Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
We are strong advocates of Success Stories, or “PAR Stories” as they are sometimes called. Success stories are short stories that capture results you have achieved in the past. Stories need to be specific enough that they can be told with a “Problem/ Action/ Result” (PAR) format.
Be open to opportunity
Last December, a client dropped by our office in the late afternoon. He had broken into O&G by working through a temporary personnel firm that had placed him at an independent oil company. When Heather asked him how things were going he said, “Good for everyone who is full-time in the company — they all just got a bonus today. The lowest bonus was $9000 for the mail room staff.”
Heather asked why he wasn’t at work and he replied that the whole staff was at a Christmas party. Then she asked him if his manager knew he was interested in full time work. When he said no, Heather pounded her fist on the table and told him to get himself over to the party and talk to his manager about his ambitions.
Off he went, and he got that full-time job. This story illustrates the amazing opportunities to make money in this city. More importantly, it shows how people fail to see the open door in front of them and how to go through it. That’s what this book will show you!
Successes include those times when you feel proud of your accomplishment. They are times when you feel you’ve made a difference or contributed something of value. We suggest that before connecting with employers you spend time writing out as many stories as you can to refresh your memory and make recall easier.
Your stories can be dramatic or ordinary. What’s importantis that you feel proud of these experiences and feel good about your involvement. For each story, start by describing a particular problem or situation you encountered. Then describe the action you took. Then describe the result. Give each story a title so that you will remember it easily.
This may seem an onerous task, but it’s time well spent. Once you have your stories documented, you will begin to see patterns of skill sets emerge. Beyond your training, education or work history, these stories provide concrete evidence of your unique value to an employer.
Why document success stories?
Several good reasons. Success stories can:
Energize us and boost our confidence, particularily when making a career change
Help us to see our skills and values more clearly
Point us in the right direction when searching for new opportunities
Provide employers with evidence of our skills and abilities
Set us apart from other candidates with similar qualifications
Help solidify connections
Help us excel in interview situations
You will use these stories repeatedly when you begin to network. They will help guide you to companies where you can add value. You will include them – in condensed versions – within your cover letters and resumes. And you will not succeed in a behavioural descriptive interview without a story lineup that proves you have the skills you say you have.
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Monday, April 12th, 2010
101-252 Financial Analyst
Our Client, a leader in energy transportation, distribution and services, has an opening for a Financial Analyst.
Key Skills:
• Financial modeling
• Strong contract review abilities
• Business Development experience
• 15+ years experience
If you are interested, please apply online at www.prominent-personnel.ca
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Friday, April 9th, 2010
Oilpatch EX (www.oilpatchex.com), is the new leading-edge course that provides a comprehensive, hands-on and unique introduction to the oil and gas industry.
JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group, Emerge Learning, Rainmaker Global Business Development, and Faroe-Islands based Simprentis have partnered together to develop a state-of-the art program designed to be the next generation of oil and gas industry training. The program features an innovative three-part learning system:
1. Participants begin by spending an interactive day with their peers in the classroom getting a big picture overview of the industry including all components of the upstream, midstream and downstream value chain.
2. On day two, participants are immersed in a computer-based simulation, OilSim, in which they are grouped into teams and act as energy companies tasked with exploring for economically viable sources of oil and gas.
3. Tying both days together are two e-learning modules focused on exploration and drilling and completions, designed to enhance the classroom learning experience and prepare participants for the OilSim competition.
Posted in Training & Seminars | 2 Comments »
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
When Heather moved back to Calgary from Vancouver in the spring of 2005, she had $3000 and no home. Each day she felt like she climbed up a tree and then went far out on a branch, making offers to different people and companies. Many of these offers did not pan out. Each rejection felt like a branch had broken and down she crashed. The irony is that the further out one goes on the branch, opening oneself to making vulnerable offers, the better the reward.
Heather actually found that once she had crashed down from a few branches, it actually became easier to shimmy up the tree again. The more connections she made, the stronger the tree, the more plentiful each branch. She did everything she could to hold the thoughts and images of a new life in Calgary. And it worked. Her business is thriving.
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
101-251 Office Manager
Our Client is committed to becoming western Canada’s leading integrated engineering, procurement, construction and management service provider, to customers worldwide. This Client maintains the highest standard of ethics in all aspects of their business. Their integrity and reputation are among their most valued assets and are considered essential elements in their continued quest for sustained profitability.
The successful Candidate will be responsible for organizing and coordinating office operations in order to ensure organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Qualifications:
• Engineering firm experience
• Previous office manager experience
• Little supervision required
• Handles stress with ease, flexible
• Anticipate needs in the office in terms of supplies, billings etc.
• Must be detail oriented
• Quickbooks
To apply, click on our website link and apply on-line.
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Monday, April 5th, 2010
Catherine has certainly experienced this Law of Attraction first hand. When she was just 18 she put together a storybook of what she wanted her life to look like. Using a picture collage and snippets of writing, she described living in a log home with a mountain view, owning her own business, traveling, writing a book, experiencing great relationships, and having an open door for anyone who needs it. Piece by piece, it has all come true.
The more tools you use to articulate and visualize the type of job you want, the better able you will be to attract that job into your life. Cut out images from magazines and books that align with your wants, dreams and desires. Write down ideas about a perfect day on the job. Share details with others about what you are looking for. (For free inspiration, check out Barbara Sher’s Wishcraft online at www.wishcraft.com.)
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Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Do you know where your career is going? If not, any road could take you there! Mapping out a PLAN, for your purpose on the planet, is recommended for increasing performance and productivity. For coaching inquiries, please contact Carmen at cgoss@prominent-personnel.ca.
Posted in Training & Seminars | No Comments »
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
As a member of Rotary, Catherine Brownlee President of Prominent Personnel, is part of a committee that is putting together a large crate full of medical supplies. We have the supplies and we are interested in sending “stuffies” like stuffed animals, blankets, and other soft materials to stuff in between the supplies. If you have relatively new items that you would like to send, please contact Catherine at cbrownlee@prominent-personnel.ca.
Posted in Helping Others | No Comments »