I love this thread because it means I can actually contribute something to this forum instead of just asking questions!
The labour market is TOUGH and precarious. Job security is difficult to obtain when employers often hire for part time, work share, casual positions. But finding employment is possible... by having a job goal, understand the sector, with perseverance and seeking/obtaining assistance.
“Survival jobs” does not necessarily mean its occupation-specific. Survival jobs means your earning to make ends meet... so it really depends on hours of work and rate of pay. But to generally answer the question, the jobs mostly considered to be “survival” include general labour/assembly, food attendant, cashier, etc. Most minimum wage jobs are considered "survival" given the cost of living. Luckily, there have been some improvements in Ontario where minimum wage will go up to $11 per hour as of June 30, 2014.
A great website across the country is: www.workingincanada.gc.ca. Click on “explore careers” and type in an occupation + city and province and you will get an abundance of information on min/max/average wages, whether the profession requires a license, similar occupations in case you can't start working as a nurse right away (for example), occupation outlook, etc.
Here are some tips (that others have offered as well) that would apply for any kind of employment opportunity, interim or career path.... Please keep in mind, networking is ALWAYS your best method for finding sustainable, long-term employment, but NOT THE ONLY WAY.
Enhance your English as soon as possible (check out the Toronto District School Board: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AdultLearners/LearnEnglish/ESLPrograms.aspx
Perhaps also check out Literacy & Basic Skills: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/apprentices/lbs.html
Enhance your computer skills to use Word (for resume writing AND TAILORING to each employer) and to use the internet for researching new employers, job search sites, etc
Register for free support with an Employment Counselor through Employment Ontario. Find the closest site to you (and there are MANY) through this site: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/search.asp - they may also help with the cost of getting your foreign credentials assessed to better compete in this labour market (this can cost up to $300CAD so if you can get help, why not!). Please note: you must have a SIN card. And if it is a 900 series SIN card, you must also provide a copy of the work permit.
Make sure you have an employment goal (or more) because gone are the days when you can have one standard resume (CV) for any kind of position. Your resume must be 1-2 pages maximum and list accomplishments (not duties), among other criteria but no details on your marriage status, faith, children, date of birth, etc. A CV and resume are very distinct.
Always accompany a cover letter with your resume. Your cover letter should explain why you are the best candidate for the job – with this in mind, a cover letter changes from every employer/business applied to (if you have completed the resume, and have little-to-no time to draft a cover, send it anyways. Do not miss out on a job opportunity for not having a cover letter).
PRACTICE before any interview. This cannot be stressed enough. Google “behavioural type interview questions” and “cultural based questions”. Guaranteed employers will use these types of questions in your interview. Overcome the behavioural type questions using the STAR method which means you must think of specific stories/examples of instances where you demonstrated a particular skill the employer needs. You would breakdown your story like this: Situation Task Action Result. Google it for more info. Or feel free to ask me
ALWAYS write a ‘thank you' email/letter within 24 hours of your interview. Not many people do this and it will make you stand out amongst the rest.
Remember, you want to stand out amongst the hundreds of people in search of employment since competition is fierce. Try to register with as many recruitment firms as possible, sign up on LinkedIn, check out events related to your profession on www.eventbrite.com and attend to network. Visit as many job fairs as possible, but research the employers in advance so you know who you want to tailor your cover/resume to... OR attend anyhow so you can practice speaking with employers and getting over any nervousness. No interview is ever a waste of time. It's practice
Hope this has been helpful!
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This is awesome. Thanks.
