| Inspired at Work - Workplace Transitions - Summer 08 |
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| Written by Christine Hart | |||||||
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The concept of making a career change can be daunting. Selecting the topic for this issue's column came together fairly quickly since our theme of Endings & Beginnings relates to the workplace in a very particular way. How do you decide when to end a job or a career? How do you choose a viable replacement? They are both tough and personal questions for which there is no easy answer. The Career Consortium of Canada's Work Handbook tells us that we can expect at least six job changes over the course of our working lives. The CCC's Handbook suggests that the rate of job change is due to the fact that our workplace has seen more change in the last 20 years than the past 150. Not surprisingly, the Canadian workplace has never been a more varied or stressful environment. Although Statistics Canada reported high national job satisfaction in 2006, their research found that stress and depression are also high. Yet for the last few years, Canadians have been experiencing a job seeker's market due to a skilled labour shortage across the country. Many workers are taking the opportunity to shop around while the getting is good. Savvy careerists are doing their searching carefully; ensuring that an occupation or job change is worthwhile. For guidance, job seekers often turn to an employment counsellor -- and it's a good idea. So where do you find one? Service Canada Centres and other federally and provincially funded public offices provide a variety of self-directed services like computers and job boards as well as assisted services including employment counselling and workshops. The Government fuels resources like: Skills Canada: Training and Careers www.jobsetc.ca Job Bank www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/jobs/jobbank.shtml Labour Market Information www.labourmarketinformation.ca Job Futures www.jobfutures.ca Unfortunately, many assisted Government-funded employment services are only available to individuals who meet certain requirements. Alternatives do exist for job seekers who are not able to access public assistance. Career coaches and private counsellors offer similar services for varying fees. A dizzying array of job search websites offer career development resources, literature, postings, and links at no cost to the job seeker. Some fairly well-known sites include: Monster www.monster.ca Workopolis www.workopolis.com Working.com working.canada.com Career Builder www.careerbuilder.ca While all employment and career services -- government and private, in person and online -- are extremely valuable and can be very helpful, remember, they all have goals, targets, and business objectives of their own to meet. It's crucial, whatever service you access, to put your own needs and wants into the equation. Your career is an evolving aspect of your life, and while change involves risk, it helps keep you moving forward. While no advice (including this writer's) can take the place of genuine introspection, here are a few suggestions to help you push past any blocks along the way.
Current demand for workers does put the employee in a relative position of power, but like any trend, it can't last forever, as we're reminded by the warning signs of a recession for our US neighbours. So, if you need to make a change and you've been procrastinating, keep in mind that the pendulum will eventually swing back to the employer. Sources: Service Canada Skills Canada: Training and Careers Statistics Canada - The Daily Canada Career Consortium - The Work Handbook Recession-proof your career Research: Connections Career Centre Monster Workopolis Centrepoint Career Management Where to Find Service Centre Employment Services and Training Assistance Job Futures Skills Canada: Training and Careers Surrey Employment Resource Centre The Way We Work: Canada's Workforce in Transition Statistics Canada • Labour Force Survey • The Daily Human Resources and Social Development Canada • Career Handbook: Second Edition JobQuality.ca - Job Satisfaction Comments (0)
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