Get a Job! A Podcast by Vancouver WorkBC

What can your local Chamber of Commerce do for your job search? In this episode of Get a Job!, we uncover how local business chambers in Metro Vancouver can help you unlock hidden job opportunities and fast-track your career goals. Featuring Jennifer McKinnon (CEO, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce), Patrick Stafford-Smith (CEO, North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce), and guest co-host Shirin Sobhani (...

Thinking about working past the age of 55 or re-entering the job market after retirement? In this episode of Get a Job ! , we dive into the realities and opportunities of job seeking as an older individual in Metro Vancouver. Joined by BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt, Career Advisor Keith Goodwin from the YWCA’s Job Futures 55+ program, and senior job seeker (and former pro athlete!) Paul Portier,...

In honor of Disability Employment Month, we sit down with Jillian Bradley (she/her), Director of Employment Initiatives at Inclusion BC, to discuss some valuable supports and resources available to persons with disabilities who are interested in exploring their career options. This episode delves into the work of the Mentorability Project, which connects individuals with disabilities to mentors in...

In this episode of "Get A Job!", we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the job application process and how to make these changes work for you! Guests Jabeen Boga (Regional Human Resources Business Partner at Rivera Inc.) and Ebru Pinar (Employment Facilitator at WorkBC Centre Vancouver Midtown) discuss the integration of AI in evaluating resumes and cover letters, and some...

Looking to start or grow your career within a dynamic, inclusive, and flexible industry? Working for a local brewery may just be the right fit for you! In this episode, we sit down with Chris Backus of Brave Brewing Company and Gil Desaulniers of Mariner Brewing Company to chat about the diverse employment opportunities that exist within their industry. Both guests share what types of roles are av...

Everything around us – from furniture to food products – is a result of manufacturing. It is an industry that includes a wide range of subsectors, including food and beverage manufacturing, wood manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, and many more. Despite being a broad and necessary industry, the manufacturing sector can often be overlooked by many individuals deciding on a career...

Based on current Indeed listings (as of October 2023), there are over 800 marketing-related positions in the Lower Mainland alone. Every business or organization carries out marketing activities, whether online (digital marketing) or through more traditional methods. While many of us may have an idea, what exactly IS marketing and what does a career in this field entail? Is it the right industry f...

September is Disability Employment month in BC, a great opportunity to highlight the significant role people with disabilities play in the workforce. In this episode, we chat with Emily Dietrich, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Manager at BCAA, about why her company - like many others - values inclusive hiring and how jobseekers with disabilities can connect with accessible employers lik...

While building a career can be a big challenge, Indigenous jobseekers often face unique barriers to securing and maintaining employment. In this episode, we chat with Christie Sparklingeyes, Indigenous Recruiter at Vancity, to discuss these challenges and what Indigenous job seekers can do to get on the right path with regards to career planning, landing a sustainable job, and connecting with incl...

Three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person hiring fairs and networking events are back in full swing. In Metro Vancouver alone, the past couple of months have been filled with various career fairs taking place almost every week. But what has changed, and what exactly can you expect when attending an in-person career fair these days? In this episode, we chat with Ayesha Hirji,...

If you’re looking for a rewarding and recession-proof career in Metro Vancouver, a job in healthcare might be right for you! Over the last few years, there have been many changes in the industry, from the types of roles that have become in demand to the pathways you can take to your ideal healthcare job. In this episode, we chat with Victoria Sapp, Senior Administrative Liaison of the Health Caree...

Did you know that more than 545,100 British Columbians over the age of 15 identify as having a disability? September is Disability Employment month in B.C., and this episode is all about the importance of inclusive hiring and employment for people with disabilities. Our guest Yat Li (Senior Accessibility Consultant, Presidents Group) shares about his lived experience with a disability and navigati...

Whether you get laid off or are fired, losing a job can be a devastating time for individuals - both financially and emotionally. In this episode, we chat with Christine Campbell Rapin, CEO, Business Coach and International Best Selling Author, to discuss what steps you can take if you ever find yourself in this situation. We cover everything from self-care to how to navigate tricky questions in j...

You may have heard that Vancouver is a major film production hub, with employment opportunities in many departments behind the scenes; art, locations, camera, post-production and more. But how do you get your foot in the door? In this episode, we chat to Bob Woolsey (Administrative & Production Manager, Vancouver Film School) to demystify jobs in Vancouver’s film industry – we discuss the indu...

COVID-19 has impacted so much, and the job market is no exception. From new opportunities in remote work to changes in the recruiting process, there are many things that are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic times. For example, studies show that 17% of companies have already integrated AI-based technology into their HR practices and another 30% plan to do so in 2022. These HR departments are usin...

Many people dream about being their own boss, opening up their own business and being self-employed. A recent survey actually found that 30% of “traditionally employed” Canadians expect to transition to self-employment in the next two years. But where do you start? There’s so much to know about starting your own business and making it successful. What many people don’t know is that if you are unem...

You might have heard that COVID-19 has led to what some are referring to as the “great resignation”. Tens of thousands of people have resigned from their jobs, but this doesn’t mean they’re removing themselves from the workforce - many are taking this time to re-evaluate their work and careers. This is where training comes in. A change in career or an opportunity for career advancement often requi...

It’s not uncommon for job seekers to overlook opportunities in the hospitality, tourism and/or seasonal work industries, because they believe they’re not long-term, lack stability or are thankless in nature. But how true is this? In this episode, we dispel some myths around working in these sectors, explore the advantages, the likelihood of it leading to permanent positions, what kinds of people t...

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, by the time we reach 40, half of us will have had or will develop a mental health problem. About 17% of British Columbians – somewhere around 800, 000 people – are experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue today, and the climate around COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem. This episode is all about how mental health and mental illness...

Did you know that more than 926,100 British Columbians aged 15 to 64 years identify as having a disability? September is Disability Employment month in B.C., and this episode is all about the importance of inclusive hiring and employment for people with disabilities. Our guests Yat Li (Senior Accessibility Consultant, Presidents Group) and Klaudine Go (Customized Employment Specialist, WorkBC) she...

Did you know that the fastest-growing age cohort in Canada is 55+? In this episode, we chat with Peter Fischer (YWCA Metro Vancouver), Maggie MacLean (ICBC) and Mandy Causer (ICBC) about employment opportunities for older workers. They bust common myths about older employees, discuss the benefits of hiring those who are over 55 and offer resources that are out there for older job seekers. Links re...

With COVID-19, many companies were forced to transition to remote work when restrictions were put in place. However, now that things are starting to return to the way they were before, what does the future of remote work look like? What are the pros and cons? And what do job seekers need to know if they're considering employment that allows for remote work? Find out the answers to all of these que...

June is when thousands of high school students in BC will graduate - it's also when they'll be making key decisions about the next steps in their career. While going straight on to post-secondary is what many students choose, it isn't for everyone - and if you're in this group, this episode is for you. We speak to Leena Aabedi (This Way ONward Program Coordinator), Rafael Kuhnen (Video Game Design...

Ever wondered where certain industries in BC are heading, or what the labour market even is? In this episode of Get a Job, we speak to Publisher of the BC Labour Market Report, Christian Saint Cyr, and Senior Operations Manager of WorkBC Tri-Cities, Soudabeh Rafiei, about their predictions of the BC Labour Market, where they see long-term changes and shifts, and how you can use this labour market...

If you've recently completed your post-secondary education and you're wondering what's next, this episode is for you. This period after graduation can be full of uncertainty and stress, as you try and navigate your next steps to employment in "the real world." We talk to four employment experts (Abraham Asrat - Manager, Employer and Alumni Engagement at UBC, Deanne Esdale - Communications Lead, Ca...