Chris Kulbaba, C.D.P.
Updated June 2012
Career and Employment Counselor, Resume Writer, Facilitator, Public Speaker, LinkedIn Entrepreneur, Workshop Developer

Work is important to all of us - it is like air, we need it to live.  However, what does the air look like from the client perspective - is it dirty and cloudy, or clean and crisp? For me, I spent over 16 years working in a job that did not suit my personality or interests (just like breathing dirty air), a role that I did not like at all.  Landing my dream job was the adventure of my life, and every day the air is great now!  It is a process, and I want every client that I connect with to experience the same passion and joy that I have found, and continue to find each day. As a Career Development Practitioner (C.D.P.), being able to achieve both my own and the Agency goals of helping others to discover their inner genius, and then find work that matches with them and their personal values - all using an empathetic, client-centered approach. The extensive network that I have built over the last several years (both online and in real life) is a collage of experts, advisors and mentors - working together with clients to discover ways to access these networks for their benefit.  Using processes and strategies to gather information, broadcast their brand, and find the work they are happiest to do is a realistic achievement with clients, proven repeatedly from their feedback.  Helping clients become employed with a resume that works, crafting focused cover letters, and working together to increase their self-awareness which increases the potential of more suitable employment choices is the goal we regularly achieve together.

 Recognized by both clients and peers for using a motivational, realistic and energetic interaction to build self-esteem and confidence, coupled with specific goal setting and constant self-evaluation has helped clients adjust into the next leg of their journey of employment.  Clients consistently report that the work we have done has transformed their outlook not only in regards to their work, but their day-to-day lives as well.

Timeline

Career and Employment Counselor

  • London Employment Help Centre
  • Aug 24, 2009 - Current
  • Having interacted with several clients both inside the Agency and abroad in the Southwestern Ontario region, and having facilitated job search workshops with proven effectiveness of over 85% in respect to re-employment within 6 months, and at 100% in less than a year. As a previous Action Centre co-ordinator, using an intuitive approach to other Action Centre workers has resulted in lasting and impactful interventions. In May of 2010 attended an Action Centre in a rural community, where clients had not even had interviews in over 11 months. At the end of two weeks, one client of the 8 attending was employed, and all clients had attended job interviews within that two week period. Other highlights include being invited to present at a pre-conference for Cannexus '12, an International Conference on Career Development - topics include using digital tools in employment counselling, job seeking, and professional development. Invited to perform as a guest speaker at Conestoga College in the Career Development Practitioner Program, topic was directly on using Social Media channels in counselling. Consitently pioneering trending ideas and features that are current in Social Media, and further designing, creating, and delivering training for job seekers in London area.

LinkedIn Entrepreneur, Blogger

  • LinkedIn Heavy Weight | professional blogger
  • Jan 1, 2011 - Current
  • Helping readers out with resume tips such as what to put on a resume, how to write a resume, how to NOT write a resume, writing a relevant and impactful resume, social media for branding and leveraging values and career oppotunities. A global network of readers and comments, discussing ideas on what to do in terms of individual interests, skills, abilities, deliverables, and how to enjoy the work they do. Also performed as a guest blogger at www.resumebear.com.

Chairperson of the Information and Resources Committee, Member in good standing

  • Ontario Alliance of Career Development Practitioners
  • Jan 1, 2010 - Current
  • Maintain and update both the Provinical OACDP website, and the Local London Chapter Website. Worked with a small committee to develop and communicate resources, ideas, and information to the OACDP membership.

Student

  • University of Western Ontario, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
  • Jan 1, 2008 - Current
  • Working towards the Canadian Institute of Management certification in tandem with completing the Career Development Practioner Diploma - with a projected completion in 2012/2013 for both credentials.

Action Centre Co-ordinator

  • Vytec Career Action Centre
  • Apr 1, 2008 - Aug 24, 2009
  • I was able to very quickly measure and assess the current resources within the community, and then to incite change and discussion to improve them. Through specific discussions initiated through my observations, the current model of feedback for training requests was changed from up to 6 months to less than 6 weeks in the London area. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities policy makers interviewed me on separate occasions at the Action Center to gather feedback on current programs and to decide where to commence possible changes. I was requested to participate in a detailed interview when the Action Center closed, which directly resulted in changes made to Action Centers across SW Ontario - my model is being used as a template for future ventures. I was able to pioneer many different initiatives, negotiating different training packages for not only our center but for other centers as well. These specific actions erected a collaborative network spanning from Goderich to Ingersoll to London to St. Thomas to Chatham. I am still being sought after as a mentor and a specialist in Action Center creation and improvements.

Plant Chairperson, JHSC Co-chair, Front Line Staff

  • Vytec Incorporated
  • Jun 8, 1992 - Apr 1, 2008
  • Performed several leadership roles, both elected as an official and selected from the Comany to perform the tasks involed. Extensive knowledge of training, mentoring, Occuaptional Health and Safety policies and practices, negotiation and arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. Hundreds of hours of specific training in relation to Human Rights, Safety, and Labour Relations.
Quote
Education
'12
The University of Western Ontario -
Canadian Institute of Management - Business Management
'12
Conestoga College
Career Development Practitioner
'10
Fanshawe College
Human Resources
'09
Career Life Skills
Personality Dimensions
'09
Psychometrics
Personality Preference Assessment
'08
ESCLM Common Assesment Process Training
'07
Fanshawe College
Industrial Occupational Health and Safety
Vital Stats
19300
Total "First Degree" network size on LinkedIn
16
Ranked in Canada on LinkedIn for network size
0
Number of sick days taken at LEHC
700000
Personal Website World ranking
5
Number of blogs regularly published on
Skill Proficiency