Effective Strategies for a Job Search in Calgary

If you are currently undertaking a job search in Calgary, you’ll want to pay attention to the tips and strategies we are sharing in this post. Given the current economic climate and the competitiveness of the job market, it’s important to have a strategic plan in order to navigate the job market effectively. In this post, we are going to delve into a discussion around growing industries, career trends, networking, utilizing platforms such as LinkedIn, leveraging job boards and job fairs, the role of recruitment agencies and seeking support from a career coach.

The Current Job Market in Calgary
Understanding the Calgary job market as well as career trends is essential for successfully landing the right opportunity. This knowledge will provide a focus for your efforts so that you are not left spinning your wheels. Of course, Calgary has long been known as the capital of the energy industry in Canada. But the city has seen a shift in recent years as a result of the changing economy. The job market continues to be competitive in this area however, job opportunities exist in many other industries such as finance, healthcare, technology and manufacturing.

The Importance of Having a Job Search Strategy
There’s a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin that states, “If you fail to plan then you’re planning to fail”. Having a strategic plan is essential for a successful job search. Take the time to define your career goals. Identify your strengths and accomplishments so that you can tailor your resume and cover letter to each employer. Build a list a of companies to target that meet your criteria and then, identify all the job search activities you’re going to undertake such as networking, setting up job alerts on LinkedIn, checking the online job boards and reaching out to recruitment firms that specialise in your industry.

Explore Opportunities with Growing Industries in Calgary
Knowing which industries have a demand for skilled employees that fit your experience level will allow you to tailor your job search to meet the needs of these companies and increase your chances for success. Research opportunities in various industries such as technology, professional services, healthcare and renewable energy.

The Benefits of Networking
Networking is an excellent means for finding new job opportunities. Spend some time each day connecting with key players in your target industry, attend industry events and reach out to members of your existing network to leverage those relationships and uncover new connections. By building relationships with people in your industry, you can learn about unadvertised job opportunities and discover valuable information about the job market.

The Role of LinkedIn, Job Board and Job Fairs
LinkedIn can be a great platform for connecting with professionals in your industry and learning about hidden job opportunities. Make sure that your profile is includes a professional headshot and that you’ve fully described your skills, accomplishments and experience. Next, set up job alerts so that you’ll be informed as soon as a job that meets your criteria is published. And don’t forget about the online job boards such as Indeed and Monster. Make sure you check those sites daily as well. And, make sure to Google any upcoming job fairs so that you can connect with potential employers face to face.

Utilizing Recruitment Agencies in Your Job Search
Part of your job search strategy should include a few partnerships with recruitment agencies. If you can find some that specialize in your field, all the better. The benefit of working with a recruitment agency is that they often have access to exclusive job openings and, they can provide industry insights. By registering with a few reputable agencies, you can hasten your search and by covering all your bases.

Seeking Support from a Career Coach
The benefits of working with a career coach are numerous. Not only can they provide personalized support and insights into the latest job market trends but they can also help you if you’re considering a career change, require a spruced up resume or interview coaching. But the most important aspect of working with a career coach is the boost to your confidence. Your career coach will act as your cheerleader and keep you motivated whenever you get discouraged.

Conclusion
By crafting a job search strategy for the Calgary market based on the advise provided in this blog post, you will greatly increase your chances of success. Remember that the key to success in a competitive job market is a clearly-defined job search strategy coupled with perseverance and flexibility. Be prepared to adapt to current trends if necessary through additional training and skills development. And, if you need personalized guidance and support, feel free to reach out to experienced career coach Rozella Mae for a complimentary discovery call and you’ll be on your way to landing the job of your dreams.