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Category: Advice

  • Cover Letters: do you need them?

    Cover Letters: do you need them?

    Every day employers everywhere receive resumes. With such a volume of hopeful applicants, how does one stand apart from the pack? The answer—besides a professional and thorough looking resume and a great professional appearance—is a cover letter. This tells the employer about you personally, as well as your objections and intentions. Suddenly, you are not simply a faceless resume. Cover letters give applicants a personality and a quality that singles them out. A cover letter can mean getting you from a walk-in applicant to an up-and-coming employee.

    Highlight what makes you different

    Let your potential employer know about all your skills, attributes, experiences and talents because chances are you will have plenty of opportunities to display these in the job if you get hired. Think of your cover letter as a little movie trailer or a teaser for what you would be like as an employee. Have you never called in sick before? Are you punctual to a fault? Have you made a difference at a previous job that actually has a percentage statistic? Bring all this up!

    Do not be negative

    We repeat…do not be negative! Never, ever include personality conflicts with previous coworkers or employers in your cover letter or any legal issues or sarcastic remarks. You want to project all the positivity you can onto the page. If you are speaking ill about a current or previous place of employment, an interviewer may fear a similar situation if he or she hires you. You want to seem like a financially and emotionally sound decision.

    Do you talk about salary?

    If a prospective employer requests you to or the ad mentions it, then yes you may mention salary requirements and/or history. But if you are showing up to a business with no previous research into the role do not include it in the cover letter. This may be something you discuss later on in the interview.

    Be direct

    The more professional a cover letter or resume the more likely that an employer will deem you qualified to climb within the company. No matter what you are applying for, always approach the cover letter like you are applying for the highest level within the business; by that we mean attitude, manner and grammatical fluidity. Be as direct as possible, and mention your desire to grow with the business and as an employee in general. The best applicants are those that have all the potential to become the boss one day.

  • Getting Rid of Toxic People for your Health

    Getting Rid of Toxic People for your Health

    For some reason, we all end up spending time with people we shouldn’t. Some would consider these people “toxic” to our mental health. Or maybe you are that toxic person for some people. But for the time being let’s focus on those in your life who mess with your bliss. Toxic individuals can distract you from your wants and needs, goals and ambitions, and challenge your health. This keeps you in a cycle of unhappiness and stress and that can have serious mental, emotional and physical ramifications. So how do we kick those toxic folks to the curb?

    Narrow down who is actually toxic in your life

    Toxic people are not those who are simply a bit of a drag and depressive. These people may just be generally undesirable to you. You may want to create a bit of distance with those people too, but there isn’t an urgency to cut them out of your life, exactly. In general, truly toxic people exhibit the following: they try to control and manipulate you, disregard and disrespect your boundaries, take a lot and give very little or not at all, insist that they are always right no matter what, have a general air of dishonesty, enjoy and even savor being the victim, and they never take responsibility for their actions.

    Why getting rid of toxic people is so important

    Have a few people popped up in your mind now that you have gone through the above list? If so, these people are draining you and are making it difficult for you to focus on what you need. In truth, very rarely do toxic people totally ruin your chances for self-improvement. But they make it so hard and no one likes to progress slowly. In the end, you want someone who is going to make your life better not harder. Toxicity is contagious; that kind of mentality and behaviour can spread and you do not want to catch it. Negativity is way more infectious than positivity. Therefore removing toxic people from your life is crucial.

    How to remove toxic people

    This should always be done with a lot of thought and finesse. Accept that it might be a process and understand that distancing yourself from a toxic person is a gradual process. Never feel like you owe them a big explanation. Keep it simple and tell them kindly how you feel and why you are doing what you’re doing. Talk to them in a public place so that they do not get physically angry or act out and block them on social media. This last part might seem harsh, but it is necessary for you to clean out the toxins in your life and be able to think more freely. Try not to argue and simply restate your boundaries and distance your self from the person. In the end, distance instead of separation may be all you need, but trust your feelings (as the Jedi would say), and go with what you know your heart and mind need.

  • Had a Bad Day?

    Had a Bad Day?

    Have you had a lousy, everything-just-keeps-going-wrong kind of bad day?

    We’ve all been there. Sometimes things just don’t go the way they should, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be an over-all bad day. There are lots of ways to help change that bad day to a slightly better one. And if those fail, you can always start over with a brand-new day tomorrow.

    You can always restart the day. Not the clock on the wall, of course, but you can consider it like this: That last hour was not a great start to the day. How about we discard that hour from our memory and try to have a great rest-of-the-day? Sometimes this can work: you have a lousy morning, but a great afternoon – and by focusing on the afternoon of awesomeness, the morning will feel like it was pretty good, and you don’t remember it anymore.

    There’s also other ways to make that bad day better; drop in on your best friend who happens to be in the neighbourhood.  If you’re not in the mood for company right now, treat yourself to something you really enjoy – such as a chocolate bar (not too many, though) or that really fantastic meal from your favourite restaurant. Read a book that always makes you happy, or even a movie that makes you fill up with happy tears. A favourite soap opera, cat videos, or even watching people making fools of themselves. Laughter really is the best way to make yourself feel better.

    You’re allowed to have a bad day. Shut out the world. Turn off the computer and the phone, and log out of social media. Take some time for yourself, particularly if you’re feeling stressed around people. Surround yourself around things that help make you happy and calm, if possible, for fifteen minutes. It is also good for your mental health, but by allowing yourself to take some time to “reset” the clock, you can also change your day around.   Think of it as a mental stretch break.

    Just remember, there’s always a chance that bad day was just a blip in the radar – there’s better days ahead, and good and bad luck have a way of evening out. A bad day now and then is normal – it happens to the best of us. However, too many of them in such a short period of time can be as a result of several factors. It can help to talk it out with someone else, and there are several strategies available to you to lessen the streak of bad days – which is good for your mental health.

    A bad day can be better with someone supporting you and listening. There’s no shame in seeking help.  Sometimes it takes a lot of help to stand on your own.

  • How Do I Respect Other People’s Differences?

    How Do I Respect Other People’s Differences?

    Growing up as a Canadian student, you have probably noticed kids in your class who may be very different from you. From different skin tones, to languages, to the kinds of food someone brings for lunch, you may be exposed to a variety of different ethnic backgrounds every day! This is one of the most exciting parts of being a Canadian! As Canadians, we are offered the very unique opportunity to learn and appreciate different cultures from all over the world, right here at home! That’s pretty cool!

    However, sometimes it can be hard to accept or even understand someone that is different from us, and we might unintentionally come across as being disrespectful. Of course, no one deserves to feel disrespected or excluded because they are different from you, so it’s important to understand how to respect each other’s differences. Our Prime Minster Justin Trudeau said it best when he told us, “Canada was formed not in spite of our differences, but because of them.”

    Let’s talk about how to respect each other’s differences, and why it’s important.

    The easiest way to respect other people’s differences is to remember, we’re all human.  Everyone needs food and water, shelter, love and friendship, the same way you do. Just because someone meets their human needs in a different way than you does not mean they are doing it the wrong way, it is just simply another way! Think about it this way, what if every channel on TV only played the exact same episode of the exact same show? There was no variety in the shows you watched, they were all identical. You would get bored pretty fast! The same is true with people! It would be a very boring world to live in if we were all exactly the same. Thankfully, we all have unique differences that we can share and celebrate! The important thing to remember is just because something is different, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Let’s explore some examples of ways you can talk about other people’s differences in a respectful way.

    Today, your friend has invited you over to his house to have dinner with his family. When you get there, you see they are serving a meal that is quite different from the food you are used to having for dinner at home. Instead of saying “no” to the food, or thinking it is “not normal”, try saying something along the lines of “I’ve never had this before! But I’m willing to give it a try!” Trying new things is a great way to both respect other people’s differences, and introduce yourself to all kinds of new, exciting things you may love. (Remember, if you have a food allergy always check first to make sure the food is safe before accepting it. If you are unsure if the food is safe, do not accept it.)    

    A new student has joined your class. Her family has just moved to Canada from a different country, and she is wearing clothing that looks different from the clothing you and your friends are wearing.  Instead of asking, “why are you dressed differently?” try saying something like, “what a beautiful dress you are wearing! I really love that colour on you.” Making others feel welcome and at home shows that you respect and appreciate the cultural beauty their differences bring.

    By now, you may be thinking about all the other differences you and your friends share. Maybe you’re great at science, but your best friend excels more in art. Perhaps your neighbour is a terrific basketball player, but you prefer to spend your time reading. Are these the kind of differences you should respect, as well? The answer is yes, absolutely! A good rule of thumb is to keep an open mind about other people’s differences, and remember you wouldn’t like feeling excluded because of your differences, don’t do it to others. Our differences is what allows us to be unique and keep our world interesting and colourful, so let’s respect and celebrate them!

  • Regrets – why you shouldn’t take them to heart.

    Regrets – why you shouldn’t take them to heart.

    Everyone has regrets, no matter what they say. We all have at least one thing we regret doing – maybe it’s something you said, or maybe it’s even something you didn’t say. Maybe it’s one of those “holy I can’t believe I was like that” kind of regrets. Maybe it’s a big regret, maybe it’s a lot of little ones. Regardless of the type of regret you have, what’s important is that you don’t take them to heart. It’s crucial that you don’t let your decisions of the past dictate your future – and here’s a few reasons why.

    There isn’t anything more that you can do.

    That all there is to it. There really isn’t anything more you can do to stop regretting something. No matter how much you think about it, there isn’t anything you can do to change what happened. Thinking about it only makes it worse, since the only thing you can do about regrets is to think about them. All you can do is focus on what will happen, not what has happened. Focus your attentions on moving forward, making yourself a better person, and making sure whatever you did that was so bad never happens again. That way, you can try and save yourself some regret in the future. Hindsight is always 20/20, and looking back you might see things you could have done, but there isn’t anything more you can do now.

    You lose sight of what’s ahead of you

    While you’re too busy fretting over what has already happened, life is moving forward without you. If you spend too much time and energy regretting the past, you won’t be ready for when things happen to you in the future. If you lose sight of the future like this, you might miss out on a whole lot of significant opportunities in your life. If you’re too focused on regrets, you won’t be prepared to jump on the opportunities and to take full advantage of them.

    It changes your personal view

    Regretting something and second-guessing things you did opens the door to a lot of self-criticism. Thinking thoughts like “I’m such an idiot for doing that,” are not helpful to who you are now. In fact, the only thing that these thoughts do is drag you down. Get rid of that sort of negativity by focus on the things you did right. Think about times you really nailed something, got it spot on. Don’t worry and belittle yourself by thinking about your flaws, think about your triumphs instead.

    Regret is a big part of everyone’s lives, and is one of the biggest things that people deal with. Some people deal with it poorly and live their life in the past, while others move forward and allow their regrets to open doors to self-betterment. Who you are as a person is greatly defined by how you deal with regrets, so ask yourself if you want to live in the past, or move only forward.

  • Alberta Students: Transitioning Out of the Traditional School System for Persons with Disabilities

    Alberta Students: Transitioning Out of the Traditional School System for Persons with Disabilities

    Most graduating students find themselves facing a variety of challenges as they transition from the traditional school system into post-secondary and/or the workforce. For graduates (and families of those) with a disability, an even greater set challenges may arise during this transition period, causing the future to seem especially scary and uncertain. As an individual with a disability, you understand challenges. However, you also understand these challenges do not define you, and will not prevent you from achieving your goals. Let’s take a closer look at a variety of resources for Alberta students with disabilities, in order to achieve a smoother transition period upon leaving the traditional school system.

    Why choose a path in post-secondary?

    Post-secondary education offers the opportunity for self-growth, career and international opportunities, and the chance to learn and explore individual academic interests and a closer level.

    The Alberta Learning Information Services website outlines three major transition tools into post-secondary for students with disabilities:

    1. Understanding the differences between high school and post-secondary
    2. Career and Education Planning
    3. Information and Resources

    The Alberta Government Transition Guide reveals an in-depth outline of each transition tool listed above, and is jam packed with essential information on how to smoothly transition into the post-secondary world. A PDF version may be found in the link below.

    http://open.alberta.ca/pdf

    Should I speak to my post-secondary institution about my disability?

    Absolutely. If you are a student with a disability, speak to your institutions disability advisor prior to beginning classes. Many post-secondary institutions offer accommodations for persons with disabilities. Upon starting classes, speak to your individual professors in order to ensure the proper arrangements may be put into place.

    Is there funding available for persons with disabilities entering post-secondary?

    The Alberta government offers funding for persons with permanent disabilities that you may eligible for. Before applying for government funding, ensure you eligible and speak with the disability advisor at your post-secondary institution. For more information, and to see if you are eligible to apply, visit the student with disabilities section on the Alberta Learning Information Website. The link to which may be found below.

    http://studentaid.alberta.ca

    For a complete guide on student loans and funding, check out the Alberta Student Loans and Funding Guide 2017, the link to which may be found below.

    https://studentaidalberta

    Will my disability prevent me from being successful in post-secondary?

    Disability does not mean inability. With the proper tools and resources put into place, you have every opportunity to be very successful in post-secondary! Taking these first steps to achieve your academic goals reveals you are already in the right mindset for success. View and array inspirational post-secondary success stories from students with disabilities through the link below.

    https://alis.alberta.ca

    I have now completed my post-secondary training, or I have decided to take a different path and go straight into the workforce. Where can I find the right resources for disabilities in the workforce?

    The Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) helps Albertans with disabilities discover proper employment training, and rewarding career and job opportunities. For more information on DRES, and for eligibility, check the human services section on the Alberta Learning Information Services website, which may be found through the following link.    

    http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca

    For strategies and practices on responding to challenges, and more information on employment focuses, explore the Government of Alberta Counselor Resource, What Works: Career building strategies for people from diverse groups.  The link to the PDF file may be found below.

    https://alis.alberta.ca/pdf

    For employment opportunities, and more information on disabilities in the workplace navigate through the Government of Alberta resources through the links below:

    http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca

    https://jobs.alberta.ca/disabilities

    http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/financial

    https://www.alberta.ca/albertasupports

    http://www.humanservices/departmentpremierscouncil

    https://www.canada.ca/services/benefits/disability

    http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/services

  • Frosh Week 101

    Frosh Week 101

    Frosh week can also be known as orientation week, and it is a universal rite of passage for all incoming post-secondary students. As the name suggests, it is a week of events organized by upper-year students, with the aim of introducing you to the school, the campus, and your future classmates. During the week, you will likely be in the same small group of students, led by one or two really enthusiastic orientation facilitators.

    From personal experience, frosh week is one of those experiences that the uninitiated look forward to (I blame movies)—but once you’ve experienced it, it becomes rather bleh. I went through two frosh weeks, one at a major Canadian university and one at a small college. Here are my major takeaways on the experience:

    1. There will be a lot of awkward conversations.

    At some point in your heavily scheduled frosh week, there will be an awkward ice-breaker. If you’re particularly (un)lucky, there will be multiple such experiences. Any extrovert will thrive in these situations, while an introvert may find these situations excruciating. My advice to you is to embrace the awkward! Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your future spouse during frosh week.

    1. Frosh week is not free.

    That T-shirt and goodie bag? Not free. Pizza lunch and bubble tea? Not free. One way or another, you are paying for these events and giveaways. Some colleges and universities add the cost of frosh week to your tuition and ancillary costs bill, but other schools will ask you to pay separately. Look for an email from your registrar’s office in early summer. The ticket to frosh week can be surprisingly expensive. If you cannot afford the cost of frosh week, speak to your registrar’s office or financial aid office to see what options you have.

    1. Familiarize yourself with the campus and surrounding neighbourhood.

    Both weeks I attended included an urban walk. The organizers usually make it into a fun competition, but it essentially meant your group leader would take you around the campus and neighbourhood. This point is especially important for any students who are living on residence and/or not familiar with the area, such as international students. Even if you don’t fall into these categories, it is important for all students to be aware of where the gym and library are, as well as where are the best places to eat and drink. This kind of info is best from an upper-year student.

    Frosh week is an inescapable universal in universities and colleges across Canada. Rather than dreading it, take advantage of what benefits it can provide you. You will have multiple opportunities to meet and befriend new people. You will get what amounts to insider information from your orientation group leaders. These pros are worth it!

  • What are the Benefits of Working in the Skilled Trades? Part 2

    What are the Benefits of Working in the Skilled Trades? Part 2

    A previous article discussed three benefits of working in the skilled trades: the plentiful options as to which trade you would like to pursue and practice; the enviable salaries; and the job satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that come with working with your hands. Part two of this article series will go over three more benefits.

    Pursuing trade school and apprenticeships is cheaper and faster

    Depending on which trade you pursue, the corresponding program at a trade school is likely less expensive than a program at an academic institution. Once you become an apprentice, you actually earn as you learn. Plus, the Canadian federal and provincial governments offer financial incentives in the form of grants during and after your training.

    This path is also a faster way to land not just a job, but a career, as trade school programs and apprenticeships tend to be shorter (depending on the trade). The immediate benefit of this is that you can start finding work sooner. The more years of experience you have, the greater the demand will be for your skills.

    Opportunities to do more

    What does it mean for a job to have growth potential? If a job does not have growth potential, you are stuck doing that job until you quit or retire. This may appeal to some of you, but for others, you would probably like to be able to move up, take on management roles or training roles, for example. The great thing about skilled trades is that the job is what you make of it. If you want to be doing the exact same thing day after day, you can!

    And if you want to be move into more adjacent roles, like management or training, you can! If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and some work experience, you may even consider opening your own business. Doesn’t being your own boss sound exciting?

    You are unlikely to be replaced by robots any time soon

    Job security is no longer a reality of today’s workplace, but people will always need the skills of mechanics, plumbers, and locksmiths, just to name a few. These are jobs that only trained professionals with their specific skillset can do, not robots. (Or at least not yet). Moreover, work requiring tradespeople cannot be outsourced to another country. There is just no way.

    It is past time for the stigma attached to skilled trades to die, because given the many benefits to working in this industry, it is a practical option for many people, regardless of background. Consider your own circumstances and interests, the skilled trades may even be your best option.

  • How to Save Money for School

    How to Save Money for School

    You’ve most likely heard the costs for university and college. All the residence, tuition, extra fees; it’s crazy! Getting ready for college or university can be very stressful and frustrating; especially when it comes to money. Trying to save money for school may be difficult when you feel as if you’re not saving enough. Although there are numerous ways to pay for your education such as government funding, scholarships, bursaries, awards and maybe help from your parents, you should also start to save some of your own money for school. Here are some simple, mostly stress-free ways to save money for school:

    Get a part time job

    Although the most obvious and easiest way to save money, it is the best way to save. If you don’t have a part time job, start applying for one that interests you. Whether in retail, food, etc. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something. If you already have a job; great! If you have the time, ask for more hours. With every paycheck, putting much of your pay into a savings account and keep the rest for yourself.

    Spend less money

    I don’t know about you but I tend to spend quite a bit of money whether it’s going out to a restaurant, the movies, buying some new book or clothes. By spending a lot of money, it doesn’t allow you to save a lot. You can save money by spending less. Try eating in more and cooking meals, watching movies at home, renting books from the library or go thrift shopping. (At least it’s cheaper) I’m not saying don’t go out at all, but by finding alternative ways to save money can be equally fun!

    Put spare money in a jar

    This one is pretty self explanatory: whenever you have spare money in your wallet, car, between the couch cushions, put it in a jar. As well, there are multiple techniques such as putting $5 in a jar per day, couple times a week, etc. Pinterest has many ways of methods of saving by putting money in a jar.

    Do free stuff

    Another way to save money is to try doing more free things (or things that don’t cost as much). There are a variety of free things you can do in your city such as public skating, yoga and other fitness classes (although it may not be free, they tend to be less expensive than a gym membership), hiking, biking, going to the beach, etc. I’m sure you will be able to find some fun, free things to do that can help you save your money.

    Create a budget

    When it comes to spending money on yourself or others, it can be difficult to try to spend as little as possible. Christmas is the worst time to spend a lot of money, as there are so many deals. A way to make it through holidays, birthdays or any other celebration that requires spending money is to create a budget. Try sitting down and figuring out how much you’re willing to spend without going overboard and still having money to put away into savings.

    Sell clothes

    Although there are many organizations that you can donate clothes to such as value village or salvation army, try selling your clothes first. Depop is an app that allows users to buy and sell clothes. There are many other apps and websites like poshmark, copious, and many more! If nobody buys your clothes, you can always donate them.

    Do more D.I.Y’s

    Buying items for your house, room or just things in general can be costly. If you’re able to, try to be crafty by making more of these items. Pinterest is a great website to use to find easy D.I.Y’s (Do it yourself).

     

    Hopefully it doesn’t seem too hard to save money now with some new methods and techniques to save. Luckily, there are ways you can save to maximize the amount you put away for school!  Happy saving!

    Reference:

    http://mashable.com/2013/09/03/clothes-resale/

  • How to Save Money to Pay for College or University

    How to Save Money to Pay for College or University

    When you start thinking about attending college or university, it can seem like an expensive task. Tuition, books, and residence fees add up to a pretty hefty price tag, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. There’s a lot you can do when you’re still in high school to save money toward paying for college or university.

    Start Saving as Early as You Can
    The sooner you start saving money for school, the better. The best way to do this is to open a separate savings account at your bank, where you can deposit money you want to save for school. This way, your money will also earn some interest for you.
    You should also work out a budget of what it will cost to attend the college or university program of your choice. Schools and programs will vary in cost, but by looking at a wide variety of schools you will have an average price range to use as your savings goal.
    Once you know your goal amount, make sure you put money into your savings account as often as you can. A little bit at a time is all you need, such as money from your allowance or birthday and holiday gifts. You’ll see – it will add up pretty quickly.

    Earn Money Working Part-Time or During Summer
    Many students have part time jobs in high school. If you’re already working, then you can easily save money by putting some money into your savings account immediately after each paycheque. By doing this first thing each payday, you can make sure you save before you spend it.
    However, not every student has the opportunity to work during the school year, whether due to family obligations, sports and clubs, or parents who prefer you focus on academics. The thing to remember is that there are always breaks, such as spring break and summer vacation, which are an ideal time to pick up some work.

    There are many flexible jobs for students, as well. These include retail, food service, babysitting, camp counsellor, yard work and snow removal, washing cars, and even dog walking, to name just a few options.

    Start a Registered Education Savings Plan
    Known as an RESP, these are specific bank investments designed to help families save money for a child’s education. These plans enable parents and other family members to contribute to pay for school, and the younger the child is when the RESP is opened, the better.
    These investments offer benefits with taxes, as well as government matching of contributions up to a specific dollar amount each year. This makes an RESP a valuable way to save for school.

    Apply for Scholarships and Grants
    While not saving money per se, scholarships and grants are a great way to offset the costs associated with college and university. There are many scholarships for whatever program you want to study. The qualification requirements will vary, meaning you will always be able to find something to apply for. Some scholarships can even be applied for as early as your third year of high school.
    Scholarships and grant opportunities can be found all over, from local businesses and organizations in your town or city, as well as province-wide and Canada-wide.

    Student Loans
    It’s not always possible to save the entire amount you will need to cover the cost of your education – and that’s okay. Student loans exist for exactly that reason: to ensure that students who want to attend college or university can do so.
    Many banks offer student loans for educational purposes, and there are also government student loan programs, such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). These programs are valuable resources for students to help finance their education. The terms of the loan will vary depending on the source, but often include better interest rates and different repayment options than a standard loan.