Say No to Extra work

Some good advise on handling over dose of work...

http://ca.askmen.com/money/career_250/264_say-no-to-extra-work.html

Five ways to reduce risk in every career move

http://www.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/ArticlesDetailView&articleId=CareerJoy20090601File1Article1&lang=EN&cid=551%3a19L%3a13312&articleSource=CareerJoy

Disclaimer at the end of the page

Financial Careers: The next step.

http://www.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/ArticlesDetailView&articleId=sp20090601File1Article1&lang=EN&cid=551%3a19L%3a13311&articleSource=SpecialEN2

Disclaimer at the end of the page

Getting ready to succeed in the financial services industry Part 1– Where to start?

http://www.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/ArticlesDetailView&articleId=sp20090427File1Article2&lang=EN&articleSource=SpecialEN2

Disclaimer at the end of the page

Top 20 LinkedIn Groups ALL Job Seekers MUST Join

http://www.careerrocketeer.com/2009/06/top-20-linkedin-groups-all-job-seekers.html

Article: Certifications: Navigating the Alphabet Soup

Copied from http://news.efinancialcareers-canada.com/newsandviews_item/newsItemId-15606
Disclaimer at bottom of blog

In the financial job market, when it comes to education and credentials, the more the merrier. So how do you determine which are right for you? At a time when many job postings ask for a master's degree and/or a professional designation, earning both is important "if you want to see your resume go to the top of the pile," says Tom Robinson, head of educational content for the CFA Institute.

In a similar vein, Rosilyn Overton, graduate coordinator for finance degree programs at New Jersey City University, believes, "you really need a CFA and a CFP in order to be a complete" financial advisor to individuals. The Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner credentials "are complementary, but lead to different career paths," Overton says. Along with credentials, she agrees financial professionals need "a master's degree in something."

Which Credential Best Matches Your Personal Goals?

Navigating the alphabet soup of designations requires a clear vision of one's own career path. For example, a CFA holder will spend his or her time analyzing companies or managing portfolios, while a CFP holder will work one-on-one helping individual investor clients. "If you're a person who enjoys working with people and getting them organized and getting them doing the right thing, that is the appeal" of going the financial planner route, remarks Overton.

What's more, job responsibilities often change over the course of a career - even if you're not a "career switcher." Drawing a lesson from his own career, Tom Robinson says that in choosing between a master's and a professional designation, "you should think, where do you want to be in 20 years, and then work backward."

A former investment advisor, public accountant and accounting professor, Tom Robinson today manages people rather than money. He oversees 75 staff members who run the CFA program and continuing education programs for CFA Institute members. So, he says, "If I had the time right now, I'd probably go out and get an Executive MBA. Because those are the skills that I need right now."

Here is a rundown of key features of each program, including typical career paths, compensation, costs, admission and qualification requirements.

MBA Degree

MBA programs center around teaching general management skills, "preparing people who can lead organizations, who can lead and develop teams," says Michael Robinson, associate director for MBA admissions at Columbia Business School. While a majority of 2007 Columbia MBA graduates are employed in financial services, Robinson says the program provides a tool kit that can be used to advance in many different industries.

The 2007 class earned a median base salary of $100,000, according to the school's Web site. Tuition and fees come to about $50,000 per year for two years, during which full-time students also forego any salary. "It is expensive, but it's more than outweighed by the advantages that you get from the program," Columbia's Robinson says. Beyond the educational aspects, a key advantage is access to the school's worldwide network of alumni.

Robinson says Columbia will admit roughly 10 percent of program applicants this year, compared with 15 percent last year. (At Columbia as at other schools, the number of applicants tends to surge during business downturns.)

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

The CFP certification "is the gold standard when it comes to giving personal financial advice for individuals and businesses," says Overton. It requires passing a single 10-hour exam given over two days, plus three years of experience related to financial planning. The certification's subject matter includes retirement and estate planning, insurance, tax and investment planning. To be eligible to take the exam, most candidates must complete a post-graduate education program registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. (This prerequisite is waived for past or present CPA licensees, attorneys, CFA charter holders, and holders of a few other finance-related licenses or degrees.)

Pass rates for the CFP exam, after taking a "registered program," fall within the 55-62 percent range, Overton says. About 40 percent of CFP holders are employed by large companies like brokerages, banks and large insurers, while many others work for boutique financial planning firms, she adds.

A survey by the College for Financial Planning found planners earned a median of $136,000 after one to four years of experience, rising to $263,000 for 10 to 14 years. However, Overton says, "It's not unusual here in the New York City area to have CFP professionals who are making around $500,000 per year."

Chartered Market Technician (CMT)

Market technicians analyze chart patterns to forecast price movements for stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies or any other traded instrument. CMT charter holders must pass a series of three examinations administered by the Market Technicians Association and must have a minimum three years of "acceptable work experience."

Most CMT holders are traders who may work for a broad range of employers, says Philip Roth, chief technical market analyst at Miller Tabak & Co. Some trade for themselves or publish market letters, while others work for hedge funds or institutions, manage technically-driven mutual funds, or act as market-makers on an exchange. "People like me, an in-house technical sell-side analyst, are something of a dying breed," Roth observes.

Successful graduates of the program continue to hire CMT holders for trading roles. Jordan Kotick, head of global technical strategy at Barclays Capital, favors CMT holders, as does Dodge Dorland, chief investment officer at LANDOR Capital Management and past president of both the MTA and of NYSSA, Roth says.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The CFA curriculum centers around fundamental analysis of companies and securities, plus techniques for constructing and managing portfolios that meet the needs of various categories of investors. Many CFA holders work for institutional money managers or for private wealth management firms, says CFA Institute's Tom Robinson.

The credential requires passing three exams plus a minimum of four years' investment experience. The institute recommends candidates devote between 250 and 300 hours of study time per exam. In recent years, between 30 and 40 percent of candidates have passed Level I, 40-50 percent passed Level II and 50-70 percent passed Level III.

A survey of members' total compensation for 2006 found equity portfolio managers in the U.S. with less than five years of experience earned a median of $205,000, rising to $499,000 for those with more than 10 years' experience. For buy-side equity research analysts, the corresponding figures were $149,000 and $325,000, with similar numbers for sell-side equity analysts. Fixed-income professionals reported lower compensation.

Networking for CFA holders takes place primarily through local analysts' societies, which are affiliated with the CFA Institute.

The experts spoke at a New York Society of Security Analysts "career chat" on professional designations and degrees.

LinkedIn Profile Extreme Makeover

A good guide to do a makeover to your LinkedIn profile

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/01/linkedin_profil.html

Ten ways to use LinkedIn

By Guy Kawasaki

1. Increase your visibility
2. Improve connectability
3. Improve Google Page Rank
4. Enhance search engine results
5. Perform blind, “reverse,” and company reference checks.
6. Increase the relevancy of your job search
7. Make your interview go smoother
8. Gauge the health of a company.
9. Gauge the health of an industry
10. Track startups

Detailed info at http://blog.linkedin.com/blog/2007/07/ten-ways-to-use.html

Validity of passport required for getting PR/Work permit

During a recent discussion the following point came into notice

• If you are applying for a 1 year work permit and your passport expires in 9 months, you will get a work permit for 9 months. You need to get your passport renewed and then get the rest 3 months of work permit
• Same care has to be taken in the case of PR

Changes to the Post Graduate work permit program

According to the announcement made on April 21, 2008 (available @ link ), there are some changes to the Post Graduate work permit program (details @ link). A recent seminar highlighted some points which are of concern to the Queen's MBA (or any similar 1 yr program) international students.

Before	Now
Job Offer required for applying for work permit	Job Offer NOT required for applying for work permit
Application for work permit to be submitted within 90 days of course completion	--No change/Same as previous--
Duration of work permit = 1 calendar year	--No change/Same as previous--
Work Permit has an employer's name on it	Work permit DOES NOT have any employer's name
While on Post Graduate Work Permit, if a person changes a job, he needs a new work permit (new work permit might/might not be post graduate work permit)	Person can change job. No new work permit required
At the time of application of work permit, student's permit should be valid	--No change/Same as previous--
Health insurance coverage under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)	No health insurance coverage
Passport should be valid till the date of work permit sought. Otherwise, work permit will be only till the validity of passport. However work permit can be extended (same type of work permit) after getting passport renewal for the remaining duration	--No change/Same as previous--
Labour Market Opinion (LMO) or HRSDC approval not required	--No change/Same as previous--
The job has to be in relation to the field of study	It can be ANY job--job need NOT be in relation to field of study

 Some questions related to the above changes

Q: What if my student's visa/permit expires before my 90 days limit?
A: The student's visa/permit can be renewed to get benefit of full 90 days period

Q: What is meant by course completion?
A: For courses requiring a thesis submission, the date of submission of revised thesis is considered as the course completion date. For courses requiring exams, the date of availability of the course's final total marks on the mark-sheet is taken as the course completion certificate.

Q: Can I apply when I am outside Canada to inside Canada office?
A: Not recommended. Someone else can send your completed application from inside Canada to an office inside Canada. A Canadian address is required on the form

Q: When does the 1 year period start?
A: The date of issue of the work permit marks the start of the 1 year work permit period.

Q: What if I go on a vacation during this 1 year period?
A: You are "eating into" your 1 year work permit period.

Q: What after my Post-Graduate work permit expires?
A: A normal work permit has to be applied. The company applies for it as it has to get a LMO approval. It is suggested that the company mentions on its work permit application form (submitted on behalf of the person) that the person was originally hired as a part of post-graduate work permit program.
Note: LMO approval takes about 6-8 months. So start the process through your employer taking this time into consideration...i.e. apply about 6-8 months before your post graduate work permit expires.

Q: What are the changes in the health insurance?
A: Earlier work permits carried a name of employer and the employees were covered under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) {for companies in Ontario}. Now since the work permit carries no name of employer, the work permit holder has to get the insurance himself. This might require him to buy from private companies. There is a provision of extension of his University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) till some months in future.
Note: More details are awaited on this point.

Q: I am already on a Post Graduate work permit. Can I still take benefit of these changes?
A: Yes. The work permit can be changes accordingly.

Q: What all is required for getting a work permit?
A: Details at link

Note: Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required for getting a salary. Once you get a work permit, the same can be obtained within few days.

Useful Link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.asp

Note: At the time of this blog post, the details of the new policy were not updated on the CIC web-site.

Disclaimer: The blog post author takes no responsibility for the correctness of the information posted here. The information can change or maybe applicable in a different manner for different people. Complete disclaimer at bottom of blog

Government of Canada introduces changes to work permits for international students, making Canada more attractive for skilled individuals

Vancouver, April 21, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced changes to work permits for international students who graduate from eligible programs at certain Canadian post-secondary institutions, making it easier to attract foreign students to Canada.

Effective immediately, and for the first time, these international students would be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer. In addition, the duration of the work permit has been extended to three years across the country. Previously, the program only allowed international students to work for one or two years, depending on location.

“The Government of Canada wants more foreign students to choose Canada and we want to help them succeed,” said Minister Finley. “Open and longer work permits provide international students with more opportunities for Canadian work experience and skills development. This will, in turn, help make Canada a destination of choice, and help us keep international students already studying in Canada.”

The increased flexibility offered by the expanded program will benefit graduates and employers alike as the program will help international students get important work experience while responding to Canada’s labour market needs. Canada will benefit in the long run as the professional experience gained will help graduates meet the requirements to stay permanently in Canada

More at link

When changing careers, highlight transferable skills

(Article by Kim Isaacs @ Monster Canada)

A huge challenge career changers face is preparing a winning resume. After all, it's arduous enough when you have ample related experience. Writing this crucial document becomes even more painstaking when you're looking to take a completely new career direction.
Your saving grace: Transferable skills.

More at http://resume.monster.ca/9727_en-CA_p1.asp

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (for international students studying for min 8 months in Canada)

If you want to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. (Source:a)

About the program in one snapshot (as extracted from various documents and links mentioned later)

1. Job Offer letter required for applying
2. Job has to be in the field of study
3. Employer doesn't need labour market opinion from Service Canada/Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)
4. Apply within 90 days of final mark issue
5. Get a letter of study completion from college or a notification of graduation
6. Have valid student permit at time of application
7. Person can leave Canada with new documents (point need to be checked further)

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program: The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience in their field of studies. This program allows all participants to work up to one year in the Montréal, Toronto or Vancouver areas, and to work up to two years everywhere else in Canada. (Source: a)

A work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program cannot be valid for a longer period than the length of your studies. For example, if you graduate from a four-year degree program, you could be eligible for a one- or two-year work permit if you meet the criteria. If you graduate from an eight-month certificate program, you would be eligible for a work permit that is valid for no more than eight months.(Source: a)

Who may apply for a work permit of up to one year under this program? (Source: b)

You may apply for a work permit of up to one year if you:

• graduated from a program of full-time study (of at least eight months) at:
  • a public post-secondary institution; or
  • a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government (currently, only private college-level educational institutions in Quebec fit that description); or
  • a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial law to confer degrees.
• have a job offer from an employer for a job that is related to your field of studies;
• have a valid study permit when you apply for the work permit; and
• have not previously been issued a work permit for post-graduation employment following any other course of study.

 

Working after graduation—How to apply (Source:c)

If you want to work after completing your studies in Canada, you must apply for a post-graduation work permit, if you meet all of the eligibility requirements.

There are five steps to apply for the post-graduation work permit:

1. Obtain an application kit
2. Read the guide.
3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.
4. Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt.
5. Mail the application form and documents.

 

What is required in the job offer letter? (Source: d)

This letter must be an original letter on company letterhead and must contain the following:

1. Job title & job description (the job must be related to the student’s field of studies)
2. The education, skills and experiences required for the job
3. Start date of employment
4. Salary and other job benefits
5. Average number of hours of work per week
6. Address of the location of employment where student will be working

 

Sources:

(a) http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp

(b) Applying for a Work Permit - Student Guide:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/pdf/kits/guides/5580E.PDF

(c) http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad-how.asp

(d) http://www.sds.uwo.ca/int/documents/postgrad_employer.pdf

 

Other Useful links:

• http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/information/applications/work-students.asp
• http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/intstugrad.shtml
• http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-worker.asp
• http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/medexams-temp.asp
• http://www.canadaworkpermit.com/faq/general.html

Disclaimer: The post just has information collected from different links. Certain information and procedures mentioned here might change with time and the blog-author takes no responsibility for any consequence emerging out of the information presented and if it is out-dated.

Trends Affecting Recruiter Attitudes

TopMBA indicates the following trends..

• Globalization
• Salary Equalization
• Business upswing cycle
• Small companies employment trend

Details at link

CAP 4: Etiquette and Dining

Yes! believe me or not, this was one session which I wanted to attend since years and finally got a real session.
It covered everything from hand-shaking technique, table-manners to dining etiquettes.
The speaker, Susan Snider of Etiquette for Success (http://www.etiquetteforsuccess.com/) answered each participant's questions with the same enthusiasm as they asked the questions.
The session was with an objective of OCR information session dining sessions in mind...as a prep for the upcoming OCR season.

CAP 4: A real eye opener for the OCR

The Queen's BCC (Business Career Centre) has been working real hard and has been coming up with sessions to improve our business network, enhance our professional skills and creating an awareness for what all is required to ace the interviews. The CAP sessions are conducted at various intervals with these objectives in mind.
The start of module 4 was padded with a 3-day CAP 4 session.
The 4th of the CAP series started with a detail on the OCR (On-Campus-Recruitment) eye-opener, if i can call it...with all the myths and realities unfolded before us.
There was a session on interviews, cover-letters, customized resumes for companies, case interview prep session.