We've been here since May and OH is settled into his job and the kids are settled into school and I am getting a bit bored of being a stay at home mom. I want a part time job - anything considered so long as I get contact with other people and it fits in with school even if it is just a few hours a week. The local paper has very few jobs and none that are suitable for me and I tried looking on the net but can't find anything. Anyone know of any agencies, websites, publications etc I can try? Is there such a thing as a 'job centre'? I thought about volunteer work but again don't know where to look.
Any ideas greatly recieved. Thanks

Put together a resume, few employers will hire without one. Find places you think you would like to work and go in and ask, resume in hand. You never know.

There are a few farm markets, garden stores & nurseries near to you, in Black Creek and Courtney. They may be looking to hire over the next few weeks for the spring. Now might be an opportune moment to drop in and ask for a job.

I've ended up in my local Starbucks, for exactly the same reasons as you cite.

I did my resume, walked in, and came out with a part-time job. I explained that I was fairly new in the country, had kids, didn't really know anyone yet (hence childcare would be a major issue) and came away with three days a week 9am-3pm. Perfect times for me currently.

No - I am not carving out a career here - and no, I will not get rich. But it is nice to be out in that big wide world, meeting real-life Canadians - and it's amazing how quickly that too oft spoken word "networking" kicks into touch. Several other opportunities have presented themselves (but I have not been in a position to pursue them yet).

Just do anything, to get out there. Many, many local retail and volunteer organisations would bite your hand off, I am sure. Who know where it will lead in 6 months time! Good luck.

HRSDC, I think they call themselves Service Canada these days, have a computerized job bank that has many local jobs.

Surrey Expat's and ann m's ideas are even better.

Try starting here.

WWW.jobbank.gc.ca Should list some jobs.

I'm only at Eddie Bauer as the hours fit what I want to do at the mo', even so I have started looking elsewhere as the retail business gets slow this time of year and my hours have been cut to zilch, although, I did manage to bag a shift today!

They are still two separate departments.

Thanks JonboyE - I have looked at this site and most of the listings for volunteer positions are really out of date. There was one, however, for an office assistant at the local Courts. It was dated Nov 05 but I have emailed them to see if they are still looking for people. Many thanks and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks Piff Poff - this is a useful site but no jobs for me. I will certainly check it on a reglar basis though.

Gloveman, please don't email. Please pick up the phone.

It's one thing to come on this forum while you're still in the UK and ask questions. It's quite another thing to do so when you're already living in Canada.

Once you're in Canada, you should be speaking to everyone you bump into, the checkout clerk when you're paying for your groceries at the supermarket and so on.

I think a Canadian who received an email enquiry from someone who lived in the same town would pay little attention to it. To the extent that they stopped to think about it at all, they'd think the person lacked initiative, and they might even consider it to be borderline insulting.

In Canada you really do need to pick up the phone, and you need to get out and see people.

I am sorry to have troubled you. I thought this site was available to get information before you get here and once you have arrived. Obviously got that wrong didn't I. I trust you tell everyone this.

I don't speak for Judy, but I took that line to mean that advice tailored for those still in the UK is not the same as advice for those in Canada, such as in this situation.

Fair enough but I am not in the UK asking for advice I am here in Canada asking for it so I don't see the relevance of your point. Judy clearly says that once in Canada you shouldn't be asking for help.

What she is saying is that, once you are over here, you need to change your mindset to that of a Canadian if you want to get a job. I found this the hardest lesson to learn when I first arrived. I am sure you will find that, if you apply what Judy is suggesting, the right job will find you.

I have no problem with the advice Judy gave me in her posting and have taken her comments on board. Other posters have already said similar and I am acting on their points already and I thank them. That is why I asked the question - to get help and advice. My point is Judy told me I shouldn't have!