The Work Place

The Work Place will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Remembrance Day. Normal services will resume on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m.

Handling Awkward Interview Questions Hands up, who hasn’t been asked in a job interview where you plan to be in five years? How about, what is your greatest weakness? We all have! Being well prepared for meetings with potential employers is important. You’re also well advised to be ready for enquiries that have little to do with what kind of fit you may be or that are directly related to your possible new job. Some may border on being irrelevant, inappropriate or even outrigh...Continue reading

Another Resource for Job Seekers The Work Place has added another resource to its toolkit of services for unemployed and underemployed individuals in Grande Prairie and area. We’re now one of two locations in Alberta and four in Western Canada to join Northstar Digital Literacy, developed in response to the needs of job seekers who may lack the digital literacy skills required to seek, obtain, and retain employment. ... Communication and accessing information is increasingly through Internet platforms, social media and mobile devices. Success in today’s work environment and everyday living is also heavily dependent on performing basic tasks on computers. Joining North Star (https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/) allows us to proctor assessments for digital literacy and provide our clients with access to online training modules that offer basic skills in key areas required in today’s workplace. Modules focus on three key areas: Essential Computer Skills Computer and Internet Basics, Email, Windows and Mac Operating Systems Essential Software Skills Word, Excel, PowerPoint Using Technology to Accomplish Tasks - Social Media, Information Literacy (the ability to find and use relevant information), Employment Search Skills, and Your Digital Footprint (being aware of what you post online) Participants receive certificates when proctored modules are completed. This new offering is just one of the resources/assessments we provide to identify and/or develop your work-related skills. The Work Place provides a wide range of services to clients at no charge via phone, video technology and email, including: One-to-one employment coaching services are available via phone and/or Zoom meetings; Access to employment-related workshops, including Employment Café (information on labour market trends, projects, and job leads) and Job Hub (connecting employers and job seekers); Assistance to develop/fine tune your job search skills and documents: resume, cover letter, interview skills (including digital interviewing), online job search, LinkedIn Profile, and networking; and Information on community resources in Grande Prairie. Our Employment Specialist continues to work with employers to meet their immediate hiring needs and search out job opportunities for clients. We regularly post blogs highlighting job search resources and upcoming job-related events on the What’s New section of our website, Facebook and Facebook accounts. For information and access to employment services including Job Placement or Transition to Employment please call 780-539-5477 or email [email protected] The Work Place is committed to caring for the health and safety of our clients, staff and the community while maintaining our dedication to provide quality employment services. Our website is www.gpworkplace.ca

Job Search Consultation Services At No Charge The Work Place continues to provide employment support services to job seekers in Grande Prairie and area by phone, email and/or video technologies. Our office doors may be closed, but we are open for business. We offer a wide range of services to clients at no charge, including: ... One-to-one employment coaching services are available via phone and/or Zoom meetings; Access to employment-related workshops, including Employment Café (information on labour market trends, projects, and job leads) and Job Hub (connecting employers and job seekers); Assistance to develop/fine tune your job search skills and documents: resume, cover letter, interview skills (including digital interviewing), online job search, LinkedIn Profile, and networking; Resources/assessments to identify and/or develop your work-related skills. This includes access to Northstar Digital Literacy. Northstar was developed in response to the needs of job seekers who may lack the digital literacy skills needed to seek, obtain, and retain employment. The Work Place is one of two testing locations in Alberta; and Information on community resources in Grande Prairie. Our Employment Specialist continues to work with employers to meet their immediate hiring needs and search out job opportunities for clients. We regularly post blogs highlighting job search resources and upcoming job-related events on the What’s New section of our website, Facebook and Facebook accounts. For information and access to employment services including Job Placement or Transition to Employment please call 780-539-5477 or email [email protected] The Work Place is committed to caring for the health and safety of our clients, staff and the community while maintaining our dedication to provide quality employment services. Our website is www.gpworkplace.ca

Explore career options in Retail/Sales/Customer Service Job seekers in Grande Prairie and area can gain a wealth of information about opportunities in the Retail/Sales/Customer Service field, from the comfort of home, at an upcoming Virtual Job Hub. The Work Place has partnered with Alberta Labour and Immigration to offer this free online session on Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.... There’s limited seating to attend this Zoom session so register at: https://bit.ly/3h9X8fy Participants will gain valuable information from four local employers who will provide: An overview of their business; Information regarding job areas within their company; The skills potential employees should have; Details on their recruitment process; and Benefits of working with their organization. Featured presenters include: Darrel Gunderson, Manager, Hi-Tech Business Systems Lionel Frey, General Manager, Prairie Mall Shopping Centre Wanda Rogers, Store Human Resources Manager, Home Depot Miranda Copeland, Director of Human Resources, New Horizon Co-op Ltd. Information enquires can be directed to Nevin Bakir at 780-539-5477, ext. 5, or [email protected]

What Are Your Resume Challenges? Writing resumes can be difficult. Most people aren’t comfortable promoting themselves and yet when you’re competing with many others for a position, it’s essential to take the stress out of preparing one of your most important job search tools. Maureen McCann, a career strategist in Victoria, B.C., who operates Promotion Career Solutions, says a few minor tweaks can make a significant difference in how successful your resume is in landing inte...Continue reading