If you are looking for a job, you will probably start your search online through a job website. For this reason, the Study & Stay PEI Program invited WorkPEI and The Employment Journey, two of the leading job websites on PEI, to meet with international students in late November for a virtual introduction to job hunting on the island.
It turns out, that jumping to the list of job postings on a website is probably the least effective way of finding work. Research shows that sending out hundreds of standard ‘copy & paste’ applications does not work in the PEI labour market, but targeting specific sectors and making connections does! WorkPEI and The Employment Journey therefore post a huge range of tools, market information, sector specific insights and networks to help candidates connect with employers.
WorkPEI and The Employment Journey encouraged the international students to first register as clients and start to focus their job search on specific sectors (construction, health care etc.) and types of work (accountant, IT engineer etc.). Next step is to read up on the business sectors and understand some of the challenges and opportunities companies face on PEI. International students can also find contact details of business associations and start to network with employers and make those all-important personal connections. All the information needed to do this can be found on the WorkPEI and The Employment Journey websites. WorkPEI and The Employment Journey are much more than a list of job openings. They provide the context and framework for candidates to understand the labour market on PEI and successfully find that perfect job.