How to get Documents Authenticated

How to get Documents Authenticated / Apostille

WHAT IS AUTHENTICATION?

Authentication of documents is required for most Canadian documents before being used in a foreign country. Authentication is to prove that the signature and the seal are genuine. In other countries this process may be known as apostille or legalization.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

For a document to be authenticated, it must be the original document (no scanned or pictures of documents) and must have the original signature and seal, if applicable. In some cases, a certified true copy or a notarized version of a document are accepted.

If a document, or part of a document, is in another language other then English or French, the document must be sent for a certified, notarized translation. Note that some countries may require a translator’s affidavit.

If you need further information on specific country requirements, please contact us and we can help.

HOW TO GET A DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATED?

We offer authentication / apostille services with our notary partner. We are experienced in getting documents organized, knowledgeable about the process, and can provide updates throughout.

OUR SERVICES

  • Assist gathering documents and ensure they are the correct document type.
  • Our partner notary will help assess the documents.
  • Facilitate an in-person or Zoom meeting so you can meet the notary and swear the documents are true and the signature is yours.
  • Monitor the process and keep you updated throughout.
  • Get documents officially translated and notarized, including affidavit if needed.

If you are looking to get your documents authenticated / apostille, contact us to learn more about our services!                     EMAIL US – INFO AT SWIFTCONNECT . CA

How To: Apply for a Job Via Email

How to Write a Job Application Via Email

Some employers accept job applications through email, mostly seen on the Canadian Job Bank website. In this blog post we will share how to professionally apply for a job via email.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED

When composing your email application, you should ensure the following are included:

  • A detailed subject line.
  • A professional greeting and closing.
  • The employer’s name.
  • The position you are applying for (match the job post).
  • The reason you are writing, and highlight your related experience and qualifications.
  • Your full name and contact information.
  • Attach your resume, cover letter, and any other requested documents.

The subject line should be detailed and precise. Hiring departments receive a lot of emails in a day, make sure yours stands out and makes it easy to filter applications. Clearly state your name and the exact job title you are applying for.

The greeting should be welcoming, for example: “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear *Name of Contact*” or just “Greetings”. The greeting should not be: “Dear Sir/Ma’am” or one or the other, or “Hi” or “Hey”.

In the first paragraph, address the employer, the position you are applying for, and where you found the job post. When you reference the position being applied for, make sure to match the job posting exactly. If there is no job title in your email, the employer will likely not spend time reading your application to find out. If the job title does not match the post, they will assume you did not take the time to read the post, which can negatively effect your search.

The next paragraph, should include why you are writing the application. The rest of the paragraph depends on whether a cover letter was required or not. If the cover letter was required in the application, then this can be a brief overview of your experience and qualifications. If a cover letter was not required, then you can provide details on your related experiences and what you can bring to the organization.

Lastly, close the email by thanking them for reading and considering your email, mention your attachments (resume, cover letter, anything else), and state how to reach you best. Then use a polite and professional closing statement such as “Sincerely” or “Regards” or “Cordially”.

TIPS
  • Read through the email a few times before sending. Check for grammar, spelling, correct employer and job information. All too common job seekers copy paste their applications and forget to change the information.
  • Make sure your resume and other attachments are included. Your files should be either PDF or Word format, and should all match. Ie. if your resume is PDF so should the other attachments.
  • Keep it professional and personal, make sure to include information from the job description to show that you read and understand what the employer is looking for.
  • Avoid repeating sentences or phrases in the attached resume or cover letter. Sometimes job seekers get lazy and use the same information from their cover letters in the email. Make it different so that the employer can better grasp your qualifications.
  • Avoid personal closings such as “Best Wishes” or “Always” or “Take Care”.
  • Avoid slang and religious greetings/closings (ie. “God Bless”).

How To: Write a Job Post

How to Write an Effective Job Post

An appealing job post is vital in the recruitment process. If there is too much text, no spaces, and no titles, a job seeker will likely not spend time reading it. An effective job post has an introduction to the company and the position available, has clear titles for Job Duties / Responsibilities and Job Requirements. This way the job seeker can check their qualifications easily.

INTRODUCTION

A small introductory paragraph at the top of the job post can be used to introduce the company as well as the key information regarding the role. Write a short introduction to the company and give any details you want about the company ie. leader in industry, company culture, mission, vision, location, etc. Next, provide a summary of the position and give an overview of the responsibilities.

Make sure to include the work location, hours, schedule, and any work environment details. Wage is not required, but it is recommended to include. Additionally, adding the benefits available for the position can attract job seekers.

Do not have a lengthy introduction paragraph as the job seeker may become overwhelmed. Be specific when summarizing the position and target the reader, ie. “You will provide customer service and serve as the first impression for our office.”

JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Next, have a heading to clearly state this section, after have bullet points on the responsibilities. If it is a block of text, job seekers are less likely to take the time to read it. For an example of both refer below. As you can see, the first example is clear and easy to read for the job seeker to see their fit.

Job Duties:

  • Provide excellent customer service.
  • Serve as the first impression for the office.
  • Answer phone calls and emails, relay information.

vs.

In this position, you will provide excellent customer service, serve as the first impression for the office, and answer phone calls and emails, then relay information to the appropriate party.

It is good practice to be thorough, but it is not necessary to list duties that are not essential to the job. Try to keep points summarized and not ramble on. Outlining the important day-to-day activities of the role can help the job seeker understand the expected work activities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

The next part of a good job post is to outline the key requirements and qualifications that a job seeker should have. This can be requirements such as education, related work experience, personality traits, job specific experience (ie. software, certificates, etc.). A list similar to the one described above for Job Duties can be used here again. It is important to start off by listing the key requirements first, then you can mention personality and preferred skills. See the example below.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (or similar field).
  • 2 years of experience in an office environment.
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent writing and analytical skills.
  • Ability to multitask and adapt to a changing environment.

At the end of the job post you can share details of where to apply and what to include (ie. resume and cover letter). If you have an application deadline, state it here along with details on the next steps for your hiring process.

3 Private College ECE Programs in Vancouver

3 Early Childhood Educator Programs for International Students in Vancouver (Private Colleges)

Finding the right school for your program can be difficult, that is why we created this blog post to help compare three Early Childhood Educator programs offered at private colleges in and around Vancouver.

VANCOUVER CAREER COLLEGE

Vancouver Career College is an esteemed private college in Metro Vancouver with six locations. However, the ECE Certificate program is only offered at five: Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Abbotsford. They offer a Early Childhood Education Certificate program for international students. The program is full-time and is 44 weeks long (one year). The tuition for international students is approximately $21,658 CAD.

General College Admission Requirements:

  • Graduation from a BC high school (or equivalent by WES or recognized institution)
  • At least 18 years old
  • Must pass VCC’s English admissions test

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

  • Interview with campus director, program coordinator, or designate
  • Resume with all work history
  • Three reference letters attesting to your character

Upon completing the certificate program, students can apply for the BC Early Childhood Educator Certificate.

SPROTT SHAW COLLEGE

Sprott Shaw College has been around Vancouver for almost 120 years, and has grown to have fourteen main campuses and two specialty campuses in Metro Vancouver, the Okanagan, and on Vancouver Island. They offer a few ECE programs, but we will be sharing details on the Early Childhood Education Basic program. This program is offered at all fourteen main campuses in the province. The program is full-time and takes 45 weeks (1,260 hours) to complete. For international students, tuition is approximately $16,350 CAD.

General College Admission Requirements:

  • Graduation from BC high school (or equivalent by WES or recognized institution)
  • English Level Assessment – must get minimum score of 20/40 in language
  • Admissions interview
  • Must prove full COVID-19 vaccination

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

  • At least two character references detailing volunteer or work experience with young children
  • Interview with an instructor or director
  • The following must be done within three months of program start date:
    • Complete a health declaration form
    • Submit a criminal record check
    • Have clear testing for TB

Upon completing the basic program, students can apply for the BC Early Childhood Educator Certificate.

PACIFIC RIM EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTE

Pacific Rim Early Childhood Institute is an online school based in Victoria, BC. They offer programs for all levels of ECE certificates in BC. In this post, we will discuss the Basic Early Childhood Educator Certificate program. Although the bulk of the program can be completed online anywhere, the three practicum courses must be completed in BC. The program length is 41 weeks (1,008 hours) and is full-time. The tuition for international students is approximately $11,335 CAD.

Admission Requirements:

  • Admission interview
  • Official Transcript showing completion of an English Assessment indicating English proficiency equivalent to successful completion of Grade 12 English from a recognized university or college.
  • Two reference letters
  • At least 19 years old, must send photo identification
  • Criminal record check
  • Declaration of Health

3 Public College ECE Programs in Vancouver

3 ECE Programs for International Students in Vancouver (Public Colleges)

Finding the right college can be difficult. This is why we have compiled information from three well-known public colleges in and around Vancouver, BC. There are many post-secondary institutions that offer Early Childhood Educator programs, but these three have great learning opportunities and the chance to gain work experience.

LANGARA COLLEGE

Langara College is located in Vancouver, BC on W49th Avenue and Columbia Street. The Canada Line Skytrain has a station a few minutes away by walking. They offer a Early Childhood Education Diploma for international students and have two intakes per year: September and January. The program length is 3 full-time semesters (equal to one year), note that this program cannot be completed part-time. The entire program is 63 credits and tuition for international students is approximately $39,400 CAD.

General College Admission Requirements:

  • Graduation from a BC high school (or equivalent by WES or recognized institution)
  • English Proficiency:
    • IELTS Academic: 6.5 (no band lower than 6.0)
    • CAEL: overall 70

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

  • Two reference letters
  • Current First Aid Certification (Level B)

Upon completing the diploma program, students can apply for the BC Early Childhood Educator Certificate, an additional citation (three courses and practicum) can be taken to earn the Post-Basic ECE Special Needs Certificate.

DOUGLAS COLLEGE

Douglas College has two campuses in Metro Vancouver: New Westminster and Coquitlam, BC. However, the Early Childhood Education Certificate program is only offered at the Coquitlam campus. There is one intake in September, and the program length is 3 semesters (one year). The program can be full-time or part-time, note that the 3 semester time is for full-time students. Students will earn 43.5 credits and tuition for international students is approximately $18,727 CAD.

General College Admission Requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Graduated from a BC high school (or equivalent by WES or recognized institution)
  • English Proficiency:
    • IELTS Academic: minimum overall band test score of 6.5
    • CLB Level 8 in each module

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

  • Two reference letters
  • Complete and show proof of 20 hours of volunteer or work experience in a licensed ECE setting with children aged 0-6 (A form must be submitted when applying for the program)
  • Complete a Criminal Record Check
  • Complete a medical declaration or assessment

Upon completing this certificate program, students can apply for the BC Early Childhood Educator Certificate.

VANCOUVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Vancouver Community College has many locations across Metro Vancouver, however the Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma program is only offered at the downtown campus. There are three intakes per year: September, January, and May. The program length is 2 years full-time, equivalent to 6 semesters. Students earn 76 credits and tuition for international students is approximately $42,287 CAD.

General College Admission Requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Graduated from a BC high school (or equivalent by WES or recognized institution)
  • English Proficiency:
    • IELTS Academic: overall 6.5 (no band lower than 6.0)
    • CAEL: Overall 60

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

  • Interview with selection committee
  • Two letters of recommendation

Upon Acceptance to Program Requirements:

  • Criminal Record Check
  • TB Screening
  • Immunizations

Once students have completed the diploma program, they can apply for the BC Early Childhood Educator Certificate as well as the ECE Infant Toddler Educator (ITE) and ECE Special Needs Educator (SNE) Certifications.

Tips and How to be a Successful ECE

Tips and How to be a Successful Early Childhood Educator

Before you start your career as an Early Childhood Educator, consider if the job is right for you. Below is a list of character traits that make a great & successful ECE.

  • Love for children and working with them.
  • Patient and dedicated
  • Creative and enthusiastic
  • Strong communication skills
  • Well organized
  • Professional
  • Kind and caring towards others
  • Compassionate and empathetic
  • Accepting of other backgrounds and beliefs

If you fit all of the above traits, then becoming an ECE is the perfect career for you!

STAND OUT

After graduating from your post-secondary program, it is time to look for a job. Create a portfolio to help stand out from the rest of the applicants. Check out our other blog post to learn more of what to include.

Have your three reference letters ready. You can even attach them in your portfolio for ease for the employer. Most daycares will ask for three reference letters from previous coworkers or friends when deciding on your application.

When you have the job, help out and care for the children as much as you can. Build relationships with everyone.

COMMUNICATE

Communication is key when working as an ECE. You have to communicate with the children, parents, and coworkers.

When communicating with children, your voice should be soft and nurturing. Make sure to be affirmative and support the children in their decisions. Enthusiasm is key when teaching and interacting with children to get them excited about learning.

When you are communicating with parents, your voice and tone should be calm and reassuring. Most parents will be concerned on how their children are performing and developing, so a calm voice and reassurance will help put them at ease.

When communicating with coworkers, your voice should be relaxed and more normal. If you show stress or you are flustered the children will pick up on this and may start to misbehave. It is important to put on a brave face and poise yourself appropriately as the children are observing you at all times.

Tips and Best Practices for Job Interviews

Tips and Best Practices for Job Interviews

A job interview can be scary for most job seekers. There is much on the line for an interview, and sometimes it is a lot to handle. This blog post is to help relieve some of that stress to help you improve your attitude and get the job you want!

We will go over tips and best practices such as body language, practice, professionalism, enthusiasm, and following-up tips.

APPEARANCE

Focus your body language on the interviewer, sit up straight, maintain eye contact, and try to keep your hands together. If you tend to talk with your hands, try to practice beforehand in front of a mirror or camera to see how much you use your hands. Lots of movement can be distracting in an interview, try your best to be aware of your hands and keep them at your sides of clasped together on your lap or on the table in front of you. Additionally, if you fidget and your legs move when you’re nervous, try to be aware of that. If your legs are bouncing the entire interview, it can be distracting and although you may sound confident, your body language says otherwise.

If you have long hair, it is best to have it tucked behind your ears or tied in a pony tail. If your hair is down and in front of your face, it will make the employer think that you are hiding and not confident in yourself. Try to be aware of your appearance and not hide behind something. A mask makes things difficult to show your full face. If you are required to wear a mask during an interview, be extra aware of stray hairs as that can hide more of your face.

PRACTICE

Asking friends or family to do a mock interview can help you practice speaking, minimize nerves, and help you become aware of your appearance. Although this may seem silly, it can help relieve stress, boost confidence, and provide an opportunity to prepare answers.

Watch your tone of voice when you speak. The tone of your voice can show your personality and your confidence level quite clearly. Make sure to speak in a strong, confident, and enthusiastic voice in a professional yet friendly manner. This can be difficult at first to grasp as there are many things to consider, that is why it is important to practice speaking in from of someone so they can let you know if you are coming off too strong or too soft.

When you are speaking about your qualifications and experience, make sure to be enthusiastic about the position. Be excited about the opportunity and how you can fill the gaps. At the end of the interview, reiterate how grateful you are for the chance to interview and ask about the next steps. Show that you are interested in working for the company and moving forward with the next step in their hiring process.

PROFESSIONALISM

If your interview is at the workplace, plan your trip before leaving to make sure to arrive on time. The day before the interview, look up how long it will take to get to the office and check our parking / transportation options. Make sure to factor in the possibility of traffic when planning your trip as well. If the interview is online via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or another platform, make sure to be at your computer with no distractions around you at least 10 minutes before the start time. It is a good idea to set a reminder on your phone about the interview time. Since the interview is online, there is no excuse to be late. Do your best to troubleshoot any connection issues ahead of time to minimize delays in the interview. If it is a large company, it is likely the interviewer has back-to-back interviews. If you cause delays it can shorten your time-frame or mess up their schedule.

When you arrive at the workplace, try to greet the interviewer with a handshake, or wave depending on the Covid restrictions. This also goes for an online interview, it is nice to wave hello and introduce yourself once you join the call. Ask how their day is going or about their weekend plans to break the ice a little. This can help you relax as well as let the interviewer to settle.

Be prepared and research the company beforehand. This can prepare you if they ask you a question such as “What do you know about our company?” As well, it can prepare your expectations on visiting the workplace or speaking with the interviewer online. Make sure that the company is a good fit for you. If there is something you really love about the company, make sure to mention it in the interview. If there is something you want to learn more about or want clarification, you can also find out in the interview.

Throughout the interview, make sure to really listen. This may seem like a silly thing to mention, but some candidates don’t set their full attention to the interviewer. A completely different answer may be given or you may ask the interviewer to repeat the same question multiple times. If you do not understand a question, let them know. Repeating a question can be annoying and gives off the wrong vibe.

FOLLOW-UP

After completing your interview, it is nice to follow-up with the employer regarding your application. You may wish to email or phone the interviewer, depending on how you were communicating with them before the interview. The day after the interview, you can reach out to thank them for the interview. In this correspondence you can say thank you for the opportunity and remind them of your qualifications. As well, if there were any questions or concerns they had for you, you can address them here.

If you have not received any news seven business days after the interview, then you can follow-up about the status of your application. Do not contact them earlier than seven days to allow appropriate time for the employer to evaluate and review the application. This follow-up will remind the employer that you are still interested and enthusiastic about the role.

We hope this post can help you succeed in your next job interview. If you have further questions or concerns, contact us.

How To: Prepare for Interview

How To: Prepare for Interview

A job interview can be nerve-wracking for most people. We have created this blog post to help those job seekers be at ease and crush that job interview. In this blog post we will go over the prep work that should be done prior to your job interview.

PREP WORK

A job interview is something that you need to prepare for in advance. You need to set time to review the job description, research the company and their goals, understand the role that you applied for, reflect on your motivations, and prepare answers and questions.

The first step is to review the job description of the job you applied for. Remind yourself of what the company is looking for and how you fit in. Make sure you understand the duties and requirements to be able to explain how you can fulfill their needs and meet / exceed their expectations.

 

The next step is to research the company. Most employers will expect that you have done this and ask specific questions such as “Why did you choose to apply with us?” or “What do you know about us?” or “What interested you about this position and working with us?”. It is important to be specific in your answer. If you did not research and have a broad answer like “I am passionate about helping others and this jobs really connected with me.” It is likely you will not get the job. Employers are looking for specific answers like what about their culture, services, etc. excited you and made you want to apply.

 

Once you have researched the company and understand what they are looking for,  now you can prepare answers to common questions. Although it is impossible to know exactly what the employer will ask, you can research most common interview questions. For some examples, see below:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
  • What interests you about this role?
  • How do you handle stress in the workplace?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • How would your previous employer describe you?
  • Tell me about a time where you had a bad experience working in a team. How did you address the problems? How were the issues overcome?
  • Provide an example of a time where you showed leadership.

It is also common to have job-specific questions. For instance, interview questions would be vastly different when applying for an Early Childhood Educator compared to a Systems Administrator. You can conduct another search on interview questions for your role. You will find more specific questions related to your experiences and qualifications.

 

The last bit of prep work that a job seeker needs to do is to prepare three to five questions for the employer. Try to stay away from “What is the salary?” or “What are your benefits?” Although those are important, it is best not to ask in the first interview. Try to ask more specific questions like the following:

  • What are some qualities you look for in a successful employee?
  • What is your training program like?
  • Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?
  • What is your favourite thing about working with the company?
  • What are the biggest challenges someone in this position may face?

Once you have asked your three to five questions, it is nice to ask “What are the next steps?” That way you know what to expect following the interview.

We hope this can help you with your next job interview. If you need further assistance, contact us.

Good luck!

How To: Write a Cover Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter

A cover letter can assist you in your job search. A cover letter is used to introduce yourself and provide additional information on your qualifications to support your resume. The cover letter provides the opportunity for you to connect your resume to the job you are applying for. Unlike a resume, you can address yourself in first person because you are writing about yourself and what makes you the best fit for the job.

Cover letters should not be generic and should be altered to fit with every position you are applying for. Read the job description a few times to really understand what the company is looking for. Make sure to include some of the language and requirements in your cover letter to show that you have the qualifications for the position.

WHAT TO INCLUDE

There are seven things that should be included in your cover letter:

  • The date of applying
  • Your name and contact information 
  • The employer’s contact information
  • Introduction of yourself and your interest in the position
  • Your background and qualifications
  • How you think you are the best candidate, what sets you apart
  • Your signature
TOP OF COVER LETTER

The header of the cover letter should include your first and last name and contact information (phone number and email address). Below that should be the date you are applying in full text (ie. July 8th, 2022). After the date is where the information of the company you are applying to, this includes the name of the contact (if known), full company name, address, and phone number.

Once you have that set up, it is time to start writing your cover letter.

MAIN SECTION

The first thing you have to do is greet the reader, ie. Dear “Contact Name”, or Dear Hiring Manager, or To Whom it May Concern. Do not write Dear Sir/Madam or assume it is one of them. In Canada, it is not common to address someone by Sir or Madam/Ma’am.

Once you have included a greeting, you should write a short paragraph on introducing yourself and your interest in the position. It is common to also mention the exact job title and where you found the posting in this paragraph. Make sure to be enthusiastic about applying for the position and the possibility to work for that company.

The next paragraph can be longer which is a description of your relevant experience, achievements, and expertise. In this paragraph you can brag about yourself and what you have accomplished in your career so far. This is where reading the job description will come in handy. Mention the keywords and requirements in this section showing that you have the qualifications to do the job.

The last paragraph is short where you reiterate why you are best suited for the role. As well, you can state your interest in moving forward for an interview to discuss the role in more detail. Make sure to leave space after this paragraph for a salutation, ie. Sincerely, or All the Best, or Cheers. After the salutation put your signature then type your name below.

THINGS TO REMEMBER & TIPS
  • If your resume has a design and header, the cover letter should use the same formatting.
  • Lead with a strong opening sentence about your qualifications and what excites you about the position.
  • Focus on the future.
  • Share accomplishments that showcase your abilities.
  • Always proofread your documents before submitting.
  • Keep the text brief, a cover letter should not be longer than one page.
  • Never use casual text like “Hey” or contractions like “don’t” or “shouldn’t”.
  • Avoid general information, be specific about the position.
  • Avoid trying to be funny, it will not translate well.

Tips and How to get Immunization Records

Required Immunization Record Information for Early Childhood Educators

Early Childhood Educator’s in BC need to have up-to-date immunization records before working in a daycare. Most post-secondary schools will require students to have the immunization record before enrolling in their ECE program. Additionally, before being offered a job at a daycare, the employer will request your immunization record to make sure you are fit to work with children.

WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED?

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC), childcare workers should have the following vaccines:

  • All Routine Vaccines
    • Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine
    • Shingles Vaccine
    • Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
    • Influenza (flu) Vaccine
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine

The Hepatitis A Vaccine is not routinely recommended for childcare workers as the BC CDC recommends to practice good hygiene ie. washing hands regularly.

** Please note that some daycares may require additional immunizations such as Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chicken Pox), and/or Polio.

HOW TO GET AN IMMUNIZATION RECORD?

It is your responsibility to ensure that your immunizations are current and the records are accurate and safe.

If you are a resident of BC and have a BC Services Card you should be able to use the Health Gateway website (Health Gateway (gov.bc.ca)) to retrieve all your personal medical information.

In the case that your records are incomplete, check with your previous doctors or caregivers. If you are from overseas, check with your hometown doctor.

Alternatively, if you have no records of your vaccinations you can go to a walk-in clinic in BC and request a blood test form for LifeLabs.

If you would like an immunization card to refer to check out this website for samples available to download and print at home: Immunization record cards | Immunize BC