[acb-hsp] FW: Denise Bissonnette's True Livelihood Newsletter

Mon Apr 2 14:29:52 EDT 2012

From: Diversity World [mailto:info at diversityworld.com] 
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 9:01 AM
To: Baracco, Andrew W
Subject: Denise Bissonnette's True Livelihood Newsletter

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This newsletter is intended to support the work of people who are engaged in developing the careers, vocations, livelihoods, jobs and/or work of other individuals. It is our belief that everyone's work life can and should be molded and crafted to be the expression of our finest gifts and a source of great joy. Towards this end, we hope that the content of these newsletters will support you with both practical tools and inspirational ideas. 

Hello Andrew . 
Welcome to our March 2012 edition!
Please pass this on to interested friends and colleagues!

 Making the Most of a Job Fair: 

Tools from Denise 

Dear Colleagues and Friends, 

Among daffodils, budding branches, and the gradual greening of grass, one of the sure marks of springtime (at least in the field of employment) is the plentiful return of the Job Fair.  While they take place throughout the year, it is in the spring they are most abundantly held, advertised and attended.  They go by different names, are held for a variety of purposes and hosted by a wide range of groups, and they are aimed at a diversity of target populations.  Regardless of the innumerable variations on the job fair, one thing is clear: it has become a tradition and a mainstay in the culture of North American recruitment and hiring within both the private and the public sector, embraced by universities, vocational colleges and training schools, and high schools.  

It seems that there are three kinds of job seekers in the world: those who enjoy and benefit from job fairs, those who find them a total waste of time, and those who do not care enough about them to have formed an opinion. In this article and in the articles linked to this page, I have attempted to address all three.   I cannot pretend to be a job fair enthusiast, much less a loyal member of the "job fair culture".  However, I am a believer in seizing opportunity, in taking advantage of every available resource, and in capitalizing on any occasion that offers prospects for new possibilities.  Depending on how it is approached, a job fair presents an opportunity on all three of these fronts.

There are many who question the effectiveness of attending a job fairs as a job search method.  My stance is this:  Going to a job fair does not guarantee that a connection will be made resulting in employment.  However, it is not going to hurt one's chances of becoming employed, and a morning or afternoon spent at a job fair will make much better use of a job seeker's time than many of the alternatives (e.g., sleeping till noon, watching reruns of Oprah, or hanging out on Facebook).  In fact, depending on how it is used, one's time spent at a job fair can be incredibly valuable in a number of ways other than getting a job.  The following is a concise description of seven potential benefits of attending a job fair.  (I have written them directly to the job seeker so that you can simply print, copy and distribute this list to a class, a job club, or to individual job seekers.)

Seven Reasons to Attend a Job Fair

1.       Career Exploration 

People who choose carefully where and for whom they work are happier in their jobs than those who simply take any job that becomes available.  It is the reward that comes with making an "informed choice".   What that means, of course, is that you need to become as fully informed as possible as to what your choices are!  Attending a job fair can be a terrific way to expand your horizons about the variety of employers and service providers in your community, about what various companies and agencies have to offer, and about what opportunities might fit with your particular needs, abilities and interests.  For those who are looking for career direction, a job fair can provide a perfect setting to explore your options!  The kinds of information to be gathered include:

*	Possible career tracks within particular industries; 
*	Employment opportunities within particular companies; 
*	Potential training, internship, mentorship or job-shadowing opportunities; and, 
*	Job search tools and resources available within local employment service providers. 

2.       An Opportunity to Network 

Considered by many as the most effective job search strategy, much has been written about the importance and helpfulness of networking when looking for work.  One of the key benefits of attending a career fair is the opportunity to meet, engage and connect with new people in a variety of situations.  Whether it's at the registration table, while having coffee, exploring the exhibits, sitting with people in a workshop, or just cruising around the fair, a job fair can offer a unique opportunity to expand your network in a variety of ways, both personally and professionally! 

3.       An Occasion to Practice and Hone Your Skills  

Attending a job fair is a way of "putting yourself out there" in a low-risk, non-threatening situation, one in which employers are there for the explicit purpose of meeting and engaging in conversation with job seekers.  Even for those not currently looking to enter the job market, attending a job fair offers a unique opportunity for you to gain valuable experience in essential job search skills which include:  

*	Presenting yourself in a professional manner; 
*	Introducing yourself with calm and confidence; 
*	Effectively responding to interview questions; 
*	Asking good questions in a clear and concise manner; 
*	Initiating conversation with comfort and ease; 
*	Developing good listening skills; 
*	Gaining a comfort level in networking. 
*	Gathering job market information; and, 
*	Following up on job leads or other opportunities to engage with local employers. 

4.       Meeting Face to Face with Employers   

Who do you think you would be more apt to go out of your way to interview - someone whose resume you received in the mail but who remains faceless, or the person who you met in person, shook hands with, and enjoyed a moment or two of lively conversation?  One of the greatest challenges of the job search is getting "face time" with the people who make sure that their resume or application gets in the right hands of the right people at the right time.  For many, the greatest benefit of a job fair is to save the time, effort, and discouragement that can result from sticking with more impersonal job search methods like mailing resumes or responding to Internet postings.  Having the opportunity to meet you in person, hear your voice or see your smile, could be all the difference in their decision to get your resume or application in the right hands! 

5.       An Opportunity to Attend Fun and Engaging Workshops

Many job fairs offer free seminars for job seekers delivered by seasoned trainers on important and timely subjects pertinent to the job search. These workshops typically equip the job seeker with effective and practical tools and new ideas, serving to both better equip you for the job search while simultaneously renewing and inspiring you with fresh thinking about your possibilities! 

6.       The Benefit of Being in Community

The job search can be a humbling experience and a challenging endeavor for people in all fields, and on all levels of skills and ability.  It is not unusual for job seekers to feel alone in their efforts to find employment.   One antidote to this feeling of isolation is having the experience of being part of a larger community of people who share similar challenges while reaching for their own dreams.  There are numerous benefits to be had by spending a day engaging with your peers who have a variety of skills, interests and disabilities, and with professionals from a variety of industries and positions.  Such an experience can build your confidence, renew a sense of belonging, and inspire hope as you engage with people who have achieved their vocational goals and/or are in pursuit of them!

7.       Mixin' it Up by Doing Something Different       

If for no other reason, think about attending a job fair just to participate in something out of your ordinary day-to-day job search.  Be open to the experience, to the people, and to the possibilities that await you in what can often be a dynamic, open forum.      

Four Additional Tools on "Making the Most of a Job Fair"!

Last year my husband, Rob McInnes, put on the first of what will be an annual job fair for individuals with disabilities in our home town. The Ability Axis Employment Expo was an enormous amount of work to put together. Beyond the traditional model of a "job fair", it was envisioned more of as a whole scale celebration of workforce participation for people with disabilities. With music, balloons, young volunteers with disabilities sporting their Expo T-shirts, and an open café at the center of the exhibit area, I have to say that the atmosphere was indeed celebratory! It was an incredible event - a multitude of exhibitors representing the private and public sectors, great workshops and keynote speakers (including yours truly), and a surprisingly enormous turnout of students and job seekers with disabilities.  (To view photos from last year's event or to see what we are preparing for this year, visit www.abilityaxis.com <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-g2fFuhW3nmh1U%407390023-qG2DeW9yV5hTc> )    

In my desire to make a contribution to this event other than as a presenter, I created a set of practical tips and suggestions to be used by local agencies and schools in preparing their students and job seekers to get the most out of the Expo.  We created links on the website that attendees or those representing potential attendees could print and share with their job seekers.  It is my pleasure to offer these tools to my readers who work with students or job seekers, family members or friends who might benefit from attending a job fair in their own communities.  You may access the original documents <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-.RdYIKRBAAggU%407390024-eQ6qaUctG34lQ>  that were created for Ability Axis, or access the newest version of these documents (below) that I edited to apply to any job seeker, not just those with disabilities.  

I wrote these sets of tips and suggestions in the second person, speaking directly to the job seeker in the event that they receive a copy of the document without additional input or discussion.  I think a great use of these materials, however, would be to share them in a group or class setting with a facilitator leading a discussion afterwards.  Please feel free to use them anyway that you feel fit - I only ask that you leave the source and copyright of the material on the page when you print it.  

Here is a short description of what you will find in each piece:  

Preparing to Make the Most of a Job Fair: Tips for Before, During and After

This is a great introductory piece that provides the job seeker a kind of "master plan" for preparing for the three stages of a job fair.  Lots of good tidbits! 

See: Before, During and After <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-Hl3H1GCVfV1eM%407390025-7z7FFrM5qzzYE> 

Preparing Your Personal Summary

This segment provides an overview of how to prepare 1-3 minute Personal Summary, including what employers want to learn about the person, how to change it up, and how to move beyond basic qualifications.   A three page tool of prompts is also provided to assist in writing one's summary.  These prompts would also be useful in interview preparation and the vocational discovery process.

See: Personal Summary <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-la24jLySEYrHc%407390026-K8zPQe0vrg9FI> 

Great Questions to Ask Employers

This segment covers why it's important to prepare questions to ask of employers, the etiquette of asking questions, and a comprehensive list of sample questions. (Many of these questions could also be used for purposes of informational or employment interviews.)

See: Great Questions <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-16oXXk26p6aLw%407390027-ZoCp5oSolkioQ> 

Following Up after a Job Fair - Sending Thank You Notes to Employers

This segment includes five reasons to send thank you letters to employers, what to include in a letter and who to send it to, and provides four sample letters. 

See: Following Up <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-2rvxwEBMNiKko%407390028-LsCjLLxNjuiZY> 

Here's wishing you all a wonderful spring with all of the hope, renewal and possibility this season inspires!

~ Denise 

© Denise Bissonnette, March 2012 (If not used for commercial purposes, this article may be reproduced, all or in part, providing it is credited to "Denise Bissonnette, Diversity World - www.diversityworld.com." If included in a newsletter or other publication, we would appreciate receiving a copy.)

Read Denise's previous (January 2012) newsletter... <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-GXGtwXG8J9uzg%407390029-n2kHdWUFr4k4w> 

________________________________

We Welcome your comments and feedback on this article!

Please consider sending us your opinions, perspectives, experiences or related resources on this topic. Unless you specify otherwise, your comments and contact information may be edited/published in a future edition of the True Livelihood Newsletter.

Email your comments on this article... TLN at diversityworld.com <mailto:TLN at diversityworld.com> 

________________________________

Thoughts to Consider

"With my personal preparation at the piano,
I can afford to hum at half voice."

    - Placido Domingo

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

- Benjamin Franklin

"Spectacular events are usually the result
of rather laborious, unspectacular preparation."

- Nelson Mandela

"The best preparation for good work tomorrow
is to do good work today."

- Ebert Hubbard

"You hit home runs not by chance, but by preparation."

- Roger Maris

"What most people call 'luck is where preparation meets opportunity."

- Oprah Winfrey

"Expect the best. Plan for the worst. Prepare to be surprised."

- Denis Waitly

________________________________

Poem of the Month

I can't help but follow quotes on "preparation" with this luminous poem celebrating spontaneity.  As Walt Whitman once said, "Do I contradict myself?  Very well, then, I contradict myself.  I am large, I contain multitudes."

Tides of Your Life

    By Judith Gass

Why are you waiting to begin your life?

Do you think the world must care and come soliciting?

Listen to the knocking 

     at the door of your own heart

It is only faint because 

    you have not answered.

You have fooled yourself with preparations

Time left laughing 

    while you considered possibilities.

Wake up 

    you have slept long enough.

Wake up

    tomorrow may be too late

When you finally dare open the door

    your life will be arriving

Cautiously at first

    unbelieving that the gate 

So long locked against the tide

    has finally been opened

Then with swells 

    of neglected dreams

Then with waves of joyful revelation

    the sea will follow

You will be swept by the full and magnificent tides

    of your own longing

That no one else can give you

   That no one else can claim

Excerpt from "Life Prayers from Around the World", compiled by Elizabeth Roberts and Elisa Amidon, (page 291) Harper San Francisco, 1996.

________________________________

Some of Denise's Confirmed Upcoming Appearances

** Eureka, CA ** Beaver Dam, WI ** Bethlehem, PA ** East Grand Forks, MN ** Winnipeg, MB ** Lake of the Ozarks, MO

See all of Denise's Scheduled Events... <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-ybE6lGyMQOxZs%407390030-XNiKb2yYWbfwo> 

________________________________

Subscription & Archives

Previous editions of the "True Livelihood Newsletter" are archived on our website.

Click here <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-6IOjlEOQaYCV.%407390031-2EEV/skoadAB2>  to see archived editions of True Livelihood...

Diversity world also publishes the "inclusionRX Newsletter" - featuring content on disability and employment issues.

Click here <http://m1e.net/c?116499039-Z0aJBQilfVcwg%407390032-nW.2WzPwb.7Cg>  to see archived editions of inclusionRX...

Diversity World "Enriching workplaces and reducing employment barriers."

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