#110 - 198 East Island Hwy, Parksville, BC V9P 2H3      Tel. 250.248.3205   Fax. 250.248.4154

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JANUARY 2022 TIP OF THE MONTH

We all feel overwhelmed and stressed at times.  But with the current health crisis we are experiencing, those feelings might be even more exaggerated.  During uncertain times, it’s perfectly normal for fear and anxiety to creep in as well as thoughts of anger and sadness.  These feelings can leave you feeling helpless and discouraged.  They can even affect your physical health in ways such as sleeplessness, headaches, and fatigue.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to recognize these feelings and allow yourself some “down time” to rest and recharge.  Practicing self-care is vital for your physical, emotional and mental well-being.  But often, people feel that self-care is selfish or indulgent.  Let’s explore some of these myths and understand the importance of self-care

Myth #1: Self-care is selfish.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  When you take time for yourself and get sufficient rest and exercise, you feel more energetic and are less likely to lash out or project your negative feelings on others.  It’s actually one of the healthiest things you can do to recharge and connect with those around you.

Myth #2: The effects of self-care are temporary.  In truth, self-care is so much more than just getting a massage or taking a short walk to relax.  True self-care is finding not only what helps you unwind, but what recharges you for more than the length of a bubble bath.  Not only is it important to find something specific that works for you, spending time being mindful during self-care activities will help increase the benefits.

Myth #3: Self-care is just for women.  Women certainly have many challenges these days, but men are just as susceptible to stress and burnout.  Any adult, male or female can benefit from the practice of regular self-care.

Myth #4: Self-care takes too much time.  We are all busy, but self-care does not require a huge chunk of time from your busy day.   However, instead of waiting to see if you have idle time on your hands, add some self-care time to your schedule and plan your day around it.  Make it a regular part of your routine instead of something you fit in if you have time.

Myth #5:  Self-care is doing anything that soothes you.  It’s important that self-care is something you enjoy doing.  But overindulging on food, watching excessive amounts of TV, or drinking alcohol are the opposite of self-care.  Self-care should support and promote health and wellness and should not be addictive or harmful to your body.

Myth #6:  Self-care is the same for everyone.  While we all have challenges and stressors in our lives, the way we each handle those issues is different.  The ways we unwind and recharge also vary from person to person. For some, scheduling a golf outing or hike might be the ticket.  For others, a yoga class or massage is what they need to get back on track.  Some people need to carve out time to meditate or just to take a nap.  Self-care is different for each person.

Source: American Family Care (https://www.afcurgentcare.com/blog/debunking-the-myths-of-self-care )

During your job search, try to keep the above myths in mind as you:

  • Create a Daily Schedule (Purpose & Momentum)
  • Embrace Flexibility (I’m willing to…)
  • Celebrate Successes (Small Steps)
  • Get Outside! (Self-Care)
  • Set Goals (Motivation)

“There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling leaves and remember that it is enough to be taken care of by myself.” ~Brian Andreas

DECEMBER 2021 TIP OF THE MONTH

How to Address an Employment Gap

Most people looking for employment have a gap in their employment history at some point for some reason.  When you are ready to get back into the workforce and begin submitting your resume to potential employers, it’s hard not to be a little worried about how the time gap might look on your resume.  As we know, the pandemic has disrupted many people’s lives and this may show up as an employment gap on a resume.  Likewise, you may have taken time out of the workforce while being a caregiver, relocating, upgrading your education, or for a medical or health issue.

Here are some helpful hints on how to proceed in your job search efforts despite having time gaps in your employment history:

  • An employment gap that requires explanation is six months or more – try not to be too concerned over a few months as most employers will not see this as a “red flag” if the majority of your work history is consistent.

 

  • It’s your option to list the gap with related activity on your resume – For example: 2015  –  2016         Fulltime Caregiving for family member  There is no need to mention if this was caring for your mother, child, spouse etc as this information is personal).  This demonstrates to a potential employer you are being straightforward about your circumstance and not simply trying to hide behind dates.   It is really important not to use false dates to hide a gap in employment.

 

  • Discuss the gap in your cover letter – be honest about the time away from the workforce while remaining focused on how motivated you are to be applying for this position and how your skills align with the role,

 

  • Be prepared to speak to the gap during the interview – think about how you would like to answer an employer’s questions about a period of unemployment should they ask. Many employers are not as concerned about an employment gap, especially those since March 2020.  Focus on any courses or skills you might have been updating, if you were volunteering or caregiving.  Make an effort to steer the conversation in the direction that you are now actively engaged in attaining employment.

Employment gaps in your resume don’t have to hold you back from securing future employment when you address them clearly and honestly during the application and interview process.  The most important way to minimize any potential focus on an employment gap is to emphasis the skills you have and highlight your qualities which suit the position and the organization.

 

NOVEMBER 2021 TIP OF THE MONTH

Have you ever looked at a job posting and thought to yourself “I’m missing something they are looking for,” and then you do not apply?  This happens to many job seekers.

Think of your last employment.  Did you actually know everything you were going to do before you started the job?  Chances are incredibly high that you learned something on the job so think of that job posting as kind of a wish list from the employer.  Their ideal candidate will have all of the skills, education and knowledge required for the position.  In reality, they know that their perfect candidate does not exist but it never hurts to dream so they post a job description with their wish list.

So what do you do now?  You build your resume to sell the skills that you do have that they are looking for and you apply for that job.  Let the employer make the decision of whether they will interview you or not.  After all, you don’t get any of the jobs you don’t apply for.

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER 2021 TIP OF THE MONTH

Have you considered “gig work”? Did you know that “gig workers” now represent 13% of Canadian adults and that 37% of Canadian businesses employ gig workers? Gig workers are also known as temps, temporary workers, contractors, or platform workers and they’re expanding into several industries.

Tom Gorman’s “Multipreneuring”, which was published in 1996, forever changed the way I worked and looked at work. Barely halfway through my 20s, I had been “downsized” or “right-sized” out of 2 careers and I was going onto my third. The world was changing fast, technology was a run-away train and everything my “Baby Boomer” parents had taught me about work and a career path was becoming less relevant. Multiprenuering provided techniques and insight on how to develop multiple sources of income and pursue multiple careers. Although this concept was quite revolutionary for the mid-90s, it seems almost quaint now.  And 25+ years later, we are seeing the impact and opportunities of the “gig economy”.

So… What is the gig economy? Well, it’s not multi-level marketing. It’s temporary, flexible jobs where the workers are freelancers or independent contractors.  These are not full-time permanent positions. It’s also important to note that the gig economy is not just about doing menial tasks or driving an Uber; there are many well-paying freelance opportunities.

It’s not for everyone, you have to be organized and disciplined. Many gig workers probably spend an average of 8 – 10 hours per day working on various projects but they may also be reaching their financial goals sooner so many consider it worth the investment of time and energy.   Speaking of finance, you need to figure out how you will invoice for your services, how to report your sources of income, will you need to collect GST, take into consideration insurance, a business license, and how will you collect payment from clients.

On the plus side, Gig workers set their own hours, have no employees, and the only equipment most require are a laptop, an internet connection, phone and occasionally a car.

Here are a few examples of gig economy jobs that you can do here on Vancouver Island;

  1. Graphic Design & Branding

Are you good at creating print materials, logos, ads, flyers, etc.? Check out some of the resources at the end of this article.

  1. Digital Marketing

Technology is hard for some people and they are willing to pay someone to deal with it. There is much demand for people who know how to do things like social media, google ads, paid advertising (like Facebook and Instagram), SEO, etc. The great thing about this one is that your own Social Media can be your portfolio.

  1. Freelance Writing

Even today in a much more visual world, writing is still valuable and important. Not only do businesses need good content writers, but there are many online publications that hire freelance writers. In addition to articles, you may be tasked with writing advertisements, instructions, billboards, website copy, or other forms of writing.

  1. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

This is a common one. A lot of people adopted dogs during the COVID-19 shutdown and now that they’re heading back to the office, they need people to help take care of them. House-sitting is another we can add to this category and that gig just requires your presence.

Check out Rover.

  1. Food Delivery

Food delivery services became wildly popular in the last few years, especially during COVID-19. This gave more people opportunities to make money on their schedules. You can be flexible as to when and how often you accept deliveries.

Some of the popular food delivery apps include SkiptheDishes and DoorDash.

The above examples of gig economy jobs should help you get the wheels turning about potential work. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

While you can use some of the apps listed above, you might be wondering where you can find these types of gigs.  Here is a list to check out:

Flexjobs

Fiverr

Upwork

Flexjobs

LinkedIn

99Designs

CrowdSpring

Don’t forget to scan your local Craiglist’s “Gigs” section, promote yourself to friends and family, and do a search on Indeed with “Remote” in the location bar as these may also turn up gig work.

How much you earn depends on what you choose to do and the amount of effort you want to put into it.

The gig economy is getting more competitive as it interests a wider audience range, and like anyone who is self-employed will tell you, you have to hustle. It’s a great way to make extra money, help build your savings or pay down debt, increase your skills, and could potentially lead to a full-time income.

Career Centre

#110-198 East Island Hwy,
Parksville, BC V9P 2H3
Tel. 250.248.3205
Fax. 250.248.4154

Hours
Mon-Tues 8:30am-4:30pm
Wed 8:30am-6:00pm
Thurs-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

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#110-198 East Island Hwy
Parksville, BC V9P 2H3
Tel. 250.248.3205
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm