Welcome to our blog !

Dear students of Brebeuf,

Welcome on our blog! As a first post, we will introduce ourselves. We are the hosts of the ''Get a Job'' radio show broadcasted live from Brebeuf's studios, in Montreal. Our goal is to maximise your chances of getting a job by teaching you how to adopt a good professional etiquette. On this website, you will find summaries of useful articles and videos. Also, we will post recordings of our live radio show in case you've missed them or if you want to hear them again. Finally, you, our auditors, are essential to our show. Therefore, don't be afraid to post comments or questions. We will obviously do our best to help you,

Cordially,
Bradley, Alexe, Yu Chen and Amélie

How to be professional?

Hello again dear students of Brebeuf,

Adopting a professional attitude is really important, obviously during the interview, but also in your work environment. We found an article about “How to be professional”. You can click on the link if you want to read it, or you can just take a look at the summary that we’ve made for you:



­"Being professional is based on making good personal decisions as is discussed in this article. We can also say that professionalism is not only important in the workplace but also in our everyday lives. First of all, it is important to know what being a professional means. In fact, mainly it’s to be engaged and committed in his work. In addition it is important to be accessible to others, so you can’t focus solely on your work. You can demonstrate this connection with others by demonstrating good business etiquette. For example, you shouldn’t complain about the amount of work and you should always be proactive. Controlling your emotions shows good work ethic and you should never take any decisions or make any sudden actions while under the influence of your anger. Also, being professional is synonym of being savvy about job’s fields of interest, and lying is the worst alternative. Furthermore, professionalism is also about always giving your 100% and by staying true to your promises. For example, if you have to explain something to a group you have to do so as if they have no knowledge on the subject. To sum it all up, professionalism requires a person to be exact and confident about what they`re saying. Likewise, you have to demonstrate your professionalism by assigning tasks to others and by being grateful. In addition being professional requires that you give special attention to your image; you have to find middle ground because exaggerating isn’t any better. In general, your professionalism is the demonstration of your control in diverse situations. For example, if you are caught in a situation in which you are in disagreement you must ignore your personal wishes and accept the situation as is. In conclusion, professionalism is proof of your maturity and you should always think before you act. In certain situations it might be hard but if you succeed you will separate yourself from the rest".

Bradley, Yu Chen, Alexe and Amélie

Best interview strategies

Dear readers,

Last week, we found an interesting article about the best strategies to adopt during interviews. You can find this article on the following website:
http://www.best-interview-strategies.com/during-job-interviews.html. Or else, you can read the summary we've made about it:

“In order to succeed in interviews, you need a handful of strategies. First of all,
you need to project a good image by arriving early: for example, if you arrive
15 minutes before the interview, you can relax and prepare yourself. In case
you are going to be late, you should show respect by calling and explaining the
reason of your delay. Also, make your introduction count so you can stand out
of the crowd. You can do this by making frequent smiles, eye contact and repeating
their names now and then. It is important to show confidence through your hand
shake and your voice tone. After your introduction, you should pay attention to
your posture. For example, do not slouch in your chair and sit comfortably. You
should show your true personality without being too casual. It’s important to
choose what is important to say when you answer questions because your answers
really count. The preparation before the interview is also very important
because you won’t be surprised and you’ll demonstrate confidence. You should
ask questions at the end of the interview to demonstrate that you didn’t lose
any interest. Keep in mind that you want the job and show it to the interviewers.
However you should choose your questions wisely, for example don’t talk about
salary. Finally, at the end of interview, don’t forget to hand in all your
documents. Also, shake the hand of your interviewers and thank them for their
time.”

A glimpse on next week's show

Dear readers,

Here is the program sheet of next week's show. You'll be able to hear it Monday at 10a.m. on the Professional Radio broadcasting channel (Brebeuf's broadcasting channel). However, the recording of this show will also be on our website in two weeks.

Music (≈47 seconds)
Get a Job, by The Silhouettes

Opening of the radio show (≈24seconds)
→General information of the show (name of the show, where it is broadcasted, the show’s mandate,…)
→Speaker: host (Bradley)

Link to first feature (≈16 seconds)
→ Many people worried about not receiving any response after sending C.Vs
→ Speaker: co-host (Alexe)

First feature (≈ 2min. 58 seconds)
→ What is a cover letter
→ The difference between a cover letter and a C.V.
→ The importance of writing a cover letter
→ Form of the feature: a caller (student of Brebeuf) who talks about his job searching
experience with the help of a cover letter
→Speakers: Feature presenter (co-host:Amélie), Caller (Yu Chen) and one intervention (Bradley)

Ad break (≈48 seconds)
→ Brebeufopolis, free job recruitment website for summer jobs
→ Speaker: co-host (Amélie)

Link to second feature (≈20 seconds)
→ After applying for a job, the next step is the interview, the first face-to-face contact with your
future employer
→ Speaker: co-host (Alexe)

Second feature (≈2min. 39 seconds)
→ Tips on how to succeed during our job interviews
→ Form: Jessica Smith, who is the main director of human resources at General Motors of Canada, gives those tips
→ Speakers: Feature presenter: host (Bradley), Caller (Alexe)

Link to third (last) feature (≈42 seconds)
→ You must maintain professional etiquette even after getting the job
→ Speakers: co-hosts (Amélie and Alexe)

Third feature (≈2min. 39seconds)
→ Tips on how to have a good workplace etiquette
→ Form: discussion between the four co-hosts
→ Speakers: Bradley, Yu Chen, Alexe and Amélie


Closing (≈17 seconds)
→ Host thanks the auditors and puts the emphasis on the importance of adopting a good
professional at work
→Talks about a future radio show
→Speaker: host (Bradley)

Song (≈35 seconds)
Get a Job, by The Silhouettes

Total : ≈11minutes 25 seconds

Last week's show

This is the recording of last week's show! It is the perfect chance for you guys to hear it again or to listen it if you've missed it! We hope you'll enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3eh5YpU77iM

Your hosts,
Bradley, Yu Chen, Alexe and Amélie

How should I act during an interview?

Dear readers,

We found another interesting article about how you should act during an interview. You can find this article on the following link: "How should I act during the interview"

Or else, if you prefer, you could read the summary that we've made for you:

"During an interview, there is a good and a bad way to act and the purpose of this article is to show us the professional way to act, in five important points. You have to be prepared so you won't be surprised by an unexpected situation. First of all, you should show a confident attitude and you should know your abilities in order to be able to sell yourself to your interviewer. If you are usually stressed person, you should try to control it. You shouldn't elaborate too much about your past accomplishments to avoid repetition. Frequent smiles help to build a good atmosphere and a good connection between you and your interviewer. In addition, you need to be optimistic because it projects a good image. Eye contact is crucial to demonstrate interest in what your interviewer is asking of you. Also you're interest can be shown through a certain knowledge about company activities. Furthermore, your body language is very important during the interview and many tips are given about what you should avoid. Casual ways to act aren't necessarily suitable for an interview. In a nutshell, all these important points will help you make a good first impression. Remember that you have to give the best impression possible because this will stay in the mind of your interviewer".

Your hosts,
Bradley, Yu Chen, Alexe and Amélie

Impress with your introductions

Dear readers,

Most of the time, your first face-to-face contact with your potential employer is made with your introduction. Therefore, it is really important to make a good first impression with your introductions. We found an interesting video where Sindy Seid, an etiquette coach, lists the important points to remember while introducing yourself. You can watch her video on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqQYS50TyfM. However, as always, you can read the summary we've made about it:

“In this video, Sindy Seid, an etiquette coach,
presents the main rules to make a good first impression with your introductions
in a professional environment. First of all, with your first words, you should
always put the emphasis on the most important person. Obviously, during an
interview, this person is the interviewer. In addition, mentioning your
interlocutors’ title is a good way to show them respect and to demonstrate that
you made a certain research. Therefore, your interlocutors will know that you
give interest to them. Also, you should highlight this emphasis by using the
“you focus” and by repeating as much as possible their name. It is always
flattering to ear our name and your interlocutor will appreciate it. Moreover,
you have to be concise and go straight to the point. Furthermore, you should
avoid using the word “meet” while introducing two people because it puts the
emphasis on one person in spite of the other Also, you should name people in a
polite and respectful way: For example, when you are addressing yourself to you
interlocutors, you should say “Ms.” or “Mr.” followed by their family name. In
fact, calling someone by their first name may be considered disrespectful in a
professional environment, unless it is followed by their last name. Finally,
when you are introducing two people, you shouldn’t be afraid to give
information about them because this will lead them to have a discussion and you’ll
be able to leave and go meet other people. Moreover, this strategy is also good
when you meet someone, such as your future employer. In fact, asking questions
and giving information about yourself will nourish the conversation and your
interlocutor might find common points of interests with you. In conclusion,
many rules should be followed during your introductions in a professional
environment since it’s the first verbal contact you’ll have with other people.
Introductions are an important factor for the first impression you project”.

Your hosts,
Bradley, Yu Chen, Alexe and Amélie