How To Get A Job In Calgary
Publié le 29 October 2020
Go west, young jobseeker, and you’ll likely find yourself in the City of Calgary. And for good reason, Calgary enjoys one of the fastest growing economies of any city in Canada. This is a boon to jobseekers with 136,000 net new jobs added in the period of 2010-2018, also one of the fastest growing employment rates in the country.
There are opportunities in Calgary for qualified jobseekers, and not only in the nearby oil fields and related industries. Multiple sectors and numerous companies have made the city their home in Western Canada, and are looking for the right works to lead them into the future.
Calgary: The City in Numbers*
- Total Population: 1,285,711
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,195 (1-bedroom apartment)
- Daily CTrain Passengers: 313,800
- Highest/Lowest Average Daytime Temperature: 23.2°C (July) / -13.2°C (January)
- Bylaws banning throwing snowballs within city limits without the express consent of the Mayor: 1
*Statistics and figures collected October 2020
Work for the City of Calgary
Calgary is a large city, with a population of over 1.2 million residents in the city itself and even more throughout the surrounding Calgary Metropolitan Area. With so many residents, businesses and institutions, the municipal city government employs a large number of people to provide various services required by residents. You can find positions in all kinds of fields, from HR and legal to administrative and tech services on the official city job board.
School and Educational Paths
Gaining an education and earning certificates, diplomas and degrees in your desired field can open up many employment opportunities. Calgary is home to popular and respected post-secondary institutions that attract thousands of new students every single year. These include the University of Calgary which is one of the top research institutes in the country, especially in the fields of engineering and geosciences and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, which offers hands-on technical training and is noted as one of Alberta’s top employers.
These institutes have co-op and career advancement programs dedicated to helping students and graduates learn how to get a job in Calgary and build strong professional careers. It is possible to get a good education that will bring you into contact with leaders in your chosen field, building connections and learning about emerging employment opportunities.
Power Up
The Alberta energy sector makes it a global economic powerhouse, contributing $75 billion to Canada’s GDP and directly employing almost 140,000 thousand people. The oil fields have long been a popular destination for job seekers, and are likely to remain so, but there are also employment opportunities in the energy sector to be found in Calgary. According to Calgary Economic Development, the city is home to a “majority of head offices of every major company throughout the energy-value chain.”
In addition to the traditional energy giants, the offices of several companies making headway in the field of renewable energy technologies are found in Calgary, including Canadian Natural Resources, Eguana Technologies, BluEarth Renewals and others. These companies are embarking on ambitious projects designed to transition towards different forms of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. For instance, Calgary-based GreenGate Power is installing 1.5 million solar panels that will provide enough energy for over 100,000 homes, and they need qualified workers to make it happen.
Corporate Calgary
If your dream career involves blazers and dress shoes, corner offices and board meetings, Calgary just might be the place for you. Calgary has the largest concentration of corporate headquarters of any city in Canada, being home to the head offices of 115 of the largest 800 Canadian companies, not only the aforementioned energy sector companies.
This has even had the effect of attracting corporate attention away from traditional big cities in Eastern Canada, with Canadian and international corporations either moving from Toronto or establishing powerful Western Canada offices. For instance, energy giant Suncor just announced a move from Mississauga to Calgary in 2021. This growth rate means that there are a number of office-based roles for qualified job candidates, especially in the fields of energy, law and financial services.
Having Fun Isn’t Hard When You’ve Got A Library Card
Did you know that the Calgary Public Library is the second largest library system in Canada and the sixth largest in all of North America? With 21 branches and over 2 million books in circulation, the centrepiece of the CPL is the Calgary Central Library – a new 286,000-square foot flagship building opened in 2018.
It’s true that the COVID-19 has had a harsh effect on the CPL, with temporary layoffs and limited openings due to necessary social distancing restrictions, but the library will remain a Calgary institution well into the future. It is worth it to keep track of future job opportunities at the Calgary Public Library.
Stampede!
The Calgary Stampede is arguably the most famous thing associated with the city. This century-old festival and exhibition attracts over a million visitors to Calgary from around the world for 10 days every summer. It is so strongly associated with the city that their CFL is named the Stampeders.
The Stampede is organized and run by 1,500 employees throughout the year, with more than 3,500 seasonal workers hired for the festival itself in addition to numerous volunteer positions. For people new to Calgary, working as seasonal employee at the Stampede provides an opportunity to get to know the city, build connections and get valuable experience to include on your resume. For newcomers wondering how to get a job in Calgary, the Stampede represents a great chance to find seasonal employment, learn and grow professionally while immersing yourself in the unique culture of the city.
Youth Employment Programs
For young people and recent graduates seeking to break into the job market and wondering how to get a job in Calgary, it can be hard to know where to start. The Calgary Youth Employment Centre specializes in helping young people ages 15-24 find a job, gain valuable skills and experiences, and start their careers. They have counselors on hand to provide virtual consultations on topics such as writing a 2020 resume, finding available job positions and preparing for a job interview. Check out the CYEC twitter account for the latest opportunities for young jobseekers in Calgary.
Networking in Calgary
It’s always important to build personal connections and professional relationships with leaders and workers in your chosen industry. Networking events, conferences and meetups are all good ways to find employment opportunities, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic makes such gatherings very dangerous. Fortunately networking events have moved online, making it possible for jobseekers to learn how to get a job in Calgary, connect with their peers and learn about new opportunities.
Canadian Job Boards
One of the simplest methods available for people wondering how to get a job in Calgary is to utilize Canadian Job Boards. Jobillico is the largest Canadian job board, working to connect thousands of businesses with millions of active users in Calgary and throughout the country. Through proactive recruitment, users looking for jobs in Calgary can create a profile that will get the attention of recruiters and hiring managers looking for qualified job candidates.
Are you thinking about moving to the west to take the next step in your career? Learn how to get a job in Calgary, a city filled with exciting career opportunities in all kinds of fields and industries. Grab your cowboy boots and start searching for the right job in Calgary.
