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CONTENTS Chapter One Transport in NS Public Transportation ................... 02 Driving a car .................................. 03
Entertainment................................. 18 Travel............................................... 20
Chapter Five Study in NS
Chapter Two Live in NS Rental............................................ Utility............................................. Furniture........................................ Mobile Phone................................ Medical Insurance........................ Tax Return..................................... Shopping.......................................
Chapter Four Play in NS
07 10 11 12 12 13 13
Chapter Three Eat in NS Food Preparation........................... 15 Restaurants................................... 16
English Learning (ESL)................... Universities in Nova Scotia............ Academic Information.................... College Introduction.......................
23 23 24 25
Chapter Six Job in NS Job Hunting.................................... 27 Volunteering.................................... 28
CHAPTER ONE
TRANSPORT IN NS
Transport Part One: Public Transportation Public Transportation System Airport Transportation Traffic Difference & Tips
Part Two: Driving a car Driver’s Licence New Vehicle Plates Auto Insurance & Accident Clamis Used vs New Car Car Dealerships Winter Driving Tips
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Part One: Public Transportation Public Transportation System In Halifax, each bus is different. They have different routes and schedules. To find out more information on your bus schedule, you have two options. You can look at the Halifax Rider’s Guide. You can find a free copy at most universities and pharmacies around Halifax. You can call “Go Time”. Go Time is a phone number listed on the bottom of a bus stop sign. Simply dial 902-480-Listed number. Then dial the number of the bus you wish to take and it will tell you when the next bus will come.
Airport Transportation When going from Halifax Stanfield International Airport to downtown Halifax, you have several options available. You can take a taxi. Usually, you can negotiate a flat rate of around $50.00 CAD and they will take you anywhere in downtown Halifax instead of being charged by the metre. You can take the number 320 public bus. This bus runs from 6am-12am on a daily basis.
•Halifax Transit www.halifax.ca/transit/Schedules •Student UPass Program www.halifax.ca/transit/students •Bus Tickets, MetroPass and Transfer www.halifax.ca/transit/fares.php •Bus Schedule and Route www.halifax.ca/transit/Schedules
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CHAPTER ONE
TRANSPORT IN NS
Traffic Difference & Tips If you are driving in Canada, there are “Stop” signs. When you reach these signs, you must look both ways and make sure there is no one crossing the street and then you may continue. If you are walking and come to a crosswalk, sometimes there may be a button to press nearby. You must press this button and wait until the traffic light says that you can pass.In Canada, pedestrians have the right of way. If you are at a crosswalk and there is no button to press, cars will usually stop to let you cross the crosswalk.
Part Two: Driving a car Driver’s Licence Most people need to get a Class 5 Driver’s Licence. This Class of Driver’s Licence is for driving cars, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans having a seating capacity of less than 24. If you have never learnt to drive before and will be learning to drive for the first time, you will need a Class 7 Licence. The Class 7 Licence is also known as the Learner’s Licence. If you have a licence from another country or province, you can use your licence for 90 days. After 90 days, you will have to apply for your Nova Scotia driver’s licence.
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•NS Driver’s Licence: www.novascotia.ca/sns/paal/ rmv/paal269 •Access NS: www.novascotia.ca/sns/access •Canadian Automobile Association (CAA): www.atlantic.caa.ca •Ha’s Driving School: www.hasdrivingschool.com •TD Insurance: www.tdinsurance.com •Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook: www.novascotia.ca/sns/rmv/ safe/handbook
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New Vehicle Plates Anyone who owns a motor vehicle, and wants to drive it on public roads in Nova Scotia is required Nova Scotia Vehicle Permit. Bringing previous owner signs over the vehicle registration certificate and your Statement of Insurance to Access NS office, the officer will help you to issue a new Registration certificate and Vehicle Permit in your name, and give you a new set of licence plates.
Auto Insurance & Accident Claims It can be very stressful to have a car accident. Here are the steps you should take if you’ve been in an accident and your car has been damaged. •Safety first: Make sure you and all your passengers are okay and try to attend to anyone injured. In case of emergency, call 911 immediately. •Call the police: Call the police to report the accident if you think the damage to your car may exceed $1000 or if you think a criminal act may have been committed. •Exchange information with the other drivers involved in the accident: driver licence, contact information and auto insurance information. •Contact your insure company and claim this accident.
•NS Vehicle Permit: www.novascotia.ca/sns/paal/ rmv/paal272 •TD Insurance: www.tdinsurance.com
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Used vs New Cars The biggest advantage of buying a used car is the financial savings. When buying a used car, the initial buying price and the insurance rates are usually a lot lower. The biggest drop in a car’s value usually happens after its first year, even if the car is in really good condition. Buying a new car may be more expensive, but it comes with several big advantages. First of all, it comes with a brand new, untouched warranty. It will also most likely have the latest entertainment and navigation technology. A new car can also save you money on gas, as cars are all trying to become more fuel efficient.
Car Dealerships Car dealerships are stores which sell cars at negotiated prices. Most companies have a monthly payment plan to help you pay for a car over time because some cars are extremely expensive upfront. Always be sure to try and negotiate fair prices with the salespeople and only negotiate for things that you would find value in for your car.
•O’Regan’s Auto: www.oregans.com •Steele Auto Group: www.steeleauto.com •JAS Auto Studio: www.autostudio.ca/ •Viti Auto: www.vitiauto.com
Winter Driving Tips Driving and taking care of your car during the winter can be quite a hassle. Be sure to always get winter tires put on when winter time comes around, as they have more traction and will make you slide less when there’s ice on the road. Stepping on the brakes when there is ice on the road can make a huge difference. In addition, be sure to drive a bit slower when it is snowing, as the falling snow may disrupt your field of vision.
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Live Part One: Rental Living on Campus Homestay Living in an Apartment Average Cost of Apartment Rentals Apartment Layouts The Rental Lease Subletting Your Apartment Shared Apartments & Roommates Complaint Moving Out
Part Two: Utility Electricity TV & Internet Providers International Long Distance Calls
Part Three: Furniture Used Furniture New Furniture Abandoned Furniture
Part Four: Mobile Phone Part Five: Medical Insurance Part Six: Tax Return Part Seven: Shopping
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CHAPTER TWO
LIVE IN NS
Part One: Rental This section addresses most common living situations. Many newcomers choose to live in an apartment, on campus or at a homestay. This section will give a brief introduction into the different types of living situations and some common issues that may arise.
Living on Campus It is more convenient for you to get to class during winter. You rarely have to go outside to get to class. However, it may be harder to study because your floor mates may be loud and love to party. It is generally the most expensive option.
Living in an Apartment You get a lot more privacy and flexibility with what furniture you wish to have. However, it is less convenient when getting to class during winter. You’ll have to manage your utilities’ expenses on your own.
Homestay You will have the opportunity to be immersed in learning Canadian culture through living with a Canadian family. However, you will be living further away from the friends that you make in university. Your commute to school could be quite long.
Avg. Cost of Apt. Rentals Here is a list of the average cost of apartments around the Halifax area. Location
Type of unit
Average rent (per month)
Halifax School & Downtown Area (Dal, SMU, NSCC, NSCAD)
Bachelor
$783
1 Bedroom
$975
2 Bedroom
$1408
3 Bedroom +
$1,773
SOURCE: WWW.CMHC-SCHL.GC.CA
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Apartment Layouts Most apartment rentals in Halifax can contain between one to three bedrooms. If you are living in a single or two-bedroom apartment, you will probably have a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, a washer and dryer room and possibly a balcony. If you live in a three bedroom however, there is a chance you may have what is called a “master bedroom”. The master bedroom has its own personal bathroom and is usually much larger than the other two bedrooms. It is usually more expensive than the other two smaller bedrooms. There is also a special type of apartment called a Bachelor’s apartment. A bachelor’s apartment has a kitchen, bathroom and one large living space that can be used as a bedroom, living room and dining room simultaneously.
The Rental Lease A lease, sometimes called a contract, is a legal document that tells you what you are responsible for and what you can and cannot do, while living in the apartment. It should also contain the monthly cost of the apartment and tell you about the damage deposit. There are two types of leases, annual and monthly. For an annual lease, you are obligated to live in the apartment for a full year and give three months’ notice before the end of the lease if you wish to move out. If you have to leave earlier, you can sublet the apartment, but because it is still signed under your name, you are still responsible for it until the contract ends. For a monthly lease you must give one month's notice before moving out.
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Subletting Your Apartment Subletting is when you move out of your apartment for a few months (most of the time, during the summer) and you let someone else come in and live in your apartment while you are away. During that time, they (the new person living in the apartment) are responsible for the rental costs and the utilities because they are the ones living there. Most students sublet their rooms to save money. However, as noted above, even though you are not living there, you will still be responsible if anything were to happen because you signed the contract.
Complaints If you are having problems in your apartment such as mold, bed bugs or rats, the first person to contact should be your landlord or building supervisor. Their job is to oversee any of these types of problems and help fix them. If you and your landlord can’t solve the problem, you can go to Access Nova Scotia to fill out an Application with Residential Tenancies to solve the problem legally.
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Shared Apartments & Roommates Most people when renting an apartment will share it with several other people. These other people are called your roommates. To make your living situation more enjoyable, it is best to become really good friends with your roommates. You should want to learn more about them and understand them. This is so that if an issue ever arises in the apartment, you can feel comfortable talking about the issue and not just keep to yourselves and not handle the problem. •Access Nova Scotia: www.novascotia.ca/sns/ access/.
Moving Out When moving out of your apartment, there are several things you should do. These include: Arrange for transportation of your furniture. Find a temporary place to stay before you can move into your new apartment. Clean out your apartment as much as you can. Assess if there are any damages to the building and be sure to report them. Turn in your key. See if you can get your damage deposit back.
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Part Two: Utility Some of these include electricity, heating, hot water and internet etc. Depending on your apartment’s agreement, some of your utilities costs (usually heating and hot water) may be fixed and included in your rent.
TV & Internet Providers
Electricity To check your electricity bill and to set up your account for your apartment, you can contact Nova Scotia Power. If you want to save money on your power bill, you can check out www.efficencyns.ca for more information.
There are several TV and Internet providers in Halifax and all have student deals. Their names shall be listed below. To see which provider may meet your needs best, find the nearest branch to you and ask about their services.
•Nova Scotia Power: (800) 428-6230 www. nspower.ca
•Rogers - www.rogers.com/consumer/home •Bell - www.bell.ca/ •EastLink - www.eastlink.ca/
International Long Distance Calls When making calls overseas, you have a few options. Your first option is to use a calling card. Another option for long distance calls is to have a plan set up with your mobile phone service provider. You also could always set up a Skype account or an IP phone so that you could make calls with your internet connection.
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Part Three: Furniture When getting furniture, you should make sure that it meets your housing needs and your budget. You have several options when it comes to getting furniture.
Used Furniture There are many young students in Halifax who want to get rid of their used furniture and are willing to sell them for a very low price. They could be someone living down the road from you or they could be your next door neighbour. However, be sure to check the condition of the furniture that you buy. Be sure to check if it is damaged or not and if it is still in a useable state.
Abandoned Furniture A lot of times, young students in Halifax will leave their furniture on the street if they are moving out. This could be because it would be way too difficult to transport or it could be damaged. You can claim this abandoned furniture for no cost if you want to, but always be sure to check the condition and safety of the furniture before taking them.
New Furniture Buying brand new furniture is usually more expensive, but the quality is usually a lot higher. Also, when buying new furniture from a store, you also have the option of returning it, if it doesn’t meet your needs. Be sure to ask about the “return policy” at the store you bought your furniture from. However, transportation of the furniture from the store to your living space may be difficult.
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•Walmart: www.walmart.ca •Sears: www.sears.ca •Sears Outlet: www.sears.ca/outlet •Costco Wholesale: www.costco.ca •Winners: www.winners.ca •Ashley Furniture Home Store: www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com •The Brick: www.thebrick.com •Bouclair Home: www.bouclair.com
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Part Four: Mobile Phone When you come to Canada, you will almost certainly want to get a mobile phone. The convenience of a mobile phone is almost a necessity for most people. In Nova Scotia, there are several different mobile phone service companies. You can either get a prepaid or a post-paid plan. Most mobile phone service providers offer student discounts.
•Bell: www.bell.ca •Eastlink: www.eastlink.ca •Fido: www.fido.ca •Koodo: www.koodomobile.com •PC Mobile: www.pcmobile.ca •Rogers: www.rogers.com •Telus: www.telus.com •Virgin Mobile - www.virginmobile.ca •PC Mobile: www.pcmobile.ca
Part Five: Medical Insurance Most universities will include a basic medical insurance coverage for you when you come to Canada. This basic coverage will ensure that if you ever need to go to the “emergency room” of any hospital, you will be treated free of cost. After staying in Canada for 12 months, you can apply for Nova Scotia Health Card, Medical Services Insurance (MSI). MSI replaces the basic medical insurance coverage offered by the university and offers the same benefit.
•Nova Scotia: Health Card (MSI) www.novascotia.ca/dhw/MSI230 Brownlow Ave, Dartmouth
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Part Six: Tax Return If you are just coming to Halifax to study, you can and should file for your taxes to get some money back. Most international centres at universities and some other places around Halifax offer free tax help sessions. Here are just a few basic documents you will need when getting ready to do your taxes. The deadline for doing your taxes is usually April 30 of the calendar year. •T2202A Tuition Certificate •T4 Statement of Remuneration. •Notice of Assessment for the previous year. •Your current passport and study permits.
Part Seven: Shopping Malls For your shopping needs in Halifax, you have a variety of options. Two of the biggest shopping malls around Halifax are the Halifax Shopping Centre and Mic Mac Mall. These malls contain stores that sell clothes, home appliances and electronics amongst other goods.
•H&R Block: www.hrblock.ca •Halifax Service Canada Centre: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/sc-dsp.cgi?rc=1515&ln=eng
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•Mic Mac Mall - www.micmacmall.com •Halifax Shopping Centre - www.halifaxshoppingcentre.com •Dartmouth Crossing Village Shops - www.dartmouthcrossing.com •Bayer’s Lake Business Park – www.bayerslake.ca
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Eat Part One: Food Preparation Supermarket Wholesale Food Halifax Farmers' Market Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation Return Policy
Part Two: Restaurants
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CHAPTER THREE
EAT IN NS
Part One: Food Preparation Besides the supermarket, you can purchase foods wholesale or you can purchase them straight from farmers.
Supermarkets The two most popular supermarkets in Halifax are Sobey’s and Atlantic Superstore. These grocery stores carry a large variety of foodstuffs and are the first choice for most people’s shopping needs.
Wholesale Foods Wholesale food stores are places where you can buy huge amounts of food for a low price. The condition being that you have to buy in huge amounts or “bulk” as it is referred to. Here are a few of the wholesale food places around Halifax.
Halifax Farmers’ Market Downtown Halifax has its own Farmers’ Market. The Farmers’ Market has many different vendors who sell a large variety of items, not being limited to just foodstuffs.
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (Alcohol) The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) is your source for premium liquors and spirits in Nova Scotia. Besides bars and nightclubs, NSLC’s branches are the only licensed providers of alcohol in Nova Scotia. Usually, they are found attached to supermarkets like Sobey’s and Atlantic Superstore. However, there are some branches that are standalone.
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•Sobeys - www.sobeys.com •Atlantic Superstore - www. atlanticsuperstore.ca •Wholesale Club www.wholesaleclub.ca/LCLOnline •Costco Canada www.costco.ca •Bulk Barn www.bulkbarn.ca/en-ca •Seaport Farmers’ Market: www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com •Forum Farmers’ Market: www.forumfarmersmarket.ca •The Historic Farmers’ Market: www.historicfarmersmarket.ca •Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation(NSLC): www.mynslc.com •Bishop’s Cellar: www.bishopscellar.com
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Return Policy All stores have rules and guidelines regarding how you may return a product you are unhappy with. This is called a “return policy”. If you are buying a very expensive or luxurious item from a store, it is recommended that you ask about the store’s return policy so that you may return the item just in case it does not meet your needs.
Part Two: Restaurants Halifax has a large variety of restaurants. There are too many to mention them all. There are also bars and pubs around Halifax that serve food and alcohol which are ideal places for you and friends to go to after a hard day’s work. There are also many different cultural restaurants around Halifax including Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Middle Eastern and Indian just to name a few. •Your Father’s Mustache – www.yourfathersmoustache.ca •Bubba Ray’s - www.bubbarays.com
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CHAPTER FOUR
PLAY IN NS
Play Part One: Entertainment Indoor Activities Night Life Outdoor Activities & Athletics
Part Two: Travel Halifax Waterfront National Historic Site National Park UNESCO Sites
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Part One: Entertainment There are a lot of fun things to do and a lot of fun places to visit around Halifax. Whether you love indoor or outdoor activities or if you are a nightlife type of person, there is bound to be something that you will enjoy doing while staying in Halifax.
Indoor Activities If you are a moviegoer, there are several cinemas located around Halifax. In addition to showing the latest movies, most cinemas contain arcades for your enjoyment. If you are more traditional and enjoy watching plays and live entertainment, places like the Neptune theatre may be more for you.
•Cineplex Theatre: www.cineplex.com •Neptune Theatre: www.neptunetheatre.com •Discovery Centre: www.thediscoverycentre.ca •Nova Scotia Museum List: www.museum.novascotia.ca •Communities, Culture and Heritage: www.cch.novascotia.ca •Nova Scotia Tourism: www. novascotia.com
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Night Life Downtown Halifax has a large number of bars that are way too many to list. Every weekend, they are packed with people and all serve delicious food and drink. There are also several nightclubs that are always lively on the weekend, playing party music for you and your friends to dance the night away. There is also the local casino called Casino Nova Scotia. If you are a high roller and have a bit of extra money to spare, this may be the place for you.
Outdoor Activities & Athletics If you are an athletic individual and love sports, the Huskies Stadium at Saint Mary's University’s or the Wickwire Field at Dalhousie may be for you. Both are outdoor facilities where you can play sports like soccer, rugby and field hockey amongst other sports. There are also several basketball courts, both indoors and outdoors surrounding the Halifax area that are open to the public. If you are looking for a very large and diverse sports facility, the Canada Games Centre may be more for you. There are also some activities you can take part in that are unique to Nova Scotia. In the winter, you can travel to Ski Martock, which is one of Nova Scotia’s best-rated ski resorts. You can also visit farms that are outside of the Halifax area and see what rural life is like in Nova Scotia.
•The Dome Nightclub: www. thedome.ca •Pacifico Nightclub: www. pacifico.ca •Natural Karaoke: •Superstar KTV: www.superstarktv.ca/en •Casino Nova Scotia: www. casinonovascotia.com
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•Halifax Scotiabank Centre: www.scotiabank-centre.com •Canada Games Centre: www. canadagamescentre.ca •Nova Scotia Provincial Parks: www.novascotiaparks.ca •Ski Martock: www.martock.com •Hyper Sportz Paintball: www. hypersportz.ca
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Part Two: Travel Halifax Waterfront Discover our historic port city of Halifax when you walk along the Halifax waterfront. Start at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 – the gateway into Canada for one million immigrants, and then explore eclectic shops and galleries, some of the city’s best restaurants, and ships including the last of the WWII convoy escort corvettes The best times to see whales are in the summer and fall months. Discover the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market, the oldest continuously operating farmers’ market in North America, and our seafaring history through exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic which include displays on the city’s link to the Titanic disaster.
National Historic Site Nova Scotia is home to over 160 historic lighthouses, but no beacon is as photographed as the one in the vibrant fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. Built in 1915, Peggy’s Point Lighthouse still keeps watch over surging ocean waves and working lobster boats. Scramble over giant rocks worn smooth by the sea and share in the view. The Halifax Citadel has long watched over the the harbour and the downtown core of the capital city of Halifax. Originally built as a military fortication to protect the Empire from enemies, today the Citadel and its distinctive Clock Tower act as a reminder of Halifax’s rich past. A visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Cape Breton is like taking a step back in history to a time when the French and English crowns fought for control of the New World, and all of Nova Scotia was a battleground. The Fortress is the largest historical reconstruction in North America and offers an incredible window to all aspects of life as lived by some of our first European settlers. 20
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National Park The Cape Breton Highlands National Park has its share of ups and downs – and that’s a very good thing for visitors. Steep cliffs and deep river canyons are carved into a forested plateau bordering the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. The world famous Cabot Trail, with it's many scenic look-offs and stopping points, weaves through the park. In Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site, explore the wilderness trails, lakes, and rivers by foot or by canoe or kayak. Discover historic, stone-carved pertroglyphs left by the Mi’kmaq who traveled these same routes thousands of years ago. At night, sleep under stars that shine without the interference of artificial light, in a park that is also a designated Dark Sky Preserve.
UNESCO Sites Nova Scotia boasts five UNESCO-designated sites and North America's first certified UNESCOStarlight Tourist Destination. Old Town Lunenburg Experience the historic beauty of Lunenburg’s brightly coloured houses and preserved wooden architecture, some dating back to the 18th century. Landscape of Grand Pré Experience breathtaking views and heartfelt history at the Landscape of Grand Pré. Joggins Fossil Cliffs Every day, the world’s highest tides wash against the Joggins Fossil Cliffs slowly uncovering millions of years of plant and animal life.
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CHAPTER FIVE Study Part One: English Learning (ESL) Part Two: Universities in Nova Scotia Part Three: Academic Information GPA Graduate Studies Preparing for Your Graduation
Part Four: College Introduction
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CHAPTER FIVE STUDY IN NS
Part One: English Learning (ESL) There are several colleges and universities around Halifax that offer courses in English as a Second Language (ESL). These schools’ primary focus is to help you improve your English speaking skills in the classroom. Many of them have a program where you are paired up with someone who is very proficient in English and the main purpose is to help you improve your speaking skills in a conversational manner.
•East Coast School of Languages: www.ecslcanada.com •International Language Institute: www.ili.ca •CLLC: www.cllc.ca •Halifax ESL School: www. halifaxesl.ca •Apex Language & Career College: www.alcc.ca
Part Two: Universities in Nova Scotia University
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Found
Location
Website
University of Kings College
1789
Halifax
www.ukings.ca
Saint Mary's University
1802
Halifax
www.smu.ca
Dalhousie University
1818
Halifax, Truro
www.dal.ca
Acadia University
1838
Wolfville
St. Francis Xavier University
1853
Antigonish
Mount Saint Vincent University
1873
Halifax
www.msvu.ca
NSCAD University
1887
Halifax
www.nscad.ca
Université Sainte-Anne
1890
Pointe-del'Église
The Atlantic School of Theology
1971
Halifax
www.astheology. ns.ca
Cape Breton University
1974
Sydney
www.cbu.ca
www.acadiau.ca www.stfx.ca
www.usainteanne. ca
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Part Three: Academic Information GPA GPA stands for Grade Point Average. This is the grading scale that is used to measure how well you are doing in school, academically. In most universities in Canada, your GPA can range from 0-4.33. The higher it is to 4.33, the better off you are in terms of academics. For more information on how to calculate your GPA, please visit your respective university’s website and look under academics.
Graduate Studies Some graduate studies programs also require some relevant work experience. They are generally harder to get into than an undergrad. Some fields may require you to take an exam and do well on it before getting started in their school. For example, in order to get into law school in Canada, you have to do what is known as the LSAT. GMAT is required for most business school in Canada. Please contact your respective university’s graduate program, and see more information on the prerequisite GPA and experience that you will need.
•Saint Mary’s University Graduate Programs: www.smu.ca/academics/grad-programs-and-coordinators •Dalhousie University Graduate Programs: www.dal.ca/faculty/ gradstudies/programs •Mount Saint Vincent University Graduate Programs: www.msvu. ca/en/home/programsdepartments/academiccalendars/graduatecalendar/graduateprograms •NSCAD University Graduate Programs: www.nscad.ca/ en/home/academicprograms/ graduate
Preparing for Your Graduation Graduation works differently depending on the university you attend. However, for most universities and colleges, you will have to apply for graduation. There is generally no cost and you have the option of graduating in “absentia”. Absentia means that you receive your degree, but you do not plan on attending your graduation. Graduations usually happen in the spring, fall and winter. The spring graduations usually have the most amounts of attendees.
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Part Four: College Introduction In Canada, there is a big difference between colleges and university. Universities are where you would go to learn about different subjects from textbooks and your professors. Unless you are doing a science, for the most part, you won’t have the opportunity to have “hands-on” training and put what you’ve learned in the classroom to use in real life. It is almost the complete opposite at colleges in Canada. In colleges, you have the option of picking a “trade”. A trade is a highly specialized job that requires you to have lots of hands-on training to become proficient. These include jobs such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers. •Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC): www.nscc.ca
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Work Part One: Job Hunting Job Hunting Online Job Hunting with Social Networking Position Research Resume, Conver Letter & Job Interview
Part Two: Volunteering
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CHAPTER SIX
JOB IN NS
Part One: Job Hunting Job Hunting Online One of the most convenient ways to look for jobs is by searching online. Jobs are usually posted on company websites or a “job board”. Job boards are websites where many different companies list their job openings. These postings will usually contain a brief summary of the job, the job’s duties, the qualifications needed and how to apply. Usually they will ask you to e-mail a copy of your resume and cover letter.
Job Hunting with Networking Most people would say that the best way to find a job is through “networking”. Networking means meeting new people. When networking, you will meet owners and managers of small businesses and they may be looking to hire someone when you meet them. If not, you can ask them to refer you to someone else who may be hiring. Through this process, you can meet many people and lots of opportunities will come to you.
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•Job Bank Canada - www. jobbank.gc.ca/home-eng. do?lang=eng •CareerBeacon - www.careerbeacon.com •Indeed – www.ca.indeed.com
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Position Research Before you decide on if you want to work in a certain field, you should hear more about the job from someone who is already working in the field. Hearing from someone who is already working in the field is a lot more enlightening than what you read on job descriptions or what you find on Google. While you are networking, you should always ask for more information on a certain field of work you are considering. You may be surprised at what you find out.
Resume, Cover Letter and Job Interview A cover letter, in summary should be a short letter detailing why you are interested in a job and how your qualifications meet that job. Also, anything that you feel that can’t fit in your resume, you can put in your cover letter. The job interview is when a potential employer calls you and asks you to come in to talk. They will ask questions to get to know you better and to see if you are the right person for the job. Usually their questions will be based off of the job’s duties and their need to see if you can fit in with a team. For resume, cover letter and job interview help, you can visit your respective university’s career centre. Alternatively, if you currently have a Social Insurance Number, you can visit any of the following off-campus places:
•Job Junction: www.jobjunction. ca •YMCA Employment Centre: www.ymcaemploymentcentre.ca
Part Two: Volunteering If you are a university student, volunteering can help you get a job before or after graduation. In Canada, volunteer experience can be viewed as “work” experience on your resume. It will make you that much more of a marketable employee. For example, if you volunteer as the president of a student society, the experience and skills that you gain can be used in a paid job. This gives you a huge advantage over others who only study and have no actual “work experience”.
•Volunteer Halifax: www.volunteerhalifax.ca •GoodNS: www.goodns.ca •Getinvolved: www.getinvolved.ca •Fusion Halifax: www.fusionhalifax.ca
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