As we were sipping beers on the patio of a local watering hole last week, my friend and I joked that we should switch careers and become "brewski-ologists." We laughed at how funny we were (giggles mostly prompted by the number of beers ingested), but little did we know that a career in beer is no joking matter.

If you're like me and don't know the difference between a lager and a pilsner, beer is just a sudsy liquid that you drink on a hot summer day or alongside a serving of fish and chips. But the mystery behind this amber elixir can be unveiled to those who are committed to diligent studying (and possibly diligent drinking as well). The Toronto Star recently reported on a Toronto-based certification program that can turn an amateur beer drinker into an official suds expert. Sign up for courses at Cicerone and you can move your way from Certified Beer Server to Certified Cicerone and then finally Master Cicerone. (While a "cicerone" is a guide who conducts sightseers, the term is being used here to designate someone who is knowledgeable in all things beer, similar to a wine sommelier.)

Although you may think you developed beer expertise during your university days or while spending summer nights drinking Labatt 50s on the porch, the sample questions at the end of the Toronto Star article might prove you wrong. In fact, they’re kind of sobering.

With Canadians taking pride in the beer we produce and Toronto being home to a few well reputed microbreweries as well as the upcoming Festival of Beer, I wouldn't be surprised if the beer certification movement catches on. That could mean your next liquid lunch could be part of a very productive workday, all in the name of dedication.

Veronica

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When I first moved to Toronto I didn't like it here. I found its architecture kind of sloppy -- mismatched everything, old with the new -- and its culture barely breathing. I moved here because of school and I stayed on because that's where the jobs were. I went through a difficult unemployed phase in the beginning, and there were many times when I was ready to call it quits. I'm now glad I didn't.

Today, on any given day, I can see a dozen art exhibits, buy items by original designers, go to book launches, shop for weird cheeses, see amazing music shows. And, as a recent mom, I have many places to visit with my kid that go beyond your average sandbox fun. There are castles and jungle gyms and countless cool family events all around the city. I'm never bored here.

Recently, it seems our fame went way past Ontario. As Alexander Bessant writes in The Miami Herald's Oh, Canada, when did you get so cool? "Toronto has become Canada's true capital -- of business, finance, arts and sports -- in everything but formal title." Proudly, I have to agree.

So my Toronto has become quite an interesting place to live after all. And even though the job market hasn't exactly been booming here lately (but then again, where has it been?), I was able to find a good job thanks to one of the city's many employment services. This made me feel not only welcomed but also taken care of. And, eventually, as I witnessed the city grow, there were some lovely, unexpected bonuses. Toronto was no longer the place where the jobs were -- it started to become a city with some great leisure options, too.

Jowita

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Seven years ago I heard about an opening for a writer for a new, cool TV show. I had no experience writing for TV but someone recommended me to the development producer, so I went and met with her to talk. She explained what the show was going to be about and said they were still working on episode ideas. I went home and spent the next 12 hours (I worked all night) writing out potential ideas. I came up with 96 and emailed them to the producer. Unfortunately, the show was pulled before it even launched (hopefully, not due to some of my suggestions). I'm still recovering from that night -- I think I might've fried my brain.

This is probably the most extreme I've ever gone to get a job but there are some people out there who will go to any lengths. A CareerBuilder.com survey found that people have done things like bringing a video recommendation from a former boss, designing the prospective employer's entire portfolio and, in one case, a woman dealt cards and pretended to interact with clients -- this in order to get hired as a blackjack dealer. Not to forget the man who sang his resumé.

Of course, like with everything, trying to impress the future boss should probably be done within reason. CareerBuilder.com lists some hilarious (and scary) things that were actually said in job interviews. One candidate being asked why he wanted to work for the person interviewing him responded: "My old boss didn't like me, so one day, I just left and never came back. And here I am!"

Jowita

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There's been a lot of employment doom and gloom over the past year and a half. But just as you thought you'd never see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm here to share some good news that may get you speeding along to your next job.

First off: according to Yahoo! Canada Finance, Canada's job growth surged past expectations in June, with six times more jobs created than forecast. The article states that 93,200 jobs were created in June, which starts to make up for the 417,000 jobs lost in Canada during the recession. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

In other good news: for the first time since the economic downturn started in 2008, Canadian firms are reporting that their sales have improved. While it's not exactly full steam ahead, as they're still remaining cautious about future growth, at least it seems Canada is on the right track.

And, finally: calling all mechanics, engineers and train conductors! According to the Financial Post, the Canadian National Railway Co. plans on hiring as many as 2,000 people annually over the next five years. This increase in hires is a result of mass retirement -- with 47 per cent of the workforce calling it quits over that time period.

With all this good news circulating, job seekers can take a lesson from The Little Engine That Could and slowly make it to the top. The jobs are coming. All aboard!

Veronica

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A few years ago I started my own magazine. It was an online publication that I, ambitiously, hoped to launch every month. After the first issue it became clear that a bimonthly would possibly be ambitious enough and even that would be pushing it. And, because online publications thrive on frequent updates, this method of operation was doomed to begin with.

In the article Taking the Leap to Self-Employment, Phyllis Korkki talks about some common misconceptions related to being your own boss. First of all, the number of hours that people predict it will take them to start off a successful business is usually nowhere near what is actually needed to be able to succeed (hint: double or triple the amount). I used to spend a few all-nighters and full days a month putting my magazine together, but if I wanted to take it one step beyond it being a wee hobby publication, I should've spent at least three times as much. I thought all I had to do was find writers and photographers and edit this and that. Instead, I ended up programming the site, looking for advertisers, trying to spread the word in the online community, putting out calls for creative talent, answering email enquiries ... It was exhausting. In the end, it just wasn't worth it, and -- most importantly -- it didn't pay a penny.

According to Korkki's article, some of the major self-employment issues, besides uncertain pay, are: unpredictable (and many) hours, no health benefits, no structure and no sense of belonging. All these concerns cause many entrepreneurs to fail, and data (referred to in the article) shows that half of all businesses fail within the first year. The upside is that some self-operated businesses do thrive and their founders never have to go back to the 9-to-5 ball-and-chain.

Jowita

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When I was younger I thought that talking highly of yourself meant that you were stuck up and possibly an egomaniac. Even if it worked toward your advantage to let others know how capable you were, the best thing was to just keep it to yourself. I have this built-in instant depreciator that I sometimes have a hard time controlling. It took some self-discipline to get it to be less obnoxious and it takes almost constant practice to balance it out with its other strange pairing: an overblown ego. Both of them stem from insecurities, I'm sure, but we all have them and there's enough help out there to work these things out. Either way, don't let one override the other because in the job market that's a sure way to fail. Without sounding like an egomaniac, you can talk about yourself in a job interview and be proud. And never confuse saying "I" with being egotistical -- in a job interview, taking credit for accomplishments is favourably looked upon.

In the article Use "I", not "we", in a job interview, Moshin Manji stresses the importance of referring to yourself in the singular form as you want to stand out in the interview. The interviewer doesn't want to know how the whole team dealt with a problem -- they are asking about your specific involvement. Don't downplay or joke about your role but also -- unless it's true -- don't take credit for all the work done by the entire team. Balance is the key to success.

Jowita

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We don't just use Facebook to announce to the world that we had a great time at a party or are looking forward to the season finale of LOST. I've seen many of my Facebook friends post announcements about puppies for sale, free yoga classes, apartment hunting, and -- yes -- looking for work. So it's no surprise that somebody came up with a Facebook application that helps people find jobs ... sort of.

Here's the gist of it. The Workin' It application shares your education, work experience and skills and lets you search jobs and internships through Facebook. It also claims to allow you to network with professionals, let the world know that you're open to the right opportunity even if you're employed (isn’t that a bit of an employment suicide?), and -- here comes the creepy part -- it acquires access to your and your friends' profile information. This is so that you can network through your personal contacts, which may increase your chances of getting your foot in the door in the best-case scenario (in the worst, you might just get the door slammed on that foot of yours).

According to the Networkworld.com article, "Clicking on a friend's employer will display open job listings. Or, if there's a particular employer that interests you, you can type that name into the keyword search bar and available job listings-as well as your friends who work there-will be displayed." It'd be interesting to see if this new application takes off. At the time of writing this post, Workin’ It had 186 users and four reviews complaining about the application, well, not workin'.

Jowita

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For many Torontonians, summer is the season to get away from it all. But if you're feeling the pinch and skipping your summer vacation this year, you're not alone. A recent study finds that half of Canadians can't afford to take a vacation this summer. Some will take time off to stay home, while others will keep their noses to the grindstone all season long.

Just because you're not planning a great escape to a far-away land, that doesn't mean summer has to be a complete yawn. Whether you're booking off a couple of weeks to recharge or are hoping to make the most of weekends and holidays, you can have a smashing good time in your very own city. The key is to make plans, the way you would if you were going on a vacation out of town. Set an itinerary, find a deal on a cheap hotel room, transform your bathroom into a spa, or pack a special picnic to share with your family in a local park. The possibilities are endless.

As always, poss.ca is here to help you plan your incredible 2010 summer staycation. Our Frugal Summer Fun Guide is packed with free or low-cost events that'll make you wonder why you'd ever want to leave Toronto again. So leave your toothbrush in its place and get ready to live it up in your hometown.

Veronica

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Having seen my fair share of retirement ads, I know that reaching age 65 is the worker bee's ultimate destination. That's when you leave the rat race behind and transition to a life of casual strolls on a sandy beach.

Or at least it used to be. From what I've been reading, retirement is going out of style. A 2009 Sun Life Financial survey reports that a majority of Canadians are planning to work past 65. The Globe and Mail also notes that a growing number of retirement-age Canadians are trading in their longtime careers only to pursue new jobs. And it's not financial necessity that's keeping them tethered to the workforce. These people actually want to keep working.

Stretching employment past 65 can be a good thing. Sarah Hampson observes that "An appreciation for work as a lifelong endeavour, like exercise, may encourage people to take a few more risks -- switch careers at 40 if they're not content with the one they have, for example." I also wonder whether this change in thinking will affect ageism in the workforce -- perhaps eliminating the discrimination that 50- and 60-year-olds sometimes face. With more and more people rejecting retirement, we may start noticing that older employees still have a lot to contribute.

I've always thought that a 30-to-40-year stint in the work world is ample. But that's not because I'm hoping to spend my retirement years sitting in a rocking chair. Finances permitting, I see retirement as an opportunity to take longer vacations, volunteer with local organizations, fully pursue an interest or hobby, and live life without being tied down to a work schedule. With so many ways to keep busy, who has time to work past 65? Lawn bowling league, here I come!

Veronica

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If you're amongst the many bicycle riders in our fair city, you're undoubtedly aware that knowing basic bicycle repair can save you a few headaches and quite a bit of money. Ask anybody who's been stuck between point A and B because of a bike mishap and they'll tell you that bike repair skills sure could have come in handy.

Because I'm always interested in innovative programs that encourage youth to learn new skills, my curiosity was piqued when I came across a Yonge Street Media article, Bikes Are on a Roll in Regent Park. The article recounts the success story of Charlie's Freewheels, a volunteer-based program that invites 10 youth from the Regent Park community to learn basic bicycle mechanics and bike safety by assembling a bike which they later get to keep. The program combines hands-on practice, cooperative work, discussion and mentoring.

With the recent announcement that Bixi, a public bicycle sharing program, will be coming to Toronto, the little wheels in my brain have started turning: youth from Charlie's Freewheels should be hired to maintain Bixi bikes! By creating an opportunity for youth to learn new skills and make a little cash at the same time, we can help them develop a sense of responsibility, discipline, and self-worth -- good traits to have when it comes to eventually building a career, even under tough economic circumstances.

Learning how to fix a bike might seem insignificant, but who knows? Maybe tinkering with inner tubes, spokes and chains will get youth riding in the right direction.

Veronica

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