Experience For Hire 45+
Welcome to the Experience For Hire Program, An Innovative Holistic Approach designed to address the unique needs of mature job seekers. Join our program and discover first hand why so many businesses are tapping into the older work force.

Specifically designed to address the unique needs of the mature worker, the Experience For Hire program has an innovative holistic approach to helping those aged 45+ secure employment. Our motto is that "Nobody Has a Shelf Life!" Our program combines self/career exploration with applied job search strategies, and also offers job development for those who require additional help to connect with employers. Participants have access to group support and one-on-one coaching which builds self-confidence! Experience For Hire will provide you with ALL the tools needed to successfully market yourself and all you have to offer.

Week 1: Self Assessments

A full week of self assessment and career planning customized to help you:

• Explore emotions associated with transitions, change and job loss
• Assess how to best prepare yourself for future employment
• Understand your employability skills, personality, interests and values

Description of Week 1 Workshop Modules:

Employment Readiness

How are you managing change and transition in order to facilitate a successful re-entry into the work force. Is this the right time for you to be looking for work? Find out through fun, interactive workshops

Starting Points

Where are you at emotionally? What strategies can help you overcome your barriers? Take a journey through your past experiences and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Personal Skills Inventory

What skills are you most proud of? Assess what your Top 5 hard skills, soft skills, transferable skills and values are.

Career Decision Making Assessment

What is your best fit? Find out what work environment best fits your style.

Guided Online Assessments

What is your worth? Assess if you have the tools to get you employed

Career Crossroads

Looking for a change or do you want to stay on the same track? Career Crossroads can help you assess what direction to take.

Personality Dimensions

What is your style? Find your “colour” find your fit. Learn how your personality fits with those around you.

Week 2: Labour Market Information and Job Search Techniques

• Research current labour market trends, occupational, education and self employment information
• Discover job search strategies, networking, and the hidden job market
• Develop strategies to overcome barriers to employment

Description of Week 2 Workshop Modules:

Labour Market Information

Wondering what the labour market holds for the 45+? Find out what is hot what is not in the labour market. Research current market trends, occupational information

Occupational Goal Setting

Do you have trouble identifying which career path to follow? Explore available career opportunities suitable to your needs and create realistic goals

Job Search Strategies

Is the 21st century job search a mystery? Learn how to effectively network, access the hidden job market, develop job leads and contact employers.

Informational Interview

Have you wondered about how to stay competitive and increase networks? Learn how to obtain information about a company or industry first-hand, before committing to employment with the company or industry of interest.

Self Employment

Is self employment an option for you? Find out through hands on pre-employment assessments

Online Applications

Do you wonder about online applications? Get hands on practical experience on how to make online applications

Week 3: Resume, Cover Letter, Interview Preparation and Interview Practice

• Prepare your cover letter and resume to highlight your knowledge and experience
Build your interview ability and confidence
• Map out your next steps to stay on the job search track after three weeks

Description of Week 3 Workshop Modules:

The 45+ Resume and References

What does a 45+ resume look like? Learn how to create a resume that effectively communicates the needs of employers and how your skills, experience, and training match the needs of the employer.

The 45+ Cover Letter

Do you need a cover letter that attracts attention? Learn to write a brief, hard hitting letter to generate interest, enthusiasm, and an invitation for an interview.

Interview Preparation

Haven’t had an interview lately? Learn to succinctly present your experience, offer thoughtful answers to typical interview questions, and ask well researched questions about the organization, all as a part of an effective strategy to market yourself.

Interview Practice

Wondered about providing yourself feedback? Watch yourself perform at interview and get a chance to see how the employer sees you through recorded video interviews.

Next Steps

Now what after the three weeks? Develop action plans that recognize obstacles and identify strategies to overcome the obstacles and partner with a classmate to maintain motivation during the job search period.

Twelve week Follow-up

Receive regularly scheduled one-on-one follow up sessions, resume consultations and discuss with our team your job search challenges and victories

Receive computer and technological support

Connect with other participants to stay on track, motivate each other and share job leads through specialized services: touch back, job development, unconference, employer panels, hiring fairs and career talks.

Eligibility

Legally entitled to work in Canada

Unemployed or underemployed (working less than an average of 20 hours per week)

Actively seeking employment

45 years of age or over

Specialized Services

Job Development: Individualized connection with employers

Receive one-on-one assistance that will help you overcome your barriers to connecting with employers in a caring supportive manner

Receive help in looking for the right fit for you

Touch Back Sessions: Polish your job search techniques in supportive group sessions:

Uncover job search techniques that work for today’s job market

Reidentify obstacles that are preventing you from reaching your goals of employment

Develop strategies to overcome or diminish the obstacles

Explore your options and set clear employment goals

Unconference: A networking concept for the Client, by the client and of the client for enhanced peer support.

Engage in informative discussions on important topics related to job search. Improve your networking and public speaking skills that you can show case to employers during interviews.

Employer panels, career talks and hiring fairs: A chance to connect with mature friendly employers. Attend these regularly scheduled events to:

Explore the current labour market trends from the employer’s perspectives

Identify what’s hot and what’s not

Polish up your interview techniques and networking strategies

Resources Available

Our resource centre provides a comfortable and inviting space for you to complete your job search.

The centre is equipped with:

• Company directories & career books
• Job openings and job fair news
• Computers and internet

Mumtaz Patel, M. Comm., CCDP
Program Manager 604-524-2100 Ext 102
“My 20+ years in training, facilitation and business have made me passionate about empowering people to lead successful, holistic and abundant lives. Everything I do to help clients in making employment, career, and life choices revolves around this philosophy. I have acquired this approach to life as a result of three very successful careers - office administration & management, field of academia, and entrepreneurship. As part of the Experience For Hire team, I share my team's philosophy that "Nobody has a shelf life!

Jackie Ochieng, M.A
Employment Consultant 604-524-2100 ext 112
Empowering people to live fulfilled and enriched lives is one of my passions. I draw from years of experience in management, facilitation and job club leadership, to offer creative approaches to meet the needs of job seekers. I enjoy facilitating workshops and interacting with clients one-on-one to map out possible job search obstacles and evoke positive thinking towards job search in order to achieve employment goals

Tracey Knihnitski
Employment Consultant 604-524-2100 Ext 109
From the moment I joined the Experience For Hire Team, I knew I would be challenged, yet rewarded beyond measure. With over 10 years of facilitation experience, I provide space to acknowledge the trials and tribulations of transition and change and find ways to help participants let go of the past and move forward. In the process, participants obtain the tools needed to gain that competitive edge required for a successful job search.

Renu Bushan
Employment consultant 604-524-2100 Ext 116
My greatest gift and reward in life is the ability to help people discover their own paths and follow their dreams. I have spent eight years in the recruitment and employment counseling fields and am very excited to put my strengths to good use by being a part of the Experience for Hire team. As a second-generation Canadian, I also have a strong desire to help mature workers and new immigrants build long-lasting foundations for prosperous and sustainable careers in Canada.

Colleen Suddaby
Employment Consultant 604-524-2100 Ext 110
My passion for the self-assessment process has led me to specialize in the areas of assessment and group facilitation. It is my personal mission to be an agent for change and I am grateful to have found my unique place as part of the talented Experience for Hire team. Working with mature workers and guiding them through their journey of self-discovery is, for me, the most rewarding career imaginable.

Rachel Lee
Employment Consultant 604-524-2100 Ext 108
I am passionate about working with people to build genuine relationships. Understanding that work is an integral part of a fulfilling life, I am driven to help clients find satisfying jobs. There are always challenges to take and opportunities to learn. I am honored to assist mature workers with their job search through the Experience For Hire program; as we believe: “Everyone has something to offer!"

Rod Nenson
Employment consultant 604-524-2100 Ext 113
My passion is working with mature workers and immigrants, and I am very excited to work with the Experience for Hire team. As a person over the age of 45, I feel quite strongly that I still have a good deal to contribute to society. In this position, I can assist others who share these same beliefs and contribute to their successful job search.

Comments from Participants

A very sincere thank you for starting me off on this journey. The SUCCESS program is a great starting point to get back into the working world.

I was feeling like I had no skills to offer employers, and that I had no skills at finding jobs to apply to. I became more motivated to look for a suitable job for me, but also I can define what is suitable for me. Thank you so much.

I learned more than I expected….I would like to let you know that my job as a field supervisor was finalized yesterday...I am so proud that I have instructors like all of you. Without you, I would definitely not be able to get this job.

You made me feel very important and helped pull me out of the black hole I was falling into. Thank you again for being there for me, and I will always hold you in the highest esteem because you do recognize the potential in people.

I found your entire staff to be amazingly generous with their time and energy in assisting members towards a successful job search. Obviously I would recommend your course to anyone interested in finding a job or changing jobs as I did.

My awareness of what employers are looking for became more realistic and I was able to find a job shortly after I finished the sessions. Thanks for all your kind input.

I firmly believe that the course information and encouragement from everyone at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. were a big factor in my confidence level during interviews, and directly helped me in acquiring the position I am in – the company fits me so well and I am already feeling at home.

The Facilitators are fantastic.

Very professional and knowledgeable people here – I like the 12 week follow up as it keeps me connected. I enjoy the facilities, the computer lab and the Internet workshop. I had an excellent practice interview – was able to identify my weaknesses and I’m now working on improving my interview skills.

Thank you so very much for turning my job search into something I could feel confident about – your support was valuable to me, and I can continue with assurance.

I met such nice people – I learned everything I wanted to know and I feel confident and like a different person. As an individual I can now find the way – it was an unforgettable experience in my life.

Please visit our Information session which runs every Monday at 10:00 a.m. 

Workshops start every Tuesdays from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Contact Us

Royal City Centre,

Suite 217 - 610 Sixth St.

New Westminster, BC V3L 3C2

Phone: 604-524-2100 Fax: 604-524-2077

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.success.bc.ca/experience