Get a Job! A Podcast by Vancouver WorkBC

In this episode of "Get A Job!", we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the job application process and how to make these changes work for you! Guests Jabeen Boga (Regional Human Resources Business Partner at Rivera Inc.) and Ebru Pinar (Employment Facilitator at WorkBC Centre Vancouver Midtown) discuss the integration of AI in evaluating resumes and cover letters, and some of the best practices for tailoring your job applications with AI. If you're curious to find out what types of employers are likely to use AI, how their ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) work, what free tools (aside from ChatGPT) are available to job seekers, how to avoid common mistakes when using AI for job search, and more, then this episode is for you! 

Links:

• Find your local WorkBC Centre
• Preparing for Job Interviews (Free virtual workshop)

Looking to start or grow your career within a dynamic, inclusive, and flexible industry? Working for a local brewery may just be the right fit for you! In this episode, we sit down with Chris Backus of Brave Brewing Company and Gil Desaulniers of Mariner Brewing Company to chat about the diverse employment opportunities that exist within their industry. Both guests share what types of roles are available (including inclusive employment opportunities through a partnership with WorkBC), what skills & certifications you might need, how to stand out from the crowd when applying to work for a local brewery, and more. Don't miss this exciting episode about a fun and unique industry that has much to offer job seekers in and around Metro Vancouver! 

Links: 

• Find your local WorkBC Centre
• Preparing for Job Interviews Workshop (Free virtual workshop on April 23rd)

Everything around us – from furniture to food products – is a result of manufacturing. It is an industry that includes a wide range of subsectors, including food and beverage manufacturing, wood manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, and many more. Despite being a broad and necessary industry, the manufacturing sector can often be overlooked by many individuals deciding on a career path or simply looking for their next job.In this episode, we chat with David Munro, Manufacturing Consortium Manager at the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, to explore this diverse industry, particularly what job opportunities are available (you may be surprised!), what to expect when working in the industry, and what the future may hold for those considering a career in manufacturing.

Links:

• Find your local WorkBC Centre
• Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
• BC Youth in Manufacturing Initiative
• WILWorks Post Secondary
• WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing
• Preparing for Job Interviews: A Free Virtual Workshop
• Digitally Smart: Getting Employed Workshop Series

Based on current Indeed listings (as of October 2023), there are over 800 marketing-related positions in the Lower Mainland alone. Every business or organization carries out marketing activities, whether online (digital marketing) or through more traditional methods. While many of us may have an idea, what exactly IS marketing and what does a career in this field entail? Is it the right industry for YOU?

In this episode, we chat with Stefanie Gajdecki, Founder of Hemera Growth Group and a Digital Marketing Instructor with over 25 years of experience, about the latest trends & developments in the marketing industry, plus useful tips and tools to help you get started. If you're a creative individual with a flair for analytics and are considering a career in marketing, then this episode is for you!

Links:

• Find your local WorkBC Centre: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/Find-Your-WorkBC-Centre.aspx
• Hemera Growth Group (Stefanie's Vancouver-based Strategic Marketing Firm): https://www.hemeragrowthgroup.com/
• 2023 Fall Hiring Fair hosted by Career Zone (November 8, 2023 in downtown Vancouver): https://2023fallhiringfair.eventbrite.ca/

September is Disability Employment month in BC, a great opportunity to highlight the significant role people with disabilities play in the workforce. In this episode, we chat with Emily Dietrich, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Manager at BCAA, about why her company - like many others - values inclusive hiring and how jobseekers with disabilities can connect with accessible employers like BCAA. We also discuss ideas, tips and resources to help jobseekers with disabilities succeed in the job search process.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Find your local WorkBC Centre:
  https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/Find-Your-WorkBC-Centre.aspx
• Free resume workshop on Sept 19th (virtual):
  https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/667920717847?aff=oddtdtcreator
• 2023 North Shore Job Fair (in-person):
  https://2023northshorejobfair.eventbrite.ca/

While building a career can be a big challenge, Indigenous jobseekers often face unique barriers to securing and maintaining employment.

In this episode, we chat with Christie Sparklingeyes, Indigenous Recruiter at Vancity, to discuss these challenges and what Indigenous job seekers can do to get on the right path with regards to career planning, landing a sustainable job, and connecting with inclusive employers in Vancouver. We’ll also look at what steps inclusive employers are taking and how organizations can tap into the Indigenous talent pool, beginning with building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities.


Links:

• Find your local WorkBC Centre
• Training & Funding: ACCESS - Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society and Native Education
• Friendship Centre: Vancouver aboriginal friendship centre society
• Vancity Evergreen Posting: Career Opportunities for Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Metis) at Vancity
• Christie Sparklingeyes profile on LinkedIn
• Summer Hiring Fair at Career Zone (July 5, 2023): register here
• PowerUp program: Register here.
• Find out about other YWCA Employment Programs

Three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person hiring fairs and networking events are back in full swing. In Metro Vancouver alone, the past couple of months have been filled with various career fairs taking place almost every week. But what has changed, and what exactly can you expect when attending an in-person career fair these days?

In this episode, we chat with Ayesha Hirji, a recruiter at a post-secondary institution in Metro Vancouver with over five years of HR experience, and Chris Pollitt, an Employment Facilitator at WorkBC Midtown East with ten years of career coaching experience. Both guests share their insights, strategies, and best tips to help job seekers make the most out of attending in-person job fairs and networking events post-pandemic.

Links:

• Career Zone Spring Hiring Fair (April 5th from 1pm-4pm in Career Zone, downtown Vancouver): https://spring-hiring-fair.eventbrite.ca/
• Diverse Abilities Hiring Fair (April 20th from 10am-4pm in Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam): https://dahf2023-tricities.eventbrite.ca
• Find your local WorkBC Centre: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/Find-Your-WorkBC-Centre.aspx

If you’re looking for a rewarding and recession-proof career in Metro Vancouver, a job in healthcare might be right for you! Over the last few years, there have been many changes in the industry, from the types of roles that have become in demand to the pathways you can take to your ideal healthcare job.

In this episode, we chat with Victoria Sapp, Senior Administrative Liaison of the Health Career Access Program (HCAP) at Fraser Health, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of entering the industry, the vital role of Health Care Aids and Community Health Workers, alternative pathways to careers in healthcare, and more!

Links:

• Contact Victoria Sapp for more info about HCAP at Fraser Health: [email protected]
• Diverse Abilities Hiring Fair (February 16th from 10am-4pm in The Pipe Shop, North Vancouver): https://dahf2023-northvan.eventbrite.ca
• Diverse Abilities Hiring Fair (March 16th from 10am-4pm in Killarney Community Centre): https://dahf2023-southvan.eventbrite.ca
• Diverse Abilities Hiring Fair (April 20th from 10am-4pm in Evergreen Cultural Centre): https://dahf2023-tricities.eventbrite.ca
• YWCA Discover Employment Program: https://ywcavan.org/ywca-discover
• YWCA Breaking Changing Gears: https://ywcavan.org/changing-gears
• Find your local WorkBC Centre: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/Find-Your-WorkBC-Centre.aspx

Did you know that more than 545,100 British Columbians over the age of 15 identify as having a disability? September is Disability Employment month in B.C., and this episode is all about the importance of inclusive hiring and employment for people with disabilities. Our guest Yat Li (Senior Accessibility Consultant, Presidents Group) shares about his lived experience with a disability and navigating the job market, as well as the current labour landscape, how to disclose a disability to a potential employer, tips for finding an inclusive employer and more.

Links:

• Presidents Group: https://accessibleemployers.ca/
• Disability Inclusive Employer Self-Assessment: https://accessibleemployers.ca/resource/disability-inclusive-employer-self-assessment/
• Creating Effective Resumes - A Free Virtual Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/creating-effective-resumes-a-free-virtual-workshop-tickets-343319928147
• 2022 Inclusive Workplace Panel: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2022-inclusive-workplace-panel-tickets-408248782097
• PARQ x WorkBC Vancouver In-person Hiring Fair: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/parq-x-workbc-vancouver-in-person-hiring-fair-tickets-405455286677?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
• WorkBC Centre Vancouver South: https://www.workbc.ca/WorkBC-Centres/Mainland-Southwest/Vancouver-Cambie.aspx
• Find your local WorkBC Centre: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/Find-Your-WorkBC-Centre.aspx

Whether you get laid off or are fired, losing a job can be a devastating time for individuals - both financially and emotionally. In this episode, we chat with Christine Campbell Rapin, CEO, Business Coach and International Best Selling Author, to discuss what steps you can take if you ever find yourself in this situation. We cover everything from self-care to how to navigate tricky questions in job interview relating to your previous position, moving forward and more.

Links:

• Preparing for Job Interviews - A Free Virtual Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/preparing-for-job-interviews-a-free-virtual-workshop-tickets-343171684747
• PICS Surrey Mega Job Fair: https://megajobfair.ca/
• Christine Campbell Rapin: https://christinecampbellrapin.com/about
• WorkBC Vancouver Midtown East: https://www.workbccentre-vancouvermidtown-east.ca/
• Find your local WorkBC Centre: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/Find-Your-WorkBC-Centre.aspx