Your Complete
Want to find out what jobs are available but don't know where to find them? Here are a few suggestions:
Go to the nearest CLE.
All CLEs are equipped with a multiservice room to help you in your job search. Multiservice room features include the following:
- Documents for consultation
- Computers so you can consult job offers and submit job applications in Online Placement, a free service offered by Emploi-Québec
- Bulletin boards with job listings, practical job search advice, and information on skills upgrading courses
Consult newspapers and the Internet.
- Watch for job offers in the daily newspapers and in classified ads in your local paper.
- Visit the Web sites of companies you are interested in. You may find job offers there and be able to submit an application online.
- Visit job search Web sites, including
These sites let you search for job offers by region, employer, or keyword. You may also activate, free of charge, an electronic search agent that will email you job offers that match your search criteria.
Other job search Web sitesOther leads to help you find a job.
There are many ways of finding those elusive jobs. Use the following leads that apply to your situation:
- Show up in person at the company you are interested in working for. You may make a good impression by showing that you have initiative and are keen to work.
- Let your friends and family know that you’re looking for a job. Explain the kind of work you are interested in and ask them to let you know if they learn of any job opportunities.
- Consult the Yellow Pages. Companies are listed according to the lines of business they’re in or the products or services they offer. Visit icriq.com to do a search on companies across Québec.
- Contact your professional association. It may have a list of job offers.
- Register at one or more placement agencies. Many employers deal directly with agencies rather than advertising in the papers. Check whether they charge a registration fee.
- Visit job fairs and shows. They are a great opportunity to meet employers looking to hire. For information about job fairs and other events in your area, ask an employee at your CLE or consult the “Régions” section of the emploiquebec.net site.
- If you are still in school or have just completed your studies, check whether your educational institution offers a placement service. Visit emploietudiant.qc.ca to consult job offers for full-time students.
How to follow up on your job searches.
Use the following checklist to track your job search progress.
You may wish to highlight the preferred means of communication for the person in charge of hiring.
| Employer | |
| Name: | Concorde inc. |
| Address: | 5650, boul.Viau |
| Web site: | www.concorde.net |
| Person contacted | |
| Name and title: | Pauline Giroux, manager |
| Reason for contact: | Offer to provide résumé |
| Date of first contact: | November 15 |
| Means of communication | |
| Telephone: | 418 768-5550 |
| Fax: | 418 768-5553 |
| Email: | p.giroux@concorde.ca |
| Visit: | |
| To do | |
| Send résumé to: | Pauline Giroux, (November 16) |
| Interview on: | |
| Followup | |
| Call back: | November 20 (later in the day) |
| Result: | |
| Waiting to secure an interview. Will call me back November 20. | |
Click to open a pop-up window displaying the model checklist
Making the most of email.
With electronic mail (email), you can forward your cover letter and résumé to a potential employer from any computer with an Internet connection. Your message can be sent anywhere around the world in a matter of seconds. A typical email address looks like this:
jo.blow@hotmail.com
A number of Web sites offer the possibility of creating an electronic mailbox and obtaining an email address free of charge. These companies are called email servers. The most popular are
How to obtain a free email address:
- Click on the above links.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to create an account.
How to send your cover letter and résumé by email:
- Draw up your cover letter and résumé using a word processing program. Save your work on a diskette or on your computer hard drive.
- To access your electronic mailbox, connect to the Internet, type in the Web site address of your email server, then hit Enter.
- Enter your username and password.
- Once you have accessed your mailbox, click on New message.
- Type in the email address of the person you wish to send your message to.
- Write a short note explaining the purpose of your message and attach the file containing your cover letter by clicking on Add/Edit attachments. Follow the same procedure for your résumé.
- If your résumé is saved on a diskette, insert the diskette in your computer’s disk drive and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Click on OK. Your message will reappear.
- Make sure there are no errors in it.
- Click on Send.
Tips for a successful phone call.
The telephone is a quick and affordable means to
- offer your services to an employer;
- find out what jobs are available;
- follow up with employers you contacted earlier.
Here are a few practical tips to help you make a good impression with your phone call:
- Prepare for it: Memorize your résumé and organize your ideas in a coherent manner.
- Jot down the questions you wish to ask.
- Speak clearly and slowly, control your breathing.
- Smile! Your enthusiasm will be heard.
- Stay friendly throughout the call.
First call to an employer.
Here is a plan and a list of practical tips to make meeting and calling employers easier. Read them over, do a trial run, plan your calls, concentrate—then dial!
-
Introduce yourself to the person who answers.
Start by introducing yourself, then ask for the person in charge of hiring.
Examples:
Can’t speak to the person in charge of hiring?
“Hello. My name is ______. Could you please tell me who is in charge of hiring? May I please speak to him/her?”
“Hello. My name is ______. I saw some job openings in my field on your Web site. Could you tell me who I should speak to about hiring?”Ask how you can apply.
-
Introduce yourself to the person in charge of hiring.
Introduce yourself again, state the reason for your call, briefly explain why you believe you are the right person for the job, and try to arrange a meeting.
Example :
“Hello Ms./Mr. ______. My name is _______. I’m interested in your company because I’m looking for a job in _______. I have ___ years of experience in this field and would like to meet with you to discuss employment possibilities. When could we meet?” -
End the call.
Thank the person you’re speaking to and ensure that the names and contact information you have obtained are correct (name, title, address, phone number, email address).
Example:
“Thank you for your help. May I call you again if I need more information? Is the person in charge Ms/Mr. ______ and his/her number __________?”
Ask when you can make an appointment.
“I’m calling about the ______ job. I’d like to meet with you.”
Ask for an information interview to learn about the company, employment opportunities, and hiring methods.
“I know that you don’t need anyone right now, but I was wondering if I could meet with you anyway, just in case a position opens up.”
“I realize that you’ve just gone through a selection process, but I was wondering if I could meet with you to get some information on this position. Would you be able to see me?”
Ask who you should send your résumé to.
Use the Job search and followup checklist to track your telephone conversations.