March 28, 2024

esacetheinterviewBY EMMIE SIROKY

There’s lots of things to take into account when trying to find the perfect job. According to Statistics Canada, seven per cent of the Canadian population is unemployed. At the beginning of 2015 the unemployment rate was slightly lower, at 6.7 per cent.

The Conestoga Career Centre, located on Weber Street by the Waterloo campus, is trying to help lower that unemployment rate. The centre is in a partnership with Employment Ontario to help people in the Kitchener-Waterloo area find jobs. Every month the centre holds a workshop called Ace the Interview. The workshop is open to the public and teaches interview and job skills.

“It’s to prepare our clients who are job seekers with interview strategies and skills,” said Danielle Prosser, the Ace the Interview workshop specialist. “We provide services to the public to help them gain their career goals and employment. We also run these out in Stratford as well as occasionally at the Welcome Centre at Doon campus.”

The workshop is geared toward those trying to get jobs, but is not limited to the unemployed. Some people come to gain more job skills for their current position and gain knowledge to get a promotion in their company.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 year,” said Jennifer Davis, the instructor for Ace the Interview. “I got into this field after my own unemployment and kind of learning from that perspective.

“If they have a job it’s important to stay current. If they have a job they probably wouldn’t have time to come out here … but (if they) aren’t happy in their job, it’s important to keep up-to-date in your Linkedin and keep (in touch with) your contacts.”

The Conestoga Career Centre is tucked away in a small plaza, but that doesn’t stop people from finding them and seeking out their help. Over 20 people show up to the workshop every week. The Conestoga Career Centre is located at 285 Weber St. in Waterloo and can be reached at 519-885-0300.

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