Marketing & Creative Jobs in Canada Blog - Part 15

On the hunt with: Kim Champion

On-the-hunt-kim-championImage of freelancer on laptop from Shutterstock.

In our On The Hunt series, we interview potential job-seekers (whether out-of-work or transitioning) and talk to them about what the challenges have been, what their goals are, as well as any advice or tips they may have for other job seekers to stay motivated. This week, FreshGigs’ own Joanne M. Brathwaite talks to job hunter Kim Champion.

Are you working right now? If so, what are you doing? (how) Does it align with your ultimate job-hunting goal (if at all)

I’ve been actively seeking a new, full-time opportunity for about the last six months. After being laid off from my newspaper job last summer where, for the last 10 years, I served as managing editor of several award-winning Metroland Media Group community newspapers, I took some time to thoughtfully reflect on my career. Continue reading →

Is working at a start-up for you? Here are 3 things to consider

Working-at-a-start-upImage of a start-up business meeting from Shutterstock.

Assessing your fit for any job is crucial, but start-ups have more unique considerations than conventional companies. Before you leap into working with that cool company with the staff bar, ice cream cooler or beer Fridays, author Dayton English lays out some pros and cons.

We’ve all seen the incredible – and seemingly overnight – success of some successful start-ups. Many early Facebook employees parlayed the extraordinary gains of their time with Mark Zuckerberg into prominent positions at other organizations like Adobe or LinkedIn.

Mistakenly, early start-up employees have dreams of an IPO or stock options dancing about in their heads. The reality is, that while some lucky start-up teams do receive a generous payout for their early contributions, it’s probably not in your best interest to assume you’ll receive the same good fortune.

Regardless, there is a certain cachet attached to working at a start-up, but before you jump at the chance to join one, consider your values and career goals Continue reading →

Master the art of saying no – with grace

Saying-NoImage of sticky note from Shutterstock.

So. You’ve been swamped with work all day, and it’s 4:30. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, when around the corner comes your supervisor or co-worke with a request: “Hey, can you add this to your list? It’s a rush job – it’s gotta be in before 5.”

Sound familiar?

You’re this ( – ) close to going postal, and it’s not the first time. But instead of losing your mind and saying something you might regret, remember that there is a better way to say no. Continue reading →

Ask Yourself These 6 Questions Before Accepting a Job Offer

6-questions-before-jobImage of woman sitting at computer from Shutterstock.

You crushed it in your interview, sailed through the assignments, and you’ve just been offered the job. The compensation package looks great, but is that reason enough to accept the offer? Our very own Corrie Alexander offers some advice.

Even if everything looks good on paper, there may be red flags that are less obvious than salary or workload. Take the time to carefully evaluate all aspects of what accepting the position will really mean. Doing so will help you make the best decision for you, personally, as well as for your career.

Ask yourself the following questions first: Continue reading →

Improve your writing, improve your life

improve-your-writing-headerImage of young woman writing at a desk from Shutterstock.

The ability to write well is a talent that most self-professed “excellent communicators” seem to think they possess – yet the reality is something a little further south of the truth. Even if writing isn’t your chosen profession, it can’t hurt to hone your prowess at the keyboard – and I’ve got four solid reasons why you should:

You’ll boost your career

The very act of writing a cover letter and resume requires the ability to sell yourself on paper – and once you get that job, those wicked writing skills can help you earn more. According to a study from Grammarly, people with stronger writing skills are actually better at their jobs and get paid more. So, get yourself acquainted with Messrs. Strunk & White, and get that money, honey! Continue reading →

7 ways to make Monday mornings at the office suck less

mondays-suck-less-tipsImage of people in subway station from Shutterstock.

Changing your outlook on Mondays isn’t hard, it just requires a few small tweaks to your routine. Writer Corrie Alexander shares 7 ways to start the week off right and turn Monday into Funday.

Nothing sets the tone for the week like a bad Monday morning, right? Take this particular morning, for example: you woke up late, (because you’re exhausted) and just barely made it in for 9AM – and now you’re wayyy behind schedule. To top it all off, you didn’t have time to stop for coffee, and now you’re facing an inbox chock-full of emails without the crutch of caffeine to help you deal. Great.

#mondayfail Continue reading →

Creative Cultures: Left of the dot

Fresh-Gigs-Left-Of-The-DotIn our Creative Cultures series, our writers day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today, writer Crystal Henrickson takes us through a day at Left.

Building an office environment, rich with meaningful and impactful work is no easy feat, but what happens when more than half of your team works on the other side of the planet?

At Left, everything is possible. Headquartered in Maple Ridge, BC, with a team in Khulna and Dhaka, Bangladesh, “Lefties” approach business and life with values top of mind, and the evidence is everywhere. Continue reading →

What I learned: (Mis)communication is everything

fg-miscommunication-is-everythingImage of a confused man from Shutterstock.

Ever had that one freelance gig or landed a job that showed early promise – only to have it do a quick 180º and end up a hot mess? It happens. And it sucks. But instead of beating yourself up or worse, bad-mouthing the company, take a minute to reflect on what you learned during that time. As the saying goes, when you lose, don’t lose the lesson. Writer Melissa Ligertwood shares her story about her stint as a would-be communications rockstar at an oil company…

After a year as a freelance journalist, I moved from BC to Alberta in search of a career in corporate communications. It wasn’t long before I found a position with a growing company and a very attractive salary. The CEO himself sat down in front of me and convinced me that this was where I needed to be.

They wanted to create a position for me, they said. I started with the corporate newsletter, but I had much bigger plans: I was going to build a corporate communications program from scratch. Continue reading →

On the hunt with: Jenesse James

On-The-Hunt-2Image of woman using laptop from Shutterstock

In our On The Hunt series, we interview potential job-seekers (whether out-of-work or transitioning) and talk to them about what the challenges have been, what their goals are, as well as any advice or tips they may have for other job seekers to stay motivated. This week, FreshGigs’ own Joanne M. Brathwaite talks to job hunter Jenesse James.

I was introduced to Jenesse earlier this year through a mutual friend who recommended that she try my resume-writing services to help her boost her job-hunting efforts. During our first conversation, I was immediately struck by her big voice – perfectly-suited for a career in radio, and was surprised when she said that she was actually an administrative professional. Jenesse told me she’s been putting out resumes and “getting close” to landing her ideal job. And while she admits that she can find similar attributes in her current line of work, her heart’s desire is a job in admin.

What did you go to school for?

I started my academic career at York, enrolling in their French Studies program Continue reading →

Lessons Learned: Globe & Mail’s Small Business Summit 

Lessons-Learned-Globe-Mail-Summit

On May 3rd, The Globe & Mail – Canada’s leading newspaper, hosted a Small Business Summit in Toronto at the Intercontinental Hotel. The day was filled with inspirational talks and key lessons valuable for any small business. Here are some takeaways:

Opening Keynote: Harley Finkelstein, COO of Shopify
Transforming a small business into a global giant

Harley went from being a DJ to starting a t-shirt company to studying law and earning an MBA. His involvement with Shopify began in its infant years; he connected with to one of Shopify’s founders Tobias Lutke at a Meet-up like setting.

Have you read our Creative Culture Series on Shopify? At Globe’s Small Business Summit, Harley discusses the importance of building a great culture in order to achieve success. Here are a few highlights from his presentation:  Continue reading →