How to find job opportunities

Unsurprisingly, in the digital age, the most common and effective way to find and apply for jobs is to do so online. However, it is certainly not the only strategy that you can use.

This chapter lists the popular job search websites used in Canada, as well as other methods that can complement your online search.

Online

Governmental websites

Job Bank (the “Explore the market” tool is very useful)
Employment Québec (Quebec only)
NBJobs (New Brunswick only)
SaskJobs (Saskatchewan only)
WorkBC (British Columbia only)
Alis Alberta (Alberta only)
YuWin (Yukon only)
Manitoba Start (Manitoba only)

General websites

LinkedIn
Jobillico
Indeed
jobs.ca
Parttime.ca
Workopolis
Monster
Career Builder
Jobboom
Talent
Kijiji
Eluta
Jobgo.ca
Place aux jeunes en région (Quebec and in French only)
Site d’emploi (Quebec only)
C3job (customer service)
Recrutement Santé Québec (health and social services)
Resto Jobs (hospitality, mostly in Quebec)
Hotelleriejobs (hospitality)

Door-to-door

Pounding the pavement with a stack of printed copies of your resume is still a viable method for retail and food service jobs. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to introduce yourself to the manager—but don’t show up during rush hour.

Franchises and big stores may ask you to fill out their own application on paper or online but small or independent businesses generally have a more informal hiring process.

Prepare your “elevator pitch”. You should also be ready to answer common interview questions on the spot, e.g. “What are your main skills?” or “Why would you like to join the team?”

It’s best to ask for the manager, otherwise your resume will probably end up lost or thrown out. If the timing isn’t right, ask when the best time to come back would be.

It may be helpful to track applications in Excel. It’s important to stay organised in your job search because chances are you will have to apply to a lot of jobs before you get a call back.

Recruitment agencies

There are plenty of recruitment agencies (also called “staffing agencies” or “employment agencies”) all over Canada, who are used to finding casual or contract work for Working Holiday permit holders.

Registering with a recruitment is free for job searchers, because it is employers who pay agencies to help them find talent.

The registration process generally looks like this:

Create an online account or email the agency with your resume. Most agencies will follow up on your application fairly quickly if they feel you’d be a good fit. At this point, you’ll need to share your passport and Social Security Number with them.
Take a series of skill tests for about 60-90 minutes. These tests include performing various tasks using Word, Excel and PowerPoint, data entry and typing (especially for admin jobs).
If you’re bilingual, you may have to take language proficiency tests as well (usually a multiple-choice test).

Do these competency tests to the best of your ability to stand out.

Once you’re registered with an agency, don’t hesitate to contact them regularly to see if there are new openings. This will help you to stay top of mind among the thousands of people in their database.

Here are a few of the biggest agencies:

Networking

Networking is common practice and building a professional network is crucial to your job search.

It might sound corporate and intimidating, but it’s quite simple: start by telling the people you meet that that you’re looking for a job and describe what you’re looking for. That way, if anyone hears about an opportunity that could be a good fit, they’ll think of you.

LinkedIn is a useful platform for finding people in your field. Make sure to change your location to Canada in your profile.

You may want to check if there are social network groups for professionals in your field, e.g. on Facebook, Meetup or Bumble Bizz.

Avoid scams

When you’re actively looking for a job, you have to share some personal information with your network and various potential employers; make sure they are legit before giving out your personal details.

Google the company when the offer seems too good to be true. Watch out for offers that promise lots of money for very little work, as it could be a scam. Never pay to work and never work for free. Glassdoor is another good place to check company reviews written anonymously by employees.

For more information, read Common scams to avoid during your working holiday abroad.

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