I am a 31 yr old single female with degrees in chemistry and history; Strong
points:very efficient in writing the reports and abstracts of books on
science and fiction. Willing to relocate and teach on subjects:math,chemistry,
physics,history  and English.

---

Request for Question Clarification by knowledge_seeker-ga on 04 Jul 2002 12:07 PDT

Hi zlatko,

Maybe you could help us a little here. What exactly would you like a
researcher to do for the $50 you are offering?

-K~

---

Request for Question Clarification by pelican-ga on 04 Jul 2002 22:08 PDT

Hello, 

"Alberta" is Alberta, Canada, right?
If so, are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident?
May I ask what chemistry degrees you have: BS, MS, PhD?
Are you specifically looking for jobs teaching chemistry?  High School
level?  University level?
Would you be interested in teaching any of the other subjects you
mention?
Would you be equally interested in working as editor of books  on
science and fiction?
Could you kindly take a look at the web page below -- would this be a
good example of the information you need?
http://www.chem.ualberta.ca/Jobs/NSERC.htm

Sincerely,
pelican-ga

---

Clarification of Question by zlatko-ga on 05 Jul 2002 11:34 PDT

question #36554

I'm a Canadian citizen.  I have a B.Sc. in Chemistry and an Arts
degree.  I would be willing to teach science, or social science.  I've
published various articles in newspapers and magazines, book reviews,
science articles.  I would also be able to write or edit articles. I
have about seven years of work experience in a lab, at a small
consulting firm, and business.  I would be willing to relocate. Helen

Hi zlatko,

Well, it sure looks like the jobs are out there. It's just a matter of
tracking them down. I've broken up my answer into sections based on
types of work you described: teaching, chemistry/lab, and writing.


***************************

TEACHING JOBS

Note:  In order to teach in Alberta, schools will require that you
either hold or be eligible for, an Alberta Teaching Certification. For
requirements see this site:
http://www.learning.gov.ab.ca/k_12/teaching/Certification/default.asp


The Education Canada Network (ECN)

"Canada's largest educational e-recruitment resource network. We are a
recruitment solution provider, offering employers such as school
districts, private institutions, colleges and universities an
efficient, timely and cost-effective method of advertising their
educational employment opportunities online."
http://educationcanada.com/inside.phtml?a=1&lang=eng

I can't link you right to the job openings, but if you use the search
linked below and select your criteria you will see results. I selected
"Chemistry" and all of the Alberta regions, and it returned 3 high
school level teaching jobs in chemistry.

http://jobsearch.educationcanada.com/index.phtml

If you'd prefer to search for openings by school board, rather than by
job title, use this page:
http://educationcanada.com/browse.phtml?sid=ab&lang=eng


*************************
CHEMISTRY POSITIONS

All of the links below netted at least one (if not more) job openings
in chemistry or science, but you'll have to do your own searches as
the results links won't work. I would recommend posting your CV to all
of the sites that allow it. Also, bookmark all these sites (or get on
their email alert list if they offer it) so you can stay up to date on
openings.  Also, from my own experience I can tell you that the jobs
go fast. Even if the posting says that the job will remain open for 3
weeks, very often they stop taking resumes within the first week. Be
quick!

CHEM JOBS is a resource for jobs with a chemistry focus. The downside
of the site is that you can only narrow your search to Country, not
Province. http://www.chemjobs.net/search.php3

MONSTER is the premier job search site for pretty much any job
anywhere. Here's the Canadian division:
http://jobsearch.monster.ca/

A sample search there selecting all of the Alberta regions, then
"biotech," "education," "science" nets a list of results including:

AGAT Laboratories (Calgary) - looking for Junior Chemists - (2-5 years
experience), Intermediate Chemist - (5-10 years experience) and Senior
Chemist - 10+ Years experience.

AGAT has a forms-based application process on their site. It appears
they hire lab techs as well as Chemists.
http://www.agatlabs.com/job.htm

CANJOBS focuses exclusively on Canadian jobs
http://www.canjobs.com/
http://www.albertajobs.com/gosearch.cfm?task=viewjob&postid=133552

PLUS JOBS ALBERTA 
http://www.ab.plusjobs.com/home.shtml

WORKOPOLIS - Another big job site. I have used this site myself and
highly recommend it. Get on their email alert list!
http://jobs.workopolis.com/jobshome/db/cc.search_cri


***********************

WRITING JOBS

First of all, for actual employment as a writer, I would use the same
exact job sites above and search for terms like "technical writer",
"freelance writer" "copy writer"  "web content" "editor" "reviewer"
and such.   It sounds to me like technical writing would be right up
your alley, so you might use that as a focus.

Or, freelance yourself online -- 

ELANCE
http://www.elance.com/

Elance is a website where people (or companies) post "projects" and
other people bid on them. And plenty of them are writing projects! The
upside is that you can work from home. The downside is that I've
noticed many jobs seem to go for a pretty low price. Also a
subscription fee is required before bidding on projects and listing
your profile. It looks like the fee ranges from $75 up into the
hundreds depending on what you want to do. But, if you're the
entrepreneurial sort, they may be worth checking out.

The writing portion of Elance
http://www.elance.com/c/cats/main/categories.pl?catId=10180&type=buyer

SMARTERWORK
http://www.smarterwork.com/clients/writing1.asp

Operates much like Elance, but there is no fee. First you must qualify
as an "Expert" and then may bid on writing assignments. Here is the
page with instructions on how to qualify.
http://www.smarterwork.com/dynamic/general/default.asp?DP=expertguide01

Another similar site

FreeAgent - (do a search for "writer")
http://www.freeagent.com/Myhome.asp


***********************

MISC OTHER INFO

Careers in Chemistry - General Info
http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/scs/chemistry.html

Tips for preparing a CV
http://netscape.monster.co.uk/content/cv_prep/
http://jobsearchtech.about.com/msub34.htm


My own tip would be, for online applications, use key words!  Do a CV
for each major focus you have: writing, teaching, chemistry lab, etc.
Use all of the keywords that a person might look for. Many of these
companies scan CVs electronically for certain key terms and no human
will even read it if those terms don’t show up.

Several people have posted questions regarding job search techniques
right here on Google Answers. Take a look at these:

https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=13275
https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=13768
https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=33700


I hope this gets you on the road to finding the kind of work you're
looking for. If anything I've said isn't clear, please feel free to
ask for more clarification.

--K~

Search terms:

"teaching jobs" Alberta
"jobs" Alberta
"chemistry jobs" Alberta

I already knew about the big name job sites and the freelance sites.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by zlatko-ga on 30 Jul 2002 13:52 PDT

re 36554:
I have visited most of the web sites that were listed. Thanks. I sent
a resume to Agat labs here in Calgary but didn't receive a response. 
I'm still seeking full time employment and I would be willing to
relocate.  I have experience in lab work, at a consulting firm, and in
business. Helen

---

Clarification of Answer by knowledge_seeker-ga on 31 Jul 2002 11:29 PDT

Well Helen, 

I certainly do wish you the best in your job hunt. 

I'm glad you followed up on my leads. My only recommendations at this
point are to keep at it and be creative! Follow up on all your
applications. Call people. Do what you have to to get in front of a
hiring manager.

At this point you just need to perfect the art of selling yourself.
Keep tinkering with your resume until it gets some nibbles. Run it
past some professionals in your field to see what they think of your
qualifications and how you've presented them. Gather up your published
material and put together a portfolio. Identify some magazines and
send them query letters regarding articles you'd like to write.

I am certain there is something out there that will *click* with your
qualifications. It's just a matter of being in the right place at the
right time. Don't give up.

Best of luck to you --

-K~

Hi Helen,

Have you checked Monster.com? Here's their listing of Canadian jobs
with the keyword "chemistry."

http://jobsearch.globalgateway.monster.ca/jobsearch.asp?cy=CA&lid=&q=chemistry

Good luck in your job search!
fsw

Thanks for informing me about those websites, some of which I looked
at recently.  I sent my resume to Agat labs here in calgary and so far
I haven't received a response.  I'm still in the job market and I'm
willing to relocate. Helen

I'd like to know if you're aware of any employment opportunities in
chemistry or a related field in Alberta or B.C.  I'm still looking for
full time employment and I have about seven years of work experience.
Helen

re question 36554:  I have visited many of the websites that were
listed. Thanks.  I'm still seeking full time employment here in
Alberta or BC.  I have work experience in a chemistry lab, a
consulting firm, and in business.  Do you know of any other websites
or do you have other recommendations? Helen