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Career Exploration. Workshop Goals:. Introduce key Labour Market Information concepts Discuss Informational Interviews Review components of Research Package Computer lab: Passport to Work Website ( CAREER PASSPORT ) research occupations LMI websites Education / training
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Workshop Goals: • Introduce key Labour Market Information concepts • Discuss Informational Interviews • Review components of Research Package • Computer lab: • Passport to Work Website (CAREER PASSPORT) • research occupations • LMI websites • Education / training • Job search websites
What is Labour Market Information (LMI)? • type of work that is actually available • in different industries • in a particular location • at a particular point in time
LMI includes: • Information about specific fields • Employment and Unemployment statistics • Economic trends (what’s hot, what’s not) • Levels of education / training required • Job vacancies
40,000+ occupations in North America • Identify which industries are declining, growing and stable • What does this mean to you? • Changing working conditions • Ongoing need for formal and informal life long learning • Jobs created, shifted and eliminated • Globalization • Shifting demographics Why care about LMI?
Group Discussion Questions • What changes have you seen lately in the Lower Mainland? • What labour market changes do you foresee? • What factors influence trends in the labour market? • How can you best prepare for these changes?
Where do you find LMI? • Current print publications • Newspapers • Magazines • trade publications • Current websites • Networking with people
Networking with people… • effective way to get career-related information • People you know… • Friends, Family, co – workers, etc… • People you don’t know… • Informational Interviews
Asking people working in a specific occupation about their work and career path. • Gain personal perspectives on choosing or refining your career interests. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
Benefits of Info Interviews… • Explore careers and clarify your career goal • Expand your professional network • Access current career and labour market information • Build confidence • Save time!
Sources for Info. Interviews contacts… • People you know • Internet • Online communities • Field Memberships and affiliations • School graduates • phone book, etc… • BE CREATIVE!
Conducting an Info. Interview... • Best option: in-person • Phone • Fax • E-mail
WHAT TO DO: Arrive on time Research the company beforehand Take notes to review later Practice with a friend first Politely ask if you could be referred to other contacts Write a thank you note WHAT NOT TO DO: Take more time than agreed upon Project negative body language Answer phone calls or text messages Use inappropriate language or slang Forget to thank the person for their time Treat it as “just part of the research package” Prepping for an info interview:
Prepping for the Info. Interview (con’t) • Practice Introduction Example: “Hello, my name is… I am interested in going to school to become a ___ and was wondering if you had a couple of minutes to answer some questions about the occupation“
When you make contact: • Be specific about why you are contacting them • Take advantage of off-peak hours • Get to know the industry – make your approach appropriate • Be prepared with your questions!
Questions to ask in Info. Interviews Employees… • they are “who you want to be” • i.e. Dental Assistant Employers… • are the people who hire • i.e. Dentist
Info Interview Roadblocks… • Minimum of 10 required • 5 employers • 5 employees • Time consuming • Resistance – Too busy, bad timing, not interested, not hiring, etc… • Frustration - Keep trying!
RESEARCH PACKAGE components Section One – Rationale Letter Section Two– Labour Market Information Section Three– Informational Interviews Section Four– Job Postings Section Five– School Research Section Six– Budget Worksheet Section Seven – Resume (optional)
Computer LAB time! • Time to research: • Occupational information • Labour market information • Education / training options • Job opportunities