Wafflelord

Hello! Gosh I haven't been here for a while but you guys were awesome before and any help you could give me would be massively appreciated

I'm coming to Vancouver in February with the IEC program (got my POE letter in the 2014 allowance). I was wondering if anyone's got any advice on looking for temp / part time work in and around Vancouver? Any Agencies people have joined and had success with or the best sort of work to look for on a part time temp basis.

I've been trying to secure a job before I go but been pretty unsuccessful for quite a while. So i'm planning on job hunting properly again once I get out there, but I'd like to work and not sit on my laurels all day while i'm looking for a proper full time job.

I work over here as a Game Designer but I'd literally be looking for any sort of job to take on once i get there, until I manage to land a design job (bar work, admin, retail, waiting tables, IT support, and so on!)

Thanks in advance!

tweed_wearer

Hi waffle lord, I arrived in vancouver this week on the IEC!

I was fortunate enough to get a transfer with my company but I'm not surprised that you struggled with applying from the UK. They really do not reply to many applicants located overseas.

While I don't have any direct job hunting experience, my thought would be to go for a 2-pronged approach, looking for both survival jobs and for proper work in your field at the same time. Check out Kijiji as there are a lot of jobs posted both for lower level bar type work and also a search for "game" reveals a few iOS developer jobs etc. I don't know if that would be suitable, as I have no direct experience in the field but Kijiji could be a good start.

tweed_wearer

Also I'm told that in the Canada job market persistence pays off, so don't be afraid of contacting the companies again which turned you down or didn't reply before you got here. Once you're in town, they might look a lot more seriously at you.

Wafflelord

Hi Tweed!

Thanks for the reply. Yeah i'm planning on following up on a lot of places when I get out there, just wondering if there's any legwork i can do before hand (signing up with agencies or what have you).

Kijiji is exactly the sort of thing i'm looking for to get an emergency job while i carry on the hunt for something more specialised. Anything else anyone can recomend would be awesome

Thanks!

ExKiwilass

craigslist is more popular than kijiji in vancouver - also check there

Wafflelord

Will do, thanks!

Anyone got any experience of comming over to Vancouver (or anywhere in Canada) on an IEC without a job? Has anyone done work and travel or mainly sticking to one or the other? Any tips and wisdom etc would be great

Cheers

ookie123

To help you to secure a survival job (Bar tendering, serving etc) I would highly recommend that you get your 'Serving it Right' certificate http://www.servingitright.com/ as you will not be able to secure a job without this, this can be achieved online and prior to arrival.

Wafflelord

Massive thanks ookie! I've never heard of this before and it would've been really annoying not having one before I went and started job hunting

Are there any other scemes like this or certificates / qualifications employers look for that would be usefull? Anything else I should keep in mind applying for these sorts of survival jobs?

JonboyE

You could look at doing a Foodsafe level 1. Open School BC

beckiwoo

Emergency first aid???

Wafflelord

Thanks JonboyE!

Although i'm not sure how keen i am to do a 2 week course for a temp job. Does anyone know if employers need this as a requirement to work with food? Or is it a "Nice to have" kinda thing.

Also does anyone have any experience of doing this sorta thing? Comming over then starting to look for temp jobs? Any bits of advice or wisdom you picked up along the way would be grand!

Thanks

mbgirlfriend

I'm not sure about other provinces but in Manitoba they are basic requirements for bar or restaurant jobs . I'm not sure about the demands for restaurant staff in other provinces but I know that in Manitoba getting a job in a restaurant isn't all that easy. Keep in mind that waiters and bar tenders make lots in tips in Canada so students love to work these jobs. You could make between $50-$200 in tips during a 5 hour shift. So getting one of those jobs could be worth taking a few courses. Keep in mind that you will need as much as possible to get a job over other people. You won't have references that they could easily contact so you will have to have qualifications.

scrubbedexpat091

You pretty much need foodsafe is working with food.

Vancouver job market is weird, some people come over and have little issue finding work and others struggle to find anything. Can go either way. Ive been in BC 10 years and still struggle to find work, sometimes taking 6 months or more.

Oink

Why pack that in to do some shit job in Canada?

ookie123

Another thought make sure you research and spend some time changing your CV (resume) to a layout that suits the Canadian job market make sure your work experience reflects the experience required for the Canadian job you are applying for, not the UK as expectations for a position can often be quiet different here . Have separate resumes for each type of job, survival jobs/profession, also make sure your personality comes through, it really pays off in my experience!