Many people are lured to Vancouver for its natural splendour, but the opportunity to work in a myriad of sectors is also an attraction. Hovering just under 5%, the province’s unemployment rate is low. If you want to find a part-time job that allows you to work a little and play a lot, answer the call of the many restaurants and retailers begging for staff. Getting seasonal work at one of the local ski mountains is also a great way to enjoy some adventure and meet new people while earning.
If you’re interested in making some serious money and have a university degree, technical skills or a trade, you’re a red-hot commodity. Some companies will pay for your relocation expenses, help you get settled and offer a decent salary, but you may need to agree to be a loyal employee for a length of time (or have to pay back your relocation costs if you leave early). They’ll still need to cut through the appropriate red tape to get you here and many companies are very motivated to do so. In these cases, it’s an employee’s market and the power is in your hands. Practise the fine art of negotiation to ensure that you get what you want. Just remember to be realistic as there are plenty of other people who would jump at the chance to work in Vancouver’s spectacular playground. Although a top-notch CV might get you in the door, while a little humility and a winning personality will bring you back for a second interview, and ultimately land you the job.

The quickest way to become a permanent resident in Canada is to go the ‘immigration through employment’ route. Again, because of the country’s labour shortage, government programmes have been developed to speed up the immigration process (see Residence Visas, p.68). The federal government’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, operated by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (www.hrsdc.gc.ca), and WorkBC (www.workbc.ca), has identified a veritable laundry list of occupations considered to be ‘under pressure’. For example, certain jobs in information technology, private live-in caregivers (for children or adults), engineers, senior managers, and architects are in demand. Registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, physicians and pharmacists are also needed. And the list goes on.
Health Match BC is a local recruitment service that’s funded by the provincial government to help healthcare practitioners find work and match their skills with hospitals and facilities. There are job postings and requirements on its website (www.healthmatchbc.org), along with BC employment and licensing requirements; no fees are charged for its services. You can also call (604 736 5920) or visit the office at 1333 West Broadway.
If you don’t fall into any of these categories, don’t despair, just point and click your way to job-hunting sites such as www.workopolis.com and www.monster.ca, while www.canada.com offers job listings represented in the city’s two major newspapers, The Vancouver Sun and The Province. Craigslist (vancouver.craigslist.ca) can also be a good source, while recruitment agencies usually post jobs on their websites (see Working as a Freelancer Or Contractor, p.82).
Some international companies recruit skilled workers directly from abroad, especially in sectors where there are labour shortages (including the high-tech and healthcare sectors). All companies, however, still have to adhere to Human Resources and Social Development Canada (www.hrsdc.gc.ca) requirements. In some cases they may need to get a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) (see Temporary Work Permit, p.66). International companies often have human resources professionals who are highly skilled in wading through the red tape and paperwork required to recruit foreign workers. Some will access skilled workers by liaising with immigration lawyers or firms that specialise in foreign recruitment.

While there’s an advantage in having a job in hand before you arrive, meeting prospective employers face to face can have many added benefits. After all, if you’re skilled, likeable and require little training, you might be able to secure a three to six-month contract and jump into the job market right away. Don’t be tempted to pass up a good opportunity just because it’s not full time or permanent. Sometimes contracts are repeatedly extended, and if a permanent position comes up, you’ll have the inside track.
Networking is a critical skill, so it’s a good idea to get out and meet people, attend career fairs and gain some insight into the local job market. The Work Futures website (www.workfutures.bc.ca) provides comprehensive labour market information for all of BC. Check the site to identify which markets best suit your skills, and preferably adapt those skills to those industries that are in demand. It is a good idea to contact some recruitment agencies. They’re in tune with the job market and have built long-term relationships with many large companies.
Tourism is also a burgeoning sector in Vancouver, and related retailers, tour operators and guides often look for seasonal staff. Go2 (www.go2hr.ca) is dedicated to all facets of BC’s tourism sector and it has a great job board. Speaking a second language (especially Japanese, Korean, Cantonese or Mandarin) will help your employment prospects. Companies organising outdoor recreation on Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour regularly hire temporary seasonal staff during winter. Sometimes they’ll host job fairs at the beginning of the season, or post jobs online.

Vancouver has plenty of recruitment agencies that can do the networking and legwork for you. While a number of these still provide temporary and permanent administrative opportunities within large companies, there are many that specialise in recruiting accountants, IT specialists, executives, engineers, and hospitality industry workers, such as chefs. The best recruiters don’t simply wait for job seekers to walk in the door – they actively pursue skilled professionals who may already be in the job market. There’s no harm in signing up with a recruitment agency that might help you find your dream job while you’re toiling away at a lacklustre nine-to-five job.