Job Searching Out of Town

Depending on the type of work you're looking for, finding a job in Alberni-Clayoquot can be tough. If, after a great deal of effort, you find you're still not making headway in the local market, it may be time to look at other alternatives... like extending your job search to other areas.

Commuting

Working in another community doesn't necessarily mean moving out of town. Commuting may not be everyone's ideal choice, but it is an option... even if only for the short-term, until a more desirable job comes along.

Before you decide to become a commuter, make sure to work out a realistic picture of the costs involved. It's more than just the cost of gas (though that can be scary enough!) and wear and tear on your vehicle. It can include expenses like extra hours of child care while you make your commute, or the possibility of lost wages -- or even accommodation costs -- if you can't travel due to road closures or poor weather conditions .

Even with all these factors to consider, there are still job opportunities over the Hump offering wages and benefits that would make commuting worth your while. Coombs, Whiskey Creek, Errington, Qualicum, Parksville, Nanaimo, even Courtenay and Ladysmith are within reasonable commuting distance if the right job opening presents itself.

These websites can help you plan your route, calculate distances, and how much you will spend on fuel per trip:

Relocating

Relocating for work is obviously a bigger deal than commuting, especially if you are moving a long distance away. But like commuting, it doesn't have to be a long-term commitment. Many workers choose to relocate temporarily to a new community, and plan to return when a comparable (or better) job becomes available closer to home.

As with commuting, there are many factors to consider before you commit to moving out of town. Is housing readily available? Are housing or rental costs within your budget? Will you be moving alone, or taking family members along with you? For help with answering these and other questions, you may want to consult the handy online tutorial available through the North Island Employment Foundations Society website.  Another useful tool is the Cost of Living Calculator available from WorkBC

If you're looking for job opportunities posted outside of the Alberni-Clayoquot region, start with our "Job Postings Links" from our Links page. It will connect you with nationwide job listings categorized according to occupation type.