How To Gain Whistler Jobs - In 4 Easy Steps
Whistler jobs are competitive, yet very attainable.
Thousands of people arrive in Whistler, with thousands of jobs available... ....although these jobs are available at different times of the year. Each job also has its perks and disadvantages. The way it all starts is with an abundance of job hunting travellers who arrive late October for the annual Whistler/Blackcomb job fair. There are minimal jobs available and thousands of applicants. Only a selected few hundred are chosen and then there are a heap of people "out of work". This usually causes everyone to panic because they didn't get a job with the mountain and there are apparently 'no jobs left'. Not true. Well, the job with the mountain is true, but not the part where there are no jobs left! There are four steps to gaining
Whistler jobs; Perks and
Disadvantages You need a valid working visa to be eligible for Whistler jobs. They will not help you gain one by writing you a Letter Of Offer. If you're an Aussie, check out the Canadian working holiday program. It has all the information you need. There are a certain amount of working visa's available for Australians each year. You can apply for them in January and they usually run out by April/May. Yes, that means if they run out, you have to wait until January the year after to reapply. Once you have received your Canadian working visa, you can not receive another one. So make sure you get it when you want to use it. Once you receive your visa, you have one year to enter the country. From the date you actually enter the country, your one year visa starts. Example: Visa received: February 2004 (you now
have until Feb 2005 to enter Canada) If you are not an Aussie and want to gain employment in Canada, check out Citizen and Immigration Canada for more information. Great! You now have your visa. Next, you will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to gain any Whistler jobs. You will need this to be able to work (yes, as well as your visa). There are no Human Resources Development of Canada (HRDC's) in Whistler. So your best bet is to go in person when in Vancouver and apply. (Location in downtown Vancouver). Make sure you have your visa and passport on you. The process takes about four weeks. Although, a receipt is provided to show your employer whilst you are waiting on your SIN.
Remember you are competing against thousands of people for the same Whistler jobs. Everyone hands out their resume to all the jobs advertised. Each hoping to get at least one call back for an interview. The questions you have to ask yourself are...
Why should an employer choose you over the others?
How can you make your resume STANDOUT from the rest?
Once you answer those questions, then pass it onto the employer.
The Whistler Employment Resource Centre (WERC) is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm and is managed by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. This facility assists you in making your job hunting and resume creating a hell of a lot easier (and cheaper!). Check out their website for more information on Whistler jobs, postings and house information.
WERC provides;
The Whistler Public Library also is a cheap facility to complete your resume, providing;
If you live in Whistler, you need proof of address and ID and you can join for free.
They are open 10am-8pm, Monday-Thursday and from 10am-5pm, Friday-Sunday. They are closed Wednesdays and Statutory holidays.
The WERC and Public Library are the cheapest places. If these are are too crowded, pop into an Internet Cafe.
If you're looking for my recommendation. Sort your resume BEFORE you come to Whistler, as it will be quicker and cheaper.
Step 4 - Ways To Get Whistler Jobs
Job Fairs
Whistler Blackcomb, WERC and a majority of the big hotels have an annual job fair, where you can gain Whistler jobs.
These occur during late October and throughout November. For the Whistler Blackcomb job fair, you need to book an appointment over the phone to secure an interview. Check out how it all works here.
For other job fairs, you just need to rock up at the specified time and place with your resume and dress smart casual. These are advertised in the Pique and The Question.
Newspapers and Notices
Two newspapers, the Pique and The Question, are also riddled with advertisements for Whistler jobs. They both come out on Thursday, online and off.
Additionally, grab a handful of resumes and walk around the village. You will see Whistler jobs advertised on shop windows. Notice boards are also a great way to find work. Look in hostels, the WERC, the Grocery Store, etc.
Be aware that you may be hired for a position, yet not start until December 15th. This is because its not too busy before then and well, they basically don't need you. So be prepared and bring a lot of cash with you to keep you going...because as we all know, Whistler is very expensive!
Don't listen to rumours that it's hard to find Whistler jobs or you won't get one. Everyone gets one. Just at different times!
If working for the mountain, you will gain a free seasons pass. Although, the downside of this is you work during the times the mountain is open. So you basically only board on your days off.
But mind you. There are many jobs with the mountain that has shift work. So you may work some mornings and evenings and get more boarding time.
If you do not gain a job with the mountain, many employers are members with The Chamber of Commerce. This allows you to gain a Spirit Pass. A Spirit Pass is a discounted pass offered to employees for $1090 (as at January 2005). All you need to do is work a minimum of 20hrs a week and attend a Spirit course.
The Spirit course is designed to get you "into the Spirit of Whistler" telling you the ins and outs of Whistler. This is to benefit the visitors to Whistler, so when they ask you a question, you will be more prepared and have the knowledge to answer it. This is all part of Whistler Blackcomb's strategy to improve their customer service to their visitors.
Once you have secured a job, your employer will give you a code to register for one of the courses available. You can still grab your pass and use it, even though you have not attended the course yet. However, if you leave your job or do not attend the course, your pass will be cancelled and you will have to pay for the days used.
If you volunteer your services to the mountain for one day a week. You also will gain a free seasons pass. You don't have to work for the mountain in order to be eligible for this. But you got to be quick. If you miss out, there is a waiting list you can sign up on.
Whistler jobs - current job postings |
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