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10/27/2024
$20.28 is slave wages  Compulsory Certification is the answerBy Murray StrongThis is Local 27, of the carpenters union i...
10/26/2024

$20.28 is slave wages
Compulsory Certification is the answer
By Murray Strong
This is Local 27, of the carpenters union in Toronto, wage rates for apprentices. The apprenticeship is divided into 4 sections to complete the 7200 hours. Day 1 your rate is $24.44, plus 10% vacation pay and your benefits. First term $24.44. Second term $29.50. Third term $34.55. Fourth term $41.98. Full rate on completion of apprenticeship, fully trained, is $48.49. 10% vacation pay brings you $4.84 per hour plus the $48.49, to your back account. As you progress through the 4 terms, you get a better vacation each year.
As of Sept 25, 2024 the average hourly pay for a carpenter in the Province of Ontario, according to the government, is $20.28. Some will get a bit more some less. It is disgusting how the immigration is being handled for those seeking a life as a tradesperson. As a carpenter in any union, or nonunion worksite, tell me what protection you have in choosing carpentry. 4 years of training, colored certificate to hang on the wall or 30 to 40 years of working in the trade without the schooling. Both options suck! Ask someone who has worked or is working as a carpenter why they will not write the test offered by the government to become a journeyperson. Every answer is the same. “Why should I waste my time to get a piece of paper for my wall. This piece of paper does not protect my profession like a plumber, electrician or hairstylist. Will it give me the same rights as a Canadian? My trade is not compulsory so I have nothing.” You can see the sadness in their eyes when this subject is raised at a work lunch table. All the skilled trades unions for all trades protect their membership. That is their legal mandate if you are a member. They lobby government on the member’s behalf. Who lobbies for nonunion carpenters?
The Toronto District School Board has closed the pre apprenticeship course offered through SCAS? So sad to see it end. I will tell a couple of funny stories from my time instructing at “The Fix It Shop”. Jp was the teacher. We had 40 students, 21 years or older, male and female for 18 weeks of training as a carpenter pre apprentice. All hours at this school were deducted from their required 7200 hours. Day one we met the class. JP introduced himself and talked about a few rules. He said we are guests in this school and that we have our own entrance. Everyone work safe. He then told the class our principal Mary had no money so every penny counts. I was standing near JP and watched as he held up a single sheet of toilet paper. I didn’t know what he was doing. He told the students to pinch the center of a single sheet and tear out a small hole. Place a finger through the hole .Some people started to laugh but he stopped then said do not throw away the little piece. You will need something to clean your finger nail. The entire classroom broke out laughing. What an entrance! I asked everyone to stand up. Lift your arms as high as you can. Wiggle your fingers. Keep wiggling them as you look around the room. Do we have 10 each? Let‘s do this at the course ending. What a great experience in my life meeting all these people wanting a career. During this time I went to a supplier of construction hard hats and got an incredible deal for the students. Everyone had a brand new white hat which could be seen from miles away. Brilliant white. We were teaching how to do formwork. I noticed a gas company was building a new gas station just down the street. The men were building forms so I suggested we walk down at lunch and look it over. 40 construction workers in white hats walking down the street. The entire area had security fence completely encircling the worksite. I told the students to spread out so everyone could have a look. Students were pointing and talking between themselves. Suddenly an executive in a power suit walks up to me visibly shaking. Franticly trying to dial her phone. I said these are carpenter apprentices. Whoever she was trying to call, tried to make sense of the problem she was screaming about. Trying to explain the situation to her boss, she dropped her phone in the mud. We returned to class and carried on with the work. Apparently she thought it was a union raid. The workers at the site were nonunion. Frantic calls were made to Local 27 from top Executives of the gas company.
Why was the union doing this? Neither side knew what was going on, the Carpenter’s staff kept pleading with the company execs. The carpenters union was not trying to organize their company. When I found out how many people went crazy over this I laughed till it hurt.
Thank you Denny Crane

Hiring Is a Process of EliminationBy Nick Kossovan   Job seekers owe it to themselves to understand and accept; fundamen...
10/26/2024

Hiring Is a Process of

Elimination

By Nick Kossovan
Job seekers owe it to themselves to understand and accept; fundamentally, hiring is a process of elimination. Regardless of how many applications an employer receives, the ratio revolves around several applicants versus one job opening, necessitating elimination.
Essentially, job gatekeepers—recruiters, HR and hiring managers—are paid to find reasons and faults to reject candidates (read: not move forward) to find the candidate most suitable for the job and the company.
Nowadays, employers are inundated with applications, which forces them to double down on reasons to eliminate. It's no surprise that many job seekers believe that "isms" contribute to their failure to get interviews, let alone get hired. Employers have a large pool of highly qualified candidates to select from. Job seekers attempt to absolve themselves of the consequences of actions and inactions by blaming employers, the government or the economy rather than trying to increase their chances of getting hired by not giving employers reasons to eliminate them because of:
· Typos, grammatical errors, poor writing skills.
"Communication, the human connection, is the key to personal and career success." ? Paul J. Meyer.
The most vital skill you can offer an employer is above-average communication skills. Your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and social media posts should be well-written and error-free.
· Failure to communicate the results you achieved for your previous employers.
If you can't quantify (e.g. $2.5 million in sales, $300,000 in savings, lowered average delivery time by 6 hours, answered 45-75 calls daily with an average handle time of 3 and a half minutes), then it's your opinion. Employers care more about your results than your opinion.
· An incomplete LinkedIn profile.

Before scheduling an interview, the employer will review your LinkedIn profile to determine if you're interview-worthy. I eliminate any candidate who doesn't have a complete LinkedIn profile, including a profile picture, banner, start and end dates, or just a surname initial; anything that suggests the candidate is hiding something.
· Having a digital footprint that's a turnoff.

If an employer is considering your candidacy, you'll be Google. If you're not getting interviews before you assert the unfounded, overused excuse, "The hiring system is broken!" look at your digital footprint. Employers are reading your comments, viewing your pictures, etc. Ask yourself, is your digital behaviour acceptable to employers, or can it be a distraction from their brand image and reputation? On the other hand, not having a robust digital footprint is also a red flag, particularly among Gen Y and Gen Z hiring managers. Not participating on LinkedIn, social media platforms, or having a blog or website can hurt your job search.
· Not appearing confident when interviewing.

Confidence = fewer annoying questions and a can-do attitude.
It's important for employers to feel that their new hire is confident in their abilities. Managing an employee who lacks initiative, is unwilling to try new things, or needs constant reassurance is frustrating.
Job searching is a competition; you're always up against someone younger, hungrier and more skilled than you.
Besides being a process of elimination, hiring is also about mitigating risk. Therefore, being seen as "a risk" is the most common reason candidates are eliminated, with the list of "too risky" being lengthy, from age (will be hard to manage, won't be around long) to lengthy employment gaps (raises concerns about your abilities and ambition) to inappropriate social media postings (lack of judgement).

Envision you're a hiring manager hiring for an inside sales manager role. In the absence of "all things being equal," who's the least risky candidate, the one who:
· offers empirical evidence of their sales results for previous employers, or the candidate who "talks a good talk"?
· is energetic, or the candidate who's subdued?
· asks pointed questions indicating they're concerned about what they can offer the employer
or the candidate who seems only concerned about what the employer can offer them.
· posts on social media platforms, political opinions, or the candidate who doesn't share their political views?
· on LinkedIn and other platforms in criticizes how employers hire or the candidate who offers constructive suggestions?
· has lengthy employment gaps, short job tenure, or a steadily employed candidate?
· lives 10 minutes from the office or 45 minutes away?
· has a resume/LinkedIn profile that shows a relevant linear career or the candidate with a non-linear career?
· dressed professionally for the interview, or the candidate who dressed "casually"?
An experienced hiring manager (read: has made hiring mistakes) will lean towards candidates they feel pose the least risk. Hence, presenting yourself as a low-risk candidate is crucial to job search success. Worth noting, the employer determines their level of risk tolerance, not the job seeker, who doesn't own the business—no skin in the game—and has no insight into the challenges they've experienced due to bad hires and are trying to avoid similar mistakes.

"Taking a chance" on a candidate isn't in an employer's best interest. What's in an employer's best interest is to hire candidates who can hit the ground running, fit in culturally, and are easy to manage. You can reduce the odds (no guarantee) of being eliminated by demonstrating you're such a candidate.
_____________________________________________________________________
Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at [email protected]

Home Selling Strategies Real Estate ColumnistWhether you put your home on the market in the Summer, Fall, Spring or Wint...
10/26/2024

Home Selling

Strategies
Real Estate Columnist
Whether you put your home on the market in the Summer, Fall, Spring or Winter, there are a few things that you can do that can help your home sell faster and for more money.

One of the first things you might consider is de-personalizing the space. When potential buyers walk in, you want them to envision living in the home, making it their own. It is harder for people to do that when the walls are covered with your family photos and pictures of your beloved pets.
If you are still living in the home, it might be a good idea to rent a storage locker or container.
De- cluttering is helpful as well. It helps the potential buyer get a clear picture of the home, especially if the rooms are on the smaller side.
If rooms haven’t been painted in a while, it would be in your best interest to invest some time and money in this. Listings often advertise ‘freshly painted throughout’, it is very appealing to some people. When choosing a paint colour, always stick to neutrals to appeal to the masses as opposed to just a few who may like the distinct colour you chose.
Keeping colours light also appeals to most because if they don’t like the colour, there is not as much work to paint it over as there is with darker colours.
Rather than putting things in cupboards and closets, clean them out to make them look larger. People will certainly be opening them as storage is important to home buyers.
To really make rooms shine, it might be worthwhile to hire a cleaning service to get at every nook and cranny, areas that we often overlook.
Odors can really be a turnoff to potential buyers. Make sure that anything that can retain smell has been thoroughly cleaned. Smell is the first thing that is noticed when people walk through the door.
When cleaning and pulling things away from walls, it is a good idea to check for any minor repairs that may need to be dealt with. With some things it really doesn’t hurt to replace them with brand new ones if they look worn or dated. Like floor registers, light switches, or cabinet hardware.

Paying attention to your front entrance area can pay dividends. Always make sure the entrance is clean, clear of any shoes, coats, or bags. You do not want potential buyers tripping over anything as soon as they walk through the door.
Lighting can be very important. If you have dated lighting, it may be a good idea to invest in some newer lighting in strategic areas like the main floor. If you cannot afford to do the whole house or an entire floor, concentrate on the entry, kitchen, and bathroom.
Always try to dress up the exterior of the home where you can. Curb appeal will make potential buyers want to tour your home.
Staging can play an important role in how a home shows. There are some wonderful staging companies out there that offer different packages from a few items to a whole house.
If you opt to do the staging yourself, simply look at some homes for sale and see how they are staging their rooms. You can get some great ideas from what other people are doing and perhaps save yourself a bit of money in the process.
Questions? Column ideas? You can email me at [email protected]

Canadian Pluralism; Canadian Values and Politicsby Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng.Former Member...
10/26/2024

Canadian Pluralism;

Canadian Values and Politics

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC,
FEC, CET, P. Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
The war in Ukraine and the events of October 7, 2023 in Israel illustrate the dangerous world in which we live. Obviously, these kinds of events do have some life changing effects on our country in testing our ability to continue to be a nation.

As we have come to think about it, the post-October 7 events with increasing hostilities in Middle East and the continuous conflagration in Europe which seems to escalate instead of winding down, are testing a series of ideals and beliefs that have seemed immutable until now.

It is testing Israel’s resiliency and its capacity to defend itself while acting with major restraint under immense pressure. It is testing America’s role in the world, NATO, and European Union unity in confronting new challenges and the new forces emerging in Asia. Here at home, it is testing the leadership of our civic and political institutions. It is testing the inherent tensions of Canadian pluralism, which is taking a dangerous turn. If not corrected, this turn will challenge our very way of life.

Personally, I believe in this nation and the way it has evolved until now. However, I am starting to notice a shift to the back burner, of our national values acquired through years of hard work by our ancestors. Today there is a tendency to focalize on what is going in other nations and forget that our own nation needs attention.

We need to take action in order to preserve our values, rather than disqualifying and totally rejecting them. We need to think forward to evolve in a positive direction in order to develop our country and our culture in a way that assures a better future for our children.

Lately we have seen a lot of news about all kinds of political demonstrations. In particular, there seems to be an increase in the temperature of hate in our own country. A country that was once famous for understanding and tolerance. Notably, there has been a radical increase of antisemitism and hate towards other religious and ethnic groups. We are looking at a phenomenon that will ghettoize the country instead of unifying it.

We need to stop this tendency at once, and the only way is to emphasize that we are all Canadians and we need to build our own country. For this,

our diversity must evolve to unify our own country; the country where we live and where our children live. We need to put aside the luggage that may have accompanied us as immigrants; animosities built up over the centuries. We must concentrate on building our life here in Canada, together with our First Nations. We need to be all one nation, working towards one objective, and that is to make our country the best country in the world to live and raise a family.

Of course, people should be free to express their political views and live out their values within the law. However, we must also be free to contest others’ views and values in a constructive dialog. We should be free to argue that they are bad or wrong. Moreover, we are free to contend that not all views and values are equally valid. That is a part of pluralism too.

We as Canadians have been known to show compromise and cordiality which qualities are generally and essentially good. However, the post-October 7 and the conflict in Europe world calls for something different. We need a principled and considered pluralism that is prepared to stand up for basic Canadian values in the face of ongoing challenge.

In view of these needs, the Canadian political landscape does not offer much satisfaction. The governing Liberals seem to be facing a strong challenge from the Conservatives, the loyal opposition. However, there are no significant differences in how the Conservatives will face the challenges of the world if they are elected to form the government. Besides wearing out the slogan “kill the tax” they have not put forward any new ideas about the way forward for the country. They seem to be hooked on the old ideas of the 2011 election with the old staff still in command.

Aside from the usual parliamentary maneuvers that attempt to spark an election when the polls are favorable, the Conservatives have done nothing to electrify the electorate by advocating new ideas for building and strengthening the country.

As confirmation of this, in recent months we have seen the Conservatives deviating from traditional conservative thinking, including their vote in favour of a ban on replacement workers. Their silence on the government’s massive EV subsidies and foreign aid, their support for Air Canada pilots in their labour dispute, and now their symbolic endorsement of an unaffordable and unjustified hike to the OAS program all go against the traditional conservative values of fiscal restraint and responsible spending.

These actions all show theatrical manoeuvers calculated to force an election somehow.
Unfortunately, the Conservatives are alone on the political spectrum and unless they get a majority in the next election, they will not be not able to govern because they do not have suitable political allies, as the Liberals do.

Canada’s poor economic conditions call for a conventional political response. That means cut spending and taxes, and de-regulate the economy, but keep government control on the strategic industries while generally reducing the size and scope of government to kick-start economic growth.

However, it needs to be specified that the social component of advancing our country cannot be neglected. There is an urgent need to reinforce belief in our history and traditions and to preserve and develop those values which are particularly Canadian.
We will soon see whether there is a political party or leader who will be able to break this stalemate and guide us towards prosperity once again.

What do you think?

HAPPY HALLOW-WEENEY By Joe Ingino  Editor/PublisherACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canad...
10/26/2024

HAPPY HALLOW-WEENEY
By Joe Ingino
Editor/Publisher
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States

“I live a dream in a nightmare world”
Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life
was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow.
- ONE DAY AT A TIME -

Halloween, what an imaginatory celebration. Full, of stories and folklore. Perceived fears and made up tales of monsters, phantoms and witches. A time to fear that of which is not logical or real.
A time when we let our selves go in a world of make belief and fantasy........... Whhhhhhaaaaaaatttttt, did I bump my head.
Am I describing all the other days of the year? But before I continue I like to clear up some of the hatters idleling on the sidelines to criticize.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TITLE:
What is a Hallow - Oxford dictionary?
HALLOW - hallow verb hal·low 'ha-lo hallowed; hallowing; hallows
Synonyms of hallow transitive verb
1 : to make holy or set apart for holy use
2 : to respect greatly : VENERATE
What is a We**ie - Oxford dictionary?
(North American English, informal) (disapproving) an offensive word for somebody who you think is not strong, brave or confident synonym wimp.
Now back to the creepy and spooky.... to the unexplained and to the irrational. Wait, a minute. I could be talking about Canadian politics.
Let’s get one thing out in the open. As a grown man. I have a lot of fears.... My hydro bill, my phone bill, my gas bill, my taxes, my mortgages, my grocery bill. If those spooks don’t send chills down your back every month. I do not know what would.
As a grown man I also fear the future of society. Primarily our future generations.
I remember the days when you went to school if you wanted to become something in society. How parents and teachers pushed your intellect to become civil and intellectually sound.
To work hard to earn the reward of success. To be open, honest and compassionate towards your fellow man. Hard work will lead you to a happy life....... Those were the days.
Until the ugly monster of social change has thrown all that worked out before out the window.
Now to the reality of the monsters lurking in our Federal, Provincial and Municipal halls. Passing legislation and regulation to put unfounded fears of security, convenience, national security.
The U.S. next week will see the ultimate battle of monsters. Godzilla, ‘Kamala’ and King Kong, ‘Trump’. The swamp vs the people.
In Canada we do not have King Kong’s. We do not have Godzillas. What we have in Canada are a bunch of witches jockeying for position withing the different political parties. We have goblins, and ghouls lobbying politicians for all kinds of self serving agendas.
We have our share of Ghosts and warlocks. All, making it look like they are doing something when in reality the poor keep getting poorer and the rich keep slipping in to the middle class.
The Ultra rich are leaving and outsourcing Canadian jobs.
It is scary. To think of a future of pain and suffering. A future, where our youth won’t be able to survive. Then there is the ultra spooky.... a Federal election... We denounce the communist regime where they are given one choice. Well, is it any different than our own holly democratic process? We have three parties. No matter the party. They all appear to be the same.
Lot of promises. Same outcomes. Who ever takes over. Blames the previous administration for having to pass regulation and laws that keep the horror of the economic realities haunting us for generations to come. Happy Hallow-weeney.

PICK UP A COPY TODAY
10/20/2024

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NO ONE CARES...By Rosaldo Russo  Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me ...
10/19/2024

NO ONE CARES...
By Rosaldo Russo
Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think.
In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values.
My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn.
I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did.
I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work.
In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed.
Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished.
You have no idea how much it bothers me to think of the future. Many authors have attempted to predict the future in the outmost scholarly fashion.
Some got it right. Others missed their mark. The bottom line is that living is the best future forecast.
I look around me and we are becoming third world. Not only from the import of all kinds of people that have no real interest in keeping the traditions and culture of our great Nation. What worries me is what is happening to our government.
The disconnect between government and the average citizen. How can any Federal politician support the sending of billions to foreign lands in the form of foreign aid.... When we have so many people at home in dire need. Suffering like it has never seen before.
It breaks my heart to see people living in tents... Or sleeping on store door fronts.
What is happening to our Canada. The real sad thing is that I or you can’t do nothing about it. Except silently suffer. Look at those that are supposed to represent us. No matter the party.
They all are out for themselves. We complain about Justin.... Do we have a choice?
Do you really think that the PC or NDP would do any different. To change a blind horse for a crossed eyed just because it can see a little bit better, still will not prevent us from suffering and living on the street. I thank God every morning that I lived during an era that paid for hard work. I still have the scars on my hands and the strains in my back. Today, that kind of hard work even in three jobs can’t assure you living on the street. God Help Us All.

Airbnb in OntarioBy Theresa GrantReal Estate Columnist   Airbnb was started by a couple of guys in San Fransisco in 2007...
10/19/2024

Airbnb in OntarioBy

Theresa Grant
Real Estate Columnist
Airbnb was started by a couple of guys in San Fransisco in 2007, who were broke and looking for ways to pay their rent. Knowing that an upcoming convention had all the hotels in the city booked solid, they purchased air mattresses, started advertising, and Airbnb was born. All these years later, Airbnb has over 7 million active listings in 220 countries and is a publicly traded company worth over 98 billion dollars!
If you’ve ever thought about jumping on the Airbnb bandwagon, the first thing you should do is check with your local government authorities to make sure you don’t run afoul of any Bylaws or regulations. Short-term rentals are subject to very specific regulations in most areas.
Depending on your set up, there can be a substantial investment of time and money to get going as an Airbnb host. You may need to hire a cleaning person to maintain cleanliness and readiness between guest stays. A handyman may also be needed from time to time to take care of anything that pops up needing immediate attention.
Airbnb rentals generally yield higher returns compared to long-term rentals as they charge by the night, like a hotel does.
An Airbnb can be anything from a spare bedroom in the house you live in to a completely separate apartment or house that you have as an investment property.
Airbnb is a very popular platform in The GTA. Toronto has the most listings, but ranking very popular are places like Niagara Falls, Stratford, Prince Edward County, St. Catherines, Hamilton, and yes, Oshawa is in there with 112 active listing on the Airbnb platform.
You can also be a part of the Airbnb platform without owning property. Airbnb has a network of service providers for both guests and hosts.
On the guest side of things, providers offer services like home cooked meals, fitness classes, yoga, massage, tours, lessons and activities just to mention a few.
As far as hosts go there are a myriad of services from Co-hosting, ideal for a host who has more than one property or who is just very busy. Property management and property maintenance, cleaning and photography.
You can become an Airbnb consultant and work with hosts to provide or improve branding, develop marketing plans and implement new technologies.
The Airbnb model is pretty simple, they take a percentage of whatever you charge for rent. Of course, to have your space booked regularly you’ll have to stay competitive. There is a variety of insurance coverages for hosts and properties. Airbnb’s AirCover covers both hosts and guests for liability, property damage and cancellations.
Many people rent out seasonal properties on the Airbnb platform to help pay for the property or just for extra income. A lot of older family cottages that have seen better days are now being renovated to bring them up to date and add all the bells and whistles that will be sure to bring in big dollars.
More and More families are looking for beautiful waterfront cottages, with a hot tub, watercraft, toys, and trails.
Airbnb can be very lucrative. Whether it’s that spare bedroom across the hall or a big city condo. It might be worth investigating.
Questions? Column ideas? You can email me at [email protected]

What Difference Will You Make to an Employer?By Nick Kossovan   It’s common knowledge that companies don't hire the most...
10/19/2024

What Difference Will You

Make to an Employer?

By Nick Kossovan
It’s common knowledge that companies don't hire the most qualified candidates. Employers hire the person they believe will deliver the best value in exchange for their payroll cost.

Since most job seekers know the above, I'm surprised that so few mention their Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Most job seekers list their education, skills, and experience without substantiating them and expect employers to determine whether they can benefit their company; hence, most resumes and LinkedIn profiles are just a list of opinions—borderline platitudes—that are meaningless and, therefore, have no value. Job seekers need to better explain, along with providing evidence, how they'll contribute to an employer's success.

Employers don't hire opinions (read: talk is cheap); they hire results.

You're not offering anything tangible when you claim:
· I'm a great communicator.
· I'm detail oriented.
· I'm a team player.

Tangible:
· "At Global Dynamics, I held quarterly town hall meetings with my 22 sales reps, highlighting our accomplishments, identifying opportunity areas, and recognizing outstanding performers."

· "For eight years, I managed Vandelay Industries IT department, overseeing a staff of 18 and a 12-million-dollar budget while coordinating cross-specialty projects. My strong attention to detail is why I never exceeded budget."

· "While working at Cyberdyne Systems, I was part of the customer service team, consisting of nine of us, striving to improve our response time. Through collaboration and sharing of best practices, we reduced our average response time from 48 to 12 business hours, resulting in a 35% improvement in customer feedback ratings."

These examples of tangible answers provide employers with what they most want to hear from candidates but rarely do; what value the candidate will bring to the company. Typically, job seekers present their skills, experience, and unsubstantiated opinions and expect recruiters and employers to figure out their value, which is a lazy practice.
Getting hired isn't based on "I have an MBA in Marketing and Sales," "I've been a web designer for over 15 years," "I'm young, beautiful and energetic," blah, blah, blah. Likewise, being rejected isn't based on "I'm overqualified," "I'm too old," "I don't have enough education," blah, blah, blah. Getting hired depends entirely on showing employers that you can add value and substance to their company; that you'll serve a purpose.
When you articulate a solid value offer, the "blah, blah, blah" doesn't matter. Job seekers focus too much on the "blah, blah, blah," and when not hired, they say, "It's not me, it's..." The biggest mistake I see job seekers make is focusing on the "blah, blah, blah"—their experience and education—believing this is what interests employers. Hiring managers are more interested in whether you can solve the problems the position exists to solve than in your education and experience.

Not impressive: Education
Impressive: A track record of achieving tangible results.
You aren't who you say you are; you are what you do.
If you want to be somebody who works hard, you have to actually work hard. If you want to be somebody who goes to the gym, you actually have to go to the gym. If you want to be a good friend, spouse, or colleague, you have to actually be a good friend, spouse, or colleague. Actions build reputations, not words.
The biggest challenge job seekers face today is differentiating themselves. To stand out and be memorable, don't be like most job seekers, someone who's all talk and no action. Any recruiter or hiring manager will tell you that the job market is heavily populated with job seekers who talk themselves up, talk a "good game" about everything they can "supposedly" do, drop names, etc., but have nothing to show for it.
More than ever, employers want to hear candidates offer a value proposition summarizing what value they bring. If you're looking for a low-hanging fruit method to differentiate yourself, do what job seekers hardly ever do and make a hard-to-ignore value proposition.
1. Increase sales: "Based on my experience managing Regina and Saskatoon for PharmaKorp, I'm confident that I can increase BioGen's sales by no less than 25% in Winnipeg and the surrounding area by the end of 2025."
2. Reduce cost: "During my 12 years as Taco Town's head of purchasing, I renegotiated contracts with key suppliers, resulting in 15% cost savings, saving the company over $450,000 annually. I know I can do the same for The Pasta House."
3. Increase customer satisfaction: "During my time at Globex Corporation, I established a systematic feedback mechanism that enabled customers to share their experiences. This led to targeted improvements, increasing our Net Promoter Score by 15 points. I can increase Dunder Mifflin's net promoter score."
4. Save time: "As Zap Delivery's dispatcher, I implemented advanced routing software that analyzed traffic patterns, reducing average delivery times by 20%. My implementation of this software at Froggy's Delivery can reduce your delivery times by at least 20%, if not more."

If you want to achieve job search success as soon as possible, structure your job search with a single thread that's evident and consistent throughout your résumé, LinkedIn profile, cover letters and especially during interviews; clearly convey what difference you'll make to the employer.
Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at [email protected]

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Oshawa, ON
L1H4G6

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