Finding employment in Canada is the most crucial part of the process. It’s important that you plan well as finding employment can be tricky unless you are focused and motivated. These tips have been compiled for you based on our experience and lots of feedback from our loyal contributors. Please read them, understand them and apply them as they are crucial to your success

General Advice
Vancouver Public Library (VPL) Services
Telephone screening interview
Informational Interview

General Advice:

• Do not send your resume out to any employers without ensuring you have carefully followed our Writing a Resume. Poorly written resumes will block you from making an impact. Read these tips carefully, ensure you understand the objective and apply these simple concepts to help your resume impress an employer. Your resume is the all important first impression so don’t fall short at this crucial first step!
• In many professions, responding to ads in the paper and over the Internet are the least effective ways to find employment. Be selective in your job search. Do not blanket bomb 30 companies with the same resume and cover letter as companies talk.  This is a common mistake that people make. Networking, cold calling, and information interviews are much more effective ways to distribute your resume.
• Always ensure you have a contact for the company and follow-up within a week of submitting your resume to show your interest. “Thank-you” emails after an interview are standard practice that set you apart from other candidates.
• Leverage LinkedIn. It’s a fast-growing social media tool so set up your online resume and network as recruiters and employers are using this tool every day to source canadidates.
• Finding employment in Canada is always easier if you have strong references. Try to obtain employment references from your home country beforehand and provide them (but only if relevant to the role!)
• Effective networking allows you to gain useful insight and gain crucial contacts, both socially and professionally. Research networking events for your profession or ask contacts how best to meet more people in your field.
• Remember, over 50% of positions filled never get advertised publicly so don’t sit at home waiting for that job to come up. Networking is crucial to finding employment in Canada You need to get your name out there across your industry so when a job comes up, your in position to be called in.
• Get the word out to all of the local contacts that you have that you’re looking for work, and always look to build new contacts as it’s crucial to your success in a new city.
• One way to expand your local network of contacts (AND get that all-important Canadian work experience on your resume) is to volunteer. Go to: GoVolunteer.ca to find volunteer opportunities where you can meet people across all sectors of society.
• Never turn down an offer of help. Be proactive and determined! Email/telephone the person who offered you help the next day and be sure to thank them for any guidance they’ve provided!
• Remember: hand written notes are seldom seen nowadays so use them to differentiate yourself!
• Keep an eye on our Facebook page and Jobs Board as we actively post upcoming networking events that may be of interest.

Vancouver Public Library (VPL)Services
Vancouver Public Library holds information sessions on Tuesday at 10.30 and Thursday at 2.30 weekly. The talk goes through what you need to know and do for job hunting in Canada. It also points out the facilities the library has to help you in your search (they have a lot of info there).

Telephone screening interview

Here are some useful tips for passing the telephone screening interview:
Passing the telephone screening interview

Informational Interview

The informational interview is a very important tool for you to use in finding employment in Canada. It’s a popular way of networking within your industry in Canada. An information interview is essentially the art of leveraging or making a new contact within your industry and getting together to learn more from this person about how this sector works in each city. It’s a casual interview where the end goal is to learn how your industry works here in Vancouver and increase your chances of finding employment.

Use Google, join us on LinkedIn or use local business directories to come up with a list of companies in your specific field. If you have a contact through a friend, or we introduce you to a contact, then this saves you the hardest part!Send a short, concise email that really sells your skill set and experience level (you don’t necessarily need to send your Resume/CV at this point)
Ask if they would be willing to meet you for a coffee to discuss how the Vancouver [insert particular field of work] industry works. Do not lead by asking for a job, ask them for their help and guidance! Asking someone for coffee, is a common Vancouver past time, this will allow you 15-20mins to interview this person and allow you to gain key insights and possibly make new connections in your industry.

Don’t assume that everyone has time! Most people can be easily convinced to meet you for a quick coffee provided you use a little charm and and perseverance. Prepare to use their time well and ensure that you go to great lengths to thank this person for any assistance they can provide. Keep in mind that they probably won’t know of a suitable position for you at that exact time but they may know someone who does or have something coming up in the future.

Ensure that you go to great lengths to thank this person for any assistance they can provide. A hand written note is a nice gesture or even a box of chocolates! This person could be the key to opening doors for you in the future so ensure they feel appreciated and motivated to help you.

Don’t push your own agenda on first meeting. Finding employment in Canada is all about being tactful and learning how things work first! Once you have made first connection then ideally they may be open to assisting you further by telephone/email. Don’t be too direct or insincere!

You will all notice the “Recommend” button at the top and bottom of this article. Please take the time to display your gratitude by clicking on this button to share the page with your Facebook friends. We help you, you help us. Fair?