Kimberly Babin is the owner of Upward Career Strategies and a Career/Education Coach and resume writer. She earned formal certification through the University of Calgary and has worked at McMaster University in medical education for 21 years. Through this line of work, she studies the current job market and stays up to date on what employers are seeking in candidates, as well as, how they find each other. Kimberly has written a wonderful article describing the current state of employment in Canada during the Covid-19 pandemic, with ideas to help us stay constructive and be prepared for our return to "normal" at the end of this crisis. You can reach Kimberly here: Web: https://upwardstrategies.ca Email: [email protected] Ph: 289-244-9858 Productivity During Social Distancing Author: Kimberly R. Babin, BA(c), CCA I had originally resigned to remain quiet during the COVID19 pandemic around economics and the labour market. After, reading so many worrisome social media posts and receiving a number of emails wrought with urgency, I thought I may be able to give some advice on how to approach the aftermath and quell a few anxieties. While our future may appear to be very bleak, I can’t or won’t believe all hope is lost. One does not need to have an economics degree or any experience in employment markets to understand that once the virus’ particulates have settled and isolation measures are lifted, the world of work and the economy will look very different. Just how different depends primarily on how long the isolation measures and business shut downs continue, according to a variety of professionals. I cannot speak accurately on the current national unemployment rate as those numbers will not be released publicly until well into April after the benefits have been distributed. I can say that in February, right before the virus’ peak, the national unemployment rate was 5.6%, which was a small increase from January at 5.5%. Canada’s typical average is in the ballpark of 7.5%. It would appear the country was in fairly decent condition until the rise of the curve and businesses became unstable and began to lose their footing. As of today, more than one million Canadians have applied for EI since emergency measures were ordered by the federal government. Considering the estimated population of Canada in 2020 is projected to be 37.7 million, this represents a 3.7% increase in just under a month. If you listen to economics experts, like University of Calgary Professor, Trevor Tombe’s whose reported on March 23, 2020, the biggest job declines during the Great Depression were half of what we are currently seeing. There are those that may not fully believe in the severity of the pandemic and this is not a soapbox opportunity regarding that subject. Regardless of which camp you are in, I would instead, urge all to consider what the aftermath will look like in relation to our economy, labour market and unemployment rates across Canada and start formulating a plan now while we are forced to self-distance and have time to do so. My advice is to take all of the concern and worry built up by the daily virus rhetoric and reframe your focus instead on some of the ways you can prepare for the aftermath, regardless of what it will look like. Time is our dearest commodity. In one way we have been given the gift of time. We should use it while we have it. Here are some suggestions on how to spend that time in a constructive way: 1) Investigate potential employers less likely to be effected by the downturn and scope out some opportunities. Prepare a cover letter in draft for your intended position, saving you some precious time later. Of course update it to reflect the job posting later. If you remain ready, you don’t have to get ready. 2) While self-distancing why not start a free online course being offered during the pandemic and add that to your resume. Free is free! Here is a list of some popular MOOC’s:
3) Those who were on the fence about starting a new small entrepreneurial business before the crises why not organize your thoughts in a vision board and project that out to the universe to manifest. 4) Many employers will soon be looking to cut costs more than ever and while remote work technologies existed prior to the epidemic, this will surely push the envelope. There is almost guaranteed to be a surge in remote work opportunities. Why not brush up on some remote tools/modalities so you can consider these types of roles? Don’t forget to add those to your resume as skills. 5) Those who are going to re-open or re-establish a business may want to expand their horizons and look to ways they can broaden their offerings. For example, restaurants planning to re-open, isn’t this is an excellent time to plan out a new refreshed menu? 6) Why not visit your generic resume and update it with any new experience? If you’re going to be looking for work, you will be ready for the challenges ahead. If you are fortunate enough to have a job to return to, be ready for your next career move. Give yourself a head start and you will be fully available to scope out job postings when the time comes. Finally, for those that may feel overwhelmed by the prospects ahead, Ontario is fortunate to have an abundance of career coaches available to assist you. Many, like myself, realize that not all will have the resources to fund a full package of services and have opted the best way to help is to offer resume reviews and other packages at reduced rates. Upward Career Strategies is ready to pitch in and will be offering resume review services for a reduced rate for those that may need or want assistance. We’re in this together.
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Hello, Svetlana Kopelev here from Right Way Auto Repair. There has been a lot of uncertainty lately about the future of our lives, our businesses, and our country. As both a patron of small businesses and an owner of one myself I know just how important they can be. Beyond just the services they provide a small business has the capability to bring a community together. Hamilton and its neighbourhoods simply wouldn't be the same if any of the shops or restaurants were forced to close their doors. It would lose a part of what makes ours one of the most unique neighbourhoods in the Regional Municipality of Hamilton–Wentworth. Community isn't a place, it isn't a measurable object. It's a mindset, It’s people coming together. Celebrating the good times and supporting each other through the rough times. It’s all inclusive, seeing past color, identity, religion, nationality and political affiliation. It’s a celebration of everything we are and everything we can achieve together. It’s showing up for one another saying “how can I help?”. I’m making this appeal to you all today, not just for myself, but for small businesses all over. I’m asking you to keep us and them in mind. To give back and keep your community strong. We all need that support now more than ever to keep doing what we do. We at Right Way Auto Repair have always had the mindset of community first, not only in providing trustworthy and honest auto repair. Since 2009 we’ve been there to support anything and everything we could. From little league sports teams, community events and community choir. We look forward to seeing you all soon as we continue to stand behind the community that's supporting us through these trying times. Thank you all, Svetlana Kopelev The Compassion Project is offering individual support either via telephone or online for front-line workers (police, fire, ambulance, crisis workers) and healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, social workers, etc) for free from now until at least June 2020. For more information contact us at 905 512 1233 or [email protected] and ask for Nicole. We also have an access program for those who do not have the ability to pay for psychotherapy services. This service is available to the community and has been operating since January 2020. If you are interested in accessing this program call the above number and ask for Tess. About The Compassion Project The compassion project grew out of an interest to solve a problem in our own professional lives. As helpers, we often faced the struggle of how to access support without having to go to the trouble to actually find support. Often those who are qualified to support us are our coworkers or colleagues in the field. We are from a variety of professional backgrounds and have experience and expertise in understanding and treating the impact of trauma. If you are a person who has experienced trauma we understand that you may have spent a lifetime in therapy and haven't been able to get better. If you are a therapist or counsellor we understand that you have knowledge about our tools and therapeutic processes. We are interested in learning more about what you do in your work but also we are interested in learning more about how we can support you with the impact of such work. If you are front line responders, police, fire or paramedical personnel, we appreciate that you may not feel comfortable accessing support or that you may feel isolated in your suffering. If you are healthcare providers we know how difficult your job is. The healthcare system is constantly evolving and changing. The demand for care is higher than ever. We get it. It can be impossible at times. We Support:
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AuthorKate DeJonge is a local writer and entrepreneur, working to find resources for Hamilton are communities during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. ArchivesCategories |