Gen Y unemployment decreased slightly in April, says Stats Can

TalentEgg Incubator.

Statistics Canada released new data on Friday indicating that employment for 15-to 24-year-olds increased by 23,000 jobs last month.

Gen Y employment increased by 0.5% in April, resulting in an employment rate of 55.4% overall.

Youth in Alberta benefited from the greatest gains last month with a 1.6% increase in employment, while those in Saskatchewan yielded the highest youth employment rate, at 63.3%.

Are you still looking for a job for the summer or after graduation? We’ve got lots of useful tips for you at TalentEgg!

Networking

Networking is a skill that is very under-utilized by Gen Y. You never know what connections and possible job opportunities are available from the people you know. Worried about sounding awkward? Check out these handy tips:

• How can I network if I don’t know anyone?
• 3 ways to make network connections
• How to succeed before, during and after networking events
• 6 strategies to make networking less awkward and more productive

Resumés

Your resumé, like your cover letter should be catered to the position you are applying to. The more information you can provide about the job you are applying to, the better. Check out these articles for more tips:

• Career Launching Resumés: Focusing on your greatest assets
• Including short references in your resumé is unique and creates value
• How should you describe your work experience on your resumé?
• Recruiters’ Top 20 resumé pet peeves

Cover letters

All applications should include a unique cover letter. Why? Well, because it shows you have put some research into your application. Check out some tips from the TalentEgg writing team:

• Why you need to send cover letters and how they’re changing
• 20 employers tell us what they want to see in cover letters from students

Interviews

Having good interview skills increases your likelihood at landing a great job. Conduct mock interviews with people you know to help improve your existing skills as well as help you practice for upcoming interviews. Check out these articles with tips on interviewing:

• Asking for and participating in a phone interview
• Most common job interview mistakes by students
• Build confidence by selling yourself in 60 seconds or less
• Ace behavioural interviews by drawing examples from internships and classes

Don’t forget to check out the career-launching roles on TalentEgg! We’re still posting summer jobs as well as tons of great entry-level positions every day!

Top Talent: Capilano University business student and “marketing guru” Brad Hallwood

May 21 2010. TalentEgg Incubator.

Brad Hallwood, a fourth-year business administration student at Capilano University in Vancouver, was recently a finalist in the Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec competition this past spring, where he expressed his passion for marketing and advertising.

A self-professed “Marketing Guru,” Hallwood says he has knowledge of many facets of the marketing industry, and is constantly checking out new marketing trends. With the goal of becoming an account executive in an advertising agency, he says Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec gave him an amazing opportunity to experience what this position would be like.

“Advertising is a competitive industry. It’s all about trying to stand out and that’s what everyone strives to do. The people who are driven to come up with that next great campaign or are driven to go the extra mile and create something truly spectacular are the ones who are going to succeed.”

Tell us about something you’ve done that is completely unrelated to your current career path that shows you’re going to be a superstar in the workforce.

I have been a sports fanatic my whole life. Yet one sport I have never played is baseball. Recently, I decided to join a softball team. Joining this league was a way for me to go outside of my comfort zone to better myself. This allowed me to make new friends, and challenge myself personally while getting in shape and having a lot of fun. I was quite hesitant at first, but after joining and putting in a little extra effort outside the normal games and practices, I find myself fitting in very well.

How can you relate your experiences in Costa Rica to your career?

There is something surreal about arriving alone on a continent where you’ve never been and have no itinerary to follow. I spent the majority of my time in Costa Rica on both the Pacific side as well as the Atlantic side and travelled to many different cities and destinations.

Before taking this trip I was at a bit of a crossroad in my life. I had just completed a two-year diploma in business administration and didn’t know what the next step for me was. I booked this trip with no itinerary and took off alone to a country I’d never been to before and no distinct plans as to where I’d go.

Looking back, it was a little crazy, but it was an experience I never will forget and [it] helped me learn so much about myself. I was there for a month and I met so many people from all over the world and was able to experience so much culture. It’s a real eye opener to see the way other people live, especially in countries where the people are less fortunate than you.

The trip allowed me to discover that I wanted to further my education and put me back on track to completing my bachelor’s degree. The experiences during this trip opened by eyes to the world and allowed me to meet new people, learn a new language and have everlasting lifelong experiences. I feel it broadened by horizons and will allow me to be more open-minded in all aspects of my life.

What was it like to attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympics?

Having the opportunity to experience firsthand the 2010 Olympics made me prouder than ever to be from Vancouver and, more importantly, to be Canadian. The buzz that filled this city was indescribable. It was a unique experience having the opportunity to walk down the street and unite with people from all over the world

After my trip to Central America, I came home with a new appreciation for where I live and for my health and safety. It was definitely an experience being in a less fortunate area of the world and at times quite terrifying even just walking down the street. I realized how lucky I am to live in a country and area where I always feel safe, have access to health care and have good family and friends who are always there to help me if I ever need it.

Being Canadian is something I take great pride in. I have lived in Vancouver all my life and every day get to wake up and experience it in all its beauty. Whether I am on the golf course, boating on the Pacific Ocean, or snowboarding on Whistler or one of the local mountains the scenery and landscape of this city and this country are truly breathtaking and should not be taken for granted.

Montezuma Falls, Costa Rica

If an employer called your best friend for a reference, what would he/she say to get you the job?

Petra Zelman, a third-year Capilano University business student and former co-worker says, “Brad is a person who combines his charismatic personality with outstanding ambition and drive. This has shaped him to be a leader and somehow who I personally look up to.”

What’s so special about you that it would make employers climb over each other to recruit you?

A comment I often hear from people is something along the lines of, “I know you’re going to be successful.” I attribute this to my uncanny sense of ambition and drive. I am driven to not only “be successful,” but to continue learning and growing to personally better myself. I am excited to take this drive and passion into a company where I can not only grow personally but help them succeed and grow as well.

Q&A with a young entrepreneur whose business is no piece of cake

April 30 2010. TalentEgg Incubator.

Over the past few years, television programs featuring baking and cakes, such as Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss and Amazing Wedding Cakes, have become wildly popular. And for good reason: cake is a yummy (and perhaps one of my favourite) part of celebrations, and it takes a lot of skill to make the ornate creations that these professionals do.

Jen Stirk, a self-professed foodie and owner of Pastry DC, creates elaborate works of art out baked goods. She learned the necessary techniques to make yummy pieces of art through Georgian College’s culinary skills diploma and a confectionery arts certificate from the Bonnie Gordon School of Cake Decorating and Design, but they are no piece of cake.

Jen and I recently spoke about her education and how it relates to her business.

Q. What made you want to pursue a degree in culinary arts?

A. I’ve always loved the culinary world, but it wasn’t until a 12^th grade culinary class that the idea of pursuing post-secondary education in the subject was suggested by my teacher. He inspired me and believed in my abilities. He encouraged me and boosted my confidence. Thanks to him, I looked into the idea of furthering my education and decided to go forward with his suggestion. I applied to school, was accepted and found myself excelling in my schoolwork. Thanks to one of my teachers during my post secondary education, I decided to further expand my education in confectionery arts, which is now the basis of my new business.

Q. How did you get the idea to start your business?

A. I’ve always known I wanted to own my own business. At first I wasn’t sure what it would be, I definitely knew it was either fashion or food. Throughout my schooling I was introduced to many business classes. However, my education did start me thinking more seriously about beginning a business and the challenges it would present.

Q. What skills have you utilized from your degree and certificate to help promote, develop and improve Pastry DC?

A.I learned so many skills being in school. Everything from organization, communication, multi tasking, and of course the actual skills to produce a sell-able product. I learned the different theories and process involved in running a business. Through tutoring my peers I developed the skills to teach others, which has and will be quite an important asset to developing and potentially expanding by business. I utilize all of these skills on a daily basis to help promote, develop and improve Pastry DC.

Q. What do you want to see from your company in the next year? What about the next five years?

A. In the next year I would like to of course build a larger clientèle. I would like to develop and learn new recipes to be able to offer new products, specifically allergy accommodating products. I want to obtain a professional location to work directly out of. I have plans to be able to offer workshops on basic cake design and baking.

There are still so many more areas of culinary arts that I would like educate my self in within the next few years, i.e., writing my Red Seal, but as things stand now, in the next five years I would like to have an established storefront and catering service for Pastry DC. I want to be able to service a wider geographical area, potentially province wide. I want to be able to expand the workshops offered to also include workshops in subjects such as pastry making, fine French pastries, and advanced cake design.

Q. What words of advice do you have for other students and grads who want to start their own business?

A. If you’re going to start a business, you need to be passionate about it. Stay focused and positive. It can be hard work, but perseverance pays off. Ask questions, research and remember that everything takes time and patience.

Network, network, network. The people you know can really help you to go farther and help you develop your business. I couldn’t have accomplished what I have accomplished and wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for all the support and help from people and businesses such as my family, my friend Sean Rowe from myVibe.ca, Lisa Clements from Ravens Ridge Photography, Emily and Tanya from Pear Home, Mr. Smith from Orangeville District Secondary School, and all my other friends who have helped me so much. Networking and keeping an open mind can take you so far when starting a business.

Most importantly, keep learning. You can never have enough education. It can really take you above and beyond your original expectations or desires.