Job Placement Manager

The Office of Career Guidance and Job Placement staff is available to assist students with a wide-range of issues and concerns that might arise at entry and exit level. We seek to understand the unique experiences of each student, keeping in mind the context of their identities. A student’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background, religious or spiritual identity, sex, ability or disability, country of origin, documentation status, first generation college student status, and other aspects of identity may all impact how they navigate academic challenges, process moments of tension within the community, consideration of stress reduction or a leave of absence, or any other issue with which we might be supporting them despite career guidance and job placement services.

While much of our work is with individual students, we also engage in education and outreach programmes to community centres, State owned and none State owned organisations. In doing so, we seek to strengthen our relationship with our community thus alleviating challenges and crises that might affect the future workforce. We seek to provide compassionate support which encourages student agency and see our work as constantly evolving in relationship with the students whom we serve. We seek to educate ourselves and welcome feedback at any time in relation to our work.

Career guidance and counselling
Exit Skills Workshops

1. Entrepreneurship Skills Workshop
2. Job Preparedness Skills Workshop
3. Financial Literacy Skills Workshop

Provide link to:

1. Workplace-Based Experience
2. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) / In-service Training
3. Learnerships
4. Part time/Contract – Permanent Employment opportunities

Financial Literacy Skills Workshop

Financial literacy is important because it equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to manage money effectively. In reality, without it, our financial decisions as human beings and the actions we take - or don’t take - lack a solid foundation for success. Thus on our yearly calendar we have dedicated certain days where each Campus host this workshop. This workshop covers a variety of topics such as:

1. Focus on the ability to read, analyse, manage, and communicate about personal financial conditions that affect material wellbeing;
2.  
3. Financial education -  aimed to help students better manage their finances, budget effectively, and borrow wisely;
4. Planning for financial success etc.

 Entrepreneurship Skills Workshop

Would you like to be your own boss? Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business? Don’t know what to do about your great business idea? If you have ever thought about these situations, then you need our Entrepreneurship Skills Workshop. Let our Entrepreneurship Skills Workshop help you achieve your dreams. Being an entrepreneur can be full of risks. These risks are minimized through drafting a business plan, knowing your competition, and successful marketing. All these and more can be found in our Entrepreneurship Skills Workshop which is held annually in each of our Campuses.

Job Preparedness Skills Workshop

This workshop is held annually in each and every site where speakers from various platforms share their perspective in line with expectations from the job market. The focus is on exiting students from both NCV and Nated students. This entails:

1. Various soft skills topics that employers highly value when considering job applicants, newly-hired, and long term employees. Local employers are also invited periodically participate in these workshops to offer their real-world perspective.
2. Advisement, guidance, and direction to students interested in accessing additional resources on this topic (e.g. internet, library, materials, etc.)
3. Mock interviewing for students to help them strengthen their interviewing skills. 
4. Resume preparation assistance.

Advise students/job seekers about the vital role that developing a portfolio plays in effectively illustrating their employability through proper presentation of their qualifications, training, and experience.
 

Cover Letters

An effective cover letter makes a personal, memorable introduction while detailing your interest, qualification, and compatibility for the job. Rather than reiterating your resume, a cover letter brings your resume to life through stories and examples.

A successful cover letter describes your qualifications (e.g. education, experiences) most relevant to the employer based upon the job description and your knowledge of the company. Ideally, you should write a new cover letter for every job application, since the content should be specific to the needs of the job and company you're applying to.

Do I need to include a cover letter?

Often, a cover letter is a required part of an application process.  However, even when it is optional, it is advantageous to include one. Writing a cover letter demonstrates that you are interested enough to invest extra time drafting a thoughtful letter.

What are some common cover letter mistakes to avoid?

Using a generic cover letter. Employers can usually tell when you've used the same cover letter for multiple jobs. It makes a bad first impression because it appears that you aren't interested in that specific job or don't understand what unique skills are important. Be sure to write a tailored cover letter for each position that makes strong connections between your experiences and interest in the company and their needs, challenges, and/or mission.  

Failing to provide examples. Many cover letters make empty claims, asserting that the applicant is a "good communicator" or "detail-oriented." Unfortunately, employers say that these claims usually are not believed and have become common clichés. To make your claims more powerful, add an example or proof to each skill you mention. For example, you might write, "I am very detail-oriented, a skill that I honed while completing detailed inventory sheets working in a grocery store".

Restating the resume. Often, cover letters will fall into the trap of reiterating the facts of the resume — "I worked at Company X for 2 years where I was a cashier. Then, I worked at Company Y in 2018." Instead of repeating the resume, a good cover letter should draw connections between your skills and experiences, and how these connect to the company's needs. For example, a cover letter statement could be "As a shift manager at Jimmy John's, I enjoyed training and coaching new employees to be successful within the team, a skill that I know would be helpful working as a team leader within your organization."