BY SIMONE J. SMITH

The laptop “DINGS” with a new email notification. You eagerly open it, only to see another rejection email. “Thank you for your application. Unfortunately…” Blah, blah, blah. (groan) “Great. Just great,” you say to yourself. “I’ve been looking for months. Every application feels like a shot in the dark.”

A thing that is not fun: endlessly applying for job after job, navigating a flurry of application portals, revising your resume, and upgrading your LinkedIn page. A thing that’s even less fun: doing all that while dealing with “ghost jobs.”

Ghost jobs are frustratingly real in the job market. Ghost jobs are postings for jobs that do not exist and plenty of companies are engaging in the practice, per a survey of 1k+ hiring managers from Clarify Capital. Think of them as job postings that are more of a mirage than an actual opportunity. They fall into two main categories:

• Unintentional listings that linger because someone failed to take them down
• Deliberate postings with no immediate intent to hire

Some are old listings that someone forgot to remove. OK, annoying, but we get it. Things can get hectic; however, managers also provided a variety of other reasons a company might post a role it doesn’t intend to fill:

• To maintain a pool of potential candidates
• To give the appearance of growth
• To “placate” overworked employees
• To motivate current employees

To me, it seems like wasted time and it erodes confidence in the system. Job seekers are starting to question the legitimacy of all job postings, wondering if applying is even worth the effort. This ghost job phenomenon has implications for the perceived dynamism of the job market. On paper, the economy might seem like it’s booming with opportunities, but the reality for job seekers (especially the new wave of graduated students) can be starkly different.

LinkedIn and other job platforms have become the modern-day arenas for the ghost job spectacle. These platforms, designed to connect job seekers and employers, are unfortunately being used for ghost job postings. LinkedIn, with its vast network, is particularly noteworthy. Its reputation as a professional networking site makes it a trusted source for job opportunities, but this trust can be exploited. Employers and recruiters are now going on LinkedIn to post jobs without immediate plans to hire.

The issue goes beyond ghost jobs. LinkedIn and similar sites are also playgrounds for more sinister scams. Fake recruiters post non-existent jobs to collect personal information from unsuspecting job seekers. Or they might use the guise of a job offer to lure individuals into sending money for “training,” or “equipment,” with no real job waiting at the end. This is very dangerous, because while ghost jobs waste your time, scams can hit your wallet and your privacy.

What does this mean for job seekers?

Well, Ontario is moving to get rid of ghost jobs by requiring companies to:

• Disclose whether a listing is for an open position, or to collect future candidates.
• Actually, respond to applicants they’ve interviewed.

As an employer, you can:

• Ensure your job postings are always current and reflect genuine hiring needs. Transparency goes a long way in building trust with potential applicants.
• Be precise and truthful in your job descriptions. Avoid using postings as fishing expeditions to gauge interest or market salaries.
• Employers can take proactive steps to address this by improving communication with candidates throughout the hiring process

As a job seeker you should:

• Check companies’ social media and websites to ensure hiring announcements match job postings.
• Check the posting date. Per Clarify Capital, 40% of managers plan to fill open roles in two to three months. Older postings may be inactive or bogus.
• Be wary of vague postings that could apply to any candidate, or jobs that offer suspiciously high compensation or excessive perks.
• Start with research. Companies with real jobs often have an active online presence.
• Be cautious of jobs that offer significantly higher pay but few requirements.
• After applying, a follow-up can reveal much about the job’s legitimacy. Companies serious about hiring will have a structured recruitment process. If your follow-up emails or calls disappear into the void or the responses are non-committal, it might be a ghost job.

We are living during a very complicated, and complex time, and the addition of technology has only made it maddening. Give yourself grace; job hunting is a taxing process, but at least now you know some of the pitfalls that exist, and you can do your best to avoid them.

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Hello, my fellow Canadians. Today, we need to talk about something that concerns us all—our right to free speech. It’s not easy to share this news, but it’s important that we address it together. Recently, there have been growing concerns about increasing censorship in Canada. This isn’t just about controversial opinions or hate speech—it’s about a broader trend that affects our ability to freely speak and voice our opinions.

Quebec’s ruling party is trying to pass a law to give ordinary citizens like us a whopping fine for openly criticizing their actions.

Yup, you read that correctly. If Bill 57 is passed, it will set a precedent to silence any critiques against Quebec’s politicians from ordinary folks like you and me. Bill 57 is unfortunately another terrible censorship bill that continues to ignore the pre-existing laws against the threats and harassment cases it seeks to curb. This legislation will slap a fine of up to $1,500 on anyone “hindering” an elected official’s operation, and guess what? They haven’t clarified what “hindering” means.

Some critics see this bill as a way to smother political accountability and give these politicians a free pass from any potential flak they might face from their constituents (i.e., the very people who can elect them to office), but wasn’t democracy supposed to be where politicians are elected to do the people’s will, in other words, enact our will?

If it passes, anytime politicians mess up, instead of being able to hold them accountable, they want to ensure we stay mute; it will basically be a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ for bad policies and misconduct, where the citizens and everyday people have to face the consequences of a politician’s terrible decisions.

Under these new “laws,” any: criticism, protest, or perceived “hindrance” will be defined as a severe risk to a politician’s “integrity,” or “safety.” All that would be needed now is any piece of “here-say,” out-of-context soundbite, or even an outright lie to threaten you into silence, or else pay a fine.

Recent global events echo a similar, disturbing trend. Reportedly, a mayor in Brussels shut a conservative convention down all because the attendees and speakers held worldviews that didn’t match his own, and the same thing is happening right now in Quebec. These politicians don’t want to face legitimate criticism; they want to silence the voices that dare to speak up.

We can’t let that happen here in Quebec. We have to stop political censorship and defend our freedom of speech. As Canadians, we have always stood up for our rights and values. It’s crucial that we stay informed, voice our concerns, and advocate for a balanced approach that protects us without compromising our freedoms

We stand up for an engaging public discourse that strengthens our democracy, which can only exist if it allows free speech for all opinions and viewpoints, especially those at odds with our own.

We encourage you to stay engaged with this issue. Read widely, support independent journalism, and let your representatives know that you value your right to free speech. Together, we can ensure that Canada remains a country where ideas can be shared openly and respectfully

BY PAUL JUNOR

The band launch of the Toronto Caribbean Festival on Sunday, April 6^th, 2024, at the Mystic Lounge and Bar in Brampton did not disappoint the patrons in attendance. The showcase of eight sections of costumes of the Costume Creators Mas Band (led by band leader Wayne Sewells) was well received by the captive and enamored patrons. The theme of the showcase was ” A New Hope.”

Prior to the showcase, there was a fashion show by TrendscHaz (a DJing Entertainment Group and a clothing brand). They sell hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts, shorts, sunglasses and tracker hats. The promotional material states, “We currently sell clothing and accessories with inspirational quotes on them to remind consumers that any goal that you have set in place, you can achieve. It is a motivation booster as well as some of the most trendy styles.”

Their names of the sections and their leaders are:

• Make a Wish- Cayla Carroll

It was described as “New energy is coming, changes are happening, things          are getting better, and blessings are aligning. The most fantastic, magical       things can happen, and it all starts when you make a wish.”

• Imperial Oasis-Shaniqua Knowles

Costumes were created and designed by Sweetsz Carnival

After numerous trials and tribulations, we bring our own peace and take back        our light from the dark past. The web of warriors is a section to embrace   strength, confidence and courage. To be brave in blue!

• Twilight of the Lake – Natoya Campbell

These costumes reflect the glory of twilight on the lake.

• Azura – Shantel Hendrickson

Azura means nature. It stands for both male and female to express and     reflect with nature as one entity. One with nature!

• Wanderlust- Desiree Bedur

Costumes were designed by Cloak Collective. They embody the essence of          the Phoenix, representing the unquenchable thirst for exploration and     discovery. With vibrant hues and intricate designs, each costume tells a story       of cultural immersion and the excitement of venturing into new territories. As           you do the Phoenix allure, you embrace the spirit of wanderlust.

• Lac Rose – Epic Standards

Where Black is beautiful, lies Lac Rose, a lovely pink lake in Senegal. The             crystal beads represent the crystal beads representing the sea salt of the     lake. Purple is a color of royalty.

• Awakening – Charnelle Pierre

Immerse yourself in the magic of transition as winter’s icy grips loosens and          a vibrant tapestry unfolds before us. Embrace the shift as the dark winter        retreats. A bright spring emerges in its wake. Every year nature writes the story of transformation, resilience and rebirth. Giving way to growth and        talking about the revitalizing spirit of spring inspires you with new hope.

• Sisu @BLAZECarnival

Sisu has extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face           of extreme adversity and has an action mindset which enables others to   reach beyond their present limitations, take action against all odds and       transform barriers into frontiers.

• Aeria-Wayne Sewell and Shaneka Brown

The: green, yellow and blue feathers with their gemstones and silver           accents, symbolize a flying element in the sky with its captivating sight. Its        brilliant feathers contrast with the blue expanse of the sky, signifying           freedom, and beauty and showcasing the wonders of nature. It’s yellow, which indicates positivity, joy, enlightenment and a new hope.

These skillfully created and exciting costumes will surely delight those who chose to lay Mas with the Costume Creator Mas Band. They will not be disappointed. While this band is much smaller than the big bands (Carnival Nationz, Toronto Revelers and Saldenah), the quality of the costumes are of a high level. The precision, articulation and representation of visual images and setting are stunning.

The costume show was livestreamed at: www.youtube.com/nexusofculture/streams and www.nexusofcukrire.com/live