Success Stories
The following are stories told by Clients in Tactics for Success™ who overcame a variety of work search obstacles to achieve their success – a job and a paycheque!!
Jean realizes now how little he knew about how to look for a job in an unfamiliar city. Drawn to Calgary by the mountains and with skills in the restaurant and hospitality industry, this Montreal native had not expected that finding a job here would be as difficult as it turned out to be. After months of fruitless searching, with his Employment Insurance Benefits running out and his rent overdue, Jean was desperate and cried out for help! As luck would have it, someone at the Food Bank tipped him off to Tactics for Success™. He threw himself into the banquet of seminars, learning resources, and job search tools like a man starving. Eventually, he was offered the job, a dream job, in an upscale hotel in the Banff area. Looking back, Jean credits his Success Team for the moral support and the discipline of logging his networking letters and calls that got him organized. Jean’s greatest praise is reserved for his coaches who gave him the confidence he needed to ace an unexpected telephone-screening interview that led to the face-to-face interview that netted the job offer.
Tim joined Tactics for Success™ after having searched unsuccessfully for a job as a Process Engineer for 3 months. After some initial skepticism, he adopted the whole process of work search with energy and enthusiasm. He crafted a clear, concise marketing statement and after researching all the possibilities with his coaches, he set out to meet people he felt would be interested in his experience and talent. He discovered he loved networking! Initial contacts quickly led to further referrals and eventually to two job offers in the same week. Tim was able to choose the one that promised the closest fit with his values and interests. After several months on the job, he reports back that he loves it!
Linda moved to Calgary armed with an MBA and an impressive work background. When Linda arrived at Tactics for Success™, she had already spend nearly 14 weeks sending out over 20 resumes in response to posted and published ads. She had three interviews but wasn’t offered a job. She felt she needed support in preparing a better resume, to learn how to communicate her marketable skills, and to build a network. Working with her coaches, Linda quickly regained her confidence. A revised resume clearly articulated her education, skills, and experience. It led with a marketing statement with impact. Practice with mock interviews helped her learn effective responses to difficult interview questions and to gain comfort in her ability to handle herself. With a new understanding of the hidden job market and how to access it, Linda committed herself to networking and her focus paid off. Out of 47 applicants, she was offered the job she now holds and is earning more money than in the last job she had back in Saskatchewan.
Nick joined Tactics for Success™ after trying for five months to find a job on his own. An immigrant from Great Britain, Nick had taken his first Canadian job in Resolute Bay. Finding the weather too cold for his liking, he moved to Calgary. He’s a highly qualified executive chef with over 10 years of experience who had fed everyone from royalty to rock stars. Nick was sure he would find a job fast. He sent out over 130 resumes in response to published and posted ads and only got two replies. He felt frustrated and defeated. A visit to a federal government office and a recommendation to Tactics for Success™ changed his life. In the program, Nick learned the importance of writing two or three resumes for different kinds of jobs; how to better communicate his skills; what salary and benefits options he could negotiate; and how to access the hidden job market. Supported by coaches and learning in a professional environment and amongst peers, he regained his confidence. While participating in a networking session, he learned that Cirque du Soleil was hiring people for the Calgary portion of their tour. He applied and got a contract. He was invited to accompany the troupe to Vancouver and is now on tour with them.
Lee worked doing odd jobs in Vancouver while he completed his high school diploma. He obtained a certificate in auto collision, repair and refinishing. Lee was unable to find an apprentice job in Vancouver so he reluctantly moved to Calgary. He had no connections and a poor resume. Over the course of five months he made 35 cold calls, answered ads, surfed the Internet and set out resumes. He got no responses. Lee saw an ad in the newspaper promoting Tactics for Success™. On entering the Program, Lee set up an action plan for his work search, learned about networking and the hidden job market and he worked hard every day talking to as many people as he could. One of his coaches was so impressed with Lee’s enthusiasm and dedication to his work search that she made a cold call on his behalf. Lee got an interview at one of Calgary’s most reputable auto dealerships and he found a job that matched his experience and qualifications and which also offered a future!
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