Job Searching and Networking: A Local Employer Perspective

In this episode, we are chatting with 2 local employers about their perspectives on job searching and networking. Join us to access some valuable and insightful advice about how to speak to employers when networking, best practices when job searching, and what you can do if you are a student facing barriers! 

Transcript

Safia: 0:04

Hello and welcome to Wolfe's workplace career chats, where we discuss everything and anything careers related. Our goal is to connect students with opportunities to explore their life path, build skills and networks, and gain knowledge of how to succeed in their chosen industry to support employment and cultivate the motivation to persist and complete their studies. But regardless of whether you are a student or not, please feel free to join. Welcome. I am your host, Sophia Bega, and I am the career zones, employer relations specialist. In this episode, we will provide you with a brief introduction to the world of networking and job searching. From an employer perspective, we will be speaking with two local thunder bay employers to find out a little bit more about their career paths and advice they have for students looking for jobs with the intention to spark some inspiration in you regarding your own career path. I am very pleased to introduce Jason Thompson and Michael knits as our special. Thank you so much for joining us.

Michael: 0:58

Yeah. Thanks for the inmates, Sophia.

Safia: 0:59

So Michael, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do? So if you could describe your educational background, how you got into your company and industry and the role that you currently have.

Michael: 1:09

Yeah, right now just honored to be the district vice president for TD bank for all of Northern Ontario, from Manitoba border to Quebec border. Not a job I ever thought I would have, uh, in university growing up in Toronto and looking at options. I wanted to be a gym teacher. I wanted to promote physical wellness to kids moved up to Lakehead university for the kinesiology program. After two years switched over to business, I just found, I was showing up to those classes and I took an interest in those classes so switched to business and then ended up working in the financial sector. So it's been a great journey, got an opportunity to work with many phenomenal employees and just, yeah. Honored to be living in Northern Ontario. Yeah, that's

Safia: 1:47

awesome. I love the direction your career path took, especially from what you thought you were interested in as a student to where you are now.

Michael: 1:55

Yeah, it really taught me to follow my passions. Right. So I was enrolled in all these kinesiology programs. I had some business electives the stuff I got excited about wasn't kinesiology. So made the quick switch. And I think it's just everyone follow your passion because you're, your career is a long time. and just focus on those areas that ignite you and you jump outta bed, wanting to do, instead of those that, maybe necessarily aren't that way that your parents push you down that path or, or if your path changes don't, don't be shy. That's awesome

Safia: 2:22

advice. And yeah, I also would encourage students to not hesitate, to pursue what really interests them And, uh, Jason, would you like to introduce yourself

Jason: 2:30

as well? Yeah, for sure. Still Jason Thompson, I'm a proud member of the red rock first nation, president of superior strategies incorporated as well as president award engineering. In my path, I guess, ultimately it was really typical to most folks in Northwestern, Ontario, where, you know, I went to high school at nip rock high in, in red rock and graduated and did a year of college decided I wanted to go to work and make some money. So I did that for a few years. And when the forest industry started to collapse, I decided, you know what, I gotta return back to school and finish my studies in human resource. Manage. and, again, I was written very passionate about health and safety, health and safety in the human element has always been, something that's really, kept me enthused, but also looking at ways of, of doing things differently. And, you know, I've always said, as we grow and develop, been very fortunate, we're working in a lot of really, inspirational type business sectors with. Advances in modern technology. We're talking about compostable bags working with robotics. but one thing that's always stayed true to me and true to what I believe that, there's no greater asset to any company than the human asset. And that's why human resources has always been huge for me and health and safety. Right? So we started out business as a health and safety training company and have evolved to a number of things. But I said, I'm very proud to be from Northwestern, Ontario. I'm a huge supporter of Northwestern, Ontario as a. I've always been about, being a conduit to, to change an opportunity. And right now it's extremely exciting for the young folks. I'm enthusiastic about what the future holds for, thunder bay and Northern Ontario as a whole and Canada as a whole. So I, I'm pretty excited about, the path forward for everyone. And honestly, there's a, there's a place for everyone out there.

Safia: 4:09

it seems that you also followed something that you were passionate about as well with your career path. A hundred

Jason: 4:13

percent. You know, we were very fortunate that, like Mike said, you know, you gotta enjoy your work, getting up every morning and putting your socks on and getting ready to go. Like, I remember the first day, of my first job and kid made to get out and, and get, to work. I like that every day. Oh, I get to come to work every day with that same energy mm-hmm and I always say, you know, if, if people can come to work with that same energy every day, When I started this new job, I know it's not, you know, maybe I'm, too philosophical in my thinking, but I do believe that if you look at things from a different perspective, it really helps shape your vision. Right? You can sit there and look at the negative and, and be angry or whatever the case may be. But at the end of the day, you're in control of that destiny. So you can make the choice to.

Safia: 4:51

That's true. Yeah. I love the advice that you have just starting out. So our first question, just getting into it. What have you learned from job searching that students and new graduates should know? And what advice would you give a student facing barriers who might be hesitant and nervous when it comes to job searching? Uh, so Michael, do you wanna take that first? Yeah.

Michael: 5:10

Sure. So first off you just gotta get out there and meet folks. When I hire Lakehead alum, Graduates. I find there's a special focus on emotional intelligence. So I find what I meet with Lakehead students and graduates. They have a great ability to connect with people, to talk to people. My only regrets to my career are MBAs who went to other schools, right? Like it, it is not necessarily IQ. That's gonna get you in the door and get you a job. So much of the focus, especially around leadership or, or roles where you're dealing with customers is about those abilities to have a conversation, connect with someone, inspire and motivate. And I, I think just really focus on the ability to get out. What skills are required to go up, shake someone's hand, have a conversation, and then go and do it. There's a number of avenues in Northwestern, Ontario, and outside to grow your network. show up to events, chambers of commerce, through a ton of events, young professional organizations across Canada, uh, host a ton of events and just go with a focus on meeting people, being curious, asking questions, and just wanting to get to know people. The other thing I would couple with that is an online presence through LinkedIn, super important that individuals are out there. Use it as your virtual Rolodex, sharing content. That's inspiring to you that you think others would like, and engage with folks as well in that platform and, and never, never feel afraid to, to send a connection request to someone you just met, even if it was for a couple seconds, cuz you don't know where that path or in that journey's gonna bring you.

Safia: 6:36

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's something that. Really encourage students to do is number one, networking. And, showcasing the skills that you have. And it really comes down to, like you said, being able to show who you are and what you have to offer. And just being confident in doing that.

Michael: 6:52

Yeah. People wanna work with those that they like and that they trust. Right. Like I can tell in 10 seconds if I want to work with someone and if I want to hire someone, so just. leave all that, that learning behind and just be a human and connect with them in that. It in that moment, everyone says, you know, people put on their pants, we'll make it a time. And it's, it's true. Everyone has families. Everyone has challenges. Everyone's going through the same process of COVID. If someone has kids and you have kids connect on that, like just find a mutual interest and just talk about it. Food is actually the easiest thing I find it a networking event. The best question in another community is where do I get the best pizza pizza around here? And everyone thinks they're a pizza conno, sir. And it leads to some interesting dialogue amongst the people in the room. So just be human and just connect and just be, be likable and be authentic. Be you be real. And, you'll have no problem finding an. Yeah,

Safia: 7:40

I love that. And I think that's something that we also encourage students to do. And, uh, we discuss networking is that you just have to present yourself authentically because that is who you're gonna be when you're working for someone. So if you connect then, then that is already something that is beneficial for your future working relationship. just again,

Jason: 8:00

what Mike's saying about, you know, network having a strong network and volunteering. I was one of those person or people that couldn't wait to become of age, to volunteer for our fire department back home. I just couldn't wait for it. And I had to wait until I was 18 years old, become a volunteer but that that's really it, you know, I really believe in giving back to the community, being a part of the community. It's how you make great connections. You talk about, using your social media platforms and there's a variety of different platforms out there again, but also remembering that, those social media platforms, everything that you post has seen, right. And you gotta be cognizant of that, everything you say, and I'm very active on LinkedIn and all that. I am who I am. I will not change that. I am who I am. And, you know, I try, I try to be very honest, and encouraging, but also. there's a point to be educational, especially as a, as a first nation person, indigenous person here in, Canada, in Northern Ontario right now, you know, you see a lot of challenges and barriers. you face a lot of challenges and barriers. I meet'em head on and I am the person that, you know, you're willing to work with me. I'm willing to work with you. And you know, we're very proud to say that as an indigenous organization, spirit strategy is a hundred percent indigenous owned and. We're one of the very few companies doing what we're doing, uh, in, in multiple sectors across business. we also have water engineering, which I'm a majority owner of, but again, it's about empowering our people and you talk about barriers and we faced a lot and we still face a lot. There's still a lot of challenges relative to residential schools in the history that, you know, 150 years of challenges we face as indigenous people. And it's more so about, picking each other up I've always said that our people are not anti-development, we're at the exclusion and it's really seeing yourselves in those positions. And that's why I'm very proud to say within our organizations that a majority of our, employees are indigenous and the majority are female. So I walk inclusion every day I live it. I breathe. It, it is who I am. And, you know, I can have a conversation with, I don't care who you're talking to staples or whatever agent corporation and say I'm doing it. And if I can do it, you can. And it's really about, again, it's showing people, you know, what we, what we've created here as, couple of companies is that, there's a stigma and stereotype out there of the lazy Indian. And I don't believe that's the case. I really truly believe in why we've created this warrior brand is a brand that built on inclusion. And it's about inspiring people to say, no, if I can do it, you can do it. I grew up under, as I know, I've seen those trials and tribulations and it's really. inspiring people, you know, the four colors of the medicine wheel are inclusive of everybody on this, on this planet. Right. And that's really what we want to do. So, again, at the end of the day, I think it's, it's also important to understand that, sometimes the challenges are barrier created is within, is within your head and, and dealing with some mental health issues and challenges, it's all part and parcel to what we're dealing with. And everybody goes, right. I don't care what color or skin you are, nationality. You. but it's about picking us up. And I really think your generation as, as people are in a great place right now to really impact change. And that's, what's expiring for me. And I sit there and go, I see opportunities every day. And how do I communicate that to people? So they see what I. and that's a challenge for myself and I'm open to open to the conversation, but I'm going, like, I see so much opportunity for our youth, right. And that's where we're at. You know, again, like I said, there's so much potential. I see the opportunity for, you know, my kids, my grandkids, and, and the future generations where we talk about seven generations. And I see the opportunity. I think, you know, we're slowly turning that corner still a little ways away, but very positive with companies like the TD bank and Mike and his team are. It's tremendous. Cause we see that corner turning. Right. And we see the opportunity, this a matter of ensuring everybody sees that opportunity. Right. Mm-hmm sorry. Sorry for a long

Michael: 11:34

winded

Safia: 11:35

answer. No, no, I think that's very important. Yeah. And um, yeah. Thank you for bringing that up.

Michael: 11:39

I think, um, you wanna work for an employer too? Who wants to be representative of the community? You wanna work for an employer who wants to be diverse? At TD and other largest organizations, they have a focus on more diverse workforce. And, I can agree more, adjacent about, you know, the barrier sometimes being the individuals themselves and in the banking sector, if there's a, a youth growing up in a remote first nation community, they probably never thought of working in banking, but ask some questions, reach out to folks the company want to work for likely, wants to, wants to engage with you. And. We've come a bit. We have a long way to go. both my sons are members of 4000001st nation and, and, and I'm really excited about when they start looking for jobs in 10 years, about how much farther we can go in that time, but never be afraid to reach out to someone, never feel you're not, uh, worthwhile of a conversation with someone just, I mean, reach out your hand and if they don't reach back, you don't wanna work for them anyway. So find those organizations that want to learn and listen from a diverse, a diverse group of folks. Mm-hmm

Safia: 12:36

that's very true. Yeah. So it, it does come down to, what kind of company you wanna work for, um, and then finding the right fit for you as well. so moving along from that, what's the most difficult part about job searching from your perspective, how would you encourage students, especially students facing barriers to overcome these challenges?

Jason: 12:57

I think ultimately it, it, it comes down to, having the confidence to, to venture into a path that, especially on, again, refer back to the indigenous, side of things where you're not seeing a lot of people in these positions, whether it's engineering or, or even in finance. So it's, it's going in with the mindset that I will. groundbreaking. I am going to be a role model. And I think it's through that perspective saying, you know what I think, you know, in most sectors across, you know, Canada and the world right now, there is, uh, a more of a welcoming perspective to, diverse groups. Right? A lot of diverse group doesn't mean doesn't matter, just one or any one or two in particular. It's it's everyone. I think, you know, this huge movement relative to ES. you're seeing that. And I think it, it's more so being confident and, and willing to sit there and say, you know what, I'm doing this for me, but I'm also doing it for the people that are come behind me. And that's kind the message we, we have. And, and, and it's really about, in our indigenous, thought process to warrior is ultimately that the, the protector, the helper, and that's what the warriors is, not the aggressor in which sometimes the percept. But it's ultimately to helper that's what we want to do. we want people to help because again, it's, Senator Murray Sinclair said for us as indigenous people, it took us 150 years to get to the place we're at. It's gonna take 150 years to get to the place we want to be. what it's gonna take is people having that confidence and sit there and knock on that, or be a part of this group, get out there. Right. Especially when, you know, you might have been dealing with, challenges or, or an unhealthy. whatever the case may be, but to have the confidence to, to be that person, that institutes change. Cause that's really what it's about. It's student change, right. Having that confidence. And I think if we can find a peer group, a collective to sit there and support you in that, and that's what you want. And like I said, I think right now we're, we're in probably a great place, relative to where we are in society that is there to encourage that. Right. We still have some work to do, but I think we're in a much better place than. Probably five, 10 years ago.

Michael: 14:58

Do you have anything to add to that? The question was around challenges for some, yeah.

Safia: 15:03

So challenges about, uh, job searching. And then also if you have any perspective on something that students facing barriers could do to overcome these.

Michael: 15:10

Yeah. I think first off, just know that because you don't see a job posted with a certain company doesn't mean they're hiring. we've started more and more. When we post a job, we already know a couple people who are. apply. So reach out to an organization that inspires you, an organization that you're interested in working with, know that you as the, the employee have a lot of power nowadays, especially with the way, uh, things are in the community. Like if, if you're a really strong, passionate, hungry, humble, smart, potential employee, you have the negotiation power to pick the employer you wanna work with. so don't, don't underestimate that. I do know a lot of organizations go to online application for jobs and that's okay. But don't just apply to those roles online and expect to get an interview and get the job. You have to add extra nuances on there. If someone applies to a role and they haven't reached out to me, if I'm the hiring manager, if they haven't walked into one of our branches to drop off a physical resume, still. They haven't gone above and beyond. So don't ever just click that, apply to job, um, button on your computer and then expect things to fall into place. Do those things that are gonna get you noticed because yeah, sure. It's easy for you to apply that way. It's also easy for those 50 other people. And how are you gonna differentiate yourself? So show up in person with a written resume, meet the hiring manager and start building a conversation there. So, yeah, biggest advice. I would say for anyone looking for a job, don't just apply online, cuz you're likely not even gonna get. Mm.

Safia: 16:36

And I think like, even more basic than that is tailor your application

Jason: 16:40

Also do your homework, right. And find out like, is this the organization you wanna work for? Does it, does it share your values? Cause that's important, right? You don't wanna get stuck in a job and, and. Yeah. I feel like you you're stuck there, right? Again, you're not happy. Right? You're don't like putting your socks under everyone to get out the door, find out if that organizational culture within that company aligns with your own personal values. Cause

Safia: 17:00

that's important. Yeah. Right. And then you can showcase that. And that will come through when you're talking to whoever is hiring or whoever you wanna connect with

Jason: 17:07

a hundred percent, you know, from my, my perspective when I'm doing recruiting is I I'm looking at behaviors and I, and I'll be brutally honest with you is that I don't look for, unless it's for an engineering or specific engineer position I'm hiring for behaviors. I'm looking, I'm looking for positive behaviors if you're willing to grow and, and, and really commit to our team and be a part of our team. Yeah. I wanna hire you. Right. And I think that that's really truly it because, you know, technical stuff, technical skills can be trained. People can be trained to do technical things, right. It's that people coming in to work with a bit of a fire in their belly and a willingness to learn and help grow the company. That's what I want as an entrepreneur, as someone growing a small medium sized business is I want someone to come in every day that you know, is gonna come in and give an effort and be a part of the team and, and, and mesh well with the team. Cause at the end of the day, you know, as, as a small business owner, we can afford to have someone coming in also that got a bit of a chip on your shoulder. That's coming in with a different attitude and, and demonstrating behaviors that are not, you know, in line with the rest of the. Because that damage is not a good thing. Right? And I think at the end of the day, we all have to be honest with ourselves and say, is this the right spot for me? Cause I think that's at a, at a point we're at Mike's a hundred percent right now you can go out and find another job tomorrow. You can leave one today and find another one tomorrow. There's that much work out there. But after a while, if you're demonstrating poor behaviors where it also travels fast and people are not gonna touch you after. Right. So it's understanding, you know, like you also gotta be true to yourself, true to your employer because everybody's taking a chance, from the person applying to the person hiring. Right. And again, we all wanna see success. Like I've always said, I want as, as a business owner and someone who's growing people as that, you know what I wanna create a win-win as much as I can. That's really what it should be about. Right. Not one person winning one person using. Cause at that point, nobody, nobody wins in my perspective. Anyway. So it's creating that. Win-win where, you know what, I want you to be happy to come to work every day. And if you're not, then I'll help you find another position or I'll be honest with you. And I think that's really at a point where we're at right now within, you know, life and society saying no, like life is too short to going and be angry. at work know everybody has that choice, but I think right now there's a huge opportunity, with how quickly the workforce is changing. we're hearing a lot of talk about robotics and how it's, changing manufacturing and even talking about, retail and service sector. We are gonna see a huge increase in the amount of robotics that are gonna be used, right. But you still need that human element still. I'd love to be served by human beings and, and a human interaction. that's one thing that COVID has really taught us, is that we craved that human interaction, doing it online and virtual for two years was tough. And really it is about community, right? You need a sense of community pride. You know, like Mike mentioned the chamber of commerce, you know, very active within the chamber of commerce, very active within the community. And that's important for, for growing your network. Right. And getting to talk to people and talking, you know, people like Mike and others and, you know, finding out about different careers and what are, what are your options out there?

Safia: 20:11

Yeah. And I think even if you don't have the necessary, technical skills, don't hesitate to apply and to reach out and see what opportunities that you have open to. Because, like Jason was saying, there are a lot of opportunities for you just based on your transferable skills. Mm-hmm and those are something that are, that you grow and that are personal to you. and so like, it is important to showcase.

Michael: 20:36

I think humility is also really important. Like not coming in the door first day. Like, Hey Jay, how want your job? Right? Like now thinking be the president CEO tomorrow, like, come in, be humble. If you're, if you need to move for, for a role to get the right role, by all means, do that. It shows the humility that you learned. One of the best things I did after university was move. I moved to. Yeah. Uh, I, I lived across the street from where Jay went to high school in red rock on Newton, on Newton, and it was the best thing I ever did. And a lot of people said, well, you're moving where I was like almost an hour outside of thunder bay, no big deal. But the skills that taught me, the, the connection to the community is really important. Getting to know real people was really important. And then from a job standpoint, I was doing every job in the branch. So I picked up a lot of skills. So be, be humble. be smart on, on the, on the EQ side. And then. Be hungry too. And hunger as far as be successful in the role you're at. And don't go to your boss every day, looking for the promotion, like do the work that's being asked of you in a great way, and you can get to wherever you want. And I've had employees say, I wanna be the president CEO of the bank. And I'm like, sure, but here's what I need from you this year. And then next year I'll tell you that I'm never gonna downplay someone's dreams or. but you gotta put the work in. If you want to get to that level, nothing's ever gonna be handed to you. It hasn't been handed to us. Right. So humble, hungry, smart, I think are three characteristics that everyone should have to be an ideal team player.

Safia: 22:00

I think it's good to keep that realistic. It's good to know that, yeah, at the end of the day, hard work is what gets you. Successful. It's not, doesn't all

Michael: 22:09

come easy and not just one week of hard work. That employee's coming in. Wow. I had a really good first week I opened up this many accounts. I did this many loans. I'm ready for the next job. And it's like, eh, five days

Safia: 22:18

Commitment. And then also liking your job yeah. Is important because then you'll want to put in that.

Michael: 22:24

Yeah. I'm not a fan of the Monday, like, oh, it's Monday, tomorrow, or, Hey, it's Friday. Let's celebrate. If you are in that frame of mind or you're in that kind of job where you look forward to Friday, you're not the right job. Exactly. Go find something where you're a little disappointed. That's Friday. Sure. You'll spend time with family or friends, but you should never look forward to Friday all week long, cuz you're in the wrong job.

Safia: 22:44

I like that advice. I really hope that students listening to this can find, a passion that will help them to discover that kind of opportunity.