The job market consists of two distinct parts - the "Visible Job Market" and the "Hidden Job Market". The visible job market, which contains advertised jobs, is the one most people access; however, it represents only 15-20% of all available jobs. This means that very few people are exploring the hidden job market, although it contains more than 80% of available employment opportunities.
The chief advantage of the visible job market is its easy access. The postings are tangible, often with a detailed job description, making it easier to market oneself to the position. As the majority of people access these postings, the competition is very stiff. If one's job search is restricted to the visible job market, important networking abilities such as communication skills and interpersonal skills may not be developed.
Students beginning their job search with the visible job market should be aware of two government programs aimed at student summer employment.
Students looking for summer employment with the Provincial Government can register with STEP (Student Temporary Employment Program). By indicating their education, skills, and work preferences on the STEP form, students will be entered into the provincial inventory. Various department and Crown corporations then access this inventory in their search for suitable summer employees. Doreen Phimster, STEP Administrator, indicated that approximately 1,200 students will be employed by the province this summer. To maximize their chances for employment, students should "indicate a broad and comprehensive range of skills" on the STEP form, Phimister said. She added that students with an interest in a specific department should contact that department directly to inquire about employment. STEP forms are available at the CPPS or from the provincial office at 114 Garry St.
The federal government program COSEP (Career Oriented Summer Employment Program), allows students to directly apply to specific summer postings within the federal government. Federal departments and agencies are responsible for advertising their own summer positions, and are encouraged to post at the CPPS. (However, please note that they are not required to post at the University of Manitoba). Interested students can complete a COSEP form and send it directly to the hiring department by the deadline indicated on the ad. Shelley Sager, COSEP Coordinator, indicated that 185 students were placed in COSEP positions in Manitoba last summer. The direct application method, which is now in its second year of operation, "gives students a more proactive role in their job search", said Sager. "They match themselves to the job requirements. Basically, they're in control of their own destiny," she said.
Hidden Treasure...
The hidden job market, which consists of all unadvertised jobs, encompasses 80-85% of available employment. A proactive job search is required to access this pool of jobs, but the effort pays off. One of the primary methods used is "networking", one of today's catchwords which means talking to friends, relatives, neighbors, teachers, classmates, former/present employers, and any other acquaintances. The message? "I'm looking for work; if you have any leads, please let me know." Employers are more likely to hire someone who is referred to them than a complete stranger and if the employer doesn't have to advertise, it saves them time and money.
It is important to develop a list of potential employers, and this can be accomplished through trade/professional magazines, yellow pages, membership listings, and company directories. These resources are available at the CPPS, the Management Library, and the Winnipeg Centennial Library. Reserach the organization before making contact and be sure to maintain a careful list of company names, addresses, telephone numbers and a contact person's name and title for each organization. The next big step is getting in touch with these potential employers. There are three basic ways to contact employers: mail-outs, phone calls, and cold calls. The mail-out (mailing a resume to companies and waiting for their reply) tends to be very popular but is not very effective.
The second method, telephone calls, should be directed to the person in charge of hiring, and should be an attempt to set up an appointment for further discussion. The last method of contact, the cold call, means walking into an employer's office and introducing oneself personally to the contact person. This will leave a lasting impression with the employer, linking a face and a personality with a resume, and therefore makes it one of the most effective ways to market oneself.
The advantages to accessing the hidden job market are obvious; few people seem willing to take the initiative and therefore the competition is less fierce. It puts job hunters in control of their job search, allowing them to focus in on their areas of interest. Most importantly, it develops valuable skills in communication and human relations. The downside of tapping into the hidden job market is measured in personal effort and confidence. It requires a commitment of time and energy, as more research and creativity are necessary.
Another type of hidden job market exists in the form of entrepreneurship. Running your own business and marketing your own creativity seems to be the trend of the future, and the federal government has been supporting this concept for the last nine years through the Challenge Student Business Loans. These loans of up to $3,000 allow students to operate their own small business during the summer.
The loans are interest-free until mid-October, when full loan repayment is due. Jim Harrison (manager, Special Accounts), Federal Business Development Bank, stated that the program will be available once again this year and application forms can be obtained through the FBDB, Royal Bank branches, the National Bank, Canada Employment Centres and the CPPS on campus. The Challenge Student Business Loan Program gives students an opportunity to finance their studies, he said. The program is "a good learning tool" for several reasons, Harrison added, as it allows students to explore entrepreneurship with a relatively low financial risk and may provide some with an alternative career option. Interested students can contact Jim Harrison at 983-7900 for more information.
All Together Now...
To maximize the success of job search, be sure to tap into both the visible and the hidden job markets. The Career Planning and Placement Service at 473 University Centre assists students with all aspects of their job search, from summer job postings to workshops and one-on-one consultations on resume writing, interview techniques, and job search strategies. The resources are available for you to take control of your job search today!
Questions and Answers
Q. I have an interview next Friday and I want to research the
organization. However, I don't really know how to get information on the
company. How do I go about this?
A. Often large corporations will have published information on their operations. You can access this literature at the Career Planning and Placement Service, Drake Centre Library, or the Winnipeg Centennial Library.
You could also call the organization yourself and ask to be sent information on the company or, should no information be available in print form, you can ask to speak directly to someone in the organization - in job search, we call this conducting an information interview.
It is sometimes helpful to gather information by contacting the Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau or the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
Researching the company is important - knowing about the company helps you to identify how your skills will complement that organization and where and how you will fit in.
Q. I am a third year student in the Faculty of Arts with a major in criminology. I will be graduating in a few months and have no idea where to work. What positions are available to criminology majors and what kind of organizations will hire them?
A. Criminology provides an excellent foundation for many occupations. Step one is to determine what type of occupation is best for you.
If helping others is a priority, consider these options: parole or probation officer, youth or group home worker, victim/witness assistance coordinator, volunteer coordinator, human rights officer or life skills instructor.
Interested in maintaining order? Besides careers with the RCMP, city or provincial forces, consider military, harbour patrol, coast guard or customs positions. Sheriffs and bailiffs enforce court orders. Corrections officers maintain order in correctional institutions.
Increasingly, private security and investigation services, hotels, retail and other businesses are hiring security consultants, retail loss prevention officers, and investigators.
Policy analysis or legal research with government/quasi-government agencies or law firms is another option.
These occupations may require extensive training or further education. Those who have related volunteer, practicum or paid experience will definitely have an advantage.
Well, congratulations! You did it! You survived the interview process and received a job offer! The decision to accept an offer is often a difficult one with many factors to consider. However, once that decision has been made and you have formally accepted the organization's proposed employment contract, a new and exciting stage of your life begins. Welcome to your career!
It is important to remember that as exciting as this new experience is, it is accompanied by many challenges. The change from university study to working in your chosen field requires significant adjustment - mentally, emotionally and physically. It is important to acknowledge that when you leave university for your first job, your first year is really a transition period during which you will learn much about your skills and abilities in the workplace and how you will complement the work of that organization and your new colleagues.
One of the most difficult tasks associated with starting a new job is building relationships with these colleagues. For the first few weeks or months you may feel like an outsider. Everyone else seems to have a history with the company and is "in the know." It is an uncomfortable feeling to not have a familiarity with the people in your workplace and, as a result, you may initially feel very lonely.
Fortunately, this uncomfortable period is brief and with a little effort, you can leave it quickly behind. Here are some pointers to help you bridge the gap and open new lines of communication with your colleagues:
Aside from uncertainties that you will have about not fitting in with the people in your new company, it is natural that you will also feel uncertain about your abilities and the impression that you will make on your supervisor during the first few months. To help you to make as positive an impression as possible, remember these tips:
Hopefully these tips will assist you in making the transition into your new workplace a smooth one. Good luck with this exciting new opportunity.
Sources: Kaponya, Paul. How to Survive Your First 90 days at a New
Company. Hawthorne, New Jersey: The Career Press, Inc., 1990.
Staff of the Catalyst. Making the Most of Your First Job. New York,
Ballantine Books, 1981.
In Canada, there are eight large large Forensic Science Laboratories. The Province of Quebec has the Laboratoire de Police Scientifique in Montreal; Ontario has the Centre of Forensic Science in Toronto and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have six laboratories located in Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Halifax. Most provinces also have local provincial laboratories or hospitals which do some forensic work.
The minimum educational requirement is a B.Sc. (Hon), but the majority of new applicants are being hired with a Master's degree. Your university education will be the basis upon which you will be further trained in one of the above areas. This additional training takes about one and a half years and encompasses specific analytical techniques, exhibit handling and court testimony. Forensic science is a very rewarding career as your evidence is instrumental in assisting the courts reach a just verdict.
Unfortunately, recent government cutbacks have severely reduced the number of job opportunities available in Forensic Science Laboratories. Hopefully the economic outlook will change allowing university graduates to enter the Forensic Science field in the near future.
...The Career Mentor Program links University of Manitoba students with alumni who can share information about their own occupations and offer advice about the realities of the marketplace. To arrange an interview with a Career Mentor, contact the Student Counselling and Career Centre at 474 University Centre.
Jobs for Animal Lovers
Does your best friend have four legs? Would you rather spend your day
"under the sea?" There are literally hundreds of options for animal
lovers, many of them attractive to entrepreneurs. These are just a few:
Kennel Worker - Horse Riding Instructor - Groom - Curator - Aquarist - Pet Sitter - Zookeeper - Pet Portraitist - Conservation Officer - Animal Trainer - Animal Therapist - Farmer - Veterinarian - Veterinary Assistant - Wildlife/Pet Photographer - Equestrian Coach - Pet Store Owner/Worker - Ornithologist - Wildlife Biologist - Wildlife Technician - Animal Health Technician - Animal Scientist - Pet Groomer - Shepherd - Pet Walker - Breeder - Fisheries Technician
For more information on these and other occupations, contact the Career Resource Centre, 474 University Centre.