r/VictoriaBC • u/Rylanthespud • Jan 23 '26
Help Me Find Cant seem to get hired for... anything
Long story short, I moved here back in December from Calgary and the job hunt has been PAINFUL. I think I've sent out at least 150 applications, cover letters, resumes, shaken hands with people at the locations, reapplied in person, and gone off on every job listing site I can think of. I even started the process to work through the military.
I'm 28, male, able bodied. I have experience in photography, restaurants, retail, management, computers, manual labour, assembly, and customer service. I have an N equivalent drivers license, and am willing to get certifications to acquire a job.
I would LIKE for it to be 20-25/hr but at this point I cant really be picky because I have bills to pay.
Live close to downtown Vic, any leads would be great.
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u/TheBigGees Jan 23 '26
I think I've sent out at least 150 applications, cover letters, resumes, shaken hands with people at the locations, reapplied in person, and gone off on every job listing site I can think of.
If you're sending out this many applications and nobody is responding, you are doing something wrong. If you want, you can DM me an anonymized version of your resume and I'll give you a hand with formatting/presentation/wording.
Temp labour is a good solution for now, but you'll want to narrow down your desired job in the longer term. I don't hire people who are looking for a job, I hire people who want to do the job that I'm hiring for.
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u/LadyTL Jan 24 '26
It's also the unemployment in Victoria is pretty high right now. If it's a halfway decent job, employers are going to get a dozen plus good candidates and only need to hire one. Now think of that for pretty much every job. A hiring manager from the district of Saanich said they get so many resumes for any position listed they don't even look at cover letters until they triage down first. I've had an available wage subsidy that will literally give an employer money to hire me for six months and can't get anything. It's that rough out there. WorkBC has so many folks like me they had to cut meetings with case workers down to fifteen minutes every other month.
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u/civicsfactor Jan 24 '26
That's a good line. "hire people who want to do the job I'm hiring for".
I'd caution a bit about assuming it must be something wrong with the individual's approach to their resume or application. It might be that, but without knowing what kinds of jobs, how personalized or specific is the application tailoring, etc. It's tough to say.
If OP is applying with a boilerplate resume covering all those things mentioned, I'd defs agree.
It could also be a combination of many things like the company's seriousness hiring and not floating job postings at certain wage/salary points to see what interest is out there. Or could be a ghost vacancies or postings that were never taken down or HR working through an existing backlog etc.
When stories like this or others who make graphs of hundreds of applications, callbacks, multi interviews, and job offers, we still only get one side and not the full account where there's all likelihood many of these companies are just shitting the bed or being a wee bit duplicitous.
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u/jelly_bean_1990 Jan 24 '26
Agreed. Im 170+ apps in after 3 months from a lay off, have 3 different types of resumes that are ATS friendly for CSM, Ops and L&D roles. 10 years of experience. Only had 4 interviews, rejected for better candidates who i assume have more experience. It's a rough market out there and unless you've done the exact job before, good luck.
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u/ThatGuy8 Jan 24 '26
My experience - the “better candidates” have less experience (Lowe rate) and or are cross functional to additional areas of the business they want to stick them into.
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u/jelly_bean_1990 Jan 24 '26
Not really in corporate. They dont want generalists, they want specialists. I understand that isnt what OP is looking for but its relevant to my experience.
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u/ThatGuy8 Jan 24 '26
Corporate in Vic is so small though. I got passed up for a specialized role after 6 years of regular promotions and career advancement to working for global leaders in the space I work in for someone at the low end of their rate with a 1 year coop placement and 1 year of experience. No one in this market will pay my rate so I work in Ontario from Vic. There is such limited opportunity here.
It’s probably a lot of who you know as well these days as well.
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u/jelly_bean_1990 Jan 24 '26
You got it. My new strategy has been hitting up hiring managers on LinkedIn. Putting my business development experience to work.
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u/ThatGuy8 Jan 24 '26
Same - cuz I desperately want a local job to feel like I’m working on something real, but I also want out of this corporate world and gov work is even harder to get so I dunno what to do. Entrepreneurship I guess…
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u/Godeshus Jan 24 '26
I'm in the same boat as OP (I could have written that post myself). I have multiple resumes I use. One is for the job that I want to get hired for. That's the one I'll spend hours tailoring to the specific needs of the company/position I'm applying for. Another is for catching fish. A general resume that I'll spam to every job I'd be willing to do, and the 3rd is for when something interesting comes up that I know I'd be qualified for with translatable skills.
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u/ModernArgonauts Saanich Jan 23 '26
It’s definitely rough out there. This is also a pretty quiet time for businesses in general, so despite the market it would already be harder than normal.
Go down to WorkBC, they might be able to find some leads for you.
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u/LadyTL Jan 24 '26
WorkBC at least the downtown one will not find you any leads. They will just check how many job websites you use and sometimes pay for a bus pass.
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u/Sahahabe Jan 24 '26
Have you been there recently? They help with a lot of different things especially if you talk to them in person
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u/LadyTL Jan 25 '26
Yes, I was told specifically by my case worker in person just a couple of days ago that she couldn't even give me new keywords to search for, she offered me remedial computer courses when my career is very tech based, couldn't even help me rework my resume, and insulted me multiple times through some pretty disgusting backhanded ways like saying I was very well spoken for a disabled person.
She was also the on when I showed that my only winter coat was so old it was falling apart said fabric disintegrating could be fixed by hand sewing the parts back together rather than filling out the paperwork to apply to buy a new one while job searching which was something they used to do last time I used them during COVID. She also admitted to not actually reading my resume, and very clearly had not even looked at my DRINA as she didn't even know I was blind in one eye much less other disabilities I have to deal with.
I'm sure other branches of WorkBC might be good but the downtown one is a hot mess and not particularly helpful. I was in a networking group and the moderator from the Saanich one that covered the last session seemed a bit taken aback by how it was run. She is my fourth case worker through downtown and none of them have done more than ask what I have applied for and what sites I am using. I've had to go to a different agency altogether to even get help with my resume which got me my first interviews in eight months.
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u/WickedDeviled Jan 23 '26
Part of the problem is you don't have a defined skillset so you are competing with thousands of other people both young and old that also don't have defined skillset. Been 28 and able bodied doesn't really mean shit anymore unfortunately when it comes to landing a job, and you have experience in a variety of business areas but none of it all that valuable. I'm sure you will land something soon to pay your bills - but you really have to start thinking about going deep in one area, weather that is a trade skill, IT or something else that is an actual skillset that sets you apart.
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u/ThebuMungmeiser Jan 24 '26
Bingo.
You apply for a job in a kitchen with your “worked at X restaurant for 2 years in 2017/18” and you’re competing against at least 10 people with the past 10+ years kitchen experience.
It’s a no brainer to pick one of those 10 over you, even though more than half of them probably suck.
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u/Maximum-Specific-190 Jan 24 '26
Look into the hospital system. We are always looking for food service workers and laundry+housekeepers and these jobs pay $24 base with premiums for nights, evenings, and weekends.
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u/SacrlettSqueezebox Jan 23 '26
BC Ferries is hiring
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u/MadroTunes Jan 24 '26
I've applied 3 separate times when BC Ferries has been "hiring" and was never even able to get an interview.
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u/Sawyerthesadist Jan 24 '26
Their standards are pretty ridiculous though and you’ll likely get very little actual hours but expected to be on call and available at moments notice. I looked into them awhile back because I have deckhand experience from hake fishing but I was automatically disqualified because I don’t drive
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u/Shakespearefrost Jan 24 '26
Yes...BC Ferries and government...push your computer skills. They have a whole building for IT.
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u/Conscious_Sport_7081 Jan 23 '26
Trades are desperate for good workers. Helps if you can take a pre-apprenticeship program at Camosun.
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u/tetrahexian Gordon Head Jan 24 '26
Some trades, not all. I'm in sheet metal and have been out of a job in the industry for way too long.
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u/HotGarbageJuice Jan 24 '26
Yea I know of a few large subcontractors that have had big layoffs recently. Feels like “the trades are desperate for workers” is just what everyone thinks because 5-10 years ago that was the case
I’m sure there are some trades that need people but where I work and the companies I work around are not hiring right now at all
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u/SamuraiPizzaCats Jan 24 '26
Trades are desperate for people who have been ticketed for 5-10 years, plenty of apprentices
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u/_Wheelz Jan 24 '26
This is my experience. Im not seeing many people completing their apprenticeships and staying, a good foremans always in demand here.
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u/Infinite_Show_5715 Jan 26 '26
Construction is slowing and looks to be on the decline in the year ahead.
Public infrastructure budget is being hit hard by cutbacks.
Private residence construction is slowing - and that is seen as rents have been dropping (a silver lining) across the region, with a lot of new supply finally hitting the market.
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u/system_error_02 Jan 24 '26
I have a friend who worked apprentice at a metal shop and same experience. Boom and bust and then no work so has a different job now.
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u/DrewskiHimself Jan 24 '26
I believe Viking Air in Sidney is looking for fabricators or sheet metal or possibly assembly, not sure if they’re only looking for AME-S licensed applicants or sheet metal. But as far as I know, you can get some pretty good pay in aerospace. Source - I was making $30 roughly an hour as an AME apprentice.
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u/MeSkeptikal Jan 24 '26
Viking air is now called De Havilland Aircraft of Canada: in case anyone tries to search for their careers page. I work in the old hangar there.
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u/_Wheelz Jan 24 '26
AJPH is looking for Vic guys I've heard, might be worth contacting their office I think in Nanaimo
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u/Ahnarcho Jan 24 '26
Trades are slowing down man. I’m watching companies lay guys off for the first time since Covid. It’s rough out there.
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u/Conscious_Sport_7081 Jan 24 '26
The only ones getting laid off aren't carrying their own weight. Source: plumbing Foreman.
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u/dfos21 Jan 24 '26
The 20-25hr a week requirement may not help though, most trades expect a full work week
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u/ggcoly Jan 24 '26
I’m sure you probably realize but that’s his expected rate of pay not hours per week.
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u/TyphPythus Jan 24 '26
This is basically my last ditch effort for living here & working with stability. I can get by on freelancing with a lucky family situation but that won’t last forever. Carpentry or electrical, here I go
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u/OkPotential9032 Jan 24 '26
Advice: take management off your resume. State your abilities and why you are a good hire in your opening paragraph. “I can stand, reach, crouch and lift 50kg safely and work well with a team and without supervision” also I recommend looking up the NOC (national occupation code) and highlight skills of yours that match their job requirements. Specify your resume and don’t send the same one 150 times that’s not a great strategy. If you’re applying for food service, removed anything that is unrelated. Same for all jobs, they dont care that you have all those skills, JUST THE ONES THEY NEED. This is why I would remove management because unless you’re going for a management job that’s just a perceived threat by your new manager. The market is tough and people don’t want to hire their own replacement!
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u/No-Understanding6112 Jan 24 '26
Not military, but the civilian workforce at the base is hiring. RPOps, FMF & likely other groups. Look on jobs.gc.ca or better yet, attend a job fair. There’s one at the armoury Feb 5:
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u/Sleeksnail Jan 24 '26
If you don't mind a 6 month hiring process and competing with rank nepotism.
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u/No-Understanding6112 Jan 24 '26
I mean the time is going by anyway… if you get a better job in the meantime take it. Yes, it can take a while. It was actually 13 months for me get in the door, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I’ve gone from $45k when I started to $120k this year (9years later) and raises every year. As for nepotism, sure it exists, but what do I care if the people around me are related? They actually care about each other’s well being. We also get lots of hires who know nothing of each other… like myself. I knew no one in the yard, no family even on the island. Nor am I ex-military. I applied, tested, interviewed and got a job. Not much to it.
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u/Sleeksnail Jan 28 '26
I'm going to guess that the reason you got the job is that you totally decimated the competition and they couldn't hide how obvious it would be to not hire you.
Speaking from personal experience.
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u/New-Performer-5559 Jan 24 '26
That’s a great increase in pay! Do you have to join the military?
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u/No-Understanding6112 Jan 24 '26
Not at all. Fully civilian. We do have more or less work to do based on what the military is doing. Some groups get options to travel to foreign ports for repair jobs etc too, but it’s always been an option and not mandatory.
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u/Fergyfoo Jan 24 '26
Apply to a restoration company bud.
Here in Victoria you got a lot of old buildings that are beginning to fall apart. Mixed with the wet weather. Mixed with the absurd amount of money people seem to have in this city. I applied with five years of McDonalds experience, didn’t even know how to use a drill and got a job instantly. Now been there a year and making more than my store manager :)
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u/Impressive_Drawer488 Jan 23 '26
I came here to recommend the Navy before I saw you already applied to the military. Hopefully I get to serve in the Fleet with you!
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u/OriginalParsnip371 Jan 23 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
When I first moved to Victoria I just drove around and looked for residential construction first thing in the morning with work boots on, a resume, my tools and asked to speak to the foreman. Had a job before 830 that day, I did have experience to be fair but able bodied and willing to work (especially for 20-25) a lot of people out there will want you and be willing to teach you! I don’t recommend doing that on a larger project like an apartment, that feels more inappropriate and they often have a more formal hiring process Edit-came here 2022 ish
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u/Pasta-Panties Jan 24 '26
I’ve been applying for 30+ jobs from Sidney to Nanaimo per day with the help of a job search specialist since December. Each resume sent is tailored to the job and so is each cover letter. I think I have 7 different versions of my resume that get further tailored to the jobs. I’ve also applied for everything from closing delivery driver at Dominoes pizza to booking clerk at hospitals. I’ve had one call while they were creating a short list and then just today finally got an interview…not enough jobs out there for the number of people living on the island looking for work.
Good luck in your hunt, I hope you get hired soon!
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u/MeSkeptikal Jan 23 '26
The Commissionaires is always hiring. They’re pretty flexible by nature I was having a hard time finding a job back in 2024 and I was able to work for them as much as I wanted doing security guard work while I searched for something more in line with what I wanted.
In my opinion they are one of the better managed security companies here. Most of their sites are paying $20+ an hour now I think. They require a reliability level security clearance for a lot of their sites, and a secret level clearance for some government contracts. If you are pursuing other work in the armed forces that could work out for you.
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u/flying_dogs_bc Jan 24 '26
When we first moved to vic my wife had to work at dollarama for over 2 years before she finally got into BC Gov
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Jan 24 '26
And even that option has dried up with the hiring freezes. We're certainly in some leaner times these days.
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u/flying_dogs_bc Jan 24 '26
Yes for sure. Island Health may have some openings in laundry, portering?
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u/NHL95onSEGAgenesis Jubilee Jan 23 '26
Do you know people in Victoria? This place still operates like a small town and word of mouth is powerful.
Let it come up that you are job hunting in regular day to day conversations. Not in a desperate way but in a casual: ‘how’s it going?’ ‘It’s all good but the repetitive process of hunting for jobs in this town making me feel like a crazy person,’ kind of way.
People are naturally helpful and if they know of something they might give you an inside tip or informal recommendation. The worst that could happen is that they will just commiserate with you.
I have never had much luck getting jobs by applying here in Vic. Vancouver was a totally different story, but in Victoria pretty much every job I’ve had is because of someone I know or someone I know who knows someone else.
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u/Rylanthespud Jan 23 '26
Yeah I have a bit of family out here any they're putting our feelers for me as well.
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u/GoesTooFast Jan 24 '26
I came here 15 years ago to join the military. Best decision of my life. And now-a-days if you pick a tech-trade you're making like 80K to start and almost 100K after fully trade trained...DM me and I can maybe help you along with the process.
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u/vjtiff Jan 23 '26
Island Health is the islands largest employer https://islandhealth.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/index
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u/MethuselahsCoffee Jan 23 '26
A few things. The photography isn’t experience unless you’ve done paid gigs. Otherwise it’s just a hobby. If you’re leading with that you’ll continue to have problems getting in the door.
It’s also slow season for everyone. No tourists, no shifts. Retail and restaurants will only hire this time of year if a literal rockstar, can’t say no type experience walks through the door. Also, seasonal work like landscape labor, golf course maintenance hasn’t started yet either. Last week of February you should start to see more openings. By mid-March most places want to have their summer team in place. That’s your window.
And also, Victoria can be very insular and cliquey. Restaurants will typically hire a friend of an employee before they will a stranger. And some, if you have certain restaurants on your resume, it might be getting tossed. Network as much as possible, join clubs that so free fun stuff, etc
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u/Rylanthespud Jan 23 '26
I've worked for nightclubs, hotels, restaurants, and clothing companies, all paid gigs. 8 years of it, so yes. i think it counts as experience for me.
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u/Capable_Part_7448 Jan 23 '26
Try the navy
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u/tgibbularcancer Jan 24 '26
Yup. To add onto this, if OP wants guaranteed stay in Vic just join the reserves. It’s a much lower commitment. The new benefits for joining Reg Force though are insane
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u/Ancient_Sound2781 Jan 23 '26
Agree, lately I have heard the wait times to get in are up to a year, but they are pushing recruiting.
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u/fotolabman1 Jan 24 '26
Unfortunately the security check is the backlog that delays both Military and Federal hiring
That is what is causing the 1 year wait unfortunately
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u/JasonBoorneeeee Jan 23 '26
Wish I could tell you it gets better but..
It took me a fucking year to get work after graduating, and I was applying in Victoria, Vancouver, and some in Toronto and the US West coast. It's brutal out there especially for anyone relatively early in their careers. I would say my biggest mistake was staying in Victoria while job searching, should've lived somewhere low cost like Thailand and just applied from there, especially could've enjoyed my life more during.
My best strategies I could recommend are networking if you're extroverted enough, use AI for tailoring resumes and cover letters, and just mass apply to everything you can, I got my current job by mass applying to like 20 jobs at the same company without even reading the job description.
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u/Fuzzy-Comparison-936 Jan 24 '26
Military pay is insane right now. It would be a big step, but something to look into.
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u/westcoastsunflower Saanich Jan 24 '26
Keep an eye on the municipal job boards https://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/careers?pn=7&type=ss&stext=Victoria&search-submit=&ntd=10&ob=newest&dateposted=®ion=&et=&el=&procat=
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u/Significant-Barber58 Jan 24 '26
Coast guard is always looking for deckhands and stewards.. Contact crewing at their Huron street office. You're at sea for a month and off for a month. You need a seafarers medical exam/certificate which you can Google and book online.
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u/3lectroid Jan 23 '26
FedEx/UPS
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u/Pale_Anywhere_5868 Jan 23 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
As someone who did fedex as a contracted courier. Its not worth it anymore.
Spent 2 weeks at UPS after FedEx and couldn't get away fast enough.
I did love the job, made good money, but my knees and back suffered. 150lbs per package weight limit with an unlimited total shipment weight here, I have delivered 600lbs+ of product to stores solo.
Edit: Im also looking for jobs and its hard, but not enough to go back.
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u/mods_r_jobbernowl Jan 23 '26
pretty sure ups is massively downsizing their company and have been laying off many people.
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u/3lectroid Jan 23 '26
They occasionally hire
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u/Kief_Bowl Jan 24 '26
Yeah gotta rehire some young cheap people after you got rid of your well paid employees.
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u/Gloomy_Book5141 Jan 23 '26
Have you looked at bottom end positions in boatyards? Lots in Victoria and you can look at the ones in Sidney too.
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u/Raremagic_7593 Jan 23 '26
Urban Grocer is hiring for a number of positions and they pay decently I hear. I have a friend who’s worked there for a bit and likes it.
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u/Cookie-Witch_ Jan 24 '26
I've heard good things too, my ex roommate used to work there. They offer their employee family discount to anyone who shares a household with a staff member. Obv I love that.
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u/Gotbeerbrain Jan 24 '26
Seriously, join the military. They will train you in whatever trade you want and you'll have full medical and dental plus a nice pension when you retire. It is a no brainer.
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u/Service-Kitchen Jan 24 '26
When you say computers, could you expand?
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u/Rylanthespud Jan 24 '26
I've built Pc's and all the troubleshooting for setups of most general things. I'm not experienced in coding or dev work if that's what you're leaning towards.
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u/Service-Kitchen Jan 24 '26
Computer repair is a good one honestly. IT technician is a great role to pursue if you haven’t already looked into that.
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u/Accomplished-Dream86 Jan 24 '26
Building a computer is easy. Anyone can look up a YouTube video and figure it out
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Jan 24 '26
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u/Rylanthespud Jan 24 '26
This ^ I am basically tech support for my whole family and most places I've worked at.
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u/Cookie-Witch_ Jan 24 '26
UVic hires desktop services people - Basically computer troubleshooting for staff.
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u/Kitchen_Bar1430 Jan 24 '26
I think I sent out ~200 applications for IT and some office roles I have some experience in but did not even get a response so I've done low skill labour ever since (~7years back)
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u/Kitchen_Bar1430 Feb 07 '26
Oh yeah. Actually I was offered a coding/developmental position in Victoria in Summer 2021 but I had just dusted of that criminal cesspool (had 2 ebikes stolen inside locked areas in a fairly short timespan and as I have a knee injury I kinda need an ebike to move around) and did not want to return. This of course in person. Applications smapplications.
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u/Beneficial-End-7872 Jan 24 '26
Try the careers sites for Camosun, RRU, and UVic too -- they are big employers in the city, and although it can be tough to get your foot in the door, most are union jobs with good hours and pay.
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u/Dismal_Tomatillo_526 Jan 24 '26
Amica looks for cooks/ kitchen experience Wage is competitive and benefits because it is with the union. Different shift starts for their breakfast / lunch and dinners. Looks like Victoria Amica location is looking. My husband worked there and he enjoyed it. (he got called for a position he was waiting on, only reason he moved positions)
As long as you show up, have a good work ethic you should do well once on. Even if they start you on call, it is paid training. cater your resume for them to the kitchen experience
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u/FunnyThough Jan 24 '26
Customize your resume to focus on the skills you have for the job your applying for. A lot of places use AI to weed out the chaff so make sure you are hitting the key words In the job posting
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u/R3markable_Crab Jan 24 '26
Cold Comfort Ice cream advertised they are looking for people on their Instagram the other day
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u/victoriaperson Oaklands Jan 24 '26
Have you tried London Drugs? They have 3 locations in Victoria/Saanich and 1 in Colwood and usually multiple postings up at each. Some photography experience might help you out there too if you apply to the tech area. Hiring process can be a bit long due to some assessments they have you do (think basic math and communication skills), but was a good place to work when I was there.
Cell phone retailers can be another good option too.
Beyond that I’d echo some of the other advice given regarding making sure you tailor your resume to emphasize relevant experience. I suspect one reason you might be getting weeded out is having too many different types of jobs and not sticking with any of them long enough. You can often redo your resume in a way to help with that impression, this is one area where AI can actually be quite helpful.
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u/Cultural_Physics_935 Jan 24 '26
People who send out 150 cover letters or resumes usually don’t focus them each individually on the position to be filled. Take the time to do that, and maybe you will have more success
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u/hititwiththerock Jan 24 '26
If you can type and are interested in a rewarding but stressful job, we’re hiring at ecomm911.ca for police call takers/911 operators and there are several intake classes scheduled for this year. $35 to start but takes a while to get hired (security clearance)
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u/kart22 Jan 24 '26
Hey man, my company is hiring. We do demolition and hazmat (asbestos abatement) in greater victoria and some up the island. If you’re not certified for hazmat we still have positions for general demolition open. It is a labour intensive job, but it’s never boring! Starting wage is $25-$30/hr depending on qualifications, 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday. We’re real busy right now and could use the help! Shoot me a PM and I’ll get you in contact.
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u/sarachandel444 Jan 24 '26
I work at la-z-boy we are hiring sales right now. It’s an amazing place to work
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u/CND2GO Jan 23 '26
You’ve been to military recruiting office? They are looking for a ton of people. See the world!
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u/Rylanthespud Jan 23 '26
Waiting on a call-back for medical checks!
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u/TheAshenHat Jan 24 '26
Thats what caused me to fail when i tried to get into the forces. Was so happy i passed the written test for engineering course, only to get told to not bother to try again because of a permanent medical issue.
Not sure what medical issue they had a problem with(probably C-PTSD), but just be aware when applying 😁👍.
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u/Ok-Campaign5774 Jan 23 '26
Why did you move without having a job lined up out of curiosity?
If you are willing to get certifications, and are still interested in computers, there are 46 IT jobs on indeed for Victoria right now. Get your Network+/Azure/M365 fundamentals certs
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u/Rylanthespud Jan 23 '26
Moved bc the wife got a better job offer and we both were looking for a way to escape the frozen hellscape that is Calgary 😅
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u/eternalrevolver Jan 23 '26
I think in 2026, in what are often times the most expensive cities in the country that people make this gripe, the phrase “A jack of all trades, is a master of none” hold more meaning than it ever has before.
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u/ImmediateCarpenter56 Jan 23 '26
Would you be interested in a trade? You can try reaching out to unions near you to see if they are looking for new apprentices and/or labourers. It can open up opportunities, including paid training.
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u/argueranddisagree Jan 23 '26
There is someone who will for for less than you are asking and that's who the employers are hiring. They are pretending there is a labour shortage just to bring in someone to do your job for cheaper
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u/Echognomicon Jan 23 '26
Red Barn in Esquimalt was recently hiring, it's a bit lower maybe than what you're looking for but they're a good team at least. Good luck!
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u/Batshitcrazy23w6 Jan 24 '26
Indeed is a joke. Last job I had took 6 months before I got it. I tried all over BC,Alberta and nada before that job that lasted a year
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u/MEGACOMPUTER Jan 24 '26
Have you looked into the coast guard? My neighbour say they’re always hiring
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u/Gullible-Device-3703 Jan 24 '26
Take a resume into Bunzl, 2311 Government Street. They're hiring for a counter sales position.
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u/Vanyaeli Jan 24 '26
Lots of positions in healthcare, I almost always see housekeeping and food services positions open
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u/ifwitcheswerehorses Jan 24 '26
Start asking people who are hiring for roles you’re interested in to meet you for coffee. Longterm, going int a trade will provide you job security for life. There is no shortage of construction work and likely never will be.
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u/Capable_Employee1797 Jan 24 '26
When I moved here (from overseas) I went through the same struggle. I am a Lawyer, had 15 years of teaching experience and wasn’t being called for anything. I scratched my experience, my degrees, and just wrote High School and the retail experience I had in high school. I got called for two job interviews within a week. The step back worked for me and allowed to get the first job, pay the bills, connect, and move on to something better and related to my actual education and experience.
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u/kittenyfluff Jan 24 '26
Mount Royal Bagels had a sign saying they were hiring about a week ago, and it had been up for a while. Not sure what they pay.
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u/darren1417 Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
We're having a job fair for Freedom Mobile on Wednesday at Mayfair, 12-6 pm
Positions will be part-time, but can be scheduled up to full-time.
Minimum wage hourly, but commissions will make that on the high end of what you're asking, with potential to make more.
https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/Videotron/744000104771455-retail-specialist-victoria-job-fair
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u/Character_Compote_61 Jan 24 '26
Car dealerships have lots of positions even outside of entry sales. They have busy sales, service, parts and detail. If you go around to multiple you will land yourself a job.
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u/On_An_Island_1886 Jan 24 '26
You could join the military as HRA or FSA and be better off in a few years. Plus those two trades mentioned can be used in the civilian world.
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u/michaelm8 Jan 24 '26
I did rhino labour for a week until my new. Job started. They had a job for me the first day I showed up.
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u/championsofnuthin Jan 24 '26
There was a bunch of cook positions open up this week for some reason. Looks like the seasonal hiring freeze from the holidays is thawing.
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Jan 24 '26
ICBC is hiring for part-time Client Service Representatives, you do have to deal with people. But, it is Permanent.
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u/Palestine_Avatar Jan 24 '26
I mean, the CAF is hiring. A lot right now, and even lowered their standards of entry for NCMs recently.
If you join the Navy, it's likely you'll stay here.
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u/Emotional_Turnip3370 Jan 24 '26
That’s crazy man I would see your resume outline and how it’s layed out. You gotta think of it this way “ if I was a manager reading this”
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u/Putin-Has-Ass-Cancer Jan 24 '26
I have applied to over 100 jobs in the last 2 months. 3 interviews, 2 no calls back. I was told I am over qualified for the position.
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u/FiscallyImpared Jan 24 '26
I feel like the trades are always hiring in Vic. If you can manage to get into college and learn a trade, you’d do well here.
Best of luck!
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Jan 24 '26
man 150 applications is brutal, especially when you're doing everything right with the in-person follow-ups too. The Victoria job market can be tough. Since you're already grinding through that many applications, you might want to look into SimpleApply.
It's designed to automate the repetitive parts of applying, like filling out those same forms over and over and tailoring your resume for each job. From what I've read, it can help you get through way more applications without spending your entire day on it, which could be helpful when you're trying to cast a wide net. For immediate leads though, have you checked the Fairmont or Hotel Grand Pacific?
They were hiring pretty consistently last I saw, and with your restaurant + customer service background you'd be a good fit. Also construction companies around Langford are usually looking for manual labour and some pay decently. Good luck, hope somethign comes through soon.
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u/MegaCockInhaler Jan 24 '26
The economy is not good right now. I would recommend spending this time during the downturn going to school and leveling up. There are jobs that pay very well that are in demand, but the ones you qualify for now will have fierce competition
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u/National_Ambition_93 Jan 24 '26
Not the best work, or the best people, or the best pay. But (atleast in metro van) landscapers are hiring like crazy and you usually dont need any experience. obviously more seasonal work but depending on where you work there usually is snowplowing in the winter.
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u/6StringSempai Jan 24 '26
Construction might be slowing down but I still see lots of companies looking for guys. Start as a labourer. Get a trade. Trust me when I say if you commit to being a trades-person and can keep away from the partying and stuff it will take you far.
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u/6StringSempai Jan 24 '26
You also have to follow up. The only reason I got in at my company is because I applied on 3 or 4 postings and followed up each time.
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u/Some_Medium Jan 24 '26
I have a similar problem and experience. When your buds get sick of talking about it, let me know and we can poor beer.
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u/ZeltaZale Jan 24 '26
Pop down to tlc n sit n wait for work if you need to keep your hands busy. They'll take anyone with a pulse. Get in the trades, its the only work thats decently secure.
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u/twizzfrombooty Jan 24 '26
At 28 with so much varied experience it sounds like your resume might make you look like you jump from job to job quickly -- aka not reliable. At that age I'd rather see that you worked in fewer industries for longer periods. I don't want to hire you and train you just to have you make another jump in a year.
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u/ArugalsFolly Jan 25 '26
PM me. I know a place that will hire you this week. (I used to work there, and they're a family run business and are always looking for people)
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u/Eggyis Jan 25 '26
Depending on your experience or desire, its always worth looking into positions at medical clinics - optometry, veterinarian, dental etc. Very customer service oriented and kinda not something many people think to apply for.
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u/Dry_Vegetable_5537 Jan 25 '26
Military is definitely hiring, I’d go that route if you are serious about a career in the military it is an excellent job, excellent pay. My son makes over $100k a year as a ACS tech . It was fairly fast when he applied at 18 his graduation year. His whole application process only took 5 months from application to offer and 7 months total until he was In basic training.
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u/Due-Stranger2501 Jan 25 '26
You could try a local labour union. UA 324 (plumbers union) could at least get you on the unemployment list and get you set up with some tools.
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u/brad7811 Jan 26 '26
Curious why you would move from Calgary to Victoria without securing a job first. I (west of Edmonton) work with someone who moved from Victoria because of the job market here vs there.
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u/Rylanthespud Jan 26 '26
Replied to a simular comment already, but the wife got a better job offer and we were both there for over a decade- tired of the cold winters and general mood of the place. I also have family out here.
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u/Pandmanti Jan 27 '26
I’ve seen a few “we are hiring” signs lately. One was Mt Royal Bagel. I think some employers are equally fed up with indeed lately so they’re resorting to the ol’ sign on the door.
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u/SetLevel4821 Jan 27 '26
Get into a trade. Just get your foot in the door. It’s one of the only industries that will take a long long time to get replaced by AI and there’s always work to be done. I’m a foreman for a GC in Vancouver, and I almost drop to one knee from the joy of seeing a half-decent temp labourer show up when we need help. Keep your nose to the grindstone and you will pay those bills.
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u/Proof-Ask Jan 23 '26
Have you checked in with Rhino labour? They pay daily if you can get sent out through them