Job Hunting in Whistler

Well, the job hunting is kicking in now. It's come to that point when the attractive lifestyle of being a snowboard bum isn't quite enough.

I can't say that it's particularly fun his job hunting lark. It's especially strange when you're handing out resume's and filling out application forms for jobs such as cashier and sales assistant, and you're explaining on the form or on the interview why the fact that I have a degree or used to be assistant manager of a small business would make me ideal for taking peoples money off them. Still it's all part of the trials and tribulations I guess of working in a town that is completely service oriented, with very few jobs in the "real" world!

Unfortunately my contact in Vancouver who was offering some tree consultancy has gone mysteriously silent, so I'm gonna be looking else where for jobs over the summer I think. I'll still be looking for tree jobs but just not with him! It's a shame, as I seemed to be getting on with Norm pretty well, but there's a whole bunch of trees in Canada so I'm sure I'll be able to find something.

If not, I've applied for the glamorous job of Guest Services Representative of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, a train company that does trips out of Whistler to Banff and Jasper. If I got the job I'd be based at Whistler, basIcally running around picking up guests from hotels and things like that. The guy who I talked to (manager of Whislter Station) seemed really keen when I was speaking to him, and pretty much seemed to offer me the job. However, that wasn't the case and I haven't heard anything as yet, so we will see!

A friend has told me that there's a job going in the fur shop in the Fairmont Chateau. Must admit the ethical side of it is stopping me from even thinking about it, but apparently the pay is alright, and you get commission on sales. Apparently this commission starts at 1%, but gets up to 3% or 4% on bigger sales. My friend has so far got a sale of $15,000 under her belt, netting $450 in one transaction for herself! Still, even so I don't think it's the job for me!

Still, the idea of staying in Whistler over the summer is beginning to appeal to me. I'd always presumed I'd be moving to Vancouver, but we shall see. It's going to be really beautiful round here when the sun is shining, and I quite fancy getting into mountain biking, so Whistler would be the place to do it. Still, I think based on my travels, anywhere in BC is pretty stunning so I think work opportunities will probably guide me around BC, and I think I'll be happy!

As for life over here since we've been back, it's been pretty good. I think this time now that I'm going to be working here for a while, it's a chance to get even more immersed in the Whistler lifestyle. Before, although we made some friends, not working means that you always feel slightly on the outside. This time, whilst I still don't have a job,being part of the job search certainly makes it feel more authentic, and also my circle of friends is gradually growing, and it feels pretty good being over here.

I have been thinking quite a bit about home as well recently, especially with Rich nearly leaving for Blighty last week. It's a strange mix of emotions, cos I would love to be home with family and friends in the familiar surroundings of home. Especially as it was my little nephews first birthday a couple of days ago, and I would have loved to have been there for the party.

However, I reckon I'm pretty lucky to have been able to come over here. The first two months have been amazing, and in some ways, the best days of my life, and I could easily have called it a day after that (especially knowing I had the prospect of getting a job!) and headed home to get back to the daily grind, knowing that I had two great months living in Canada. However, I had always planned to be out here for longer, and after working and looking forward so long to this trip, I couldn't help but feel I had wasted an opportunity if I headed home. I wanna try and make the most of this trip, cos I'm sure from here on in when I go back to the UK, it's going to be a long slog on the career path!

As Jeremy Jnes said in 91 Words For Snow (A reocent snowboarding film for those not in the know!), " There are hundreds of people who would absolutely love to be in the position I'm in, and that makes me think "If you're not going for it 100%, You're just taking up space"".