About Fran Watson

Fran has been working as a Career Coach for over 20 years. She has worked with a variety of people, both employed and unemployed. She has presented workshops on Job Search Techniques, Resume Writing, Portfolio Building, W.H.M.I.S., and more. As an active and dedicated Toastmaster who recently received her DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster), she has been instrumental in starting two new Toastmasters Clubs and has presented training workshops at Leadership Training Institutes as well as for her local area clubs.

While a single mom she realized that she needed more education and she completed her University Degree while working full-time and raising her 4 kids to adulthood. In addition to her duties as a career counsellor and coach, Fran enjoys writing stories, poems, and persuasive speeches, ordering self-help books from Amazon.com and enjoys playing on computers and the internet.

As a Career/Employment Counsellor/Coach and Workshop Developer/Facilitator Fran can help you develop your Resumes and Cover Letters as well as your Portfolio. Need help with your interview? Check out these Interview Tips.

For help with your cover letters, check out this pdf book by Jimmy Sweeney. To begin your resume you might want to check out your Skills using this Checklist Check out Fran's blog Job Search Tips

If you are not familiar with portfolios, portfolios are a way to demonstrate to an employer the skills you have obtained over the years, whether or not you have the written certificates for a position. Many schools are now also using portfolios for Prior Learning Assessments.

Contact Fran for more information on ways to put together your portfolio.

Fran Watson - Activities

* Fran became interested in Toastmasters and public speaking a few years ago and has held all of the Executive positions at least once. She is currently a member of 3 clubs, and is also the District 61 Public Relations Officer for 2011-2012. She joined the Pembroke & Area Toastmasters Club , where she achieved her DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) and has been awarded Toastmaster of the Year 3 times as well as the Tenacious Toastmaster award; Renfrew Toastmasterswhere she recently obtained her Competent Leader award; and a brand new Advanced Club Valley Vintage Advanced Toastmasters. These clubs are all part of District 61 and Toastmasters International

* As a former member of CAPS (Canadian Association for Professional Speakers) she received the President's Award for Outstanding Service in 2002.

* She served as a Volunteer Committee member for the Miss Renfrew Pageant for 5 years 2001 - 2005

* She is a graduate of Waterloo University in Social Development studies in 2000,

* She is completing a Certificate for Teaching Adults

* She is a member of OAAPT - Ontario Association of Applied Personality Theory, and am qualified to administer Myers Briggs and she is a True Colors and Personality Dimensions Facilitator

* Fran has been involved with IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association) in promoting workplace health and safety and delivering Young Worker Awareness Programs.

* She has also completed Level 1 Life Skills Coach and Therapeutic Touch

* Fran has been involved with the Ottawa Valley Computer Club for over 10 years and was tasked with the job of Webmaster

Fran Watson - Author

* Fran enjoys writing and is the author of several articles for the local newspaper on Job Search activities as well as Public Speaking Tips for Toastmasters. One of her poems Choices was chosen to be the opening page of the Fall Issue 3 (2004) of LOTUS Magazine. Fran says of this accomplishment, "I was so proud. I feel God gave me a gift to share and that is one of the reasons why I have placed this page on the internet with all my poems, and one of the reasons that I submit my articles for others to read. I hope that some of them will touch your heart." Fran's poem "RISK" was also chosen for a school graduation program.