Find Jobs in Canada in this Economic Climate

Find Jobs in Canada in this Economic Climate Leonard G. just graduated from the University of Toronto, armed with a Bachelor's degree in IT. He's smart, enthusiastic, and hardworking, but he's being turned down by every company he has applied to. Some don't ever call him up for an interview even. It's been three months since he graduated and still he only receives rejection letters. Most of his friends are facing the same despondence, and some are known to be the cream of the crop. Why is this happening? What can they do?

Source: TechCrunch Looking at the above chart, all industries are hiring lesser staff, some less than others. IT job listings are down 43 percent from a year ago. Healthcare is holding up the best with only an 8 percent decline, but nevertheless still a decline. Job postings in banking and financial services have decreased 48 percent (to 144,569), and media and newspaper job listings are down 47 percent (with only 24,104 postings).

The global economic recession has, without a doubt, taken its toll on job seekers' hopes, as we are now experiencing what is called the employers' market. Job opportunities have plunged, and it still can't be seen when the number of jobs available will rise, although many contemplate it should be soon, since the only way to go after hitting rock bottom is up.

Some people choose to wait the recession out, but who knows for sure when the economy is likely to pick up, and what can one do in the meantime?

1. Look at industry data

Find Jobs in Canada in this Economic Climate

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Despite the recession and the shortage of jobs, there are still research industries and job sectors that are encountering a shortage of workers or are still undergoing job growth. This is an area you may want to concentrate on in search of a job.

2. Upgrade your skills Skills are what employers look for when hiring, so the more specialized skills you have, the higher your chances of being hired. It would be a good idea to use the time you have while waiting for a job to pick up a new skill or hone an existing one.

3. Try part-time or freelance work If you're not able to clinch a full-time job just yet, why not try working part-time or do freelance work instead first? These will definitely help with your expenses while you wait for a full-time job, and your future employer might very well take into account your enthusiasm and the skills you pick up while engaging yourself in such work. Moreover, you never know if your part-time or freelance job can lead to an attractive full-time one!

4. Network, network, network As much as we all complain about small talk and other networking pains, one cannot deny the impact it can have on one's social and professional life, and even more so in such an economic climate. Think about it, with no one hiring, possibly your only chance of getting your foot in the door is by knowing someone on the inside and convincing them how you'd be a perfect fit in the company.

5. Self-assessment Before you even try to convince your employer about your strengths and how you'd be perfect for the job, perhaps you need to convince yourself first. Take some time to evaluate your interests, skills and strengths and how these can be a good fit with a company. Do a role play with someone objective and experienced to practise your answers to interview questions. Body language would also be a crucial deciding factor during the interview, so do make sure you are familiar with the dos and don'ts.

6. Be active No job is going to fall on your lap if you just sit around waiting. Getting your desired job requires you to be proactive in the search and application process, from start to finish. Do your homework before the interview by researching on the company and the position you applied for, and do a follow-up email after the interview to thank your interviewer(s), and at the same time, show your enthusiasm for the job. It may also be a good idea to let others know that you're job hunting so that your friends and acquaintances can also keep a lookout for you. Keep trying!

7. Learn to accept rejection Many people wallow in their defeatist attitude and seriously, nothing ever comes out of that. Of course, nobody likes being rejected, and receiving countless rejections can lead to strong dejection, but think about it this way, people emerge from failures and rejections much stronger than before. Be ready to face countless rejections, but pull yourself up quickly because acceptance might be just round the corner.

8. Start early

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As they say, the early bird catches the worm! Start your job search early, even while you're in school. Job hunting takes plenty of time and it would be useful to start your hunt early, and maybe even beat the crowd of graduates to a great opportunity.

9. Be realistic This usually means be willing to settle for less, especially so in this economic climate.

People are getting laid off, companies are cutting costs a great deal, so be prepared for a slimmer paycheck during this period of time.

10. Polish your resume Be sure to update your resume! Moreover, remember how you thought you didn't look good in that one-size-fits-all apparel? More so for a resume that must be tailored differently for every job application. To make your resume stand out to the employer, always place the most relevant experience or qualification first for every different job application.

Gone are the days where we actually need to physically go to individual companies or snail mail them our resumes. With everything done electronically these days, your best bet for getting a job is through an online job portal. Jobsites in a way help match make employers and employees by providing a platform for them to find each other and discover the good fit they make. Most jobsites are 100% free and it makes applying for jobs and submitting your resume very easy and convenient. Many fresh graduates like Leonard G. find their jobs successfully through online Canada job s sites, and have found very fulfilling and rewarding jobs, thanks to the great accessibility provided by these job-seeking platforms in Canada.

Remember, be active in your job pursuit, and be realistic. Best of luck!

Find Jobs in Canada in this Economic Climate

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