Getting hired: it’s all about who you know…

Posted on 01. Sep, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Working Abroad
0 comments

When It comes to getting hired in Vancouver, it’s all about who you know – or perhaps more accurately, about who knows you.

The reason is simple: most jobs never make it to Monster.com or the help wanted ads.
Remember how we said Canadians want to hire people they know, like and trust?

Well, rather than place an ad, most employers will first ask their staff if they know someone who’d like to apply. In some companies, employees even get a bonus for referring a new hire.

The obvious downside is that if no one knows you, no one is going to refer you. And that’s how better-connected newcomers go on to be gainfully employed after a few weeks, when you’re still sitting at home sending dozens of applications and getting nowhere fast.

Depressing? Not really. It’s never too late to start making connections. Sure, some people are natural-born networkers, but you can still make useful contacts even if you don’t see yourself as an extrovert extraordinaire.

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When you have a project you have to do…

Posted on 30. Aug, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Musings & Inspiration
2 comments

What does it look like when you have a project you have to do Рlike redoing your r̩sum̩, or finally writing the business plan for that great idea you have?

Warning: Lev’s videos are strangely addictive. Click on the other episodes at your own risk… and then don’t be surprised when your project doesn’t get done because you’ve spent all evening watching them! (not that I would know anything about that, of course)

Emmanuelle

3 job search tactics that don’t work (and a magic formula that does)

Posted on 26. Aug, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Working Abroad
2 comments

You’ve been in Vancouver for a number of weeks – or months – and it’s time for you to get a job.

But no matter how many résumés you send out, you’re not getting anywhere. No one’s calling you back. You’re beginning to wonder if you’ll ever be able to find a decent job in this city.

Here’s the good news: No, you haven’t suddenly become unemployable. You’re going to find that job.

But first, you need to stop relying on 3 common job search tactics that just don’t work here.

Then I’ll show you the magic formula that will get you hired.

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The 7 commandments of Canadian résumés

Posted on 23. Aug, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Working Abroad
4 comments

Having to rewrite your résumé is never fun, and it’s hard work – especially when you cannot find relevant advice to guide you.

If you’re trying to rewrite your résumé to Canadian standards, you may have noticed that most books and websites are in fact aimed at US job seekers. There’s little Canadian-specific advice available, and much of it is too general or obvious to be truly helpful. At least that’s what I and many of my friends have experienced over the years.

Since expats often ask me to proofread and edit résumés, I have compiled a list of 7 writing tips to help you write an effective Canadian résumé without spending yet another sleepless night toiling over the darned thing!

So if you want to cut to the chase, check your résumé against this list and see how it scores:

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Bastille Day party in Vancouver

Posted on 03. Jul, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Announcements, Blog
5 comments

Voulez-vous danser avec moi ce soir?

The ADFE (Association of French Expats in Vancouver) is throwing a big Bastille Day party at the Rowing Club in Stanley Park.

Everyone is welcome, so come celebrate with us on July 14 – even if you didn’t support the French team during the World Cup ! (Truth be told, I didn’t either..)

Admission is $10 for members of the Association, and $15 for non-members.

For more details, please contact info@francevancouver.ca
ADFE Facebook page: “francais du monde a vancouver”

See you on the 14th!
Emmanuelle

Canada Day barbecue? Cultural Do’s and Don’ts

Posted on 01. Jul, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life
5 comments

Are you going to a Canada Day barbecue today? Chances are it’ll be a potluck meal, which means that everybody brings a dish to share with the other guests.

Potlucks are fantastic. Everyone makes enough food for a small army, you end up with 7 cheese platters and 6 different desserts… life is good.

However, if this is your first time bringing food to a Canadian party, there are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind – after all, you don’t want to be “that guy” who brought the weird dish, do you?

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Being an introvert abroad

Posted on 28. Jun, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life
2 comments

You may remember that last year I was wondering about expatriation and introversion.

This article from the excellent Matador Network touches on the same subject. Be sure to read the comments, as they add a lot to the discussion.

I find that Vancouver has a lot to offer to both extroverts and introverts.

The laid-back atmosphere and the huge numbers of fellow foreigners should give the outgoing folks plenty of opportunities to strike random conversations with strangers.

And what’s not to like about a city where even cab and bus drivers will go out of their way to be helpful and answer your questions?

But Vancouverites can be reserved, too. People generally mind their own business. They don’t pry and they don’t stare at passersby.

For a city its size, Vancouver strikes me as a very gentle kind of place. The pace is unhurried, and there’s enough room for everyone to be who they are and do their own thing.

And then of course there’s the serene, majestic beauty of the landscape, which to me is like instant meditation.

I can’t think of a better place to get lost in your own thoughts, sitting on a log on the beach with a good book, or journalling about your day by the bamboo grove in Dr. Sun Yat-sen Park.

Emmanuelle

PS: Falling squarely in the middle of the extrovert/introvert spectrum myself, I had never realized how many introverts felt pressured to become more extroverted. Is that something you’ve ever experienced personally? How do you cope with that kind of social pressure?

Image: Tofino, author’s own picture

Is The Weather Getting To You? Take A Break!

Posted on 04. May, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life
3 comments

Brrr – it’s been really cool out lately in Vancouver, and the weather doesn’t know what it wants to do.

If the lack of spring weather is getting to you, remember to stay active.

Exercising and getting enough natural light – even when it’s grey out – are the best ways to shake off the winter blahs. So go for a bike ride in Stanley Park, a long walk on Kitsilano beach, or a nice (indoor !) swim at the Aquatic Centre on Beach Avenue.

Need a longer break somewhere sunny?

Do like the Canadians, and book a vacation down in Mexico or Cuba, two favourite destinations for the sun-starved Vancouverites. All-inclusive stays in a beach resort can be pretty inexpensive, and you will soak up enough sun rays (not to mention fruity drinks) to recharge your batteries within a week.

Last-minute update: the Cuban government has just made health insurance mandatory for all foreign tourists. According to the new rules, your insurance policy will only be accepted if it covers medical evacuation by air, which means that MSP (BC health insurance) coverage isn’t enough. Ask your travel agent what additional coverage is available for your trip – if you travel abroad, you should have travel insurance anyway.

Have fun, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Emmanuelle

Image by eNil, via Flickr Creative Commons

Expat Entrepreneurs: A Little Fear Is A Good Thing

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Entrepreneurs
1 comment

While you don’t want to be worried all the time (what a life that would be!), a little fear isn’t a bad thing.

Why? Because it tells you that you’re serious about your business. Especially in the beginning, you’ll notice that fear rears its head when things are about to become very real – launching your first website, making that important phone call, or signing a contract with your first big client.

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Expat Entrepreneurs: Kiss Panic Attacks Goodbye

Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Entrepreneurs, Tools & Resources
0 comments

[Disclaimer: It goes without saying that this post is about your garden-variety work-related worries, not mental health issues. It is not meant as medical advice. If you believe you suffer from actual panic attacks or depression, please seek professional help immediately.]

If you want to get ahead with your business, you can’t afford to let negative feelings affect your productivity and concentration. It’s all too easy to lose hours, if not entire days, to worry, guilt, and sometimes even sheer panic. So what do you do when your stress levels get out of control?

Here’s the method I use to nip negative emotions in the bud – give it a try next time you’re having a bad day.

Play out the worst-case scenario (more…)