Preparing to apply

To find a job in Alberta, you need to understand the work search process. There are four steps in this process:

Step 1: Identify the skills you have and the skills you may need to develop

  • Employers look for personal and transferable skills such as attitude, ability to get along well with other workers, dependability, problem-solving skills and organizational skills, and the technical skills required for specific types of work.
  • If you have professional or trade qualifications, you can find out if your credentials are recognized in Alberta through Alberta Employment and Immigration's International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).
  • If you do not speak English fluently, you can arrange to take an English as a Second Language (ESL) class.
  • Making career decisions can be challenging. The Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) has gathered a list of resources available in the province for people choosing a career path. Career consultants, government gateways, internships, funding information and opportunities for all Albertans starting or changing a career can be found here.

Step 2: Identify employers who may need someone who has skills like yours

  • Alberta Employment and Immigration service centres are one of many resources you can consult to find out about job openings in the province.
  • As you go about your daily living, talk to people about the kind of work you want to find. For example, discuss your work search with counsellors at immigrant-serving agencies or people in your English as a Second Language class, as well as your relatives, friends and neighbours. If they do not know where you might find suitable work opportunities, ask them to refer you to others who might know.
  • Read about Alberta's industries and fields of employment at a local library, at an Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre or on the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website.
  • Look in the Classified and Careers sections of local newspapers for job advertisements.
  • If you are a physician looking for work in Alberta, consult the Alberta Physician Link website.
  • Use the yellow pages of the telephone directory in print or online to find potential employers in your field.

Step 3: Gather the information you will need to apply for work

  • Employers will expect you to fill in an application form or give them a prepared resumé. A resumé is a short, typed summary of your qualifications and work experience. You can visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website for more information on presenting your skills to employers on your resumé, or use ALIS's eResumé Review Service for suggestions on how to improve your resumé.

Step 4: Present your qualifications to employers

  • When you respond to a job advertisement, follow the instructions in the advertisement.
  • Employers usually invite only the most qualified applicants for an interview. During the interview, applicants are expected to provide more information about how their qualifications and experience relate to job requirements. The ALIS website also offers tips and information on preparing for and presenting your skills during job interviews.

Step 5: Prepare for your interview

  • Preparing for a job interview can make you feel confident and the more confident you are, the more likely you are to be offered the job for which you interview. The ALIS website has tip sheets and other information that can help you prepare for a job interview. You'll also find tips on how to present yourself effectively during the interview.

For more information about completing application forms, preparing resumés and making a good impression in an interview: