Transitioning from School to Work

NEADS - Job Search Strategies ForumNEADS - Job Search Strategies ForumEdmonton, Alberta - 2005Edmonton, Alberta - 2005

Stephen McDonnellSenior Advisor – Diversity and Workplace EquityBMO Financial Group

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Equity Through Education is a charitable initiative aimed at creating a more diverse workplace by offering educational opportunities to people who don’t have them.

On Wednesday May11, 2005, CDN $1.6 million/US $1.28 million was raised across North America. These institutional equity trading commissions were donated to organizations dedicated to the education of bright and deserving individuals.

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BMO Financial Group

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• We care about our customers, shareholders, communities and each other.

• We draw our strength from the diversity of our people and our businesses.

• We insist upon respect for everyone and encourage all to have a voice.

• We keep our promises and stand accountable for our every action.

• We share information, learn and innovate to create consistently superior customer experiences.

Corporate Values

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Diversity and Workplace Equity

It means……a workplace were people are treated with dignity and respect

It means…….being part of a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities where we live and do business

It means…….a supportive work environment free from harassment and discrimination, where we know we can succeed because we have the tools and encouragement to strive for excellence

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BMO’s Journey

Task Force on the Employment of People with Disabilities

November 1992

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BMO’s Commitment – The Task Force

The Perception

• People with disabilities can’t do the job

• Special treatment: cost too much

• People with disabilities are not suited for certain types of jobs

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BMO’s Commitment – The Task Force

The Reality• 80% of individual accommodations can be achieved

at reasonable cost

• Research shows that people with disabilities do not take disproportionate amount of sick leave

• Technology improvements in workplace accommodation has broaden the range of available jobs

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BMO’s Commitment – The Task Force

Recommendations from the Report• Experiential Learning• Internships• Co-ops• Work Placements• Job Shadowing• Community Outreach• Partnerships

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Critical Issues

•Education and Experience•Amount of Education•Completion of Education•Lack of Practical Work Experience•Volunteer Experience•Job Seeking Strategies•Networking•Internet•Traditional Methods

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Captain Your Own Team•Put together a “Success Team” to journey with you throughout the employment process – a team of 4 to 5 people•Consider a fellow grad, an instructor, an entrepreneur, someone who works in Human Resources or is a manager of people, a university job placement officer and certainly someone who can speak honestly with you - for your team•Work with them on creating your resume, conducting mock interviews and role plays, where you are both the candidate and hiring manager•Evaluate potential opportunities with them and debrief after interviews •Work with them to understand your own boundaries around disclosure

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Job Seeking - Research the Company

• Know the organization – what do they do and what do they stand for? Are they Provincial or Federally incorporated? Employment Equity?

• If a public company, read their annual report• Read their corporate values or corporate social

responsibility document– is there a commitment to diversity?

• Understand the organizational structure – who are the executives?

• Internet Research – any press coverage on the company?

• Do you know anyone who works at the company? – Ask them lots of questions

• Do they offer tours?

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Job Seeking - The Resume •The essential tool to market yourself•It is an inventory of work-related experiences, skills, knowledge and academic achievements•It must create a strong, positive impression and an accurate description of what you bring to an employment relationship•Work experience includes summer jobs, employment programs, volunteer experience, and mentoring programs•Stay in touch with previous mentors, professors and educators•Keep your resume up to date

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Job Seeking - Effective Resumes

•Keep it simple, clear, easy to read, usually two pages•State your objective and/or create a summary statement•Record accomplishments and describe them quantitatively where appropriate•Provide information relevant to employment •Begin sentences with action words •Keep the reader in mind •Resumes should be reverse chronological or functional, however a combination often works best for new gradsMake sure that it is free of spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors

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Job Seeking - Ineffective resumes

•Avoid making your resume the story of your life•Photos, expensive covers and accessories are not necessary•Focus on your abilities•Avoid the use of extraneous information that does not support your objective or summary statement•Avoid using “I” to begin a sentence•Try to focus on recent jobs or volunteer experiences•There is no need to list your age, marital status, health or number of children

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Job Seeking – The Interview

•It is a conversation with another individual who is interested in your skills, abilities and experiences to determine if they match a particular position•You can also use the interview to determine if the position is right for you •Make sure the interviewer is aware of any accommodations you may need before the interview – most importantly accessibility•The interview is not an educational opportunity for the interviewer or the appropriate forum for advocacy

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Job Seeking - The InterviewThe 4 Ps:• Prepare – know your strong skills and abilities, strengths

and weaknesses• Participate – ask insightful questions• Practice – practice with a friend or colleague• Perception – first impressions are often lasting

impressionsIf:• You use adaptive technology for the interview make sure it

is working and batteries are charged• You have a PCA or a companion animal make sure you

have the consent of the interviewer to have them in the room for the interview…what if the interviewer has an allergy? Do you have a plan “B?”

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Job Seeking - The InterviewSteps to Help You Prepare:•Know what you have to offer•Be clear on how you are going to articulate your abilities•Be attentive to your appearance and dress appropriately•Confirm the time, place, accessibility, the name and title of the interviewer•Remember to pre-arrange any accommodation you need for the interview in advance •Take extra resume copies with you •Make sure you have the consent of those you offer as references and keep them in the loop

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Starting the Job - Accommodation

• Again, understand what your own boundaries are around disclosure

• Articulate your accommodation needs- Ask for the tools you need to perform the essential duties of the job- Focus on Ability not Disability – Companies want to hire on Ability!

• Workplace Accommodation at BMO

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Starting the Job - Orientation

• Learn the company’s culture and values• Ask for a tour of the facilities• Review relevant company literature – HR policies• Is information available in alternate format• Avoid information overload

”Orientation is a process not a single event.”

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Starting the Job - Orientation

Your Role• Active Participation• Prepare and Ask Questions• Get to know other team members• Be responsive, be flexible• Network• Know what is expected of you• Disclosure issues? Everyone must work together

to sustain and nurture a safe and healthy working environment

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Career Development

Career development is all about:

• Learning and growing • Common Goals• Independence• Self Sufficiency• The opportunity for you to achieve your full

potential

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Career Development

Be Proactive • Over time talk to your manager and create a

Career Development PlanGet involved• Establish networks – Diversity Councils• Consider finding a mentorPerform, Perform, Perform• Keep skills current• With manager, develop mutually agreeable expectations of key performance objectives

• Ask for regular feedback

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Career Development

•Remember you are being hired for your abilities•Ask for regular feedback on your performance and asking for coaching and guidance where appropriate• Commit to continuous learning

”Most people leave jobs because it isn’t what they expected.”

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In Conclusion

In the words of BMO Financial Group’s President and CEO about diversity and inclusion:

“We are on a journey that is both exciting and rewarding!”

Tony Comper

May your journey prove to be the same!