This special moment in the job search eventually comes and a splendid moment it is. You have been through a round of interviews and those magical words are finally spoken, “We’d like to check your references.”

The days of reference letters have pretty much gone the way of Pac Man. Potential employers want to be able to speak to an ex employer or colleague to hear their voice and to ask them questions.

Who can be your reference? The best choice is of course your last direct report, your manager or supervisor. You may also use a colleague or in some instances a client, as long as the reference is able to validate what you have written on your resume.

Some do’s and don’ts for giving your references:

• Don’t list your references directly on your resume.
• Prepare a separate sheet of paper for your references.
• Do list at least 3 business and 1 character references depending on the level of the position applied for. More senior positions may require up to 5 business references.
• On the left side of the page list the references’ name, job title (now or when you worked for them), name of company they work for, phone number and email address.
• On the right side of that listing insert the reference’s relationship to you such as “Manager for 5 years”.
• Divide the page into Business references and list three of them, then Character references and list one or two.
• Do not offer your references in an interview, wait until you are asked for them.
• Have your reference page typed up and take it with you on all job interviews.
• Immediately after giving out your references call each one and tell them about the interview you just had. Don’t wait to call until you get home as the employer may start calling as soon as you leave their office.
• Ensure you know your references are able to take calls or if they are away maybe email is a better way to connect with them.
• Tell your references about the position you interviewed for and the company and most importantly the accomplishments that were discussed that your reference can validate.
• Give your reference tips of what not to mention that is irrelevant or inappropriate and what to focus on. Educate each reference on what the hiring manager found interesting and relevant.
• Discuss with each reference how you want them to answer the ‘weakness’ question.

The reference checker is listening for the tone of voice your references use. They are listening for authenticity in their answers. The checker will ask questions in different ways to elicit responses that validate truisms. Even overseas references are telephoned these days, so feel free to provide references from any country with appropriate dialing instructions.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to coach your references on the interview you are being referenced for and as soon as you exit the interview.

Hopefully your references will have glowing comments and you will be days away from a new beginning.

reach out your hand to help those in need
peace amoungst the world is a mission in deed
but it will never be accomplished unless we interwine our thoughts and ideas
to make the world a better place
discrimination towards people must end
racial slurs must go extinct
and one day everyone will be able to spread their wings and fly…like a dove..
peace is when in your heart you know you’ve done something good to someone else
its being able to sleep at night while looking forward to a tomoro..
its when reality and dreams dont seem that far apart..
you dont just need peace at heart..u need peace at mind..
when you are willing to reach out ur hand..risking urself..wen u feel ready to stand up for something you beleive in..when you are in a place where everyone is treated equally..and everyone belongs..
wen stereotypes disappear..
there will styll be death..anger..envyy..
but regardless of things that are apart of living..
there will also be Peace.

those who have left us ..are at a peaceful place right now..probably thankful that they got to leave..
and they too are waiting for the day to come..wen we all learn to harmonize morals and religion..
as they watch over us..listening to our prayers with god..
but we all know..nothing will come from it..unless we make positive changes to ourselves first.
one must give to receive
/

Nothing is Impossible. This is not just a saying. It is what every single one of us should believe in. If something is impossible, it should not be what we cannot do, but rather what we are unwilling to do. Every single individual is capable of doing what his/her mind is set on. Yet, we often pave our paths according to what other people we know have done, or are doing. In our fear of making mistakes, we attempt to learn not through our experiences but rather through those of others, and it is in that that we make our mistakes. We make the hasty assumption that if someone else cannot walk a certain path, neither can we. But if everyone were to do the same things and walk the same paths, then everyone would be in the same profession, living the same standard of life, and thus creating empty holes in other fields which also require hardworking, dedicated individuals. It is up to us to BELIEVE in ourselves, to BELIEVE in our abilities, and to BELIEVE in our strength to make our dreams come true. Martin Luther King was not the only man to have a dream. We all have dreams, yet how much effort is put into making those dreams come true? Goals and ambitions are all standards we set for ourselves, so that we may strive for them, and in the process, shape our path of life. Yet, often times, we set these goals and ambitions at a much lower level to our dreams, because we are afraid we might not reach them. That is where we create our own failure. The higher our goals are, the harder we will work towards achieving them, but the burden of the hard work would not be felt, for we would be working towards our dreams, those that give us happiness and utter satisfaction.

Dream Big,

Achieve Big,

Live Big.

We all have had those sleepless nights, where we are just unable to fall asleep. With school starting, it’s important to be well rested and energized. Sleep helps our body restore itself, following are some tips to help you get a good night’s rest.

Try to sleep at the same time every day. If you train your body to sleep at a specific time and wake up at a particular time, you will feel better rested. Doctors have debated over what the optimal amount of sleep is, the best answer? It depends on you and your body; you should have enough sleep to feel rested, so you should wake up on your own just before your alarm is set to go off.

Turn down the lights and electronics. Melatonin is a hormone that our body produces that aids in sleeping among other things. Bright lights (even small ones) interfere with the production of melatonin, and may cause a sleepless night.  An hour or two before you plan to sleep, turn off all electronics, even small lights from the computer or phone.

No caffeine before bed. Caffeine inhibits sleep so it’s best to avoid caffeine a few hours before you want to sleep to avoid staying up all night. Stick to milk or water, if you have milk, make sure to brush your teeth afterwards so that it won’t stick to your teeth.

Use the bed for sleeping. If you use your bed as a multi-purpose desk, and couch, then you avoid viewing your bed as a space to relax and sleep. So avoid doing homework or watching TV from your bed.

 Light meals. Eating a big meal just before sleeping can interfere with sleep, but so does hunger. So eat something light before your sleep, not something heavy. Have dinner a few hours before you sleep.  

 Lavender Oil. The smell of lavender has a calming effect and when inhaled, helps people sleep better. One or two drops should be suffice.

A dedication to women by a male writer. Hosseini goes into the lives of women in a male dominated and war torn Afghanistan. You meet women who battle through what the country grants them. The fact that you always see someone holding this book on the subway speaks for itself. The females in the book don’t even have an outlet for their emotions; staying alive is their priority. As you read the paragraphs, you realize the freedom that you enjoy right now is a privilege – especially in regards to young women – utilize it.

Which team do you think will win the Tamileelam Challenge Cup? Which team do you think will win the Tamileelam Challenge Cup? Cobras Eelam Challengers Eleven Stars E.N.A. Jarvis S.C Mississauga Panthers Montreal Staff Nanthi Scarborugh Rangers Seawaves Toronto Blues S.C view results

By: Mithilah Mahendran

The book that almost gave me a fever.

There are two things in this book that forced me to stop reading in the midst and take a break because I could not handle the intensity of the characters. 1) The young boy (the ’servant’), 2) The characters’ migration from Afghanistan to America. (I read Dan Brown’s ‘Angels and Demons’ in order to get away from all the emotions that ‘Kite Runner’ was stirring up). This book is everything real immigrant/refugee experiences are made of. Hosseini uses childhood well in his writing, and tortures you with it. I still can not get the characters out of my mind.

Trillium Gift of Life Network, an agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is responsible for organ and tissue donation in Ontario.  Come to the TGLN table to ask your questions about the life-saving process. Organ recipients, donor families and Ontarians who have registered their consent will be on hand to answer your questions. If you can’t attend, the Gift of Life Consent Form is available at ServiceOntario offices or can be downloaded at www.giftoflife.on.ca.  Questions can also be answered by calling the TGLN Info Line at 416-363-4001 in Toronto, 1-800-263-2833 or emailing info@giftoflife.on.ca.   Don’t forget to bring your health card to the soccer tournament so you can register your consent to save lives.

Murray serves as a positive role-model who has encouraged the development of Canadian Tamil youth; Murray attended CTYA’s Top Talents Awards Gala and Dinner, held on June 18, 2010. He offered his support and encouragement to the youth in attendance.

His encouragement will assist Canadian Tamil youth to become exceptional leaders who will enrich and develop Canadian communities. With exceptional individuals like Hon. Glen Murray being involved and enthusiastic about the achievements of Canadian Tamil youth, Canadian Tamil youth can strive to make meaningful contributions to building their communities.

Congratualtion Hon. Glen Murray! We wish you continued success and look forward to your continued support and encouragement.

The new $99 Post-Secondary Student Metropass will be available as of August 24th from TTC Collectors in subway stations or at participating TTC Fare Media Sellers.

The Post-Secondary Student Metropass cannot be purchased through the TTC Metropass Discount Plan program.

Who is eligible to use the monthly Post-Secondary Student Metropass?

Students who are enrolled in full-time or part-time degree or diploma granting programs are eligible to use the monthly Post-Secondary Student Metropass along with a valid Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID.

Students in Post-Secondary certificate programs are not eligible.
 
Students must show their Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID to the Operator or Collector on duty every time they use their monthly Post-Secondary Student Metropass.

How to get a Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID?

As part of a school visitation program, a TTC contracted photographic team will visit University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, George Brown College, Centennial College and Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology Post-Secondary Schools in the City of Toronto to photograph and issue a Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID to those students interested in purchasing one for a cost of $7.00. 

Post-Secondary Students must bring an acceptance/enrollment letter or current timetable or current student activity card from their Post-Secondary institution confirming that they are an eligible Post-Secondary Student enrolled in a full-time or part-time degree granting program, plus a piece of photo identification.  For more information on the school visitation program, speak with your student union representative at your school.

What happens if I miss my school photo-session or if I lose my Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID?

Post-Secondary Students must bring their acceptance/enrollment letter, or current timetable or current student activity card from their Post-Secondary institution confirming that they are an eligible Post-Secondary Student enrolled in a full-time or part-time degree granting program, plus a piece of photo identification to the TTC’s Sherbourne Station Photo ID Facility where the Post-Secondary Student is photographed for a replacement card at the cost of $5.25.

Go to Getting a TTC Photo Identification for ID Facility hours of operation.

Can I still use my Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID if I am no longer enrolled full-time or part-time degree or diploma granting program?

If for any reason a Post-Secondary Student is no longer enrolled in a recognized degree or diploma program, they are no longer eligible to use the Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID.  The ID card must be returned to the TTC. Eligible Post-Secondary Students, who graduate in June, may continue to use their card until the following Labour Day.

What conditions of use appear on the back of the Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID?

These “Conditions of Use” appear on the back of your Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID:

1. This card can only be used with a Post-Secondary Student Metropass
2. This card Must be shown to TTC employees when using a Post-Secondary Student Metropass or adult fare is required
3. This card is only valid if the student is enrolled in a recognized degree or diploma program as determined in accordance with TTC Policy (referred to as “Post-Secondary School”), and the institution is located in the City of Toronto.
4. This card is not transferable.  This card remains the property of the TTC and must be surrendered upon request for inspection.  It may be confiscated if the holder violates TTC By-law No. 1, or alters the card in any way. The card will not be returned and you may not apply for a new one.

Is the monthly Post-Secondary Student Metropass transferable?

Another Post-Secondary Student, when showing their Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID, can use your Metropass after you exit the TTC transit system.

Can the Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID be used with student cash fare, ticket or weekly pass?

The Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID can only be used with the monthly Post-Secondary Student Metropass.

Post-Secondary Students not using a Post-Secondary Student Metropass along with a valid Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID will be required to pay adult fare.

Links:

http://www3.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Fare_information/Seniors_students_and_children/Post_Secondary_Students.jsp