Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

The Canadian Coast Guard is a nationally recognized and world-leading symbol of maritime service and safety. Our iconic red and white ships, hovercrafts and helicopters represent the federal government’s presence along 250,000 kilometers of coastline touching three oceans and the Great Lakes, the longest of any country in the world.

The Canadian Coast Guard is entrusted to deliver valuable programs and services to Canadians. As a Special Operating Agency within Fisheries and Oceans Canada, we ensure the safety of all mariners on our waters, protect our marine environment and support economic growth through safe and efficient movement of maritime trade in and out of Canada’s waters.

How many employees do you have?

Canadian Coast Guard currently employs approximately 1250 people in Western Region and 4700 across Canada.

What do you look for in a new employee?

Whether you are willing to learn the maritime way of life, or are already in love with life on the water, we are looking for people who have a passion to help others and who bring innovative ideas, creativity, energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute and influence our path to a brighter future.  Like other organizations, we also require employees to manage our finances, human resources, marine technology infrastructure, and capital projects – among other corporate management responsibilities.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization?

Explore our website at www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca where you’ll find lots of information and videos on various career opportunities with the Canadian Coast Guard. Come see us at career fairs in your area or contact us with your questions. Remember to view www.jobs.gc.ca frequently for new job posters.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so for what types of positions?

Yes, we anticipate hiring in the next 6 months for various positions including seagoing such as deckhands, cooks and stewards, lightkeepers, shore based trades and administrative positions.

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your organization?

Interested candidates should apply online at www.jobs.gc.ca

You are invited to our Hiring Fair!

Our annual spring Hiring Fair takes place on Thursday, April 11th from 12 -4pm at the Parksville Community Centre. This is a unique opportunity to bring employers who are hiring, together with people seeking employment.

Also on April 11^th at the Parksville Community Centre, we are excited to have two information sessions to support clients interested in work at Island Health or in the Marine industry:

Careers with Island Health, 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Interested in applying to Island Health? Meet with an Island Health human resources representative to learn about upcoming opportunities, the application process and the preferred qualifications and resume formatting. This info session is open to anyone interested in seeking employment with Island Health. Pre-register through us at 250.248.3205.

Careers in the Marine Industry, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Join this informative session to learn more about this growing industry and the variety of career opportunities in the marine sector. Representatives from BC Ferries, Canadian Coast Guard, Gowlland Towing, Seaspan and Western Maritime Institute will be in attendance. Pre-register through us at 250.248.3205.

If you are a job seeker looking for work and planning to attend our next Hiring Fair, here are Eight Steps to Help You Succeed:

Step 1: Attend the How to Prepare for a Hiring Fair workshop. Learn networking strategies to ensure your success when you meet face-to-face with employers. Understand what you need to prepare before, during and after the Hiring Fair.

Step 2: Dress for Success. This is no different than attending a job interview at an employer’s place of business, so you need to dress appropriately. Remember, your most important accessory is your SMILE.

Step 3: Research Registered Employers. You can get a step ahead of the competition by creating a list of the companies attending the fair and doing some research on each of the employers that interest you. You can find out a lot about a company by doing research online and come prepared with a list of questions to ask employers. Check out our Hot Sheet for a list of employers attending.

Step 4: Bring Several Copies of Your Resume. Take a folder with you containing a list of the employers you want to meet with and several copies of your resume, cover letter (addressed to specific employer) and references. Be prepared to hand out additional resumes to employers not on your list. If you need assistance with creating/updating your resume be sure to attend our Resumes and Cover Letters workshop prior to the Hiring Fair.

Step 5: Be Prepared for an Interview. You may have two to five minutes to market yourself and ensure you are not screened out, so you need to make the most of your time. Prior to attending, develop a one-minute “presentation statement” to highlight your qualifications. For more information on marketing yourself, consider our Branding “YOU” and/or Acing the Interview workshops.

Step 6: Network! Network! Network! Practice the perfect handshake and eye contact as this will mark your first impression. A Hiring Fair is a great opportunity to connect with employers and other job seekers that can support moving your career forward. Push yourself to connect with as many people as you can at the Hiring Fair.

Step 7: Collect Contact Information. Write down the name of the person and company you are interested in and their contact information or obtain a business card from them. This will support you with Step 8.

Step 8: Send a Thank-you Note. Stay ahead of your competition by sending a thank you note or an e-mail to your employers of choice the next day. If you do this via e-mail, make sure it is in proper business language; no jargon, abbreviations or spelling mistakes.

A reminder our Hiring Fair is a free event for job seekers to connect with local employers. For information on upcoming workshops or to register, call 250.248.3205. We look forward to seeing you on April 11th.

 

The Career Centre Hiring fair is just over 2 weeks away! Gain useful tips to prepare for the Hiring Fair by attending an upcoming “How to Prepare for a Hiring Fair Workshop” at the Career Centre. Learn networking strategies to ensure your success when you meet face-to-face with local employers. For more information see this week’s hot sheet.

See this week’s hot sheet for a list of the 47 employers registered for the April 11th Career Centre hiring fair at the Parksville Community Centre!