Introduction to Job Search Strategies

Newspapers and trade journals contain employment advertisements.  Alberta has a number of daily newspapers with one or more in Edmonton and Calgary.  In Edmonton, there is the Edmonton Journal (which includes the “Working” section on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and the Edmonton Sun.  In Calgary, there is the Calgary Herald and the Calgary Sun.

The Edmonton Journal

Phone: 780-468-8100

Website: http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/index.html

The Edmonton Sun

Phone: 780-468-0100

Website: http://edmsun.canoe.ca/

The Calgary Herald

Phone: 403-235-7100

Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/index.html

The Calgary Sun

Phone: 403-410-1010

Website: http://www.calgarysun.com

In addition, Canada has two English-language national newspapers; The Globe and Mail and The National Post.

The Globe and Mail

Phone: 416-585-5000

Website: www.theglobeandmail.com

The National Post

Phone: 416-350-6100

Website: www.nationalpost.com

#700, 9990 Jasper Avenue

Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7

Phone: 780-426-4620

Fax: 780-424-7946

http://www.edmontonchamber.com

Chamber of Commerce – Calgary

100 - 6th Avenue S.W.

Calgary, Alberta T2P 0P5

Phone: 403-750-0400

Fax: 403-266-3413

http://www.calgarychamber.com

Internet Sites

Positions can be advertised in a variety of ways on the Internet.  Companies may use their own corporate websites to attract employees to openings.  They may also use the more general access Internet job boards.  The following are popular websites used by clients within the Institute:

www.workopolis.com

www.monster.ca

www.careermosaic.com

www.globecareers.com

www.jobshark.com

Telephone Directories

Edmonton and Calgary publish their own telephone and Yellow Pages directories.  In the Yellow Pages you will find companies listed under trade/business headings.  The White Pages directory will list companies in alphabetical order.

www.Canada411.sympatico.ca

www.canadayellowpages.com

Canada Employment Offices

The Canadian Federal Government operates Canada Employment Centres in Edmonton and Calgary.  Addresses and telephone numbers can be found at www.canada.gc.ca

Job Search To-Do List

·         Investigate the usual duties, responsibilities and education requirements of your profession in Canada.

·         Contact professional associations about licensing procedures and requirements.

·         Identify skills and training you may need.

·         Investigate what is happening currently in your profession in Canada.

·         Investigate the job market for your profession.

·         Tailor your resume to the duties and responsibilities of your profession in Canada, documenting key accomplishments.

·         Do some career exploration and informational interviews.

·         Define your target job search market.

·         Begin cold calling and applying for advertised jobs.

·         Get support to stay focused and on track.

·         Attend professional development events.

·         Find community activities to be involved in.

Your skills can be broken into three separate categories:  Technical, Transferable and Self-Management (Personal):

1.      Technical Skills:  These are the skills you are likely most aware of.  Technical skills include the knowledge you gained through your education as well as the skills you developed from your work experience. 

2.      Transferable (Functional) Skills: These are the skills you have been developing throughout your life and that connect to almost any work situation.  Examples of transferable skills include communicating, researching, initiating and managing.

3.      Self-Management (Personal) Skills:  These are the skills that job seekers seem to be least aware of and yet employers’ decisions are most influenced by this set of skills.  Your self-management skills communicate your attitude and motivation.  These are the skills you have immediate control over and the power to change.  Examples of self-management skills include: energetic, open-minded, optimistic and service-oriented.

Source:  Job Search:  The Product is You, Self-Marketing Strategies and Tools, Revised March 1998

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/careers/planning/plan/parents/options/develop.htm

http://www.onip.ca/article/15/

Interview and Cultural Advice for the Canadian Context

Taken from The Global Resume and CV Guide by Mary Anne Thompson, 2000

·         It is wise to show a humble spirit and style.  Bragging, or appearing aggressive or overly ambitious, is considered in poor taste.

·         Albertans are almost always punctual, both professionally and socially, and expect the same from others.

·         Albertans are polite, deferential to authority, consensus-oriented, and inclined to avoid confrontation.

·         Sending a brief note of thanks by e-mail or regular mail after an interview is considered polite.

·         It is wise to avoid discussing salary and other parts of the compensation package early in the interview process.  However, if requested, you should state your salary preference.

·         Since most Canadians take their annual vacation during the warm summer months of June, July and August, the period immediately prior and during the summer is a difficult time for conducting new business.

In social circumstances, it is common for men to shake hands, and for men and women to briefly embrace.  In professional circumstances, it is common for people to shake hands when beginning their discussions.