Moving to Calgary

constanterratic · Newbie User Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Canada

Hi everyone! I have never really posted before so, um, hi! Anyway, I'm having a bit of a crisis:

I will be moving to Calgary in three months. I will need to find work, and even though I have a degree, I really lack practical work experience.
I have had a few jobs in the past that required interviews, but the interviews really traumatized me, and I couldn't hold on to those jobs for long. So, now I'm completely terrified of applying for work.

The only work I did during university was menial labour (and only ever for my parents) that kept me in very isolated (brainless) situations. Even then, I would be clumsy and berate myself for not being able to catch on to things quickly. After university, I moved in with my sister who let me avoid work for two years. So, now, I feel like those housewives that are suddenly thrust into the work force. I feel ancient, under-qualified, and completely out of touch with the outside world.

I know work is just a fact of life, and many of you can just force yourselves out there, but that is the one area, social anxiety-wise, that I struggle with the most. I have spent my entire life avoiding work, and if I did get "lasting" work, it was only ever through my few friends and family. It's really embarrassing to go to an interview with no experience, and no sound references. It's even more embarrassing to deal with the people in my life who are incredulous that I can't get myself out into the working world (as if I enjoy being an unemployed loser).

Anyway, I guess I'm just hoping to hear from other Calgary people that might be able to suggest places of work that are easy on people like me (ie easily frazzled, socially phobic). But I would appreciate coping strategies, or job suggestions, from anyone.

Thank you,
Constant.

Oh, by the way, are there any active support groups in Calgary? Or maybe people that would like to email me some helpful Calgary tips? Apart from the whole job thing, I'm excited to start a new (and hopefully more socially active) life in Calgary.

spawn · Newbie User Joined: Jul 12, 2007 Posts: 59

hey i live in calgary. im lost completly and couldnt tell you what job is good for pll like us. i currently have no job and cant seem to get one even tho the city is booming and jobs are everywhere. i can get only mediocre jobs since i have only a high school diploma and i feel ashamed for having such jobs when my friends are getting done with collage and getting good jobs. if u have a degree you should be able to get a job pretty easily. i would suggest that you get career councelling to help you with prepare for interviews and looking for work and preparing for work. im currently doing so with the Calgary Health Region. google it, they help you out. they understand about anxiety and other issues and can help you in many aspects of life-social skills, tress management,education,work, etc etc. they are a bit busy so it takes a while to get an appointment and get started but its worth it.what did you take in uni by the way?

constanterratic · Newbie User Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Canada

Thank you for the advice Spawn. I figured I'd have to find a place that could help me vamp up my resume, so I might as well throw in the Calgary Health Region people. I have a pretty useless degree, but I'm not worried about making my degree sound impressive- it's the work experience I'm lacking.

I'm worried, that even after help, I still won't be able to get myself out there to look for work. I'm already in mini-panic mode over here, ha ha.

spawn · Newbie User Joined: Jul 12, 2007 Posts: 59

hahaha same here i have about less than 200 hundred in my bank account. my parents pissed at me like why cant you get a job. i have applied to so many places but no luck. money is my biggest problem its so big for me right now that i cant even try to deal with the anxiety situation until i get some income coming in. but i think its just my lack of effort, i havent done much to my resume or know how to write a good cover letter. and now a days you are supose to call the employers back if they dont call you, to find out why you didnt get an interview so you can make improvements. but i have such a hard time calling them. WOW JUST AS IM TYPING THIS I GOT A CALL FOR AN INTERVIEW!!!! hahahha weird i will most likely get the job, but if not i have a appointment with the carreer thearapist from calgary health region next week. shes supose to help me figure out what i want as a career instead of going from crappy job to the next. but ya man its really hard cause when your down you feel like you cant get back up, you know? but with some hard work everything works out, thats what i've learned in life. anything thats worth having is usally takes hard work to earn. good luck keep me posted on how you doing

kyle · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:07 am Post subject: Re: Moving to Calgary

ripewithdecay · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:23 am Post subject:

I lived in Calgary for 3 years until i moved back west.
Not hard to find work in cowtown at all.
Try 'Matrix Logistics' in the northeast.. it's a warehouse job i did for over a year and it was very, very easy work that you do alone 99% of the time. (and paid about $17 an hour Very Happy

)
The interview process is quite laid back as well.
Hope calgary brings a positive change for you (if it doesn't freeze you to death first)
Good luck!

spawn · Newbie User Joined: Jul 12, 2007 Posts: 59

ya i have warehouse job right now that is pretty easy and there hiring still i belive. starting wage is 14.50 plus .50 priemium and regular increases after 3 months. people that have worked there for a couple of years are making lik 19 something an hour. all the people that work there are nice and the environment is pretty chill. they offer good benifits and they have this thing which some employers have. its called TAP teammate assistance program. they help you in areas of your life, so they could help with the SA if you wanna go through them. is confidentail too.

constanterratic · Newbie User Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Canada

Thank you for the suggestions. I don't really see myself working in a warehouse, lol, but I'm glad to hear that employers are hard-pressed. Takes some of the pressure off!

oNecoOlazN · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject:

damn, im from Calgary as well.
worst 15 years of my life..
hope it goes all well 4 u~ Idea

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