FAQ working and living

• Does SWAP guarantee a job?
• What types of jobs can I get?
• Can I use the swap program to gain professional career building experience?
• What type of accommodation will I live in?
• Can I stay in the host country permanently after my working holiday?
• What is the likelihood of getting a job related to my field?

Does SWAP guarantee a job? Our overseas staff provide you with employer contacts, resources and helpful hints about locating employment in your host country; however, we’re not a placement program. We believe part of the adventure is the experience of using your resourcefulness to land a job. We also want to give you as much independence and flexibility as possible to work in whatever job you like, whenever you like. If you are unhappy with your job, you are free to look for a new one. Many SWAPPERs have worked in one city for a couple of months and then toured around, later finding themselves in another part of the country where they secured a second or third job. Our participants have a very good success rate in landing employment within days of arrival. Remember that you are going on a holiday and an adventure...and the work helps pay for all the fun you are going to have!
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What types of jobs can I get? Most of the jobs posted at the hosting centres are in the retail, clerical, and hospitality/tourism industries. These are the industries that most often hire seasonal staff. These jobs also offer the flexibility of short-term employment, enabling you to travel whenever you desire. Nevertheless, if you are very industrious and have a strong resume, you may be able to find work in other fields. However, if you don’t have a lot of work experience, please set realistic goals for your job search. We’ve had participants working in many fields from graphic design to managing a hostel to fruit-picking!
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Can i use the swap program to gain professional career building experience? More and more SWAPPERs are using the SWAP program to gain professional experience in their field of work or study. If you have career aspirations, the SWAP program is a good place to start. Consider using SWAP to teach English abroad, to land an engineering work placement, or to find entry-level work in the fashion industry or intern with the USA SWAP program.  Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas, shows you how to make use of your SWAP experience to gain professional work experience abroad. Check out his three Career Tips pages written to help you with professional career building Before, During, and After going abroad with SWAP. If you sign up with SWAP you will receive a 24-month subscription to The PREMIUM Web Edition of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. The BIG Guide is known as the world's best international career guide and it contains a wealth of information to help you maximize the career-building aspects of your SWAP experience abroad.
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What type of accommodation will i live in? Some SWAP programs include your first two nights in a co-ed dorm style hostel. Our hosting centres will have many postings for travellers seeking new roommates. Sharing a flat (aka apartment) with three or four other travellers is quite common and the least expensive way to live. Hostels are also a fantastic way to meet international friends.
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Can I stay in the host country permanently after my working holiday? No, this is not permitted. The Working Holiday program encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between participating countries by allowing participants to have an extended holiday supplemented by incidental employment. If someone wants to reside permanently in a country, they will have to contact that countries Embassy or High Commission located in Canada for more information.
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What is the likelihood of getting a job related to my field? The majority of SWAP participants find work in the hospitality field or take on casual work. However we are finding that more and more participants are seeking work on a more professional basis.

The rules of the visa do not restrict participants from working in most industries, however I always advise participants to do a bit of research before they depart.

1) Make a list of organizations where you think you would like to work (include the contact names or email addresses of their human resource department). Don't know of any organizations in the country? Check out your schools' international centre or contact some Canadian organizations that you would like to work for and ask if they have an international branch or affiliate.

2) Draft an email that is friendly and professional. In your email you should mention:
-that you are Canadian
-that you will be visiting their country to do a working holiday and that you will have a visa to do so
-how long you will be in there
-a brief list of your qualifications

3) Send this same email to all of the organizations on your list
Your desired results are to find out:
1) if the foreign organization will hire a Canadian to work in your field
2) a contact name to refer to when you arrive or...
3) an interview!

I caution you against accepting a definite job before you depart. You do not want to commit to anything sight unseen. Remember that while the employer is interviewing you, you are also interviewing them! You want to make sure that the employer, job, and location are to your liking.
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