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Thanks Sherin0621 for starting this thread.
Thanks to Mr. MasterBlaster for a detailed reply

One thing we need from both of you guys is about the cost of living. If you are a family of four (husband, wife, 2 kids aged 6 and 3), what is the maximum budget?

Is Edmonton cheaper than tronoto?
 
One thing you both guys mentioned that to get a job of your profession is very difficult as your degree/certificate may not be recognized in Canada. In some professions, you need to pass the exam from Canadian Authorities like Doctor, nurse etc.

But what about the IT Professionals. I've Microsoft & CISCO Certifications, which are the same all around the world. Do these certifications recognized in Canada or not? What else do I need to do to enter to local IT field?
 
microsoft and cisco professional are lucrative and recognized all over the world with these you are okay.
 
sherin0621 said:
hi friends

it is easy to find a place to stay here in toronto.they will not give you some apartments if u dont hav a good job(not all the apartments)Always start with basement appartment(if u dont have enough cash).It is not that easy to get a job in our own proffession.It takes time.You have to go for a survival job unitil u get a good job.Survival job is easy to get..You can make 2000 dollar with your survival job..enough to run a family(if u dont spend much)But remeber profeesionals like doctors,nursesphysio...they have to pass the exam...bit tough.once they pass the exam even for nurses not easy to get the job.It may take some time to get a job...I have a friend who has Mtech in electronics still doing survival job..coming to canada is a tough process and to get a job even more tough..If you have good experience then it will be more easy to get a job...credential assement is very important..please get the transcript from your college before you come to canada..Some peoples get jobs if you have someone to refer..I have so many friends(nurses)who still aattempting the 3 rd chance(crne)But this is not for everyone...some peoples will pass in the first attempt..so please do practice at home....
kindly give me your email.regards.dhaka12
my one is:ronyafroz@yahoo.com
 
Thanks a lot, Very Nice sharing of experince.
 
MasterBlaster said:
Let me also join the party :)

After 11 months of relentless pursuit and struggles, I have managed to land in my first full-time job last week. Yes its a good news, notwithstanding the enormous pressure me and my wife had to go through after landing. In fact, by Oct end we had just 500 dollars as balance in our account, and was almost on the verge of returning back to Dubai. Despite my mid to senior management experience, spanning over 9 years in Strategic HR Operations, combined with working at top Dubai based multinationals, I had to volunteer for 6 full months in Toronto before getting into my first full-time job. It was very difficult for me to digest such a thing as volunteering when I first landed. But that's how the system works here. 90% of the Canadian employers look for candidates who can be culturally fit for their organization. And its very important how you convince them on that!!! Hence I decided to share a few words of advice for all those excited people out there, who are planning their landing soon!!

Relocating and settling in Canada works in a totally different way. Every case is different and it all depends on your Present Situation and Your needs. Please do remember "You are migrating to a new place - On the hopes of Better Life, not for a adjusting or compromising life". It is not related to your qualifications, or experience - the system is Different NOT Difficult, which cannot be explained by writing. Everyone has to come to Canadian Loop to understand and enjoy this.

Because immigrants are welcomed, Canada has so many immigrants, ironically, you may actually find you are competing with many of your country men/women even when you get here. In kind of a twisted way: you are not really a "minority" and will find it just as difficult, if not more difficult. Canadian employers will not be jumping up and down because you have had overseas experience - so many people here have that. So, in and of itself, your experience just being overseas will not necessarily "seal the deal".

Also, when one examines everything you have to wonder why people want to focus mostly on Toronto. Alberta has the lowest unemployment rate in the world (4.3%) right now and trying to find a job is very easy. While there are 100,000 jobs in Alberta that are seeking workers, there is still a labor shortage mainly because of the baby boomers who have retired creating this drain on the labor market.

I would encourage anyone who wants to come to Canada to first get trained in a vocation that is in demand (become a welder, a pipe fitter, a mechanic) anything with a trade. A Journeyman Welder can earn $46.00 per hour anywhere in Alberta but a dentist can't find employment. Drivers of heavy equipment earn $150,000 a year working in the oil industry. So find out which jobs are most in demand and get trained in one of those fields and don't stay stuck on finding employment in your field of certification. LEARN A NEW SKILL.............reinvent yourself first.

So do your research, before choosing Toronto, and my suggestion - make a full research till you get tired, identify needs, try to get a proper Job / Specified income which you are ready to accept - then you can enjoy your stay in Canada.

Careful with your qualifications and/or experience - depending - may nor be transferable to Canada. .Many certificates and/or uni degrees are not recognized here. Your expertise may enable you to move here - but your "paper" or "transcript" etc may not be transferable here.....

Having priorities set with no high hopes is the rational way of making a move if you want it reflecting positively on your, and your next generation's, future - especially when it comes to migrating. Disappointment and desperation are the only things you'd get if you've set your expectations too high, and this is commonly happening to those who end up moving without prior research.

While awaiting for your visa visa, its very important you research a lot, what's in demand, market dynamics in your field, alternates and local skills that you need to acquire there. This is something everyone of us should be aware of before the much awaited 'LANDING'.

Take as much funds with you as possible, not just the minimum suggested by CIC. I would suggest that you take at least savings for the first one year. Be prepared for a change in lifestyle. Try adapting to the Canadian lifestyle. Start building professional network even before the time you land. Times have changed and social media has evolved rapidly.world has shrunk - try LinkedIn(don't ask for jobs directly, they'll throw you out of their network, rather your profile should be strong enough to impress).

Ensure English (or French) and other skill sets are up to snuff. In many areas of the country (particularly urban), you would be speaking with others all speaking English or French with their own accents (not necessarily Canadian origin). And so proficiency is almost more important than ever since you will be hearing the languages spoken so differently by so many different people with so many different backgrounds... the plus side is most people here will have heard English (and French) spoken with your accent - but not necessarily the other way around?

Repurpose your application and resume for each job you apply for rather than a broad brushstroke. Start reading job boards, job descriptions and essential equirements, this should give you an idea of what background a Canadian employer seeks from candidates.

The list can go on, and on, so prepare yourself mentally to face these challenges.

That being said, I feel privileged to live here so far..and I love Canada Smiley

Very well said sir !
 
Congrats MasterBlaster!You are absolutely right as it is not that easy and to get into the system and to be able to use the word "job" it takes you one year almost! The system is completely different and many will not understand until they are into it like me already one year now.Thanks for sharing this to everyone. I really salute people who at least try and succeed compared to those who do not try. But we should all be on the safe side too well before coming to Canada.

Thanks again.
Shannone
 
Thanks Sherin0621 and Mr. MasterBlaster for sharing the reality.....

It would be really nice if somebody can also provide details about cost of living.....
 
gudboy said:
One thing you both guys mentioned that to get a job of your profession is very difficult as your degree/certificate may not be recognized in Canada. In some professions, you need to pass the exam from Canadian Authorities like Doctor, nurse etc.

But what about the IT Professionals. I've Microsoft & CISCO Certifications, which are the same all around the world. Do these certifications recognized in Canada or not? What else do I need to do to enter to local IT field?

Many IT companies relax credentials assessment, canadian experience provided the candidate performs well in interview. However, I believe that they still mandate to have valid work references. Certifications are good to have. I joined an IT company after 3 weeks of landing. IT professionals are still in demand because Canadian Immigration stopped taking IT professionals for past 2 years. Young graduates does not possess enough experience and skill to do the job. So employers does hesitate to recruit them.
 
abhay175 said:
Thanks Sherin0621 and Mr. MasterBlaster for sharing the reality.....

It would be really nice if somebody can also provide details about cost of living.....

it depends where you plan to live, apartment or basement, public transport or own car etc... . Any way i believe minimum monthly cost should be less than 2000 that includes rent, phone, internet, transport, grocery.. initial expense should include first and last month deposit, chequing ac minimum balance, winter clothing, boots.
By the way if you happen to live nearby asian shops (chinese, indian) you can actually cut down grocery bill to half.. Living in city would help to avoid car and insurance costs...
 
hi Everyone,

i have one question. Do i have to pay landing fees at the airport?

i am PR individual traveling in Jan to Toronto and was wondering if what i hear is correct that i need to pay for landing fees amounting to
CAD1000.

Please someone answer me on this.

thanks
 
according to what i heard you dont need to pay anything at airport. i'm also traveling in jan.

gal said:
hi Everyone,

i have one question. Do i have to pay landing fees at the airport?

i am PR individual traveling in Jan to Toronto and was wondering if what i hear is correct that i need to pay for landing fees amounting to
CAD1000.

Please someone answer me on this.

thanks
 
Survival job = Lifting 50 lb's constantly in factories ; ever done it before? Bones are that strong to do that? Ask yourself.
Foreign Degrees are lame, no one even bother to look at your foreign degrees unless you go to a college and that's too only for the sake of business, you wouldnt get admitted into the college if your degrees were not accepted to them. You simply get no calls for an Interview without Canadian Degrees in your file. 8 hours of lifting of 50 lb's everyday and then getting into the workforce of your will , Are you guys dreaming? People get jobs thorough networks yet they lie that they got them by themselves and using their own effort.

Come on Guys ! think this way: if a Canadian employer needs to hire someone from outside Canada he has to go through a tough process and he can't do it until he fails to get a single applicant for the vacant job. Canadian employers would only call a PR immigrant when they wanted to slash their budget in salary. abuse is the daily life story in Canada.
 
Very informative and very helpful thread. I understand that it will not be that easy to get a job in our professon. But I have query for you who are in Canada. How Canadian employers respond to those who educated in the UK and worked in the UK? In terms of cultural awareness , both countries have similar cultural back ground(I guess). It will be appreciated if any one share their views and thoughts.
Thank you.