Millions of Canadians in mourning for their careers
Maureen McCann
Top Canadian career strategist empowering C-suite and senior executives to land six-figure roles faster. Trusted to navigate complex transitions. 16X Award-Winning Resume Writer & 11X Nationally Certified Strategist.
Between March 15 and April 7, the number of claims for Canada’s employment insurance program and the federal government's new emergency workers benefit combined had surged to 4.26 million — which is more than 11 percent of Canada’s entire population and around 21 percent of its workforce, this according to Politico.
Statistics Canada releases it’s Labour Force Survey today. If you’re unfamiliar with this report it measures the current state of the Canadian labour market and is used to calculate the national, provincial, territorial and regional unemployment rates.
If you’re a Canadian experiencing sudden career loss, here’s the best advice I can offer from a career professional perspective:
1) Allow yourself to go through the grieving process. You’ve lost your job, maybe your workplace community and the income used to support your family. It’s a lot to take in all at once.
2) Sit down and assess your financial options. These may include benefits from your employer, your province and/or your country. Assess and weigh your options before you begin designing the way ahead. Knowing where you stand financially is an important factor to consider before moving forward with your job search.
3) Begin to consider how you’ll conduct your job search. For now, think in terms of small manageable pieces. This is not a race. Remember, Quality over Quantity wins the day.
Here are some resources I’ve shared with job seekers looking for information on how to process job loss, where to turn for help and how to make sure they are moving in the right direction.
Resources for Jobseekers
What to do immediately after you’ve lost your job
Video 1 | Dealing with job loss
Video 2 | Job Search Foundations
In-demand Soft Skills | 2020
Resume Fodder | Paying attention to your strengths
Video 3 | Research. Collecting your data
Before you apply online video | Applying online. What works and what doesn’t
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) | Are you eligible?
Video 4 | Telling your career stories
The Government of Canada created the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to support Canadians financially in these initial weeks.
Unfortunately, numerous scams and frauds have been reported to the Government. The Anti-Fraud Center has therefore created a section of its web site dedicated to COVID-19 related scams. I highly recommend you give it a few moments of your time. It may stop you from sharing your personal information with people posing as Government of Canada officials online and on the phone.
Wherever you get your information, be sure you check the source. These are the Government of Canada sites I’ve been following and sharing for the most up-to-date information.
Government of Canada LinkedIn sites
Government of Canada Websites
- Anti-Fraud Center
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Department of Finance Canada
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Mental Health Commission of Canada
Canadians in need of job support
If you are a Canadian who recently lost your job, know you are not alone. There are career professionals across the nation ready to assist you. I encourage you to learn about the work we do to support Canadians.
Career Professionals of Canada | Member Directory
Canadian Council of Career Development | List of Provincial Association
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About me
I help executives, business leaders, government officials and political influencers find and secure meaningful work. Most known as an executive resume writer creating compelling, engaging marketing collateral for industry-leading professionals, I collaborate best with those who want to change the world.
A fierce advocate of career development, I help clients define clear career paths, understand the hiring process, design strategies to secure ideal opportunities and land jobs faster.
I listen to you, learn about your situation, design an effective strategy and advise you to execute a savvy, efficient career transition.
CEO of LabourX. Helping global clients make sense of the world of work
4 年Maureen, thank you for these thoughts. "Wherever you get your information, be sure you check the source." Well said.
Geologist at the Government of Alberta
4 年I’ve heard from so many friends and colleagues impacted at this time with changes to their careers and employment ... I’d like to add, that this is our chance, within our networks and connections on LinkedIn, to provide support as best we can to those impacted. When this happened to me, my colleagues and connections here on LinkedIn helped me get through it, and I’m grateful. While we are distanced from one another during this time, we can still be connected and support one another.
Medical Devices Design Quality Engineer @ Straumann | 4+ years experience | EX-Zimmer, Alstom, Siemens | FDA QSR | EU MDR | MDSAP | ISO 13485 | ISO 14971 | IEC 62304 | IEC 62366 | M.Eng, B.Eng., Mech
4 年It is indeed overwhelming Maureen McCann , I am very positive about the recovery.
Award-Winning Author, The Canary Code | Professor, Organizational Psychology & Business | Speaker | Culture | HR | Inclusion | Belonging | Wellbeing | ?? Moral Injury | Neurodiversity | Autism @ Work | Global Diversity |
4 年Thank you for such caring post, Maureen McCann . These are trying times and we need to be kind to each other.
30+ years of coaching decision makers, helping to find best options to outfit teams with uniforms, apparel & sports equipment. Honest straight forward customer service, fast delivery, complete price transparency. DM me.
4 年Maureen, I really appreciate all the information the TRUE LEADERS in your profession have been sharing on LinkedIn. It is truly apocalyptic what is going on. Millions of people will be searching for their next revenue stream. As a small business owner with NO INCOMING BUSINESS it's not just me and my family being affected, it's all of my employees! Anyway, I appreciate everything that is being posted. I absolutely look forward to engaging in some informational conversations to find my next adventure. I have decades worth of contacts the sporting goods industry so if anybody needs any help please reach out to me. Be safe.