Everything you need to know about living, working or studying in Vancouver

Finding a job in Vancouver can be a real obstacle course. It may be more difficult than in other Canadian cities, but it is not impossible, as long as you stay motivated during your search.

It is very rare to find a job before arriving in Canada. A fundamental aspect of looking for a job in Canada is networking: volunteering to meet contacts might help you gain your first Canadian professional experience. For more information, see Finding a job and working in Canada.

Help with finding a job and improving your resume

Your home resume/CV is unlikely to follow the same conventions as a Canadian resume. It is therefore imperative to convert your resume into a Canadian resume. You may also need to write a cover letter.

You can find a lot of resources and help with the process online:

• Jobbank provides a resume builder.
• The University of British Columbia provides advice and examples of resumes and cover letters for students entering the workforce for the first time. These can often be useful for Working Holiday permit holders, who are also entering the Canadian job market for the first time.
• WorkBC have provided a helpful YouTube video for Building a Resume and Cover Letter.
• The municipal library has a whole Career and Job Search section on their site where you can find links to other helpful websites, as well as lists of useful books and articles. Please note that some of the content is only accessible if you have a library card.
• Mosaic is a multilingual agency whose mission is to help with the integration of immigrants and refugees. They offer free services for job search assistance and annual job fairs, among other things.
• If you are more comfortable using French than English, Canada Talents helps French speakers with their professional integration in Canada. They offer career support services and numerous resources on the job market and cultural differences in Canada.

Recruitment agencies

Once your resume has been updated, you can register with recruitment agencies to aid in your job search. You will have to be persistent and contact them regularly: you are not the only person on their books, and you will need to stand out from the competition. Note that it is less common in Vancouver than other cities, such as Toronto, to find work through an agency.

Advertisements on the Internet

As with housing, Craigslist and Kijiji are full of job ads. It can be helpful to apply through these sites but be careful of scams and don’t expect to receive a response every time. Employers registered on these sites receive dozens of applications as soon as their advert is put online.

You may see advertisements where you will be asked to interview in person, which can prove to be an advantage, as you can make a good first impression.

Going door to door

Going door to door can be demotivating but sometimes pays off! If luck is on your side, you will impress a potential employer who may even ask you to start the same day or come back the next day for a trial run.

When going door to door, don’t give your CV to any random employee or you may risk being forgotten about. Always ask to speak to the manager or offer to come back later if they are not there/it is not a good time.

Volunteering

If your job search is stagnating, or even if you just have a cause close to your heart, you can try volunteering. This can be a good way of beginning to network and find your first Canadian professional experience/reference, which will make your search for paid work easier.

Volunteering will make you look “credible” to a Canadian employer. Volunteering will also allow you to meet a variety of people and immerse yourself in Vancouver life.