Career Exploration Career Exploration

Workshop Goals: Introduce key Labour Market Information concepts Introduce key Labour Market Information concepts Discuss Informational Interviews Discuss Informational Interviews Review components of Research Package Review components of Research Package Computer lab: Computer lab: Passport to Work Website (CAREER PASSPORT)Passport to Work Website (CAREER PASSPORT) research occupationsresearch occupations LMI websitesLMI websites Education / trainingEducation / training Job search websitesJob search websites

What is Labour Market Information (LMI)? type of work that is actually availabletype of work that is actually available in different industriesin different industries in a particular locationin a particular location at a particular point in timeat a particular point in time

LMI includes: Information about specific fields Information about specific fields Employment and Unemployment statistics Employment and Unemployment statistics Economic trends (what’s hot, what’s not) Economic trends (what’s hot, what’s not) Levels of education / training required Levels of education / training required Job vacancies Job vacancies

40,000+ occupations in North America40,000+ occupations in North America Identify which industries are declining, growing and stableIdentify which industries are declining, growing and stable What does this mean to you?What does this mean to you? Changing working conditions Changing working conditions Ongoing need for formal and informal life long learning Ongoing need for formal and informal life long learning Jobs created, shifted and eliminated Jobs created, shifted and eliminated Globalization Globalization Shifting demographics Shifting demographics Why care about LMI?

Group Discussion Questions What changes have you seen lately in the Lower Mainland? What labour market changes do you foresee? What factors influence trends in the labour market? ow can you best prepare for these changes? How can you best prepare for these changes?

Where do you find LMI? Current print publications Current print publications NewspapersNewspapers MagazinesMagazines trade publicationstrade publications Current websites Current websites Networking with people Networking with people

Networking with people… effective way to get career-related information effective way to get career-related information People you know… People you know… Friends, Family, co – workers, etc…Friends, Family, co – workers, etc… People you don’t know… People you don’t know… Informational InterviewsInformational Interviews

Asking people working in a specific occupation about their work and career path. Asking people working in a specific occupation about their work and career path. Gain personal perspectives on choosing or refining your career interests. Gain personal perspectives on choosing or refining your career interests. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

Benefits of Info Interviews… Explore careers and clarify your career goal Expand your professional network Access current career and labour market information Build confidence Save time! Save time!

Sources for Info. Interviews contacts… People you know Internet Online communities Field Memberships and affiliations School graduates phone book, etc… BE CREATIVE!

Conducting an Info. Interview... Best option: in-personBest option: in-person PhonePhone FaxFax

Prepping for an info interview: WHAT TO DO: 1) Arrive on time 2) Research the company beforehand 3) Take notes to review later 4) Practice with a friend first 5) Politely ask if you could be referred to other contacts 6) Write a thank you note WHAT NOT TO DO: 1) Take more time than agreed upon 2) Project negative body language 3) Answer phone calls or text messages 4) Use inappropriate language or slang 5) Forget to thank the person for their time 6) Treat it as “just part of the research package”

Prepping for the Info. Interview (con’t) Practice Introduction Practice IntroductionExample: “Hello, my name is… I am interested in going to school to become a ___ and was wondering if you had a couple of minutes to answer some questions about the occupation “

When you make contact: Be specific about why you are contacting themBe specific about why you are contacting them Take advantage of off-peak hoursTake advantage of off-peak hours Get to know the industry – make your approach appropriateGet to know the industry – make your approach appropriate Be prepared with your questions!Be prepared with your questions!

Questions to ask in Info. Interviews Employees… they are “who you want to be” they are “who you want to be” i.e. Dental Assistant i.e. Dental Assistant Employers… are the people who hire i.e. Dentist

Info Interview Roadblocks… Minimum of 10 requiredMinimum of 10 required 5 employers 5 employers 5 employees 5 employees Time consumingTime consuming Resistance – Too busy, bad timing, not interested, not hiring, etc…Resistance – Too busy, bad timing, not interested, not hiring, etc… Frustration - Keep trying!Frustration - Keep trying!

RESEARCH PACKAGE components Section One – Rationale Letter Section Two – Labour Market Information Section Three – Informational Interviews Section Four – Job Postings Section Five – School Research Section Six – Budget Worksheet Section Seven – Resume (optional)

Introduction to online resources

Online resources - Online resources - Occupational information Websites

Online resources – LMI Websites

Online resources – Education Websites

Online resources – Job Search Websites

Online resources – Finance Websites

Computer LAB time! Time to research: Occupational information Labour market information Education / training options Job opportunities

Thank you!