(no subject)
It seems like I have a real job. Well, a 1 year term assuming the letter of offer doesn't fall through at the last minute (which is very unlikely but has happened in the history of the government of Canada). I am 99.9% sure this will happen.
At the present time the government can't hire indeterminate employees unless they are on the "surplus list") in a real job. However, this 1 year term entitles me to all the perks of an indeterminate employee at least from what I understand. This term can be renewed or turned into a indeterminate position at any point. If they renew my term three times, after that they have to either let me go or make the position indeterminate. So basically, as a "new hire" (see more below) this is the best you can get.
So, how did I get this job without doing a competition, a bunch of tests and a lengthy interview process? How did I get hired in less than two weeks? Bridging. One of the smartest things you can do as a student is get a job through COOP or FSWEP. One term with the government means you can be hired without a competition. Here is how my hiring process went down:
-Email from possible future manager asking me if I would be interested in an SG-04 position as a Regulatory Officer.
-I responded yes, asking if I should read anything before coming in. I was told that no, I was already qualified and they just wanted to meet me to see if I am a good fit.
-I go to said "meeting" which ends up being with entirely different people and is in fact an interview. Good thing I went ahead and studied anyways. Sample questions: "What year did the regulations come into force?" and other very specific regulation and interview questions.
-I fret for about a week and find out that they have contacted my references.
-Contact goes on vacation and I fret some more.
-I get an email offering me the position.
Now, the job: 1 year term at the SG-04 level (O_O!!!! Assuming that doesn't change: O_O!!!!) with the Natural Health Product Directorate's Bureau of Product Review and Assessment. I will be reviewing natural health product applications and reading through the scientific literature. SCIENCE stuff! This will also give me great experience I don't already have.
I was smart about a lot of things. I worked my ASS off at all my COOP/FSWEP positions and got some really solid references. A lot of COOP students make the mistake of slacking off. I also was smart about where I worked each term. I got a wide range of key experience and experience I wanted and I wasn't tasked with I took initiative on. I worked hard on my resume (I did so many drafts and had it reviewed by a very smart lady [an EX-2] who has offered to be my "mentor" and will be guiding me to make something of myself) and read all regulations before talking with people. I also got myself into every database, pool or inventory I could. I begged everyone I knew to pass my resume around.
I was also very, very, very, very lucky. The possibility of being plucked out of the student bridgeable databases (Health has their own) is very small unless it is by a former employer. Especially in these times where everyone is scared. I keep wondering if someone put in a good word for me. If they did, I would love to thank them. Regardless...wow.
There are a lot of great things about this but one big bonus is that I could possibly pay off my student loans (36K$+interest) in less than three years! :D
IMHO this is a huge pay off. HUGE. And I am really thankful and excited for this opportunity. This means a lot to me and makes me feel like leaving the animation industry was the smartest thing I did for myself. Makes me feel like the last 10 years were not in vain.
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