Hey,

We're a couple who moved to Vancouver over a month ago and still no prospects of a job so we've decided to move to Calgary instead.

Can anyone shed some light on the job situation there in say office, admin type employment as the employers seem to drag their heels a lot when it comes to a simple yes or no answer.Can get quite irritating!

Have you given Vancouver long enough? I think a month is not very long to check out the job market. Have you had any help from an employment centre (like the YMCA)?

Whilst I am Ottawa based I have friends in Van and they said it took a few months to line something up.

Well I have been applying for jobs constantly since we got here, like 15+ applications per day! I'm just really sick of it at this stage and just want a job.Vancouver is a nice city but can't afford to stay here another month till we have nothing at all.

I've applied to 4 agencies whom I've been into as well and it was a total waste of time.

Just thought you'd be starting back at square one if you move.

I do agree agencies are a waste. I was more thinking that I am still on the hunt for a job after nearly 4 months.

Did u understand my thing about the employment centre? Have you been to some of the workshops etc? In Ottawa there is a scheme called Job Match Network for foreign qualified professionals. Have you heard of similar out there?

No I can't say I have heard of it. Any good? I just need to start making money fast, the pressure is on! What's the job front like in Ottawa?

I would have a look for a YMCA employment centre:

http://www.ywcavan.org/content/Vanco...ment_needs/175

Pop in and have a chat with them. They can refer you to an YMCA Employment Advisor who can help with things like resume review, interview coaching and they also know of other schemes. It is free.

Ottawa has a lot of jobs advertised, I am in defence so I have a few hurdles that I am addressing which should open more opportunities.

I take it you are looking at things like Job Bank and registered with Monster and linkedin etc.

Cool never heard of it before, yep there the ones I've been on.We're gonna move anyway seeing as Calgary's tax is much lower & cost of living in cheaper from what I've seen on the web.

I've added a few porkies to my cv so that might help too hee hee!

Are you living in Ottawa long? Roll on the summer and nice weather!

Office/Administration type of employment isn't exactly skilled work. There are probably plenty of applications for such jobs so employers have lots of choices.

Mazianne

It took me nearly 5 months to find a job in Calgary, that is with over 300+ resumes sent out. Take it from me it's no easier here.

Good luck

The Ross Family

Mazianne

If you want I could email you the YMCA resume and covering letter guides......just send me a private message. (I cant remember how many posts you have to make till the PM is functional, if you cant send one reply to this post a couple of times).

Also if you want I could peer review your resume, cant guarentee to offer any magic but I know the whole job hunt is frustrating and it is easy to take your eye off the resume. If I look back at my resume I sent out between our recce trip/landing, I have learnt so much since then.

Both offers are in good faith and I wont be offended if you tell me to "oh go do one".

What sort of qualifications do you have (minus the porkies on your resume)?

My parents are currently looking for an admin/secretary for their home renovations business in Calgary.

You might be much better off making a targeted approach rather than blanket applications.

Sending unsolicited resumes rarely works. Most go in the bin unread. If you respond to an advert our resume will be alongside 20 or 30 others - most will have Canadian experience. What makes yours stand out? You have to give the employer a convincing reason to ask you for an interview. Wanting a job just because you need some money isn't going to get you an interview.

Instead of just sending resumes or replying to adverts you should identify what companies you want to work for, and/or who have a need for your skills and experience, and make contact with the decision makers in those companies.

Look at the job hunting section of the wiki. There is plenty of very good advice there.

Edit to add: embellishing your resume a bit is fair game. But remember that in an interview you are likely to be asked about the things you claim to have done. Being caught out in a lie will kill your prospects stone dead.

Of course, answering a telephone, using a photocopier/fax, typing letters in Canada is so much different to the rest of the world.

The remainder of your advice is very good, but this demonstrates that you have bought into Canadian practices way too much

My background is Insurance but can't use my exams over here ( they don't carry them over)

I think he's just being realistic about it in all honesty. Canadians do tend to feel more comfortable hiring people who have previously worked in Canada, and I think this may be because Canadians tend to be a bit more narrow-minded in their way of thinking.

I was certainly that way, but living in the UK for the last 9 years has changed that!