Health Educator

Hands-on exercises

How to identify jobs which are suitable for you? Step-by-step approach:

Maria was very systematic in her approach and did the following:

  1. assessed her own personality, situation and experience;
  2. identified her transferable skills;
  3. researched positions;
  4. read and analyzed the job posting carefully;
  5. addressed both stated and hidden requirements;
  6. matched her skills and experience to the stated and hidden requirements.

How do you approach your job search?
Are any of these steps new to you?
Would you have done anything differently?

How to read and analyze job postings?

  1. Reread the job posting included in this article.
  2. Complete the following chart with information about Maria. You will need to add extra rows.
Stated requirements Hidden requirements Maria’s qualifications and experience Gaps
3-5 years experience 9 years
Act as a resource to empower parent groups Facilitation skills Working with community groups
Referring children to appropriate childhood development resources Knowledge of national and local resources Lack of knowledge about such resources

A sample job posting: Relate this to your own experience
Read the job posting below, and go through the above steps for yourself. Complete a chart for yourself, using the one above as a model. Remember to include personal attributes as well as skills and knowledge.
Download a chart

Our Neighborhood Community Health Centres
Health PromoterPosition Type: Contract – Part Time
Job Region: ON – Metro Toronto
Years of Experience: 3
Date Ad Posted: 12/03/2003
Application Deadline: 12/20/2003

Our Neighborhood Community Health Centres is a non-profit community based health organization committed to improving the health of community members, particularly those at risk for poverty and discrimination. Our multi-disciplinary approach includes the provision of primary health/dental care, counselling, harm reduction, community development, advocacy and innovative partnerships with other organizations. CTCHC is a pro-choice and gay positive organization committed to employment equity and anti-discrimination.

We currently have an opportunity for a Health Promoter to join an interdisciplinary team delivering services to people from diverse communities living in the downtown area. ONCHC provides services to many people who face barriers to receiving services such as poverty, settlement, language, mental health and discrimination. This position is a part time contract, 0.75 FTE through March, 2006.

Responsibilities:

  • as a Health Promoter, you will work with individuals, groups and service providers to:
  • identify health related needs and capacities of priority groups in our surrounding community
  • identify priorities and develop strategies to address these needs
  • develop and maintain partnerships with community agencies
  • develop and facilitate workshops with community members on issues related to the determinants of health
  • provide information and referral to health and social services
  • help reduce barriers to good health by supporting the development of health public policies

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 3 years experience in health promotion and/or community development
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with community agencies to coordinate services and to effect social change
  • Experience working with families from diverse communities and backgrounds
  • Experience in community health and multi-disciplinary team model
  • Knowledge and awareness of issues related to homelessness, immigration, mental health, poverty and discrimination
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, or related area, or equivalent experience in health or social services
  • Other languages an asset

Salary range: $ 37,471 – 47,106 (pro-rated) plus benefits

Applications are encouraged from qualified members of groups traditionally under-represented in the workplace.

Please send a letter of interest and resume by December 20, 2003, quoting Job #QW25 to:
Hiring Committee, Our Neighborhood Community Health Centres
168 XXX Street, YYY, ON X5X 0R0
Fax: 416-703-7832
E mail: hiring@onchc.com

No phone calls please. We regret that only those we wish to interview will be contacted.

Compensation Type: Salary
Amount: $ 37,471 – 47,106 pro-rated
Contact by: Email, Fax, Mail
Applicants should quote Job #: QW25

Do not forget to “pull out” both the requirements stated in the ad and those that are “implied” or “hidden”.

Go through the exercise of identifying your transferable skills. How can you use some of your old skills to do the job of health promoter? Which of your transferable skills are relevant to each job requirement?

Assess your gaps: how many gaps have you identified? Are they related to the most important job requirements and duties, or to a less important ones?

In most cases the experience and qualifications of a candidate will not match the job description perfectly. Gaps are normal. One or two small gaps should not stop you from applying for the position.

If you see significant gaps, think how you could overcome them? Do you require additional training? Can you volunteer in order to develop new skills and knowledge?

Most importantly – remember that your strengths, now your weaknesses will help you find a job. Find ways to show how your strongest skills will help you to meet the job requirements.

Good luck!