CAREERS & JOB SKILLS

The 10 Worst Jobs in Canada (and what they pay)

By Peter Harris

Think your job is bad? Canadian Business magazine has released its list of the top 10 worst jobs to have this year, as ranked according to the number of opportunities available and fluctuations in potential salary. Here are the career paths you don't want to be on.

It turns out that pretty much any jobs involving lumber, paper, or harvesting have crummy pay and declining demand. Factory work is also declining as the lingering effects of the recession continue to take their toll. Textile production is nearly gone from North America as most of these jobs have shipped out to places like China, Bangladesh and Mexico. And film processing and development is doomed everywhere. Digital cameras killed it.

The top 10 worst jobs in Canada (and their median salaries):

10. Plastics processing machine operator - $33,000

The decline in demand for plastics has meant that employment in this industry has been on a ten year decrease.

9. Printing machine operator - $37,500

New technologies continue to replace many of the people who used to work in this field.

8. Foundry worker - $43,700

Canadian Business calls this one of the "best of the worst jobs" because of the relatively high pay, but manufacturing jobs worldwide are on the decline because of the recession.

7. Labourer, wood, pulp and paper processing - $39,500

Not only does this job have declining opportunities and low pay, but it's also physically demanding and quite dangerous. The job ranking site Careercast.com actually rated lumberjack as the worst job in the world last year. However, Canadian Business has found worse jobs to have in Canada. Read on.

6. Rubber processing machine operator - $38,500

Similar to the workers in plastic, demand for rubber products has gone down resulting in a surplus of workers and few opportunities.

5. General office clerk - $35,360

While there are still roles for specialized office workers, the general clerk is usually the first person let go when companies cut back. Most of their tasks are just foisted onto their remaining coworkers to absorb.

4. Harvesting labourer - $22,360

Harvesting is physically demanding hard work for very little pay. In fact this is such an undesirable job to have that many Canadians won't do it. Farmers routinely bring in foreign workers for the harvest season.

3. Weaver or knitter - $29,000

Labour overseas is cheaper, and customers want low prices for textiles. The garment industry has been in steady decline in Canada for decades. There are very few opportunities left for people in this field.

2. Photographic and film processor - $23,000

Nobody develops film any more. Technology strikes again: digital cameras have, in a relatively short time, completely obliterated what was once a thriving industry.

1. Pulp mill operator - $56,000

Oddly, according to Canadian Business, the worst job to have in Canada this year is also the highest paying of the bad jobs. However, working in a pulp and paper mill is not a good career path to be on in 2013. The paper industry has been hit by the global economic downturn, a pine beetle infestation, increased costs, and an increasingly paperless world. Get out now.

Source: Canadian Business, "The top 10 worst jobs in Canada"

www.workopolis.com

The Ten Best Jobs in Canada for 2013 (and how to get them)

By Peter Harris

Earlier this week we took a look at the worst jobs in Canada this year as ranked by changes in salary and the declining number of jobs. Well, that was the bad news. The good news is there are numerous other fields that offer increasing pay and opportunities.

Canadian Business Magazine has put together a list of the top jobs in Canada that offer a minimum salary of at least $60,000 with projected growth and that are actively hiring right now. Helpfully, they've also pointed out the barrier to entry for each, so you'll know what qualifications you'll need to get hired.

So, as ranked by demand for workers and recent salary growth, here are the top ten jobs in Canada for 2013, their median salaries, and how to land them:

1. Aerospace engineer - $75,000
   In this role you will use a range of computer systems and high tech equipment to make sure that the design and components of aircraft or spacecraft are all functioning properly. To land this job, you'll need an engineering degree. See Aerospace engineer opportunities on Workopolis.

2. Chemical engineer - $78,000
   You’ll need to have a bachelor of applied science or a chemical engineer degree for this job, but the good news is that right out of school, chemical engineering is one of the highest paying degrees for entry-level jobs. New grads can earn a starting salary of $50,000-60,000$. See chemical engineering jobs.

3. Senior government manager - $96,000
   High-level bureaucrats earn close to the six-figure mark, but this takes working your way up through the ranks of the civil service. (And surviving the winds of political change.) However, to get started all you need is generally a relevant university degree and (especially for federal government jobs) bilingualism.

See jobs in government relations on Workopolis, or visit the Canadian public service's hiring site.

4. Real estate & financial manager - $80,000
   There is such a demand for workers that many financial institutions are actively hiring people from unrelated backgrounds and offering them in-house training programs. However, to be successful, you'll need an in-depth grasp of financial systems. Sales experience and/or a business or finance degree are recommended. See jobs on real estate or finance jobs.

5. Lawyer - $80,000
   To become a lawyer you need to complete the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and a three to four year degree. Candidates also have to "article" (working under the supervision of an experienced lawyer for 10 months) and successfully complete the Bar Admission Course. See lawyer jobs.

6. School principal & administrator - $90,000
   To become a principal, you need to have an undergraduate degree, your teaching certificate, and experience teaching. Many regions also require advanced degrees and the completion of a principal training program. See school principal and / or administrator jobs.

7. Electrical & telecommunications contractor - $73,000
   Contractors are in demand across the country, and generally work for themselves as independent companies. To achieve this status, you start by becoming a certified electrician. This requires a four-year apprenticeship that combines studying with actual on-the-job training. See electrical contracting jobs.

8. Petroleum engineer - $93,500
   Canada's booming oil and gas sector has made workers in this sector a hot commodity. You'll need an engineering degree to start. Then think about what kind of job you want in the field. Drilling engineers decide how to extract oil and gas, production engineers care for the operation of wells, and reservoir engineers gauge how much oil and gas is left underground. Alternate career paths can focus on workplace safety or environmental issues. See petroleum engineering jobs.

9. Head nurse & health-care manager - $75,000
   Becoming the head nurse is an important career step that allows you to earn more money, tackle bigger challenges and take control over more aspects of the environment you're working in. To land this role, you'll first need a four-year nursing degree, followed by on-the-job experience. Some nurses then earn a master of science in nursing as part of an MBA or a master of health care administration. Either of these can boost your chances of climbing up in the ranks. See nursing jobs.

10. Oil & gas drilling supervisor - $75,000
    Supervisors in this field supervise a team of workers drilling for oil or gas, operating rigs, or providing oil and gas well services. They work for drilling and well service contractors and by petroleum producing companies. While a college diploma in petroleum engineering technology or Petroleum Industry Training Service (PITS) courses may be required, successful on-the-job experience is generally considered more important than formal education for reaching the position of supervisor. See oil and gas supervisor jobs.

Source: Canadian Business, The Top Ten Best Jobs in Canada

www.workopolis.com

The Pros of Parttime Jobs

By Matthew Tarpey, CareerBuilder Writer

For many recent graduates, life isn’t going exactly as planned. The rocky job market has many wondering when they’ll put their education to use at a real, full-time job. But rather than simply accept unemployment until things turn around, they should consider taking a part-time position.

There are a number of reasons why recent grads should look more seriously at part-time jobs. Chief among them is money. It never hurts to have a little income, and it’ll get your parents off your back. Student loan debts may be due soon, plus the sooner you’re able to start saving money, the sooner you’ll be able to move out of your parents’ house. Not to mention having an active social life requires having cash.

Filling a résumé gap

But the benefits go much deeper than funding weekend partying and staving off financial problems. A part-time job shows prospective employers that you can take life seriously and be proactive. Employers may question gaps in a candidate’s résumé, especially ones that stretch over a long period of time. Show employers that you’re responsible by taking a part-time job to help pay off your student loans while looking for more permanent employment.

Gaining experience in your field of interest

When researching part-time positions, look for ones that would give you experience in your desired field and possibly introduce you to professional contacts that may be useful down the road. For many employers, a candidate’s prior experience is an important factor, and professional referrals remain the most trusted and widely used method among hiring managers for filling vacancies. A part-time job in a related field is often more beneficial than a full-time position in an unrelated one.

Even if your part-time job isn’t in your desired field, it is still a good way to round out a résumé, as well as prove you’re a driven self-starter. It may also lead to letters of recommendation, which will be invaluable in your job search.

Improving time-management and organization skills

Taking a part-time job will also help in your quest to find sustainable employment in less direct ways, such as improving your time management. With nothing to do each day but fill out the odd job application and make a phone call or two, it’s easy for an unemployed job seeker to get distracted and disorganized. A part-time job can help create structure that is likely to spill over into the rest of your life and prepare you for a full-time schedule.

A part-time job makes a great transition into the hustle and bustle of the daily work force. So, while it may not be what you originally wanted, any chance to put yourself to work, fill résumé gaps and build worthwhile experience should be looked at as an opportunity.

www.Careerbuilder.ca

What Does It Take to be Considered Overqualified?

By Susan Ricker, CareerBuilder writer

Job-searching can feel like being a contortionist, trying to fit and shape yourself to exactly what the job description asks for. Often times you need to tweak your experience and skills to match their phrasing. But what if you find yourself easily meeting the job’s requirements or even surpassing them? While you may feel confident you’re a sure pick for the role, hiring managers may deem you overqualified. Where’s the line between a perfect fit and overqualified? Learn how to understand if your qualifications will work for or against you, and why hiring managers care.

The problem for both job seekers and employers

A person’s career tends to ascend with higher titles and more responsibility as time goes on. “An overqualified job seeker is someone who, because of salary, experience or education, is considering taking a step down in job or pay out of short-term convenience or personal necessity,” says Jeff Zinser, principal of Right Recruiting, LLC. Although this may sound like a plus for employers, who can benefit from the extra skills and experience, overqualified applicants can be viewed as a flight risk. “This situation is a problem for employers because there is a high probability that the person will leave the job as soon as a position at their historical level appears. In many situations, once the person becomes productive, they leave. Then the employer needs to refill the position. Job specifications and requirements are designed to fill professional positions with people who will be happy and challenged for the long term.”

Send the right message

The hiring manager has valid reason to be concerned about overqualified applicants, but job seekers are willing to settle if a job is needed immediately. How can you translate your experience to be interpreted as hire-friendly without lying? “We never recommend editing or omitting vital information like experience or education from a résumé to prevent from being labeled overqualified,” says Peter Zukow, general manager at Lock Search Group, a recruitment and staffing firm. “Instead it is important to tailor a résumé to the specifications of the role. Highlight the qualifications and experiences that are most applicable to the role. If an individual misrepresents themselves on their résumé, it can be extremely embarrassing or even lead to immediate disqualification if uncovered during interview or background checks.”

Address the issue

No matter how experienced a job seeker is, the key to convincing an employer that you’re the right person for the job is making a clear business case for yourself and the company. After you’ve tailored your résumé to include key phrases and experience the description asks for, take the time in your cover letter and interview to address your overqualifications. Acknowledge your overwhelming credentials and how this position fits into your career path, as well as how the business can benefit from your experience. Also come prepared with ideas for how you can fit into the company culture and business values. An ideal job has responsibilities that play to your strengths and challenge you, so find duties in the description that you would like to get better at and communicate your approach to this position as a learning opportunity.

Being an overqualified job seeker doesn’t have to result in instant rejection. Research the roles you’re applying to and how your experience can benefit the team as well as yourself. Employers look for a job candidate who’s a good company fit and will be around for a while. By making it clear you’re interested in the job and have more to learn from that particular role, you’ll make it clear that you are the best person for the job.

www.Careerbuilder.ca

Are You Really Qualified for that Job?

By Sonia Acosta, Special to CareerBuilder

You did it. Four years of college went by in a haze of parties, new experiences and hopefully at least a few dozen textbooks. Now it’s time to go out into the world and get a job. Should be easy, right? You’ve done your part, and someone out there owes you a job. Wrong.

Companies are looking for qualified workers that will bring something to the table and help their businesses move forward. Beyond a college degree, you will need to show prior experience, concrete skills, emotional intelligence, tenacity and a myriad of other qualities.

Here are three tips to help you navigate the thin line between qualified and entitled and honestly evaluate your skills as a recent graduate or entry-level worker.

Evaluating your personal brand

Jaime Radow, a certified life coach in Scottsdale, Ariz., poses five questions that can help recent graduates and entry-level workers take the first important step in any job search, evaluating your brand as an employee.

1. What education do I have? “This list should include everything from college, to those 10 years of dance classes, to that weekend workshop you took in film making,” Radow says. “Write it all down. Don’t edit yourself.”
2. What experience do I have? “Paying jobs and internships obviously make the list, but also include that six months of volunteering at the retirement home, i.e., skills gained, communication with the elderly, patience and compassion,” Radow says. “Even selling baseball cards or Girl Scout cookies as a kid is sales experience. You may amaze yourself with all of the things you can do.”
3. What do I enjoy doing? Here again, it is important that you do not edit yourself, Radow advises. List your passions and interests, and be honest about what these are.
4. If I could have any job, what would it be? Why? Dig deep. Think about what you really want to do and what you envision yourself doing for a living. When you’re honest with yourself about the kind of job you’d like to have, you’re more likely to find a good fit.
5. What jobs do I believe I am qualified for, and what is the pay range for my level of experience? Based on the skills and experiences you’ve listed, what kind of positions do you think you’re qualified for? Research these positions online, and find out what the starting pay is in your area.

Honestly appraising your skills

Once you’ve evaluated your personal brand, make an honest and well-rounded appraisal of your skills. Step one gets you started, but here is how to take it to the next level.

Julie Bauke, career strategist and president of The Bauke Group based in Cincinnati, Ohio, suggests you:

1. Make a list with three columns: good/very good at, can do it/adequate at and not so good at/don’t ask me to do this.
2. Collect honest feedback from those you have worked with — professors, peers, former/current managers — and compare that to your own self-assessment.
3. Get your mind around the fact that you are not great at everything. No one is.

”I once spoke to a group of about 75 MBA students and asked who in the room was really great at managing large amounts of detail,” Bauke says. “Every hand went up. There’s no way. Honestly evaluating the experiences you have already had, plus your gut, plus feedback from others, will point you in the right direction.”

Focusing on the interview

According to Stu Coleman, partner and general manager at Winter, Wyman, a recruitment company based in Boston, the difference between entitled and qualified often balances on the turn of one phrase or the choice of one word over another.

”You can’t assume anything,” Coleman says. “Remember it [the interview] is an interview, not a meeting. Ask questions, leading ones that will result in a conversation about how you can add value. Ask what their opinion of you is, what concerns or hesitations they may have.”

Maria K. Todd, president and CEO of Mercury Healthcare International, cautions new graduates and entry-level workers to avoid coming into an interview with an entitled attitude.

”I have been plagued with these candidates who feel a sense of entitlement,” Todd says. “They walk into an interview as if they are the ones who are very busy. They have no idea about our company, and want to ‘cut to the chase’ with their deal breaker offer to be employed for a minimum of $70K.”

As a recent graduate or entry-level worker, it is important to have and exhibit confidence with a healthy dash of modesty. Know your strengths and celebrate them, but be careful not to give off an air of arrogance or entitlement. Employers want to hire people who are confident but humble, enthusiastic and ready to roll up their sleeves to help the business succeed.

Sonia Acosta researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.
www.Careerbuilder.ca

How College Grads can Succeed – or Fail – at their First Jobs

Susan Ricker, CareerBuilder Writer

College graduates from 2008 and onward have entered a tough economy and a competitive job market they may not have felt prepared to face. After four years or more of classes, papers, labs, homework and exams, it’s hard to hear that there’s not necessarily a dream job waiting for them, or in some cases, any work at all.

How can you survive the uncertain economy and still start a career? With some adjustments to your perspective, planning for your future and developing a new work ethic, it’s possible. Bonnie Kerrigan Snyder, author of “The Unemployed College Graduate’s Survival Guide: How to Get Your Life Together, Deal with Debt, and Find a Job After College,” tackles this subject and has some tips for success. “I know that you were hoping to cash in your academic chips at the pay-off window of life at this point, but there is simply too much competition for employment right now to allow you to do that,” Snyder says. “You’re going to have to shrug it off and adjust your expectations and your behavior to match reality. So let’s talk about some productive strategies and attitudes that will help you move forward into a bright future.”

Starting at the bottom of the ladder

If you don’t have a new job lined up after graduating, where can you start searching for work? “As a new entrant to the workforce, you will probably be looking for an entry-level job within an established organization,” Snyder says. “Entry-level work, by definition, implies that you lack prior experience in the field. Typically, entry-level workers are assigned the least desirable tasks within an organization –sometimes called the ‘grunt’ work. This is how you are expected to ‘learn the ropes’ of a business.”

No matter what job you start off in, remember that your main goal in this economy is to find a way to earn a paycheck, even if the work isn’t what you dreamed of in college. “You’re still going to have to pay your dues, though,” Snyder says. “The truth is, you are in competition with a lot of other capable workers for good work. Everybody wants to do the most interesting work and be paid well for it, but there is only so much desirable work to go around. Those with endurance and patience are most likely to reach the level where they can claim the plum assignments. Remember: No one owes you interesting work. You have to earn it.”

How not to succeed in your first job

If you find a job that leaves much to be desired, don’t consider your time to be wasted or opportunities to be lost. There are always ways to advance in any job or company. Yet, a negative attitude is more detrimental to your career than any entry-level work.

Snyder says that by doing any of the following, you won’t succeed in your first job:

• “Show up every day with a surly, condescending attitude. Assume you are better than everyone else at your job and be sure to drop not-so-subtle hints to let them know that you feel you are too good to be working there. Make sure that your body language communicates disgust, or at least abject boredom with the job. Roll your eyes as a silent rebuke to others and sigh loudly, if necessary, to indicate your contempt for them and for your job duties. Complain incessantly about how unfair everything is. Act superior to everyone, including your stupid boss who doesn’t know anything.
• “If your managers and co-workers still don’t seem to get the message that you are better than they are, then tell them outright that your job stinks and you deserve better than to be working in this dump. Be sure to act insulted by all of your tasks and assignments. That will surely convince them to start giving you some more important work.
• “Complete simple tasks sloppily and carelessly, if at all; obviously, they’re beneath you and not worthy of your full attention. You are not going to bother showing management what you are capable of accomplishing until you start getting some better assignments. Expect your managers to recognize your inward greatness and promote you to the position you deserve when they finally wake up and see how deserving you truly are.”

Navigating a tough economy is its own challenge, and accepting any job will help propel your career. A negative attitude will hurt your future, but having a positive mindset and treating your new job as a stepping stone will advance your career more than you may realize.

www.Careerbuilder.ca