Announcing the Progressive Employers of Canada List

Working moms across Canada are applauding the “mom-friendly” employers selected for the inaugural 2009 Progressive Employers of Canada List. The list, featuring diverse companies from a variety of industries, recognizes employers that offer flexibility, supportive leadership and progressive programs for working parents and their families.

Connect Moms, momcafé and Lisa Martin International (founder of the Briefcase Moms Program), initiated the 2009 Progressive Employers of Canada List after conducting a nationwide survey last year asking moms what they were looking for in a workplace of choice. We are very pleased to be able to announce the list for 2009.

The Progressive Employers of Canada List is unique as the criteria selection was designed and developed by working moms across Canada via surveys and an open nomination process instead of a closed executive judicial committee like many other employer lists. Detailed corporate profiles highlighting each company’s progressive work environment are available in our top employers section.

Making the Move to a Family Friendly Work Life by Michelle Vandepol

When we struggling along in the current job situation we have, even though on some level we know it’s not the best for our family, fear can cause us to stay there anyway. Amidst that fear, though we see others working at balanced life/work schedules they love. Why them and not us? It doesn’t have to be that way. You can make the move to change your work life. Whether it’s too much work, not enough pay, and too high of daycare costs or all of the above; taking the steps to make a change might be trickier for a little while as you transition to a new job or restructure your existing one, but then you’ll be glad you did it.

There are plenty of family friendly jobs. Surely there is one for you. The more companies that move in a family friendly direction, the more demand there is from working parents, the more working schedules and flexibility will work for all of us. If you haven’t brought up family friendly work practices with your management, now is the time. Many companies first shift to better serving their parent employees when they are asked to. Coming up with part time positions, working out benefit packages, juggling the schedule for a variety of hours all take effort and time and a company who is running smoothly as is will not likely to be looking to change things up without the idea presented to them as a place for growth.

Looking into getting a better fit for you will take some time. Wondering where you’re going to find it in your already time crunched life? Keep a notebook with you to make notes on the types of hours or job descriptions you’re looking for, fine tune descriptions of your skills for your resume, or sketch out a presentation of how to restructure your current job to give to your boss (once polished, of course). Likely, you’re thinking a lot about the work-life balance as it is. This notebook gives you a place to think it out on paper in a constructive manner.
It’s not uncommon for people to be uncomfortable with asking for something more flexible. Seek out a neighbour or acquaintance with a more forgiving schedule and ask them how they accomplished it. Often just having reassurance and having another set of eyes to look over your proposal will bolster your confidence and get you moving ahead.
Whether it’s by being a family friendly work pioneer at your current place of work or making a move to somewhere it’s already established, there are opportunities for you to make a move that’s better for you and your family. Take the time to check them out.

Updating Your Resume When Time Is Tight by Michelle Vandepol

Finding the time to update your resume when time is tight is tricky. Not to mention getting it all together in time to apply before the job deadline closes. You know it needs to be a priority if you are to move ahead, but you’re already exhausted. The good news is that there are other mothers that have tackled the same obstacles and have moved on to their dream positions. Here two of them share how you can do it too.
Pay attention to the important stuff. Note characteristics you want in a job. Highlight potential positions and the perks you want when you’re job searching, no matter how casually.
Even if you are not feeling ready to apply just yet, look for opportunities to do the things you want to show up on your resume. To get an idea of the skill set to work on, look at the listings of the positions you want. At your current job, take advantage of workshops, on the job training, and involvement in projects showing advancement initiative.
On a practical level, keep your updated resume in a safe place (including multiple back up copies) so you don’t have to go from scratch every time you have something new to add. Look up resume templates online or in a library resource book to properly format yours if it’s been a while. You want to look current.
Having a ready current resume also serves as job security. At review time, your accomplishments will be fresh in your mind. It also serves as a non-monetary emergency fund. Having an updated resume ready to go means in the event that you get served a pink slip, you can be job searching that same day or the next. Saved time is saved money, after all.
Whether looking to advance at your current workplace or interviewing for a new position outside of it, the horn blowing skill is the same and you need to get comfortable with it.
“Be a salesperson for yourself,” says Ett Vandebeek, a mother of two who works as an office administrator. Even if deep down you doubt your abilities, remind yourself that everyone feels inadequate sometimes and overcoming self-doubt is an important part of achieving success.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” she asks. There will be more jobs to apply for and other opportunities to inquire about. Asking the question of yourself means taking the fear of failure out of the equation.
“If you have a dream, you can do it,” she says, speaking from personal experience. Her recent transition from an assembly line position at a manufacturing plant to a different kind of challenge, as an administrative assistant in a high profile office; serves as an example of a large change in job description, one she had to convince herself she was ready for. She says the key to getting in the right mindset for applying and interviewing for the job you really want is picturing yourself already in it.
Visualization works for moving within your company as well. Jessica Murdy is a mother of three who recently made the transition from reporter to editor.
“See yourself doing what you want to do,” she recommends. Noting the steps that you will need to take to move into a new position whether it is for the schedule, pay, recognition, or challenge; means that the transition will occur naturally. You will find yourself subconsciously taking the steps you’ve planned even if you tucked the to-do list away.
Murdy traces her investment into her dream position back almost a decade. She started as an arts feature writer coming into the newspaper office two days a week on production days. She worked at that position for 2 years, then took a scant 11 weeks maternity leave (she confesses she was worried about job security), and came back to the position for approximately 6 more months.
9-11 and a coinciding vacation made her rethink her priorities for her family and she found herself craving more family time. She quit her job and it was almost another two, and another child, before she found herself reapplying to the same paper. This time, with a new editor at the helm, they built a position for her to do at home, one day a week. She did this position for several years, quitting shortly before another editor transition and then rehiring with the next.
This time she was offered four days a week in office. She weighed her daycare options and decided that it was time to make her next move. Her youngest was months away from being in kindergarten and only needing part-time daycare. She credits her flexibility with opening the door to her new position, something she recommends.
“Stay open and flexible,” she says. You will have more options that you would have come up with on your own. She also says that giving more than expected is what will build the stage for future advancement. When she was finished her responsibilities, she took on others with a management perspective on what needed to be done. That is what got noticed in the end, she says. A year into the 4 day a week position, she asked for more responsibilities and that move gave her the skill set for her current move into the editor’s chair at a sister paper.
Both of these working mothers spent time building their skill sets and looking for new positions which would be better fits for them and their families. They surrounded themselves with supportive people and went ahead and did what needed to be done. Their stories are inspiring but not unusual. They could be yours as well.

Mom Spotlight - Jessica Rozitis

1) Provide an overview of your company and your job, how many hours you work.
McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group is an exceptional staffing company committed to creating exceptional staffing experiences for both clients and candidates.
I am the Production Manager, affectionately known as ‘the glue’ as I keep everything together with regards to operations, communications, PR and marketing. I am in the office 3 days a week, but I sneak a peek at my emails, our website, our blog, our twitter account, etc. on the days that I am not in the office.

2) Provide an overview of your home life, how many children you have, childcare arrangement, if married your husbands career and how you share the responsibilities at home.

I have two boys, age 4 and 8. I am very lucky to have my mother in law take care of my children while I am at the office. My days at the office are determined by my mother in law’s availability. My husband is self employed and works from home, so I can rely on him to drive the boys to school and other activities. Anything walking distance, my mother in law takes care of. I do a majority of the household chores, and having a cleaning lady once a week certainly helps. Generally my husband makes dinner on the days I am at the office, as I’m usually home between around 6:30 or 7:00 pm, although I am going to try to make a better effort in getting home earlier, so we can have family dinner together. All of this sounds great on paper, but the reality is that my husband travels a lot for business, so when he is away, I need to be more flexible with my office hours. I am so fortunate to have a very flexible employer, and they understand my unique situation.

3) Are there certain organizations or individuals who have been the greatest influence and support in terms of assisting with your career and business decisions.
Sarah McNeill and Cheryl Nakamoto are a terrific inspiration. I have the opportunity every day to witness how they handle business decisions. They are fantastic mentors and leaders who support me and inspire me to excel. My father and my husband are exceptional businessmen who I can engage in open conversation about my career and facilitate me with ideas and ignite the passion that I have for my role in McNeill Nakamoto.

4) Can you offer insight into ways that “professionally minded moms” could be supporting each other.
Create a strong network of women who are at the same stage of your life. Women naturally share and talk with each other about what they are going through. Develop a relationship with a close friend who is going through the same challenges and triumphs. Sharing helps you get through all the good and bad. Never be afraid to reach out.

5) Can you offer any advice for achieving a balance between your family life and your career.
I am lucky to be working part time. As a loyal employee, I stay connected to the office even on my ‘Mommy Days’. I check email etc. on my favourite working Mom gadget, the iPhone. But I try to be careful to not interrupt the time with my children. Family dinner is important to us. One of my favourite things to do recently is feed the kids an early dinner. Then, while my husband is doing the bedtime routine, I’ll be downstairs in the kitchen, whipping up a gourmet dinner for two. We can then enjoy a good meal, great conversation, and not have to spend our entire meal teaching our children about the finer art of table manners.

About McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group

Imagine a staffing company that attracts raving fans – raving employers and raving talent. McNeill Nakamoto is that good. Since 1996, McNak has been building a fan club by delivering consistent results – qualified talent that ‘fits’.
WOW. FUN. PEOPLE.
www.mcnak.com

Kid Friendly Recipe - Broccoli and Bread Soup from spud!

This rustic soup is quick and simple to prepare.

Servings: 6

Time: 30 minutes

1½ pounds broccoli

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ large onion, finely chopped

1 ¾ quarts chicken or vegetable stock

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Baguette or other rustic bread

1 large garlic clove, cut in half

Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional)

Using a sharp small knife or vegetable peeler, peel the broccoli stems. Chop the stem and florets into small chunks.

In a 4 to 6 quart pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook until it begins to soften. Add broccoli and cook until it starts to turn bright green. Add stock, bring to a boil and simmer until broccoli is soft, about 10 minutes. Once soft, puree with a stick blender until partially pureed. If using a regular blender, remove half of the soup, puree, and add back to the pot. Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Reheat.

To serve, toast 2 to 3 slices of bread for each bowl. Rub toast with garlic clove, and place bread in the bottom of each soup bowl. Spoon soup over the bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.