Etiquette for job hunting in Canada
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
Age: 37
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Etiquette for job hunting in Canada
Hey guys,
Well I'm pretty much done with my job posting in Africa and looking at heading over to canada to look for work.
i'm hoping to find work along the lines of a caravan with progression into something like a PC12 or a kingair.
I have the right to live and work in canada and closing in on nearly 1800hrs TT with 450hrs on a van.
The bush bug is still biting strong in me and I don't really care for the airlines just yet.
My question to you, is how do you go about job searching in canada. Is it considered rude to turn up in the towns and door knock?
What is the usual procedure for the bush companies?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Well I'm pretty much done with my job posting in Africa and looking at heading over to canada to look for work.
i'm hoping to find work along the lines of a caravan with progression into something like a PC12 or a kingair.
I have the right to live and work in canada and closing in on nearly 1800hrs TT with 450hrs on a van.
The bush bug is still biting strong in me and I don't really care for the airlines just yet.
My question to you, is how do you go about job searching in canada. Is it considered rude to turn up in the towns and door knock?
What is the usual procedure for the bush companies?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
1. go to PCC and get adresses for companies
2. Apply over email, most folks like this now, as faxes can be expensive
3. Fax those that aren't online
4. call about a week later and politely ask if they received the resume, use your name so it sticks in their minds, be polite, ask if they mind if you drop in and say hello, oh and be polite
5. plan a road trip the main aviation hubs are smithers, calgary/edmonton, yellowknife, saskatoon, winnipeg, thunder bay, toronto, montreal, and iqaluit.
6. pack everything you need for a summer in march, go on road trip, and be prepared to start right away "very rare, but happens".
7. call every 2-3 weeks after your trip
best of luck.
2. Apply over email, most folks like this now, as faxes can be expensive
3. Fax those that aren't online
4. call about a week later and politely ask if they received the resume, use your name so it sticks in their minds, be polite, ask if they mind if you drop in and say hello, oh and be polite
5. plan a road trip the main aviation hubs are smithers, calgary/edmonton, yellowknife, saskatoon, winnipeg, thunder bay, toronto, montreal, and iqaluit.
6. pack everything you need for a summer in march, go on road trip, and be prepared to start right away "very rare, but happens".
7. call every 2-3 weeks after your trip
best of luck.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
Age: 37
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've done the first three. Had a few responses but nothing basically until i get there.
That was my other question that I forgot...
Is there a specific time to go? Im planning on November, I don't like the idea of sitting around for months without work. I figure things slow down around mid winter, but wouldnt that be the best time to hire and train?
That was my other question that I forgot...
Is there a specific time to go? Im planning on November, I don't like the idea of sitting around for months without work. I figure things slow down around mid winter, but wouldnt that be the best time to hire and train?
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: France
Age: 41
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOL:
I don't like the idea of sitting around for months without work.
Like all the guys in Maun hopping to please the pilots to get a job sticking arround and paying some beers
I don't like the idea of sitting around for months without work.
Like all the guys in Maun hopping to please the pilots to get a job sticking arround and paying some beers
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: East end.
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
November is a good time if you are looking in Alberta as the oil rig flying picks up in the winter. For bush flying it's a slower time. Lakes are freezing, ice roads are forming... I would hit Calgary, Edmonton, Fort Mac, Saskatoon and focus on a turbo prop spot... companies are losing guys like crazy right now and spots are opening all over. That said I think you will get better mileage emailing and phoning every operator on your list - gas is expensive...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
Age: 37
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I may be relieving a few of those newbies of those beers.... Its only fair because i share some of my foxy wisdom with them 
How is the public transport between those hubs that were mentioned? Figured i'll take a bus to each then rent a car when i get there if possible.
I'll have to do another cv spam before i leave i guess!
Thanks for your help guys.
How is the public transport between those hubs that were mentioned? Figured i'll take a bus to each then rent a car when i get there if possible.
I'll have to do another cv spam before i leave i guess!
Thanks for your help guys.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check out VIA Rail Canada for schedules and fares. They don't go everywhere but operate between many of the major cities - Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, to name a few. They have been offering some great deals recently.
Moderator
In General (and not really even specific to aviation employment), I would offer a few thoughts about employment etiquette:
Avoid posting things on forums, which could be received poorly by others (particularly if you really have nothing to gain by it anyway!). This can particularly important because some people (like SAS) actually have "hiring pilots" within their job description. The internet is a very easy place to search for information, let alone have it pointed right at you, and you might not be quite as anonymous as you think you are. People remember for longer than you think.... I know that some people who hired me for contracts in aviation, checked up on me on PPRuNe first. Apparently it went well!
Present yourself with the precision, accuracy and care (good spelling and grammar, and the use of whole words) which you would want the prospective employer to think you will be applying to piloting, should he/she hire you to fly an aircraft for them. Lazy shortcutting writer probably means the same attitude applies to your flying - not a good entry image.
In all the things you post and write, allow the co-operative team like aspects of your character to be predominant. Employers are looking for team players, particularly in multi crew environments. The person whose posts reveal an ego, could be less attractive as an employee.
I hope this free advice helps a bit....
Avoid posting things on forums, which could be received poorly by others (particularly if you really have nothing to gain by it anyway!). This can particularly important because some people (like SAS) actually have "hiring pilots" within their job description. The internet is a very easy place to search for information, let alone have it pointed right at you, and you might not be quite as anonymous as you think you are. People remember for longer than you think.... I know that some people who hired me for contracts in aviation, checked up on me on PPRuNe first. Apparently it went well!
Present yourself with the precision, accuracy and care (good spelling and grammar, and the use of whole words) which you would want the prospective employer to think you will be applying to piloting, should he/she hire you to fly an aircraft for them. Lazy shortcutting writer probably means the same attitude applies to your flying - not a good entry image.
In all the things you post and write, allow the co-operative team like aspects of your character to be predominant. Employers are looking for team players, particularly in multi crew environments. The person whose posts reveal an ego, could be less attractive as an employee.
I hope this free advice helps a bit....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
Age: 37
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The point that you are making is a good one Dar. Aviation is a tiny world in the grand scheme of things, and it doesn't take long for word to get back.
I hope you're not refering to the reno crash post I made a few days back. The context of the post was lost when two threads were merged and people got confused.
I would hope that an internet search would instead bring up the hoards of help and advice that I have been giving to people trying to find work in Botswana.
I hope you're not refering to the reno crash post I made a few days back. The context of the post was lost when two threads were merged and people got confused.
I would hope that an internet search would instead bring up the hoards of help and advice that I have been giving to people trying to find work in Botswana.
Moderator
The context of the post was lost when two threads were merged and people got confused.
Just tread lightly. The fact that SAS might respond as though he was offended, is a red flag to you, that what you posted was perhaps interpreted negatively (intended or not) and that probably does not serve your broader interests well.
PPRuNe, and forums at large, are tricky (which I give credit to you for already knowing) in that you have nearly no idea the experience, or "station" in aviation of the corresponding poster - unless you communicate directly, or go and meet them in person (both of which I have done with SAS). It could be a student pilot, or company president....
It makes "no nevermind" to me how you make out with this, but, as I'm reading a very good book on Human Factors, which has a great section on crew interaction, my mind is on the compatibility of crew members, based upon personal attitude. I don't know your disposition, but I know how it appeared, in one very small example, and it seems SAS did too - and he hires pilots....
I'll leave it to you....
By way of advice, rigpiggy gave you a list of cities. Good list, though considerable travel expense for you between them. Plan it carefully, Canada might be bigger than it first appears.
The citizens of Canada do extend the privilege to work here to other citizens. I'm not sure it is a right.
As you are a Caravan pilot, this link of a bit of my work might amuse you....
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Taking a snooze
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Low timer
Definitely Alberta would be a good place to start. Calgary and Edmonton have a few decent companies with lots of different aircraft types that will hire lower time guys.
Greyhound in between the major cities is something to consider. In fact I know of a shuttle van that runs between the Edmonton bus terminal and the two airports in town.
Good luck
Greyhound in between the major cities is something to consider. In fact I know of a shuttle van that runs between the Edmonton bus terminal and the two airports in town.
Good luck
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are in Alberta, check out some of the deals offered by the car rental companies. I've had some great deals from all the major outfits but you have to book online. For example, I've rented compacts with unlimited mileage for less than $30/day. Stay away from extra charges which they like to tack on. Check with your credit card company to see if they will cover insurance on rental vehicles - many do.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mind asking what companies should i apply in person with low time in Alberta?
i am actually heading there next week, thanks for every one's suggestions.
i really really appreciate for your words. i seriously in need of a job in canada.
thanks everyone.
i am actually heading there next week, thanks for every one's suggestions.
i really really appreciate for your words. i seriously in need of a job in canada.
thanks everyone.
