Settling In Vancouver: 5 Essential Tips

Posted on 08. Jan, 2010 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Relocation, Working Abroad
3 comments

The first thing Vancouver-bound expats ask me is, “Do you have any tips?”
Do I ever! (hey, it’s my job, after all!) You can find practical, everyday tips on many Vancouver blogs, so I’d like to give you a few cultural / personal pointers instead.

1. Learn to sell yourself

Forget about letting your resume do the talking – especially if it’s the dry, chronological curriculum vitae type. The sad truth is that foreign credentials and work experience just don’t mean much to employers here. Even with a top degree and an exemplary career path, you must learn to sell yourself.

If you find this idea uncomfortable, grab a copy of Brag! by Peggy Klaus. Her no-nonsense, step-by-step approach shows you how to talk about your own accomplishments and skills without being pushy or obnoxious about it.

Keep selling yourself once you’re hired. If you want a raise, more shifts, or a better job, doing excellent work isn’t enough – you have to make sure your boss notices you.

2. Broaden your horizons

Make a habit of accepting invitations, suggestions, and new ways of doing things. Attend a variety of events, even if you think they’re “not your thing” – you never know who you’ll meet at the gallery opening or at the Chinese New Year parade.

If someone suggests a new way to network or to look for a job, try it! And do give it a good try, even if you have your doubts about it. There’s plenty of time later to keep what works and stop doing what doesn’t.

Reach out beyond your own community for support. Expats from other countries understand what you’re going through just as well as your fellow countrymen. And because they come from a different background, they can bring you new insights, or open new doors for you.

3. Seek consensus and harmony, not conflict

Conflict makes Canadians very uncomfortable. This may be particularly true in Vancouver, which has a reputation for being a laid-back and tolerant city.

So if you have a problem with, say, your bank or a utility company, being calm, polite and cooperative will get you much further than yelling or being rude and demanding.

When you talk to Canadians, emphasize the positive and refrain from criticizing too much (even harmless complaints about the weather or the traffic – the point is you don’t want to be seen as a negative person). Similarly, avoid sarcastic humour, friendly barbs, or playing the devil’s advocate, unless you know the other person well.

At work, seeking consensus, and being generally friendly and likeable are very important interpersonal skills.

4. Remember that Vancouver isn’t Montreal or Toronto

Vancouverites take their work/life balance seriously, and cultivate an informal workplace culture – which doesn’t mean unprofessional, just casual and relaxed. Don’t expect a city as businesslike and work-oriented as Toronto, or as sophisticated and “European” (for lack of a better word) as Montreal.

If you used to live in another Canadian province before coming to Vancouver, it could take time to adjust to the laid-back style of the West Coast.

You may have to tweak the job search strategies you’ve used in other parts of the country. Keep an open mind, and take your cues from other expats who’ve been here for a while.

5. Have a contingency plan

Do you have enough savings to see you through the first year, including any medical emergencies? Remember that BC health coverage will only kick in 3 months after you apply for it, so you’ll need private health insurance in the meantime.

If things get tough, how will you know it’s time to call it quits? What will you do then – go back home, or move on to another country? How will that work on a practical level?

It can take about 6 months to find a stable, “interesting” job, and 3 to 5 years to get back to a position comparable to the one you had back home. Finding little jobs to pay the bills is easy; building a career is a completely different ballgame. This is the #1 reason why expats end up leaving Vancouver, so keep that in mind, and plan accordingly.

Was this post helpful? Do you need more personalized advice? Contact me to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Emmanuelle

Images via thehoneybunny (top) and jypsygen (bottom), via Flickr Creative Commons