University Affairs

Tips for overcoming an experience-gap

This post has been updated.

I recently received this message from DW. And perhaps my response to him will resonate with some of you.

“I am currently about to start my dissertation, as I near the end of my pursuit of a PhD in Higher Education Administration at a University in Michigan, USA. I am a Barbadian National with a girlfriend (soon to be fiance’) from, and presently living in, Toronto and I have been job hunting for a long time to find a job in Toronto (or at this point anywhere in Ontario). I also hold a Master of Social Work degree, and a BSc in Information Systems with a minor in Business.
With my qualifications I am still having problems finding a job and would appreciate any assistance you can provide. I have been asked a number of times about having a work permit, but I cannot get a work permit unless I have a job offer. With my training in Higher Education Administration I was hoping to find a job [in administration] in a University in Ontario, but that has not proven easy at all. I am really stumped as to what I can do to begin my career in Canada. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. I have attached my resume as well.”

Hi DW – Your situation isn’t all that unusual in today’s workforce. Increasingly people bounce around from field to field, sometimes just because they have a wide range of interests, other times because they are seeking the ‘best’ credentials to get a job.

By the way, the government of Canada has a useful site for people thinking of immigrating to Canada that might make your transition less stressful – be sure to check out the rules and regulations concerning employment so you know what is necessary for you to work in Canada.
I have a few suggestions that might help you make yourself more attractive to prospective university employers. Thank you for sending along your resume, it helps me understand a bit about your background.

1. Each of your degrees is in a very different field which may be confusing for some employers. Develop a strategic explanation of how your breadth is a benefit to each position to which you apply.
2. Because you have only had the two-year GAship in university administration, and do not appear to have experience in the Canadian context, be strategic about the level of position for which you are applying. At this point for instance, employers may be reticent to give you a try in a position in upper-level administration in spite of your PhD. One way to address this is in your cover letter, where you can be more explicit concerning the applicability of your experience to the level of position for which you are applying.
3. If you are not finding full-time postings that interest you, you may find it easier to build up your experience through a series of contracts rather than starting with a permanent position, especially in the current economy. In some cases, contract workers are able to apply for internal postings before they are made public which is a one way you can position yourself for a permanent position more closely related to your career goals while demonstrating your abilities and building up strong references.
4. Cast a wider net. In the GTA there are five universities, six community colleges and dozens of career colleges. Consider applying to positions in all these institutions to build up your Canadian experience and references. Postings open to the general public will be posted on their websites. There are many more institutions the farther out you go, but consider the length of commute is reasonable and sustainable for you.
5. You will need to be available for an in-person interview, so ensure that you are in a position to do this. For this reason, you might want to hold off until you are further along the immigration process. Right now, the absence of a Toronto address on your resume may well be raising concerns regarding your employment status.

I wish you luck with your job search DW – you have certainly picked a city with many opportunities in your field. Be persistent and flexible, and when you land your first job, be sure to let me know.

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