Jobs: You’re Hired... Now What?

Book Review:

(Lynda Goldman)
Oxford University Press
$29.95

Expanding on the successful How to Find a Job in Canada, the first book in the Canadian Newcomer Series that offered real, concrete information on how to get employment in Canada, Oxford University Press recently introduced a new publication: You’re Hired... Now What?

In 17 chapters, the author, Lynda Goldman, offers valuable information for all those immigrants who are resuming their careers in Canada. Covering soft skills, etiquette, workplace behaviour and relationship building among many other topics, Goldman offers a detailed revision of all those things that you should know about the Canadian workplace but nobody ever told you (probably the only downside to Canadian politeness).

There are similar books on the market about this topic and even some courses at universities, such as Ryerson University’s Professional Communication for Employment Program (see our review of the program, “Welcome to the Client-Driven Society”). But it is always interesting to examine one of the main differences between just having a job and having the job you want: personal skills.

There are fantastic tips in understanding equality, work ethic, meeting people, how to get on track with your work, and what to wear for a Canadian work environment – all useful information for some newcomers. Sometimes, a recommendation can seem odd (in chapter 11, for example, there is a section dedicated to how to use a fork, which could offend some internationally trained professionals used to these situations or who have worked for global companies), but the eclectic group of possible readers – immigrants with the most diverse backgrounds – makes the explanation somehow worthy. You just need to keep in mind that not all the information is for everybody.

Let’s make this clear, You’re Hired... is not about strategies to reach specific goals in specific careers. It is about that general knowledge you need to get along with your coworkers, showcase your skills, and improve your position within a company. Particularly, the information about networking – one of new Canadians’ worst nightmares – is very useful.

Oxford also published an accompanying workbook (with the same title) that offers exercises and tips, which recently hired employees can practice in their workplace.

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