Soft Skill Secrets 101: Recent Episodes
Peter Hawkins
The Soft Skill Secrets 101 series shows you how to avoid the unspoken obstacles to getting a job. I will explain how to present yourself in a professional way and showcase your brand. I will explain some common mistakes that result in you being eliminated from consideration. I will show you how to target companies and identify decision-makers and I will help you make meaningful connections in this new cyber world.
In this episode I discuss how to search online for target companies with tips on how to reach out to decision-makers who potentially can help you land the job you want.
Production by Jornal de Toronto News & Arts
Art by Eduardo Pares
In this episode I answer questions like: Where are the jobs? Do I need a LinkedIn profile? Why do I need a 5-second elevator pitch? If I don’t have the years of experience they ask for in the ad, should I still apply? I keep connecting with recruiters, why won’t they find me a job? I have the skills why won’t they hire me? And a whole lot more.
Production by Jornal de Toronto News & Arts
Art by Eduardo Pares
This episode features the topic of resumes and cover letters where Peter Hawkins describes some tricks to beat the automatic culling programs and how to address survival jobs and employment gaps. He also discusses tailoring your resume for the job and when to have your resume ready. (The answer is: always!)
Production by Jornal de Toronto News & Arts
Art by Eduardo Pares
After discussing the importance of your LinkedIn profile in Episodes 1 and 2, in today’s episode I discuss your responsibility to present yourself in a professional way. This is particularly important in the virtual network where a potential employer can only judge you by your LinkedIn profile, your social media posts and your emails.
We hear a lot about skills mismatch, but I really believe this mismatch is an issue of communication. The most important thing is to understand how to present your skills in a way that a potential employer can understand. Decision-makers are in the same situation you are, so I also give more tips on cyber networking. If you are a professional, they want to hear from you!
Production by Jornal de Toronto News & Arts
Art by Eduardo Pares
Episode 2 is about part two of completing your LinkedIn profile, including the importance of the “about” essay as well as some tips on how to write a good one AND understanding how to present your employment and education history in a way that will speak to a potential employer.
Production: Jornal de Toronto News & Arts
Art by: Eduardo Pares
Welcome to Soft Skill Secrets 101. In this podcast series, Peter Hawkins, mentor and advisor to newcomers, new grads, women, entrepreneurs and people searching for a network, shares his knowledge about how to network in the new online world and land the opportunity you deserve.
In the first episode Peter discusses LinkedIn Basics and explains how candidates can present themselves in a professional way. This podcast gives instructions on how to professionalize your LinkedIn profile using the basics of a background image, professional portrait, headline/tagline, and contact information. LinkedIn is your professional image. Make it work for you
Bio:
Peter Hawkins is co-owner of MELLOHAWK Logistics (www.mellohawk.com). He is a Walk of Fame winner from Access Employment (2020), CGLCC Exporter of the Year (2019), and Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) Businessperson of the Year (2018).
For more than a decade he has been an Advisor (and Mentor) for Acces Employment. He is also Co-Chair of the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC), Chair of Sheridan College Pilon School of Business International Business Professional Advisory Committee PAC. Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) mentor and consultant for Toronto Board of Trade, Mississauga Board of Trade & the Toronto World Trade Center and companies across Ontario, encouraging SME entrepreneurs to pursue international trade.
Peter is a regular keynote speaker to encourage entrepreneurs to develop new markets for their products and promote job opportunities for Canadians and foreign-trained professionals of all abilities and experience to succeed at various TAPs, incubators, as well as, Sheridan College Pilon School of Business, Centre for Global Enterprise Schulich School of Business at York University, The Business School at Centennial College, Lambton College in Toronto, Mohawk College and Ted Rogers School of Management Ryerson University, encouraging them all to dare to succeed.
We hope you enjoy his new podcast series Soft Skill Secrets 101.
Production: Jornal de Toronto News & Arts.
Art by: Eduardo Pares