Editor:
As part of my recent student teaching practicum I got to teach a Planning 10 class about job seeking.
In the hope of bringing some real-world relevance to the topic, I approached several local managers to ask what employers look for in résumés, cover letters, and job interviews. I thought I might be able to twist the arm of one or two into looking over a few student job applications. In the event, I had so many people offer to help that I didn’t even have enough résumés to go around to all of them.
Managers from Panago, Tim Hortons, Domino’s, Home Hardware, Walmart, Subway, Save-On Foods, and the Williams Lake Tribune all offered to look over student résumés despite the fact that this is the busiest time of year for many of them. They also provided many specific ideas for what we should talk about in class.
Incredibly, two local managers went even further and agreed to come into the class. Gord Flatt of Rona and Natasha Lycett from Staples both took time out of their work day to provide their managerial expertise to our class along with hiring guides, good advice, and mock interviews.
This huge amount of community support helped to ground the topic in reality and gave students a chance to get extremely valuable interview experience and employer feedback. I am encouraged and grateful that local businesses are willing to support young, up-and-coming workers with this kind of guidance and attention. I am glad to think that as these students enter the workplace they will find managers who do have high standards for them but who are also willing to help them learn and succeed. All of the managers I spoke to stressed that they hope to continue to provide this support and that they see the value of local businesses supporting local students.
In a time when many communities and businesses are feeling the economic pinch, I think this is something our community should be proud of.
Thank you again to all the managers who participated.
Devon Hancock
Dog Creek