How hard is it to find jobs in Calgary

[nokia3315]

I am interested in only entry level jobs. Jobs like shelf stacker in supermarket etc etc. Are those available and if so are they hard to get ?

Plus with those entry level jobs can i easily survive as a single person - not interested in luxury but can i afford to pay rent, food and internet.

Looking at future,if i get PR i am looking for a job so that i pass the period calmly till i get citizenship

 

[scylla]

Re: How hard is to find jobs in Calgary

I'm not sure how easy it will be to find that kind of job in Calgary - hopefully someone else can comment.

However you won't survive "easily" on a shelf stacker income. You'll survive - but probably with difficulty. You'll most likely have to make sacrifices like living in shared accommodations where you have your own room but share the kitchen and bathroom facilities with others.

 

[nokia3315]

Re: How hard is to find jobs in Calgary

Thanks scylla for the reply. btw by shelf stacker i dont mean that specific job only but the broad category of entry level jobs that you may get without Canadian experience or landing as a new PR holder immigrant

 

[Msafiri]

I am interested in only entry level jobs. Jobs like shelf stacker in supermarket etc etc. Are those available and if so are they hard to get ?

Plus with those entry level jobs can i easily survive as a single person - not interested in luxury but can i afford to pay rent, food and internet.

Looking at future,if i get PR i am looking for a job so that i pass the period calmly till i get citizenship

1. Alberta's minimum wage for most employees was increased to $11:20/hour back in October 2015.

2. Alberta is heavily reliant on Oil and Gas. This industry is going through a hard time at the moment with no break in the foreseeable future. There is a knock on effect on your typical 'immigrant' entry level industries/ sectors i.e. retail to include warehousing, security, gas stations, restaurants, coffee shops etc.

3. Sure the major retail stores are always looking for staff due to their high turnover but you may not get enough hours at one place...these kinds of employers prefer many employees at minimal hours as it keeps benefits and in turn prices low. You could end up working multiple jobs or relying on overtime just to get by. It seems easier to get more hours if you work at a place where there is little in the way of public transit as this reduces the worker pool but then you need a vehicle and it comes with associated costs. There is also a recruitment drive as we heads into the busy festive season so there will be openings.

4. Due to 2 the housing vacancy rate has gone up and rental prices are now back down to 2009 levels when there was yet another recession. Other prices though haven't changed or keep going up including transit, food, gas, car insurance etc.

You just have to apply and hope for the best. Check out rentfaster and kijiji or an idea of accommodation pricing and availability. Good luck

 

[krishnalynn]

Although there isn't a ton of skilled jobs available in Calgary, I've still seen retail, food, warehouses hiring. It might take a little bit of time so make sure you have lots of savings. Calgary is not a cheap city to live in, on minimum wage you will have to live with roommates, in a basement/illegal suite, or in a not so nice part of town. It's definitely not unrealistic to find a job and survive here though, as long as you're a hard worker, frugal, and not picky about what you do.