Trying to leave retail...
 

Have been here over a year and all has been going pretty reasonably considering (aside from a few apartment hiccups and my general dislike of Canadian bureaucracy), I just wanted to pick your collective BE brains regarding jobs over here and yep I have read the wikis and numerous threads on the subject. Ive been in retail here since I landed but am really getting to the end of my tether (God, sorry another huge BE cliché) with shady goings-on in the retail environment.

When I first came over I was looking for admin work in education (my previous field for 5 years) but was told I had no Canadian experience, and now I have it but only in retail (so totally unrelated Canadian experience. Yay.)

If anyone else has struggled but found work eventually, would they mind sharing how...if you had to undertake any extra training, if you had to beg & plead, if you had to befriend the CEO of a company etc. Any snippets of advice from the experienced is welcome :thumbsup:

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

i went from pt retail job into an office via temp agency. Maybe worth a shot?

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

Doing some temp stuff is a great way to get that elusive "Canadian" experience. Also is there anyway you can do some admin stuff in your current role? That would help.

I'd suggest getting in touch with a few placement agencies and get them to start looking for work for you.

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

I signed up with a bunch of temp agencies seeking office admin roles. Got a position and started 2 weeks after arriving, it was 3 months to start but then I was offered maternity cover and then a permanent contract. I've now been there coming up to 4 years. Agencies are the best way in in my experience.

Good luck :)

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

I work in a college and we use two temp agencies - one almost exclusively, unless they don't have anyone. On any day, I reckon there are 20 temps on campus.

Try the HR dept of a school, college or uni that appeals to you and ask which agency they use - then sign on, indicating that you'd love posting at XYZ schhol/college/uni.

Good luck. :)

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

Start being overly nice and friendly to your customers, it's not what you know - it's who you know ;)

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

I've been told that the Agency "Contempra Office Personnel" are good - contact person's name is Greer (first name, can't remember the last name), an acquaintance of mine has got several temporary office positions at McMaster using them. I have their phone number if you want it.

Drake Personnel seem to get a lot of temp jobs, however, they require you to undergo a 6 hour induction meeting to test you before they will place you!

Have you tried Service Ontario Employment Services? http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/

Would definitely agree with mandymoochops, if you can get the word out there you stand more chance.

:)

Also look at McMaster Uni: https://workingatmcmaster.hua.hrsmar..._all=1&clear=1

Hamilton Health Sciences: https://hhsc.taleo.net/careersection...ch.ftl?lang=en

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

You need to be relatively covert about this though - you don't want your manager hearing you tapping up customers for a new job :thumbdown:

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

Aaah! That old bugbear, "Canadian experience" :thumbdown:

Part of me thinks it's just HR-speak for 'go away - we don't like your face but we can't be seen to be discriminatory in case you report us to the Human Rights Commission' and part of me is beginning to understand that there are subtle cultural differences - this is a foreign country, after all.

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

Thanks for the replies.

That's the one bonus to working in retail...I meet hundreds of people, and I do use it as a chance to network. So hopefully one day I'll talk to the right person! I already know a few people at Mac/Mohawk etc but it's so difficult to get in there, most of the jobs are internal or pretty much filled by the time they're advertised. I hadn't even thought about asking schools & colleges about which agencies they use tho - good idea.

I may try the temp road I think (prob after Christmas now, 8 days straight of working until 10 is not conducive to jobhunting) - I do have admin experience in this role and do a lot of the store admin & paperwork, hiring etc etc so it's all good experience, it's just retail is soul-destroying, particularly at this time of year. Be nice to retail workers, people :nod:

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

Too true! I'm usually super-duper Canadian retail friendly. Until customers get lippy. Or throw a shoe at my head. (True story.)

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

I know of two instances where someone who worked at Starbucks impressed a manager of the TD bank enough for him to offer her a job; another Toyota dealership manager, when he needs a new customer service rep, goes to his local Tim Hortons and watches the employees in action. He has hired a couple of reps that way. I am a secretary and one bank holiday weekend my sales rep husband asked me to help out the owner of a nursing home with some paperwork as his staff were all away for the weekend. He offered me a job on the spot although I had to decline as I was already gainfully employed. One never knows who is watching!

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

Joolschweetie - there's a position I know of that's come up where I work (Hamilton, large organization) that you might be interested in. Part-time, but probably a much better salary than retail, plus it's that foot in the door. PM me if you'd like more info.

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

Do try the banks for a teller position. they rarely advertise, but are often looking for help.

Take ANYTHING at Mohawk - then you get a student number. With a student number you can apply for a student admin spot on campus. Leverage this into fulltime.

Keep building relationships...

Re: Trying to leave retail...
 

I'd never even thought of going the student route, but you're right the 'student opportunities' are more numerous than any other positions, there seem to be hardly any positions open at Mohawk.

Besides, I could always do with upgrading my skills anyway so two birds, one stone.