Becoming a member in a non-profit organization is an accessible way to make a difference in your community while developing as a young adult.  Here are five good reasons to make the leap!

 

• Make an impact in your community

By getting involved as a member, you can make a real difference in areas that are important to you, whether it is a particular population (youth, the elderly, street-involved people), the environment, or even … your Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi! 😉

 

• Expand your network of contacts

You will have the chance to meet people from all walks of life among the other members, which is certainly an advantage when starting your professional path.  You never know who you might stumble upon!

 

• Utilize your competencies and develop new ones

Are you someone who has great ideas?  Are you a good communicator? Many of your competencies are certain assets which can be explored as a member and used to support the organization of your choice.  As well, you can add more tools to your toolbox while participating in activities specially created for members.

 

• Experience citizenship

Citizenship is more than just going to vote every four years!  Non-profit organizations function in a democratic way that allows their members to participate in certain concrete decisions related to governance.  This happens at the action, development and management level of the organization. 

 

• Have fun!

Not only will you have a valuable experience, but you will also be sure to have a lot of fun! That’s right – neighbourhood parties, cultural events and stimulating meetings are all part of the member experience!

Does this interest you?

[btn link=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmXOWTbXJ2AB60f0gZzWHPvQosO2rGuh7eRlmohzA-Z6agHQ/viewform” new_window=”true”]The Carrefour is currently looking for new members![/btn]

To learn more, please contact Viviane Cottle at vcottle@cjemontreal.org

Next member’s meeting: Annual General Assembly, September 25th, 2019! (More information coming soon)

We often hear young people around us say, “I don’t have a job because I don’t have experience and I don’t have experience because I’ve never had a job.” These young people feel stuck in a cycle of desperation, and maybe you or someone you know is in the same situation.

So, what to do?

You could create experience opportunities for yourself! How? By managing a project that interests you, you demonstrate initiative, leadership and you put you’ll easily stand out in a future professional interview. Here are 4 reasons to manage a project.

1. Have Concrete Examples of Experience

When an employer asks you, “Why should we choose you, rather than the other candidates?”, you should answer with concrete examples.

For example, let’s take Jeremy, who is passionate about sports and wants to organize sports events in a youth center. He tells himself that he will have to demonstrate his organizational skills, that he knows how to manage a team and promote an event. Jeremy then decides to organize sports tournaments in his neighbourhood with his friends, and his competitions become more and more successful.

During his interview, he can be precise about his experiences and skills. While affirming that he is the best candidate when encountering a marketing problem, he learned that he can attract more young people by organizing draws, by publishing a promotional video and inviting food trucks to the event.

2. Explore Your Interests

By managing a project, you will be able to develop your passion like Jeremy. However, if you don’t know what drives you, it’s an excellent opportunity to explore your interests. Who knows? Maybe this could help you better choose your field of study.

3. Develop Your Social Network

People naturally seek to surround themselves with interesting individuals who have the same mission as them. Jeremy’s project allowed him to connect easily to the mission of the youth center. He has been hired and is now part of the professional network of youth centers. This will make it easier for him to land a coordinator position in the future.

4. Enrich Your Resume

As you can guess, managing a project shows initiative and looks great in a resume. However, the skills developed during your project are not the only elements of your project that you could add to your resume. Often, you will have the opportunity to win an award that celebrates your accomplishments. This will multiply your opportunities, contacts and – hopefully – your passion for your projects!

 

Do you have a kid between the ages of 16 and 20 years old?

There is an opportunity for him to obtain a paid internship!

Here is an understanding of the free internship offered by the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Montréal Center-Ville:

• A first experience in his field

• An alternative to summer work with a financial allowance

• An alternative to summer work with a financial allowance

• Individual support to maximize your experience

To register, write directly to Julien Lemieux

[btn link = “mailto: JLEMIEUX@CJEMONTREAL.ORG” new_window = “false”] Registration and information [/ btn]

Often, you have to finish high school to improve your chances of getting a job. While it is true that higher levels of education increase the likelihood of finding work, the status of workers often does not make it possible to escape precariousness. These are often minimum wage jobs, with flexible and disjointed schedules known as “bad jobs”. As hiring requirements become more complex, schooling remains the preferred route for many. For young people with a low level of education, who have not obtained a high school diploma, or who have stopped studying after graduation, vocational training is an accessible solution for those who wish to save time And lots of energy!

Here are five things you need to know about vocational education:

1. Emploi-Québec funds several professional training programs.
2. Vocational education provides quick access to a skilled trade that is in demand in the work market.
3. This training gives access to better working conditions than a high school diploma can offer.
4. Units obtained in vocational training are taken into consideration as Secondary V units
5. The DEP offers the possibility of continuing your studies at the CEGEP in a technical program in the same field, without having obtained your DES.

Do you have any vocational training? What is your opinion on this?

Interviews should not be monotonous and stressful.
We often have this image of the interviewer who asks you questions, and it is up to you afterward to respond as a programmed robot. Since I started my job search at 16 years old, I had a standard advice from my entourage: “Dress in clean black trousers and a white shirt, so that you give the impression that you are serious about the job, a smile, but not too much!”

Today, the reality is very different; there is enormous diversity and recruiters are aware of it. They want to know not only if you are qualified, but also if you suit the corporate culture. Here are several ways to stand out without shocking anyone:

Arrive prepared and relaxed:

By coming prepared, you will be confident and therefore, more natural. Do some breathing or meditation techniques before your interview. Also, do not learn too many things by heart. On the other hand, you have the right to use notes, so write down important points.

Practice your power posture:

In a recent TEDTalk, I learned the psychological effects of a powerful position (Power Pause). Before your interview, go to the bathroom to freshen up, then stand in front of a mirror and strike a pause just like Wonder Woman (with your hands on your hips) for two minutes while looking at yourself in the mirror and smile. Studies have shown that by doing this, it increases your confidence!

Do your research on the corporate culture:

Your attitude, posture and clothing style may change depending on the environment in which you want to work, do your research on the Facebook page, LinkedIn and the company’s website to get an idea of the workplace that you will be in contact with. Do not hesitate to visit the offices in advance to get a sense of the place and the atmosphere.

Accessories, accessories, accessories:

Sometimes something as innocuous as the style of your glasses can show your personality. Do not hesitate to show what subtly tempts you! A pearl necklace or a shirt with patterns (tasteful) can give you a nice look and extra points before you have answered a question!

There is room for everyone in the job market, just find your own!

You put an unflattering selfie, hardly a little info on your experience and you have five people in your network.This article might help you a lot!

We talked recently about ways to optimize your chances on LinkedIn, but to start on good bases, you must have an excellent profile. In addition to looking more professional, you will be better referenced on Google and LinkedIn search engines if your profile is 100% filled.

Here are the golden rules to be a professional like never before:

Profile picture:
The easiest way to choose your photo is to imagine yourself at a networking event or fair; I’m sure you do not want to present yourself with a pint of beer in hand and a dirty T-Shirt.

Make sure the photo style is appropriate for your industry a portrait is the best angle. A picture of you in action during a conference, for example can be an asset.

A brief description:

No need to tell your whole life, a description must go straight to the point:

What you do and your expertise?
Your Industry?
Your city?
Portfolio elements (projects, posters, articles, etc.)

Your studies and experiences (including volunteering):
Be sure to list all the skills that are relevant to your course and list your training as well. It is possible to describe projects that you have done in collaboration with other people (that you can tag), but also put pictures, videos, results, etc. Regarding the description of your positions, put the results and the changes you have made rather than the tasks performed on a daily basis.Don’t forget to mention your volunteering, if you are still debating whether or not you should volunteer, here are some reasons.

Recommendations:
We all had colleagues, teammates, managers and clients with whom we worked. Find in your network someone who can be a reference of choice to talk about you. There is a feature on the platform that allows you to send referral requests and recommendation, feel free to use it, you will be surprised at the good reviews you will receive!

Do you have other tips to share?

We can’t repeat it enough; we currently live in a very fast past life. Our minutes are counted, and we tend to struggle with life and work balance. Even though, a lot of people take their precious time to volunteer for causes that are dear to them. If you ask yourself the reasons why you should volunteer, here’s some of them:

1. Work experience
You are working hard on your Resumé, but it seems hard to sell yourself with little to none of the experience. That is your chance to stand out! Most recruiters direct their attention to the volunteering aspect of your experience. They will understand that you are involved, devoted and you’re not afraid to tackle new responsibilities head-on! It is an excellent way to discover and cultivate your interest as well.

2. Extend your network
When you volunteer, you are in direct contact with an environment and an extensive network of people.Someone who gets noticed for his involvement and effectiveness may be referred for a job shortly!
By being active, you multiply your chances to progress in your job search.

3.Social engagement
Social commitment means active involvement with an organization that defends our values. It is rewarding to be able to work for a cause that is dear to us. We feel useful, we feel involved and feel that we are making a difference. When you get involved as a volunteer, you are directly involved in positive change in your community.
So … you start when?