Jo-Anne Montgomery, President of non-profit society Wear 2 Start,displays some of the clothes and accessories donated to help womenin need to look their best at interviews and on the job.

WEAR 2 START HELPS

WORKING WOMENTRANSITION WITH STYLE

CONTENTS

E M P L O Y E RC O R N E R

F I X Y O U RR E S U M E

A S K A C A S EM A N A G E R

JULY 2, 2015

the LEAD Sheet

By Kate Wiley

For most workplaces, goneare the days of pantyhose,

high heels and tailored dressesand suits. Particularly here onthe West Coast, attire once re-served for Casual Fridays hasbecome a daily phenomenon.But that doesn’t give you licenseto wear Lululemon pants to theoffice.

For some, that presents aproblem. If you’ve never held anoffice job before or have beenout of the workforce for a while,updating and upgrading yourwardrobe can break the bank.The founder of Wear 2 Start,Kathleen McMullin, was facedwith exactly this dilemma yearsago when she found herself new-ly separated with three childrenand in need of returning towork. She had to borrow fromfriends to ensure her first im-pression at the office was a goodone. She knew she was notalone, and she vowed to helpother women in her shoes.

Now in its fourteenth year,Wear 2 Start runs a boutique indowntown Victoria staffed en-tirely by volunteers. Its missionis to dress disadvantaged womenwho are preparing for an inter-view or who have just obtainedemployment and need a ward-robe. Clients are be referred by

(Continued on page 6)NEXT ISSUE:JULY 16, 2015

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July 3, 2015 worklink.bc.ca • gthiringsolutions.ca • beaconcs.ca 2

By Kate Wiley

Next time you reach for free cheezie at Costco, take amoment to acknowledge the man or woman serving it

to you. Chances are good the person behind the plastic glovesis employed by Professional Warehouse Demonstrations. It’s ajob that requires a friendly demeanour and a desire to en-gage the public. A sense of humour comes in handy too. Whenthat pizza sample comes out of the oven, that signature Ca-nadian courtesy goes out the window!

“People want to eat at Costco — that’s the mentality,” saysLouella Kubbernus, PWD’s Demo Manager at the Costco inLangford. Though not employed directly by Costco, PWD pro-vides most of the product demonstrations at the wholesalewarehouse. It’s an ideal job for students, seniors, or thosewho do not want a full-time position. Louella manages a staffof 45 who work 2-3 shifts per week. Each shift is 7.5 hours,which translates to a lot of time spent on one’s feet. She ad-vises people with knee and hip injuries to look elsewhere.

The most successful product demonstrators are outgoingand have a high tolerance for crowds. On weekends, Costcocan get so busy it’s difficult to move in the isles. But thatdoes not dissuade shoppers from storming the samples. High

standards of hygieneare required, and if a person grabs a chip directly from thebowl rather than waiting to be served, the entire bowl goesin the garbage. “If that happens, you just smile and startover,” says Louella. “These are adults, it is not our job toteach them manners.”

The trick is to kill them with kindness, all the while relay-ing the product’s finest qualities. “If you were cooking inyour kitchen with friends and family, you would be talking atthe same time because you would be relaxed,” says Louella.She coaches her demonstrators to carry that warmth onto thesales floor. One of her most successful sales people said ofthe job: “You’re paying me to do what I like to do most: Talkto people.”

Louella is not looking for specific work experience, butdoes require three references. “I consider how they foundthe job and how they present themselves,” she says of theinterviews, which she conducts on an ongoing basis. PWDseeks associates who want to grow with the company andtake advantage of the training provided to sharpen their salesskills. Shifts are available Monday through Sunday. Call 250-391-8425 or forward your resume via email topwd256@pwddemomanagers.com. Alternately, you may handdeliver your resume to the PWD Office within Costco, 799McCallum Rd.

Got a story to share? Email kwiley@worklink.bc.ca. Your successcan inspire the success of others.

Credit:pwdemonstrations.comPWD offers productdemos on behalfof Costco’s vendors.

July 2, 2015 worklink.bc.ca • gthiringsolutions.ca • beaconcs.ca 3

Posted to the GT Hiring Solutions Job Blog by Nathan Z

Ask 10 people how to write a resume, and you’ll usually

get 10 different answers. That’s because resumes, like

clothes, go through trends. So if you want to keep your re-

sume up to speed with today’s job market, taking action on

these 3 tips should be at the top of your list.

How long is your resume? If the answer is ‘more than 2 pag-

es’ (and you’re not applying for a mid- to upper-management

position), then your resume is just too long. Hiring managers

don’t want to pour over long-winded details of your entire

employment history; they want to find out if you have what

they’re looking for, and they want to know FAST. So cut all

the non-related fat from your resume, and get it down to a

single page if you can.

How To Fix It: Remove any details about experience oreducation that don’t relate to the job you’re applying for.Just keep to the basic facts about these positions: What,where, and when. And forget about a ‘Hobbies & Interests’section too: These are usually unnecessary padding and canturn an HR rep off.

Next, cut down the length of the sentences in your Summa-

ry of Qualifications and Achievement Statements. To para-

phrase George Orwell, always ask yourself ‘Can I say it with

fewer words?’ This is usually achieved by avoiding euphe-

misms and ‘corporate speak’ in your resume, and relying on

plain, straightforward English.

They may have been all the rage 5 years ago, but Objective

Statements on a resume are a big ‘no-no’ in today’s job mar-

ket.

The reason? Competition. With so many people competing

for the same job, hiring managers are primarily interested in

what a candidate has to offer. Starting a resume with a state-

ment about what you want (your ‘Objective’) is considered

the wrong approach, maybe even a little self-serving.

How To Fix It: Don’t try to alter/change/soften/

strengthen your objective statement. JUST GET RID OF IT.

It’s far better to lead off with your Summary of Qualifications

or Career Highlights than keeping an objective statement.

Even better, replace it with a great Profile Statement that

sums up what you have to offer an employer in a concise

way.

I know, I know: You never make spelling or grammar mis-

takes, right? Well guess what? Even a straight-A student with

5 Spelling Bee Championships can make horrible mistakes on

a resume. Why? Because writing resumes and cover letters is

very fatiguing, especially for people who don’t like to write.

Spending 3 hours straight on a document that could change

your life (for better or worse) is stressful, and that’s how

mistakes get made. And enough mistakes is the difference

between an resume that gets an interview and one that gets

shredded.

How To Fix It: If you are someone who struggles with writ-

ten English, help is available. Spell-check works for basic

spelling and grammar, but it’s no substitute for a real proof-

reader. Ideally, you’re getting help from someone with real

resume writing experience.

If you don’t have anyone who can help in this way, bring

your resume to your local Work BC Centre, and the resource

room staff will be happy to help proofread your application

before you send it off to the employer.

Image credit www.flazingo.com

July 3, 2015 worklink.bc.ca • gthiringsolutions.ca • beaconcs.ca 4

Society of St. Vincent de Paul hasan opening for an on-call CommunitySupport Worker. The Catholic out-reach organization is looking for anindividual post-secondary certifica-tion as a CSW or HCA and basic Medi-cation Certificate. Find the jobposting at workbc.ca. Expires July 8.

Island Health has an opening for atemporary, part-time Health CareAssistant at Royal Jubilee Hospital.Qualifications include Grade 10 plusgraduation from a recognized NursingAssistant Program, such as a Health

Aide program or equivalent. Must alsobe registered with the BC Care Aide.Details at viha.ca. Open until filled.

SALTS Sail and Life Training Societyin Victoria is accepting resumes forthe full-time, permanent role ofBooking Manager to oversee onlineregistrations and client relationships.This role also manages an extensivebursary program and volunteer crewprogram. SALTS is seeking a seasonedprofessional with strong managementability, computer skills, superior in-ter-personal skills and an ability to

provide Christian spiritual care. For afull position profile, visit salts.ca >About Us > Careers. Closes July 19.

Capital Regional District is hiring anOut of School Care Assistant, respon-sible for assisting with Panorama’sOut of School Care program. Applyonline at crd.bc.ca > Careers. Dead-line is July 10. Must have completedhigh school, be at least 19 years ofage, and possess experience leadingchildren or youth programs. Find outmore at crd.bc.ca > Careers. Applica-tions will be accepted until July 13.

SOCIAL & HEALTH JOBS

Microserve's client requires an IT Security Consultant inVictoria. This is a full-time contract position for 3 – 6months involving the development of information technol-ogy security policies to protect sensitive data. A degree,diploma, certification or equivalent in the computer sci-ence field is required, plus a minimum of 3 years’ experi-ence in security. Details at microserve.ca > Careers.

Quester Tangent Corporation is looking for a SeniorElectronics Technologist – Customer Service. Qualifica-tions include a diploma or degree in Electronics Technolo-gy or Electrical engineering, and strong abilities totroubleshoot and repair complex electronic circuits. Findmore information on the Job Board at viatec.ca.

Go2mobi is looking for a Software Engineer to research,build and improve its mobile advertising real-time biddingsystems. Qualifications include 3+ years’ experience build-ing scalable and stable systems. Must be comfortableworking in a fast-paced, startup environment. Details atgo2mobi.com/careers.

ISM Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of IBM CanadaLtd., seeks an experienced Manager to manage its Techni-cal Engineering Services (TES) department in Victoria. Re-quirements include extensive experience managingpeople, preferably in a highly complex IT service deliveryenvironment, and familiarity with ITIL. Go towww.ismcanada.com > Careers for details. Closes July 14.

TECHNOLOGY JOBS

Christian Schnettelker on flickr.com

WorkBC Job FairThursday, August 6, 2015

10 - 2 p.m.

Mary Winspear Centre, SidneyCome meet some of Victoria's top employers!

Stay tuned for participating employers. For moreinfo, contact Nicole Eyre at 250.655.5313

July 2, 2015 worklink.bc.ca • gthiringsolutions.ca • beaconcs.ca 5

MANUFACTURING & FACILITIES JOBS

TRADES JOBS

Tom's RV Service & Supplies requires a full-time, certi-fied RV Service Technician. In addition to mechanical,electrical and electronics aptitude, the successful candi-date will have good communication, organizational andlearning skills. Find the complete listing at workbc.ca.Expires July 31.

Pure Vanilla Bakery and Café in Oak Bay is looking foran experienced Day Cook for scratch preparation ofsoups, breakfast and lunch menu items with an emphasison fresh and local. Join a group that includes Rebar Mod-ern Food and Cascadia Bakery. Bring resumes to 2590 Cad-boro Bay Rd.

Steamship Grill & Bar has an opening for a full-timeFirst Cook. Minimum five years’ experience in a fastpaced, high volume kitchen is required. Red Seal designa-tion, culinary school or training will be highly regarded.

The restaurant is also hiring a full-time Eco-Station Oper-ator (i.e. dishwasher). Find out more at go2hr.ca. Dead-line to apply is July 31.

First Response Glass seeks a full-time Journeyman Gla-zier. The successful applicant should be knowledgeable inall areas of commercial and residential glass installations.Only those with a minimum of 4 years’ experience as aGlazier will be considered for this position. Details atworkbc.ca. Expires Aug. 31.

Mircom Engineered Systems has a position available fora Fire Alarm Field Technician in the Victoria area. Fulltraining and support are provided in-house. Junior techni-cians will have college level electronics or equivalent,while senior technicians will have Canadian Fire AlarmAssociation Registration or comparable. Details on the JobBoard at worklink.bc.ca. Closes July 24.

Artistic Mouldings & Millwork seeks a full-time Shipper.Job requirements include an ability to work with minimalsupervision, excellent math skills and forklift experience.Previous shipping experience is an asset, but training willbe provided. Find out more at workbc.ca. Expires July 31.

Compass Group Canada is hiring a Night Cleaner at theBay Centre in Victoria. Qualifications include experienceusing floor cleaning machinery (Especially ride on andwalk behind auto scrubbing machine). For more informa-tion, go to compass-canada.com > Working at Compass. Noclose date provided.

The Fairmont Empress is looking for a full-time House-keeping Manager with previous leadership experience.University/college degree in a related discipline will beconsidered an asset. Visit fairmontcareers.com to find outmore. Closes July 8.

Capital Regional District is hiring a Facility Mainte-nance Worker 3 on the South Coast of Vancouver Island.

Qualifications include high school and 2 years’ experienceas a Facility Maintenance Worker 1 and 2 or equivalent.The current schedule is 2 afternoon shifts, 2 graveyardshifts and 1 day shift per week. Apply online at crd.bc.ca> Careers. Deadline is July 10.

Schneider Electric seeks a Production/Warehouse Asso-ciate to test, solder, and/or inspect electrical and me-chanical components. New Operators will undergo linespecific training, followed by certification. High schooleducation or equivalent is required. Manufacturing experi-ence will be an asset. Apply online at schneider-electric.com > Careers.

BC Emergency Health Services has an opening for a Lo-gistic Supervisor. Grade 12 plus three years’ related ex-perience, including one year in a supervisory capacity, isrequired. The incumbent may be required to work rotatingshifts and must have the physical ability to perform allfunctions required to clean and stock ambulances. Go tojobs.phsa.ca. Deadline to apply is July 8.

July 3, 2015 worklink.bc.ca • gthiringsolutions.ca • beaconcs.ca 6

local employment centres, and walk away from the boutique with 2-3new outfits, complete with shoes and accessories.

Lauren Villines is a stylist at Aveda Institute Victoria and has beenproviding her services free of charge to Wear 2 Start clients since shegot her start at the salon three years ago. “It’s my job to show themhow valuable and how beautiful they are,” she says. “When you aredown, it’s easy to forget that, and especially nice to have someone

treat you like royalty.” Laurensays some of the women referredto her from Wear 2 Start feelembarrassed coming into theAveda salon “because everyonelooks so put together, whether ornot we actually are.” With a newcut and, for some, colour, thewomen leave the chair feelingmore confident.

Current Wear 2 Start PresidentJo-Anne Montgomery has beenvolunteering at the boutique forfour years and has outfittedwomen of all walks of life, in-cluding one woman who fled anabusive relationship with nomore than the clothing on herback. “I recall how gratifying itwas to provide her with a ward-

robe to get started again,” she says. “These women are trying to helpthemselves, and walk a little taller once they have the proper attire forthe workplace.”

Jo-Anne is a retired nurse and finds that helping these women to se-lect scarves, earrings, and shoes to look their best serves as a creativeoutlet. She and some 14 volunteers open the boutique from Tuesday toThursday, by appointment only. Wear 2 Start relies on donations andfundraising for all its services. It needs new or gently worn, clean cloth-ing suitable for a professional setting, particularly small and large sizes.Shoes, accessories and unused makeup and toiletries are also welcome.Cash donations can be made online at canadahelps.org.

For more information visit wear2start.com, emailjmontgomery@wear2start.com or call 250-472-9327. A $40 referral feeis collected from the employment centre. Each woman gets at least fivetimes that value in clothing and services. Wear 2 Start welcomes morereferrals from agencies that want to provide this advantage for womenwho are competing for jobs in the community.

Kate Wiley is editor of the Lead Sheet. Contact her atkwiley@worklink.bc.ca.

(Continued from page 1)

“It’s my job toshow them how

valuable andhow beautiful

they are. Whenyou are down,

it’s easy toforget that.”

— Lauren Villines, StylistAveda Institute Victoria

July 2, 2015 worklink.bc.ca • gthiringsolutions.ca • beaconcs.ca 7

PROFESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE JOBS

The Ministry of Advanced Education is recruiting aCapital Planning Officer to develop ministry multi-yearcapital plans and deliver capital projects and programs.A formal education in project management, as well asa degree or diploma in Planning, Architecture, Engi-neering or related field is required. Find the job post-ing at www2.gov.bc.ca. Closes July 9.

BCAA's Broadmead Service Location has an opening for aregular full-time Senior Insurance Advisor. The successfulcandidate will have completed Grade 12 and 2 current andconsecutive years of general insurance experience, with 1year experience in selling homeowners’ insurance. Level 2insurance license required. Apply online atca.indeed.com.

Cameron Izard Snell is hiring a full-time Administra-tive Assistant to assemble US and Canadian tax returns,among other responsibilities. Prior experience in anaccounting firm or a certificate in Office Administrationis a strong asset. Find out more at cistax.ca > Careers.

BC Timber Sales has an opening for a Seed/SeedlingPlanning Forester to work with public and private suppli-ers to meet BCTS’ reforestation goals. Qualifications in-clude a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, or other relevantarea and 3 years of current progressive and directly relat-ed forestry experience. Go to www2.gov.bc.ca to apply.Closes July 15.

BC Emergency Health Services has an opening for aFleet Administration Manager to manage the financialand administrative support services for the BC AmbulanceService. A post-secondary degree in Business Administra-tion or a related field, plus 3 years’ supervisory experi-ence, is required. Some overnight travel may be required.Go to jobs.phsa.ca. Deadline to apply is July 9.

The District of Saanich is hiring a Park Planner/Designer to participate in the planning, design, and devel-opment of Saanich parks, trails and public spaces. Theideal candidate will possess a university degree in Land-scape Architecture, Geography, Engineering, Architecture,or similar related field to planning; plus four years of di-rectly related experience in park planning and design. De-tails at saanich.ca. Deadline to apply is July 17.

Compass Electric seeks a Project Manager with previousexperience in cutting edge LED and Solar industry. A Bach-elor's Degree from accredited university in Engineering orEquivalent of education will be accepted. Find the com-plete job description at jobfind.findem.ca.

Smythe Ratcliffe Debt Advisors requires an Administra-tive Assistant in Victoria. Five plus years of experience ina professional services environment preferred. Candidatemust be available for overtime as needed. To apply, go tosmytheratcliffe.com/careers.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.— Roger Staubach

jessica mullen on flickr.com

Feedback? Send your comments to kwiley@worklink.bc.ca.

XW Sunrise Developments is recruiting an experiencedProduce Manager to launch and oversee grocery storeoperations at Urban Ground Market, situated in a new de-velopment in View Royal. A minimum of 2-3 years’ experi-ence working in a grocery retail setting is preferred. Sendresume and cover letter to: Attention: Produce ManagerPosition; urbangroundmarket@gmail.com.

Shell Victoria is hiring a full-time Retail Store Supervi-sor at its 322 West Burnside Rd. location. Must possess theability to supervise 10 people and have completed highschool. Apply in person. Find out more information atworkbc.ca.

Steve Nash Fitness World and Sports Club in Victoriaseeks a Membership Sales Representative. High schooldiploma required. Previous sales experience preferred. Goto ca.indeed.com to find the complete job description.

CIBC at 3970 Shelbourne St. in Victoria is looking for afull-time Customer Service Representative with previouscash handling experience, excellent interpersonal skillsand a high degree of accountability. Candidates must beflexible with their workdays and hours. Go tocibc.com/careers for application details. Closes July 24.

Paris Jewellers seeks a full-time Brand Ambassador tojoin its team at Hillside Centre. Two plus years’ experi-ence in a customer focused role is preferred; jewelleryexperience is an asset. Find the complete job descriptionat parisjewellers.ca/pages/careers.

The Home Depot in Saanich has an opening for a part-time Merchandising Execution Associate. Qualificationsinclude experience working in retail merchandising serviceindustry or working directly for large scale retailer, plusbasic computer skills. Find the complete posting atjobs.homedepotjobs.ca. Last date to apply is July 9.

St. Michaels University School is looking for a Sales As-sociate to run its school store. Qualifications include re-tail sales experience and strong computer skills;experience with online stores is an asset. Application de-tails can be found at smus.ca/discover/careers. Deadlineto apply is July 8.

Indigo Books and Music is hiring a part-time CustomerExperience Representative in Victoria. Previous employ-ment in retail or the services sector is required. Go toindigo.ca > Our Company > careers.

Tevana at the Bay Centre has an opening for a TeamLead, Operations & Visual. Qualifications include previ-ous retail experience, as well as experience leading andcoaching teams. Find the complete job description atteavana.com/about-us/careers.

Swans Hotel and Brewpub is looking for a full-time BeerSales Manager. Qualifications include two years’ experi-ence in a beer or wine sales environment. A flexibleschedule is required, including evening and weekends.Must be able to travel as necessary. Find out more atgo2hr.ca. Deadline to apply is July 31.

HOSPITALITY & CUSTOMER SERVICE JOBS

Traveller_40 on flickr.com

July 2, 2015 worklink.bc.ca • gthiringsolutions.ca • beaconcs.ca 9

SECURITY JOB FAIRDo you have excellent customer service skills, communication &

problem solving abilities and a current BC Security License?Footprints, Paladin, Concord and Themis are holding a Job Fair on Tuesday, July 14th at GT Hiring Solutions.

If you are interested in an exciting career with any of these companies then bring your resumes and beprepared for an on-the-spot interview.

Proudly supported by

Tuesday, July 14th 11:00 - 1:00GT Hiring Solutions WorkBC Employment Services Centre102-415 Gorge Road E (between Bridge and Jutland)

Register with your WorkBC Employment Service AdvisorOR Email Sue at s.naylor@gthiringsolutions.ca