The HR Mentor

#55: The Big Problem - A Sneak Peek into the HRCA Program

In today’s episode, I have a special treat for you. Today what you will hear on the podcast is a sneak peek into my HR Career Accelerator program. 
This program is a six-module online course designed to take you from an HR job seeker to an HR job offer, which is a journey I know so many of you are already on. The good news is registration is opening soon (July 2022)!
Today I am sharing an audio version of one of the video lessons from the beginning of the program called The “Big” Problem. In this lesson of the course, I share what I believe are the biggest challenges to landing that first HR role. 
Summary of this episode:
The big problem with finding your first HR role can be broken down into four smaller problems.
Problem 1 - There are no HR departments that look exactly alike
Problem 2 - Most HR roles require some level of experience
Problem 3 - The profession lacks an articling, internship or ‘common’ career path
Problem 4 - HR is a broad profession with lots of possible career paths
If you want to move from an HR job seeker to an HR job offer, sign up for The HR Career Accelerator Program. If you are signed up for the newsletter you’ll be the first to know when registration opens.
And if the program is not right for you, use this information to help you tailor your job search and create your own personal internship or experience career path.
And if you want to get a discount on the program when you register make sure you have this discount code on hand: HRMENTORPOD
Here are some helpful links related to this episode:
Episode 54: The Inside Scoop on Job Boards and Entry-Level Recruitment with Steven Rothberg
Episode 41: Prepare for your HR Job Search
Episode 3: How Your Values Impact Your Career and Job Search
Episode 8: The Importance of Making Connections
Sign up for the Newsletter to get notified of the HRCA Launch and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources, and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
You will also be eligible for an exclusive discount on the HR Career Accelerator program when registration opens.

#54: The Inside Scoop on Job Boards & Entry-level Recruitment with Steven Rothberg

Today on the show, my guest is Steven Rothberg.
Steven is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of College Recruiter job search site. At College Recruiter, they believe that every student and recent graduate deserves a great career. Over the course of a year, College Recruiter helps seven million students and recent graduates find part-time, seasonal, internship, coop, apprenticeship, and other entry-level jobs. At any given time, there are several million jobs advertised on College Recruiter globally.
If you are a University of College student or a recent graduate, this conversation is for you! I recommend you take some notes and check out College Recruiter today. Steven and his team also have an awesome blog with lots of advice for employers and recent graduates.
In this episode, Steven and I discuss how University and College students can maximize their success in the job market and stand out as applicants. We also discuss when and how candidates should reveal if they belong to an equity-seeking group and some recent trends in diversity recruitment that job applicants should be prepared for. Finally, Steven shares what he is working on at the College recruiter and offers some sage advice through my speed questions. I think you will get a lot out of this conversation.
 
Summary of key points in this episode:
Nothing is forever (except the Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup draught!)  Pick a career path that is aligned with your values and strengths at the time, pursue it with passion, and expect accidents and pivots along the way. 
Students who want to secure professional roles after graduation should pursue part-time related work, internships or co-ops while they are still pursuing their studies at University.
It is a common mistake for students to wait until graduation to begin pursuing professional roles - be the exception!
The school you attended and your GPA are less important for employers than you believe them to be. What employers really care about is how low-risk you are as a potential employee.
If a co-op or internship through your college or university is out of reach for whatever reason, don’t let it stop you! Create your own and be open to checking out other locations.
Proposing remote work is also an option to consider. However, the best time to do this is before you start the process with the employer. Set up an informational interview and see if it’s an option. Most employers are set up for remote work these days and if you make a compelling case will agree to your proposal.
An informational interview can help reduce the risk to the employer of hiring you.
Steven recommends looking for affinities with a potential employer and the people who will be on your hiring panel. Finding a personal connection with them can help you stand out as an applicant.
I asked Steven about how applicants can stand out when they do apply. His advice - pay attention to keywords! If the employer says “HR” in the job ad, you should say “HR” in your application; not Human Resources. 
Answer your phone if you are applying for jobs! Most employers use phone screenings as the first point of contact. And make sure your outgoing message is professional for the times when you can’t answer the phone.
When you do get the call, make sure you listen to what the employer is asking you. 
Be prepared for possible text screening interviews. More and more organizations are incorporating “blind” screening methods to prevent bias and discrimination early in the process. Be professional and take your cues on communication from the person interviewing you through text.
I asked Steven about his advice for candidates on when they should reveal their diversity status to an employer, specifically in a situation where they are not giving preference to candidates that represent an equity-seeking group, but rather when employers say they value and embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. His advice is to balance out the risk and the upside to determine what to say and when.
In the labour market of today, you may be willing to assume more risk because you will want to know where the employer stands and if they don’t truly value diversity, you may want to pass on working for them. 
I loved how Steven answered my first speed question where I ask him which organization in the world he would work for. He shared three things he would look for that you may want to consider when you are preparing for your job search. Listen to the end of the episode to learn what he said!
Yummy…Mackintosh Toffee - It was always my favourite candy bar growing up!
 
Helpful links from this episode:
Visit the College Recruiter website today - https://www.collegerecruiter.com/
Check-out Steven’s podcast - The Job Board Geek
Connect with Steven on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrothberg/ 
Read “Traction: Get a Grip On Your Business” by Gino Wickman
Learn about how to set up an Information Interview in Episode 8: The Importance of Making Connections
Sign up for the Newsletter to get notified of the HRCA Launch and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources, and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
You will also be eligible for an exclusive discount on the HR Career Accelerator program launching in July 2022.

#53: Speak With Ease

Many of us are uncomfortable talking about ourselves, especially at events and during networking opportunities. As a shy extrovert, I used to find engaging with people I didn't know and talking about what I do and what I am passionate about very uncomfortable. But I also learned over the years, that being able to do this is critical to career success.
This episode is for those of you that have the same experience. 
Because to be honest, connecting with other professionals, potential employers and mentors is one of the best ways to find that first HR role or level up your career to a new opportunity. So it is imperative that you get better at speaking with ease. Building your personal and professional network is a critical component of a successful HR career so embracing the skills and tools that make it easier earlier in your career will help you get better over time and help boost your confidence.
In this episode, I am sharing some tips to help you get over the awkward moments and learn to promote yourself and speak with ease.
Key points in this episode:
There are two aspects to speaking with ease. First, there is what you say, second, there is how you say it.
Developing an elevator pitch that highlights the value proposition you offer and the employer as well as where you are and where you are headed helps you prepare in advance of an event or networking opportunity.
The elevator pitch can be used for networking, answering the Tell Me About Yourself interview question, or when you are setting up informational interviews.
Preparation is half the battle. Prepare your elevator pitch and some possible questions to ask the people you are talking to. You should also prepare answers to questions you might be asked.
How you show up physically also matters.
Demonstrate confidence through your appearance, eye contact, smiling, and physical demeanor.
Practice makes perfect!
Conclude with a thank you that is short, sweet, personal and polite. :)
Helpful links in this episode:
Episode 5: Be Prepared and Ace the Interview
Episode 41: Prepare for your HR Job Search
Episode 4: Market Yourself for Job Search Success
Episode 8: The Importance of Making Connections
Episode 52: Why Job Targets Matter and How to Identify Them
Sign up for the Newsletter to get notified of the HRCA Launch and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources, and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
You will also be eligible for an exclusive discount on the HR Career Accelerator program launching July 2022.

#52: Why Job Targets Matter and How to Identify Them

Not every employer with an HR job is going to be one that you should be pursuing. That’s right, I said it. You should not be applying for every single HR job you see posted.
You see, in the same way an employer will target certain job candidates so that there is a higher possibility of a successful match, you don’t want to apply to every employer because when you target your choices you increase the chances that there will be a successful match. It takes a lot of effort and energy, emotional and otherwise, to put together your application for a job - any job! So why would you put that effort into applying for a job that is not going to be a match?
In this episode I am explaining why I think targeting your job search to a more narrow list of employers, roles and industries is a good idea and I share two methods to help you identify your job targets. You may end up with more than one job target, but by narrowing this list you are going to more quickly move from being a job seeker to a job offer. And that, is a very good thing!
Summary of Key Points in this Episode:
Identifying job targets are important for three key reasons:
Going through the exercises to identify job targets helps you get to know yourself better and this is an important part of the job seeking process.
It will make it easier to make connections and build relationships which is critical to career and job search success.
It will make your job search and the selection process a lot easier!
There are two process you can use to help you identify your job targets.
Visioning exercises (find a quiet place and grab a pen and notebook)
5 elements method (you still probably need a quiet place and you definitely need to write some thoughts down)
This episode provides a couple of practical exercises, but may require you to pause, think and write in order to get the most out of it so I recommend you listen to it once all the way through (its only 20 minutes!) and then set yourself up at a desk to do the exercises and pause the audio when you need to.
Helpful links in this episode:
Episode 5: Be Prepared and Ace the Interview
Episode 41: Prepare for your HR Job Search
Episode 3: How Your Values Impact Your Career and Job Search
Episode 8: The Importance of Making Connections
Sign up for the Newsletter to get notified of the HRCA Launch and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.

#51: Preparing for Reference Checks

As I have talked about many times before on this show, getting that first opportunity can be challenging. You may not quite have enough experience that potential employers are looking for and you may be lacking the confidence needed to put yourself out there and sell an organization on what you can offer. These are of course skills you can develop once you know-how.
One way that some job seekers stumble in the process is when it comes to providing references. Last year I interviewed my good friend and colleague Joel Peterson and we talked about the importance of reference checks for employers. You can listen to our conversation by checking out Episode 39 of The HR Mentor. And while we did briefly cover how to select a reference, in this episode I share some more specific advice on how to chose the best references for your next job competition and address some of the common missteps I see emerging professionals make with this critical process. Because why would you want to get all the way to the end of the process and then blow the opportunity because you weren’t prepared?!
Summary of key points in this episode:
Preparation is important for a successful reference process.
Selecting the right reference is critical. The right reference depends on the job you are applying for and the experience and competencies they require.
Preparing your referees for the call is equally important. Make sure they know the job you are applying for and what information they can share to best present you to the employer.
Always thank your referees, especially if you didn’t get the job. You may need their support in the future and a heartfelt thank you goes a long way.
You may want to choose references other than your current or past Manager or Supervisor, but make sure it is relevant to the role.
Options for references could be co-workers, people you volunteered with, consultants or clients, professors, and potentially co-workers.
Regardless of who you chose to speak on your behalf, explaining to the person checking your references what their relevance is to the process is helpful. Give them some context and they will be more likely to accept a non-traditional referee.
Helpful links in this episode:
Episode 39: The Art of Reference Checks with Joel Peterson
Episode 41: Prepare for your HR Job Search
Learn how to support Indigenous People in Canada - Check out my In Solidarity page
Sign up for the Newsletter to get notified of the HRCA Launch and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources, and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
You will also be eligible for an exclusive discount on the HR Career Accelerator program launching once again this summer.
As always, thank you so much for listening to this episode. Your time is greatly appreciated.

#50 Making the Leap

Today feels pretty special to me because this is my 50th episode of the HR Mentor!!
Thank you so much for listening and for supporting me on this journey over the last 2.5 years. It has been an absolute privilege to share this content with you.
Today’s episode is also special because I created it for a specific group of emerging professionals. It was inspired by this comment from a listener, Traci Carmen.
“I recently started listening to your podcast and wanted to sincerely thank you for sharing your experience and expertise. I've been in HR for 3.5 years with about 3 of those years being a coordinator. I've take moved into an HR Generalist position and really lack confidence in this role. I find your podcast so calming and informative and it gives me guidance in all areas I need! 
One piece of advice you gave was so helpful- swim in your own lane. I've decided I'm not necessarily an expert at the things I'm doing, so am focusing on becoming one so that I can speak to all I do with absolute confidence. Thank you again for this wonderful resource and response :)”
Traci, this episode is for you and all the other HR professionals out there making the leap from their first HR role to a more advanced one. 
It is not unusual for emerging professionals to feel a lack of confidence when transitioning from their first role to the next and imposter syndrome is a very real experience. Like many of you, I also experience doubt and a dip in my confidence when I start something new. This podcast is a perfect example. But, like most things, I figured it out over time and with a lot of help and support. And, you will too.
In this episode, I share five strategies to help you make the leap from an entry-level HR role to something more advance.
These five strategies are:
Get clear expectations on your role and client group
Focus your time on understanding over advising
Increase the time you spend learning
Seek feedback often and from the right sources
Explore HR niches
Here are some helpful links related to this episode:
Episode 7 - Make an Impact in Your First 90 Days
Episode 26 - Career Confidence Boosters You Need Now
Insight - by Dr. Tasha Eurich
Join The HR Mentor Fan Club Today!
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources, and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
As always, thank you so much for listening to this episode. Your time is greatly appreciated.
Here's to another 50!

#49 Nix Your Networking Fears

When I say the word networking, what is your reaction?
Do you instantly feel nervous? Confused? Overwhelmed? 
If you are presented with an opportunity to go to a networking event, do you start thinking up excuses to get out of it?
If the answer is yes, you are in good company. Most of the emerging HR practitioners I talk to have a fear of networking and I was one of them. Despite being extroverted, I am a shy person and I do not like approaching people I don’t know and making small talk with them. I would only attend networking events if I knew other people were going and I could talk to them. As soon as I was left on my own I would head to the washroom or go home. Attending networking events was just not my scene. 
But, I also knew that it was essential to a successful HR career and in fact, it is still essential to my career as a professor and consultant. So, I knew early on in my career I had to figure out how to get over my fear and embrace this important activity and overcome my fear. 
If you can relate to my experience this episode is for you. Today I am going to share why I think people (like me) have a fear of networking and share a couple of tips to help you move past this fear so that you can take advantage of all the benefits networking can offer to your HR career. 
Here are the four reasons I believe people fear networking:
They don’t understand the point of networking.
They don’t know where to start or what to do.
They don’t know who to network with.
They fear the rejection that might come with it.
In this episode, I share two core tips to help you overcome your fear of networking:
Reframing what networking is.
Knowing who to network with.
Here are some helpful links and resources to help you on your networking journey:
Episode 8: The Importance of Making Connections
Episode 9: Interview with Dean Lemphers Part 1
Episode 48: Follow Your Passion with Sarah Wade
Sign up for my Newsletter
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources, and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
As always, thank you so much for listening to this episode. Your time is greatly appreciated.

#48 Follow Your Passion with Sarah Wade

One of the best things about being a University professor is getting to meet up-and-coming professionals. I get to see them when they are figuring out what they want to do and how they see themselves contributing. And in some cases, I have an opportunity to play a small role in their thought process. Every once in a while I meet students who I just know are going to make meaningful contributions no matter what path they chose to follow. Today on the HR Mentor I am sharing a conversation with one of those students. 
Sarah Wade is an HR professional with a passion for helping others in their careers. She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Human Resource Management in early 2021 and then moved to Toronto to start her HR career. Since then, Sarah has worked as a Campus Recruiter, and as a Campus and Diversity Events Coordinator. 
One of the things I have always admired about Sarah and I admired even more after this conversation, is her passion for whatever she does. I believe that your career path should inspire a sense of joy and meaning in your life and Sarah definitely embodies both. Not only has she been able to pursue roles and a location that was aligned with what she wanted to experience she has a deep desire to help others realize the same and wasted no time doing so when she recently started her own podcast to help students and young professionals in their careers. Jumpstart Career Cast is an incredible resource for anyone looking for advice on how to start their career and engage in the wild west of job searching.
In this episode, Sarah shares some incredible advice and some inspiring stories about finding success with your job search and career. You will learn about the serendipitous moment that helped her land her first HR role, but also the strategy she used and practiced to help her be in the right place at the right time doing the exact right thing!
Sarah also shares some wonderful wisdom about life, career, and how to keep it all in balance. So much wisdom for such a young person! I am so proud of Sarah and all that she has done and I hope you enjoy listening to us talk as much as I enjoyed the conversation.
Here are some helpful links to support this episode:
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfwade/
Read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Read The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins
Listen to the Jumpstart Career Cast today!
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources, and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
As always, thank you so much for listening to this episode. Your time is greatly appreciated.
 

#47: Small Town Career Opportunities with Justin Hardy

A lot of HR professionals and new grads shy away from job opportunities in smaller or more remote communities. But my guest in this episode, Justin Hardy, did the opposite and as a result, has been able to gain some incredible experience early in his career.
Justin is from a small town in the Interior of BC called Logan Lake with a population of about 2,000 people. He achieved his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in 2017. 
A major academic accomplishment during his studies was presenting the results of a large research project that he had conducted with a group of his classmates at the TRU 2016 Undergrad Research and Innovation Conference. After receiving his degree he found his passion in human resources and has enjoyed both studying HR and working in the field.
An achievement Justin is proud of in his professional career is developing, designing, and facilitating the City of Nelson’s new employee orientation program. During his time working for the City of Nelson Justin also fell in love with the Kootenays and is happy to work for the people of the Basin on a daily basis at Columbia Basin Trust. In his free time, he enjoys creative writing, reading, exercise, and technology. He also likes playing board games with friends, spending time with his Nieces, as well as video games, animals, music, and movies.
In this episode, Justin and I discuss his career path, how he found HR, and life in a small town. Something this girl knows a little about. It was a great conversation that I am proud to share with you.
Here are some helpful links related to this episode:
Learn about the Columbia Basin Trust
Read "Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds" by David Goggins
Connect with Justin on LinkedIn
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Podbean
And if you are serious about building your HR career and you want to support the HR Mentor, consider getting a membership.
The HR Mentor Fan Club is a virtual space where you can get access to special bonus episodes of the podcast, resources and free downloads as well as a chance to access special discounts on future programs. 
If you join today, you will get instant access to my decision-making tool to help you say no to activities that aren’t aligned with your values and goals and much more. 
As always, thank you so much for listening to this episode. Your time is greatly appreciated.
 

#46: Stand With Ukraine

On February 24th, 2022 Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This was an unprovoked attack on a sovereign democratic nation that has resulted in the incredible destruction of many cities and villages of Ukraine, their infrastructure, and a significant loss of life to both soldiers and civilians.
 
As a Ukrainian-Canadian, I am terrified for my family that lives in Ukraine. I fear for their safety, their health and wellbeing, and the loss of their peaceful way of life. As a human being, I am devastated by the complete disregard Putin has for human beings and humanity.
 
As we all watch this horror play out from the safety of wherever we are, we may feel lost and unsure of what we can do. This is of course normal. I have had so many friends, family and colleagues reach out asking what they can do to Stand With Ukraine.
 
In this special episode, I share my personal story and connection to Ukraine and provide options for you to take action and help Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
 
The only way this war ends is if we all #standwithukraine.
 
Дякую! (Thank you!)
Слава Україні! (Glory to Ukraine)
 
I will continue to update resources on my website on www.unicorngroup.ca/stand-with-ukraine. 
 
Make a Donation:
Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Canada Ukraine Foundation Humanitarian Appeal: https://www.cufoundation.ca/ 
Canadian Red Cross - Ukraine Fund - https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%28EN%29+Emergencies+-+Ukraine+Humanitarian+Crisis+Appeal&gclid=CjwKCAiAg6yRBhBNEiwAeVyL0F9vDa214x2Z48QMG420YAvayN7LQYrileYEa8KTOAYY3zIX02cTRxoC0zAQAvD_BwE 
UN Refugee Agency for Ukrainians fleeing the war: https://give.unhcr.ca/page/100190/donate/1 
The Canadian Association of University Teachers and Education International Solidarity with Ukraine Fund: https://www.caut.ca/latest/2022/03/urgent-appeal-solidarity-ukraine 
Kamloops-Kelowna Ukrainian Foundation https://www.ukrainian-canadian-support.com/ 
Razom for Ukraine-- a leading civil society organization engaged in extensive humanitarian, logistics and civic efforts: https://razomforukraine.org/ 
Come Back Alive--helps Ukraine's Armed Forces via technical assistance, supplying armor and medical equipment. https://www.comebackalive.in.ua/ 
Reliable Local Media to Follow:
Kyiv Independent - https://kyivindependent.com/ 
Ukrinform - https://www.ukrinform.net/ 
Write a Letter to Your Elected Officials:
UCC Letter Template - https://www.ucc.ca/2022/02/25/write-to-your-mp-ukraine-needs-canadas-help-now/ 
Attend a Rally:
Connect with a Ukrainian Canadian Congress Branch - https://www.ucc.ca/ucc-near-you/ 
Search the hashtag #standwithukraine or #rallyforukraine on social media
Support Ukrainian People & Businesses Directly:
Buy from Ukrainian Sellers on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/search?q=ukraine%20sellers&ref=auto-1&as_prefix=ukrain Buy some beautiful digital art - share it on your social media and credit the seller.
Rent an Air BnB in Ukraine - https://www.airbnb.ca/s/all?query=ukraine 
Rent a Ukrainian Property through VRBO - https://www.vrbo.com/en-ca/vacation-rentals/ukraine