How do I Look for Work in BC?

Looking for Work? Job Search Strategies
	"I don't know how to look for work in BC."
There are many steps to finding a job in your occupation in BC. Knowing how to find work in BC can save you time and frustration. The following sites will help you assess your job search skills. Take the time to go through these sites carefully. They contain very useful information about career preparation that will help you to be successful in your job search. To find the job search section only, click on: www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca click on Networks and Contacts From there you can learn how to do a resume, cover letter and how to conduct yourself in interviews in Canada For a step by step tutorial on how to use the internet for your job search, click on: www.surfingforwork.com click on Start the tutorial Another great website for understanding how to look for work in BC http://www.workinfonet.bc.ca/default.htm click on Employment on the left side If you are looking for work in a regulated profession - go directly to your professional association's website to find out how to apply for work in that profession. Go to Credential Recognition (Top of page)
* TIP* Attend meetings, seminars, and conferences of your professional association, trade group or local Chamber of Commerce to get to know people in your profession, who may be able to help you make connections within your occupation.
	"I have reviewed several career websites. I know how to do a resume and cover letter to apply for work and I know how to describe my skills and experience to employers so they will understand what I have to offer them."
Now you need to learn how people look for work in BC. You can look for work in several ways: 1) Network - networking is the process of talking to people about who you are, what you have to offer and what kind of job you are looking for. Networking is considered the most effective way of finding a job. It demands time and motivation, but it is an essential part of your job search. The more people know you, the better your chances of finding the right job. To review networking techniques, click on: www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca click on Networks and Contacts click on Work Search click on any of the Three Network Options 2) The best way to find employment support services for immigrants is to contact the Immigrant Serving Agency closest to where you plan to live. For a list of all the agencies in BC www.amssa.org click on "Are You Immigrating to BC?" click on "Area You Plan to Live" choose which agency you wish to contact call the agency and ask where you can find Employment Support Services for Immigrants Another site to check is: http://www.netwercc.com click on Public Menu on the left side click on Agency Search click on the city you plan to live in and then click on Immigrants click on Conduct Search The Canadian Government also provides job search support through local offices. To find the Human Resources Skill Development Canada Employment Office nearest you click on www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/our_offices.shtml If you will be living near Vancouver, click on www.lmer.ca Searching for work as a professional can involve different job search techniques. You will need to know how to network as well as drop-in on companies you wish to work for, market yourself confidently, conduct a meeting, draft, present and negotiate a proposal for work, create customized resumes, cover letters and portfolios. Talk to your professional association about where you can learn "job search skills for professionalism" in your area. 3) Internet searching. Here are some good Internet sites to do a general job search. For the federal government job bank, click on: http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ click on English click on Job Search click on British Columbia click on By Area click on Search Now www.bcjobs.ca click on your occupation under category click on region you live For Federal Government Job Site http://www.jobsetc.ca/ click on Jobs click on Job Listings click on Specialty Sites and then choose your occupational area and click www.workinfonet.bc.ca click on Find Web sites click on Employment click on Job Opportunities and scroll down to review web sites For positions in Government, click on: http://postings.gov.bc.ca/index.html For careers in Health, click on: http://www.healthmatchbc.org/ http://www.medhunters.com/region/British%20Columbia.html For careers in the non-profit sector, click on: www.charityvillage.ca click on Enter click on Jobs click on By Region and scroll down to the area of BC in which you live and click (or click All Current Jobs for a listing across Canada) For careers in business, click on: http.bcbc.com click on Links for drop down menu click on Member Companies For a listing of Canadian companies, click on: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/ For manufacturing companies in BC, click on: www.made-in-bc.ca For jobs in information technology, click on: www.bctechnology.com click on Tech Jobs For information on trades employment support centres around the province, click on: http://www.tradesbc.org/home.html click on Employer Links 4) Contact employers directly by phone, email, fax or regular mail (resume) (Top of page)
	"I am using different ways to search for work in BC in my profession or trade. I am researching specific "job search skills training for professionals".
The next step is to DO IT. Networking is often considered the most difficult part of a job search, but Canadians and recently immigrated skilled professionals both tell us it is the best way to get to know the people who can help you find the work you want.
* TIP* In BC employers like to hire people they know or people who are recommended to them by a friend or colleague. The bigger your network of contacts, the closer you get to the employer you wish to know.
	"I am actively networking through my occupational associations, local employment agencies, business organizations, friends and colleagues to develop my job search network."
*Understanding the Canadian workplace* is also important for successful employment. To find out what employers expect from you, click on: http://www.jobsearch-in-canada.com/employer-expectations.html To see if you have the Essential Workplace Skills expected on the job in BC, click on: http://measureup.towes.com/ click on How Do Your Skills Measure Up? Canadian employers often request that job applicants have "excellent communication skills". These are also called "soft skills." These skills refer to your ability to get along with people, work on a team and deal with conflict effectively in the workplace. Take a self assessment to discover your personality type and what that means in the workplace, click on: http://www.typefocus.com click on free assessment (on the left side of the screen) To download a List of the Employability Skills the employers are looking for in the workplace, click on: http://www.conferenceboard.ca/education/learning-tools/pdfs/esp2000.pdf (Top of page)
	"I know what employers expect in the workplace. I can describe my work skills and my personal skills to employers."
What Employers Want to Know: These are some of the typical questions employers will ask you when you call to inquire about work. Prepare your answers for your conversations with employers. Why do you want to work for this company/organization? What skills and experience do you have that prepares you to do this work? What are your qualifications/credentials, and where did you attain them? Which certification do you have to work in this occupation? What kind of Canadian work experience have you had - either paid or volunteer? Why should I hire you? If you cannot find a job in your occupation, you will need to look at other possibilities. If you cannot obtain certification to practice in your profession/trade right away, because of the time required to complete all the steps, it would be wise to consider other positions in your occupational area. Sometimes you can work in an entry-level position in your career area, without certification, while you are waiting for the process to be completed. Example: Registered Nurse - work as Resident Care Attendant Professional Engineer - work as an Engineering Technician (Top of page)
* TIP* You can also explore volunteer work, temporary employment, contract work, part time employment, self employment, job sharing, and seasonal employment.
To find out more about ways people in BC work, click on: http://www.jobsetc.ca/ Look under Jobs click on Other Ways of Working Go to Employment Readiness Matrix, to record your work. (Top of page) Home \| Success Predictors \| Employment Readiness \| English Language Where are the Jobs? \| Credentials \| Looking for Work Community Resources \| Canadian Culture \| Guide for Service Providers Contact Us \| Back to CCS All material on this site ©Bridge to Your Future 2004. All rights reserved.