Tips for Successful networking (Networking Card)

Your networking card is one of the most valuable networking tools you have or  I would say  is the most powerful single tool--dollar for dollar--you can invest in. It's compact, energy-efficient, low-cost, low-tech, and keeps working for you hours, weeks and even years after it leaves your hands! 

Some of the things your networking card does are: 

+  Tell people your name and your skill. 

+  It can be reused, as it passes from person to person, giving the same message to each person who comes in contact with it. 

+  Provide prospects with a way to contact you. 

+  Expose your portfolio/resume (if you have posted online at www.newcomers-canada.com). 

We do not want to bring copy of resume  everywhere we go it's too bulky and looks not as a  professional  way of approach to your targeting contact. 

The main function to get your name out to other people with whom the first person comes in contact with via referrals. With that in mind, let's take a look at the most effective ways to use your networking cards. 

Below  several tips to get your card works for you.

1. Make Your Cards Accessible in Every Situation 

Never leave home without them! It's a great idea to keep a small box of your cards in your glove box, just in case you find yourself in a situation where you need more than you've carried in your pocket or purse. In addition to jacket pocket, you can tuck them away in briefcase, wallet and computer bag, just to make sure you never run out. 

2. Seek Situations to Pass Your Card 

There are many opportunities in which you can pass on your card to prospective contact  and friends  as well as referral sources you wish to develop. Some are obvious; others are not. Whenever you have a one-on-one meeting with someone new or someone you haven't seen for a while, give her/him your networking  card. At any occasions  and social events, be sure you have plenty of cards when you go in. These are good places to extend the reach of your network. 

Example of online resume: http://www.newcomers-canada.com/resume.asp?uid=526f65013275750

Free printing card : http://www.vistaprint.com

Tips for Improving Interpersonal skill

If you have trouble finding work although you have strong resume. Might be you need to step back and think about whether you need to improve your interpersonal skill.

Interpersonal skill were the most important communication skill for financial professional.

Interpersonal skills mean being able to interact with people effectively while also being able to be liked by them. If you have great interpersonal skill, it does help you differentiate yourself from the rest.

Helpful tips for improving your interpersonal skills:

Smile. Few people want to be around someone who is always down in the dumps. Do your best to be friendly and upbeat with your coworkers. Maintain a positive, cheerful attitude about work and about life. Smile often. The positive energy you radiate will draw others to you.

Pay attention to others. Observe what’s going on in other people’s lives. Acknowledge their happy milestones, and express concern and sympathy for difficult situations such as an illness or death.

Practice active listening. To actively listen is to demonstrate that you intend to hear and understand another’s point of view. Your coworkers will appreciate knowing that you really do listen to what they have to say.

Communicate clearly. Pay close attention to both what you say and how you say it. A clear and effective communicator avoids misunderstandings with coworkers, collegues, and associates. If you tend to blurt out anything that comes to mind, people won’t put much weight on your words or opinions.

THREE Cover letter secrets

Your cover letter might write well, but you still need some kind of secret thought to stand out from your competitor.

I will point out THREE secrets to add into your cover letter, which will catch your hiring manager.

1. Create an eye-catching “Headline” written about your intention of the position they are looking for.

I would like to apply for [fill in job title here] and welcome for the interview opportunity.

2. State your qualifications.

I am a quick learner, organized, and knowledgeable about [fill in their business type].

3. State your enthusiasm at the end of cover letter.

I look forward to meeting you to discuss how I can contribute in your company. I fell confident I could be an asset to your company. I can be reached anytime on my cell phone: 555-123-5555.

Keep practice by using above secret keys on your cover letter and unlock an interview for the job you most desire. Good luck.

Want to improve your English skills?

Dear all,

I have been leaving in Canada since 2001 (7 years). As most of us understand the common issue immigrant face is language barrier. We come from different part of country where we do not speak English at all, or probably we had gained little English knowledge from school.

I still recall in 2001 when I arrived and made appointment with recruiter at downtown Toronto. I was so excited that I could meet and discuss about my skill at that time. But, unfortunately they give me an advice to polish my English first. Well, that’s true and know I am really thanks to their advice because I realize that if we keep trying to improve our English pronunciation I believe it can be really help us during job interview.

I went to ESL workshop, join coop class, and make use of “Employment Resource Centre” whenever I had free time.

Find below sites that might be useful for you:

http://www.audioenglish.net/
I like the part where I can play the audio file so I can listen clearly how they pronounce the word or sentence, and the good thing is it’s FREE. But probably you got to pay for advanced services.

http://www.learnenglish.de/improvepage.htm
This site provides many options to improve our English skills such as: Learning Skills, Grammar, vocabulary, Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing

http://wordweb.info/free/
WordWeb is a one-click English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows that can look up words from in almost any program. It works off-line, but can also look up words in web references such as the Wikipedia encyclopedia.

You can download wordweb and install at your PC. It’s free and really helpful.
I have been using this s/w for years.

If you found any website that can help us to improve our communication. Please do not hesitate to post it here, or you can always contact me at : info@newcomers-canada.com.

Let’s make use of newcomer canada blogger as our practice place where we can share our experience, teach each other, and help each other to get close to his/her dream job.

Happy reading.
Ferdi

Continuing Education

Have you heard about "Continuing Education"? (Con Ed)

It’s been a hot topic this spring and I think we need to dig out a bit more what is Con Ed and does it suitable to newcomers?

Con Ed is Courses, programs, or organized learning experiences usually taken after a degree is obtained to enhance personal or professional goals.

The length of a summer Con Ed course varies. It could be as short as 3-4 hours or as long as a month or more in class. Tuition fees also differ. Checking online is the best way to find start dates and class hours.

Con Ed courses offered in Toronto:

www.centennialcollege.ca/parttime

www.coned.georgebrown.ca

www.cecalendar.humber.ca

www.senecac.ca/partime/homepage.html

www.learnutoronto.ca/course/browse.html

www.glendon.yorku.ca/extendedlearning

www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/continuing

www.ce-online.ryerson.ca

Unemployment gap growing

Statistics Canada yesterday reported a rising tide in employment in 2007 has failed to carry recent immigrants with it. And the picture is worse in 2007 than in 2006, particularly in the GTA.

Employment among all working-age immigrants rose slightly across Canada, thanks to a boom in employment for immigrants in Quebec and Alberta and stronger results for established immigrants.

In Ontario, the unemployment rate for immigrants rose slightly to 6.8 per cent in 2007 while the rate for Canadian-born workers stayed the same at 4.4 per cent. For immigrants who have arrived in Ontario in the last five years, the rate is 11.9 per cent; in Toronto it’s 12.7.