Introduction
Finding a job for a manager in Montreal can be a complex and unpleasant adventure. There are many things to consider! Here’s how to take the right precautions.
6- Evaluate your professional situation
Before starting any job search, it’s essential to have a clear view of your professional situation. Do you know exactly why you want to resign? Are you aware of your market value? Have you taken the necessary steps to find out when and if you can be hired? Do you know the geographical area you’re willing to cover? This may seem simplistic, but I see too many managers neglect these evaluations and later regret their choices. There’s an industry stereotype: when a manager faces a professional setback, they suddenly become an “expert consultant”. I encourage you to avoid this attitude, which I see regularly and isn’t the best approach.
5- Non-compete clauses
Assessing your non-compete clauses is one of the first steps to consider. This is particularly relevant for managers working in high-tech environments. These companies often impose non-compete clauses to protect their intellectual property. By law, your employer cannot prevent you from working, but you must respect and enforce the non-compete clauses. There’s a difference between leaving your job and working for a direct competitor. Be cautious, or formal notices may follow! First and foremost, be informed or consult an employment lawyer.
4- Evaluate your educational background
Before embarking on your market assessment, it’s crucial to evaluate your professional skills and educational background. Two issues arise: overestimating your position in the job market and overvaluing your academic achievements at the expense of your professional experience. For instance, you could have managed an SME for 10 years in a routine manner, without significant challenges, in a rigid administrative framework, such as government services. Additionally, having an MBA doesn’t always guarantee employability, especially if it’s from a Quebec institution. A manager who has developed expertise based on experience will often have an advantage over someone who relies solely on academic credentials. I might receive criticism for this, but government hiring criteria are quite different from those of private companies. It’s crucial to objectively assess your situation.
3- Starting your process, necessary tools
Here are the essential elements for finding a job:
- Your up-to-date, bilingual curriculum vitae
- Cover letter, bilingual
- Complete LinkedIn profile, bilingual
- Proof of your academic qualifications
- Letter of recommendation from previous employers
- Letter of recommendation from previous clients
Your LinkedIn profile and recommendation letters enhance your market value. Your documents should be bilingual. A senior manager must be capable in both French and English. Insufficient language skills significantly reduce your chances of landing your dream job. Consider language training, but beyond language proficiency, understand the English-speaking work mentality. Whether you like it or not, most CEO positions in Montreal are English-speaking, and professional networks are predominantly English-speaking.
2- Identifying opportunities – knowing who to approach
If you’re a junior or middle manager, job opportunities are often available and accessible on major Canadian job sites like Emploi Québec, Job Boom, Monster, or LinkedIn. However, for regional executives or senior managers, jobs are frequently confidential or not posted by company HR departments. Therefore, it’s crucial to engage in the following intellectual exercise. Firstly, create a list of companies you’d like to work for. Secondly, prioritize those that align best with your professional profile. A friendly tip: approach only the hiring manager to avoid unnecessary exposure. Remember, all your applications must remain confidential. Finally, be selective about the number of resumes you send out. For executives or managers, indiscriminately sending your CV everywhere can damage your credibility with recruiters.
Alternatively, consider specialized executive search firms like mine that ensure continuous and professional follow-up. Dealing with generalist recruitment firms can be a significant waste of time and jeopardize the confidentiality of your job search process. You never know who you’re dealing with in a generalist agency, and often, their retention rates would give even the most optimistic managers headaches.
1- Be realistic in your expectations
This title may sound discouraging, but your process should begin when you’re not necessarily actively job hunting. Carefully executing these steps requires thorough preparation, and a sense of urgency is unnecessary and can be detrimental. You’ll find that analyzing your situation significantly narrows your choices, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s better to have three good opportunities than ten poor ones. Also, note that hiring processes can range from one to six months, depending on the position you’re seeking. Patience is key!