Everything you need to know about living, working and studying in Edmonton

While there is work to be found in Edmonton, if you start your Working Holiday here without any Canadian experience or network, it will be a little harder (though not impossible) to find.

Prepare yourself to face strong competition from students and newcomers if you are applying for entry-level jobs (e.g. bars, cafes, supermarkets, etc.).

Chances are you’ll see old-fashioned methods of recruitment here: posters, adverts on job boards, word-of-mouth through an acquaintance, etc. Walk around the city and hand in your resume to the manager (specify if you’re available immediately, and if you want full-time or part-time work). Coffee shops, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, fast food restaurants, etc. are almost always looking for staff.

In Alberta, you will see many people working two or three jobs to make enough money to pay for their rent, car, groceries, etc. It is sometimes difficult to find full-time work, especially for these entry-level jobs.

Learn more about the minimum wage in Canada.

Recruitment agencies

The advice for any person trying to find full-time work in Edmonton is to go through an employment agency. They will help you share your profile with potential employers, plus occasionally run job fairs.

There is an agency dedicated to newcomers called the Newcomer Centre. They have connections with many companies in different industries (especially the construction industry).

Volunteering

Volunteering is recommended as a way of getting your foot in the door with a Canadian company. As well as being able to gain professional experience, volunteering is a great way to build a Canadian network or to make like-minded friends.

Jobs specific to the province of Alberta

Oil

The oil industry is a sector that recruits regularly and gives you a chance to make a lot of money in a short period of time. The catch is that you will have to travel several hours away for work, for example to Fort McMurray, because the oil fields are not based in the city.

Some companies will consider temporary staff and hire you for a few weeks with all expenses paid (bed and board). You do your job and when your contract is complete, they’ll send you back to town with a paycheck.

Tree planting

Another job that is unique to Alberta (and British Columbia) is tree planting. For this job, you will be flown into an area to be reforested, stock up on tree saplings and plant the new trees. This job can be paid per tree planted rather than an hourly wage, so the amount you make depends a lot on your daily performance.

Physical work is, of course, sometimes dangerous. You can also come across bears, swarms of bees, and other insects and animals that will make your life difficult.

Tree planters are often offered bed and board while on the job.