Moving to Toronto to become part of the condomania trend sweeping the nation? You'll need more than a down payment if you want to get a mortgage in this expensive city - you'll also need a guaranteed income on the tray, packaging yourself as a good risk to the banks. So you'd better find a job, preferably before you start looking for property. To get an idea of the types of jobs you can expect to find here in the city, we've created this guide to the city's top industries.
Finance
With the Toronto Stock Exchange raking in money, it's no surprise that finance is Toronto's top industry. The big five banks have their headquarters here, spawning multiple investment firms, insurance companies, and Canadian trademark firms. Opportunities here are almost exclusive to university grads - specifically the ones that studied economics, business, or management, though there are peripheral career options for underling types such as secretaries or mail room clerks.
Entertainment
As the center of Canada's television and film market and a cheaply taxed generic looking city, Toronto is fortunate enough to be the site of many productions of the film, TV, stage and music variety. Persistence and connections are required to find a job or gig here. Talent is optional.
Tourism
This industry is active year round due to Toronto's popularity as a tourist and business destination. The many millions of visitors need a hotel to stay in, restaurants to eat at, stores to shop at, and tours to take. No training is necessary for most of these jobs unless you're going to own or manage a business, but people skills, second languages, and experience are all important.
Business
The immense amount of money pouring in from tourism and finance means that businesses thrive here. Those college and university grads who aren't specifically qualified for anything find their niches as paper pushers in sales, management, marketing, and human resources departments. Trained and self-made business people will also have luck opening a business.
Health Care and Education
With such a large population, there are public and private schools everywhere scrabbling for educators and about 20 hospitals within commuting distance competing for trained doctors and nurses. Specialty university training is a must for the top jobs, but community college courses are sufficient for lower level positions.
Telecommunications and Technology
Computers are where it's at, and more importantly, where it will be. Heavy industry in North America has been replaced by technology and telecommunication service firms from Search Engine Optimization to Rogers Cable. Opportunities here are primarily for university grads in computer or engineering specialties, but more mechanically inclined or office trained persons can also find a job at times.
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