Jobs, jobs, everywhere? Maybe not in Calgary advertising / marketing. Am I wrong?

I'm a direct marketing manager with 15 years experience in the USA, and got my start in consumer marketing in Calgary in the late 1980s.


I'm wishing to return "home" now with my new family, so thought that getting in with a company in Calgary would be a reasonable piece of cake, due to all the "wonderful" news about Cowtown in the news.


However, that seems to be not quite true...


Correct me if I'm wrong... but after a week's visit, I determined:


- If someone is an engineer in the oil industry, or is involved in home construction (electrician, plumbing, etc.) or wants to drive trucks in the northern oil fields, there are many jobs


- If someone wants to take a low-salary service job (flipping burgers, etc.), there are many of those.


However, ad industry people were telling me that my skills and background would not be conducive to finding a ad/marketing position in Calgary; they say most of those are in Toronto. I felt lucky to get a couple of returned calls...


What gives?

Jobs, jobs, everywhere? Maybe not in Calgary advertising / marketing. Am I wrong?
The one thing the media keeps forgetting to tell people, yes there is a boom in Alberta but it is a specialized boom.


Accounting, oil industry, and service all require more and more people to work. Unless you fit into one of those fields/ companies you won’t find as many job openings.


That being said, there are jobs for others out there with any experience. Myself being a sales person, didn’t have the 1000 companies my husband had calling (he has 3 trades) but I managed to find work, and work I like also.


So it might take you a little longer to find the perfect job in your field, but don’t’ give up.





But remember, with the boom the housing prices are ridiculous also. 300 000 for a duplex (semi), 1200 a month for an apt. They have Toronto prices.








Good luck with your search and I hope it all works out for you!
Reply:i think you are right. i moved from quebec 2 months ago. i was a pharmacy technician, it's not a super job, but it's better than working in a fast food.i just didn't have any call. i have many years of experience and my diploma, and i am bilingual.


my boyfriend is a framer and he has found a job on is second day in calgary. You have two choice, move again or find another field.
Reply:You have chosen a specialized skill to earn your living. It must pay well or you would not continue to pursue it. Why ***** because it is not required in your favorite town, or location. It was your choice to follow this path.
Reply:The job market is slowing down in Calgary right now (other that the specialized jobs you mentioned). Unless you get a job with an oil company, I would wait to move back "home". Housing prices are the second highest in the country (ave house price is $480,000) and inflation rates for everything else is up around 7%. Everyone who was here before the boom is employed so it's just the leftover jobs that are available right now. Sorry.