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So I'm not really sure if this is the place to be asking these questions but I figure this is a nice place to start.

I'm fresh out of school, acquired my G2 and Oil 3 Certs (I'm a Canadian citizen, Ontario to be exact) And I'm having a bit of trouble compiling a resume (Mostly due to lack of experience in the work force) I literally have 0 work experience in this trade (Outside of school itself) and filling out a full resume is proving to be a big problem. I don't want to show up to an interview with a resume half empty that just says "Have certificates, but 0 Experience. Need a job". I'm 21 (I took 1.5 years of another course, but decided it was not what I wanted to have a career in and decided to look into the HVAC business)

If anyone has some advice on this matter it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Most people have zero experience after they complete their schooling, don't sweat it!

It took me 6 months after college before I found a job in HVAC.  The first few years aren't very rewarding, but you will gain the experience you need.

Visit all the HVAC wholesalers in your area.  They usually have a board where employers post their job listings.  You should be able to find some good leads.

Was there no CO-OP option with your HVAC program?

Quote from: Admin on July 13, 2012, 02:26:22 PM
Most people have zero experience after they complete their schooling, don't sweat it!

It took me 6 months after college before I found a job in HVAC.  The first few years aren't very rewarding, but you will gain the experience you need.

Visit all the HVAC wholesalers in your area.  They usually have a board where employers post their job listings.  You should be able to find some good leads.

Was there no CO-OP option with your HVAC program?

Unfortunately there was not, the closest thing they had to Co-op was a summer "unpaid placement" for the summer separating first and second semester. Unfortunately I was unable to partake due to personal reasons.

I really appreciate the reply, but what I'm really trying to accomplish with this post if finding out how to go about writing up a resume when I can literally not list any Work Experience. It's a pretty bare resume without any work experience (Barely half a page after listing Education and Qualifications) In short I'm looking for an employers point of view towards a out of schooler with no work experience, and what else they make look for in a Resume.

You have no working experience at all in Canada? I don't think so. Put your previous job experiences in your resume. If you have any construction experience, write it in your resume for sure. This is how i started out. Also try kijiji.ca type HVAC in job section. I see people are looking for helpers tite to time. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I work for a HVAC company  in Ottawa, we hire helpers for the summer. NO EXPERIENCE needed. The pay isn't that great to start, but if by the end of the summer you turn out to be a good worker the company will keep you on and usually give you a pay raise (especially if you have a license). When I started in the trade apx. 10 years ago I was making $9 an hour and had ZERO experience in HVAC. I responded to an ad in the newspaper looking for help. I could use tools, that was about it. I make WAY more than $9 an hour now. 

My advise is to forget about making the resume perfect, just get on the phone calling HVAC companies in your area asking for a job. It's busy time and most companies will hire ANYONE right now for help. Prove to them that your a good/smart/hard worker over the summer and you should be set.

Quote from: rupa on July 15, 2012, 08:50:05 AM
You have no working experience at all in Canada? I don't think so. Put your previous job experiences in your resume. If you have any construction experience, write it in your resume for sure. This is how i started out. Also try kijiji.ca type HVAC in job section. I see people are looking for helpers tite to time. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I don't have much work experience. I worked in a small computer store for about 6 months (After a about a 4 month Highschool Co-op program) And I did a bit of construction work through Highschool when I was still attending (Shop teachers had a few of our numbers and would call us whenever small jobs came up, nothing more than a weekend job for a bit of pocket change)

Quote from: pas1216 on July 15, 2012, 12:22:55 PM
I work for a HVAC company  in Ottawa, we hire helpers for the summer. NO EXPERIENCE needed. The pay isn't that great to start, but if by the end of the summer you turn out to be a good worker the company will keep you on and usually give you a pay raise (especially if you have a license). When I started in the trade apx. 10 years ago I was making $9 an hour and had ZERO experience in HVAC. I responded to an ad in the newspaper looking for help. I could use tools, that was about it. I make WAY more than $9 an hour now. 

My advise is to forget about making the resume perfect, just get on the phone calling HVAC companies in your area asking for a job. It's busy time and most companies will hire ANYONE right now for help. Prove to them that your a good/smart/hard worker over the summer and you should be set.

I'll look into that, I'll start checking Kijiji ads regularly. I was also told to check local HVAC Wholesalers for Ad posting So I'll be looking around town for those as well.

I really appreciate the replies guys, cheers.

Forget about Kijiji, call or better yet walk right into the business and ask for the install manager. Introduce yourself and tell them you have a license and would like a job as a helper. Employers like go-getters like that. It will get you in the door and get you a start in the trade.

my advise is to visit the company you are applying to in person to drop off your resume. it shows more motivation than just mailing it or emailing it. ive had numerous jobs and all of them told me that they hired me over the next guy with the same credentials because i took the time to come in and introduce myself in person.

that would be my advice

also if you have a good work ethic and personality that goes a long way. a person can learn to do a job, but most people cant learn a good work ethic or personality