bats

. Entry level is minimum wage. It says so on the link you gave.

JamesM

I used to use temping ages straight after university.

The problem with temp work is it is just that.

The money can help you tick over but not knowing where the next temporary gig is coming from makes it hard to plan any sort of future that requires some finance.

ExKiwilass

i went temping while trying to get back into the workforce after being home for years. It worked out for me. My first gig was $16 per hour and it's just gone up from that.

How is your MS office etc?

ExKiwilass

BCIT : : Office Administrator with Technology Program (OAT): Full-time, BCIT/Industry Partnership Certificate this programme has an excellent placement rate

MillieF

How depressing! I too started temping here.....I had lots of experience and got the 'better and more well paid' gigs....$ 12 per hour....that's really good for NB!

ChrisBan

I signed up with agencies. Most don't get back to you, and you will need to be proactive in your approach if you actually want to get any work, regular calls to see if they have work. That's the hardest part, to get in. Once you're in and continuously do a good job they'll select you for placements over someone who has just submitted a resume and done nothing else.

My last role was through a temp agency, did a good job and they were more than happy to help me get more hours etc

ExKiwilass

wow, i was making that in retail. that's shocking.

MillieF

You won't get more than $10 in retail here...it's supply and demand...and we have a lot of supply!

scrubbedexpat091

I am lousy with Microsoft office, I can fill in the blanks on excel if a spread sheet has been created, but have no idea how to make a spread sheet or anything else in excel. I can do limited word stuff, but nothing on par with what would be needed to work in an office.

I'll take further look at the link you posted, looks interesting and might be an option for me.

ExKiwilass

yes, please do because they are very good skills to have.

Vancouver community college also has an admin assistant course that has a co-op placement. I know some people have got into my company via that course. Make sure it's VCC NOT vancouver career college, the private one.

scrubbedexpat091

I haven't had much luck in getting an office job of any sort. Public sector pretty much anything would be good, but I am not sure how to get a job with a public sector employer, I have tried on many occasions, but I think you need to know someone already there to get into it, or my background is just not good enough.

Even tried to get a job at ICBC in their call center, but no go.


I think it all stems down to no degree and limited experience in anything outside of the airline and hotel industry.

Aside from 8 months at Target in 2003, 2 years in retail from 96-98, and a seasonal holiday job for Nov/Dec for 3 seasons, all my experience is in various airline jobs (ramp, customer service, weight and balance) and night auditor at hotels.

Hotels I just need out of, I am so burned out and miserable that I can't effectively be a good employee in a hotel, I loathe hotel work now. Takes a special personality to do it long term.

I'd go back to an airline if the opportunity comes around again, its the only industry I can say 100% without a doubt, I enjoyed working in and going to work each day. Just not a stable industry, and so much has been outsourced now, not many jobs left outside of corporate, pilot and flight attendant.


*add that I also did hotel loss prevention (fancy name for security guard) for 10 months at a large upscale hotel in San Diego as well. Didn't actually mind that job.

Shard

Not sure how much nepotism still exists in Canada. But these days I would imagine there are, as in the UK, lots of systems in place to prevent this. No need to write it off so soon though, just keep plugging away at it and you might find an area which would suit you perfectly. If you can find a charity to work for that may be a good stepping stone. As Zoe's recent thread on vegetarianism suggested, charities can often be idiosyncratic and poorly run, so for someone with a non-standard background that may represent an opportunity. Mental health charities, for example, look favourably on individuals with MH issues.

ExKiwilass

jsmith i gave you two good course options that will get your foot in the door. you should look into them.

ExKiwilass

my company, which ironically is british, is hugely nepotistic.

scrubbedexpat091

I am looking into them, going to go in next week to see what I need to do so meet the entry requirements and more info on the program.