Finding a job is a full-time job.
That’s because it takes commitment, perseverance, creativity and heck of a lot of time and work to market your skills effectively. The advice many employment counsellors first give their clients is to find a supportive job search environment. That’s because they know that job seekers who participate in workshops and access other services and supports gain confidence and stay motivated to continue searching. Job seekers also benefit from comradery and peer support by sharing personal experiences.
Here's our expert advice on how to create - and make the most of - a supportive job-search environment.
Get out of the house.
Looking for work can be stressful, especially when faced with rejection. But remaining isolated at home doesn’t help. YWCA Career Advisor Shabnam Khan Shaghaghi says you should create a routine for yourself by visiting your nearest WorkBC Employment Services Centre each day that you are actively job searching. This gets you out of the house and into an environment that is motivating and supportive.
Try a workshop.
The YWCA’s WorkBC Employment Services Centres recognize the need for a supportive environment and have redeveloped their curriculum to extend workshops and add more practical components - like mock interviews and resume writing - so clients can gain the confidence they need to work through essential elements of the job search process.
“The new [workshop] series will provide more opportunities for engagement, support and individual attention … [which] will build confidence and produce better outcomes for our clients,” says Janice Zlatarits, YWCA Employment Facilitator and Resource Advisor.
Here are just a few examples of free workshops you can attend at the YWCA’s WorkBC Employment Services Centres:
- Build your Linkedin Profile
- Interview Skills in Action
- Where the Jobs Are
- Creating Resumes Employers Want
See all our workshop schedules.
If you are comfortable in online environments, you can also check out our range of online workshops.
“The online workshops are fully facilitated,” says Marni Bedrich, YWCA Online Facilitator. “This means that as clients submit activities and reflection questions to me, I respond, give feedback and engage in dialogue with them to meet their individual job search needs. Clients are not alone in the workshops and I respond to them either on the same day or within one business day.”
Connect with staff and other job seekers.
If workshops really aren’t your thing, you can always take advantage of the resource room, which provides computers, printers, job postings boards and more.
Job seekers who show up regularly at our centres are more likely to develop relationships with fellow job seekers and career advisors. This can generate support and friendship, and can even lead to new job opportunities.
“Clients can use the resource centre to benefit from networking with other job seekers and by providing and receiving motivation and ideas related to job search and skill development,” says Aydin Smith, YWCA Career Advisor.
Get the extra help you need.
Sometimes unseen factors, like financial hardship and physical or emotional barriers, can affect your job search and need to be addressed. These are common issues that many job seekers face.
Discussing your fears or struggles one-to-one with an experienced employment advisor can provide you with the tools and support to overcome these obstacles.
Our centres also offer a workshop series called Moving Forward, which addresses personal challenges to finding work.
“Group settings show that your problems are not just your own,” says YWCA WorkBC Client Shawn Carnes.
They key to job search success is surrounding yourself with the right services and support. Visit your nearest YWCA WorkBC Employment Services Centre to use the resource room, take a workshop, work one-to-one with a career advisor or employment counsellor and take your job search to the next level.
