• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Career Foundation

Developing Human Potential

  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • About The Career Foundation
    • Meet the Executives
    • Annual Reports & Financials
    • Persons with Disabilities
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Customer Service Charter
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • JOB SEEKERS
    • Job Seeker Registration
    • Job Board
    • Events & Workshops
    • Employment Services for All Ages
    • Specialized Youth Programs
      • Completing the Circle
      • Youth Job Connection
      • General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship
      • Horticultural Technician Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Arborist Ground Worker Training Program
    • Second Career
    • Empowering Abilities
    • Mentorship Program
    • Services en Français
  • EMPLOYERS
    • Recruitment and HR Solutions
    • Employer Resources
    • The Canada-Ontario Job Grant
    • Employer Registration
  • JOBS & RESOURCES
    • Job Board
    • Events & Workshops
    • Join Our Team
    • Made in the Trades
    • Learning Library
    • Virtual Job Search Services
    • Free Computer Training
    • Budget Lounge
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • SUPPORT US
    • Make a Donation
    • Fundraising Support and Impact
    • Sponsors
    • Donors
    • Volunteer With Us
  • SUCCESS STORIES
    • Client Success Stories
    • Testimonials
    • Submit Your Success Story or Testimonial
  • CONTACT US

careers

4 Lessons on Attaining and Retaining Employment – As Taught by Indiana Jones

June 12, 2018 By The Career Foundation

A screen grab of Indiana Jones in action.

To mark the 37th anniversary since the release of Lucasfilm’s cinematic opus, Raiders of The Lost Ark, we decided to look at the significantly pertinent, if unrealized, career advice that the good Doctor Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones Junior offered us. We’ve broken these teachings into four easy categories … But you’d still be well-advised to watch the movie!

1.) The Right Education and Training

Career dreams don’t work unless you do, and before any idea can be put into motion, a plan must be made. Part of any job search plan is researching the credentials and education needed for any said profession. Indiana Jones could not have become an archaeologist without post-secondary training. He not only studied archeology, but he chose his institution precisely; attending the University of Chicago where he would eventually be mentored by Abner Ravenwood. Aside from dating, then dumping, then rescuing (over five times by my count), then marrying Ravenwood’s daughter, Indiana learned from the best. This was not only a wise move in terms of where he studied, but the networking contacts he met there.

2.) Match Your Vocation and Passion to the Current Labour Market

Indiana’s father was also an archaeologist. It was a shared family passion. That was perhaps all the self-assessment needed. Keep in mind, however, that the first Indiana Jones movie took place in 1936. This was the era of The Great Depression. Working as an archeologist would have been neither gainful nor full-time. Thus, Indiana adapted what he learned and loved to also become a part-time professor at Marshall College. While this was not what he really wanted to do, he adapted his passion and vocation to the current labour market – rather than expecting the labour market to adapt to him.

3.) Dress Correctly and Adapt as Needed

It was the 1930s and even in the middle of an economic sandstorm, people generally dressed as formally as they could. As a professor, Dr. Jones wore a proper suit. As the swashbuckling archeologist in the field he dressed down; however, he was still adaptable in that he could easily respond to changing weather conditions, formal encounters with dignitaries, tarantulas, and a lot of dust and sand. And that hat is, well, legendary!

4.) The Right Temperament is What Employers Need

A paralyzing fear of snakes aside, Indiana made it work. The snakes are worth mentioning because Indiana (despite his fear of said reptiles) never let that part Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark movie poster.of the job prevent him from working and doing what needed to be done. The lesson here is simple: no job is perfect, but you need to adapt. The job doesn’t adapt to you.

No matter the position, many employers want similar characteristics in their employees. While brash at times, Indiana Jones was as equally as patient and perseverant. He was technically astute, while remaining both an independent and loyal team player. He was also never afraid to roll his sleeves up and get dirty (assuming he still had sleeves). Employers crave these qualities.

It’s also worth pointing out that perhaps the most heroic employability quality to the personality and appeal of Indiana Jones was his ability to innovate. Whether it was using a statue to go through a wall, cutting down the bridge he was standing on to get off said bridge, or using a rubber life raft to escape a crashing airplane, Indy was never afraid to take a risk by looking at things differently. The ability to accomplish goals by thinking outside the box (or in this case the Ark of the Covenant) is not only a key trait in being hired but staying hired and being promoted.

Last we saw him, Indiana was promoted at Marshall College to associate dean. For his lucky students (if they can keep up with him), valuable life and employability lessons would seem to be aplenty.


Jason Douglas Smith is a Training Application Coordinator with The Career Foundation, and has successfully directed clients in not only developing personalized job search strategy plans, but in circumnavigating the rigorous demands of applications for provincially-funded retraining. When not working, this self-professed Futurist can often be found reading, writing and barbecuing in his native Burlington.

Filed Under: Career Tips, Job Seekers Tagged With: Career Advice, careers, indiana jones, Job Search, Job Seekers, Labour Market

Why Sector-Focused Career Fairs Are the Way of the Future

April 10, 2018 By The Career Foundation

The Future of Career Fairs - Three staff members smiling at a job fair.

The Problem:

The rudiments that comprise typical “career fairs” today include employment agencies, training institutions, product placement, and a large array of community organizations on display to share information, network, and boost their own branding. As such, the common career fair today is a letdown for both job seekers and the employers in attendance looking to hire. Job seekers arrive hoping to target a specific industry, not to buy wellness products or register for job search services; as it was likely their current provider who sent them. For employers, the prospective applicants are so varied in their skill sets and career trajectories, it would hardly seem worth their time and cost to attend.

There is no dedicated industry-specific event that aims to identify leading employers in specific, targeted sectors, and then connects them with the right type of skilled and knowledgeable workers to facilitate their future growth. Not yet, anyways.

The Solution:

We need to start leveraging like-minded, industry-specific companies and professionals. By targeting precise occupations, this will maximize the turnout of the most highly skilled professionals and facilitate more effective linkages between labour need and labour supply. In other words, maximizing an employer’s time by accessing a pool of the most qualified and skilled workers that an area/sector has available.

3 Ways We Make This Happen:

1.) By organizing and holding industry-specific career fairs, job developers and recruiters can target and then pre-screen applicants whose skill sets are the most appropriate. The promotion of industry-specific events is more easily and readily shared within job boards, professional associations, and other networks and online forums which are the most relevant for those professionals. This serves to bring in the ‘best of the best’ within each industry.

Job seekers have become overwhelmingly disappointed at “hiring events” that have everything but employers. An industry-specific event manages the expectations for both the employer and applicants by directly addressing who is hiring and what the positions are; lending to itself increased promotional value given the names of the employers and positions. With all of this comes a substantial decrease in the time often wasted when spent talking to professionals and job seekers outside of that industry. While with any event that is open to the public there are exceptions (like those hospital hopefuls who continually attend hospitality hiring events), employers at this type of industry-focused event can expect a sharper degree of defined and refined industry-relevant applicants.

2.) The best candidates are the most prepared. Career fairs that focus on a singular labour pool allow keener professionals to develop clear-cut strategies to demonstrate their skill-sets. When a company’s brand is known, it is easier for professionals to understand the culture of its employees and the products/services that company offers. With this additional perspective, an applicant can tailor their application with more relevance. With less company knowledge, the right talent can, through no fault of their own, miss the opportunity to market their skill-sets. As such, ‘keener’ applicants are given the opportunity to demonstrate that their character and work ethic match not only the position, but the corporate culture within that company. This gives employers a sharper edge in accessing whether a client is indeed a proper fit or is merely going through the motions.

3.) Have faith in results-oriented and successful employment service providers. The Career Foundation is one of the fastest growing employment service providers in Ontario. The range of services offered by The Career Foundation are as vast as they are varied. Our clientele includes, but is never limited to, multi-barriered at-risk youth, newcomers, those who self-disclose as having physical and mental disabilities, recent graduates, internationally trained professionals, storied professionals, and both job seekers and employers looking to access training and hiring incentives provided by the provincial and federal governments. Our yearly assigned (and annually surpassed) targets speak for themselves; as do those whom we have the honour of assisting. It stands to reason then, that our incomparable ability to strategize and assist with such a diverse range of needs, can be equally put to service serving a range of employer needs just as diverse.

The right labour pool is the right talent. If you are an employer looking for a precise skill-set, mindset, and talent, why not directly contact us? If this is the event you want, and this is the precise talent you are looking for, then we are here for your business and your future.

Are you interested in taking part in a re-imagined career fair? If you’re an employer in the financial, health or technology industries, take part in the GTA Hiring Event on May 15th, 2018 at the MaRS Discovery District!
Learn more about the event and register for the GTA Hiring Event here.

Written by Jason D. Smith (with assistance from Eve Hart)

Filed Under: Networking, The Career Foundation Events Tagged With: career fair, careers, hiring event, job fair, job fairs, networking, toronto jobs

Primary Sidebar

thecareerfnd

We’re a non-profit, registered charity that provides employment services at no cost to job seekers & employers! 31 years of #DevelopingHumanPotential

Instagram post 2191653528299592447_2849300273 Our Completing the Circle Hamilton team attended the 6th Annual Opportunity Knocks Aboriginal Youth Career Planning Conference on November 15th! The event provided youth approaching graduation with an overview of #opportunities and #possibilities for #creative #career #pathways. Attendees enjoyed an empowering conference with #Elders, #inspiring guest speakers, interactive workshops, a career/education fair, among other activities! They also received valuable insight on post-secondary education, skilled trades and apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, scholarships, world readiness, and more. . .

As part of The Career Foundation’s photography stand at the event, we held a competition called ‘Best Band,’ where the groups had to pick a band name and showcase their best pose for a music album cover! After much debate, we deemed ‘Something Random’ victorious (the group is featured first in this series of photos). Each ‘band member’ was awarded a $50 Visa gift card. Thanks to all who participated and attended this amazing conference! We look forward to returning next year, @npaamb
Instagram post 2186494613728837048_2849300273 Are you an employer looking to train your staff? Receive up to $10,000 per employee to offset the cost of training! Ask us how you qualify! Give us a call: 416-243-0066 ext. 234 .
.
 #Invest in your #workforce. #Grow and #retain your staff. #Expand your #business. #COJG
Instagram post 2181527706322581693_2849300273 On Nov. 13th, the T.O. Tech Gives Back event took place at @workplaceone (Peter Street location). Approx. 35 job seekers and 23 employers attended. At this year's event, #newcomers to #Canada had a chance to hear a panel discussion with #recruiters in the #ITSector and #Tech. Employer booths scattered the room for a #networking opportunity, and we saw many #LinkedIn #connections taking place! Congrats on a successful event, team! @totechgivesback @careeredgeorg @campfireculture @_twg_ @snaptravel @hiyiorgos
Load More… Follow Us on Instagram!

Recent News

  • Accessing the Hidden Job Market: Step 1 (Building a Personalized Employer Database)

    July 12, 2019
  • Mental Wellness Week: The Effects of Mental Stress & How to Master It

    June 17, 2019
  • Volunteering: How a Few Bold Phone Calls Got My Foot in the Door at 3 Top Companies

    March 22, 2019


Interested in hiring events and no-cost workshops? Click here or the calendar icon for our Events & Workshops Calendar!

Footer

Additional Resources

Site Map
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Customer Service Charter
Terms of Use

Connect With Us

Contact Us
Make a Donation
Volunteer With Us
Join Our Team
The Career Foundation Blog

Recent News

  • Accessing the Hidden Job Market: Step 1 (Building a Personalized Employer Database)

  • Mental Wellness Week: The Effects of Mental Stress & How to Master It

Copyright © 2019 The Career Foundation

en English
af Afrikaanssq Albanianam Amharicar Arabichy Armenianaz Azerbaijanieu Basquebe Belarusianbn Bengalibs Bosnianbg Bulgarianca Catalanceb Cebuanony Chichewazh-CN Chinese (Simplified)zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)co Corsicanhr Croatiancs Czechda Danishnl Dutchen Englisheo Esperantoet Estoniantl Filipinofi Finnishfr Frenchfy Frisiangl Galicianka Georgiande Germanel Greekgu Gujaratiht Haitian Creoleha Hausahaw Hawaiianiw Hebrewhi Hindihmn Hmonghu Hungarianis Icelandicig Igboid Indonesianga Irishit Italianja Japanesejw Javanesekn Kannadakk Kazakhkm Khmerko Koreanku Kurdish (Kurmanji)ky Kyrgyzlo Laola Latinlv Latvianlt Lithuanianlb Luxembourgishmk Macedonianmg Malagasyms Malayml Malayalammt Maltesemi Maorimr Marathimn Mongolianmy Myanmar (Burmese)ne Nepalino Norwegianps Pashtofa Persianpl Polishpt Portuguesepa Punjabiro Romanianru Russiansm Samoangd Scottish Gaelicsr Serbianst Sesothosn Shonasd Sindhisi Sinhalask Slovaksl Slovenianso Somalies Spanishsu Sudanesesw Swahilisv Swedishtg Tajikta Tamilte Teluguth Thaitr Turkishuk Ukrainianur Urduuz Uzbekvi Vietnamesecy Welshxh Xhosayi Yiddishyo Yorubazu Zulu