FINDING AND KEEPING A GOOD JOB A Handbook for Aboriginal Job Seekers ^"EBUSmESSZ./W/C Aboriginal Business Alberta's Business Information Service Developnnent Services Tofh i As l bgeuritdae Ewmapsl o pyrmoednutc e da n dw i tIhm m tihger a stiuopn,p o r t ouuf Avclib e mriticai i ■ i Contents 1. Why this handbook? 2 2. Alberta's businesses need employees 2 3. General thoughts about getting a job 3 (a) What is standing between good jobs and good Aboriginal workers? 3 (b) Barriers and challenges 3 (i) Lack of work experience 3 00 Too little education, training, or life skills 4 (Hi) Cultural stereotyping or racism 4 4. How to find a job and get hired 5 (a) Matching yourself to a job 5 (b) Training and experience 5 (c) Preparing a resume 5 (d) Help is available 6 (e) The interview 6 (i) Tilings to keep in mind 6 (ii) Before tlie interview 7 (Hi) At tlie end of the interview 7 5. Keeping a job 8 (a) What makes it d ifficult? 8 (i) Lack of p reparation for tiie transition 8 (ii) Lack of time witli family 8 (Hi) Higher cost of living 8 (iv) General culture shock 8 (v) Isolation on the job 8 (vi) Corporate culture, racism, and discrimination 9 6. What do employers and employees need - and why do they need it? 9 (a) Employers 9 (b) Employees 9 (c) Both 10 (i) Treat people with respect. 10 (ii) Know the difference between the person and the task. 10 (Hi) Make sure that everyone understands the fuU picture. 10 7. Understanding one another: The Culture Question 11 8. The *Third Culture' 12 9. The next step is up to you 12 Disclaimer: The information presented in this document is intended as a guide only, and while thought to be accurate, is provided strictly "as is" and without warranty of any l<ind. The Business Linl<, its employees, its directors and members, its agents or contractors will not be liable to you for any damages, direct or indirect, or lost profits arising out of your use of information provided within this document, or information provided within Ttie Business Link's websites. This material may be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for non-commercial purposes; however, The Business Link's copyright is to be acknowledged. You may not use, reproduce, store or transmit this material for commercial purposes without prior written consent from The Business Link. © 2009 The Business Link Finding and Keeping a Good Job 1. Why this handbook? Having a job is not just about money. To feel good about themselves, most people need to be productive. It i s in our nature to want to feel useful and know that we can take care of ourselves and those who depend on us. This is true for all cultures and races and goes back to times before we needed money to survive. Long before there was money, people had jobs or tasks because societies are nothing but huge 'families' that can only survive if e verybody contributes. How much we contribute is not important. What is very important is that, back then and now, everyone does what they can. That is w hat humans have always done and will always have to do for survival. An enjoyable job brings rewards and happiness. It t akes some time and planning to find a position and workplace that matches your skills, values and interests. This handbook will look at some of the reasons and will try to help Aboriginal people who are interested in finding and keeping jobs. Much of the information applies to anyone who is a job seeker, whether or not they are Aboriginal. Employers want to find, attract and retain qualified and reliable employees in every economy. Businesses want to hire you and are looking for ways to make their workplaces attractive. In any workplace, you can and should expect the same treatment, opportunities and accountability that everyone receives. Some jobs will require specialized training or education, but all employers value someone who is positive and reliable, with a willingness to work and learn. 2. Alberta's businesses need employees Canada's population is aging because there are so many baby boomers - those born in the years after the end of the Second World War when people felt good about the future and started families. These baby boomers are all reaching retirement age over a short span of years and their places have to be filled by younger people. So, the opportunities are there - and even more so for the Aboriginal population because it i s growing at a faster pace than the rest of Canada's population. Even more important than the fact that baby boomers will be leaving many jobs open, is the fact that businesses and governments will always need good workers. And there is no reason in the world why Aboriginal people cannot be those good workers. Aboriginal workers have the edge in this, especially in the rural and more remote areas of the province, because they are there and many want to stay there. 3. G eneral thoughts about getting a job (a) What is standing between good jobs and good Aboriginal workers? It i s simply 'not l<nowing'. Employers generally do not know Aboriginal people and some Aboriginal people do not know how to approach employers, or what is really expected of them on the job. To do a good job, people have to not only know what they are supposed to do, but also why their jobs exist and why it i s important that every worker be as productive as possible. (b) Barriers and challenges It i s true that there are a number of barriers or obstacles facing Aboriginal people in finding, getting, and keeping jobs. As always, there are exceptions and not all Aboriginal people find themselves stopped or slowed down by the barriers. However, it i s safe to say that in general terms these obstacles are faced by the majority of Aboriginal people who are seeking jobs or who are trying to keep the jobs they have. These barriers exist for a variety of complicated reasons and we are not trying to provide the cure in this handbook. We are simply recognizing the fact that they do exist and, where possible, we offer some suggestions on how to cope with them. Among the barriers most often talked about when it c omes to getting a job are: (i) Lack of work experience This is a huge challenge, especially for those who are looking for their first job. There are two reasons why employers prefer people who have done similar work before: The first is the cost of training. To train people costs a lot of money - not only for the training itself, but also because people who are still learning work at a slower pace; they take up the time of others who have to show and teach them; and they often make mistakes so that the work has to be done over. Some companies build in a component for training and know there are costs associated with it. The second reason why employers prefer people with experience is that they can check on the person's track record by talking to previous employers to find out what kind of worker he or she was. Finding and Keeping a Good Job H There are things you can do to help make up for lack of experience: • You can find out as much as you can beforehand by talking to people who already work in similar jobs; by talking to trainers or a career counselor; or by reading about the job. if y ou know what the job involves, it w ould be much easier to decide if y ou can handle it a nd to explain to the person interviewing you why you feel you can either do the job, or quickly learn how to do it. One example is the Occupational Profiles on the ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service) Website which contain detailed descriptions of a wide range of jobs and occupations and can be found at www.alis.gov.ab.ca. • An employer might consider work experience on a Reserve or Metis Settlement to be different from off-Reserve or off-Settlement experience. In this event, you should be prepared to explain in detail what experience you do have and how that would apply to the job you are applying for. (ii) Too little education, training, or life sl<ills If t he job you apply for is something you want to do for a long term, or as a career choice, and you require education or training, it m ay be a good idea to consider 'going back to school' to prepare yourself. Consider it a n investment in your own future. (Hi) Cultural stereotyping or racism There are employers who are either afraid of taking a chance on people they do not know, or who mistakenly believe that all people of a race or culture other than their own are somehow not good enough. This is known as stereotyping - when a person believes that all people belonging to a different group have the same characteristics, mostly in a negative sense. This kind of discrimination is usually not out in the open and it i s very difficult for an individual job seeker to do something to change such a closed-minded point of view, but for your own sake and for the sake of all Aboriginal people you should at least try. You may want to urge the person to check with any person or company you have worked with before to find out what kind of worker you are - he or she has nothing to lose, after all. If y ou do not have previous experience or references, you might suggest to the interviewer that you be hired for a trial period because that way the employer has a chance of not losing out on getting good employees. . H ow to find a job and get hired (a) Matching yourself to a job Before applying for any job, it is important for you to sit down and think realistically about the type of worl< you like; what you feel you would be good at; and whether you have the skills, qualifications, and experience for the job. (b) Training and experience You should realize that certain jobs call for certain levels of training and/or experience. None of us would like to travel on a bus or plane with a driver or pilot who does not have the necessary training. None of us wants to live in a house built by someone who knows nothing about carpentry or construction standards. None of us wants to be sold something by persons who have no knowledge about the products they are pushing upon us. So, if y ou are considering applying for a job - any job - find out what the requirements are and be sure that you have what it t akes. Or, find out if i t i s the kind of work where you can learn the ropes as you go through on-the-job training. When you know that you have the knowledge and experience required, think about how to approach the process of applying. Remember that it i s up to you to provide enough information and to convince the employer that you can do the job you are applying for. (c) Preparing a resume For most jobs, it w ould make sense to submit a resume. A resume is a document that tells the employer about yourself, your education, training, and work experience. A resume does not have to be a fancy document - in fact, it i s better to keep it s imple. A good resume will: • Draw attention to your skills and accomplishments and give the employer enough information to decide if h e wants to meet you in an interview. • Market your skills effectively for the type of work you are applying for. • List the positions you have held before in date order - starting with the most recent and working backward in time. • Be neatly typed and without spelling errors - a sloppy resume may give the impression that you are a sloppy worker. • Contain contact information where you can be reached during the day. • Provide a list of references and their contact information - people who can verify the skills and job experience you have outlined in your resume. Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) provides useful information for job seekers and is available online at www.alis.alberta.ca. ALIS also offers a free service called the e-Resume Review Service. Wherever you are in Alberta, you can submit your resume to ALIS for critique and improvement suggestions and they will send you back their comments within 3 to 5 d ays. Finding and Keeping a Good Job Help is available Help is available for Aboriginal job seekers in urban centres and many Aboriginal communities. Services will differ from place to place but they generally include job banks, resume preparation and printing services, skill assessments, and job matching. If y ou need skills or more experience for the type of job you are seeking, programs may be available to cover your training costs or offset your salary while you are being trained on the job. • Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) The Alberta Government offers information for job seekers and employers through the Alberta Learning Information Service, or ALIS. ALIS offers many resources such as labour market information, online job banks, educational information, and occupational profiles. • Recruiters and staffing agencies Recruiters and staffing agencies can be a valuable tool in your search for employment. They can assess your skills and match you with a job. They may also be able to provide you with temporary employment that can help you build your resume while you search for a job. Even if opportunities may be available that match your qualifications and criteria, agencies often keep your resume on file. They may also let you know about opportunities as they arise. Listings of staffing agencies can be found in the telephone book and online. The interview An interview is a chance to get to know a business and employer, and at the same time give them a chance to get to know more about you. Remember that the interview is a two-way street: You are being assessed, but at the same time you are deciding if t he workplace is right for you. Interviews are the same as any other skill. The more you prepare and practice, the better and more comfortable you will become. (i) Things to keep in mind • The employer wants to find the right person for the job and you were called to the interview because the employer feels you may have something to offer. • Put yourself in the employer's shoes and think of what you would like to know about a person if he or she were to come to you as a serious applicant. These are some of the things you would like to know: - Does the applicant have some idea of what the job is all about? - If n ot, is the applicant savvy enough to ask? - Does the applicant have the training and experience the job really calls for? - Do you know anything/enough about the applicant's previous work experience? • Some people find it u ncomfortable to talk about themselves at an interview, but if y ou don't tell an employer about yourself, how is he to know what you have to offer? There is a fine line between 'bragging' and letting someone know what you have done and can do. Remember that the employer most likely does not know and that you have to tell him enough so that he can understand who you are and what you offer. Simply stick to facts and don't try too hard to impress. • Be honest. You will be much better off in the long run if y ou are clear about what you already bring as well as what you can learn. (ii) Before the interview Take time beforehand and find out wliat you can about the business or organization's corporate vision and values. It w ill show that you are interested and help you decide if t he business is a good match for you. You should know what the business does; what it o ffers its clients; and whether you will find it i nteresting to work there. It i s also good to know how many people are employed by the business and how long it h as been in existence. If y ou have any conditions - such as specific times you can work - you must raise this at the interview so that both parties can know whether your needs can be met. Make a list of questions you have about the business, the workplace or the job itself. Before the interview ends, take a look at your list and ask any questions you still have. The employer will appreciate your interest and the fact that you took the time to plan. Some of the questions might be: • The start date of employment if y ou are offered the job. • Where you will be working. • The expectations around dress, hours of work, customer service, etc. • What training and benefits are provided. • Future opportunities in the organization. (Hi) At the end of t he interview Remember to thank the interviewer for the opportunity to meet in person and don't hesitate to ask when and how you can expect to hear from the employer on a decision. Finding and Keeping a Good Job 5. K eeping a job Once you have found a job, the next goal is to do well and remain employed. Working hard and doing your best is a given, but there are also many legitimate reasons why Aboriginal people find it d ifficult to keep jobs - especially if t hey had to move away from their home environment on Reserve, a Metis Settlement, or even another city. (a) What makes it d ifficult? 0) Lack of p reparation for the transition You can avoid this difficulty by getting yourself ready for the move to a new environment. This can be done by talking to others who have made that move and by learning as much as possible beforehand about housing challenges; transportation challenges; schools and the availability of daycare; the cost of food and where you can get the best value for money; and what support services might be available to newcomers. Like plants, people do not settle into new ground easily and adjusting to a new job and a different environment can take a long time. Be prepared for it. (ii) Lacli of time with family Even if y our immediate family made the move with you, the pace of life and the distances to work will cut into the time you have available to spend with them. It w ill take planning to make sure you can fit in the time to stay connected with your family. Plan on doing things together on weekends or evenings. Being away from your extended family and the friends you grew up with may also be tough to handle. (Hi) Higher cost of l iving Even though some things may be cheaper in the city than at home, there are many more things that require money when you live in a city or town, for example: rent; utilities; transportation to and from work; and buying food instead of living off the land - to name only a few. Here, too, knowing about this in advance will lessen the shock and make it e asier to adjust. (iv) General culture shock Reserve and Metis Settlement communities can be quite different from urban communities. The size of the new community; the faster pace of life; the fact that most of the people around you are strangers; and the different services available (or not available) all contribute to making the adjustment to the new environment difficult. Again, expecting it a nd being prepared for it w ill lessen the adjustment difficulties. (v) Isolation on the job Unless you work with other Aboriginal people, the strangeness of your working environment and the fact that you will be working with new people of a different cultural background can make you feel isolated and alone.