Industry, Professional Associations & Unions

Professional association, industry and union websites are good sources for news articles focused on a specific industry or occupation. Bookmark the websites or subscribe to their e-mail newsletters or RSS feed . Some websites also maintain listservs or discussion groups.

Industry or sector association (e.g. oil and gas) websites will keep you up to date with current activities and trends. Use the members’ links in online directories to contact employers directly:

• Check out Alberta industry associations at this Alberta Government directory.
• Visit this Alberta industry website and choose a sector from the menu.
• Visit the Industry Canada website and search by industry.

Professional association websites include news items relevant to their members. Some websites offer networking services and job postings:

• Find Alberta professional associations at this Alberta Government directory.
• Download web listings of associations that regulate professions and trades in Alberta using CERTinfo.
• Check out this directory of professional association websites  View the national list, then the Alberta list. You may have to register to access the news sources.

Union websites post news articles, job openings and other information for their members.

• Find a union through the Canadian Labour Congress directory.
• If you know the union's name, you can search on the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada website.
• Visit the Alberta Building Trades Council website to connect with an Alberta construction trade union.

Example C: Using Industry, Professional Associations & Unions to Find Work

A graphic designer finds an item in an online industry newsletter about a colleague who has recently started up a consulting business. The designer realizes there might be a position open in the company where her colleague used to work. She calls a contact in the company to ask about a possible opening.