Customer service skills are highly valued by employers! Gain industry recognized certification by attending SuperHost – Foundations of Service Quality at the Career Centre, Wednesday, March 27, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. SuperHost Foundations of Service Quality course is a comprehensive, practical introduction to the principles of providing a quality service experience. Course fee is $79.00 per person. For more information see this week’s hot sheet.

Hot Leads is now offered Wednesdays at the Career Centre from 10:30 to 11:30. Call us at 250-248-3205 to sign up to get the latest leads in person. See this week’s hot sheet for a listing of a variety of upcoming hiring fairs, events and local job postings.

 

 

 

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

We offer a unique West Coast working environment with diverse challenges and opportunities. Whether your goal is to work behind the scenes, onboard our ships, or within our land based operations, you are a key contributor to the BC Ferries team.

BC Ferries offers an amazing variety of career paths for those just joining the workforce, as well as experienced marine professionals. If you have always envisioned yourself working onboard one our vessels, opportunities in our Catering, Deck and Engineering departments may be of interest. If a shore-based role is more your style, Terminal or Administrative positions are available in many of our locations.

How many employees do you have?

Approximately 5,100 people proudly serve the coastal communities of British Columbia.

What do you look for in a new employee?

Two key pillars are a commitment to safety and a strong interest in providing exceptional customer service. Other qualities we look for are a strong work ethic and the flexibility to work in various departments and/or locations.

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

Look at our website and be aware of the qualifications required for certain positions. If there is training required get the training. Be curious, investigative and ask questions.

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

Yes we are currently hiring for seasonal positions on the vessels and in the terminals.

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

All applications have to be received online through our career website  https://www.bcferries.com/about/employment/

Benefits of Seasonal Employment

By definition, seasonal employment refers to employment opportunities that are available for only a portion of the year.

While taking a seasonal job may not be part of your long tem goal in career planning, these positions can help you prosper in the future. Here are ten reasons to consider seasonal employment:

• Flexibility – Seasonal jobs can fill the time gaps between other projects. For example: school, travel, or another employment opportunity. Seasonal employers are often more likely to work with you on scheduling your ideal shifts and days off so you can have a great work/life balance.

• Earning Potential – Several employers pay higher wages or offer signing bonuses for seasonal employment. Often there are more chances for overtime in short term projects.

• Work and Travel – Some employers pay the travel cost of getting you to a job in a different province or country. This gives you a chance to work, travel and explore new opportunities while on location. Accommodations may be paid for by your employer, which in turn may lower your cost of living.

• Finding Your Niche – Seasonal jobs give you the opportunity to try out different professions to see if they are a good fit or not.  If it is something you enjoy then it’s a good introduction to a field you may want to pursue.

• Building Skills – Each new job gives you new skills to build on. For instance, good customer service skills are important in every position dealing with the public.  Many employers provide training courses which offer valuable certificates or tickets that will help you gain long term employment.  For example: First Aid, WHMIS, FoodSafe, Serving it Right, a Forklift Ticket and many more. All these transferable skills can be added to your portfolio for your next line of work.

• Building Character – Starting a new job is exciting and can be a little nerve racking at the same time. New experiences help you to practice determination, self-control, patience, and eventually confidence. These are all good values that build character to help you impress your next employer.

• Employer Perks – Some seasonal employers will entice you to join their team with perks. For example, enjoy receiving employee discounts at a spa, free lift passes, or tickets to special events.

• Networking – Your co-workers can help you find other employment opportunities. For example, they may know of other opportunities you would be perfect for, or they may be a good reference for you in the future.  The more people you impress the greater your chances of finding that dream job you’ve been searching for.

• Getting Your Foot In the Door – A lot of seasonal employment is entry level. Starting out with a seasonal position gives your employer a chance to see what you can do and gives you the opportunity to gain the skills you need to do the job.  Often employers hire for work ethic and attitude and will teach their employees the skills they need to do the particular job.  If you impress your employer they may want to keep you and offer you future work within their organization.

• Resume Building – Seasonal work will fill gaps in your resume. Building new skills to list on your resume will show that you are willing to try new situations.  Having no gaps in your work history shows that you’re a go-getter, making things happen instead of waiting for things to happen.

Given the information above, consider making seasonal employment a stepping stone towards advancing your career in a short amount of time. Check out new opportunities on our website.