ECO CANADA

How to Make Your Transition

Guide for Transitioning Workers2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: ASSESSING YOUR SKILLS 02

SECTION 2: RESUME BUILDING 03 Resume Types 05 • Chronological Resume 06 • FunctionalResume 08 • CombinationResume 10 SECTION 3: JOB SEARCHING 13

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IwanttogetajobintheenvironmentalsectorbutIdon’tevenknowwheretostart!

Sound familiar? Many workers across Canada are losing their jobs in tough economic times and are looking to find stable employment. One field that is becoming a popular place to transition into is the environmental sector due to its continued growth and stability as compared to various other sectors of the Canadian economy.

Looking for a job in a new sector can be a daunting task. But not to worry, there are steps you can take that will help you make a seamless transition into your new career. ECO Canada can help you through it all from job searching to resume writing to interviewing skills.

Thingsyouneedtoknowabouttheenvironmentalsector:

The environment sector is defined as employment directly contributing to the research and development of environmental goods and services. Environmental activities are a common thread across all industries. This sector also encompasses employment related to these activities and can be found in every industry and a part of every career.

The environmental sector is growing and is projected to need an increased number of workers in the near future, primarily due to the average age of workers being higher in the environmental sector than in the overall Canadian workforce. Two-thirds of environmental organizations (71%) are expecting growth over the next two years. This varied by region, with organizations in Ontario reporting the highest percentage (76%) of expected growth, and Atlantic (64%) reporting the lowest percentage of expected growth. Among the organizations that expected growth over the next two years, water quality (29%), waste management (24%), and land quality (17%) were most often identified as areas where expertise is required (Source: ECO Canada, 2009. Environmental Labour Insights 2008: Employer Perspectives).

Istheenvironmentalsectorrightforme?

Here are some of the top reasons why people chose to work in the environmental sector.

FACTORProportionofTotal

(%)ProportionofFemale

(%)ProportionofMale

(%)

Desire to improve the environment 78 83 71

Variety of jobs and duties 53 58 48

Working outdoors 41 43 39

Opportunities for career advancement 26 23 30

Salary / Compensation 20 17 24

Opportunities to work in rural and remote areas 14 14 13

Influential teacher 10 12 7

Image of particular employer 6 7 5

Source: ECO Canada, 2006. Characteristics of Canadian Environmental Practitioners

OVERVIEW

3

Ifyouarepreparedtoinvestthetimeandeffortittakestotransitionintotheenvironmentalsectoryouwillberewardedwithallthatithastooffer.

When you’re transitioning into a new industry the same set of job search skills apply. Start from Step 1 to discover the exciting, new opportunities in the environmental sector.

1. Assessing your skills

2. Resume building

3. Job searching

4. Interviewing and S.A.R. Technique

5. Networking

You can access all these documents and tips from the ECO Canada website for environmental employment: http://www.eco.ca/ee We have included some of the most important tips below for you to refer to.

1.ASSESSINGYOURSKILLS

Accordingtoenvironmentalemployers,thefollowingarethetechnical(environmental)andessentialskillscurrentlyindemand:

Environmental Management Systems and Operations / Risk Assessment

Environmental Assessments and Restoration, Remediation and R. . . .

Environmental Education and Training

Policy Legislation and Regulation

Sampling and Analytical Work related to Environmental Activities

Environmental Communications & Public Awareness

Pollution Prevention, Abatement and Control

Waste Management Systems, Processes, and Procedures

Envrionmental Research and Technology and Development

Strategic Partnering, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

Natural Resources Planning and Management

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

4

ASSESSING YOUR SKILLS

Thefollowingaretherelativedemandforessentialskillsintheenvironmentalsectoraccordingtoemployers:

2.RESUMEBUILDING

Whatarethecomponentsofaneffectiveresume?

Employers are busy people and they simply want to know what you can do for them. The main objective of a resume is to get an interview. Keep in mind a resume is not your life history. Only include the information that is relevant to the job you are applying for. You want to produce a resume that can be either scanned for quick reference or read with great detail and attention. When developing a list of skills and accomplishments, be sure to quantify examples as much as possible. Try starting statements with an action verb, followed by measurable results. For example: “Designed a comprehensive database to manage customer requests, which resulted in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.”

There are many types of resume styles to choose from—choose the style that sells your experience and skills the best.

Resume Types

Chronological ResumeThe main focus of a chronological resume is to list your work experience and its relevance. This resume format is appropriate for those whose work experience demonstrates a series of increasing

Planning and Organizing Work and Projects

Project Management

Written Communication

Verbal Communication

Critical Thinking / Judgment

Business

Public Relations / Consultations

Learning and Creativity

Work Ethic

Research and Analytical

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

RESUME BUILDING

5

responsibilities. This format highlights a steady employment record and emphasizes career growth and development.

A chronological resume is simple to use and is well known by employers. List your work experience, education, and training history in chronological order from most recent to least recent.

Example of a Chronological Resume:

AddressTelephone

Email

NAME

OBJECTIVE:

I am a competent, decisive and dedicated leader with extensive knowledge of manufacturing, distribution and transportation. I would bring the following to the environmental field: instill confidence in employees to succeed and deliver, establish excellent rapport with staff, peers, clients and suppliers and proactively work to address issue

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Company Name Dates of Employment

SUPERVISOR

Accomplishments:

• Successfullykepta$10,000,000.00budgetontrack.

• Recognizedformotivatingmanystaffmemberstovoluntarilyparticipatein a large safety initiative and strive to participate in other safety related areas which assistedinQCCachievingthehighestESPAscoreinthecorporation.

• Provenrecordofexceptionalcustomer-focusedserviceandtheabilitytoforesee potential issues before they arise.

• Showconstantresourcefulnessinsolvingproblemswithregardstoareductionin hours and loss of staff.

6

RESUME BUILDING - CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

Responsibilities:

• SupervisedailyactivitiesofShipping,Receiving,MaterialHandling,Custodial functions and Warehouse activities, while reviewing, recommending and implementing methods of work for greater efficiency and cost reduction.

• Manageandmaintaintheuseandinventoriesofvendorownedshippingsystems includingallcomputers,printers,scalesandRadioFrequencyscanning(RF) equipment.

• Supervisetheuse,applicationandinventoriesoflabelsandload-sheetsforcompliance with Transportation and Dangerous Goods legislation.

• ImplementcompanyHealthandSafetyinitiativesthroughdepartmentalmeetings,new employee training, involvement in accident/incident procedures, correction action and annual review of employee safety performance.

• Determine,implementandrevisesectionworkprioritiesincludingplanningand delegatingworktostaffandLeadHandsaccordingly.

• Negotiateratesandselectcarriersforlinehaulanddelivery,superviseleased equipmentanddriver.

• Prepareandmonitorannualdepartmentbudget.

• AssistauditorsonISO9000yearlyinspections.

• DevelopandmonitorKeyPerformanceIndicators(KPI’s)andimplementcontinuous improvementopportunitiestomeetorganizationalgoals.

EDUCATION:

Level2-CanadianInstituteofTrafficandTransportationCertification

Level1-C.I.T.T.Certification

Business Diploma

OntarioSecondarySchoolDiploma-ChemistryHonours

Training: • TrainedinLeadershipandCoaching.

• WHMIS,TransportationofDangerousGoods,FirstAidandthefollowingsafety courses:IAPA’ErgonomicTraining,ImplementingaMusculoskeletalDisorder PreventionProgram.WorkplaceViolencePreventionProgram,ElectricalSafety Basics,WarehouseSafetyProgram,DisciplineforSafety,RiskAssessment,Safe OperationofaLiftTruck,Safety,HealthandtheLaw,IAPAHeatStressTraining.

RESUME BUILDING - CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

7

Functional ResumeA functional resume focuses on the skills you have gained from various activities. This format is

appropriate for people who have gaps in their work history or have shifted their career focus over the years. This format highlights the transferable skills gained from all aspects of your experience including formal employment experiences, volunteer work, and education.

A functional resume traditionally does not include the actual “where” and “when” of your work history and can therefore be seen as suspicious to potential employers. However, a functional resume can still be effective depending on your work history and if you’re main goal is to market your transferable skills.

Example of a Functional Resume:

NAMEADDRESS

TELEPHONEEMAIL

SUMMARY

I am an effective, highly motivated manager with a results-oriented track record in developing clientsandsatisfyingcustomers’requirements.InthepastIhavebeenabletoconsistently increase profits through strategic focus, adapting to changing business climates and strong execution of plans. I am able to:

• Successfullykepta$10,000,000.00budgetontrack.

• Recognizedformotivatingmanystaffmemberstovoluntarilyparticipatein a large safety initiative and strive to participate in other safety related areas which assistedinQCCachievingthehighestESPAscoreinthecorporation.

• Provenrecordofexceptionalcustomer-focusedserviceandtheabilitytoforesee potential issues before they arise.

• Showconstantresourcefulnessinsolvingproblemswithregardstoareductionin hours and loss of staff.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS & ABILITIES

Sales/Customer Service

• Successfullymanagedamulti-milliondollarsaleseffortandincreasedsalesfrom$7.6 to$15.3millionin3yearsassalesmanager.

8

RESUME BUILDING - FUNCTIONAL RESUME

`• Managedkeyandproblemaccountsandachievedhighcustomersatisfactionwhile meeting sales goals. • Developed sales plans, implemented plans and recruited new clients.

• Designedsalesbrochures.

• Reviewedallnewcontractsandpurchaseordersensuringcorrectpriceswerequoted.

Estimating

• Evaluatedandcalculatedthecostofmaterialandlabourforfabricatedsteeland aluminumpiecepartsandweldassembliesusingacomputerizedprogram.

• Determinedcostandsellingpricesfortimeandmaterialprojects.

• DevelopedtheuseofExcel/Lotusquotationdataprograms.

• Calculatedastartuptimetablerequiredforon-timedelivery.

Communication

• Troubleshotissueswithsales,customerservice,staffandprofitabilityissueswith customers and created solutions and plans to resolve them.

• Effectivelyrecordedinformative,concisereportsusingwrittenandcomputer produced media formats.

• Attendedprojectmeetingsestimatingandqualitycontrolandconductedliaison meetings between sales and production.

• Respondedtocustomerproblemsbyfollowingupwithappropriatedepartmentsto resolve issues.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

List Employment History

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

List Education and Training

RESUME BUILDING - FUNCTIONAL RESUME

9

Combination ResumeThis type of resume combines the best qualities from a chronological and functional resume. This resume format highlights your skills and accomplishments on the first page and then lists your work

experience in chronological order.

This style of resume allows you to highlight the essential skills or technical skills that market you best, but also allows you to give the details of where these skills and accomplishments were achieved.

Example of a Combination Resume:

NAMEADDRESS

TELEPHONEEMAIL

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

A self-starter with a results-oriented track recordinutilizingplanning and decision making abilities to execute technical initiatives. Demonstrated abilities are:

• Recognizedasthe‘gotoperson’fortroubleshootingequipmentfailure.

• Focusedonprocessimprovementstoachievehigherqualityandfastermachinecycle times using Lean principles.

• Adaptedquicklytolearningnewtasksandtechnology.

• Prioritizedmultipledeadlinedriveninitiativestoensureproductiongoalsweremet.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Honours Electronics Engineering Technologist Diploma

Pneumatics Course (A+GradeRating)

Training:LabView8.51&2:LiftTruckOperatorCertification;Lockout/Tagout SafetyProcedures;andcompletedYellowBeltSixSigmaSPCcourse.

Computer Skills:WindowsXP,MSOfficeSuite,NetworkConfigurations,LabView version8.1andgreater;andAutoCADLT2002.

10

RESUME BUILDING - COMBINATION RESUME

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Troubleshooting • Proficientincomponentandsystemleveltroubleshootingforwirelessandhard-wired electronicdevices(devicehardwareandsoftware).

• Efficientinautomatedmachinetroubleshootinginamanufacturingenvironment.

• Experiencedinbenchandfieldtroubleshootingutilizingvariousinstruments.

Digital Design • LabViewv8.5programmingwithNationalInstrumentshardwareinterfacing.

• PLC(RSLogix500suite,ABhardware),Microcontroller(PIC),andCodec programming.

• Epson3-axisroboticsprogramming.

• Seven-statemachinedesign,PLDandCPLDprogramming.

Pneumatic Systems

• Proficientinpneumaticdesignandunderstanding.

• Experiencedwithvariouspneumaticcontrols,valves,actuators,andmanifolds.

Communication Systems

• Amplitudeandfrequencymodulationanditsmodesoftransmissionandreception.

• Transmissionlinecharacteristics,impedancematching,wavepropagationandantenna broadcast.

• RS-232,RS-485,USBcommunicationprotocolsandrelateddeviceinterfacing.

Technologist Project

• Incorporateddigitalwirelesstransmission/reception,dataencoding/decoding,line multiplexing/de-multiplexingandhardware-softwareinterfacingofthesesystems.

• Includedcircuitboardconfiguration,design,andconstruction.

• Surfacemounttechnologyusedthroughout.

RESUME BUILDING - COMBINATION RESUME

11

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Dates Name of Company Electronics Technologist

Responsibilities:

• Repairandtroubleshootautomatedmachineryandimplementproperrepairprocess procedures,one-pointlessons,andpoka-yoketechniques.

• Completeelectrical,mechanical,andpneumaticdesignandconstructionofsmallnew machinery.

• Implementnewoutsourcedautomatedsystemsandassociatedmachinery.

• Optimizeexistingequipmentthroughelectronic,pneumatic,mechanical,andsoftware modifications.

• Integratethehardwareandsoftwareofvarioussensortypesonmachinery.

• Calibratesensitivecomponentsandinstruments.

• CreateAutoCADmechanicalandelectricaldrawings.

• Machinemechanicalpartstodrawingspecifications.

Dates Name of Company Installation/Service Field Technician

Responsibilities:

• Install,configure,troubleshot,andrepairalarmsystemsincorporatingintrusion,card access,andCCTV.

• Completeinstallationplanningandcoordinationusingsiteplanblueprints.

• Integratethesoftwareofthesesystemsontocustomernetworks.

• Usebothhard-wiredandwirelessdevices.

References available upon request

12

RESUME BUILDING - COMBINATION RESUME

3.JOBSEARCHING

Job search skills are like any other skill and can be improved with practice. Don’t hesitate to let people know you are looking for a job, ask for advice, do a mock interview with a friend or family member and create a list of personal strengths. Take the time to analyze yourself and identify ways to improve.

Employers in the Environmental Sector are looking for people who:

• Havegreatattitudeandarepassionateabouttheenvironmentalindustry.

• Arehonestandunderstandwhotheyareandwhattheywant.

• Want to work for them, not just those who can work for them.

• Workwellinateamenvironmentandhaveapositiveoutlook.

• Areproblemsolvers.

Wheretofindjobs?TryonlinejobboardsstartingwithECOCanada• ECO Canada: Visit Canada’s largest environmental job board and sign up as a practitioner to start finding jobs in your area

• GoodWork Canada: To view environmental (often not-for-profit) employment in Canada

• WorkCabin: To view conservation jobs across Canada

Remember to refer to http://www.eco.ca/ee to access the tabs on “Explore Careers” and “Career Development” and get more tips on how you can find your next opportunity in the environmental sector.

Guide developed by:Evelyn Tanaka, ECO CanadaVicky Smith, Contact Human Resource Group

Contact us at:transition@eco.ca(403) 476-1963

For more ECO Canada resources please visit our website www.eco.ca

Visit Canada’s Largest Environmental Job Board at www.eco.ca Find great people. Find great jobs.

JOB SEARCHING

13