NOR Citysearch: Halifax

Editor's note: okay, the citysearch series is finally picking up after desperately pitching to former classmates as a whole, then separating the weak from the pack (by weak, I mean most susceptible to being guilted by your's truly).

Thanks so much to another brilliant and lovely friend for weighing in on my own city of choice so I don't have to! Really, she captured everything that I - and many others - have experienced trying to make a go of it in the littlest big city around. As always, feel free to offer your thoughts in the comment section.

For people rolling their eyes and tapping their fingers impatiently for a Calvin update, it's coming - I promise...

A recent BPR graduate who chooses to stay in Halifax can expect a lengthy job hunt. You will sacrifice finding a job quickly and expect to hear stories from friends and classmates who move west and are overwhelmed by posted jobs. But during your job hunt you will meet friendly, encouraging and helpful professionals who truly care about your search and want to help. When the right job comes along you will feel like you worked hard for it and are not just a body to fill a seat.

Halifax is a welcoming city for job seekers, particularly fresh PR graduates. Many of the top PR professionals in the city are graduates of MSVU’s public relations program and are more than happy to meet and “chat” with recent grads about their job search. I had informal meetings with professionals at Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, Extreme Group and MT&L Public Relations. Not all these meetings lead to employment, but it was a foot in the heavy PR door.

I believe the welcoming environment can be attributed to the fact Nova Scotia is desperate to retain students (as the Calgary grad alluded to, Western Canada is full of young Atlantic professionals) and a close knit local MSVU alum community. People want to help recent graduates and the best and simplest way is council. Seeking out professionals in Halifax is a great resource; nine times out of 10 they will gladly meet with you.

Halifax also has some great networking events. CPRS and MSVU frequently hold “speed dating” events where professionals volunteer their time and the “daters” (job seekers) rotate from table to table. This is an excellent way to increase your profile, speak to professionals and practice your personal pitch. Also, Halifax is hosts many lunch and learn speaking engagements. I remember during my job search at least 2 times a month I received notification of a guest speaker, round table, or info session taking place in the city.

While Halifax is bursting with networking opportunities, as far as actual jobs there appears to be a deficit. For a city with an excellent understanding of the public relations role in an organization, an educated workforce and graduates wanting to stay in the province there are few opportunities for entry-level positions. Many entry-level public relations positions are half PR support and half administration. I was denied a job because, although my communications skills were beyond what they needed my administration skills were less than superior. This only confirmed that position was not for me.

Another downfall of job searching in Halifax is too many qualified graduates and far too few positions. Not only does the city have about 60 BPR students looking for work each year, NSCC graduates also are job searching. This does not take into account those who are considering careers changes, moving to the city, and those without formal education but strong experience. This dynamic creates a strange situation (as Ben and I discussed over drinks the other night). Entry-level jobs are overwhelmed by applicants, so an entry-level position receive so many over qualified applications that the job description actually changes. Positions that are intended to be entry level end up going to experienced practitioners and recent grads do not even get interviews. Each spring and fall Communications Nova Scotia receives at least 200 applicants for their Communication Officer positions (the lowest communications position in the NS government – and BPR students are not getting hired). An entry-level communications and fundraising assistant position with Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation received 80+ applications in spring 2007 [Editor’s note: my gig with Canada Post last summer received 300+ applicants…]. The job market in Halifax is suffocating with qualified job hunters.

On a final note, those familiar with the area will not even question why I only mention Halifax when speaking about Nova Scotia, but those not from Atlantic Canada may wonder why Halifax is the only city recognized. Nova Scotia has one main city and that is Halifax. There are very limited opportunities outside of Halifax and not many people even bother looking.

Related:
Citysearch Calgary
Citysearch London