.

10. Be inquisitive. Ask lots of questions: How can I improve? How do you do that? What needs to be done? How can I help? Where do I go from here?

These are just a few tips to get you started. If you need assistance in exploring your career options or transition, please call 604-568-4176 or 604-434-1177.

What's Wrong With Me?

Fri, 14 May 2010 09:08:00 -0800

What’s wrong with me? That’s the question I get asked when I meet people who are having difficulty finding a job after months of searching. With all the news about the economic recovery, they wonder why, in their own job search, they’re not meeting with success. If you currently find yourself in this situation, there is nothing “wrong with you” at all. This situation can arise from a number of different factors including the following:

1) There are few jobs available in your specific career or industry niche. An increasing number of jobs may be available, but that doesn’t mean that jobs are available in your sector.

2) Job and role requirements in a sector can shift over time, meaning that although you may have qualified for and performed the job just fine in the past employers are looking for a slightly different mix of skills now.

3) Your time in your current career field is stale dated. Although you are diligently
looking for work, somewhere inside you’ve realized that you’ve had enough of that kind of work. You may be doing all the ‘right’ things, but without the same enthusiasm required to make the necessary contacts or impress employers. (Your ambivalence may be showing.)

The answer to this is to review your career direction and focus and adapt new strategies that will increase your chances of success. Possible strategies could include:

- - Broaden your geographic search

- - Broaden the range of industries that you approach. Are there other industries that could use some or all of your skills in a different type of job?

- Have you ever thought about a career change? Perhaps this is the opportunity to assess your options and take steps towards making the change.

- What about retraining, skills upgrading or school? You will gain momentum knowing that you are renewing your credentials and learning new skills.

These are just a few career strategies to use in tough times. If you need support and help in assessing your options, assistance is available. Call 604-681-2774 for information.

Back to School Planning

Thu, 06 May 2010 14:41:00 -0800

September may seem far away, but now is the time to consider school and training options beginning this fall. Here are a number of great websites that will help you research your training options:

www.educationplannerbc.ca: Provides information on all undergraduate programs at BC’s 27 publicly funded colleges, institutes and universities including availability, application dates, tuition costs, admission requirements, and program lengths. You can search for programs by field of study, subject area, length of program, region, institution, and type of credential.

www.bccca.com: The BC Career Colleges Association represents privately owned career training centres. Click on the ‘Search for a School’ option at the top of the main page to search by topic of study and/or region.

www.pctia.bc.ca: The Private Career Training Institutions Agency is a government agency responsible for registering and accrediting private training colleges. Make sure that any private training college you consider is registered and preferably accredited by the agency.

If you are uncertain about which career or training option fits best for you, get some professional career guidance. Please call my office at 604-434-1177 for information about hiring a career counsellor or our no-fee (government funded) three-week career exploration program, The Transitions Program.

Tips for Success during Lay-off

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:49:00 -0800

It is surprising how quickly we become comfortable with the routine and security of a steady job. It may not be your dream job, or it may be. It is definitely a job that meets certain needs like, paying the mortgage or rent, putting food on the table, putting money away for your kid’s college education, or just for a rainy day.

Imagine the shock, or remember the shock of being told that your last day in this comfort zone is coming up soon. It is a tough thing to hear! And yet, in this situation there are three key things to remember, which can or will assist you through this change.

The first thing to remember is that change is the normal side of life. Every thing in the world is in a constant state of change from birth to death, mountains forming and ice caps melting. All of it is change. Sometimes it happens fast and other times it is very slow, but change is the rule rather then the exception. Lay-off is yet another change. Not comfortable but in recent economic times, very normal.

The second thing to remember is you always have choice. Of course, you may not have had a choice in your lay-off, but in this circumstance you have choice about what you want to do with the information. This realization, all by itself offers you some power and control in a circumstance that feels very uncertain. When you look at lay-off as an opportunity instead of a problem it changes the way you think about it.

The third and final thing to remember is that there are great resources at your disposal to support you during these uncertain times. For information on how to access government funded (no charge) services call our office at 604.434.1177.

Dream co-workers

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:11:00 -0800

Over the last seventeen years I have heard from many clients about co-workers they thought were ‘nightmares’ to work with. Sometimes the issue is pet peeves. Work place pet peeves often share themes such as offensive and irritating behaviors and habits (even noises and smells!). More often however it can be about a difference in preference and style.

For example, one person may complain about their co-worker who is often late for meetings and forgetting appointments. In contrast, the discussed co-worker may describe the person complaining as uptight and unnecessarily rigid about scheduling.

The key to these two co-workers getting along is to understand their own personality types, and related preferences such as their views of time, while respecting their differences. For example, the person with a preference for scheduling their time should only make appointments with the co-worker if they are necessary. In turn, the co-worker who prefers to keep a flexible schedule should make it a priority to honour the scheduling commitments that are made.

Understanding personalities can help you thrive in the workplace. You can gain this personal insight by taking a career exploration program with a self-assessment component, or hiring a career counsellor. For more information about either option please call my office at 604-681-2774. The Transitions three-week career exploration program is free if you are unemployed or working less than twenty hours a week.

Top Three Reasons for Career Success

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:01:00 -0800

What allows people to stay on track with their career transitions, goals and dreams?

When you speak to people who consider themselves successful, there are some consistent themes that emerge. The first reason people experience career success is because they set goals.

Establish a clear direction by setting goals that are S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time dated), so you have concrete action steps to move toward your dreams. Taking one step at a time makes goal setting easy and rewarding - each success motivates and inspires your next step!

Motivation is the second reason people achieve career success. Understanding the driving force behind our actions allows us to work WITH those forces. For example, when you are a parent and your children are important to you, then you are motivated to find work that does not require you to work long hours or frequently be away. Your career must support your top motivating priorities. Understanding your priorities - and creating ways to live by them - creates motivation to achieve your goals.

The third reason people experience career success is because they play to their strengths. If you are a people person then do work that creates the opportunity to be with people. If you are an introvert, your work must include time to yourself. Set goals, understand your motivations, and play to your strengths to easily achieve career success.

Resources for the Unemployed

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:26:00 -0800

If you are currently unemployed and looking for work, or will be shortly, there is help! The government funds employment programs in the community that provide practical, professional and personalized help. These are professionally run career planning, job search and self employment programs, with trained and qualified staff, provided at no cost to people who are unemployed – both those receiving Employment Insurance benefits and those who are not.

In order to access government funded programs or training support, you will need to make an appointment with an Employment Counsellor/Case Manager at your local Employment Resource Centre (ERC). A Case Manager will discuss your situation with you, review your options, and refer you to appropriate programs in your area. There is no charge for this service. There are ERC’s located throughout the Lower Mainland. Here’s a partial list:

RDK Career Services, #9 - 2988 Glen Drive, Coquitlam - Ph. 604-552-7075

RDK Career Services, 109 - 1015 Austin Ave., Coquitlam- Ph. 604-933-1200

Bowman Employment Services Inc., 22575 Lougheed Highway, Maple Ridge - Ph. 604-466-1375

S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Unit 2058 Henderson Place, 1163 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam -Ph. 604-468-6060
Target group: New Canadians, ESL Clients

Fraserside Community Services Society, 2nd Floor, 519 7th Street, New West - Ph. 604-522-9701

Training Innovations Inc., 600 – 4180 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby - Ph. 604-298-4757

Full listings of local ERC’s and the many programs that are available are on the web at www.youremploymentservices.ca. Why not call today? Trained professionals and free resources are waiting to help you with your next step to a successful career. For information on The Transitions Program, an award winning 3 week career exploration and planning program, call my office directly at 604-434-1177.

Getting a Government Job

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:56:00 -0800

Thousands of baby boomers with government jobs are poised to retire in the next five years - 45% of managers in the BC public service will be retired by 2015! Although not every position will be re-filled, there will be many job opportunities in the future.

To view government jobs postings and information please visit:

FEDERAL JOBS:
Visit www.jobs.gc.ca - This is the only official site for all external (open to the public) federal public service jobs. You can also explore available careers, and sign up to receive job alert emails.

PROVINCIAL JOBS:
Visit www.employment.gov.bc.ca – On this site you can search for current job postings, and view profiles of people already working in the BC public service.

MUNICIPAL JOBS:
Visit www.civicjobs.ca - This site is Canada's largest online source for municipal (city) postings. You can view job postings and sign up to receive postings via email.

Not sure which government job opportunities would be rewarding for you? The Transitions Program, our three-week career exploration program, can help you identify fulfilling career and job options – and develop a plan of action to achieve your goals! The program is free and available to people who are unemployed or working less than twenty hours a week. Please visit www.transitionsprogram.ca for more information or call 604-681-2774 to sign up for an information session.

Paid programs for 15-30 year olds

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:43:00 -0800

Would you like to explore the possibility of a career in the growing eco, film, or tourism industries while earning an income? There are several programs which offer youth aged 15-30 years old with paid opportunities to gain skills and experience in these fields, including:

Youth Eco Internship Program
This internship program provides participants with work in the growing field of environmental and community employment.
Visit www.yeip.ca, or call 1-877-668-7602 (YMCA) / 1-877-994-6876 (YWCA) for more information.

Kaleidoscope Program
This program focuses on teaching participants the skills needed to make short films, in addition to other job and life skills. Visit www.kaleidoscopefilms.ca or call 604-303-9025 for information.

Discovery to Hospitality, Tourism, & Retail
This program prepares participants for opportunities in the high growth, high demand industries of Hospitality, Retail or Tourism. Visit www.ufcw247trainingcentre.com or call Russell at 604-523-5433 / Jennifer at 604-523-5436 for more information.

If you are not sure which program -or career- is suitable for you then I encourage you to learn more about The Transitions Program, our three-week career exploration program. This program will help you identify career options that will be exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding for you. There is no cost to take this program if you are not working OR work less than twenty hours a week. Please visit www.transitionsprogram.ca for information or call 604-434-1177 to sign up for an information session.

Benefits for the Self-Employed

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:44:00 -0800

Self-employed Canadians can now voluntarily register to receive employment insurance (EI) special benefits. These benefits will provide economic security to self-employed people coping with major life events including giving birth; caring for a newborn; or getting sick.

Special benefits provided to the self-employed will mirror the benefits that are currently provided to salaried employees, through the employment insurance program.

Self-employed people who choose to participate in the program need to opt-in to the program prior to claiming benefits.

For more information about the special benefits or registration (opt-in) process call Service Canada at 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) or visit www.ServiceCanada.gc.ca/SelfEmployed .

If you are self-employed AND work less than twenty hours a week, I recommend that you contact an Employment Resource Centre to find out about other government funded programs you can access.

For example, our no charge, three-week career exploration program, The Transitions Program would benefit you if you are considering a new career direction; would like to discover new career opportunities; or are confused about your career options. To view more information about the program please visit www.transitionsprogram.ca.

You can drop in to an Employment Resource Centre Resource Room of your choice or call ahead to meet with an Employment Resource Centre Case Manager who will help you determine your next best action step. A list of centres can be viewed at www.youremploymentservices.ca (click on “where do I start?” on the left hand side).