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.

Put social media to good use

Don’t know anyone in town? That’s what social media is for!

• Use LinkedIn to find the movers and shakers in your field
• Use Twitter, Facebook and blogs to connect with Vancouverites and find out about local events of interest
• Use InterNations.org, Meetup.com or any other online group that organises in-person get-togethers. Become a regular at these events, and you’re well on your way to becoming part of a ready-made network of like-minded people.*

* Four hyphenated words in the same bullet point. I think it’s a record.

Ideally, you should start making these connections before you even move to Vancouver. But because this is a step many of us skip (I’m guilty as charged!), here are a couple more tips to help you get on an employer’s radar, fast:

Use the double-branding rule

You’re much more likely to think favourably of something (be it a new movie or a job applicant) when you hear about it through two different channels.

Think about it: you’ve been reading online about the latest blockbuster, but you’re not sure yet if you want to see it. Then you overhear someone at the supermarket say they’ve just seen it and loved it. Wouldn’t you be more likely to go see it now?

It’s the same thing when you apply for a job. Faced a whole pile of applications from perfect strangers, wouldn’t a recruiter be more likely to interview you if your name already sounded familiar?

That’s what you’re aiming for: becoming a known quantity.

You don’t need to know everyone in town or be exceptionally popular to achieve that. A shared LinkedIn connection, a great blog post that gets strategically re-tweeted, or a mutual acquaintance who’s willing to let you use their name in your cover letter can be enough to set you aside from other applicants.

It’s a game of give and take

Give something before you start asking for help. Volunteer with an organisation that interests you. Join an association and serve on a committee. Offer to teach or write an article about something you know well.

The more engaged you are, the more willing people will be to get to know you and help you if they can. So find an organisation you can really get excited about, and show them how committed, reliable and dynamic you are! That’s how you get great references and build great referrals.

Also, never burn your bridges. While Vancouver is a big city, it’s also a small world business-wise. Make every effort to stay on good terms with everyone – not just potential employers, but also fellow association members or volunteer supervisors.



What other networking strategies have you successfully used when arriving in a new city? Do you have some tips to share? Let us know in the comments!



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Emmanuelle

Image by mattingham, via Flickr Creative Commons

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

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.

Forget what you know

One universal truth of job hunting abroad is that there’s no universal truth. (Yes, I know. With aphorisms like this, I should look into starting a cult, or at the very least add “Guru” to my job title.)

Anyway. What I mean is, just like there’s no universal résumé format that works worldwide (you have re-written your résumé to Canadian standards, right?), there’s no one way to approach employers that works worldwide.

In other words, if you want to be hired in Vancouver, you need to forget about some of the tactics you learned in your home country.

It’s not easy, especially when these job search habits have been beaten into you since you graduated college. But what used to work there and then won’t get you hired here and now.

3 common mistakes newcomers make

• Playing the numbers game

Mailing out 300 résumés to big corporations and sitting back waiting for interviews might work in some cities, but not in Vancouver. There are not very many large companies around here, and most jobs are with small but dynamic companies and start-ups. A targeted approach works best.

• Waiting for the employer to contact you

In many countries, pestering an employer with follow-up calls and thank-you letters is a big no-no. Not so in Vancouver, where you need to sell yourself throughout the hiring process instead of waiting passively.

• Relying on your degree and experience to get the job

I bet expats rarely believe me when I tell them this, but it’s the truth: employers here care very little about degrees and work experience acquired outside of Canada.

Hard as it may be to accept, a local volunteer position is often more helpful than a prestigious foreign degree – at least it provides you with a Canadian reference that the employer can easily check.

What will help you succeed (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed!)

OK, so if the methods you’ve relied on in the past don’t work here, how on earth are you ever going to get hired? There has to be a way, right?

Right.

And the answer is very straightforward:
Canadians want to hire people they know, like, and trust.

It’s as simple as that. Position yourself as a “known quantity”, show you’re likeable and trustworthy, and you’re well on your way to be hired. Even if you don’t have as much experience or the same degrees as the other applicants.

Huh? Easier said than done, you say… especially when you’re new in town and don’t know anyone yet.

That’s a very good point. But there are many ways to work around that. In the next few posts, I’ll show you how to land on your future employer’s radar – preferably before your life savings run out!

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Emmanuelle

Image by Caro Wallis, via Flickr Creative Commons

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:

The 7 commandments

1. Find a job title that fits you perfectly
Your title goes at the very top of your résumé.

A good title conveys a lot of information in a few words: your specialty or expertise, the problem you solve for your future employer, and the position you are aiming for.
It is worth spending the time to find the right title for you, rather than just listing the one you had at your last job.

2. Goal statement
This is where you state what kind of employer you’re looking for, and what kind of problem you offer to solve.

It may sound like you’re talking about what you want in this section, but in fact you’re telling employers about themselves, their issues, and what’s in it for them if they hire you.

It pays to be specific here – tailor your goal statement to each company you’re writing to. Avoid clichés that will make the recruiter’s eyes glaze over (“Proactive team player looking for a challenging position with a dynamic market leader blah blah”). My rule of thumb: if it sounds like something out of a Dilbert strip, it can’t be good.

3. Work experience first, Education last
Canadian employers are more interested in what you’ve achieved in your previous jobs than in a degree you earned 10 years ago.

And truth be told, if you earned your degrees outside of Canada, then they won’t mean much at all – so put the education section last and leave the prime real estate for your work experience.

4. Mine your past experiences
But what if you don’t have much work experience? This is often a concern for young graduates or expat spouses who are just reentering the workforce.

Thankfully, Canadian employers are often interested in the skills you have acquired through volunteering or internships, for example.

Unlike in other countries, it’s not just permanent salaried positions that count, so mine these past experiences for all they’re worth!

5. What is obvious to you may not be obvious to recruiters

Don’t expect employers to be familiar with the university you graduated from, or to know how big your previous organization was. Job titles, degrees, even company names all need to be translated into their closest Canadian equivalents, or explained in plain English.

Also, remember to mention that you speak your mother tongue at native speaker level. No matter how obvious it may be to you, don’t leave it up to the recruiter to connect the dots.

6. Keep your writing lively
The biggest résumé-writing sin expats commit is being boring. They want to come across as professional and trustworthy, and end up sounding terribly bland.

You want to paint a vivid picture with your words. Ideally, the reader should feel like they’re by your side, observing you while you’re working. Use action verbs and powerful adjectives, and avoid the dreadful “Responsible for…” at all costs!

7. Show, don’t tell
Instead of telling employers you have “a proven record” (ack! Cliché alert!), show them figures, measurable results, and specific experiences.
Tooting your own horn is OK, even essential, as long as you can back it up with concrete examples.

So, how does your résumé stack up? If it needs improvement, don’t be discouraged. Just give it a good edit keeping these 7 principles in mind, and before long you’ll have a solid document that you’ll be proud to send out to showcase your skills and abilities.

All the best with your writing!

Emmanuelle

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Image by Brent Nelson, via Flickr Creative Commons

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

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?

What to bring?

- Dips and raw vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli and baby carrots), spreads and crackers, salads, cold cuts, cheese and fruit platters, desserts.

- If you’re going to a barbecue, bring a side dish to share, plus anything you’d like to throw on the grill: meat, sausages, salmon – or vegetables and tofu if you don’t eat meat.

- Vancouverites love ethnic food, so why not make a typical dish from your country? Pick something mild, as not everyone is used to spicy or pungent foods… and some people really hate garlic, as I learned the first time I brought Provençal food to a party…

Potluck etiquette

- Ask your hosts if there’s anything they’d like you to bring.

- Potlucks and barbecues are very informal. Dress casually. You don’t have to bring flowers or a hostess gift, but a thank-you email or phone call the next day is always appreciated.

- There are always leftovers at a potluck party. Don’t be surprised if your host offers you to take some home. (Yes, it’s OK to have leftover cake for breakfast. I won’t tell anyone.)

Potent potables

- BYOB means “bring your own bottle”. Even if the invitation doesn’t mention this, you’re expected to bring something to drink in addition to your potluck dish.

- If you bring a bottle of wine, it will usually be shared, or left open on the table for other guests to help themselves. Beers on the other hand tend to be consumed by the person who brought them – don’t ask me why, this is the Great Unspoken Rule of Canadian parties…

- Most guests will bring alcohol, but you don’t have to. A couple of bottles of juice or mineral water would be great too – few people think of bringing them, and everyone ends up thirsty!

Allergies and sensitivities

- Be aware that many Canadians have food allergies or sensitivities. Eggs, dairy, seafood, and peanuts are the most common culprits.

- Let people know in advance if your dish has these ingredients in it. To be on the safe side, I avoid nuts altogether in potluck dishes, as these allergies can be severe.

Last but not least…

- Even at an outdoor event, don’t smoke without asking first, and avoid wearing strong perfume. People around you may be more sensitive to cigarette smoke or strong scents than you realise.

- Finally, don’t forget that Canadians dine early – don’t show up at 9:00 pm expecting the barbecue to be still in full swing, unless you don’t mind being the only one still eating…

Happy Canada Day! (ahem… looks like the barbecue will be indoors this year, unless the rain stops soon…)

Emmanuelle

Image by reutC, via Flickr Creative Commons

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

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

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.


Fear is a sign that you’re moving forward.

If you don’t feel any business-related fear, ever… it’s time to ask yourself if you aren’t playing it too safe. Are you missing out on opportunities that involve greater risk, but also greater rewards? Are you trying new things and generally growing as a business owner?

Do you have a lot invested in your business – be it financially or emotionally – or have you made it so low-stakes that it doesn’t truly matter if you succeed or if you fail after all? If so, how do you get motivated to give your very best day after day and ensure that your business grows?

Instead of seeing fear as the enemy, or as a negative emotion to be suppressed, I suggest that you accept it as a useful indicator that your business is alive, constantly evolving, and going places. And while I’m not suggesting that you look for reasons to feel afraid – we expats already have enough to worry about in our everyday life – when things get a little too comfortable, ask yourself what you could do to stretch your limits a bit and reintroduce some excitement in your work.

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Emmanuelle

Images by calico courtney (top) and clodius-maximus (bottom), both via Flickr Creative Commons

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

Your first reaction may be to try to “get a grip”. As you probably know from experience, that doesn’t work. Putting a lid on your emotions will only leave you all tensed up and feeling even less productive than before.

Instead, try the exact opposite.

Whatever it is that you’re worried about, allow your mind to race for a few moments. Go ahead, play out the worst-case scenario in detail – not just a vague sense of dread, but the specific consequences you’re afraid of.

Done? Good. Now come back to the present moment, and take a cold, hard look at your fears. Are they warranted? How likely are they to come true?

How bad is it really?

In most cases, you’ll be relieved to see that you were merely overreacting. No, you’re not going to lose your business because there’s a typo in your newsletter. Just let it slide and get back to work.

In other cases, you may want to take corrective action, but that still doesn’t mean there’s cause for alarm. OK, you didn’t understand half of what your local supplier was saying when she phoned you today. That doesn’t mean you’re doomed to end up a social pariah in your host country – but consider signing up for conversation classes to boost your oral comprehension skills.

Finally, some of your fears might be entirely justified. While you’re unlikely to literally end up living under a bridge if you miss your deadline, you could very well lose business and damage your reputation. What you need in a case like this is an effective contingency plan.

How can you limit the inconvenience to your client? What changes do you need to make to manage your time more efficiently? What concrete actions can you take to put your mind at ease, and soften the blow should your worst-case scenario come true?

Connect the dots

Now that you’ve put your mind at rest, take a few moments to compare your worst fears to the list of triggers you wrote down the other day. What theme do they have in common? Money? Being wrong? Other people’s approval?

Identifying your hot-button issue is worthwhile, because it’s much easier to stop panic dead in its tracks when you can name clearly – I’m tempted to say coldly – what’s causing it. Use this as a shortcut to snap yourself out of a funk, restore your serenity, and go back to focusing on your work.

Whew. Doesn’t that feel better already?

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Emmanuelle

Images by LunaDiRimmel (top) and Anna Gay (bottom), both via Flickr Creative Commons