Hidden Job
Market - Places to Visit - On-Line
Resources
Other Options - Search
Checklist
If you don't have this card - get it! The SIN Card contains
your personal Social Insurance Number, which you need to work
in Canada. You can apply
for your SIN Card at any HRDC office. You will need a document
that proves your identity such as your birth certificate or passport.
You can get complete details as well as download an application
form by clicking on the card image.
Discovering the Hidden Job Market
Understanding the hidden job market and how
to access it is probably the single most important thing to learn
when looking for work! Why? Because 80 - 90% of job openings
are never advertised! Think about that... only 1 or 2 jobs in
every 10 are actually advertised to the public. You can probably
think of someone you know right now who got a job that you didn't
even know was available. If you only look in the newspapers,
on bulletin boards, or on job web sites, you're missing out on
a lot of job opportunities!
The hidden job market exists for a variety of reasons. In some cases it is
because employers are busy people and they don't always have the time to advertise
a position, accept applications, and interview candidates. It could also be
because employers feel more comfortable with recommendations they receive from
people they know and trust. Regardless of why, it does exist and you need to
know how to tap into it.
In case you haven't guessed it, accessing the
hidden job market is mainly about networking which is another
term for "who you know"! Everyone has a network but
we often overlook this valuable resource. Identify your network
by listing the people you know and who you could talk to about
job opportunities. Your network can include:
If you have not already started one, now would
be the time to start a contact list of all the people in your
life. Include their addresses, phone numbers, email addresses,
etc. Even a notes section where you could record special information
about the individual would be helpful. This list will prove to
be very valuable as you move through life and just having your
friend's phone numbers in one place will be a bonus!
Tip: Effective
networking is not about 'using people'. You must be careful
not to impose or ask too much of your contacts. By letting
them know that you are looking for work and telling them that
you would appreciate any leads they could offer is far better
than handing someone a resume or outright asking for a job.
Back To Top
Places to visit
Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC)
offices.
HRDC offices provide Internet and job bank access as well as a variety of books
and pamphlets.
- Bridgewater Human
Resources Centre Canada
77 Dufferin St., PO Box 3100, Bridgewater, NS, B4V 3J1
Phone: (902) 527-5524
Fax: (902) 527-5570
- Shelburne Human
Resources Centre Canada
218 Water St., PO Box 819, Loyalist Plaza, Shelburne, NS,
Phone: (902) 875-3940
Fax: (902) 875-3505
- Other
HRDC locations in Nova Scotia
Student Employment
Centres.
Open mid-May to mid-August. SEC offices are seasonal and are dedicated to assisting
students find summer employment by providing information and guidance. The
SEC offices also manage the student 'Odd Job Squad'.
- Human Resources
Centre Canada for Students - Bridgewater
77 Dufferin St., PO Box 3100, Bridgewater, NS, B4V 3J1
Phone: (902) 527-5524
Fax: (902) 527-5570
- Human Resources
Centre Canada for Students - Shelburne
218 Water Street, Shelburne Loyalist Plaza
Phone: (902) 875-2538
Fax: (902) 875-3505
Career Resource Centres
These centres offer Internet access plus career planning and reference materials.
Computers can be used to create resumes and cover letters. Check with the individual
centres as open hours vary.
- ACSBE CRC,
Suite 108, Gateway Plaza, 215 Dominion Street
Phone: (902) 527-5571
- Chester Grant CRC,
Forest Heights Community School, #847, HWY 12
Phone: (902) 275-2708
- Queens CRC,
Water Front Plaza, Liverpool
Phone: (902) 354-2454
Back To Top
On-line Resources
The Internet has made job hunting much easier
by providing access to job listings in your own area and around
the world. If you do not have personal Internet access there
are
Free Internet Access locations in Lunenburg and Queen's Counties.
There are plenty of places to search for jobs
on-line but keep in mind that most are designed for people looking
for full-time positions. If you are a student looking for part-time
or summer employment the HRDC Job Bank is a good place to start!
It is very easy to get 'lost' or overwhelmed by the amount of information available
on-line. If you find something interesting don't forget to write down the web
address or bookmark the site. Popular job sites include:
| HRDC
Job Bank |
A perfect starting point because it offers
a student jobs section that you can search by local area.
The HRDC site also links to the National Job bank for anyone
interested in jobs elsewhere in Canada. |
| HRDC
Electronic Labour Exchange |
This resource offers job searching, job
matching, and an opportunity to post your individual profile
for viewing by potential employers. |
| Youth
Employment Information |
This is a big site with lots of information
about jobs and employment for youth including a long list
of job links! Don't miss the Summer Jobs section at the bottom
of the job links! |
| JobsPress.com |
A presentation of the Halifax Herald JobsPress
provides employment listings for Nova Scotia and Atlantic
Canada along with business research and job reference material. |
| CareerBeacon.com |
This is an Atlantic Canada job bank where
you can easily view job opportunities in Atlantic Canada
by category. |
| CanadaJobs.com |
A very comprehensive site! If you are
looking for work in Canada this is a good place to start.
You will find links to job databases, government job banks,
employment agencies, and companies with job listings. |
| Workopolis.com |
They claim to be "Canada's biggest
job site". Lots of resource material too! |
| Monster.ca |
Lot's of job listings and cute monsters!
You have to create an account but it's free. |
Back To Top
Other Options
There are many job opportunities available
with the Government of Canada or through its agencies. People
are often not aware of these jobs or how to find out about them.
Visit the Employer section of YouthJobs.ca to find out about
programs for employers who hire youth. Making a potential employer
aware of these programs may get you one step closer to a job!
| Young
Canada Works |
High School students interested in working
in Heritage Institutions or National Parks or College / University
Graduates interested in International or Science and Technology
internships can get details and apply on-line. |
| Federal
Student Work Experience Program |
Federal departments and agencies recruit
students for some 8,000 temporary student jobs each year.
Apply on-line with just one application! |
| Public
Service Commission of Canada |
Everything you need to know about working
for "the Feds" ! |
| Nova
Scotia WorkInfoNET |
Navigate to the student employment section
under the "Jobs, Work, and Recruiting" link for
information and links to many youth employment programs in
Nova Scotia. |
| Canadian
Forces |
Interested in the Army, Navy, or Air Force?
How about a way to obtain a Bachelors degree while training
for a career as a military officer? To find out more visit
the department's recruitment site. |
Tourism
Tourism is big business on the South Shore and overall the largest employer
of students and youth. The South Shore Tourism Association's web site is
a good way to find out about the tourism industry and the many businesses
involved.
SSTA Web Site
The Phone Book
The phone book is a simple, yet valuable resource. The white pages and yellow
pages contain the names and phone numbers for every business in your area.
You can quickly develop a "hit list" of businesses you are interested
in or who you think may have job opportunities. Remember your network!
It really helps if you know someone on the inside!
Tip: Always
plan your call to potential employers (its o.k. to rehearse);
identify who you are, and why you are calling. If you don't
know who to talk to, ask the person who answers the phone.
Use the word 'help' instead of 'tell'. Help is a powerful word.
Newspapers and Bulletin Boards
Local, provincial, and national newspapers are a good source of job listings.
Daily newspapers tend to have more jobs on Wednesdays and Saturdays and don't
forget to browse the classified sections!
The Street
Visiting businesses in person (also known as cold calling) demonstrates that
you are serious about finding a job. Get a map of your area and keep track
of where you have been and the people you have met with. It is important to
remember names so write them down as soon as possible after you leave the business
or if possible ask for a business card, which has all the necessary information.
Be prepared for anything, from rejections (don't
worry, most business people are very understanding) to on-the-spot
interviews! Have copies of your resume available and fill out
applications if they are offered. Remember to be polite to everyone
in the business. You never know who the owner or manager uses
to screen applicants and first impressions can make a difference.
Also try to time your visits during less-busy periods and be
sure to follow-up with any business where there is a possibility
of a job opening.
Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open
Sometimes opportunities are right in front of us. Did you see the 'Help Wanted'
sign or see a new business opening? Did you hear about a business that was
behind schedule because they had too much work or hear that someone is leaving
a job? Look and listen for the signs that could mean opportunity!
Back To Top
Job Search Checklist
After you find a potential job or a career
you are interested in the next step is to make sure you have
everything you need to either apply for the job or pursue the
career. See the "Where Do I Go From Here" section for
information on areas you may need help with.
Back To
Top
