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“More Brains – Less Bots: Driving Reputation & Revenue with Expertise Marketing” – Collision 2019 Keynote [VIDEO]

On May 22, in Toronto, ExpertFile’s CEO and Co-founder Peter Evans presented at the Collision Conference in the “Growth Summit Track.” As the fastest growing tech conference in North America, Collision drew over 25,000 attendees. As one of the world’s largest and most influential tech events, Collision attracted CEOs of the world’s largest companies, founders of the most exciting start-ups, leading investors and media, from more than 120 countries. Click here to watch the keynote. In his keynote session titled “More Brains, Less Bots: Driving Reputation & Revenue with Expertise Marketing,” Peter speaks to how organizations can better engage their internal experts to competitively differentiate their brand and drive new revenues. The session outlined how trends such as the erosion of consumer trust and increasingly complex buyer journey are driving enterprises and institutions to make experts more approachable to key audiences as media sources, speakers and customer advisors. Peter also shared key insights learned from working with top organizations in sectors such as corporate, healthcare, higher education and industry associations.

Questions to ask the interviewer in a job interview: Tips for newcomers

As a newcomer, landing your first job in Canada requires a lot of preparation and patience. Before you start applying to job openings, you’ll need to invest time in crafting a Canadian-style resume, perfecting your elevator pitch, and building your professional network. Even with all this work, it can sometimes take newcomers several months to get their first job interview in Canada. However, when that inevitable call does come, you want to be thoroughly prepared to ace your job interview. Typically, this means researching the company, practising your responses in advance, and having a ready list of questions to ask the interviewer to position yourself as a suitable candidate for the job. Why is it important to ask questions at the end of a job interview? At the end of job interviews in Canada, an interviewer usually asks if you have any questions for them. Many newcomers hesitate when it comes to asking the recruiter or hiring manager questions, or worry that it may make them seem unprepared or overenthusiastic. On the contrary, it’s completely acceptable—and even expected—that you’ll have questions for the recruiter. In Canada, interviewers will assess you not only based on how well you answer the interviewer's questions, but also on the questions you ask them. Having questions for the interviewer shows them you’re interested in the role. Well-researched, intelligent questions demonstrate that you’ve done your research about the organization and want to learn more about working there. A job interview isn’t meant to be one-sided. As a newcomer, asking questions is also an opportunity for you to gather information that’ll help you assess whether an organization, team, or the role are a good fit for you. Top questions to ask the interviewer in a job interview It’s always good to have a prepared list of questions to ask at the end of an interview. One rule of thumb to keep in mind while preparing for interviews is to steer clear of obvious questions that can easily be answered with a little bit of online research. In this section, we’ll share some indicative questions you can use or build upon, based on the role you’re applying for and your own interview discussions. Questions to ask about the job What will the person in this position be responsible for? This is a good question to ask if the job description doesn’t have a lot of information about the role and if the job responsibilities haven’t been discussed during the interview. Usually, you’ll have some information about what the job will entail to begin with, so phrase the question in a way that shows what you know. For instance, if you already know that the position is for a social media manager, you might want to ask what social media platforms you’ll be responsible for, or whether you’ll also be required to create video content. What are the qualities you’re looking for in a candidate? While a job description typically mentions some of the skills and qualities a role requires, this question allows you to assess how well your expertise and personality match what the hiring manager is looking for. It will also give you an idea of the qualities or soft skills valued by the organization, such as teamwork or being self-driven. This could be a good opportunity to showcase these same qualities through a well-chosen example. If you’re looking for your first job in Canada, this question can also give you insight into the qualities Canadian employers in a particular industry typically seek in applicants. What would my typical day in this role look like? This question serves a dual purpose. One, it subtly positions you as an insider and shows that you’re truly interested in the position and are already thinking about what working there will be like. Secondly, the response will give you additional information about the job, the stakeholders you’ll engage with, and the things you’ll be responsible for on a daily basis. What are the biggest challenges someone in this position will face? Questions like these are a great way to learn more about the role, potential roadblocks, or dealbreakers. Depending on the interviewer’s response, you may also get an opportunity to elaborate on ways in which you’ve dealt with that particular challenge in your prior roles, helping you to stand out as the ideal candidate. For instance, if managing tight timelines is a challenge you’ll be expected to deal with, sharing how you’ve used your organizational or delegation skills to deliver quality output ahead of time could give you an advantage. What will my immediate priorities or projects be in this role? In addition to giving you more insight into the work you’ll do, this question demonstrates your eagerness to get started. Even more, it allows the interviewer to imagine you in the role and think of you as part of the team. If, during your research, you uncover some exciting new projects the company is planning, such as a product launch, this can also be a good time to ask if you’ll be involved in those or express your interest in doing so. Questions to ask about the organization Can you tell me about the company’s growth plans over the next few years? Showing you’re interested in the organization’s future gives the interviewer confidence that you intend to stick around and aren’t looking at this job as a short-term arrangement. If you’ve read about an upcoming partnership the company is exploring or about the industry being impacted by economic changes, don’t forget to mention it. The recruiter’s response will also give you some idea about where the business is headed, possible team expansions, or new projects in the future. How does this team support the company’s overall objectives? If the job description doesn’t provide a lot of information, this question is a good way to learn both about the organization’s goals and your future team’s responsibilities. If the answer is obvious, like if you’re joining the accounting team, rephrase the question and ask about the team’s key performance indicators instead. This will also give you some insight on the metrics on which your individual performance will be evaluated in the role. How would you describe the company’s values? A company’s values are essentially the traits or beliefs that guide the organization and its people towards their ultimate goal. If you can relate to these values, you’ll be more likely to fit in and work well with others on your team. For instance, if humility is a core company value, it’ll be best not to boast about your achievements in front of your team. Refrain from asking this question if the company values are openly stated on the company website. What do you like the most about working with [company name]? Phrasing some of your questions in a way that asks for the interviewer’s opinion makes them feel that you value their personal insight. You’ll also be more likely to get more relatable answers that may not have been included in the job description. An alternative question along similar lines could be, “What do you find most challenging about working with [company name]?” What is the company culture like? OR How would you describe the company’s management/leadership style? When looking for your first job in Canada, it can be easy to focus on immediate priorities, such as salary, working hours, and travel time. However, it’s also important to keep in mind things that keep you motivated over the long run, such as a company’s culture and leadership style. Asking about these will give you a sense of your future work environment and help you adapt to the culture within your team. Questions to ask about growth and team What opportunities does the company offer for professional development? This question can help you assess if and how the company invests in the success of its people. As a newcomer, access to professional development resources, whether it’s a mentor, personalized training, or online courses, can help you bridge skill gaps, expand your areas of expertise, or prepare for the next step in your career path. Be careful how you phrase this question—it shouldn’t seem like you’re only interested in your own development and not in the position or company! What metrics, goals, or KPIs will be used to evaluate my performance? For most Canadian companies, success needs to be measurable and quantifiable. Asking how your success will be measured shows the interviewer that you’re serious and results-oriented. It also gives you insights about what your performance focus will be. For instance, if you’ll be assessed based on the number of new business prospects you bring in, you may have follow up questions about the average value per prospect. You may also be able to share some of your business development achievements from previous roles. What does the career path look like for someone in this position? When you interview with a company, you’ll likely do some research beforehand to get a glimpse into what your future in the company could be like. For instance, you may look up the interviewer or other team members on LinkedIn and track their career growth. In case this information is unclear or hard to find, it’s also perfectly acceptable to ask the interviewer about your potential career path in the organization. Try not to ask probing questions about lateral growth opportunities or the possibility of moving to another department, as it could lead them to question your interest in the role you’re actually interviewing for. Other questions for the interviewer during a job interview What are the next steps in the hiring process? The hiring process in Canada often involves multiple rounds of interviews to assess if you’re a technical and cultural fit. Once all your other questions are answered, ask what the next round will look like. If possible, get the names and designations of people you’ll meet next so you can research them in advance. If the next step is an assignment or test, ask about timelines so you can plan your week accordingly. When can I expect to hear from you on the next steps/decision? While asking whether you got the job is a big no-no, it’s perfectly okay to ask when you can expect to hear about the outcome of the interview. First, this will show the interviewer that you understand that the decision process takes time, but also that you’re excited to know if you’ve made it to the next step. Second, you may be able to get a subtle hint about how the interview went. If the interviewer seems eager to connect with you again, you likely have a good chance of being selected for the next round. However, these hints aren’t foolproof, so until you hear from the recruiter with a definite yes or no, don’t lose hope and keep up with your preparation. Do you have any concerns or final questions for me? Asking the interviewer if they have any concerns about your candidature gives you a final chance to address points that may negatively impact your chances. If the interviewer brings up a weak spot in your application, use this opportunity to give specific examples about your experience or transferable skills that’ll help you succeed in the role. Additional questions based on conversations during the interview While the list of questions we’ve shared is a good starting point, it’s also very important to listen to what the interviewer says during the interview and ask questions based on that. There’s nothing wrong with asking an occasional follow up question during the conversation to gather more information, as long as you’re not interrupting them or using up too much of the interview time. However, it’s usually best to save your questions for the end. It’s acceptable to take notes during an interview (although you’ll still want to prioritise making eye contact), and this can help you keep track of questions you may want to ask later on. Asking relevant questions based on your conversation is a great way to showcase that you’re an active listener, can think on your feet, and grasp key points on the fly. For instance, if the interviewer indicated that they’ve tried something in the past and it didn’t work, you may want to ask why they think it didn’t succeed or if they’re considering alternative approaches. These questions give you an opportunity to demonstrate what you already know about the company, the business environment, or the latest tools and technology. If you have experience with something similar, you may also want to talk about how you overcame challenges and solved the problem. A job interview isn’t just an opportunity for a potential employer to assess whether your skills are in line with what they are looking for. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about the company and decide whether it is the right fit for you. Towards the end of the interview, most hiring managers will ask if you have any questions for them. Going in prepared with intelligent questions is a great way to stand out as an ideal candidate and will help you land your first job in Canada. Original article located here, published by Arrive. About Arrive Arrive is powered by RBC Ventures Inc, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. In collaboration with RBC, Arrive is dedicated to helping newcomers achieve their life, career, and financial goals in Canada. An important part of establishing your financial life in Canada is finding the right partner to invest in your financial success. RBC is the largest bank in Canada* and here to be your partner in all of your financial needs. RBC supports Arrive, and with a 150-year commitment to newcomer success in Canada, RBC goes the extra mile in support and funding to ensure that the Arrive newcomer platform is FREE to all. * Based on market capitalization

Adults with positive facial expressions while eating vegetables help kids consume more than double the amount of vegetables – research

Parents who struggle to encourage their children to eat vegetables can now play a more influential part at their mealtimes – concludes a study by psychologists in the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University. The recent study, which was published in the journal Appetite, was carried out by doctoral researcher Katie Edwards, who found that children watching adults eat a green vegetable with positive facial expressions tasted and consumed more than double the amount of that vegetable. The team recruited 111 British children between the ages of four and six years old and played each of them one of three videos. In two of the videos, the children were shown unfamiliar adults eating raw broccoli with either a positive or a neutral facial expression. The third video, used as a control, was not food related. The researchers then assessed the children’s willingness to try raw broccoli. This was measured using a seven-point scale from turning away from it to both swallowing and accepting it. Their intake of the vegetable was measured by the number of grams of raw broccoli consumed, and the number of tastes of raw broccoli was examined. The findings could help children become more accepting of less popular vegetables like raw broccoli and generally facilitate healthier eating in children. The research mainly focused on young children who had never tried broccoli before. The team found that children who were exposed to video clips of adults enjoying eating broccoli had more tastes of, and ate, on average, more than twice as much of the food in comparison with the kids in the control group — specifically, 11 g (0.4 oz) rather than 5 g (0.2 oz). Katie Edwards, PhD researcher at Aston University, said: “One explanation for the beneficial effect of positive facial expressions whilst eating could be that conveying food enjoyment gives the observer information about the safety and palatability of food. “Raw broccoli was novel for most participants. Thus, children may have eaten more broccoli after watching adults enjoy eating it, because they believed it was enjoyable to eat.” The researchers were surprised to find, however, that seeing adults enjoying raw broccoli did not impact the children's initial willingness to try the vegetable. The results showed that after watching adults enjoying eating raw broccoli, children ate more than double the amount of raw broccoli than children who had seen a non-food related video. This suggests that smiling while eating green vegetables can encourage children to taste and eat more of that vegetable. Katie added: “Further work is needed to determine whether a single exposure [to adults enjoying broccoli] is sufficient and whether these effects are sustained over time.” The full findings of the study were published in the journal Appetite.

Aston University pharmacy graduate honoured for charity fundraising work

An Aston University pharmacy graduate has been recognised for his charitable fundraising in the Chemist and Druggist Awards 2021. Shoaib Hussain managed to raise thousands of pounds within just four weeks when he shared a video detailing his 2017 trip to help at Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. He received the Above and Beyond Award at a ceremony held at the InterContinental London – The O2 on 19 November. Shoaib’s powerful video resonated so strongly with the public that he smashed his £25,000 fundraising target in just 24 hours. His campaign eventually raised £135,000 – all of which was donated to the charity Global Helping Hands, which is run by UK medical professionals. The money has paid for thousands of survival packs and the building of a medical centre, over 100 homes, 30 wells, and seven educational sites in Mosques. Shoaib said: “The video shared a personal account and was extremely difficult for me to voice. It detailed something I have not even spoken to my wife about fully, and something I still cannot talk about without tearing up when I remember what I witnessed.” Shoaib dedicated his award to “the refugees who I helped, and the donors who made it possible”.

Six popular beliefs about colds: experts explain the facts

As we return to pre-lockdown levels of social mixing, colds are starting to become all too common. A TikTok video has gone viral involving putting garlic up your nose as a cold cure, just one in a long line of claimed treatments or cures. We asked two experts to examine some commonly held beliefs around colds. 1. Can you get a cold by getting cold? Colds become more common in winter. Like other upper respiratory tract infections (in the nose, throat and windpipe) they are normally caused by a virus. There might be a little truth in the idea that getting cold can give you a cold, because as the temperature changes this can alter the lining of our throat and windpipe, which can possibly make it easier for viruses to infect cells. However, the main reason we get more colds in winter is spending more time inside, closer to other people – the perfect environment to transmit viruses. 2. Does sticking garlic up your nose help? The TikTok trend involves putting cloves of garlic up your nose because it claims to act as a decongestant. Sticking something up your nose blocks the flow of mucus, so when it is removed, the flow starts and the mucus drips or even runs out of your nose. Mucus not only helps trap and remove pathogens including viruses, but also contains antibodies and can reduce how infectious and spreadable viruses are. So this is not a good idea. Garlic contains a range of compounds which might irritate the nose, and remember sticking anything up your nose isn’t a great idea. It could damage the lining and lead to bleeding or even get stuck. So it doesn’t really help and could be harmful. 3. Can herbal remedies prevent colds? Various herbal remedies claim to either prevent or speed up recovery from a cold. People often mention echinacea, a family of plants that grow in North America. Some trials have suggested a small preventative effect, but the evidence does not show statistically significant reductions in illness levels. Turmeric is also touted as a preventative medicine, but there is no robust evidence for its effectiveness either. 4. Can vitamin C help? Nobel prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling suggested that vitamin C in high doses could be an effective treatment for many viral infections. But a Cochrane review, a very robust system in which researchers assess evidence, found that vitamin C did not prevent colds, but may reduce their duration, in some people. As vitamin C supplements of around 200mg per day are considered low risk, some suggest this is a reasonable strategy to shorten the effects of a cold. 5. Does vitamin D prevent colds? Vitamin D has moved from being the sunshine vitamin associated with healthy bones, to being linked to reducing the risks around everything from heart disease and diabetes to viruses. This has included a lot of interest in vitamin D as a way of helping us fight off flu and more recently COVID-19. Laboratory experiments show that vitamin D is important in supporting immunity and this is critical in fighting off viruses. The problem may be that some people have inadequate vitamin D levels. Sunshine allows us to make our own vitamin D - but that happens less in winter. So it is likely that taking vitamin D supplements as advised by the UK government over winter is sensible so that you get enough, and this may help prevent you from getting a cold. 6. What about chicken soup? Chicken soup has been used through the ages to treat colds, and like honey it might have some benefits in managing symptoms. But it is unlikely to make a big impact on driving out the infection. The water in the soup will help with hydration, which is a often a problem when we have a cold. Like most hot drinks it can help to relieve painful sinuses. There are studies looking at the effect on our immune system cells, but the evidence from these is far from conclusive. Sadly, there are no miracle cures for the common cold. Some suggestions may be helpful, and are generally not harmful, such as getting enough vitamin C and D. But others are definitely not worth trying and could be risky, such as putting garlic up your nose. The best thing to do is get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Emory Experts - Why Companies Invest in Local Social Media Influencers

Companies seek local influencers to pitch products. Even though most influencers amass geographically dispersed followings on social media, companies are willing to funnel billions of sponsorship dollars to multiple influencers located in different geographic areas, effectively creating sponsorships that span cities, countries, and in some cases even, the globe. The desire to work with local influencers has spawned advertising agencies that specialize in connecting companies with influencers and may soon redefine the influencer economy. This trend has merit, our research team finds. In a new Journal of Marketing study, we show a positive link between online influence and how geographically close an influencer’s followers are located. The nearer a follower is geographically to someone who posts an online recommendation, the more likely she is to follow that recommendation. To investigate whether geographical distance still matters when word of mouth is disseminated online, our research team examined thousands of actual purchases made on Twitter. We found the likelihood that people who saw a Tweet mentioning someone they follow bought a product would subsequently also buy the product increases the closer they reside to the purchaser. Not only were followers significantly associated with a higher likelihood to heed an influencer’s recommendation the closer they physically resided to the influencer, the more quickly they were to do so, too. We find that this role of geographic proximity in the effectiveness of online influence occurs across several known retailers and for different types of products, including video game consoles, electronics and sports equipment, gift cards, jewelry, and handbags. We show the results hold even when using different ways to statistically measure the effects, including state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning techniques on millions of Twitter messages. We posit that this role of geographic proximity may be due to an invisible connection between people that is rooted in the commonality of place. This invisible link can lead people to identify more closely with someone who is located nearby, even if they do not personally know that person. The result is that people are more likely to follow someone’s online recommendation when they live closer to them. These online recommendations can take any form, from a movie review to a restaurant rating to a product pitch. What makes these findings surprising is that experts predicted the opposite effect when the internet first became widely adopted. Experts declared the death of distance. In theory, this makes sense: people don’t need to meet in person to share their opinions, reviews, and purchases when they can do so electronically. What the experts who envisioned the end of geography may have overlooked, however, is how people decide whose online opinion to trust. This is where cues that indicate a person’s identity, such as where that person lives in the real world, come into play. We may be more likely to trust the online opinion from someone who lives in the same city as us than from someone who lives farther away, simply because we have location in common. Known as the social identity theory, this process explains how individuals form perceptions of belonging to and relating to a community. Who we identify with can affect the degree to which we are influenced, even when this influence occurs online. Our findings imply that technology and electronic communications do not completely overcome the forces that govern influence in the real world. Geographical proximity still matters, even in the digital space. The findings also suggest that information and cues about an individual’s identity online, such as where he/she lives, may affect his/her influence on others through the extent to which others feel they can relate to him/her. These findings on how spatial proximity may still be a tie that binds even in an online world affirm what some companies have long suspected. Local influencers may have a leg up in the influence game and are worth their weight in location. For these reasons, companies may want to work with influencers who have more proximal connections to increase the persuasiveness of their online advertising, product recommendation, and referral programs. Government officials and not-for-profit organizations may similarly want to partner with local ambassadors to more effectively raise awareness of—and change attitudes and behaviors towards—important social issues. Goizueta faculty members Vilma Todri, assistant professor of Information Systems & Operations Management, Panagiotis (Panos) Adamopoulos, assistant professor of Information Systems & Operations Management, and Michelle Andrews, assistant professor of marketing, shared the following article with the American Marketing Association to highlight their new study published in the Journal of Marketing. To contact any of the experts for an interview regarding this topic, simply click on their icon to arrange a time to talk today.

How to find a job in Canada and position yourself as an ideal candidate

Whether you’ve just received your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) or have recently moved to Canada, finding employment and getting back in your field of work is always top of mind for many. As you begin your job search in Canada, there are a few things that are must-haves: A Social Insurance Number (SIN) – A nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. Credential assessment for occupations such as teachers, accountants, medical professionals, engineers, social workers, etc. Credential assessment is a process through which you can get certified, registered, or licensed to practice your occupation in Canada. A Canadian-style resume and cover letter. Remember to customize your resume for each job application. Tip: To learn about the scope of your role in Canada and get deeper insights into specific job markets such as Information Technology (IT), Finance, Sales and Marketing, Project Management, Healthcare, Human Resources (HR), and others, download Arrive’s free guide for the Canadian job market. Once you’re equipped with these basic tools and resources, you’re ready to start looking for relevant opportunities. Here are a few ways you can get started with your job search in Canada. 8 ways to find a job in Canada 1. Browse job search websites Most job seekers use job search websites as the starting point while looking for opportunities. In Canada, many locally-popular sites provide more than just job listings. You can get access to employment trends, salary trends, career-planning tools, and industry information. The Canadian government’s Job Bank website is one such exhaustive resource. It is a job-listing aggregator so it pulls listings from multiple job sites which makes it convenient to browse opportunities. You can also check the provincial and territorial websites for more newcomer employment resources. What are the best job sites in Canada? Some popular job search websites are: LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, Workopolis, CareerBuilder, and SimplyHired. If you’re looking for freelancing opportunities or remote work, sites like UpWork, Fiverr, Jobboom, Jobillico, and Jobspresso are good options. 2. Network and volunteer One of the things to know as a job seeker is that Canada has a hidden job market. The hidden job market refers to positions that are filled without the employer advertising for it publicly. It is said that as much as 65-85 per cent of the jobs are not posted online. This is why networking is crucial to finding relevant opportunities – and LinkedIn is an excellent tool to get you started. You can use websites like Eventbrite and Meetup to locate industry-specific networking events near you. These events are excellent forums to find people from your field of work and strengthen your professional network. Giving back to the community (or volunteering) is usually well-regarded and valued in Canadian society. It can help you gain Canadian experience and learn the local culture and serves as a good way to meet other people and build your network. Tip: Volunteering can help you build your network and earn Canadian experience. To discover the importance of volunteering in Canada and learn how to find volunteering opportunities, read The benefits of volunteering as a newcomer in Canada. 3. Enrol with immigrant-serving organizations In Canada, there are various government-funded organizations such as ACCES Employment and COSTI that help newcomers find employment. Some are province and city-specific, so you can look up the government website to find one closest to you. These organizations help newcomers with a wide range of online and in-person career services such as resume building, interview preparation, language assessment, and finding a job. 4. Attend job fairs Many immigrant-serving organizations also organize job fairs. Some of these fairs are virtual and span a couple of days, while others are in-person events. Prepare for Canada, and JVS Toronto are organizations that do online job fairs periodically. One of the benefits of enrolling with a government-funded settlement organization is getting alerts for these job fairs. Following the social media channels for these organizations and browsing sites like Eventbrite and Meetup are also good ways to find upcoming job fairs. 5. Reach out to employment agencies and recruiters There are many employment agencies and specialized recruiters that can help you find a job in your field in Canada. These agencies and recruiters match jobseekers to employer positions. You can search for recruiters from your industry on sites like LinkedIn. Recruitment agencies in Canada may be nationally and/or internationally licensed. Those with a national license are only authorized to assist job seekers within Canada, while those with an international license can recruit overseas employees wanting to work in Canada. Who are the top recruitment agencies in Canada? Some popular employment agencies in Canada are Robert Half, Randstad Canada, and Hays Canada. Employment/recruitment/placement/staffing agencies cannot demand a fee from a jobseeker to help them find work. However, they can charge for additional services such as resume preparation, interview preparation, and job skills training. Tip: Beware of any employment agencies or recruiters asking you to pay a fee in exchange for a job offer, especially if you haven’t moved to Canada yet. Learn more about employment scams in Canada in the article, Common scams that newcomers to Canada should know about. 6. Browse career sections on company websites A good way to go about your job search is to make a list of organizations you would like to work at and then check the career sections on their respective websites. Most websites will let you send a job application for open positions directly through their site. Reach out to current or past employees through LinkedIn for a coffee chat to better understand the organizational structure and learn more about your desired role – this will also help you prepare for your interview. These conversations are also a great way to know about future job openings at the organization. Tip: Check out the list of top 100 employers in Canada and find organizations from your industry. 7. Enrol in bridging programs Bridging programs are designed for internationally-trained professionals and tradespeople who want to work in their field in Canada. They can help you get a licence or certification and integrate into the Canadian workplace. Some of the bridging programs’ services include courses, education and skills assessment, practical or workplace experience, exam preparation for licenses or certificates, language training, and action and learning plans to help you identify the training you may need. These programs may be virtual, or in-person or a combination of both. Usually, classroom training or work experience is part of the program. Depending on the bridging program you choose, there may be a fee associated with it. Contact a newcomer settlement agency near you or check local university or college websites to learn more about enrolment processes and eligibility criteria for specific bridging programs. 8. Look for a mentor Many Canadian professionals and industry leaders provide free advice and coaching to newcomers settling in Canada. This is a good way to learn how to adapt your skills and experience for the local job market and find relevant opportunities. You can look for a mentor through organizations like: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) How to position yourself as an ideal candidate and get a job offer The job market in Canada is competitive. Once you’ve identified a job position that’s a good fit for your skills and experience, it’s time to stand out from the crowd and market yourself as the ideal candidate. Positioning yourself as a strong candidate to an employer begins with building your personal brand. Here are a few other aspects to keep in mind as you prepare for a job application. Be confident and tell your story Practise responses to basic interview questions and have an elevator pitch so you’ll be more confident during the interview. Elevator pitches are a good way to introduce yourself and make an impression at the start of an interview. They can also serve as an answer to the “tell me about yourself” question. Think of your achievements and use specific examples or stories to demonstrate how you are a good fit for the role. Job interview resources: How to prepare for a job interview 10 common job interview questions and how to answer them The interview process in Canada may seem nerve-wracking. Prepped is an excellent resource for you to practise your interview skills and confidently prepare for the interview process. 6 Tips for improving your job search in the Canadian market 1. Customize your resume and add a cover letter A generic resume and cover letter sent to multiple employers may not yield much success in your job search journey. Be sure to customize your resume to each position that you’re applying for by tailoring your work experience, skills, and any additional information to the role. The cover letter is a good way to justify any gaps in your resume or provide any additional info that your resume can’t. Adding a custom, well-written cover letter to your resume can make you stand out from the competition, thus improving your chances of being approached for an interview. 2.Research the company and the role Be sure to research the company you are interviewing with – this will help you have more meaningful conversations with the employer and ask relevant questions. Look up the company mission, vision, some of its history, and market standing. Align your responses to the organization’s goals. Candid reviews on sites like Glassdoor can help you get insight into the operations and culture of the company. Get the names and titles of people who will be interviewing you and learn a bit about their background – this information can come in handy while making small talk with interviewers. Network with current or past employees through LinkedIn to learn more about the company and identify their needs – it will help you suggest potential solutions during the interview. 3. Polish your LinkedIn profile In Canada, it is common for employers and recruiters to search your name online. Brush up and polish your LinkedIn profile so that it’s up-to-date with your experience and qualifications. Also, ensure your social media or blogs don’t raise any red flags about you or portray you in a negative light. 4.For virtual interviews: Check your connectivity and surrounding environment With the coronavirus pandemic, many organizations have their employees working remotely. There is also a growing trend of candidates being interviewed virtually or over the phone. With this new setup, it is essential to showcase soft skills such as self-motivation and communication and demonstrate your comfort level using technology to connect. Be sure to check your phone reception, internet bandwidth and hardware or software requirements to ensure a smooth audio/video call for your interview. Avoid taking such calls from a coffee shop or a place where background noise levels may be high. 5.Be punctual and dress for the job you want Whether it’s a virtual or an in-person interview, make sure you’re punctual and dress for the job you want. For in-person interviews, plan your journey beforehand and consider the traffic and weather conditions. With the dress code, you can never go wrong with formals – this applies to in-person as well as virtual interviews. 6.Follow-up after the interview After the interview, take the time to send a thank you note to each of your interviewers. While this reflects your enthusiasm for the position, it also ensures the interviewer remembers you while deciding whom to hire. Finding meaningful employment in Canada can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Preparation, persistence, determination, a positive attitude, and access to the right resources will help you find relevant opportunities. Original article located here, published by Arrive.

How to rent an apartment with no credit history or job letter in Canada

For the first few months or even a couple of years, most newcomers moving to Canada consider renting accommodation versus buying property. As an essential and high priority task, this often turns out to be challenging as in addition to the rent deposit, landlords usually ask for an employment letter, a credit report, and references. And with just having moved to Canada, newcomers often aren’t able to meet these additional requirements. So, as a newcomer, how can you find permanent accommodation in Canada with no credit history and no job offer letter? In this article, we will share a few tips and workarounds on how to position yourself as a reliable tenant so you can find a suitable place for you and your family. Moving to Canada soon and looking for more tips on renting a place? See How to rent your first home as a newcomer in Canada. To build a stronger case as a reliable tenant, you can try combining as many tips as you can from the ones outlined below 8 tips to find a rental unit without credit history and job letter in Canada 1. Provide proof of savings from a bank account You can demonstrate your reliability as a tenant by showing proof of savings to cover a few months of rent. To do this, you don’t need to provide a detailed bank statement. Speak with your banking advisor to know your options; it may be possible to obtain a letter indicating that you are in possession of the funds to pay the rent. Moving to a new country comes with many challenges. Book an appointment with an RBC Advisor or call 1-800-769-2511 to find answers to any financial questions you may have. RBC’s phone services are available in up to 200 languages. Once you have your appointment booked, an advisor will reach out to check whether you’d like to meet via phone, video or in-branch. 2. Provide a local guarantor or co-signer A guarantor or a co-signer is someone who agrees to pay rent on your behalf if you are not able to. Being a guarantor or co-signer is legally-binding, and usually, only close friends or relatives will agree to act as a guarantor for you. You should also consider the impact on your relationship with them should you fail to hold up your end of the bargain. 3. Look for house-share or apartment-share arrangements You can try to find a shared accommodation by – Subleasing from an existing tenant; or Co-signing the lease agreement with a roommate who has a good credit history; or Leasing from a landlord who lives in the same apartment or house. What is a sublease? A sublease allows you to rent a room from the original tenant of an apartment. Rent payments are made to the existing tenant who, in turn, pays the landlord. Generally, rooms that are subleased by tenants don’t require you to provide a credit report or employment letter. This may differ from place to place and depends on the urgency of the tenant who is subletting. In Canada, many people seek out roommates for their living arrangements. Instead of signing a sublease with the existing tenant, you could explore the option of co-signing the lease with a roommate who has a good credit history, to meet the credit history requirement. Landlords renting out a room in their own house or apartment may be willing to overlook the requirement for credit history and/or employment letter. You can start your search by looking for shared accommodation listings on sites like Kijiji, Craigslist, and some provincially popular options like Home Zone on Facebook (for Toronto and GTA listings). Tip: Sites like Kijiji and Craigslist tend to have many scammers. If a listing seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Do not make any payments until you verify the place in-person and sign the appropriate paperwork. 4. If you can, offer more than expected deposit Each province in Canada has legal guidelines on rent deposit payments to be made by tenants before moving in. For example, in Ontario, renters are required to pay first and last month rent; there’s no security deposit. But in British Columbia, you will be required to pay a security deposit equivalent to half the monthly rent. In the absence of a credit report and employment letter, you can offer the landlord a few more months of rent upfront – this can be a huge incentive for the landlord to accept your application over another. Remember, the landlord cannot legally ask you for any additional amount beyond the specified norms. So be sure to check the guidelines for the province you are moving to and accordingly present your offer to the landlord. 5. Explore condos rented out by individual owners It can be relatively easier to find a condo or apartment that’s owned by individual landlords versus those that are owned by property management firms or large institutional investors. The application process for apartments located in rental buildings is usually very strict and offers little to no flexibility in terms of credit and employment verification. However, in a condo setting, most landlords are individuals and might be open to accepting you as a tenant, subject to your reliability. 6. Consider neighborhoods that are away from prime locations Finding a place in the heart of the city or the city centre is usually challenging even for those who have credit history and employment records to show. Broadening your search and considering the suburbs or neighbourhoods that are on the radius of the city may prove helpful in finding a suitable place. While you do this, if you don’t have a car, keep a close eye on public transportation and commute time to the city centre. 7. Book temporary accommodation for the first couple of months If you have friends or family already residing in Canada and they’re open to hosting you, it may be a good idea to plan your stay with them for the first few months. For those who cannot leverage this option, you can try booking long-term stays at an Airbnb, a hotel, or a hostel. Hostels in Canada are clean, secure, and extremely budget-friendly; some even provide free breakfast. Often, you’ll be able to choose between staying in a mixed dorm or a male or female-only dorm. Some hostels also provide private rooms at a higher cost. Try exploring sites like HostelWorld, HI Hostels, Booking.com, or Kayak to find good deals. If you are moving to Toronto as a single young professional, you can now skip the temporary accommodation part entirely and book a SoulRoom. Get a fully furnished room in one of the great locations in the city, at an affordable price. All rooms at SoulRooms come at a minimum six-month lease and are ready to live, equipped with high-speed internet, cable and utilities with shared living spaces. Just unpack your bags and be at home! Some landlords are willing to rent to tenants with a two or three-month credit history. Booking or arranging temporary accommodation for the first few months will give you a couple of months of time to build your credit. For a deeper understanding of how to build your credit, download Arrive’s guide onCredit and credit scores in Canada. How to obtain a credit report It takes at least a few weeks to a month for newcomers to receive their first Canadian credit card and a few additional months of credit transactions to generate a credit history. EQUIFAX and TransUnion are the two major credit rating organizations in Canada, and you can choose either one to get your credit report. Detailed instructions to obtain the report are available on the respective websites. 8. Take up a survival job and/or volunteer Survival jobs are lower-skilled jobs where significant education or extensive professional experience is usually not required. For example, working as a driver with a ride-sharing service, warehouse or factory worker, cashier at a grocery store, barista at a coffee shop, food delivery person, sales associate, telemarketing associate, cleaner, or a server at a restaurant. Volunteering is an integral part of Canadian culture, and giving back to the community is usually well-regarded and valued in Canadian society. It involves giving personal time freely for the benefit of another person, group, or cause. Both survival jobs and volunteering are good ways to earn Canadian experience, practice your language skills, build your network locally, and gather references for your rental application. Survival jobs will also provide you with an employment letter and cover basic living expenses while still allowing you to continue looking for your desired role. Helpful articles: Taking up survival jobs as a newcomer in Canada: All you need to know The benefits of volunteering as a newcomer in Canada Finding your first long-term permanent accommodation in Canada can be stressful and challenging. Following the tips outlined in this article will ensure you have a place to stay while you build your credit history and find employment. And over time, you will be well-positioned to find a place you can call home! Original article located here, published by Arrive.

Aston University celebrates launch of first wave of Institutes of Technology

"There remains a significant national skills shortage for engineering and we are pleased to be helping to address this through the provision of courses for young people wanting to progress to higher technical education, adult learners and people who want to develop their engineering skills." Professor Sarah Hainsworth Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences Aston University Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are collaborations between further education (FE) providers, universities and employers IoTs focus on the specific technical skills needs required in their local area They provide employers with a skilled workforce and students with a clear route to technical employment Aston University is joining in a nationwide celebration to mark the launch of the first wave of 12 Institutes of Technology on Thursday 8 July. Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are collaborations between further education (FE) providers, universities and employers. They specialise in delivering higher technical education (at Levels 4 and 5 – equivalent to the first and second year of a degree) with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, such as engineering, digital and construction. IoTs focus on the specific technical skills required in their local area. They will provide employers with a skilled workforce and students with a clear route to technical employment. By bridging skills gaps, these new institutions will drive growth and widen opportunity. Gillian Keegan, minister for apprenticeships and skills, said: “Institutes of Technology are the pinnacle of technical education, helping to develop the highly-skilled talent pipeline employers will need for the future. “By bringing together Further Education colleges, universities and businesses, Institutes of Technology are unique partnerships which will help to tackle skills shortages in vital sectors, from marine engineering to healthcare, cyber security to agri-tech. “Institutes of Technology are also playing a vital role in our multi-billion Plan for Jobs, which is helping to level up opportunities and support people to get the skills they need to get good jobs as we recover from the pandemic.” The Greater Birmingham and Solihull IoT has brought together the most innovative education providers within the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership area with leading industry stakeholders to create a powerhouse for advanced manufacturing and engineering. The consortium is led by Solihull College & University Centre, Aston University and Birmingham City University, working alongside South and City College Birmingham as a core partner and supported by BMET College, University College Birmingham and the University of Birmingham. The partnership will jointly design, develop and widen education and training opportunities aligned to the latest skills needs of leading-edge employers and the local, regional and national economy. The group will target under-represented learners, facilitating clear opportunities for progression from school to high-level occupations. In this new video, partners and employers explain what the IoT means to them: The following passage was included in the recent Government Skills for Jobs white paper, with the GBS Institute of Technology highlighted as an example of good practice: Government Skills for Jobs white paper Building work has started on the GBSIoT Hub at Aston University. It will be completed at the end of 2021 and will be an innovative hub, providing a fabulous resource for students and learners from across the region. Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology is all about two things: economic growth and prosperity. The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology is going to give us wonderful new skills in the sectors of the economy that are really growing fast here.” Professor Sarah Hainsworth, pro-vice chancellor and executive dean of the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences at Aston University, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners on the Greater Birmingham and Solihull IOT for Advanced Manufacturing. It has been really exciting to see the work progressing on delivering the new Hub for students and learners on the campus at Aston University. "There remains a significant national skills shortage for engineering and we are pleased to be helping to address this through the provision of courses for young people wanting to progress to higher technical education, adult learners and people who want to develop their engineering skills. "The Hub will be home to a new cyber physical manufacturing rig which will create a simulated working environment linked to advancing Industry 4.0 technology and state of the art digital facilities and I really look forward to when it becomes the new home for our IoT students.” Find out more about the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology at www.gbsiot.ac.uk

"Apocalypse" - A period of mass extinction threatens insects – and the world that depends on them

UConn entomologist and professor David Wagner says all kinds of insects are at risk for “a death by a thousand cuts" -- decline attributed to multiple factors, including the climate crisis, agricultural intensification, development, deforestation, and the introduction of exotic and invasive species into new environments. He discusses the threats to the world's insect populations in this compelling new video report from UConn Today: Wagner cautions that many of these creatures will not be with us for much longer, and says people must act swiftly to help prevent these tremendous losses before it is too late. Wagner remains hopeful, and says there are many actions that can be taken now — from encouraging political leaders to enact policy changes, to simply letting part of the front lawn grow freely to provide a food-rich environment for insects. “This planet isn’t here for us to exploit,” Wagner says. Dr. David Wagner is an expert in caterpillars, butterflies, moths, insect conservation, and global insect decline, and he’s available to speak with media. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.