• What kinds of jobs are available for people under sixteen?


• I'm not from Canada, can you help me get a job from overseas?


• How should I do my resume?


• How do I apply for a job?


• I have handed out lots of resumes, but I never get an interview, what can I do?


• I don't see any postings for the job I want, what do I do?


• Can you forward my application?


• How should I answer interview questions?


• Where are the jobs in the______________ industry?


• Where are summer jobs (Calgary or Alberta or Canada)?


• I am new to Canada and can't get a position because I don't have any 'Canadian Experience'.


• Where can I find internships?


• Are there some jobs that I can do from home?


• Are recruiting/headhunting services a good thing to sign up for?


• Where are the job postings?

SEE ALSO - Choosing a Career - FAQ

1) What kinds of jobs are available for people under sixteen?

It's not easy finding a job when you are under sixteen (even under eighteen!). Many employers set a limit of sixteen as the youngest they will hire. A good first step, is to ask your parents for ideas. They may have connections to people who can help you. Younger workers do have a few options, here's some ideas:

• Some fast food restaurants will hire under sixteen years of age.
• Some companies that deliver flyers and newspapers
• Babysitting for neighbours and family friends
• Yard work, "odd jobs" for neighbours
• Keep your eyes and ears open for other opportunities to go into business for yourself this summer!

2) I'm not from Canada, can you help me get a job from overseas?

We can not place you or forward your resume to potential employers. If you'd like some details about Canadian job seeking check out: www.nextsteps.org/jobsearch/index.html

3) How should I do my resume?

Everything you need to know can be found here - www.nextsteps.org/resume/index.html

4) How do I apply for a job?

We give all the details about the best techniques here - www.nextsteps.org/jobsearch/index.html

5) I have handed out lots of resumes, but I never get an interview, what can I do?

Chances are that the résumé you are handing out isn't doing you justice. Many times people have a résumé that makes small but costly mistakes like spelling errors.

Another common mistake is using the wrong kind of résumé. There are three basic types of résumé: chronological, functional or a combination of the two. Younger people should almost always use a functional résumé. Details about getting your resume into shape are located here - www.nextsteps.org/resume/index.html

6) I don't see any postings for the job I want, what do I do?

You have checked the newspaper and the internet and there's no postings for what you want to do. Is it time to change careers? Nope. It's time to change your tactics.

Most employers don't advertise available jobs in the newspaper or on the internet. Some do of course, but many people have suggested that those positions are a small fraction of the jobs that are actually available. There's a long and boring explanation for this but we won't put you to sleep with it. Here's how to get your résumé to the people that can give you what you want:

• Go through your local phone book and pick out companies that you would like to work for.
• Visit their website and read about their business. What are their goals? Products? Services? Do they advertise any jobs on their site?
Make a list of things that you can do to help them reach their goals. Can you:
• Help things run smoothly in their office?
• Find new customers for their business?
• Build/repair their products?
• Help them save money?
• Etc.
• Phone the company and ask for an appointment to introduce yourself and drop off your résumé. Some companies won't allow this, but phone and ask anyway.
• Arrange to meet people who are willing to speak with you. Ask them what they are looking for in a candidate.
• Briefly let them know how you can help them reach their goals.
• Thank them and ask if it would be okay if you contacted them in the future.
• Send an email or note later thanking them for their time.

Check out the details here - www.nextsteps.org/jobsearch/index.html

7) Can you forward my application?

We're sorry, we can't. It's a common request, but there are just too many readers of nextSteps.org from all over the world for us to take on such a task. Not only that, but most employers wouldn't accept a résumé that didn't come directly from the person interested in the job.

8) How should I answer interview questions?

Example: "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

Check out our common interview questions section - www.nextsteps.org/interview/index.html

9) Where are the jobs in the______________ industry?

SEE: "Where are the job postings?"

SEE ALSO: "I don't see any postings for the job I want, what do I do?"

10) Where are summer jobs (Calgary or Alberta or Canada)?

At the Youth Employment Centre - www.nextsteps.org/yec/about.html

OR your local Youth Connections Office - www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/youthconnections/ycoffices/index.asp

Or Hire-A-Student - www.ab.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/has-ede/

Also, see our information about finding a job - www.nextsteps.org/jobsearch/index.html

11) I am new to Canada and can't get a position because I don't have any 'Canadian Experience'.

Starting over in a new country isn't easy. There are a number of challenges: learning a new language, understanding a different culture, it's a big adjustment. Adding to the difficulty, job opportunities may seem ellusive.

Employers want to ensure the smooth operation of their company. This concern may raise a number of questions. How will a new Canadian fit into their organization? Will there be difficulty communicating with an employee who's first language is not their own? Will it be easy enough for a new citizen to successfully join the company culture? Is education or training from abroad comparable to Canadian training? Are work environments and practices from abroad similar to a Canadian work experience?

Addressing these concerns isn't easy, but here are some suggestions that may help:

• If your speaking and writing skills in English are in question, consider taking a "Business English" course from your local community college or from the YWCA /YMCA.
• Even if your English language skills are fairly good, it is worth seeking help to put some polish on those skills. Check your local phone book for services to assist newcomers.
• Locate some expert allies. In almost every Canadian city there are societies and agencies that serve new Canadians. They can be helpful when adjusting to a new culture.
• Emphasize your skills. Research the companies that you are applying to and find out what skills they seek. Write a 'Functional' resume instead of a 'chronological' one - www.nextsteps.org/resume/resform.html
• Highlight your abilities on your cover letter - www.nextsteps.org/resume/coverlet.html

To convince a potential employer, emphasize that you have the skills necessary to achieve the company's goals. Don't rely too heavily on the prestige of former positions or training programs that may not be recognized by a Canadian employer.

12) Where can I find internships?

Check out this section - www.nextsteps.org/jobs/intern.htm

13) Are there some jobs that I can do from home?

We did some research on this subject and found that working from home isn't all that straightforward.

Like many people, you are probably curious to know if there are any 'work from home' options that pay an hourly wage. We can't speak to how many legitimate opportunities of this kind may be available, but we do know that people who find themselves making a steady income from home tend to fall into one of two categories:

• A known and trusted in-office employee who is allowed to work from home by the employer
• Self employed

In an Internet savy world, telecommuting is a viable scenario and 'work at home' options could one day become a familiar offering from reputable companies. Many have been trying hard to make such practices reality. Check out the Canadian Telework Association. In the mean time, opportunities are more likely to be entrepreneurial in nature. In that respect, they should be considered very carefully, weighing the risks.

There are a number of companies advertising 'Work From Home!' opportunities, but often they are hoping to sell you products. That may be okay for you... if you think that you can sell those same products from your home for a profit. Some people are successful at this and we certainly wouldn't discourage you from pursuing it if you felt confident in your decision. In any case, it would be worth your while to check out some information about starting your own business.

SEE: How do I start my own business?

When considering any entrepreneurial venture, it is important to conduct plenty of research before you invest any time or money! Some 'work at home' opportunities are actually pyramid or multi-level marketing plans, which can be illegal in Canada. If you suspect this may be the case for an opportunity you have been investigating, you would be wise to check with your local police and the Better Business Bureau to obtain information about the legitimacy of the enterprise.

See the RCMP report on pyramid schemes - www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams/pyramid_e.htm

Below are some links to sites that provide more information on telecommuting. Caution should be used here, nextSteps has not researched any of the opportunities listed on these sites, you are on your own. Some of these links would like you to 'subscribe' to their services for a fee. See what you can find out for free first.

http://telecommuting.about.com/

www.workaholics4hire.com/database.htm

Thanks to the CanLearn Online Career Advisor for the advice and links!

14) Are recruiting/headhunting services a good thing to sign up for?

It's a good practice to tell everyone who will listen that you are looking for a job and also, what type of work interests you. So, if a headhunter/recruiter will listen, by all means, tell them.

As for whether or not they can help you, that is a different story. Recruiters don't really work for you... they work for the companies that paid them. So don't be confused when they voice an eagerness to help and that's the last you hear from them. Recruiters and the companies that hire them are interested in the following kinds of people:

• People who are currently working for the competition.
• People who have at least two years experience, ideally five years or more.

So, if you are an unemployed new grad, your probability of being placed by a recruiter for your industry is much lower.

As already mentioned, you should sign up and tell them that you are looking, but don't wait by the phone... get out there and keep applying.

15) Where are the job postings?

Here - www.nextsteps.org/jobs/index.html