Vancouver's Economic Boom: Work Tips

 Vancouver is the country's primary seaport and transcontinental highway's western endpoint. Vancouver is Canada's third-largest city and British Columbia's largest. British Columbia aims to become a trade and economic hub, creating long-term jobs.

Vancouver's job market is competitive for foreigners because of its numerous graduates. The economy has been increasing for years. Vancouver has international HQs. Expats may gain, government claims.

British Columbia will have 861,000 jobs by 2029. 75% of these professions need postsecondary education and experience. Vancouver needs competent expats to fill unfilled positions.

Biotechnology, IT, and technology need expertise.

Expats who wish to act or be filmmakers need not travel to LA or NY. Vancouver's 100-year-old film industry is in the top 5 in North America. 35,000 Vancouverites work in the film industry, which produces 10% of Hollywood's movies and $750 million annually.

Businesses require competent workers:

Film, green tech, digital media, life sciences, natural resources, service industries (healthcare, high-tech, retail).

Grammar

Even though more than half of Vancouverites don't speak English, it's needed in all Canadian employment (excluding Québec). French, Chinese, and Mandarin are helpful in cosmopolitan Vancouver.

Etiquette

Simple business describes Canada. Never compare Canada to the US, and avoid French-English antagonism.

Avoid bringing white lilies to work. Canadians associate them with death. Romantic, inappropriate red flowers.

Lululemon, Artizia, BC Insurance – Pacific Blue Cross – WorkSafeBC, TransLink, UNBC, PNI Digital Media, AbeBooks, and Vancouver Film Studios.

Jobs and skills in Vancouver

In biotechnology, natural resources, and healthcare, Vancouver will have 800,000 openings in a decade. Amazon has committed to adding 3,000 jobs to Vancouver by 2022. Facebook and Samsung want to build here, while Microsoft is investing in high-speed rail.

The tech boom is hurting Vancouver. Shortage of web, software, and programmers. This is your ticket to Canada if you know HTML and Java scripts. Vancouver front-end developers average 78,000 CAD (58,500 USD).

Payscale

Vancouver's placement in Mercer's top ten pleasant cities makes it popular with expats. This increased curiosity. City living costs climb. Annual inflation is 3.9%. Food, housing, and transportation rose most.

Wages don't always rise with costs. Vancouver's average gross salary is $55,000 (74,000 CAD). 54,000 CAD average after-tax income (40,500 USD). People average 44,000 CAD (33,000 USD). Vancouver singles need 55,000 CAD to live comfortably (41,250 USD). "Comfortably" indicates no roommates, downtown, enough money for eating out, a gym membership, phone, and other pleasures.

125,100 CAD (93,800 USD) Manager 67,000 CAD (50,250 USD) 78,000-CAD Programmer (58,500 USD) 75,000 CAD (56,250 USD) 70,000 CAD programmer (52,500 USD)

Career advice

Expats in Vancouver struggle to secure work visas. A job and employer sponsorship are required. Vancouver's workforce is competitive. Housekeepers are educated and skilled. Employers save money by recruiting visa-free workers. The government forecasts many tech, IT, software, and healthcare job openings next year. Competent employees improve expat prospects. Employment agencies in British Columbia.

In competitive job marketplaces, expats must shine. CV, cover letter necessary. Don't let Canadian spelling damage your reputation. Canadian and American English spellings vary.

Licenses

Work permit applications in Vancouver are straightforward. Employment contract required for TFWP approvals. This permission only applies to the position you applied for. New work permit required when changing employment. Visas and work permits are addressed in our Canada guide.

Vancouver Employment Tips

Vancouver Jobs

Vancouver's underground job market means many positions, especially high-ranking ones, aren't published online. Word-of-mouth, referrals, networking, and recruitment firms advertise many occupations.

Meet-ups

Networking may be tiring and depend on luck. Perfect timing. Vancouver InterNations activities and organizations help expats connect. You may meet Vancouver-relocated businesspeople there.

Business in Vancouver, CPA BC, BC Tech Summit, and Canadian Internet Marketing Conference are Vancouver networking events.

Online/Social

Follow the social media accounts of potential clients. Many companies post job ads on social media to find candidates.

Other options include employment boards and portals. Vancouver:

Jobsites

Kijiji.ca Vancouver.ca

BCJobs.ca

Workopolis Monster

Headhunters and recruiting firms have close links to companies and know about job openings. Vancouver's Strive hires. 67% of the posts they filled in 2018 were unadvertised. Let 1-2 businesses find you. They may find a company that needs your abilities. Vancouver firms:

Strive/Goldbeck/Half.

Localize CV

Canadian spelling mixes American English, British English, Quebéc French, and local peculiarities.

Foreign phrases:

Canadian English American English license license

You?

Imagine someone reading your CV overseas. Include Canadian equivalents for foreign degrees and credentials. This helps HR assess whether you're qualified and shows that you localized your CV.

Self-educate

Canadians always learn. They may have unrecognized credentials. If job adverts omitted these conditions, that would be OK. Some companies ask for courses, seminars, and specialties. Take relevant courses and include them on your CV.