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    • May 2000 (Text Version) Volume 2

Disability Employment Programs and Services

May 2000 (Text Version) Volume 2

CAREER LENS
A Publication of the
Opening Doors Career Development Centre for Persons with Disabilities
5th Floor, West Block, Confederation Building, P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NF A1B 4J6
Telephone: 709-729-5881 • Fax: 709-729-5446 • TTY: 709-729-5441 • Toll Free: 1-800-950-4414
Email: openingdoors@gov.nl.ca   Web Site: http://www.exec.gov.nl.ca/openingdoors

New Resources Now Available

In addition to the LearnItOnline Internet software training initiative introduced in the last edition of Career Lens, the Client Resource Centre has recently purchased computer-based software training on CD-ROM. Clients can drop by the Centre and utilize the CD-ROMs and learn how to use software packages such as Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft Office Suite 95, Notes 4.5/4.6, Outlook 97, WordPerfect 8, Windows 95/98, FrontPage 98 and Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers.

Each CD-ROM contains a number of lessons and tutorials which clients complete on their own time and at their own pace. Even though clients will not receive a certificate of completion, they will gain valuable knowledge of a particular software package.

Also, in an attempt to keep print resources current, the Client Resource Centre has recently received Year 2000 editions of books focusing on job search, Internet resumes and interviewing skills. There are also new videos available for viewing including a three-video series called Access Unlimited focusing on the job search process for persons with disabilities. A complete list of available books and videos can be found on the Opening Doors web site under the Resource Centre link on the home page. Clients may sign out any book from the Client Resource Centre on a loan basis by seeing either Chris or Sheena. Videos must be viewed in the Opening Doors Client Resource Centre.

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The Opening Doors Web Site Features...

  • For Your Information and Events Listings
  • E-mail List Sign-Up Form
  • Career Lens Online
  • Web Site of the Week
  • Hundreds of Links
  • Direct Link to WORKink
  • ...and much much more

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WORKink Newfoundland and Labrador

by: Jennifer Lake

Things with WORKink Newfoundland and Labrador are going great and lots of clients are taking advantage of the many services and interactive features WORKink has to offer. I wanted to point out some of the new additions so you too can reap the benefits of WORKink as many others are doing.

In the job posting section, I have added links going directly to some of the most common job bank sites we use everyday such as the HRDC Job Bank and the PSC job postings. Now all you have to do is go to the WORKink web site and click on Job Postings to surf through hundreds of available positions. More sites are being added to this page everyday so be sure to keep checking back.

Be sure you sign-up for the Opening Doors E-mail list on the home page of the Opening Doors web site so you can find out about all the WORKink online workshops you are invited to attend. As workshops are announced, you will be notified, if you are on the E-mail list, and encouraged to attend. There are a wide range of topics that will certainly interest you. The workshops are held in the WORKink chat rooms which you can access from the home page on the WORKink web site.

Also, don’t forget to post your resumes on the WAEN at www.waen.org . This new site will soon be officially launched to employers!

I would like to welcome The PREP Program to our team as WORKink’s newest community partner. Their profile can be found in the Professional Agency Directory on the site.

Please contact Jennifer at the Opening Doors Centre if you have any questions or comments regarding any aspect of WORKink and be sure to make WORKink a part of your daily Internet routine!

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Opening Doors Budget 2000-2001

The Opening Doors Career Development Centre for Persons with Disabilities is pleased to advise its clients that the Centre will be able to offer the same programs and services during the next 12 months as it has in the past several years.

The 2000-2001 budget announced in March reconfirmed the Provincial Government’s commitment to the employment of persons with disabilities as Opening Doors’ funding levels for this fiscal year remained unchanged. In addition, the partnerships Opening Doors has developed in the last several years with Human Resources Development Canada, the Department of Human Resources and Employment and the Public Service Commission of Canada have all been renewed for another year. These partnerships make it possible for the Centre to offer wage subsidies and referral services of persons with disabilities to both Provincial and Federal Government departments throughout the province.

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The Power of Belief

Believe in yourself. You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face...You must do that which you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

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How to Keep your Job
Developed by: The PREP Program and Ability Works Employment Centre

  • Show up and be on time
  • Have a positive attitude
  • Set work goals every day
  • Be open to learning new things
  • Ask for help when you need it
  • Get along with your co-workers
  • Arrive clean and tidy - look your best!
  • Follow directions
  • Produce good quality work
  • Accept constructive criticism
  • Learn ways to cope with stress
  • Be assertive
  • Have fun
  • Show initiative
  • Know what is expected of you on the job and do it
  • BE HEALTHY
  • TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK

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My Success Story

by: Sheena King

Just this past November I was successful in obtaining a position as the Receptionist with the Opening Doors Career Development Centre for Persons with Disabilities. My resume had been on file with the Opening Doors Centre since June of 1997. Once in a while I would go into the Opening Doors Centre to avail of the services they provide in the resource centre. The staff really helped me feel comfortable and there was always someone available in case I needed help with the software or the adaptive equipment. The Resource Centre has all the latest software and adaptive equipment to help make the use of computers more accessible to people with disabilities.

During my last month of a year long contract with another organization I was contacted about the possibility of a position with the Opening Doors Centre. The first step in the competition process was the office skills testing to determine the level of my own office skills. An appropriate time was set up for me to go in to the centre and complete the Office Proficiency Assessment and Certification (OPAC) testing. This covers a wide range of office skills assessments from keyboarding and proofreading to Language Arts. The Career Counsellor was really helpful and made every effort to make the testing as comfortable for me as possible.

The next step in the competition process was the interview itself. The time for my interview was set and I did my best to prepare. The Career Counsellor at the Opening Doors Centre offered to help me prepare for the interview by doing a mock interview with me or I could view a number of videos the Resource Centre has on the subject of the Interview Process.

Obviously I was successful in the competition because I am sitting here today writing about it. I thoroughly enjoy my position here at the Opening Doors Career Development Centre for Persons with Disabilities. My position gives me the opportunity to work alongside a great staff, and I am now in the position to help people with disabilities in the same way the staff at the Opening Doors Centre has helped me.

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What’s Your Employment Status?

In the first issue of the Career Lens, the article entitled "Keep Us Posted" pointed out the need for clients of the Opening Doors Career Development Centre for Persons with Disabilities to keep their resumes and contact information current. As explained in the article, unreported changes in this information can result in lost job opportunities and unwanted calls for interviews

This article is about another item of information needed by the Centre’s staff - your current employment status.

For the purposes of timely referrals and marketing of clients, the staff of the Opening Doors Career Development Centre need to know who is available for work and, if they are available, are they currently working, or unemployed? If unemployed, what is their current source of income? Are they receiving income support (social assistance) from the Department of Human Resources and Employment or Employment Insurance from Human Resources Development Canada, or are they EI- eligible?

These questions are not asked on the Opening Doors Application Form, but they are questions to which we need the answers. For example, if you are working, you may not be interested in being considered for another job at this time. Or, you may be receiving income support, thereby making you eligible for a wage subsidy and giving the staff a tool to use in marketing you to employers. If this information is not readily available, valuable time is lost and, possibly, job opportunities.

In the past, staff have called clients to ask about their current employment status. This is a time consuming process and not very efficient! To change it, your cooperation is needed.

Below is an Employment Status Form that can be completed and submitted to us. Please complete the form, and submit it to the Centre by June 15, 2000 by simply clicking the submit button on the bottom of the form. You can also print this form and deliver or mail the form to us. Then, anytime your employment status changes, just call the Centre at the toll free number and advise the staff of the change. It is the hope of the staff that having this information on hand will further improve the efficiency of the Centre’s services to both you and your potential public sector employers. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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Web Sites Worth Surfing

opens new window Note: all links will open in a new window.

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Client Seminar Announcement

The Opening Doors Career Development Centre for Persons with Disabilities recently held an information session on the Federal and Provincial Recruitment Process and Interviewing Tips and Techniques. On the morning of March 27, 2000, ten clients attended the session to learn how the selection process works and how they can utilize a competition poster to prepare themselves for an interview.

The second half of the morning focused on interviewing tips and techniques. The stages of an interview from beginning to end were discussed and clients participated in group activities dealing with how to answer tough interview questions. The information session concluded with a short video on what to do and, more importantly, what not to do in an interview.

Another information session on interviewing skills and the recruitment process is planned for late May. All clients are welcome to attend and new clients may find the session particularly beneficial as they will gain important insight into the selection process and how it relates to the interview.

For more information or to register for the upcoming information session, please visit our web site or contact Chris at the Centre.

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Look For Our Next Issue in September 2000

 
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