Post on 26-May-2020
INSPIRING - INFORMING - CONNECTING
CATAPULT LEADERSHIP SOCIETY ISSUE NO. 15 - JUNE 2015
THE ROUND TABLE
Employers are looking for leaders ... so you should have no problem getting hired! The hardest part may be finding a job opening and then getting an interview. Here’s our advice:
Step 1: Prepare/review/update your RESUME
Employers see hundreds of resumes so make sure yours stands out! Even if they ask you to fill out a standard job application, attach your resume anyway to increase your chance of being noticed. Your resume should NOT be any longer than 2 pages. Check our website for a sample.
Now is not the time to be humble. Sell yourself! Student resumes focus on school activities, volunteer work, academics and athletics (since you don’t have much employment experience). Be sure to say you were nominated for Catapult’s leadership program! Ensure there are no spelling mistakes. Send Lori a copy and she’ll review it for you!
Some good adjectives to use:
Step 2: Consider a Cover Letter
A cover letter is a great idea, especially if you’re focused on a specific employer. Consisting of one page only, it can provide additional information like if you’re seeking full, part-‐time or summer employment and why you think you would make a great addition to that employer’s team. Your cover letter will need to be tailored to each job you’re applying for. You’ll find a sample on our website.
Step 3: Hit the Pavement
Most students hit the malls & local shops and drop off their resume. Always ask if you can speak to the manager for a few minutes. They may say no, in which case just indicate you’re looking for a job and ask to leave your resume. Keep notes of the places you dropped it off, and follow up with a phone call or revisit 3-‐5 days later. Not many students will do this, so you’ll impress the employer and they’ll likely put your resume at the top of the pile!
You can apply online to chains like Sobeys and Lawtons. Speak to as many adults as you can (teachers, neighbours) to increase your chances of hearing about job openings. In fact, many jobs are filled by word of mouth before they ever get posted.
Looking for a Summer Job?Step 4: Prepare for the Interview
Before you go, it's important to find out as much as you can about the organization. Remember, it’s all about impressing them. By demonstrating that you already know about their company, you’ll present yourself as a great fit. Check their website, google news stories, read their facebook and linked-‐in pages. If you have friends working there, find out
what the interviewer asked them. Be as prepared as you can be so you have an edge over other applicants. You can also research common interview questions on-‐line. The key is to prepare your answers in advance and be ready to knock their socks off.
Step 5: The Interview
It’s easy to impress! Be well groomed and dress nicely. Arrive 15 minutes early
(prove you are punctual). Greet them with a smile and a confidant handshake (webby to webby -‐ no wimpy handshakes!). Look them in the eye (show your confidence!). Speak clearly. Be polite (show them how you’ll treat their customers). Think of some quality questions in advance and ask at least 2 (show them you’re keen). At the end -‐ stand, shake their hand again, ask when they expect to make a decision, and say thank you. It never hurts to send a thank you by email afterwards either.
Step 6: Plan B (if all else fails)
If time passes and you haven’t had any luck finding a job you should consider Plan B.
Become an entrepreneur! Offer babysitting services, yard-‐work, dog-‐walking, etc. Be creative. Post your ad on Kijiji and in public places like the grocery store bulletin board and mailbox centre. Being resourceful and creating your own employment will be great experience and will impress future employers.
Volunteer! Okay, so the pay may not be great but the rewards are still huge. (And it’s far better than staring at a TV). You’ll gain experience and skills that can help with future job searches, you’ll add to your resume, you’ll create contacts that can be of future benefit, you can “try out” potential career directions, and you’ll be giving back to your community which will make you feel wonderful inside.
For more detailed advice, check out our website at catapultcamp.com/catapulters. You’ll also find a sample resume and sample cover letter to get you started. And don’t forget – we’re here to help! We’ll review/help you improve your resume and we’ll provide oral and written referrals. Just ask!
confidentpositive attitude observant persistentcommunicate well team player
self-‐directed responsible problem-‐ solving skillspunctual creative
adaptable organizedattentive to detailproven leadership ability!!
Congrats to our 2015 Junior Counselors, all from Catapult’s Class of 2012!! Clockwise from top: Nikki Shahin and Donna Marshall will be joining the staff team at Camp, while Aliah Wilson and Jenna Johnson will join us at the Plus Conference.
Social Media – You are what you Post!
Perception is reality. What you intend when you post comments on social media and what people take away from it can be entirely different things. Catapult is now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linked In – so we can get involved in the conversations that are important to you. Now that we’re listening, we’ve come across a lot of “interesting” posts out there. Social media is a wonderful form of expression and you should feel free to express yourself - but remember that expression can come at a cost so be mindful of what you’re putting out there. A
misguided post can create tension with friends/family, embarrass yourself or others when shared or cost you a job. Any post can go viral and the world will be watching.
Some people feel it’s an invasion of privacy for employers or potential schools to peek into your social media profile – but if your profile is
for public viewing, you’re inviting anyone and everyone in! Your resume and interview are supposed to be the best version of yourself - it’s smart for a potential employer to look into your profile to see who you are when you think no one is looking. Because that’s who you’re likely going to be when you get comfortable in your job interacting with the world. It may not seem fair, but it’s the reality.
Social media gives a false sense of anonymity so you may feel more liberal to share things you wouldn’t otherwise say. But it’s easy enough to figure out who’s behind @XYZ and what you say is forever in print for the world to see. We all
have opinions and we’re fortunate to live in a country that allows us the freedom to think and speak for ourselves. It’s a privilege we should all take seriously and try to use to inspire, inform or connect with the world. It’s not the place for profanity or angry rants - those are what best buds
are for! So if you’re feeling angry or frustrated when you get online, instead of punching in the characters, start dialing a number and get personal with a friend. If you want to share a laugh, post pictures of
your adventures, or talk about something truly meaningful to you – post away. Just remember that the internet is forever. Deleted materials show up every day. Google has a very long memory.
T - is it True?H - is it Helpful? I - is it Inspiring?N - is it Necessary?K - is it Kind?
Before you post ... THINK!
You shouldn’t post anything that you do not want your parents, CNN or your boss to see – period.
64% of hiring officers have rejected applicants based on their use of social media.
At the recent NSSSA Conference, a conversation started about SMILE ... and suddenly Tegan Zinck (’10) and Samantha Hartlen (‘12) made the Catapult connection. “It makes for instant bonding!!”, says Samantha (front).
Have you ???
“liked” our new
Facebook page?
followed @catapultcamp on
Twitter?
connected with us on linkedin?
* * * SNAPSHOTS * * *
School: Glace Bay HighCool fact: I know CPR. Future Plans: Cardioloist Fave Camp Memory: mud sliding & rock nightWhat inspires me: People who help others. Fave Quote: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” (Shakespeare)
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School: Northeast Kings Ed. Cool fact: I show horses. Future Plans: BBA/AccountingFave Camp Memory: Photo challenge (Go Dragons!)Fave quote: “When I was 5, my mom told me happiness is the key to life. My teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy." They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life.” - John Lennon
School: North Nova Ed. Ctre.Cool Fact: I can solve a Rubix Cube. Fave Camp Memory: mud sliding What inspires me: My mom!Fave Quote: “The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you’ve come.”
Hats off to Jordan Harris for saving his Uncle’s life! Jordan had been helping plough a field when his uncle suffered a stroke. Jordan Burke is following his acting dreams, and had a part in a NSCC project film that aired at Park Lane. Lal Tawari placed 2nd in the NSSSA Provincial Chess Challenge and helped his school team place 1st! His participation in the BUILD program was recognized by the House of Assembly. Meghan Martin was interviewed by CTV and CBC at the ROV Competition. Craig Cain was also interviewed on TV for Hope Blooms’ new greenhouse opening. Breanna Butts’ badminton team won regionals. Corey McNamara received the Meech Memorial Award at St FX for male freshman of the year. Jessica Durling petitioned to amend the Vital Statistics Act to change gender designation in ID’s .. and won! Kayla Bernard won both an HRM and NS Volunteer Award. Navarre Hebb has been accepted to study aerospace engineering at the Royal military College. Donna Marshall competed for NS at Wrestling Canada and received a Leadership Award from Wrestling NS. Ava Sturm won the Leta Hill Scholarship at Mt Alison and Jessica Balser won the Harrison McCain Scholarship at Dal. Ally Strachan went to
Honduras to build a truck port and soccer field at a children’s home. Aliah Wilson was in the cast of CEC’s Anne of Green Gables musical. Ali Taha held a musical night at Parkview High and raised $1,000 for the IWK. Kassidy Bernard is selling her artwork and photography on Redbubble. Lauren McQuaid attended the National Youth Council, nominated by the Truro Boys & Girls Club. Lauren also went to Winnipeg to facilitate a Youth Forum called Fusion and is holding her own workshop about community outreach! Taylor Bickerton has been selected to attend the RCL Leadership Training Camp this summer. Breton Bartlett and Dan MacNeil were awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award. Nicole MacNeil won a ‘highest distinction’ award and Megan Pinder won an ‘academic excellence’ award. Kristof Mercier placed 1st in his district for javelin. Congrats to Cody Hayman for graduating from NSCC’s Aviation Institute. Martha Barrett graduated summa cum laude from SMU with her Certificate in Engineering and is off to Dal. Alyssa Jodrey served on the Board of the Voglers Cove Community Hall’s ‘Aloha Dinner’. Katie Black won an award for public speaking at the Skills Canada/ Nova Scotia competition. Brandon Hannon graduated from LOVE’s Bridges employability program. Colynda Pelley was elected VP Finance of NSCC (Strait)’s student association. Congrats to Ashley Grant (Advocate) and Drew Skidmore (Oxford) on being awarded a NSSAF Sport Award.
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"Someone asked me what beauty was, so instead of describing the word, I drew this picture."
Hailey Veinot
1. catapultcamp.com/catapulters
2. 3. 4. www. teensnowtalk.com
getvolunteering.ca
CONTACT INFO 902.830.5704
lori@catapultcamp.com
THE ROUND TABLE was named with Catapult’s medieval theme in mind. King Arthur insisted on having his faithful knights seated at a round table where everyone was treated equally and had an equal voice. Use your voice and send us your submissions for the next newsletter!
Useful Links
teenmentalhealth.org
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Smiles and best, Julian
A LETTER FROM JULIAN MAYNARD Team Catapult!! I hope you and your family in your particular corner of Nova Scotia are doing well! Congrats on completing another year, at whatever point you are in your studies. Your posts and accomplishments read during my rare Facebook moments often amaze me and contribute to me far more than I’ve let on. Thank you, sorry and I’ll change that soon! I look forward to seeing many of you at Catapult Plus in August and plan to help Lori and Jane continue to provide even more opportunities for you all. Stay tuned for my ideas. Meanwhile, have a wonderful, fun, safe and memorable summer.
“Onwards ever! Upwards as much as possible.”
Winners of the 1st “Wear your catapult shirt to
school” photo contest: Gavin Green & Nick
Dowling.
special mention to Shea Desmond who remembered
to wear hers while on a school trip to Paris!
Are you interested in joining a Me to We Mission abroad? 2014 Catapulters Lauren Smith (CEC) and Liam Fisher-Smith (West Kings) are organizing an all-Catapult group to go to the Dominican Republic to help build a ‘Free the Children’ school. You’ll also learn the local culture, learn some Spanish, hear inspiring speakers, play with the kids, and have fun exploring this beautiful tropical region. The date is Summer 2016, so there’s more than a year to fundraise the $2300 cost. Lauren and Liam need at least 10 Catapulters (from any year) to commit to make it a go. 7 already say they are committed with several others interested. Counselor Kevan Henshaw and 2010 catapulter Martha Barrett have expressed interest to be the group’s required Chaperone. What an exciting opportunity!!! As Liam says, “By empowering the community, we will empower ourselves and get a natural high from knowing we helped improve lives.” Catapult has offered to do what we can to help this venture proceed. If you’re interested in joining the group - or helping them fundraise (a potential Catapult Plus pay-forward project?) - message Lauren, Liam, Lori or Jane. KUDO’s to Lauren and Liam for initiating such a wonderful idea!
All graduating Catapulters are encouraged to apply for the 2015 Catapult Leadership Award. Win a $1000 bursary to any secondary school! Call or message Lori for an application. Details will be posted on facebook. Deadline is June 30th.